It’s the FINAL COUNTDOWN! All the school kids will be starting summer vacation – are you ready with your game face on?

Put this on your summer MUST READ list.

Rocket City Mom has painstakingly put together our 2013 Summer Fun Guide just for you. Full of fun and free/inexpensive things to do ALL summer long – from movies to VBS to water fun and beyond! (You’ll want to bookmark or pin that page for easy reference.)

We were at it again this week searching the interwebs and chat rooms for the skinny on family-friendly fun in and around the Rocket City. As always, keep in mind that with so many great events happening, they can’t all make the list so check out our Rocket City Mom Event Calendar to be in the know about it all. And don’t forget to check out our Yard Sale Map to easily find the best garage & yard sales happening in the Tennessee Valley.

See something we missed? Leave the details in the comment section and share with your fellow Rocket City Parents.

1. Madison Gazebo Concerts

Thursday, 6:30-8:30PM – FREE
Enjoy a little Stars Hollow-like fun in downtown Madison each Thursday evening all summer long starting with tonight’s Gazebo concert. Picket Fence Studio will be providing art supplies (and smocks) for kids to paint while everyone enjoys the tunes of local sensation Fender Bender, voted “Best Band Overall” by readers of Valley Planet in 2012.

2. Greene Street Market

Thursday, 4-8PM – FREE

Cheese Make and Take

If Madison is just too far away or you’re more in the mood to do a little shopping and strolling, then head to downtown Huntsville (corner of Greene Street and Eustis Avenue) and check out the Greene Street Market at Nativity. This week local legend Tasia Malakasis from Belle Chevre will show you how to make your own goat cheese. As always this market will be overflowing with all kinds of local goodies so you can eat healthy and shop local, a true win/win.

3. Famous Joe’s End of the School Year Party

Thursday, 11AM -?? – FREE
There are all kinds of ways to celebrate the last day of school but one of the funnest we’ve heard of so far is this end-of-the-year bash that RCM favorite Famous Joe’s Pizzeria has planned. The food will be inexpensive ($5 Personal Pizza, $4 Burgers, $2 Hotdogs, FREE Desserts) and there will be LOTS of fun activities including a moon bounce, dunkin’ booth, karaoke and FOOD FIGHTS!!! What else could a kid ask for? Located at 12120 County Line Rd. Suite A in Madison.

4. Ready! Set! Go! Summer Fun Expo

Saturday, 1-4PM – FREE

Careful, he might just get you to dance!

We’re big fans of the SWAKlife (Single with Amazing Kids) blog so when we saw they were hosting a summer activities expo, we wanted to share the news. This free event will also feature Mr. E! the Motivator!, someone that RCM fans might recognize from his appearance at our Learning Expo this past February.  The expo will be held in the ADRS Building (3000 Johnson Road SW) and is for anyone who is still looking for activities for their child(ren) to enjoy this summer. As they say in their event description: no child left inside!

5. Alabama Jubilee

Saturday & Sunday, 6AM – 10PM – FREE
This two-day kickoff to the Alabama tourism season is totally free (no parking or admission fees but bring a couple of dollars in case you need to take the shuttle) and fun for the whole family. Kids and adults alike will enjoy watching the balloons take off and there’s plenty to do before or after you watch that show including live musical entertainment, a tractor show, an Arts & Crafts show, and an antique car show. Two RCM tips from moms who know: bring sunscreen and plan your day carefully. Balloons fly early in the morning (6AM) and late in the afternoon (6-7:30PM) so be aware of which time of the day your little ones will likely enjoy and plan your day accordingly.

©Alabama Jubilee Inc.

Before we know it school will be out and we’ll be playing with the kids at parks, pools, and all sorts of great outdoor attractions around Huntsville.

Since May is Melanoma Awareness Month, this seems like a good time to throw some sun safety facts out there so we’re all prepared for summer fun and can avoid the pain and danger of sunburns.

With two young redheads I am especially conscious of sun exposure, but that awareness also has some deep roots for me.

