St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, and in different ways by many. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, you’ll want to wear a bit of green on St. Patrick’s Day to avoid getting pinched by another. Here are a few craft ideas to do with the kids to help you get in the spirit for March 17th. This is just in case that you will not be around. Let a Sittercity helps you with the child care. Register with Sittercity.com now with coupon code to save more
Wear It:
Lucky Charm Rings: Materials needed: green, white, or gold pipe cleaners, white craft glue, green food coloring or green paint, cotton balls.
For each ring, wrap the pipe cleaner around your finger (size small if for a child’s finger). Dye three small cotton balls green by dipping them in green paint or a dish with green food coloring (or just use green pom poms from the craft store). Let the paint or dye dry. Glue the three green balls on the ring with craft glue. Once dry, the ring is ready to wear!
Lucky Charm Pins: Materials (may want to use a variety to design your pin): glitter, glue, green construction paper, gold sequins, safety pins.
For each pin, trace the size of your shamrock you’d like then decorate the shamrock using your imagination and any materials listed above. Once you are satisfied with your creation, cut out your shamrock, then weave the pin through the design and fasten it to your jacket or shirt.
Eat It:
Eggs: Scramble up some eggs just the way you like them then add some green food coloring to them prior to adding them to the pan.
Pancakes: Make pancakes just the way you normally do, but add green food coloring prior to adding them to the pan. When you go to pour them into the pan, instead of pouring one or two separate flapjacks on the pan, pour three small pancakes next to each other, making the shape of a shamrock. Garnish with some fresh spinach leaves and enjoy!
Gift It:
“Pots of Gold”
Materials needed: green tissue paper, ribbon, recycled paper towel cardboard roll or recycled cups from egg cartons, a bag of green or yellow M&M’s.
If recycling egg cartons, use scissors to cut each cup from the carton. If recycling paper towel roll cardboard, cut two inch pieces, keeping the cylinder in tact. Lay each cup or piece of cardboard on top of a paper towel-sized piece of green tissue paper. Fill each cup with either green M&M’s or yellow M&M’s (a healthy alternative is to use almonds in place of the candy, or make a trail mix). Gather tissue so it wraps around the cup. Pre-cut 12-inch strips of gold, white, green, or black ribbon. Tie ribbon around gathered tissue so that the cup of treats is on the inside of the tissue. You should have nice little “Pots of gold” to give to your friends. Optional: attach little messages to each ribbon.
Play It:
Scavenger Hunt: find the pot of gold. Materials needed: Paper, pen, imagination, “pots of gold”
Create a scavenger hunt game with the pots of gold you made (above). Each pot of gold will have a ribbon with a clue attached to it, giving you a clue to where the next pot of gold can be found.
Sittercity Adopting a Child
Feel like adopting a child? or you're not able to have one? There are 4 main points that you should know before adopting ones. Visit SitterCity.com Blog
1. Should I adopt domestic child or international one? There are points to determine
a. the costs of both, the cost can go up to $40,000
b. the wait time (depending on the country and child chosen, wait times can be significant, or, in times of urgent need for placement the wait time can be minimal)
c. the number of children available
d. medical and social history of the child
e. legal concerns of each process
Towards the end of the adoption process, families should think about their childcare needs. Families may chose to hire a sitter, work with a day care center, or stay home with the child. Each family has different reasons or circumstances for choosing to go back to work, to work from home, or stay at home with the newly adopted child. Whatever your decisions and circumstances are, work with your childcare provider to make the transition into your home a smooth one for your new family member
1. Should I adopt domestic child or international one? There are points to determine
a. the costs of both, the cost can go up to $40,000
b. the wait time (depending on the country and child chosen, wait times can be significant, or, in times of urgent need for placement the wait time can be minimal)
c. the number of children available
d. medical and social history of the child
e. legal concerns of each process
2. If choosing a domestic option, the next decision you need to make is whether you will choose private adoption (newborns/babies), foster child (older children and siblings) and whether you have a preference of choosing a child with the same ethnic background as yourself, or if you are prepared to raise a child from an ethnic or racial background different than yours. You have already, or may want to, consider adopting a child with special needs. Many times, the costs associated with adopting special needs children are lower and wait times are shorter.
