Do You HAVE to Pay Real Estate Taxes? Hmmm....

Did you know that you, or someone you love, may be exempt from paying Real Estate Taxes in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William or many other nearby counties?

The exemption is reserved for those with limited incomes and who meat certain age or disability requirements.

Okay, so that means I have to keep paying my real estate taxes.  But, when my mom had a stroke a few years ago, and went on permanent disability, learning about this made a HUGE difference in her monthly available cash.  

There is a catch - you can only apply once a year, and they are strict about this.  Hurry, because the deadline expires April 1st.  There are some upcoming workshops being held around the county - check out the link below for dates and locations, and the forms you'll need to apply for the exemption.

Click here for more information:  LOUDOUN COUNTY TAX RELIEF

Is Your Water Running Without You?

Loudoun Water wants YOU TO KNOW....It's "Fix A Leak Week"!  

Is Your Water Running Without You?

Save Money, Save the Environment!  Check for (and fix) your leaks today!

Courtesy of Loudoun Water, here are ways to identify and address leaks around your home:

• Search for toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank or use one of our toilet leak detector dye tablets. If any color shows up in the bowl without flushing first, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately to avoid staining the tank.) Need dye tablets? Contact us for free tablets or you can stop by our Administration Building during office hours to pick them up. Leaky toilets can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. Old, faulty toilet flappers are a common source of leaks. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at a local hardware store.
• Check all of your faucets and outdoor spigots for any obvious drips. You may have a worn seal that needs to be replaced.
• If you decide it’s time for a new toilet or faucet, look for WaterSense labeled products, which use 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models. Most common leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.
• Check along your hoses for any leaks. If you have an irrigation system, it should be checked each spring for broken heads. A leak along your system can waste about 6,300 gallons per month.
• Grab a wrench or contact your favorite handy person, plumber, or Loudoun Water Preferred irrigation contractor to address leaking toilets, faucets, and irrigation systems around your home. As a WaterSense partner concerned with preserving our nation’s water supply, we can help you learn more. Visit our Conservation or Plumbing and Pipes pages for information and tips.

Visit the WaterSense Web site to learn more www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

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Thank you to Loudoun Water for allowing us to post this information in our blog!

Snowmagedon Continues! Important Safety Tips

If you're living in this Loudoun/Dulles or the surrounding area this is not news to you.... We JUST had 34.5 inches of snow, and 2 snowfalls within the previous week totaling about 10 inches of snow, and now we're expecting another 5-9 inches beginning tomorrow.

Because our area rarely experiences this kind of snow (well, this is actually the snowiest on record), we simply aren't equipped.  So, be patient.  Life will return to 'normal'.  For now, relax and enjoy.

Streets:   VDOT is calling in reinforcements from areas nearby that have completed their own snow removal because they didn't get the 'dump' that we received.  (FYI - the Town of Leesburg has done a great job of snow removal).  Relax - the calvary IS coming!

Electricity:  While I didn't lose electric, many did, and some are still freezing in their homes.  THIS is why I insist on having multiple heat sources in my home.  A woodstove and fireplace, and a gas stove.  Think about that if you are buying in the Northern Virginia area.  Admittedly, gas fireplaces are convenient and the newer ones sometimes put out a decent amount of heat - and they'll work without electricity in most cases.  But, with a wood fireplace YOU are in control.  I always say - if there are trees around me, I will be warm.  That's the country girl in me. (Loudoun used to be country, and some of it still is.)  Click here for the Dominion Virginia Outage Map: http://outagemap.dom.com/DomComFlexOutageViewer/index.html

Important Reminders:  I am getting emails and texts and want to pass along the important reminders to you.

1 - Roofs are caving in.  If you have a flat roof, please remove the snow from it - if it collapses, it could kill your family, not to mention ruin your home or business.  If you have a roof that's at an angle, well, advice is conflicting.  I say if you can knock the snow nearest your gutters loose (like with a shovel or broom, etc.), then do it.  Generally it will cause it to slide, much of it sliding off your roof (think avalanche, and don't stand where it will fall).  This will relieve pressure.  If you can reach any part of your roof from a window, try.