I was diagnosed with Melanoma, the mostly deadly form of skin cancer. Sitting there in the doctor’s office with my 4 year old and baby talking about options for surgery was nothing short of surreal. I was 31 and the C word had just dropped in my lap like a bowling ball.

Fortunately, my cancer had been caught very early, it had not spread, and with one surgery I was given a clean bill of health. I missed that first triathlon I’d been training for. I sat in bed on race day with a leg full of stitches and cried my eyes out. The one thing I’d done just for ME since becoming a mom had been snatched away from me. Then 4 days after getting my stitches out, I completed my first TRI. Crossing that finish line unburdened me from my pity party. I was healed. I would race again. Above all, I would see my boys grow up.

Sunscreen? Check. Hat? Check. Cover up? Check. Adorable boys? DOUBLE CHECK!

I don’t want to wear the “survivor” badge. That is for those who fought the hard fight. I just got lucky. Instead, I have taken it as my personal mission to spread the word about the dangers of skin cancer and encourage everyone to protect themselves and their children from the sun. The statistics on melanoma are quite staggering, and have worsened in recent years, particularly for juvenile cases. Every eight minutes someone is diagnosed with melanoma, and every hour of every day someone dies from the disease. If that’s not reason enough to slather on some SPF, I don’t know what is!

The best way to prevent skin cancer is by protecting yourself from the sun.

• Seek shade when possible.
• Cover up with light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Wear sunglasses to protect you eyes, yes – they too are susceptible to melanoma.
• WEAR SUNSCREEN! Apply a minimum of SPF 30 with UVA/UVB protection every time you are out in the sun. Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
• Avoid tanning beds like the plague.
• Be vigilant about protecting your kids. Just one blistering sunburn at a young age doubles the chance of developing melanoma later in life.

Give yourself a frequent once-over.

Learning to check your own skin and look for changes is important as well and can increase your chances of catching melanoma early. There is a handy little mnemonic for self-checks that you can follow. Since everyone should be doing their monthly breast self exams, take an extra few minutes to look over your skin and keep an eye out for the ABCDE’s of melanoma.

• A is for Asymmetrical Shape. Melanoma typically has an irregular shape. Harmless moles are usually symmetrical.
• B is for border. Normal moles usually have a smooth, even border. Melanoma often has an irregular border that is difficult to define.
• C is for color. An uneven distribution of color, or the presence of more than one color can be a warning sign of melanoma. My mole that had gone rogue was light brown with a speck like a coffee ground.
• D is for diameter. Melanoma is often larger than a pencil eraser.
• E is for evolution. The most important factor to consider is whether something has changed. Knowing what is normal for you can save your life. If you notice a change, get checked out by your dermatologist immediately.

We’ve probably all heard the sunscreen spiel before, but learning to love the skin you were born with is part of the battle. We are inundated by pictures of gorgeous bronze-skinned models with exotic looks and are made to think that we too need to worship the sun god. The truth is, there is no healthy tan. All exposure to ultraviolet rays increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Those of us with fair skin are at an increased risk, but it can strike anyone. Did you know that Bob Marley died of metastatic melanoma? Don’t let it take a health scare for you to take the sun’s dangerous rays seriously. Be safe in the sun. Teach your kids good sun safety habits, and model those habits for them so they will carry them through their own lives.

All of the tips and statistics in this article are from www.melanoma.org. I highly recommend it as a source of further information.

At Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, we love summer and we love reading, so Summer Reading is one of our favorite times of the year! It’s a time where we invite all ages across the community to read for fun. And this summer, the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library is all about encouraging some academic growth through science and reading!

HMCPL is very proud to announce that it is one of 8 libraries in the United States that has been chosen to receive an interactive display for children called Discover Tech. This interactive display brings the world of science and engineering to life for kids. There will be hands-on experiments, interactive quiz games, and science experiments at many of our library locations.