3. Determine who will assist your family with the adoption
3. Determine who will assist your family with the adoption
4. Once you’ve done your research and have determined which options are best for you, you will want to begin the adoption process. While the process is slightly different for domestic than it is for international adoption, the process is essentially as follows:
f. Make contact with an adoption specialist who can answer all of your questions and concerns.
g. After you have researched which adoption service or agency you are planning on using, request an information packet.
h. And Lastly, try to Create an adoption plan
Advice for Elder Care
Sittercity and Advice for Elder Care
Advanced age, unfortunately, is often accompanied by dementia, whether from Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, small and large, or any of a number of other illnesses. By some measures, half of those over 85 suffer from dementia. The more severe the dementia, the more assistance seniors need getting through the day. To find sitter for senior care, you can always visit sittercity.com, during the payment page to subscribe to look for sitters in your territories, sittercity coupon code can be used to reduce the subscription price.
Seniors with dementia can also be at great physical and financial risk due to their own risky decisions and their susceptibility to abuse, either physical or financial. Depending on the situation, protecting seniors with cognitive impairment, as well as those around them, can be difficult.
What can family members do when a parent should stop driving, but refuses to do so? What if the parent responds to every telephone solicitation that comes their way? What if a loved one refuses help in the house or resists moving to an assisted living facility?
In many instances, seniors can be cajoled to do what’s best for them—but as with my client, that’s not always the case. In such instances, there is the legal remedy of guardianship. Unfortunately, as we shall see, the law can be a blunt instrument.
Guardianship proceedings are problematic on a number of levels.
- They take away the protected person’s rights – he can no longer make decisions for himself.
- He is declared to be incompetent, which can be hurtful.
- There is the cost of hiring attorneys and doctors to get through the process.
- The protected person’s situation and finances become part of the public record and the guardian and conservator must make annual reports to the court.
- Finally, depending on the state, many financial and estate planning steps that may be advisable can only be taken with court approval, which causes delay and increases legal fees.
Sittercity Coupon Promotion EXTENDED
Sittercity.com will be extending its current coupon promotion through the end of April. Parents are searching for Spring Break babysitters to care for their kids while schools are out, so now is the best for the sitter seekers to use this promotion coupon
Sittercity Affiliate Offer Details
Promo code SITTERSAVE provides $20 OFF an annual membership or $5 OFF a monthly membership to Sittercity.com.
This promotion code expires 4/30/2010.
Sittercity Affiliate Offer Details
Promo code SITTERSAVE provides $20 OFF an annual membership or $5 OFF a monthly membership to Sittercity.com.
This promotion code expires 4/30/2010.
Professional Pet Sitters Week
Pet Sitters International is asking pet owners to help celebrate Professional Pet Sitters Week, March 7-13. During the week members of PSI will be educating pet owners about the advantages of in-home pet care and encouraging others to explore pet sitting as a career.
In a news release Patti Moran, president of PSI, wrote, "Professional pet sitting has become an important service industry in the past 13 years. Their dedicated service affords their clients the ability to leave home for business or vacation with the knowledge that their beloved pets are in the capable hands of caring professionals."
Brandyn & Brandi Wehde, owners of B & B Petsitting, are two of PSI's 7,900 members.
If you're looking for a sitter, sittercity.com is your best choice
In a news release Patti Moran, president of PSI, wrote, "Professional pet sitting has become an important service industry in the past 13 years. Their dedicated service affords their clients the ability to leave home for business or vacation with the knowledge that their beloved pets are in the capable hands of caring professionals."
Brandyn & Brandi Wehde, owners of B & B Petsitting, are two of PSI's 7,900 members.