2 - Please clear the snow from around your fire hydrants.  If there is an emergency in your neighborhood, please don't lose valuable time having to find the fire hydrant.  It can be the difference between life and death.

3 - Make sure your home and address are clearly visible from the street, so there's no delay if emergency services needs to get to you.

4 - Check on your neighbors - especially those that are olders or ill, but really, check on them all, and call authorities if needed.  If you are truly buried in the snow, they WILL send in the national guard - this happened in 1996 to my neighborhood in Ashburn when a boy got stranded at a babysitter's house during a blizzard and ran out of a critical medication he needed.

5 - Clear the snow from around your heat pump - covered HVAC systems can't breathe and this puts strain on the system and you could lose heat.  That would stink. And, oh, yeah, it's a rather costly repair.

6 - Clear snow from around the gutters, windows, and doors to prevent leaking.

7 - Remove snow from decks and porches.

8- If you are experiencing problems - downed trees, need help clearing your driveway/sidewalks, repairing roofs, sidings, decks or porches contact a qualified contractor.  I recommend William Beach  (Beach Carpentry and Contracting, based in Leesburg): 703-898-2789 or 703-443-8946.

9- Stay informed about important weather related news.  Sign up for Loudoun Alert.

10- Loudoun has many useful tips and resources available online.  Visit the web site: http://www.loudoun.gov/

You are strongly urged to do these things NOW, so as to avoid further complications when the next storm hits - tomorrow.

Stay tuned to Living In Lo Co continuing local information.  Personally, I am getting a little tired of writing about snow... but what else could I possibly write about at this particular time?  This is truly historic and a little mind blowing.  Hang in there!!

For further family snow storm survival tips, check out these posts:

Kid Friendly Recipes - Perfect Foods to help cure cabin fever

Snowmagedon - Pics and musings

Snow Day Family Activities

Take Time To Taste The Snowflakes

And, of course, there will be more to come!!!! (posts, that is, but snow, too)

Fun Recipes for Kids - Great for Snow Days!

The Washington DC area just experienced the 'Snowpocalypse', where Loudoun received a whopping 34.5 inches of snow.  Coming amongst the snowiest winter we've ever had, and this being our second blizzard of the year, many local school systems have used up all their snow days.  Loudoun County schools were out last Monday for a teacher workday, and Friday for a snow day, and the county made the call on Saturday that there would be no school Monday or Tuesday.  And, guess what?  There's more snow in the forecast for Tuesday night.  Oh, my!  Children and their parents are getting cabin fever, big time.  So, this post is dedicated to you!

These are a few fun recipes that I like to pull out on snow days to help keep them 'special'.  (They are all light on the cooking and ingredients and heavy on the fun.)  These are 'craft-like' recipes that will entertain kids for a while! (A couple are healthy, too.)

HOMEMADE DONUTS: 

Heat vegtable oil in a pan - about an inch and half deep-on medium high.  Open a can of biscuits.  Have the kids use a bottle cap (like from a soda) like a cookie cutter to create holes in the middle of each donut.  Test the heat of the cooking oil with a donut 'hole'.  Pop it in the oil, it should take about 30 seconds or so to lightly brown on one side and then flip it and cook the other side, and when both sides are evenly brown remove.  Adjust the temperature of the oil as needed and keep testing until you've got it right. (Tip: Use serving spoon with holes to cook the holes, use a fork for the donuts.) Place cooked donuts and holes on a plate lined with a paper towel. 

TOPPINGS:  Let the kids add their own toppings.  Today, we had topping choices of cinnamon and suger; melted chocolate chips, icing made from powdered sugar and milk, sprinkles and chopped peanuts.  Sometimes we use icing from a can, sometimes just powdered sugar.  It's always fun. 

