There are so many commonly used phrases for it: "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone", "the grass is always greener on the other side" and "one man's trash is another man's treasure".  Of course, I'm talking about gratitude (or the lack thereof).  As a busy mom, it is one of the issues I struggle with every day.  Getting caught up in life's little obstacles and set-backs is easy, but keeping them in perspective and remembering the bigger picture is not.

That is why I do my best to show my gratitude everyday for the wonderful life I'm living.  Now you may wonder how that can really be possible to do, but in practice, showing gratitude couldn't be simpler.  There are big ways to show it as well as smaller ways, which are just as meaningful.  For instance, being kind and compassionate to others you don't know as well as going out of your way to say a nice word or lend a helping hand, shows gratitude for your life and your place in this world.  One of my daily goals is to leave this world a little better than it was yesterday and I do this by trying not to take people, other living things or our planet for granted.  Here are some of my favorite ways to add balance and happiness to your own life through the expression of gratitude:

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As the snow starts to melt and most of us see what's underneath, we realize there's some serious work to be done around the house.

Spring is the time to begin working on home improvement projects. If you're thinking about stocking up on supplies for your most pressing project, consider the ways you can save when you do-it-yourself:

1. Big Box Vs. Small Stores

For the frugal consumer, shopping smart is always a logical first step. When you're shopping at the big-box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes, there are always deals going down.

The two heavyweight retailers are highly competitive and both stores offer price matching with an additional 10-percent discount on identical products advertised at a lower price at any competing store. Both stores also post weekly sales, discounts and rebates on their websites so you can be prepared before you hit the store. Not to mention, you can always find coupons for these home and garden giants.

On the other hand, locally owned home-supply stores, like Ace Hardware, often provide email sign-ups that allow you to receive special deals on the same items you would find at the big-box stores. While you may not be able to purchase sheet rock, the smaller places may carry everything from plumbing supplies to finishing notes for your home.

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After an excruciating four months, most of us have put aside our lockout gripes and embraced the upcoming NFL season with the usual body-painted passion.  Good news for a worried league, but will a fickle stock market and a sluggish job outlook still keep some folks tuned out?  Tickets prices will remain largely static, but optimizing your viewing experience (both at home, or in the stadium) can still run you a pretty penny.  To help you weed out the best bets, here are eight gadgets that should get you the most bang for your buck:

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Back-to-school also means school lunches and whether you pack a lunch or your child buys lunch at school, making sure your kids are eating the right foods to help them through the school day is no easy feat.

Here's a sobering statistic:  researchers at the University of Texas found that more than half of parents scored an F when packing a lunch and did not include foods that contained enough vitamins, calcium, iron, and zinc.  According to the study, seventy-one percent of parents didn't include enough fruits and vegetables and 96 percent didn't supply enough fiber.

What's more, the evidence overwhelmingly points to the fact that healthy food choices are a huge competitive advantage for behavioral, athletic and academic success!  Henry Rinehart, a restaurateur and board member of the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food, shares his simple guidelines and helpful tips for packing healthy snacks lunches AND down to earth advice on how to become an advocate for nutritious and delicious lunches served in your school.

In addition to Henry's involvement in the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food and a dedicated daddy to 6 year old Jules, he regularly hosts school groups at his bistro on Manhattan's Upper West -- the critically acclaimed (and family friendly) HENRY's - so students can learn more about healthy eating, food preparation and the restaurant business.

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A diaper cake is not really a cake that you eat, merely a diaper arrangement that looks like a cake.  To make a fun and easy diaper cake for a baby shower, you need only to do the following:

• Gather up the materials
• Roll the diapers
• Make the base layer
  
• Make the second layer of the cake
  
• Complete the topmost layer
• Add some accessories

Gather up the materials

Before anything else, you have to prepare all the materials needed so you can get things running smoothly when making a diaper cake for a baby shower.  The materials you are going to need will depend on the number of tiers you are planning to make.  If, for example, you choose to make a three-layer cake, you will need the following materials:

• 60 diapers (more or less)
• 60 pieces thin rubber bands
• 10 pieces thick rubber bands
• Thick ribbons for every layer (color depends on the baby shower's theme or gender of baby)
• Thinner ribbons for outer diapers of every layer
• Cake platter or paper plate
• (1) 8oz. baby bottle (or baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby wash)
• (1) 4oz. baby bottle (or baby shirt, body suit)
• Cake decorations such as pacifiers, rattles, wash cloths, combs, bibs, small stuffed toys, etc.
• Stickers and other baby accessories

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