Don't Know What You Got

Quite often, we hear the term “a sense of accomplishment” applied to any one of hundreds of instances where persons feel a sense of gratification in observing the fruits of their labor. From the student whose first-place ribbon in Science Fair was worth every studious minute to the activist whose campaigning lead to legislative changes, we all have times where we feel pleasantly redeemed for the effort we’ve put in.

I believe, more indirectly, that many of us increase our sense of personal well-being by deriving a sense of accomplishment out of everyday tasks. Nothing so menial as brushing your teeth, say, but generally in changing the state of our surroundings and / or belongings to be more attuned to the lifestyle we wish to be surrounded by. It could be something as simple as vacuuming the living room or folding laundry, but for most it requires a little more elbow grease, if you will, and a greater depth of visual redemption.

Like most boys, I believe my father had me pegged to be his lawn-mowing successor from the very day I was born. Sure enough, by the age of 12 or so he was prepping me for my ascension to family groundskeeper. At first I disliked it. However, after a time I began to savor the moment when I had finished, standing there admiring the symmetrical mower lines and light-green sheen of the freshly shorn grass. I very quickly became much less begrudging as I walked to the shed each time Pops would say “Time to mow’er again, son.” I went through the same progression when it came to washing my car by hand; after a period of time I came to routinely bask in the cleanliness of my vehicle for a good five minutes before taking Armor-All to the tires.

For the past six years, city life and the pursuit of bigger and better things has necessitated an apartment life for me. With the exception of a visit home this past July, I haven’t cut a lawn in the better part of five plus years ( & rest assured I relished it wholeheartedly) as there’s never been so much as a blade of vegetation on any of my decks or balconies. Oh how I’d love to prime the 2.5 on that Toro one more time, and rip at that cord. Similarly, my new condo offers no means of washing my car by hand and, quite honestly, the drive-through doesn’t cut it for me one bit and the wand-wash pales in comparison.

Little things like this, where you can genuinely feel a sense of accomplishment in everyday tasks, interestingly do fall into the adage of “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.” I had no idea I would miss hand-washing my car this much, and I was almost giddy cutting my parents grass this past summer.

Those of you who are fortunate enough to have lawns, driveways and exterior taps of your own - I urge you to cherish each day you can feel good about completing domestic chores. Further, don’t lose track of the extent to which the proper accessories and elements of your lawn and patio can heighten the effect that a freshly-mowed lawn can have. Just because this summer is ending doesn’t mean you need to wait for the retail stores to re-stock their shelves with these products. With the online shopping revolution, you’re only a click away from Cymax Stores and their impressive and competitively-priced selection of outdoor products.

A Uniflame Portable Outdoor Heater on your patio table will allow you to comfortably soak up your landscaping prowess long after the sunshine begins to wane. An Oakland Living Chiminea / Firepit will keep the flames off your perfectly manicured greens, sure to be appreciated by marshmallow-gorging youngsters during those annual backyard campouts. Consider an Alfresco fountain as a tasteful addition to your definitively weed-free flower beds. Finally, at the end of the season, you can reward your trusty lawnmower with a Classic Accessories Lawn Mower cover for that long winter in the shed.

Jump at the chance to cut the lawn kids. Trust me.

Keeping Them Close By

It seemed that it was just yesterday when your mother was worrying about whether you had enough to eat for lunch or if you had packed your heavy sweater when off on an overnight camping trip with girlfriends. But now the shoe is on the other foot and you’re worrying about your aging parent and the challenges they face living on their own.

Many families are choosing accessory apartments as a viable answer. An accessory apartment is a self-contained unit built in an existing or new house. One specifically designed for a relative can have several nicknames including “granny flat” or “in-law suite.” But whatever you want to call it, for many families accessory apartments are the ideal way of helping an aging parent maintain their freedom and independence while keeping them nearby.

Since an accessory apartment is a fully operational living space with separate sleeping quarters, living room, kitchen and bathroom, it is subject to local building codes and bylaw restrictions. But once it has been built and is ready to be occupied, there are some things you can do to make the space safe, comfortable and convenient for the senior who will be moving in. In many cases, the mom, father or in-law moving in will bring along their own furniture, but if you need to furnish the accessory apartment in preparation for their arrival, here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when creating the ideal age-proofed living area.

Because many accessory apartments will be in the basement, you can off-set their tendency to be smaller in size with less natural light by choosing lighter colors for furniture. Or if the elderly parent or relative prefers darker woods or finishes, paint the walls of the unit a lighter color to make the area appear more spacious. When selecting a dining table, end tables, a coffee table or nightstands, purchase ones with rounded corners.