SNOWCONES:

What could be simpler?  If you have leftover snowcone syrups on hand, just grab a bowl of snow and a spoon and add your favorite syrup!  No leftover syrups?  Use condensed frozen (thaw them first) fruit juices or punches, or even use powdered KoolAir or other drink mixes!

SNOW ICE CREAM: 

The simple version is taking sweetened condensed milk and mixing it with snow - presto magic!  That's a little sweet for me, so I often add regular milk to the mix, but be careful to keep the consistency ice cream-ish.  Some people recommend using flavored milk (vanilla, chocolate or strawberry).
FLAVORS: Add whatever flavors you have around - this is a great excuse to go on a search and rescue mission for less used flavorings in your spice cabinet.  Most people add vanilla.  A friend used flavored syrups in hers.  I add fresh fruit - berries are great and banana is my favorite - just blend them with a little milk and some crushed ice (snow doesn't 'blend' well).

SNOWFLAKES:

Give the kids mini-marshmallows and toothpicks and demonstrate how to 'build' a snowflake.  After that, they will use their imaginations and make all kinds of things - houses, satellites, whatever.  The point is it is a craft and a snack!!

SNOWMEN:

Give the kids large marshmallows and have them 'glue' them together using a bit of decorator icing, and then decorate faces, add 'clothes' etc with the decorator icing. Toothpicks or pretzel sticks make great arms!

MARSHMALLOW PIE:

Crush up graham crackers (the first time I made this, I used Teddy Grahams and I think they are the best, but usually I use regular graham crackers).  Mix with melted butter and flatten with fork into a pie (or round cake) pan to form a crust.  Sprinkle chocolate chips or chopped up chocolate bar (I like Hersheys), on top.  Then, add large marshmallows.  Bake in oven at 350 until it looks like the picture.  YUM!  Better than s'mores!

FANCY FRUIT:

Melt baking chips - milk chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate.  Cut up your favorite fruit - bananas, any kind of berry, or anything that 'fits your fancy'.  Let the kids dip their fruit in the melted chips.  For added fun, let them roll the fruit in sprinkles or chopped nuts. I am such a sneaky mom!  I trick my kids into eating fruit. You can also do this with large marshmallows or cookies (like store bought Oreos, chocolate chips, Nutter Butters, etc.).

FONDUE:

Don't forget how much fun fondue can be.  No, you don't need a fancy pot.  Just melt your favorite cheese with some milk and use skewers (forks if you don't have skewers) and dip in your favorite veggies, chicken or other meat. 

Hope something in here gives your next Snow Day a new twist!!  Be sure and read the other Snow Day Activities posted a couple days ago.  It looks like you're gonna need them.... I hear that there's more snow on Tuesday.  I have heard rumors of anything from 5 to 10 inches.  Sigh.

Got Samoas? We Got Recipes!

According to an ongoing poll at http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/, 34% of us voted that Samoas are our favorite Girl Scout Cookie offered!  (The GS organization, however, reports that only 19% of the cookies sold are Samoas; topped by Thin Mints which account for 25% of the cookies sold.)

My troop is now taking orders for Samoas and other Girl Scout Cookies in Loudoun County, VA!

Not only are they a great cookie, but you can use them in lots of recipes.  Little Brownie Bakers (the bakers for the GS cookies we get locally), offer recipes for:

* Fried Samoas Shrimp (not sure how I feel about this one)
* Samoas Dream Cake (mmm...I am dreaming already)
* Samoas Sweet Rolls (Sounds scrumptious, but it's not what your thinking, these are made with crepes)
* Samoas Trail Mix (very "Girl Scout" don't you think?)

Samoan Cheesecake: Someone on uses the basic recipe for "Philadelphia Cheesecake" and crumbles up Samoas to add to the filling, and garnishes with a few extra for a nice presentation.  I LOVE cheesecake, and this sounds wonderful.

ABC Bakers (the "other" company who makes "Caramel deLites"-a similar cookie also sold in some regions by GS) offers a recipe for a Chocolate Caramel Coconut Dessert which sounds scrumptious! Click here to see this recipe.

