HAPPY FATHER'S DAY :)

The first true hero of a child is his/her dad!  Everyday together with our dads is a cause to celebrate our roots... Everyday with our children is a cause to celebrate our hopes and dreams...

So Happy Father's Day to you dear fathers :) 

May you have many chances to celebrate your roots, hopes and dreams!

Sedef

My Father's Hats by Mark Irwin

Sunday mornings I would reach
high into his dark closet while standing
on a chair and tiptoeing reach
higher, touching, sometimes fumbling
the soft crowns and imagine
I was in a forest, wind hymning
through pines, where the musky scent
of rain clinging to damp earth was
his scent I loved, lingering on
bands, leather, and on the inner silk
crowns where I would smell his
hair and almost think I was being
held, or climbing a tree, touching
the yellow fruit, leaves whose scent
was that of clove in the godsome
air, as now, thinking of his fabulous
sleep, I stand on this canyon floor
and watch light slowly close
on water I can't be sure is there.

Summer is here....... so here are some tips on how to avoid sunburn?

• Use good sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 for kids
• Keep babies out of direct sun.  Babies cannot cope with high temperature and overheating is very dangerous for babies! As sunscreens are absorbed through babies skin, using sunscreen on babies is still a debate...
• Apply sunscreen on entire body (yes even on those areas that stay the bikinis or shorts!)
• Don't forget your lips! Use only sun protection products designed especially for lips.
  
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun
• After swimming or going into the water, reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes or so (even the waterproof kind needs to be reapplied)
• Don't forget to protect your scalp by wearing a hat/bandana/cap on the beach and a swim-cap while swimming
• Try to avoid staying out in the sun between the peak hours of 10am-3pm as much as you can
• Clouds and particulate matter in the air scatter sunlight, so don't forget that you may still get sunburned on cloudy days. 
  
• Sand and water reflect UV radiation!   So being in the shade under a beach umbrella does not provide complete protection.
  

Have fun!

Sedef

A little fun!

I just received the below e-mail from a friend.   I love the last two lines of the 'BENEFITS':

"this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, 

and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right. "

Hope you will enjoy it, too!

:)

Sedef

PARENT - Job Description  This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,  I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!  POSITION :  Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma  Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop   JOB DESCRIPTION :  Long term, team players needed, for challenging,  permanent work in an  often chaotic environment.  Candidates must possess excellent communication  and organizational skills and be willing to work  variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends  and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.  Some overnight travel required, including trips to  primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!  Travel expenses not reimbursed.  Extensive courier duties also required.  RESPONSIBILITIES :  The rest of your life.  Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,  until someone needs $5.  Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.  Also, must possess the physical stamina of a  pack mule  and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat  in case, this time, the screams from  the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.  Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,  such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets  and stuck zippers..  Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and  coordinate production of multiple homework projects.  Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings  for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.  Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute,  an embarrassment the next.  Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a  half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.  Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.  Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.  Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and  janitorial work throughout the facility.  POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :  None.  Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,  so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you  PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :  None required unfortunately.  On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.   WAGES AND COMPENSATION :  Get this!   You pay them!  Offering frequent raises and bonuses.  A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because  of the assumption that college will help them  become financially independent.  When you die, you give them whatever is left.  The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that  you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.  BENEFITS :  While no health or dental insurance, no pension,  no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and  no stock options are offered;  this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,  and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.  Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis,  letting them know they are appreciated  for the fabulous job they do...  or forward with love  to anyone thinking of applying for the job.                     ** AND A FOOTNOTE 'THERE IS NO RETIREMENT  --  EVER!!!'