DIY Hacks for Labor Day Weekend!

I received this in an email the other day to share with you.  Besides going to the beach, many of you will probably be hammering or painting over this long weekend. Who knows, maybe one or more of these hacks fall under your "to do list" this weekend...<br /><br /><br /><img alt="10 Amazing DIY Hacks for the Home" src="http://www.angliadraindoctor.co.uk/diy-hacks/img/embed.jpg" /><br /><br />I will undoubtedly be doing some kind of diy this Labor Day weekend! How about you? Thanks<br /><a href="http://www.angliadraindoctor.co.uk/">Anglia Drain Doctor</a> for the post! Have a great weekend everyone!! xx

DIY Hacks for Labor Day Weekend!

I received this in an email the other day to share with you.  Besides going to the beach, many of you will probably be hammering or painting...

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Simple in Sweden.

<blockquote class="tr_bq"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmL45tWPju3ZPoeeSqgR77PBqhqCqApdfbPysgTiyy_Kkx8IYZL_lsPYFAQNUr_H0TWvigcHJrsvdvlxkD1FlEv4bGlp88t8cx-yf9qT9VdfcTi4Xm7HP3-fYdzfgLzpiKu4at2PqwIc8/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-03-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 03 AM" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbJe6n3ogXX52Ggtg-gvR4eWdoJ_2GF4Dg0XwW8U4_M_1hvF52rVIebqHCcXF_62a6Q_-pgS9NLi_bIYLjF0QMflKFgEIzcZr5QtFMtkR66FNfzoOMSzhewGfBnFN288Ve1OLmxp_hmbf/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 03 AM" width="700" /></a></blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NqvQalQNWQKdFdng7kazHe3Fqy2i9OPCW2UxNP9FYYUBBX7GmMvDMYCEfzYwskcAiyeaNmeeFYbQYZKxKnBcGuSE5H_peVmgB-PAGIgWeQR3ZlaykEjKMUauHp7Y-bHSShJKaM2AE16r/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-11-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 11 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKndihFNuJdKimb5Vlg1F4diFHNCIyuxrYtIab6aEf-1dL6RXMsdjl1VbMdTkfvTn1mT3vBwjHw2ydaZK3JzpG0jKWU1xjFOwpsjP9nirIZcIcze9tvpRqNseetpSfUwum5tIlJPyd8WQx/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 11 AM" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXFZ7xmWq-xVPpVl6a033NqWSPpq2rQA_GlLrA0-5pJK9vMevhoL0XUglKe9VZ_gkl172WCGk-75zufOJ0jZB4sUkHv1Swz3uoQr1zNrMhiubTLfCDUWd2uZQ-uqq7MN7KCY375go02FQ/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-18-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 18 AM" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw5lYwrlE6ckRYpZxjYR6SV8MOfQdShaZeWxuYlDGyi6z2xSjRG6VSPJW73ebhRXO6-dlDyMfW41zvtUo0an4WPOf6dMcAt6stNw2zNKJbGwPRqcrHaM8CRRMZA9CYuAg-sidGa5dbX52/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 18 AM" width="700" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGWmIUsTVSCOrAZ_eX5PDYuyi_1J4QXAe3iPOCUm9YH5kwhZ3bCwf4YbJtnhzaElo9fNVoebqS0qb7Vr6mTz9kO0XcSLt3W-nAmiBJvcvmwq7uBhOSSeLS5TnfgXzIr2wPMtYSwFcTw8Y/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-27-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 27 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk7tHF1cBDMC8682kcD3Xy7SRHSlm2tc6dZ9wjiJCDqlKZ9iM0NbrMRBXKNMxXkJFn0NKGuuP4jIMPc-L2Tcu595DLiQP_igXvdZpwoWdlpnVRpcmdTItRmDiI9um9y4qa9dxksJOWf6p/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 27 AM" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaK7L0Ndyq5haT7Dv4woIw_7I7Fc32fmZIEwZaC_V1X9N-IIXVwko32u4fu7-q7UasLL5_wiU2GNC3M-QBR7mGvVlNnIM0YGYWAVfQfhlSbnEM44Hgi0fC72_OHAjKdMRjCxwDQX6MsGE/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-22-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 