Many manufacturers are producing furniture pieces smaller in scale, designed specifically for apartment living. Opting for two loveseats rather than one sofa can increase the seating options of the living area while taking into account less space to work with.

To make the most out of the available floor space, choose multi-functional pieces whenever possible. A coffee table with open shelving, an end table that includes a magazine rack or an ottoman that doubles as hidden storage are just a few of the many ways you can introduce multi-functional furnishings into an accessory apartment.

Of course, the right lighting is a very important concern when decorating an accessory apartment that will be occupied by an aging parent or in-law. Select lamps, wall sconces and other fixtures that can accommodate bulbs of higher wattage and have at least two bulbs. Old age can play havoc on the eyes, and using higher wattage light bulbs will shed more light, preventing unnecessary accidents. Choosing fixtures with two or more bulbs will make allowances; if one burns out at night, the lamp will still provide some light until the bulb can be replaced in daylight hours.

Having a separate place for an aging parent or in-law to live can provide the perfect balance between maintaining the senior’s independence, and a loved one’s concern for their safety and well-being. Good design and wise furniture choices can create an accessory apartment that is comfortable, practical and inviting.

A Buck a Week

The term "allowance", or its linguistic equivalent, has a universal meaning for children the world over. Almost every parent bestows an amount of money upon their child at particular intervals, the most common being once a week. Motives vary; some do it with a view to establishing fiscal responsibility at a young age or as a reward for chores completed during the week. I would imagine, however, that most see it as a means of putting an end, however brief, to the incessant and desperate strings of "Can I have? Can I have? Please, Please, Please" that flare up at every stop in a supermarket or convenience store.

My folks definitely fell into that category. In fact, my sister and I receiving an allowance at all only came to be from something of a "Keeping up with the Jones'" stimulus as our interacting with other primary schoolchildren made us realize what we had been missing out on. They conceded, and my sister and I anxiously awaited the appointed Friday to receive our first allowances.

I was handed a one dollar bill. So was my sister. You could cut the anti-climax with a dull butter knife.

At first, I thought this was to be a graduated-scale kind of arrangement. You know, I'd receive more maybe at the start of the next school year. I'd only have to endure a short period of being the light-load one of my friends on our weekly jaunts to the corner store. Only a matter of time until I didn't need to nurse my Lik-M-Aid and Big League Chew so as to not deplete my sugar booty before they did.

It never happened. My pittance stayed just that until I got my first paper route at 13, at which point in fact the weekly allowance came to a stop entirely. It was somewhat an issue of contention - I distinctly remember lying to other schoolkids when they asked how much my allowance was. The shame I tell you.

The thing is, in our increasingly expensive world I imagine a great many of you have self-imposed "allowances" in much the same way I have needed to enforce them upon myself. I have a fairly rigid number to which I am "allowed" to spend every two weeks in order to steer well clear of mortgage, student loan and car payments, bills, groceries etc. In much the same way I hoped for the two-buck stipend all those years ago, I'm hoping this new allowance can be discarded sooner rather than later.

For those similarly restricted and needing to furnish a new home, I sincerely recommend a visit to www.cymax.com. Cymax is where the ease and convenience of online shopping is paired with competitive pricing that is as hard to beat as the hilarity of an 11-year old trying to sit still after six pieces of licorice, a can of Jolt and a bag of sour soothers.

Should you be at the point where it's just wrong to rest your new Nakamichi components on the same cinder blocks that have constituted your stereo stand for years, an Ameriwood 3-shelf Audio Stand is a budget-friendly choice for your living area.

What about the bachelor who feels a need to leave his dorm-days behind him and actually folds his laundry now? He is certain to appreciate the value of a Venture Horizon Nouvelle Drawer Chest, with ample garment storage for a single individual and priced just right to not to impede on the sanctity that is ordering pizza three times a week.

Many of us are not exactly thrilled that the computer is no longer exclusively for mindless surfing and red-eyed Diablo and Warcraft sessions. While you're peeling the Green Day and Offspring stickers off the laptop before bequeathing that Pentium II dinosaur to your cousin, take a moment to consider a Prepac Sonoma Computer Desk for your new desktop. It's light on the wallet and up to the rigors of daily life as your new workstation.

I remember my Uncle once telling me that my parents had an "overly-Protestant work ethic." Man, he wasn't kidding.

When the Puck Drops

So it's the end of August and with it sooner than later, the end of summer as well. No more barbeques on the patio, no more dates on the beach, and no more driving with the top down. Yes, around this time I always seem to have a certain feeling of sadness to befall me. I don’t know what it is specifically, but the sun always seems to have a cheery, happy-go-lucky effect on me. And when I wake up only to see and hear the rain (as it constantly does where I live), a depression-like mode seems to kick in. However, I remind myself that it aint all bad; after all, with the start of a new fall season brings about the one constant love that lasts with me for the next 8 months: NHL HOCKEY!!!