Stay tuned for more Girl Scout Cookie News!  In Loudoun, contact me for details on ordering.  Elsewhere, go to http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/ and find a place near you to buy your own.

Remember, they are available only once a year, so buy enough to freeze!

Gifts of caring are also encouraged if you'd like to share this yummy tradition!

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Stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Volksmarch in Leesburg?

Have I told you I love being a Girl Scout Leader?  It's true.

Implied in the word "Leader" is a thought that I might be leading or teaching my girls.... but I think it's really the other way around.  I learn so much; and as a troop we're introduced to experiences that I would never have on my own.  It's really very rewarding.

Recently, my troop participated in the "Volksmarch Girl Scout Walk Together".  Volksmarch is a German custom, and means "People's March". Volksmarch events are organized, non competitive walking events.  I have a friend (and fellow GS Leader) who used to live in Germany and she has many metals from participating in them.  The tradition has been re-created here in America and the American Volkssport Association organizes walking events and walking clubs all over the country.  Their goal is to promote "Fun, Fitness, and Friendship". 

Locally, the AVA organizes (among other things)  "Walk Together" events for Girl Scouts; and the girls can participate individually or with their troop....and this year, my Daisies participated.  It was GREAT fun.

In addition to learning about the German heritage of this tradition, and about the organization, the event was held at a park rather close to my home that I had never explored... and I can't believe it.  It's only MORE than 700 acres!  I am ashamed to call myself a "local" and not to have even known where Banchee Reeks Park was!  Well, I do now.

And, I must say, it's glorious!  The November day of our event was particularly beautiful, and we were blessed with a sunny, 70 degree day. Sadly, I left my camera in the car during the walk, so we have only one picture to share with you from the walk - and it was taken from a camera phone.  I tried to get a few photos from our picnic site near the starting point of the trails, but these photos simply don't do the place justice.  It's a place you need to explore - several times - before you even get a true lay of the land.  I know my family and I will be back to further investigate the offerings of this park and the other trails. 

It was an awesome experience.  It was so awesome in fact, that I hope at some point my schedule with the kiddos will be less crazy and perhaps I can join in on some of the other walking events with the AVA or the Loudoun Walking Club.  Walking allows you to see even your every day surroundings differently... it's a different perspective. 

In my opinion, walking clubs are about committing yourself to "take time to smell the roses".  Being a Girl Scout Leader is about committing yourself to help a Daisy bloom, and become all she truly can be.  For now, I am content watching blossoming Daisies... but a point will come in my life when I have not only the desire, but the time, to smell the roses.

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Learn more about life here in Loudoun County by exploring this blog and by stopping back by to read about new experiences.  If you have ideas on things you'd like to see in the blog, please contact me privately, I do want to be your resource for all things Loudoun!

For real estate information, visit http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/ and/or http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Be "In The Know" In Your Community

Do you work, live or own property in Loudoun?  Do you like to be informed?  I do, and I am going to tell you how to do it.

As a resident, it's important to me to know about serious crimes that are going on around my home. Things like business robberies, hostage situations, murders, serious assaults... even though I'd like to think that things like these wouldn't happen in my community, no one is exempt, and I want to know if they do. 

I want to know about REAL Amber Alerts in a timely manner, and when there is a fugitive on the run.  It reminds me to keep my eyes open looking for threats and keeps me focused on trying to support my community by looking for these people.

I also want to know if my local government offices will be closing, because I often use their services, personally and professionally.

I want to know about weather related emergencies, like tornadoes, flash floods, or other sudden occurrences.

As a REALTOR, it's important to me to know of road closings (in Loudoun, in Fairfax or major arteries throughout the region)  due to accidents, floods, construction or other things.

As a mom, especially as a working mom, I need to know when school is being closed or let out early, if there is a lockdown order issued, or other time sensitive school related situations.  I also need to know when the federal government is closed, because weather related closings of the government mean no daycare for my son and no afterschool care for my daughter.