If you're looking for a sitter, sittercity.com is your best choice
SitterCity Find a Sitter and Stay Out of Jail
Always Check Sitter Profile from a trust source like Sittercity.com before deciding to hire one! Also Check out Sittercity promo of the month to receive discount from the site
About Sittercity Inc
Sittercity, the inventor of online caregiving, is America's largest and most trusted online source for child care, pet care, senior care, housesitting, housekeeping and tutoring. Sittercity has a network of more than a million caregiver profiles nationwide, and helps families and individuals across America find the perfect in-home care provider quickly, easily and safely. Sittercity's care seekers can use the company's four-step screening process, which includes checking references, reading caregiver reviews, conducting interviews and utilizing free access to background checks. Sitter profiles also come with photos, experience, training, safety skills, availability calendars, reviews and more. Our Corporate Program now serves a number of marquee clients, including Avon, MasterCard, FOX Networks, Pitney Bowes and Monster Worldwide. For more information about the company, visit the company Web site at http://www.sittercity.com. For more information about the Corporate Program visit www.sittercity.com/corporate.
About Sittercity Inc
Sittercity, the inventor of online caregiving, is America's largest and most trusted online source for child care, pet care, senior care, housesitting, housekeeping and tutoring. Sittercity has a network of more than a million caregiver profiles nationwide, and helps families and individuals across America find the perfect in-home care provider quickly, easily and safely. Sittercity's care seekers can use the company's four-step screening process, which includes checking references, reading caregiver reviews, conducting interviews and utilizing free access to background checks. Sitter profiles also come with photos, experience, training, safety skills, availability calendars, reviews and more. Our Corporate Program now serves a number of marquee clients, including Avon, MasterCard, FOX Networks, Pitney Bowes and Monster Worldwide. For more information about the company, visit the company Web site at http://www.sittercity.com. For more information about the Corporate Program visit www.sittercity.com/corporate.
Recently a Michigan mom was held in contempt of court and almost thrown in jail for bringing her children to jury duty when she couldn't find someone to watch them. While this is an extreme case, childcare issues create a crisis for American parents everyday - but there's an answer. Sittercity.com wants to offer parents three simple steps to being prepared when the unplanned happens so they can get to work, meet their deadline OR stay out of jail.
Develop a short list of potential sitters in your area. The web is a great tool for vetting potential sitter candidates. On Sittercity, you can view comprehensive sitter profiles that provide background, experience, skills like CPR and First Aid and safety information like a background check. The also provide references and parent reviews so you can get a feel for others' experience with the caregiver.
Conduct in-person interviews with selected candidates. While online profiles and third parties can provide critical information on a potential sitter, there is no substitute to a face-to-face interview. Make sure you're prepared with a list of questions so you get the answers you need. You can find a suggested list of interview questions at http://babysitters.sittercity.com/article/parent_interview_checklist.html.Make sure you have an arsenal of childcare providers before you need them. Once you have gone through the process, you may begin to use your favorite but make sure to keep in touch with the runners-up - you never know when you'll need a back-up.
Pet sitter talks about animal caring
Looking for Pet Sitter? Sittercity can Help. Register with sittercity coupon code. Save more
Up until a few years ago, Diane Wilcox had a regular desk job. When she realized she was unable to sit at a desk all day, she quit to start her own business. Since she loves animals and enjoys helping people, she began her own pet and errand service. She said it is the best move she has ever made.
"I feel like this is my calling. Life is too short to not do something you love," she said.
What is rewarding about what you do?
People can go away on trips or when they are gone to work and they can feel totally confident that I'm taking care of their pets. The animals are always appreciative. I always get a wagging tail and a lick.
What the things you do for your clients?
Every home is different. When I first started, I did errands and pet service. I used to do grocery shopping, but I don't anymore. I mostly do pets. I feed them, give them fresh water, clean up after them, walk them, take them to the vet or grooming appointments. I get the mail and newspaper, take out garbage cans on garbage day. I water and look at the house and make sure it hasn't been broken into. Some animals are better off going to the kennel, but some get freaked out, so they are able to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
What is the strangest thing someone has asked you to do?
