The phrase "enjoyable family trip" doesn’t have to be an oxymoron. Try these ideas to make this March Break trip stress-free:

• Take the age and interests of all members of the family into consideration when planning/booking activities and attractions.
• Involve your children in the vacation-planning process as much as possible. Consider the internet for places of interest, local culture and attractions.
• If possible, allow your children to have a say in their vacation clothing. Remember to choose a cherished toy or book for each child, to bring some of the comfort of home to an unfamiliar abode.
• Give children a disposable camera for the trip to collect their own travel memories.
• Pack all necessary prescription medicines, general first-aid equipment, sun block, insect repellent, a thermometer, children's pain reliever, antibiotic ointment and anti-diarrhea medication. 
• If flying, have children chew gum or suck on a pacifier during take-off and landing to relieve the pressure in their ears. 
• Keep kids occupied during long trips. Bring items such as playing cards, video games, colouring books and crayons. 
• An overnight bag with a change of play clothes, a swimsuit, and nightclothes for each child is a good idea. And diapers, if necessary.
• Plan some grown-up time for the adults. If available, take advantage of childcare services at hotels and treat yourself to an afternoon or evening out.
• Be sure to schedule some "down time" so everyone gets some relaxation.

And remember, it’s the time you spend together that counts. Make it fun!

The famous old saying about March, "If March comes in like a lion, it'll go out like a lamb.  If it comes in like a lamb, it'll go out like a lion." suggests that either way, strong winds will come some time in March - that they are inevitable. It is thought that it has its roots in biblical references to lions and lambs as symbols of strength and fragility, respectively.
March certainly can swing from one extreme to another in this country. But then, enduring the environment is part of being Canadian, eh?

With large global companies expanding into new countries and territories every day, marketing people need to be cautious when translating their messages. Check out these humorous screw-ups:

1. Clairol introduced the "Mist Stick" curling iron into Germany only to find out that "mist" is slang for manure.

2. Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign, "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux".

3. When American Airlines promoted its new leather first-class seats to the Mexican market, its "Fly In Leather" campaign literally meant "Fly Naked" (vuela en cuero) in Spanish.

4. The Dairy Association's huge success with the campaign "Got Milk?" prompted them to expand advertising to Mexico – where the translation reads, "Are you lactating?"

5. Coors put its slogan, "Turn It Loose," into Spanish, where it read as "Suffer From Diarrhea".

6. Pepsi's "Come Alive With the Pepsi Generation" translated into "Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back From the Grave" in Chinese.

Animal and poison control centres are warning cat owners about the dangers of Easter lilies and other variations in the lily family. Easter lily, Tiger lily, Rubrum lily, Japanese show lily and some species of the Day lily can cause kidney failure in cats. Apparently, all parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats. Consuming even small amounts can be life threatening.
Cat owners should remove lilies from their cat's access and are encouraged to consider safer alternatives such as Easter orchids, Easter cactus, Easter daisies or violets.

Your bathroom’s biggest enemy is moisture. Improper ventilation can lead to problems; paint will peel, doors will warp and you run the risk of mold. Learn a little about this often ignored home amenity so that you can make an informed decision and wise choice when choosing a system to suit your needs.
There are only a few factors to consider when replacing or installing a ventilation system. Since fans are used daily and yet are relatively inexpensive, it is recommended that you buy the best one you can afford, taking into consideration looks, features, and performance.
When it comes to looks, of the system, there is just a cover to deal with. It hides the actual works of the system. There are a few choices, colours and styles to suit your décor.
There are only a few optional features to consider when buying an exhaust fan; a light, nightlight or heating element. You are better off spending the money on the exhausting aspects than the lights.
As for performance, a fan’s exhaust capacity is rated in litres per second (L/s) or cubic feet per minute (cfm). A normal bathroom needs a good-quality fan that draws 25 L/s (50 cfm). A poor-quality fan won't exhaust enough air and will be too noisy for regular use. The best fans have sound ratings of 0.5 sones or less and consume about 20 watts of electricity. Older units typically run up to 4 sones and 80 watts.
A couple of installation suggestions:
- install a timer to replace the on/off switch to control the ventilation system. This will allow you to have the fan run for the necessary amount of time whether you are in the bathroom or not, without wasting energy.
- use screws to install the fan. Nails can come loose from the vibrations and lead to unwanted noise or damage.

Feet Facts

Your feet are the foundation of your entire body. Foot problems can have an impact on joints higher up the kinetic chain (your ankle, knee, hip and spine). Proper foot care today will lead to fewer problems tomorrow. Did J’a Know that:

• Your feet have 52 bones - 25 % of the bones in your body.
  