Can’t-Miss Discover Tech Activities:

• Jitterbug Robots with Sci-Quest
• Learn about circuits and make a robotic bug that dances!
• Redstone Arsenal Science Extravaganza: what do they do on Redstone Arsenal? Learn about some of the fun science that takes place in our backyard. Ride a Segway, launch a Javelin missile, and play with an infrared camera!
• Moonbuggy Science: meet the Moonbuggy and the kids who built it!
• The True Life of a Test Pilot: who are test pilots and what do they do?

Of course you won’t want to miss the interactive exhibit itself. Discover Tech is a 750 square foot STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) exhibit. It will be at the Main Library from May 18-July 9. Think hands on science exhibits like you’d see at Sci-Quest, but at your Library! For more information about Discover Tech, check out the Library’s website at www.HMCPL.org.

If it burrows, digs, or tunnels you can bet there will be a program about it at HMCPL this summer!

Read Books & Win Prizes!

But don’t worry, the Library is not just about science! We love some reading too! The Summer Reading program is back and better than ever. The theme this summer is “Dig Into Reading”. Children can join the Summer Reading Club at any Library location simply by picking up their Summer Reading kit – that’s all! Summer Reading kits will be available starting May 28th. For every two hours kids read, they’ll be able to place an “ant” in our anthill. And at the end of the summer, kids will turn in their reading log for the chance to win some fun prizes! These awesome prizes have been donated by:

• Tennessee Aquarium
• Point Mallard
• My Spirited Art
• Huntsville Museum of Art
• EarlyWorks Museum
• Hogan YMCA
• and Rocket City Mom!

And then there’s the fun Summer Reading programs: Every library location will have special programs for all ages from Monday, June 3rd until Friday, July 26th. Learn about the environment with Operation Green Team, extract strawberry DNA with Hudson-Alpha, learn about slimy worms with Huntsville Botanical Gardens, or see a live animal show with Animal Tales! Exciting programs will happen every week for kids and teens: and it’s all free! And don’t forget: every location will continue to have regular story times, clubs and crafts. Check with your local library to find out more or check the calendar at our website: kids.hmcpl.org.

So come join the Library for a summer of science, fun, and READING!

Summer vacation is my favorite time of the year. It is when the restrictions of travel are lifted for my children and we are free to go where the wind blows us!

Last summer I decided to take the kiddos on mini field trips to keep things exciting and to explore the fun places that North Alabama and the surrounding areas have to offer. One of the excursions last summer was to Cathedral Caverns in Grant, AL.

The drive to Grant, located in Marshall County, is relatively short and can easily be accomplished in half of a day. From Hampton Cove the drive is just over thirty minutes, not even long enough for a chorus of “are we there yet?”

Once you are there you need to plan for about 1.5 hours for the cave tour and 20-30 minutes if you choose to do the gem mining. One thing I wish that I had planned for is to take a picnic lunch. There is a playground and picnic area which would have served as a beautiful location for lunch. Had we brought lunch we might have had time to explore some of the hiking trails that are part of Cathedral Caverns State Park.

Gem prospecting was a hit!

For me one of the best features is the constant temperature of 57-60 degrees, especially in the summer with humidity and extreme temperature in Alabama. The kids (age 7) at the time never grew bored during our tour. Our guide asked questions, involved them in the tour and shared interesting facts about the cave. They were very attentive because they wanted a chance to answer a question or to help along the way. He had them imagine how Mr. Gurley felt excavating the cave in almost complete darkness, often spending hours without food, because he was so mesmerized by this natural wonder.

This is a great destination for children of all ages. Perhaps a great day trip with out of town guests to show off North Alabama. The cave path is paved and safe. There are a few wet, potentially slippery areas but the guide makes note of these and there are hand rails in place for additional safety. The path is wheelchair and stroller accessible. There is a section at the end of the cave where the lights get turned off and you are in complete darkness for about 3-5 minutes. This may be of concern for smaller children.

