Three Gas Saving Mileage Tips
by Wes Fessler

Gas prices are escalating out of control and have become impossible to ignore. A few pennies here or there were smugly shrugged off in the past, but now it seems that prices are jumping up by dimes and quarters. The effect on families is tangible and is intensified with every trip to the gas station. Nobody knows how high the prices will soar, but the time has come to do something to ease the burden.

One way to ease the burden is to drive in a manner that reduces fuel consumption and thereby decreases the expense of gas. Driving to save gas requires a conscious effort and takes some of the convenience out of driving, but it can reduce the amount of fuel used and the amount of money that is wasted.

There are several changes in driving that can be made to save gas, but we have chosen a simple approach to keep gas saving simple and convenient. When too much attention is devoted to saving gas, one may risk paying too little attention to the road and compromise driving safety. Our simple approach is easy to remember, and therefore it is easy to do and keep doing.

The Family Fun Shop approach to saving gas is as simple as "Go, Slow, and Flow."

"GO" = Accelerate Slowly from a stop, and pick up speed over a longer than usual distance. Also when passing others or increasing speed for any reason, do so gradually when possible.

"SLOW" = Slow down. Gas prices give everyone a real reason to drive the speed limit. Use your instrument panel (speedometer and tachometer) to help you drive at a rate that your engine likes.

Use that tachometer. Many people who have a tachometer in their instrument panel don't know what it is for, much less how it can be used. For the purposes of saving gas, using the tachometer is very simple. Instead of allowing your engine to rev at high and low extremes, try to find a steady rate of RPM (rotations per minute). Watch the needle (or if you have a digital tach watch the numbers) and try to minimize big ups and downs by adjusting your pressure on the accelerator. Steadiness and consistency on the tachometer at a level that is not straining the engine will reduce gas consumption.

"FLOW" = Drive Smoothly. Drive in a manner that promotes continuous motion of your car and minimizes stops.
Anticipate traffic signal changes. When approaching a red light, ease off of the accelerator early and "coast" toward the light. If you approach a signal that has been green for some time try to anticipate the best way to approach the light. If you can make it to the light safely before it changes do so (without speeding of course); but if you believe you will not make it on green, ease off of the accelerator early. Smoothness is the idea. Minimize stops (which will give you no miles at all) and avoid sudden stops or bursts of acceleration.

To sum it up remember: "GO, SLOW, FLOW" and keep it just that simple.

GO = Accelerate slowly
SLOW = Slow Down
FLOW = Drive Smoothly

By following this method you will save money for your family without becoming fanatical about the process. It is simple enough to modify your behavior and improve your gas mileage, but it can be done without drawing odd or angry looks from others on the road.

For other useful family ideas visit us at www.familyfunshop.com

The Meaning of Christmas
by Wes Fessler

Christmas is a time for individual reflection and the pursuit of enhanced and improved relationships. The holiday season has an inherent manner of causing all to reflect on what is most precious about life and to honor such cherished elements through giving. Christmas is a holiday that is repeatedly affronted with criticism and scorn for a commercialism that allegedly removes all semblance of its true origin. There are those who say that the true meaning of Christmas has been lost in the emergence of colorful characters and the grand allure of shopping malls with outlandish displays. While Christmas has evolved through time, its true meaning has never been more pronounced, nor its purpose more cherished.

From the days when a star appeared over Bethlehem, a magical phenomenon emerged in the world with a message that would resonate in the hearts of man for all time to come. The message was that of charity--a word with more meaning than its name implies. It was bestowed upon the world by a man named Jesus Christ by example and profound conviction. The charity which he brought forth was goodwill to all and love of all humanity. This is the true meaning of Christmas.

Now some may scoff at the mention of his name and the suggestion that Christmas can be summed up in so simple a manner. Some may defy the suggestion that the Christmas of Jesus Christ need apply to all people. Christmas, however is not limited to Christ or Christianity. The abolition of slavery is not limited to Abraham Lincoln nor the equality of men limited to Martin Luther King Junior. The true meaning of Christmas is not only this simple, it is yet far more simple than the complex and diverse disputations that exist among man upon religions, prejudices, or biases. The true meaning of Christmas as demonstrated by Jesus Christ is to love one another and to do good to all men.