Loudoun Alert keeps me "in the know" on all these things.  I receive text messages and emails moments after they are sent through the system.  And, better yet, the messages come with no hype - just the facts.  Often, even if I am out of town, I know what is going on faster than people who are blocks away from, or in the middle of, an incident.  By the time they hear through the regular media or the grape vine, the story's been sensationalized and is greatly distorted.

Although I feared that being notified of all major incidents would frighten me, in reality it has helped me be informed and make sound decisions; and I also realize how lucky we are here in Loudoun with so few truly serious crimes.  I really appreciate this service, and I hope more Loudoun residents will sign up for it.  It is free, and to me, is invaluable.

Let's face it, Inquiring Minds Want to Know, and that means you!  You can sign up, it only takes a minute or so, and you can chose which alerts you want to get and how.  Just follow this link: https://alert.loudoun.gov

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And, if you really like to stay "In The Know", stay tuned to http://www.livinginloco.blogspot.com/... I'll tell you about the fun stuff here!

Vicky Chrisner

Keller Williams Realty, Leesburg, VA
Ofc: 703-669-3142

Email: VChrisner@KW.com

Waters Edge, Grand Opening Tonight!

Now I have another reason to wish I was just a bit younger. 

My church has a new Saturday night program called Waters Edge,  targeted for the 20-30 something crowd. 

The Grand Opening is TONIGHT AT 6:30.

It's a coffee house atmosphere with live music for young adults to hang out, meet others, and hear a short message.  Featuring a local barista, local bands and a comfortable, casual atmosphere, I bet it will be a huge hit.

If I try to get in tonight, do you think they'll card me? lol

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Learn more:

Leesburg Community Church

(formerly Leesburg Baptist Church)

Check out Water's Edge on Facebook

Tune into the Water's Edge YouTube Channel.

What You Don't Know Until You Move In

I've posted before about how much I love my neighborhood.... and I REALLY REALLY do.

When we chose the place, we picked it like all other buyers pick homes.  General area, conveniences, value, home style and condition... and it had a lot of kids, we could tell when we saw them in the neighborhood and we saw all the basketball hoops on the streets (which are actually prohibited by our HOA, by the way).  So, we bought.

I continually become overwhelmed, though, as things happen and I have opportunities to realize how truly wonderful my neighborhood is.

Recently, a man in our neighborhood passed away.  I didn't know him.  He had 2 boys in elementary school, but they are older than my kids and my kids don't know them.  I learned through the grapevine that the boys were staying with their grandparents, also in our neighborhood.  We don't know them either.  I asked "what about the mom?".  It turns out she died 5 years ago.

Yeah... let that sink in for a little bit.

Many of us reached out to those that know the family better and asked if there was something, anything, we could do.  We begged to help somehow. 

After some brainstorming we came up with a plan.  Twice a week, every week for the next three months, we would alternate cooking and bringing them dinner.  We would put together a list of stay at home moms or others with flexible schedules who might be able to help grandma get the kids to and from activities, or to run necessary weekday errands, as she doesn't drive and her husband is still working until the end of the year.

We had so many volunteers, we had to turn away offers of help.

We simply have the most wonderful community here.  I feel so blessed to live here, and can't imagine a better place to bring up my children.

We don't have much turnover here, but it is worth waiting to find a home that comes available in this neighborhood.  If you'd like more information about Ashton Downs, don't hesitate to contact me.

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

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Update:   Today, October 8th is my turn! I've stressed and stressed (really, does it matter that much?). I didn't know what to bring. I finally settled on a simple chicken pot pie recipe (see pic). Mmmm... They smell so good.

There's an ice cream social at the school tonight, so I opted not to bring dessert, in hopes that the boys will be going. Just in case I am wrong, I bought a cookie and decorating kit - pumpkin shaped sugar cookies with icing, spinkles and such. My kids always liked doing stuff like that, hopefully these boys will, too. It also happens to be International Childrens Day. So, I bought two gift bags and filled them with magic trick "toys".