If You Visit

• Bring a light jacket
• Bring a camera
• Wear comfortable walking shoes with a non-skid sole in case the cave is wet
• Pack a picnic so that you can stay and explore a little longer

If you come to Grant via Hwy 72, you may choose to go home an alternate route thru Grant. If you choose do this and have a few more hours to spend I suggest you explore the town of Guntersville. Visit the original Mike’s Merchandise , explore the Guntersville Museum  and for a wonderful meal stop at The Rock House Eatery. I would suggest the morning at Catheral Caverns with a picnic lunch and an hour or two to explore the hiking trails. Then I would make my way to Guntersville to explore the quaint downtown and finish off the day with dinner outside at the Rock House.

Main Photo Credit: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

The countdown to summer is upon us.

The long, lazy days filled with swimming and cookouts and vacations is nearly here.

As you will recall, when you were a kid this was the absolute most glorious time of the year. Closing the schoolbooks and packing up all the things in your desk to take home was one of the great events of your childhood. You felt proud about the accomplishments of completing another school year and eager to begin your carefree, lovely days of summer. You were on cloud nine with blissful expectation of the next three months.

Mothers know about feelings and clouds, too.

• The first three days will be wonderful. Everyone will sleep in, the slow pace of nowhere to be will be lovely, and the kids will be happy riding their bikes and playing outside.
• Then day 4 will hit. And with it comes all the hitting among siblings as well.
• Your backyard will become quite similar to a warzone because that’s where you send your kids when you tell them to just “go work it out amongst themselves”.
• Your pantry and refrigerator will be raided so often you will have to put a lock and key on it to prevent unsupervised searches for “healthy snacks”.
• By day 7 you will be searching for another Vacation Bible School or day camp to send the kids to. You will become known as the VBS lady because you and your darlings make the rounds to every church in town no matter if it’s Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic, or some weird snake handling kind of place. Hey kids, they all teach you about Jesus, right?! Let’s go!!
• Every few days, your children will do something so incredibly sweet and childishly wonderful that you will take pictures and find the strength to go on. Case in point: this pic of our youngest when she wanted to play “wedding”. WHO can possibly resist that charm? You’ll wish your babies could stay home with you every day for forever.
• Your yard will look like a mating spot for mosquitoes thanks to the hours of sprinklers, slip ‘n slides, and baby pools and the standing water those activities tend to leave behind.
• TiVo will be working overtime.
• Storeowners are afraid as well of the little summertime shoppers enjoying their freedom. By July, you’ll see all sorts of signs like this one displayed in front windows.

• By day 24, you will be asking sweet Jesus what on earth you did to need the discipline reserved for the utmost of sinners.
• You will learn to be afraid – very afraid – of the free kids’ movie days at local theaters. Don’t believe me? You’ve never been. Just imagine 200 screaming children throwing popcorn and crawling over one another and the trips to the restroom (which has been used exclusively by kids under the age of 10 that entire day). You’ll learn that paying $50 to go to a regular showing time is money well spent.
• August will begin approaching as a beacon of light in the darkness. A source of hope in the mire of fussing, boredom, and television.

Ah, yes, the dog days of summer are nearly here. The little backpacks are rolling your way very, very soon.

Got your game face on?

I don’t know about you, but everyone at my house has Summer Fever. Getting the kids out the door and into school has been harder than ever. Thankfully, the countdown has begun and we’re into the single-digits before school’s out for summer!

As I hope you know by now, each week Rocket City Mom looks high and low for fun, free/inexpensive, and family-friendly events happening in Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley to share with you.

Please keep in mind there are other events happening in our area that aren’t listed here – more are in the full Rocket City Mom Event Calendar. Be sure to bookmark our Yard Sale Map to easily find the best garage & yard sales happening in the Tennessee Valley.

See something we missed? Leave the details in the comment section and share with your fellow Rocket City Parents.

