Articles written by Cindy Viesselman

What is Helium

About me - Cindy Viesselman

In the past half century, I have been a farmer's daughter, a cheerleader, a single mom, a legal secretary, a coach, a non-traditional college student, a substitute teacher, a real estate agent, and a cancer survivor, among other things.

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Creative Writing > Memoirs Healing in the garden: How my garden helped me: 3 of 68
I should have been grateful, but I wasn't. It seemed each time I returned home there was another "package" at my front door from my mother-in-law. It was springtime, and she was thinning her perennials. I had told her I wanted her extra plants to fill a new flowerbed I'd prepared the preceding fall, and she was graciously com... More..
Education > Primary School Issues First day of school: How to help your child: 1 of 13
New teacher, new classmates, new clothes, new pencils...the most wonderful thing about the approaching school year is that it can be a fresh start for your child.Of course, as with any new endeavor, there is also the possibly that your child will be nervous about the many unfamiliar aspects of new year. And while there isn't ... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice How to plan an unforgettable family vacation: 3 of 23
Planning a family vacation can begin months before the actual date of departure or mere days ahead of time, depending upon where you decide to go. Here are some tips to ensure that your vacation is one your family will never forget:1. Take inspiration from your own childhood trips. For example, my family had taken a wonderful... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) Best Fourth of July recipes: 3 of 21
The Fourth of July means picnics and grilling - whether hamburgers, hot dogs, or a juicy steak have the starring role. That decision is easy, but what to have along with the meat that comes off your grill? Now that's a more difficult question...And I have the answer - calico beans! Not to be confused with plain old baked bean... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas Christmas letter ideas: 4 of 26
Holiday letters can be a great way to spread Christmas cheer to your family and friendsso why is it that so many of them are long, tedious and boring?With a little imagination you can create a Christmas greeting that is unique, informative and entertaining - all at the same time. Use the following format to create a letter th... More..
Hobbies & Games > Home Decor Crafts Great holiday decorating ideas: 2 of 13
Whether it's Memorial Day dinner, Flag Day, a Fourth of July barbecue, an election night bash or you're just feeling patriotic, it's easy to create a fun and festive tablescape to fit the occasion - on a budget.I recently decorated a red, white and blue table for a local charity event, and I was able to do it without spending... More..
Hobbies & Games > Crafts (Other) Making craft projects from recycled goods: 3 of 19
What welcomes guests to your holiday party like the glow of luminaries framing the path to your front door? Homemade luminaries are simple and quick craft projects which can be made from inexpensive items you already have around your house. Here are three different methods for making luminaries for your Christmas get-together... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Special Occasion Gifts Christmas gift ideas under $50: 1 of 6
Who among us doesn't want to simplify and save money these days? But finding that perfect gift for every person on your holiday gift list is time consuming and hard on your budget. Here are some tips to bring the jolly back into your holidays:Start by deciding how much to spend on each person's gift. Next decide which item to... More..
Education > Primary School Issues Help your child avoid summer learning loss: 1 of 6
Summer is upon us, and while your child may be anticipating carefree days of staying up late, sleeping in, watching hours of TV and, in general, avoiding all things academic, there are many good reasons why you should make it your goal to be sure your child's reading, writing and math skills don't go dormant for the months of... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) How to host a Caribbean theme party: 1 of 6
If you're lucky enough to visit the islands, you're lucky enough.And even if you haven't had the good fortune to go on an island vacation, you can still host a Caribbean theme party that is sure to make your guests feel as if they've entered a tropical paradise.Party invitations should reflect the Caribbean flavor of the part... More..