I imagine these boys are tired of mourning and people sending their sympathies.  They probably just want to be kids again.  I am making a lot of assumptions here.... hopefully I am guessing right. These boys need to figure out what their "new normal" will be.  Sadly, life won't go backwards for them, but it must go forward.  I pray my gifts and efforts are received well.

Shopping for a Cause!

As we all know, it is serious back to school time.  It seems to be consuming my life, and if you have kids in school, it's probably been your focus... too. 

I was sent home a list of web sites where I can register my various store loyalty cards so that any school benefits are sent to my children's schools.  But, you do NOT need to have school aged kids to participate.

If you have preschool children, I suggest that you sign up for the schools that your children WILL attend.  If you do not have children, perhaps you'll choose to register to support schools that your nieces and nephews or grandchildren, or your friends' children attend.  And, if all else fails, sign up to support the schools that your neighborhood kids attend.  When neighborhood schools have more tools and resources, they are better schools - and if your home feeds to that school, it increases the demand for housing in your community.  In other words, it can help increase the value of your own home.

So, take a few minutes and register to support a school - any school.  All schools need our help and this costs you nothing but a few minutes.  And, besides... next time you start to feel guilty because you spent a little too much, at least now you know you did it for a good cause!

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Here's the list, if you have more to add, please chime in:

http://www.escrip.com/:  Merchants include Safeway, Pavillions, Vonls, Genuarti's, PW Markets, Adams. Link any debit or credit cards for additional school earnings (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover, Carrs, Graegars, Office Max).  Also, you can print "Coupons for Kids" from the web site and your participating school receives an extra 5cents for every redeemed coupon.

Register your Giant Bonus Card This is quick and easy, and you can ask your support be divided by up to 3 schools (great when you have kids in more than one school).

Register your Target RED Card The designated school receives 1% of your purchases.

Register your Harris Teeter Card A portion of your Harris Teeter brand purchases is donated to the PTA.

Register your Food Lion (or Bloom) Loyalty Card  This site is temporarily down due to maintenance, but says it will be operational mid September, so I assume that means any day now.

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Please note, for your reference I have provided the following back to school information in my blog:

• Find out how to sign up for automatic emails and texts about school closings and how to pay for your child's lunches on line with a credit card. 
• Bookmark the student schedules for Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William Counties!
• Some thoughts on the Obama "Back To School" speech controversy (ugh).
• A post on my experience with H1N1 (The Swine Flu) and information on where to get flu shots & more info.

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For more information about schools and other local insights, click FOLLOW on the right to stay tuned to this blog... and visit my web site at http://www.vickychrisner.com/.

Loudoun County School Calendar

For easy reference, here is the
LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL CALENDAR

 September 8 First Day of School for Students


October 12 Holiday (Columbus Day)
October 30 End of the Grading Period


November 2-3 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days)
November 25-27 Holiday (Thanksgiving)


December 23-25/28-31 Winter Break (Classes Resume January 4)


January 1 Holiday (New Year's Day)
January 18 Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
January 29 End of Grading Period


February 1 Moveable Student Holiday* (Planning/Records/Conference Day)
February 15 Holiday (Presidents' Day)

March 29-April 2 Holiday (Spring Break)


April 15 End of Grading Period
April 16 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Day)

May 31 Holiday (Memorial Day)

June 18 Last Day of School for Students/End of Grading Period

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CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE LOUDOUN ALERT SYSTEM,

where you can sign up to be

notified personally when Loudoun schools are out or there are emergencies at the school.

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For more information on the Northern Virginia area, please visit my web site:
http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Tasting Farm Life

Even though we live in town, Loudoun County is well known for its horse farms and agricultural heritage. So, living in Loudoun, it seemed fitting that my daughter at least get to sample some aspects of this.

This summer, I found a nearby farm that offered a riding camp, one that had reasonable prices, and hours that worked with my schedule. My goal was for Rachael to learn a bit about horses and get a bit of experience riding. But, she learned far more than that! She got a little taste of farm life, and, as she discovered, it's pretty different from her "normal" life.