1. Carnival to Benefit MPD

Thursday – Saturday
Mark your calendars for May 14-18 for a carnival in Madison that will benefit the Madison Police Foundation. The event is in the Madison Village Shopping Center on Madison Boulevard (Hwy 20) and hours will be from 4PM to 10PM Thursday & Friday, and 1PM. to 10PM on Saturday. Come enjoy rides, music, games and carnival food while benefitting a good cause. Admission is only $2, and proceeds from the event will benifit the Madison Police Foundation which assists injured and fallen officers’ families along with providing assistance for insurance.

2. 26th Annual Multicultural Indian Festival

Thursday – Saturday
Indian heritage is kept alive in crafts, music, dance, ceremony, and camaraderie. Native crafts and customs came alive through actual demonstrations that included flint-knapping, silversmithing, finger-weaving, gorget-making, stickball, drum-making, woodcarving, blacksmithing, basket making, pottery-making, stone pipe-making and more. There are new demonstrators and vendors including a special demonstration from Auburn University’s Raptor Bird Program. They will be showcasing different live raptors including eagles and owls on Friday. Be sure to see the prehistoric & historic living history encampments while you’re in Danville. Located at the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center; free & open to the public.
Thursday: 8AM-3PM (PreK-4th grade)
Friday: 8AM-3PM (5-8 & General Public)
Saturday: 10AM-5PM (General Public)

3. Concerts On the Dock at Lowe Mill

Friday from 6:00 – 9:00PM
The ever-popular Concerts on the Dock is a family friendly event that is always FREE from 6-9p.m. every Friday night in April and May(spring season) and September and October(Fall Season). For your own comfort, bring blankets, chairs and coolers. Dogs are welcome on a leash as well as picnics in a basket. Tonight’s show is Mandolin Orange: a band combining bluegrass, rock, and country using acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and a hand-me-down fiddles. Free, donations accepted. Carpooling encouraged.

4. 3rd Fridays in Decatur

Friday from 6:00 – 9:00PM
This new recurring street festival event has a great lineup tonight! Everyone’s invited to participate in the Dog Parade, and prizes will be awarded for creative entries. Performances by the Decatur Youth Symphony, Circle Motion Hoopers, Decatur High School Band, face painting, The Muddy Walkers Band, a car show, and lots of local vendors will also participate.

5. Singing On the Square in Athens

Friday from 6:00 – 9:00PM
Experience small town USA in Athens! Bring your lawnchairs and blankets and enjoy an old-fashioned evening of singing on the square from 6-8PM every third Friday April – September. Tonight’s performers are a bluegrass group called Just Down the Road.

6. Bailey Cove Book Sale

Saturday & Sunday
Head to the Bailey Cove Library for their annual Friends of the Library book sale. Most items will be just 25 cents! Bestsellers only $1! Selection includes hardback and paperback fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and audiobooks. Best bargains for bookworms!

7. Saturdays In the Park Kick-Off

Saturday from 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Healthy Huntsville is host to this weekly sampling of fitness classes offered in the Huntsville area. Your family can try out Zumba, Piloxing, vTRX, Boot Camp, Hula Hoopin,’ Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, and Ballroom dance. There will also be a farmer’s market, cooking demonstrations, 5k walk/run, and gardening demonstrations brought to you by Deep Roots of Alabama. Kid’s activities include kid’s fitness classes, moon bounce, face painting, and a magician. Come dressed to participate! Check out all of the healthy vendors and giveaways, and enjoy a day of healthy food, fun, and fitness in the park. Free & open to the public every Saturday through June.

8. Parrots-R-4Ever at HBG

Saturday from 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Enjoy some beautiful and intelligent feathered friends. Parrots-R-4ever Avian Rescue and Sanctuary is bringing several beautiful species of macaws, cockatoos, senegals, quakers and other varieties. These lovely birds are entertaining and will fascinate you during your trip to the Garden. Parrots-R-4ever Avian Rescue and Sanctuary Inc. is a No-Kill rescue shelter and sanctuary which provides care, rehabilitation and adoption services for abused, abandoned, or unwanted exotic pet birds. Free to Garden members.