• Your feet also have 66 joints, 214 ligaments, and 38 muscles and tendons. 
  
• 75% of North Americans will experience foot health problems in their lifetime.
  
• The average person takes 9,000 steps per day - approx. 110,000 miles in a lifetime.
  
• There are approximately 125,000 sweat glands on each foot. Collectively, they excrete as much as 8 ounces of moisture each day.
  
• “Hyperhidrosis” is the medical term for excess perspiration of the feet.
  
• Bad foot odour is called “bromhidrosis”.
  
• Many foot conditions (bunions, calluses, corns, etc.) are caused by ill-fitting shoes - friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas of the foot.
  
• There are about four times as many women with foot problems as men. High-heeled shoes may be to blame.
  
• A person's feet may be different sizes. Buy shoes based on the larger size. 
  
• Your feet tend to swell during the day. Shoe shopping is best done in the afternoon or evening. 
  
• Plantar warts are caused by a virus that enters the sole of the foot through cuts or breaks in the skin.
  
• A doctor who specializes in feet is a ‘Podiatrist’.
  

Cool Web Sites for Kids
A few extras this month – for those unoccupied ‘March-Break-mad’ young ones:

SwitchZoo - Lisa, age 6, says “I made funny animals by combining heads, legs and tails of different animals. Then Mom and I made up names for them.”
Cool Collage - Brigitte, age 12, says, “I’m going to make a really cool collage of pictures of my friends to hang in my locker at school.”
Uncool - Mateen, age 11, says, ”I tried smoking at a party once. I thought it would be cool. I won’t do that again - now that I’ve been to this site. No way!”
Really WILD Animals - Donovan, age 8, says, “I had fun with the Spin-U-Lator and learned lots about these really wild animals.”
Science Toy Maker - Vaughan, age 9, says, “ I can always find something cool to make here. And I learn stuff, too. Check out the Propeller Stick.
St. Pat’s Crafts - Mary, age 10, says, “I found a whole bunch of crafts for St. Patrick’s Day at this site. I’m making a pair of St. Pat’s Nifty Socks to wear to school that day.”
A Wee Bit O’ Fun - Lacy, age 11, says, “ I learned about who Saint Patrick was and everything. You know, he wasn’t even Irish!”
Make It! - Sean, age 7, says, “Lucky stones are so fun to make. I’m really good at it. I’m making some for my mom and dad and grandpa. There are more goods, too.”

You may have film clips, features, interviews and previews hidden on your DVD’s that you never knew existed! They’re called Easter Eggs, and you’ll be amazed at how cleverly some have been hidden. Think of them as an award of sorts – to be claimed by those curious and adventurous enough to try every possible combination of menu options and choices – and then some – just to see what might happen.
But you need not spend countless hours checking through your movie collection. Simply visit one of the following sites for information on thousands of Easter Eggs:
 
Lights Out Entertainment DVD Easter Eggs - http://www.lightsoutentertainment.com/dvd/eggs/

The Easter Egg Archive - http://www.eeggs.com/ (software Easter Eggs, too!)

Even the most powerful home or office computer available will require you to use a mouse and/or keyboard to make things happen. So when purchasing a new system, pay extra attention to these needs. Different keyboards have varying 'feels’, and mice come in all shapes, configurations, and capabilities. The best way to ensure you have something you will enjoy using is to test it out. Even if you are buying your system online, consider purchasing the mouse and keyboard from a local store – where you can test them out properly before making your decision. While you’re at it, buy a back-up of each. They generally don’t cost much, and they all break down eventually.

Planning some spring paint touch-ups? If matching is a problem, forget trying to choose the closest colour to your faded walls. Take a paint sample to a quality paint store and have them match it. They’ll probably get a much better match.

To get the sample from an inconspicuous spot of a drywall wall, use a sharp utility knife to cut out about a 1-inch square section of the surface paper only … an eighth of an inch deep or so should do it. Use the knife to lift a corner of the paper, and then peel it from the wall. Take care when cutting - the cleaner the cut, the easier the patching.

And remember, if a lot of touch-ups are required in one section, or if it’s a high-traffic area, it makes more sense to paint the whole wall.

“The secret of creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” ~ Albert Einstein.

“Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home.” ~ Bill Cosby

“If it weren't for electricity we'd all be watching television by candlelight.” ~ George Gobol.

“I once shook hands with Pat Boone and my whole right side sobered up.” ~ Dean Martin

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