I would say (when someone) asked me to come over and pick up the dogs' bedding and wash it.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy taking care of the pets. The other day was a beautiful, sunny day. I was out walking a dog and I was thinking, "I get paid for this."
What is your favorite pet?
My favorite pets are dogs.
Which is your favorite breed?
Labs.
Have you had a funny or memorable experience?
I have a client who has a Persian cat that is mean. Whenever I go to her house, she leaves a broom by the door. I have to use it to protect myself because she will attack me. One day, she chased me around the island in the kitchen. I have to tell her, "I'm here to feed you, not harm you."
Where would you like to see your business in five years?
This is a seven-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year job, so I can't say I can't work a Saturday. Right now I have a gal who works for me. I would like to get to a point where I have more people working with me.
Do you ever feel like you are running around crazy? How do you deal with it?
Yes, all the time. What I do now is usually at night I look one day ahead and look at my schedule. If I go and look too far out, it gets overwhelming. I've learned to take it one day at a time.
Do you have to deal with wild pets and how do you handle them?
I do. It is typically the larger breeds like the labs. (In the past) I was around a trainer so I know how to handle them. I'm confident around all kinds of dogs and their behavior. I need to learn how to be more confident around aggressive dogs like pit bulls.
Do you ever get too attached to people's animals?
I do. I've had a lot last year where older dogs passed away. I've had a client for the past two years, her dog was only seven and had heart problems. During his last few months, I would have to check him twice a day because my client worked in Sacramento. That was hard when he passed away.
What is the best advice you can give someone who wants to do this?
Be ready to work a lot of hours and you have to really cater to people. They have different needs and you have to learn to be flexible with people and their pets.
Up until a few years ago, Diane Wilcox had a regular desk job. When she realized she was unable to sit at a desk all day, she quit to start her own business. Since she loves animals and enjoys helping people, she began her own pet and errand service. She said it is the best move she has ever made.
"I feel like this is my calling. Life is too short to not do something you love," she said.
What is rewarding about what you do?
People can go away on trips or when they are gone to work and they can feel totally confident that I'm taking care of their pets. The animals are always appreciative. I always get a wagging tail and a lick.
What the things you do for your clients?
Every home is different. When I first started, I did errands and pet service. I used to do grocery shopping, but I don't anymore. I mostly do pets. I feed them, give them fresh water, clean up after them, walk them, take them to the vet or grooming appointments. I get the mail and newspaper, take out garbage cans on garbage day. I water and look at the house and make sure it hasn't been broken into. Some animals are better off going to the kennel, but some get freaked out, so they are able to stay in the comfort of their own homes.
What is the strangest thing someone has asked you to do?
I would say (when someone) asked me to come over and pick up the dogs' bedding and wash it.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy taking care of the pets. The other day was a beautiful, sunny day. I was out walking a dog and I was thinking, "I get paid for this."
What is your favorite pet?
My favorite pets are dogs.
Which is your favorite breed?
Labs.
Have you had a funny or memorable experience?
I have a client who has a Persian cat that is mean. Whenever I go to her house, she leaves a broom by the door. I have to use it to protect myself because she will attack me. One day, she chased me around the island in the kitchen. I have to tell her, "I'm here to feed you, not harm you."
Where would you like to see your business in five years?
This is a seven-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year job, so I can't say I can't work a Saturday. Right now I have a gal who works for me. I would like to get to a point where I have more people working with me.
Do you ever feel like you are running around crazy? How do you deal with it?
Yes, all the time. What I do now is usually at night I look one day ahead and look at my schedule. If I go and look too far out, it gets overwhelming. I've learned to take it one day at a time.
Do you have to deal with wild pets and how do you handle them?
I do. It is typically the larger breeds like the labs. (In the past) I was around a trainer so I know how to handle them. I'm confident around all kinds of dogs and their behavior. I need to learn how to be more confident around aggressive dogs like pit bulls.