For seven hours a day, for five straight days, she was emersed in the everyday happenings on a horse farm. The kids at the camp cleaned stalls, fed and groomed the horses and, handled other farm chores. It was summer, and it was HOT, and the kids were outside all day.

If it's been awhile since you've been in a barn, I'll remind you - it is not just hot, it STINKS. One reader commented that the smell of a barn in the summer is like Christmas to horse lovers. I had to chuckle at that. I love my dog, but sometimes I do not love the smells she makes. And, I prefer Christmas smell more like cinnamon and pine. But, ...to each their own!

After seeing (and smelling) Rachael at the end of the day, I was reminded that living and working on a farm is seriously hard work... I guess I had forgotten that when I told her it would be "fun".

You see, I used to spend part of my summers on my uncle's dairy farm. Looking back, I realize that I had been somewhat romanticizing my own memories of those times. But, it's something everyone should experience. On a farm, you get a true appreciation for work, for the land, for animals and how we're all tied together. Without the experience, you really just can't get it.

I am grateful for those times. I just wouldn't be the same person without them. The rule was, kids stayed out of the house during the day, from sun up to sun down. When we weren't herding, feeding or milking the cows, gathering eggs, cleaning stalls, or picking veggies from the garden; we had a lot of fun. Where else can you sprain your ankle jumping from the top of the silo into the grain, play hide and seek in a cornfield, admire momma animals with their new babies, chase chickens (and then by chased BY chickens), and wade in the river and catch trout with your bare hands?

Rachael's experience was quite different from mine, but she was just as dirty and sweaty at the end of the day as I used to be. And, just as tired.

Being as social as Rachael is, it was kind of a tough week for her. She was out of her element, and was probably the youngest in the camp. She really only bonded with one little girl. But, she definately bonded with the horses. She very much liked giving me the end of day tour and lectures on which horse likes what and who I can pet and who I can not. After 7 hours of being the one who listened and took orders, she had the opportunity to show off a bit and be the one to teach someone else. It was nice to be a bit of an "expert".

At the end of the week, did she like it? Well, there are mixed reviews. She wants to go back and see the horses, but she has not asked to go back the camp next year. Maybe she'll feel different in time, maybe she'll start to romanticize the memories, too. Either way, she may not be a true farm girl at heart, but she will carry with her special memories from the experience for the rest of her life.... THAT week, the week she tasted farm life.

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Main Tree charges only $335 per week and the hours are 9 to 4; and you provide all drinks, snacks and lunch. Although there is a house there; the kids don't go into it. They are out in the elements all day - no air conditioning at all. The bathroom is a port-a-potty outside the barn. There is a shed of sorts they use to store their foods and clothes and where they can change. They sometimes eat their lunch by the pond at the neighbors' place and feed the ducks. A few afternoons, they go swimming in the private pool there on the farm. On Friday, they have a bar-b-que and everyone brings a dish to share. Like I said.... a little taste of farm life.

What's In Virginia?

When I was 16, my dad sent me with a friend on summer vacation to California. We did just about everything there. We went to the theme parks and stayed in Anahiem; we went to Long Beach and stayed just blocks from the beach; we visited Hearst Castle with it's tiles made of 14k gold; we took the Yaht to Catalina - despite the storms; we saw and experienced fast paced LA; we even stayed on a houseboat overnight with my friend's uncle - he lives on the boat and had a girl in every port. I really think we did it all. It was an amazing trip and I was in awe. But, it had to be the camping trip to Yosemite that made the biggest impact on me.

Four members of our party simply didn't fit in the RV we had, so we were ousted to find refuge in a rented TeePee. I was one of the four. At night, the park had a huge bonfire among the teepees, and downed Redwoods were positioned around the fire for seating. We'd bring hot dogs and marshmallows to roast, gather round and sip our hot chocolate; chatting with people from all over the world.