9. Drop In & CREATE

Saturday from 11:00AM – 1:00PM
Families and children are invited to participate in a range of programs at the Huntsville Museum of Art especially designed with younger visitors in mind. The Family Programs offer fun, interactive art making activities for families with children ages 3 and up that will sure to spark one’s creativity! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Free to the public.

We posted this eCard on our Facebook page a few weeks ago, and it got me thinking, mainly about how true it is. I decided to consult the teachers in my life to verify this truth (or dispel it) and get their thoughts on the best ways to show appreciation to a teacher before school’s out for summer.

I really must preface this post with how much it touches a teacher to let them know they are appreciated. This sentiment was unanimous with the teachers I spoke with preparing the list below. Every one of them said a handwritten note can mean so much more than trinkets or gifts. It’s no secret teachers are overworked and underpaid, especially considering the HUGE role they play in our kids’ lives, and a personal word of encouragement can go a long way.

It’s tempting to turn to Pinterest for inspiration, but it turns out that can sometimes be a big no-no. Exactly how many crayon wreaths should a person own anyway?

When it comes to a DIY gift, simple and heartfelt seems to be a big hit, and you get extra brownie points if it’s consumable and disposable.

These made the list of Don’ts… mostly.

Teacher Gift DON’TS

1. INSPIRATIONAL TRINKETS ABOUT TEACHING
Any book, mug, pen, or paper weight that has some sort of inspirational quote about leading lives or changing futures. The Teachers said it was a dead giveaway of a quick trip to the Dollar Store the night before the last day of school. Actually, add mugs of any sort to this list. They’re overrun.

2. WIND CHIMES
Enough said.

3. ANYTHING WITH AN APPLE MOTIF
If you have a teacher who isn’t a noobie, chances are they have closets full of apple tchotchkes already.

4. CANDLES
So, so, so many candles. And I quote, “enough with the candles, please!”.

5. BATH PRODUCTS & SCENTED LOTIONS
This can be a very personal gift, and many people have sensitive skin, or strong preferences (or aversions) to fragrances.

6. RE-GIFTS
You wouldn’t believe the things The Teachers said they’d received that seemed like they had been re-gifted. Keep in mind that if you wouldn’t wear it, eat it, or put it in your house neither would your child’s teacher.

• Disney character denim jumpers
• Pleasures gift certificate
• Lawn sculptures of wild life
• Random knick-knacks like ceramic fruit and creepy children
• Coasters

7. OFFICE SUPPLIES
This one surprised me at first. But think about it… they’re getting ready to pack up their rooms for the summer. They don’t need boxes of pencils and markers to keep in storage for months. Save the classroom supplies for your new teacher at the beginning of the school year and you’ll be a rockstar from the get-go.

Teacher Gift DO’S

1. NOTES & LETTERS
Hands down, the most cherished. It doesn’t have to be War & Peace either – just a quick note of encouragement. Or better yet, write a letter to the principal about how awesome your teacher was – especially if they’re up for tenure!

2. GIFT CARDS
You can’t go wrong here. Starbucks, Target, Michael’s, Staples, their favorite restaurant, movie theaters (so they can catch the summer blockbusters!), and bookstores are all great choices. Just be sure you don’t exceed $25 if you attend public school in the state of Alabama.

3. SUMMER BEACH BAG
If you want to get a little more personal, that’s still possible without going craft crazy. Fill a beach tote with sunscreen, a beach towel, a magazine, some drink mix (Crystal Light lemonade is a good choice), and a nice insulated cup is a pretty awesome gift. Take a look at our Pinterest board to see all the cute ways you can put this together on a range of budgets.

Make good choices when it comes to showing appreciation for your teacher!

4. PEDICURE & FLIP FLOPS
Another hit! A mani/pedi gift certificate is always welcome, according to the female teachers I consulted. Pair it with some cute flip flops if you know her size and & her favorite color polish, and her toes will be beach-ready in no time.