Do you ever get too attached to people's animals?
I do. I've had a lot last year where older dogs passed away. I've had a client for the past two years, her dog was only seven and had heart problems. During his last few months, I would have to check him twice a day because my client worked in Sacramento. That was hard when he passed away.
What is the best advice you can give someone who wants to do this?
Be ready to work a lot of hours and you have to really cater to people. They have different needs and you have to learn to be flexible with people and their pets.
House-sitter charged with theft
An Austin woman was charged with felony theft Thursday after she allegedly stole $6,000 from a house's safe last year because she didn't feel she was being paid enough to "house-sit."
Patricia Marie Viktora, 64, is summoned to appear April 1 in Mower County court on the single criminal count.
According to a criminal complaint, police were notified of the incident on Dec. 3 when a 64-year-old man and his 87-year-old mother returned home from a trip.
The two noticed nothing disturbed throughout the house, located on the 2700 block of 12th Street Southwest, but they did discover $6,000 missing from a safe. The man said he believed Viktora was the only one to have access to the home as they had left her to watch it.
Initially, Viktora told authorities that she had nothing to do with the missing money, the complaint states. Instead, she claimed she saw a "suspicious" man near the home while the couple was away and indicated it may have been him.
However, Viktora's written statement differed, and upon further police questioning, she admitted to taking the money.
She said she thought she had only taken $2,700 from the safe, the complaint states. Viktora said she committed the theft because she wasn't being fairly compensated for watching the home.
Patricia Marie Viktora, 64, is summoned to appear April 1 in Mower County court on the single criminal count.
According to a criminal complaint, police were notified of the incident on Dec. 3 when a 64-year-old man and his 87-year-old mother returned home from a trip.
The two noticed nothing disturbed throughout the house, located on the 2700 block of 12th Street Southwest, but they did discover $6,000 missing from a safe. The man said he believed Viktora was the only one to have access to the home as they had left her to watch it.
Initially, Viktora told authorities that she had nothing to do with the missing money, the complaint states. Instead, she claimed she saw a "suspicious" man near the home while the couple was away and indicated it may have been him.
However, Viktora's written statement differed, and upon further police questioning, she admitted to taking the money.
She said she thought she had only taken $2,700 from the safe, the complaint states. Viktora said she committed the theft because she wasn't being fairly compensated for watching the home.
Time Constraint From Snow?
Evening news announces "Snow is coming down and School is Closed tomorrow" and immediately the kids are jumping and cheering for joy as this means a day to stay home and play! However, for many working parents their reaction to this news is anything but exciting, knowing that the next several hours will be spent struggling to find last minute childcare for their kiddos. Worries no more: SitterCity can help! ( see also sittercity coupon )
Sittercity is able to help with last minute sitting help for unexpected emergencies which will allow mom or dad the ability to get to the office knowing that their children are at home with a prescreened and experienced Professional Babysitter. And one simple call to Sittercity is all it takes to request a sitter as Sittercity does all the work for you!
Sittercity is able to help with last minute sitting help for unexpected emergencies which will allow mom or dad the ability to get to the office knowing that their children are at home with a prescreened and experienced Professional Babysitter. And one simple call to Sittercity is all it takes to request a sitter as Sittercity does all the work for you!
SitterCity Supports Haiti Victim
On January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Sittercity.com is helping support the relief efforts by donating $3.00 for each job scheduled in February. Check your local office for donation details.
Other ways to help
Also accepting cash and in-kind donations are the following sites: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF), Direct Relief, Yele Haiti, Partners in Health, Red Cross, World Food Program, Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900), Save the Children, Lambi Fund, Doctors Without Borders, The International Rescue Committee, Care, William J. Clinton Foundation, Meds & Food For Kids, Feed the Children, Habitat for Humanity, Mayor's Fund for NYC
The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:- SMS text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
- SMS text "YELE" to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
- SMS text "GIVE10" to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief
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