Author Archives: Kelly Wallace

How I Got My Home Gym For Free

The fact that I’m frugal spreads over into every part of my life, from my diet and clothing, to my health routines. Of course, I wouldn’t sacrifice my health just to save a buck, but I do look for free ways to work out. A lot of doctors recommend walking, but since I live in Tucson, Arizona, walking outdoors any time between the hours of 6am and 9pm isn’t going to happen, especially during the summer. I don’t like being uncomfortable, and trudging around in the heat kills any of my good intentions to exercise. Staying indoors where the temperature … Continue reading →

Pushing Younger Kids Beyond Their Comfort Zone

When I first started home schooling my last three girls, two were in third grade and one was just starting preschool. It was a challenge wondering how I would present the lessons when there was such an obvious age gap between the older girls and the youngest. Being able to home school our kids allows us a lot of freedom though. Kids don’t have to be pushed ahead when they aren’t ready or held back when they are. What I did was to offer the same exact assignment for all of my girls, always at the age level of the … Continue reading →

Eat Soup And Lose Weight – Cabbage Soup Diet

Most of us tend to think of soup as something to sip on when we’re ill, are low on grocery money, or for a light lunch. While all of these things are true, soup can also speed up your weight loss efforts. I’ve read before that by just having a bowl of soup before lunch and dinner, it can help you drop the weight without feeling deprived. For just a few calories you can feel full and satiated so that when you dig into your meal you don’t eat as much. Anyone who’s had a bowl of soup and sandwich … Continue reading →

Finding Love In Midlife

As a single parent and one who was on the dating scene for awhile, I can honestly say that trying to find a life partner in midlife may be about ten times more difficult than it is when we’re younger. Some of the reasons why it’s more difficult to find true love after forty are that a lot of people are already in long-term relationships or married. Another reason is that his kids may be younger than yours or maybe he never had kids at all. Maybe he wants more kids and you’re done with being pregnant. Some people tend … Continue reading →

Home School Blogger Intro

I started as a home schooling blogger on Families.com about a month ago. My introduction post is a little overdue, but I wanted to share with others a bit about myself and my background as a home schooling single mother. My two oldest daughters went to public school all the way through high school. A move to a rough area of Baltimore had me quickly pulling my three youngest out of school and home schooling them myself. It was a decision I wish I had made with my older girls. Live and learn though, right? For the most part I … Continue reading →

Turn That Frown Upside Down And Look Younger Instantly

I’m a people watcher. I guess it comes with the territory of being a single mother and an author. Many times I’ll get ideas for characters just by sitting and observing people while at my local coffee shop, doctor’s office, or wherever I happen to be that day. Something I’ve noticed is that people who smile more tend to look younger. We use approximately 17 facial muscles to smile yet 43 to wear a frown. Is it no wonder that people who constantly wear a grim look on their faces tend to age years before happier people? I’ve heard some … Continue reading →

Boosting Your Immune System With Vitamin C and Echinacea

It never fails. Every time I go on vacation I come back with a cold or a case of the flu. Mike and I just celebrated our fifth anniversary so we spent four days and three nights in Las Vegas. I love going to Sin City, though I honestly don’t do anything I would consider sinful. I’m a frugal person and have a small fun-budget I set for myself and when that’s used up I’m done. I mostly play the penny slots, see the sights, enjoy the free bands that play music from the 80’s, and eat to my heart’s … Continue reading →

My Mini Zoo – New Pet Blogger Intro

As a new pet blogger here at Families.com I felt I should write an introduction post and share the story of my mini-zoo with everyone. I’ve had pets ever since I could remember. In fact, none of my homes have felt complete unless there was at least one four-legged furry critter running around. About ten years ago this love for all things feathered, furry or finned hit a high point. My second daughter worked at Petsmart at the time so she always had some tale of woe about a guinea pig, hamster, snake, fish, or other animal that had been … Continue reading →

Being Frugal Is A Way Of Life – New FL Blogger Intro

Finally, I’m writing my Frugal Living introduction post. Better late than never, I always say. I wanted to say hello to my fellow FL living blogger Mary Ann Romans, and all of Families.com new bloggers. Since starting with this website about a month ago I’ve been having a lot of fun writing in my various topics. Being able to share and learn is a wonderful thing. As the title of my blog today states, being frugal truly is a way of life, not just one area of it. Many times someone may start out counting pennies in the area of … Continue reading →

Lessons Learned – New Health Blogger Intro

As a new health blogger for Families.com I wanted to take some time to introduce myself. Through the years I’ve been a granddaughter, daughter, two times a wife, sister, and a mother—five times over. At this point, my family consists of only my girls and my sister. Everyone else in my family passed on at a young age, even my first husband. I feel that facing so many health-related tragedies is what spurred me on to study many health fields, as well as doing my best to take care of my own health and that of my girls. No matter … Continue reading →