Inclusive Classrooms – 6 Strategies for Integrating Special Education Students into Mainstream Education
I have 4 kids and 3 of them are in special education programs. My younger son was in a special ed school because he wasn’t able to understand the local language, so integrating him and mainstreaming with assistance wasn’t an option for elementary school. For middle school he was in a special ed class and […]
Transforming a Kids Room with Multi-Functional Beds
When raising kids in a small home, where space is at a premium, picking the right type of bed can make a huge difference to the quality of life, freeing up floor space, etc. In our old home, we built a loft bed for the kids, then we made a quadruple bunk bed in our current home […]
Fresh and Easy Mango Salsa Recipe — Gluten Free, Paleo, Allergy Friendly, and Frugal
I wrote in my recent post that I really, really, really love mangos. I don’t think I ever tasted something with mango I didn’t like. When my sister Violet was younger, she hated mangoes, and I never understood it, didn’t understand what there was to even dislike about this luscious fruit. She eventually “came to […]
Top Budget-Friendly Sofas to Invest in for Your Family
So from experience, yes to microfiber. No to cheap couches to “save money” because they end up in the garbage really quickly and you end up needing to spend more money in the long run. But read more on how to pick the right budget friendly sofa for your family. When you’re on a […]
Top 10 Strategies for Supporting a Loved One with Dementia
My grandmother and grandfather at their wedding, along with my paternal great grandparents. I remember the first time I found out that my grandmother, Lois, had dementia. At the time, I was 17 and living in Brooklyn, New York, self supporting, while my grandmother was living in nearby Queens. She was really helpful in setting […]
Grilled Pineapple Cilantro Chicken Recipe — Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly, and Delicious
I love mango season. (What does this have to do with a pineapple chicken recipe, you ask? Read on.) Mangoes are one of my favorite fruits, along with sweet crunchy grapes, blueberries, and juicy and sweet peaches (summer is one of my favorite times culinarily, if you can imagine) and I wait for the prices […]
New Treatments For Alcohol Addiction: A Family Guide To Supporting Recovery
Teenagers can get up to a lot of trouble. Their brains aren’t fully developed (even though they think they are) and they make decisions that can have life-long repercussions, often because they feel like they’re invincible. Or they’re trying to rebel. Or because of a myriad of different reasons. But far too many teenagers start […]
Specialized Support for Parents with Dementia in Phoenix Nursing Homes
I’m getting closer to being in the sandwich generation, when you need to take care both of your young children and elderly parents. My parents aren’t elderly quite yet, but my father just turned 67 yesterday!! so it’ll happen eventually. My ex is in that situation though, his father passed away 2 years ago and […]
My Recent Frugal Accomplishments
Hi y’all, it’s time for another episode of “Is Penny actually frugal or is she all talk? Does she live what she preaches? Prove it!” In other words, here is a list of the money saving things I have done recently, as in the last 2 weeks or so that I’m excited to share with […]
In the Market for a New Rug? Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes Buyers Make
I love rugs. I grew up with wall to wall carpeting in my house and in my opinion it makes homes feel really cozy and nice. When my parents pulled up the carpeting in our living room, we got a nice large area rug instead. In my house now we have had rugs on and […]