All that Christmas is, and all that it has become has in no way shrouded the true meaning of Christmas. The colorful characters and grand allure of shopping malls cannot obscure the simplicity of Christmas in its true intent. Whether in churches, shopping malls, or otherwise the true meaning of Christmas remains as the notion of bearing goodwill toward all people and showing greater love for all humanity.

Christmas is not limited to Christians. As other inherently good ideals, Christmas is for everyone. Christmas is a time when we think of others more than ourselves. Christmas is a time when we try to be kinder and more caring to one another. Christmas is when we endeavor to show more goodwill, compassion, and kindness with greater love for humanity. The true meaning of Christmas has never been more pronounced or cherished than it is today. The true meaning of Christmas is charity.

The Blessings of Thanksgiving
By Wes Fessler

Thanksgiving is a holiday that helps us to remember what we appreciate most about life. We are able for a moment to escape the tasks of daily routines and reflect on the essential elements that make us who we are. It is at this time that we enter an enhanced state of gratitude for the many blessings of love and sustenance that we always enjoy, but are generally to busy to appreciate. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to step out of the frame to enjoy the artwork of our lives.

As it was for the Pilgrims in 1621, Thanksgiving today is an opportunity to take refuge from the challenges and demands of daily life to give thanks to those who have endured them with us. Thanksgiving is a time for humble appreciation of our place in the world and for those who share it with us. It is a time to stand in contrast to the adversity of the world to enjoy all that allows us to live and thrive together.

At this time of Thanksgiving let us reflect on the blessings of our lives and embrace them, however small they may be. Let us identify the positive aspects in people, events, and opportunities that allow us to prevail in a tumultuous world. Let us escape for a moment our daily cares and give thanks for the bounteous blessings of family, friends, and prosperity. On Thanksgiving let us appreciate all that is most precious.

Veterans - America's True Heroes
By Wes Fessler

No matter what the collective American opinion may be of the wars and conflicts we face as a nation, there is reason for a collective salute and tribute to Americas true heroes...our veterans. Our solidiers defend our freedom, risking their own lives daily, while bearing our weight upon their shoulders. Our veterans are those who honor and defend American beliefs and ideals even while we at home contend about their justification for doing so. As we stand upon their shoulders, let us never forget to carry in our hearts a feeling of respect and appreciation for the men and women who defend our freedom. Veterans are America's true heroes--who deserve our support as much as we do their's.

Sometimes it is uplifting to contemplate the qualities you appreciate most about your family. It may be difficult to choose one specific attribute (and over time this may change), but if you force yourself, you can likely pick one thing that stands out most to you now. Think about one thing that is truly great about your family.

In my case, unyielding support is the quality I appreciate most about my family. My inquisitive nature leads me into many new and unexplored aspects of education and profession. I am frequently taking on projects that require a great deal of learning and from which success is not an immediate result. I find it amazing how my family supports my quests for new knowledge and experience with undaunted steadiness. Somehow they believe in me even at times when I begin to doubt my own abilities. Their unyielding support is what propels me past the moments of uncertainty with confidence to move forward toward my dreams.

I am immeasurably grateful for the support of my family. I believe that success is frequently just a few more steps away than I am willing to take on my own. Having a family that believes in me with unwavering support provides the additional motivation to take those few extra steps. My family helps me to take many such extra steps. They lift me up at my discouraging times and help me to see a happy end to the road I’m on.

With a debt of gratitude to my family, I hope to reciprocate the same energy and support to their lives. This aspect of our family is a source of energy that each member can draw upon. There is normally no conscious effort that must be made to provide such support…it just happens. As artificial as it may sound, we love each other and genuinely want the best for one another. Although it may be presumptuous to believe that this is special in my family, I truly value this quality and find it to be of tremendous value on a personal and family level.

Consider the attribute that you value most about your family. Contemplate the rewards of that quality—whatever they may be. Think about what your family does that is most special to you and how you can return their kindness.