5. SUMMER SONG MIX
Burn Teacher a summer-themed CD to enjoy in the car or on vacation. The kids can help pull this one together, and if you pair it with one of the items above it will be extra-special. Here’s some great song suggestions to get you started.

Last post, I shared my current favorite spray cleaner: a Super Simple Citrus Cleaner that’s good for wood floors, cabinets, furniture, and any surface that may benefit from a little lemon oil. (Don’t forget the bonus lemonade!)

This time, I’m going to share with you a couple of my favorite scrubbing cleaner formulas – good for polishing your kitchen sink, getting burned-on food off pans, and scrubbing away general grubbiness.

“The Salts” – baking soda, kosher salt, and Borax* – are great for taking grime off and great multi-taskers. Just with table salt alone, there are tons of uses beyond seasoning food. There are also lots of ways to use baking soda other than getting rid of odors in your fridge. And Borax is good for the laundry and, yes, scrubbing.

Who knew salt was so versatile?

Basic Sink Scrub

This is probably the easiest scrub you can use to polish your sink. What you’ll need:

• Kosher salt, Borax, or baking soda – whatever you have on hand
• Method® dish soap or Dr. Bronner’s liquid castille soap
• Sponge or abrasive pad

Shake about ¼ cup of your preferred salt in the sink, squirt some dish soap on it, make a paste and work it around the sink with your sponge or abrasive pad (you still have to scrub a bit). Let the paste stay on for a while for extra-nasty stains or dried-on stuff. Rinse.

Now, about all those dishes…

Dirty Pan Scrub

You’ve scrambled some eggs and the egg remnants won’t come off the pan? I swear they will with this. What you’ll need:

• Basic Scrub above, add a little Borax

This time, let the paste stay on the pan for 30 minutes or so. You might have to still scrub a little with your abrasive pad, but it’s nothing like what you’d be doing without the Borax paste!

Gentle Scrub

Baking soda is the least abrasive of the three salts mentioned above. You can use the Basic Scrub formula with baking soda to clean tubs and sinks, counter tops, stove tops, etc. Pretty much anywhere you need a softer scrub.

That’s it! Some basic formulas for scrubbing away grime with just a few non-toxic (and less toxic) ingredients. Let us know how you like them! And if you have some tips you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments below.

*Borax is the stuff that’s in non-toxic (well, for humans and animals anyway) ant killer. Got some sugar ants taking over your house? Sprinkle a little borax on their trail and they’ll soon disappear.

The late Margaret Thatcher once said, “In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”

Hmmmm… Let that sink in for a minute.

I don’t mean to alienate the men folk, but I truly believe that women, and in particular mothers, are natural born leaders. I mean really, just think of what it takes every day to get kids off to school; breakfasts, lunches, and dinners made; homework checked; boo-boos fixed; extra-curricular activities scheduled; and sibling rivalries settled. We’re talking serious time management, conflict-resolution, and communication skills. Not to mention, ingenuity, commitment, and oh yeah, a sense of humor.

Another woman who believes the skills of being a mom transfer nicely into government leadership is Audrey Salgado, Chair of The 2014 Project Alabama. And having raised six children of her own, I’d say Audrey knows a thing or two about leadership.

I recently had the chance to chat with Audrey about the Project and thought that on the heels of Mother’s Day, now was a great time to talk about how we can get involved.

The 2014 Project Alabama is a statewide, nonpartisan campaign to increase the number of women in the United States Congress and Alabama Legislative Districts and Executive Branch in 2014. The Project does NOT endorse specific candidates, but instead coordinates a broad-based recruitment effort to identify potential women candidates.

Women attending 2014 Project Alabama events from all over the state!

From January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 The 2014 Project Alabama is working to:

• Reach out to women who have not considered running for office before, especially women of color.
• Coordinate a statewide volunteer network to carry out its mission.
• Launch a large-scale public education campaign to raise awareness about the lack of women in public office. And mamas, this is where WE come in…

WHY WE ARE PRIMED FOR THIS WORK

• BROADER PERSPECTIVE: That’s what women bring to the table, but only when we’re sitting there, a sentiment Audrey shared looking back on her time as a working mom, activist and life-long volunteer. And let’s face it, policy isn’t always created with actual implementation in mind; but who will be impacted and how is always on a mother’s mind.