I understand the regular season of the greatest sport known to man (at least in my opinion) doesn’t start until October, but I can't help but get excited about the prospect of a new season and a new hope that my favourite team (the Vancouver Canucks) might finally win Lord Stanley's Cup! But the NHL season isn't quite complete with one important component: the hockey pool!

Since the NHL lockout a few years back, I've been involved in at least 3 or 4 hockey pools, but still have yet to win one. I'm not sure why that is exactly. I'm quite familiar with the rules of the game, what teams are playoffs contenders, and which players are going to 'rack em up'. I even play a fair amount of hockey as well; and although I'm no Alex Ovechkin (who'd be my first overall pick if I had the chance) I'm decent enough to show people I'm not a hockey newbie.

So why can't I win these hockey pools? I have the knowledge of the game and know how to play. Having said that, I should be a lock for at least 2^nd prize, which is usually a small cut of total pot. But alas, in the last 4 years, all I've seen is the basement of the pool and the ridicule of my friends for some of the questionable picks I've made in the past (ie – P.J. Axelson of the Boston Bruins….until this day, I still wonder what made me pick him, but what's done is done, and that pick was made at least a couple years back, meaning it's time to forget about past mistakes).

But this year I think I've found my secret weapon. And no, I'm not talking about sleeper picks (although I do have a couple up my sleeve this year, who I won't mention here). Rather Cymax Stores shall be the X-Factor that'll bring me glory. This year I think I'll be holding the draft at my place and I have the perfect idea to start making smart and intelligent picks: MoreConferenceTables.com. Here I can finally get me and my friends a nice, comfortable and organized place for our draft. No more yelling across the room for us! However, if they want the casual and often soothing ambiance of a living room, then I'm going to need some fine and dandy sofas, coffee tables, and possibly some bean bags to fully accommodate my guests, all of whom I'll be laughing at come the NHL Playoffs in late April and when they fork over the dough.

Yes, summer may soon be coming to a close. But as long as there's hockey, then I say let the rain fall down. Especially since this year I feel it in my blood that I'm destined to win my hockey pools, and my beloved Canucks will win the Stanley Cup. GO CANUCKS GO! Roberto Luongo for the win!!!!

INCENTIVE ENOUGH

The first car I ever became infatuated with was the mid-80s Porsche 911 Targa. Asides from its roadster good looks, aero-tail and beefy rims and rubber, I’m not sure why it appealed to me so much when all of my friends were all about the Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Anyways, it wasn’t long before a poster of that beautiful vehicle took up some prime real estate in my bedroom and my grandmother bought me the Mazur’s die-cast model of it for Christmas.

Around those same years, Ma and Pa were always at a loss as to why a conspicuous “D” grade in Math routinely interrupted the string of Bs on my report card. I was completely at a loss as to it myself, only I simply didn’t care the same way they did. I’ve since come to understand I’m something of a number-dyslexic individual, but back then the folks attributed it to pure laziness and a lack of attention paid in class. The latter, admittedly, had a small part in it, but the former truly had none.

I distinctly remember my father’s tone when he said “I bet if I promised you I’d buy you that Porsche if you got a B in Math, you’d do it.” I similarly remember having a synapse malfunction that was only processing the first half of the sentence, but the fact was his assessment of my laziness was way off base. My indifference? That was a different story without question. I stick by my guns to this day in believing everything I was forced to suffer with after learning the basics of + / - / x / division is completely irrelevant to the adult lives of 90% of us. However, I digress.

Despite an inclination, I didn’t actually ask “Will you?” as I knew both of his example-only insincerity and the fact they would be building snowmen in Havana before I earned a B in mathematics. So as much as he was simply trying to make a point, however erroneous, the incentive really wasn’t there. The day I squeaked by Math 11 with 51% in summer school I was on academic easy street from there on and had no real complaint with my 1977 Honda Civic.

Now, if you’re an imminent new homeowner, re-finishing your home or an individual who foresees any quantity of home produce purchases in the near future, Cymax Stores has genuine incentive for you. With only a few minutes, if that, of your time you can sign up for our email list and receive all of our promotional codes – which may lead to your being the beneficiary of discounts on specific items, or significant discounts on any item you choose. Clearly advertised as “CyDeals” on the bottom quarter of each and every page at www.cymax.com on a dark blue banner, it’s a little something for your inbox that just might be a welcome note on special offers, updates and deal alerts. Sign up now!