One night, there were about 20 strangers gathered round the fire, and we were going around the circle, each saying where we were from. It seemed everyone was from some wonderful place that I could only dream of seeing. When it came my turn, I said I was from Virginia. "What's In Virginia?" came a voice from the crowd. At 16, I wasn't sure how to answer. It had been a long trip at this point, and I admit to being a bit homesick. "My dad" was all I could really think of; but I knew that's not what he was looking for.

Luckily, another voice from the crowd came. This one announced that she once had to drive through the state of Virginia. She said the whole time she drove through, she kept thinking she must be in a National Park, because it was so beautiful.

Beauty is what is in Virginia. I thought that was a good answer.

On that trip, I met people who'd never seen a live Panda Bear; never swam in the ocean; never watched fireworks with the backdrop of the Washington Monument. I met people who had lived many places, and mostly, that was because they had to move - to find work. I learned about wild fires, mud slides and tornadoes regularly threatening to take people's homes. I learned I was very blessed, and very privileged, just because of where I live.

That night, when I laid down to sleep I had a new thing to be thankful for. I was thankful for my home sweet home. I live here in Northern Virginia; in the shadows of perhaps the most powerful city in the world. I get to experience all 4 seasons to their fullest; visit the Smithsonians, the National Zoo anytime I wish, see the National Monuments, and experience history everywhere I turn. I can see the mountains from my home, and I can get to the beach in just a couple hours. And never, not once, have I ever had to leave to find work, or worry that a natural disaster would take my home. Life here is good.

But, I have to say, even to this day when I hear "What's in Virginia?" My first thought is "My dad."

Lyme Disease is on the Rise in Loudoun County

It's True, Lyme Disease Is On The Rise In Loudoun County..... I know because my 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with it this weekend.

Being a country girl from Loudoun, I am pretty used to ticks being part of summer time life. I've always had pets, always been in the fields and in the woods, and always been aware of the disease that ticks can carry. When I was young the big fear was Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Today's fears revolve around Lyme Disease. Ticks carry these and many other diseases.

Lyme disease is really not a big deal IF it is caught in time, AND TREATED APPROPRIATELY so I am writing this post in hopes that many will see it, and anyone who gets it will be cured. My daughter, a Kindergartener, was diagnosed this weekend. Saturday morning, she got a fever and was complaining of an upset stomach. By Saturday evening when I still couldn't figure out the origin of her symptoms, I admit to growing concerned. She was sitting on my lap, I was singing a silly song to her, and ran my fingers through her hair. She jumped! I pulled her hair back and this is what I saw!

She quickly reminded me this is where the deer tick (about the size of a flea) had been pulled from her head. Ahh... I knew a trip to the ER was in order. Here's the scary part - the ER doc simply didn't look under her hair. She saw redness behind her ear and thought is was a skin rash from a skin infection or allergic reaction.

I had seen lyme disease before... and so I was a little pushy. Had I not asked the doc to look again, and reminded her of the other symptoms (itchy, hot to the touch, swollen, sensitive, and red around a white "bulls eye" surrounding the bite site), it would have misdiagnosed, and possibly not treated appropriately. So, I am sharing the photo and this information. Moms, trust your instincts. Blind trust can result in dangerous outcomes.

Without proper treatment, lyme disease can cause all kinds of life long, and debilatating conditions. Many people don't realize that symptoms and the visual evidence can take 1-6 weeks to surface; and blood tests done in the first 30 days are often a false negative. If you find a tick on yourself or your child, write it down somewhere - perhaps on a calender. Check the bite site weekly for 6 weeks or more for visual evidence of a problem. Report the tick bite to the doctor if you have any symptoms of ANY illness you get within about 90 days (or more if you think it could be related) - there are many diseases carried by these little things, and the symptoms vary widely.

Prevention is easy. The use of insect repellent and making sure your pets are treated will go far to deter this from happening to you. But the risk remains, so be diligent and check yourself and your kids after you've been outside for a while.

For more information, including tips on preventing this; visit: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=726