So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Give Your Rec Room an Overhaul

By Patrick Stanley

If you're lucky enough to have a great rec room in your home, take advantage of it. If it is just one of those areas thrown together with miscellaneous items placed for the decor, maybe it is time for an overhauling. Updating this space will give you a great warmth and coziness into the area where the family can enjoy together or with friends for entertainment. If it is a unique room size it may seem complicated to some but it may just take a few tries before it's the way you like. Don't give up.

When you first thought of having a rec room, you probably created an ideal image of how it would be. Whatever happened to that ideal? The main problem may well be the floor plan, and this can be rearranged with just a simple trick or two. The first thing to do is to put your television set in the middle of the smallest wall. Then have the furniture facing it, and placed quite close; around five feet away is good. Your viewing area is probably smaller than it was, but you can still seat the same number of people, and the trade off is extra space. Put a thick, soft rug in front of the television so kids can sit comfortably on the floor.

Now get rid of other furnishings. Remove anything you don't use regularly. People often store items in their rec room because they can't think of a better place for them. This turns your rec room into a junk room, and makes it less than functional. Once you've removed those items you should have some free floor space.

So, how should you use this space you have gained? The kids now have extra play space, so sort their toys so that you have play centers. Schools and day care centers usually use this system too. All it means is that toys which fit into a specific category are collected in one area. For example, you can have a kitchen center where all the cooking theme play equipment is placed. You can put a small area rug down here and place the kitchen type toys here. Make a rule that this is the kitchen, and kitchen toys stay here. Other play areas around the room follow the same kind of rule, so that all around the room there are defined areas for specific types of play.

It has been shown in research that children can be encouraged to read if you have specific reading areas for them. So not only can you divide your rec room into areas for specific types of play, you can also incorporate a reading area. Here you should have a thick, soft rug and some comfy cushions. Add a bookshelf, well stocked with books, and some bean bags and pillows so every child can be comfortable. Kids will be drawn to this area where they can sit, be cozy, relax and read. You need to make a rule here, too, that books stay in their designated area.

The use of rugs for these designated areas help in your organization of the room. Call it the 'rule of the rug', if you like. Area rugs help to define each area so that everyone can be comfortable in their chosen activity.

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