It’s painfully more obvious everyday the Porsche roadster is highly unlikely at any point in my future, barring a massive overhaul in employment prospects or some lucky numbers. Nonetheless, I’m quite content in my Toyota knowing I have no clue what the square root of 1,462 is, and yet as assured as I was twenty years ago that I’ll never need to.

Send Them Packing – Safely and In Style

Getting ready to go back to school can be stressful, for everyone involved. But a combination of planning ahead and choosing the right backpack can help make the trek back to school smoother and easier for your children, while giving you peace of mind.

The first thing to keep in mind when selecting a backpack for your child is size. Make sure that it’s not too big or too small, it fits comfortably and the straps are easily adjustable.

When sending them off to school with everything they will need for the day strapped to their back remember to pack light. Many health professionals advise that the backpack should be no heavier than 10 to 15 percent of the child’s body weight. And to further prevent back strain or potential nerve damage, choose a style of backpack that will evenly distribute the contents, usually the kind with two wide shoulder straps rather than just one.

Once the backpack is ready to go (and hopefully they are too), it should be lifted up off the floor with both hands while the knees are slightly bent. It should be put on like a coat, first one arm and then the other. If it has a waist strap, encourage them to you use it, since this will stabilize the backpack while adding more support.

The second thing to consider when buying a backpack is its primary function. For books, basic necessities like school supplies and a safe place for the science project when transporting it to class, choose one with a main compartment with several smaller zippered pockets. One with a drink bottle compartment would be handy if they have to walk home on warmer days. If the older kids in your household only intend to take their laptop to school along with a few accompanying accessories, consider a laptop backpack that has separate compartments for a laptop, papers and organizer pockets.

Since it will take wild horses to get your kids to go back to school, the third thing to keep in mind when selecting that perfect backpack for your child or teen is style. You know they will leave it behind “accidentally” somewhere if they don’t like it. Maybe a backpack in a bright color with a trendy pattern might fool them into thinking that going back to school isn’t so bad.

Armchair QB

Ray regretted his impulse the moment the cup left his hand. Each time his defense was dissected like a Grade 12 Biology Piglet, there was always a split-second when rationality went out the window like a Jeff George 12-yard overthrow. It would have been preferable if the malt beverage that now dripped from his TV and the wall behind it wasn’t in his hands when that split-second arrived this time.

It’s very much true you can be born a fan. In Ray’s case he was born into his allegiance, and his loyalty was so fierce it had kept him one for all these years. His father was a Raiders fan, and Ray was too. With the exception of that aberrational 2003 run that ended when Gruden knew their playbook better than they did, Ray had been watching Davis the Dinosaur run his team into the ground for as long as he could remember. Sunday afternoons had become a trying experience, to say the least.

Mrs. Ray often remarked that Ray devolved into a petulant teenager for 3 hours every Sunday in front of the TV, but that’s nothing noteworthy as its par for the course for nearly every passionate football fan. She had come to accept it, but she was drastically less accepting of their living room pieces being at constant risk of projectile attack each time Oakland’s offense looked like a drunken Pop Warner scrimmage.

This time she walked into the aftermath, remarking “good thing we have hardwood floors” with a disdainful shake of the head. Ray didn’t even blink, he was too focused hoping for a successful third-down stop, and the resulting first-down completion brought out a string of expletives that would have made a trucker proud. The Mrs. stared over with eyes locked on the bowl of nacho dip that was sharing its contents with the chair after this most recent outburst, and thought of the new microfiber upholstery sofa set they had ordered recently from Cymax Stores. Something had to be done, and sooner rather than later based on the fact this 0-4 season wasn’t looking to get any better anytime soon.

Ray tried to diffuse the situation somewhat with a token “Sorry honey, you know how I get.” She certainly did, but her mind was made up. She made her way into the den and sat down at the computer. Online shopping really was so easy, and the convenience of home delivery was a big part of why they had decided to purchase their new sofa set from Cymax. It had only been two days since they had placed their order, and Mrs. Ray was fairly sure this purchase would need to arrive shortly after the sofa did, or definitely before the first Sunday after.

The decision was quick and easy. Six quality-made Winsome TV trays were staring back at her and, priced right with a full money-back guarantee, before you can say “TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS!!” two were in her cart and at the checkout. She was pleased to check the “estimated arrival date” icon attached to each product and see that her trays would arrive only days after the sofa. “As easy as that” she thought.

Both of them were very happy with their purchases. The sofa set looked great, and it didn’t take Ray much to realize the value of having his beverage out of his hand when the Raider’s red-zone offense sputtered like a weathered ’72 Pinto. The Mrs. admired from a distance, and felt a sense of security as strong as a San Diego secondary in seeing the snacks on the new tray and far from the upholstery.

For Ray and all of us like him – 17 days left!