22 AM" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHrk47PeAJZjHxSU_aFRCK-eD2xeSwKCF8jGng-gZGljj1c8hYaYMsZtO4cgsErnWdW2NjPihyG8lB1XDYORty4bMZuCBe0B9fcBJLP0dzUp62AE8vdX2uP03zOKxiP4IgYwhmK-50wry/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 22 AM" width="700" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghhiEEppb2vXW3CKY7nP5cTFumEK51Il6Oxo4R8gm96GYqioTdYvq0jZSN3z5a-P9cLbovg-DwwXlx5HSzEQfeieemRqmilERBxR1xdHhuirYZQ1BLODfbcYJyRzh6hY3l3XhBRQ9Vbui/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-32-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 32 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYVwRolk4eblWNdtiZm4jf4PE4ZeKuVqxnPYnFRgjE9WuKZbXCQNi4Ol47CNrykrU2wi_e-8UsSZDpTIo1hGzfJcMQv06ZogF8r3kN2cv0nPNny5VcdovUxZEpaZcc8J9d4_LBre4CNX6/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 32 AM" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaPN6UaKpGEbbz8lUQhK8IfBl-G0DpCuRMbjLZirh5fAIs2bBmsyliBWC5VydrJKj7AZRVLOAuNrZ1jCDwDnCwHjuf_K_HXHfEcrLmgQ89nuvJfszMskqZMbatQ-Izg9GZb4SEcc2K0u1/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-35-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 35 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkfGopqTsYMRKa6rW050tywm7aBhuB6e4AaSJSce8Qp_nWyeE9a6z_WReDBP5Ei7gUZ4zDw3FvDTz-SwoKItldL6Vv8htMlYTK6PEs-jchcASJunpcuav2og6-krPBY7GuQKzdTEcGS3K/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 35 AM" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBg5N8CaXt6BJjw-QdgUCUBtYvO1zpyzOcDNZh7sO0c5Zzl0Pp2EqWWdVqQNL5zv9ygcw1QzaUUq5AMOU4-vs_9eVzNCij_KSxT3KFszyx0f95q0e2i2JcJ8WFhA-s_4lklzDeTMVEWwXi/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-48-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 48 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrOXo4vnvgk-h7UW8zB35stTqIJ30fmDdIrlFVivZ897uodCRdCWsyQcz5bG04s_hLEPkLxZIcm0YkfkCb1PBY1j5pCWONmTlDe0fgeC0spBDBGzrPGM_l6PntK5-tzsG3VrmaAaaW4FX/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 48 AM" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HPbHyP6x1TEiRUNBgZhqKISKNyK8SqxvX-0EgMlgjhp4jqmRiN-0MZFfrWMS77YCEQ68XoafXtVjEhUN8Qc8jdO69KPbD9lyL_ygOMDWfyApnnucwXf7Ez-LuVd2vfvM78Rf1EfCrBcd/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-51-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 51 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZjKGnlZGq-wXLfLhmXpWcxbZMm4yX1f1I3f-1qxAuJM3v0fitg2xbsS-ZAkV-mVrHqxJ1N-VNPQU1Amk1yaBNEn17KbHb2lcAxfh9UZ3DRxWntlOcAfxHBNbHMQHEsxybScWqRwNiD7z/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 51 AM" width="604" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDA8FmrGtzkI0VHTRYi_D0p6dcaqwppE4J826QBdosF7MD_jTxvoqLzaaRk2ytysSnIxYPYGd7IQLZwcnpRXVtiVfDFy8iSjDzAmRgeJDbRmjbNDOnPWAKuP8iM2dHTLUEtMhapMtNycq/s1600-h/Photo-Aug-28-9-20-39-AM4.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 39 AM" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwuDBRlfUJL1aqDwDXuZwBE2JajqcyxIryhc6B-auu4m5QwlzRSWJF67x3pF0qLyM5h7pib6hh4C3Qq6Psr56HQs7pZ0zU2snKZ1r2uBPauC5Re6__ZFM3Y7ioWdUYYPCunOx1eRkeqnv/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 28, 9 20 39 AM" width="604" /></a><br />White floors, clutter free, artfully placed art and plants are quintessential characteristics of the Swedish home. I really like this one; simple but still interesting. xx<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{images via my tumblr. spotted </span><a href="http://residencemagazine.se/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> first}</span>