• REAPPORTIONMENT: Every state legislative district in the country is slated to be redrawn, according to the 2010 census. And that means open seats. And open seats mean opportunities…for women to run.

• PUBLIC EDUCATION: There’s a lengthy and on-going discussion at both the state and national level about the condition of education in this country. And I don’t know many mothers of school-age children for whom this isn’t a top priority. Who better to sit at the table, better yet, stand at the front of the class and lead that conversation?

WHAT WE CAN DO

• EDUCATE OURSELVES: Did you know that women make up only 24% of state legislators nationwide? Or that Alabama ranks 48th in the nation in terms of female representation in state legislative seats? Knowing the facts is a key component of the Project’s public education campaign. And you can learn more by attending a Women’s Summit on Government Leadership, which serves as an introduction to The 2014 Project. (Details below.)

• VOLUNTEER: The 2014 Project Alabama is recruiting volunteers to share the facts about women’s underrepresentation and the benefits of public service. One of the best ways to serve is by becoming an Advocate. Advocates are trained spokespersons for the Project and help identify community organizations for outreach and education.

• RUN: For office, that is. I understand that for many people, public service is a calling; so if you feel it, go for it! And for goodness sake, don’t wait to be asked!

Listen, even if you’re not ready to run, there are still plenty of ways to lend your time and talents to this effort. The bottom line: If anybody can get it done, we can! Like the fictional (yet still inspiring) Leslie Knope, of  NBC’s Parks and Recreation, start small but think big because your sons and daughters are watching.

Now, who’s in?

When I was a school teacher, one of my favorite exercises was to have the students draw a picture of themselves, their family, school, community, city, state, country, continent, earth, and galaxy; each getting progressively bigger. The point, probably quite obvious, was to teach them that they’re a part of something greater, that although their ‘eyes view’ seems monstrous and overwhelming, they’re a speck in the whole, a whole that they contribute to.

I view the word Mother, Mom, Mum, whichever you prefer, the same way. Not that you are an inconsequential speck in the whole of our universe, quite the contrary. In fact, I’d turn the telescope around and look through the back end to view your roles in our homes, society, and universe.

But, you come in many varieties, and at all levels of our lives.

There’s the Mother who physically bore us, and then there are step-moms, adopted moms, mother-in-laws, teachers with motherly qualities, room moms, den moms, moms walking the streets on the ready with a pack of tissues, grandmas, moms affecting legislation, first ladies, Mother Earth, and this big “mother of a galaxy” that we live in.

It’s a word used to describe someone, or something, that gives and takes care of others, and that job, from my experience, never ends, but it’s not yours alone. Nor is it something to be perfected or lose yourself to, it is to be celebrated alongside all of your other characteristics. All of which you bring to being one of the “Moms” in a child, or adult child’s, life that you affect. A duty so revered that we can make suggestions to you, but know “…you don’t have to if you don’t want to…”

This song, “Mom Please Quit Smoking” by Ghost Mice/Andrew Jackson Jihad, is an odd one, but, it relates.

The opening line, however comical, sets the tone of observations and memories, real and thoughtful, that a son has of his Mom growing up. They aren’t sunshine walks on the beach as a photographer chooses the smile to keep, they’re the real moments that help challenge, nurture, and develop the life of a child who looks up to you as one of the main women in his life, a woman that is loved. Loved so much he has but one request – take care of your health.

Thanks to all of the Moms who take the time to nurture our children and teach them the essential qualities it takes to be a loving and giving human. Or, perhaps, a driven, hard-nosed, sensitive, and every other quality of humaness that you pass on.

We’re watching, listening, and taking notes while you share your life with us, all of it.