Insurance Blog Week In Review January 9-15, 2007

It’s been a busy week for so many people in the United States. The weather has been a huge problem with snow, ice and unusually cold temperatures. Get ready to pay a lot more for Oranges and Avocado’s after the deep freeze in Southern California. Many homeowners have suffered the Midnight Disaster, including my little brother. Caught completely off guard with freezing temperatures and a ruptured pipe in the attic. Thankfully, he was able to Ask Anna (or sissy) for help in this matter! When my brother woke up to find boxes falling out of his attic and water flooding … Continue reading

The Lake House — 2006

I’m a sucker for a great romantic story. When I saw “The Lake House” advertised on TV, I knew it was one I would rent as soon as I got the chance. Starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, “The Lake House” is the story of a man and a woman who are living their lives two years apart from each other. In the year 2004, he is an architect working on a home his father built years before, and in the year 2006, she is the former tenant of that house now living in Chicago. By means of a mailbox … Continue reading

American Lung Association Releases the State of the Air Report

The American Lung Association (ALA) released its “State of the Air” report yesterday, which looks at the ozone and particle pollution levels across the U.S. for 2006, 2007 and 2008. As with most reports, there is good news and bad news. The year-round, annual particle pollution levels showed improvement. But, there are also more than 175 million Americans that are still breathing polluted air. In case you were wondering, that is about 58 percent of our total population. The ALA released a list of cities that are most polluted, based on ozone, short-term particle spikes, and long-term particle averages. Unfortunately … Continue reading

10 Things You Should Know about Apolo Anton Ohno

Unless your computer, radio, and television have been turned off for the past two weeks, you have probably heard at least a little about Apolo Anton Ohno. Without a doubt, he has been one of the most celebrated Olympians in Vancouver this year. In case you don’t know a lot about this record breaking speed skater, here are 10 things you should know about Apolo: 10. Apolo’s father Yuki got him involved in sports at the age of 6 to keep him busy after school. As a tween, Apolo preferred swimming over speed skating and won the Washington state championship … Continue reading

Homeschool Groups and Resources in Illinois G-N

Getting involved with other homeschoolers is very important to a family’s success in homeschooling It is important to join a homeschool network or support group in your area, There are also many homeschooling groups as well as many homeschooling classes, and programs that your students can enjoy. In this series, we are covering homeschool groups and resources across the country. This installment is part 1 for Illinios A-H IL HS Gifted An all inclusive communication loop and supportive network for Illinois families who are homeschooling their highly, exceptionally, or profoundly gifted children. ILHSannounce This list is for all Illinois homeschoolers, … Continue reading

Another Type of Adoption: Embryo Adoption

Soon after I became an adoption blogger for Families.com over two years ago, I wrote blogs introducing three kinds of adoption—domestic infant adoption, adoption from the child welfare system, and international adoption. But now there is another kind of adoption: embryo adoption. “Embryo adoption” or “Embryo donation” is when a couple donates unused embryos that were created and frozen during infertility treatment to another couple. These embryos are transferred to the womb of the recipient mother. Technically this is not “adoption” at all in most states, since most states agree that the legal mother of a child is the mother … Continue reading

Until the Dawn – Gale Sears

“Until the Dawn” is the sequel to the LDS historical fiction novel “Autumn Sky,” both written by Gale Sears. This book serves as the bridge between “Autumn Sky” and the third book in the trilogy, “Upon the Mountains,” which was a finalist for the Whitney Award this last year. As we begin “Until the Dawn,” we find that we are picking up right where “Autumn Sky” left off. In a desperate bid to save her family’s farm, Alaina Lund married Nephi Erickson in the hopes that her mother would give Nephi the land. But her mother, crazy with grief over … Continue reading

Summer Travel—-Culinary Tours and Fourth of July Savings

Some of Seattle’s most popular chefs are heading up a unique tour this summer designed to get foodies to hit the road for a taste of the Northwest. The top-rated chefs are teaming up with Gray Line of Seattle bus company this summer for eight new culinary tours. Each tour features a visit with a chef from a popular Seattle restaurant. Participating eateries include Crush, Troiani Ristorante Italiano, El Gaucho, Sky City at the Space Needle, Chandlers Crabhouse on Lake Union, Daniel’s Broiler at Lake Union, Waterfront Grill and Palisade. During the tour individual chefs will greet participants at the … Continue reading

Kelci Bryant (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. Meet Kelci Bryant Kelci Bryant is the daughter of Randy and Kathie Bryant. She has two sisters, Katie Beth and Kara, and two brothers, Kevin and Steve. All four of her siblings are or were college athletes; Katie Beth was a five-time national champion diver at University of Miami, Kevin played baseball at Morehead State, Kara swam at Milliken University and Steve plays baseball at Rend Lake College. Kelci has never trained for diving in … Continue reading

Profile of a Homeschooled Olympian: Kelci Bryant

As we approach the 2008 Summer Olympics, now is a good time to talk about some Olympians who have been homeschooled. Being able to make education work around training through homeschooling is something many of these athletes have in common. Kelsi Bryant, a diver and Olympic hopeful has attended public school and was also homeschooled. Like her Olympic training, her education is a top priority. Kelci Bryant, daughter of Randy and Kathie Bryant is from a family of athletes. Her sister Katie Beth was a five-time national champion diver at the University of Miami. Her sister Kara swam at Milliken … Continue reading