Simple in Sweden.

White floors, clutter free, artfully placed art and plants are quintessential characteristics of the Swedish home. I really like this one; s...

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How I Use Schedules and Social Stories as Aids.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnv4xRQEWM6Zsssc49ODER1N7Mv9UShZvh3cqf5o51USCxgmgfo3c6HsZ_VHw59-KNudgL_jXZPWH1zZXTw_XyNf-M6wN90-X7X50QstbL_yFaXwH3rJS1-iVyy7fs6U3JenJbF125iPc/s1600-h/stacywithboys%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="stacywithboys" border="0" height="834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglls8Opue2tXsS_cMe0BQQJVLVjoglxahhzj3Zidlb6xmJe9XIVArhVV3xxfYyVO-Z7VglvEVt5ySziKX-EaMDMaRCuF23gS0VpHI4SXLwd0ghqM4EoveT8ttcLCmq7V5F5sCW9fhL4BuL/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="stacywithboys" width="644" /></a><br />Zion has always thrived on structure and schedules. As a result, we’ve always incorporated some sort of schedule, BUT, it was not always a visual one.  These days we have a visual schedule that he uses daily.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu2qQWd-bKcmAm7FGrLKbLZAAhkV_XtQuW_HAMDWBbXqOsoszJfTR8FNFt-z1glwXliK-A8v32UdmQ1deefE4k61XQgpAllV1VG2IdKEJL_ciS0QehElnD_H9ZEWjgm3p9lTuxfdxiqME/s1600-h/worksheet%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="worksheet" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl46S3QYslRYqxaefwh4Ki2slxOy4FKkNytBHGkK8hBUDBd9qu79BFk8KPS27gUDyVMhSfOOJEqZuIrq-_4Hi7vkkbjuOSdwavKtoJgNSJ8WvT0JZs1lP_xV7YGm6RaynZYStuy_fOtsJ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="worksheet" width="694" /></a><br />It has been noted that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder/ASD have greater difficulties coping with unstructured time than neurotypical people and benefit from increased structure in their lives. I have found that to be true in Zion’s case. Having a visual schedule in place at home enables Zion to be in control because he knows what to expect. In addition, it fosters independence and calm. On a side note, I forgot to place IPad time on the schedule and he was quick to point that out! I recently had to get a poster that would fit all of our activities. The one shown only displays some of what we do on a daily basis.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;"><strong>Social Stories and Back to School</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6T2kxy11zjSa3womG_HxD-YEuXvMvM2J0ArzBoXDEAeKb6ADMKlrWJSSUBo86WpJRrVrdCXr_C1APg436S2UY-S1TgWXO9wIYBMNHTIe8EYIrjrUznuQUMPK3BTWQ7FWSLA8l0SnuSJC/s1600-h/Photo%252520Aug%25252024%25252C%2525201%25252022%25252043%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo Aug 24, 1 22 43 PM" border="0" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4z5JN3AlhuBV0j54hoGXsN97ABgLLtRwzql_JM05XYx-mVj5x2BeF_mM24vNFzwtEVcBV6PHKdksHxjS56C0zBzL5XXxxw8INFCDMb_KXj641f1QvCGrdZ8Sdc-TX0-X2omK2L6PfNMH/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo Aug 24, 1 22 43 PM" width="604" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I was first introduced to Social Stories by one of Zion’s teachers. A social story can be a written or visual guide describing various social interactions, behaviors, and situations. In Zion’s case, if he’s going to be introduced to a new situation, a social story is useful to help him anticipate and cope in that new situation. A great example is the simple and age specific one of the fire drill above. Fire drills can be overwhelming for Z because of his sensory issues so in addition to using headphones, having a visual and written social story reinforces what needs to be done and helps him to cope.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfNxZxh_oyUJr2OsdaT1HdHNUygHxJV8FIV8QobmAPxi5BNilkaPRpM6dB4VCZSLcL5QjBML8V3KAvcpuwLizUgcdwCUasclOseaCqsI7cSzfd4gCfR_fuLuWeAlGrYY9xNOzI8ghX7Tv/s1600-h/bookshelf%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bookshelf" border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFwVkqAmfbZQ8IAiD7f5JN94VsMTzz85aghcHFdoKuwnUEFMMFMjFgynSbjL4Zzd-Ju-IwtqyvmSmeolajZf5sA3dtICVgQMcG8UAAvy2_krzoqsp-V1ys5clK3QTVeExc12jdloujuV8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bookshelf" width="700" /></a><br />He starts Kindergarten this week and we are in the process of  putting the finishing touches on a social story that tells his new classroom number and teacher. He actually already knows his classroom number as I’ve been verbally preparing him. I cannot express in words how proud I am of him! I always get so emotional when I talk about all the remarkable things he has done. <br /><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NPrsS32TcLA/U_okCOnhFRI/AAAAAAAALPw/LG4_aPlNP1A/s1600-h/Zionbacktoschool%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Zionbacktoschool" border="0" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod5pjtLdBHT7oz1-FJAVYoC8YpUkwEvSXpUjy5Eshut84X0P6XCPfsJ7GC5W6Oj6mJJH4CmN4ciLp_GTuITeN7ld2sdU1yHPmIbLhnhinFy0yHpuIZI3Qp9s0mhHuo2b7Hu6SYt0kRDqp/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Zionbacktoschool" width="604" /></a><br /><div align="center">Zion seems to be quite popular on the blog lately. However, I wanted you to get a peek at the behind the scenes at our home. I would love to hear from you. Are schedules a part of your routine? Maybe not social stories for everyone...Do tell. Have a lovely Sunday my friends. xx</div><div align="center"> </div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Images by the lovely<strong> Tiffany Parsons</strong></span>

How I Use Schedules and Social Stories as Aids.

Zion has always thrived on structure and schedules. As a result, we’ve always incorporated some sort of schedule, BUT, it was not always a v...

Read more »