He says: Honey, that was three Wednesdays ago.

And you wonder why the media and other enlightened groups are too preoccupied about sending surveys out to respondents to measure their pulse rate. To complement that, there’s an equal number of literature being circulated on how to spice up sex in marriage.

We remember reading awhile back about how over-sexed our people were. Has this changed all of a sudden?

These days, the common complaint is “not often enough.”

But then again, look who’s complaining. Do husbands feel deprived because of their wives’ unwilligness to be intimate, or are women feeling the pressure about doing their wifely duty in addition to laundry, cooking, driving, disciplining, attending school meetings and grocery shopping?

Even the Bible or New Testament states that sex should not be denied or demanded. If one spouse does not feel like having sex, the other spouse must respect that. It goes the other way too: if one spouse likes to have sex, then the other spouse must agree. Sexual compromise is strongly encouraged provided it is reasonable.

Statistics Revealing How often Married Couples Have Sex

Statistical reports vary. While they’re not uniform due to geographical differences and people’s reticence to talk about a very private matter, statistics are nevertheless entertaining – and revealing.

For instance, one report, sponsored by a Christian entity, says that taking all ages into account, a typical married couple engages in sex on average twice a week.

Another survey conducted in 2003 by Durex reveals that:‘

• people engage in sex 127 times a year. Of course the report did not indicate whether those 127 times were more frequent during the winter or summer, or after a fight;
• of people surveyed, ¾ of them say they were satisfied with their sexual life;
• if you’re of Eastern European origin, count yourself lucky. The Durex survey puts you as the most sexually active race (but it fails to mention whether the Russians have more sex than the Hungarians or Bulgarians, or whether the Bulgarians are more creative in their sex activities than the Russians are);
• Americans in 2003 had sex 118 times a year (again there were no specifics as to where and how and with whom). Their frequency rate was better in 2001 132 times a year;
• 48% of women admitted to faking an orgasm (funny, but it didn’t provide the percentage of men who faked it as well or knew that their wife was faking it but pretended to believe her);
• In 2001, the same survey stated that married couples have sex 98 times a year;
• and believe it or not: regardless of your race, people around the world prefer to go out and have fun rather than have sex.

(source of statistics: Sheryl and Bob Stritof)

How much credibility you give these statistics largely depends on your personal situation. You might turn a cynical eye to the figures. For instance, for data to be valid, you’d have to look into how the respondents were chosen, whether the respondents are an accurate representation of the population, the research methods used, how the data was measured and how the questionaire was structured. Social scientists would be the first to caution you about taking these statistics as absolute truth.

Why Couples Don’t Have Sex More Often

Possible reasons are:

1. Physical

• fatigue resulting from work – if husband and wife work long hours, there is less interest in sex. The demands of work and home rob people of their energy. Imagine this: husband and wife work 10-hour days in the office to earn good salaries. They come home and work some more by doing housework and supervising the kids homework;
• routine and boredom – after about five years of marriage issues crop up in the marriage – mortgage, credit card payments, frustrations at work and house maintenance. Husband and wife settle into a home routine that almost always does not include sex. When they were dating, the sex was more frequent. The sex was still great during years 1 to 4, but when more pressing problems come up, sex has a lower priority;
• medical condition – husband or wife develops a medical condition that could significantly lessen their sex drive, either from the condition itself or from the effects of the medication.

2. Emotional

• couple may have unresolved differences that prevent them from enjoying sex together;
• unhealthy attitudes about sex one spouse may have been raised to think that sex is more of a duty than something to derive pleasure from;
• cultural differences could affect the quality and frequency of sex between mixed-marriage couples;
• deeply-seated psychological problems that make sex impossible (examples are anxiety, fear, or being a rape or incest victim in the past).

Other reasons include a job loss, a death in the family, or financial difficulties. Infidelity on the part of one spouse could also lead to the loss of interest in being intimate. Trust issues are a factor.

If a couple feels that their sex life is affecting their marriage, they must mutually consent to seeing a counselor or sex therapist. But before taking that step, both must be willing to admit that a problem DOES exist and there is a strong desire by both spouses to solve the problem.

Benefits of Frequent Marital Sex

There’s no two ways about it: Sex is h-e-a-l-t-h-y. There have been studies indicating that married couples live longer than their bachelor friends. It could be due to the strong mutual support that marriage brings or the frequency of sex known to be a tonic for stress.

Other benefits are:

• improvement in self-esteem
• joys of physical stimulation
• closer emotional attachment
• lower incidence of illness
• posture improvement
• youthfulness
• stress and anxiety reliever
• enhancement of fitness levels

Considering the benefits of frequent sex in marriage, couples must make an effort to maintain a healthy and wholesome attitude towards sex (this includes experimenting with new positions and reading how-to books for making sex more exciting and more erotic in flavor).

Couples must raise their antennas to romantic opportunities and be spontaneous. Car pooling, PTA meetings, community duties, diaper changing and teething tots must not put a damper on a potential sexual encounter.

It’s true that fatigue is a reality and is inevitable; the point is, couples can adjust their lifestyles to avoid too much fatigue. There is such a thing as scaling back in domestic chores, but scaling up in the…

…bedroom. Turn up the heat!

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We put up with thin, watery beer for several decades, but then, in the early 1980s, something wonderful happened. Small breweries, often called “microbreweries,” began to market their special brews to the country at large, rather than just a few lucky locals. It mushroomed into what is now known as The Great Craft Beer Revolution. Now, it is possible to enjoy some of the finest beers in the world, available even at your local supermarket. No matter what your tastes are, chances are there is a craft beer somewhere that can satisfy them.

Before I dive into talking about these beers, you need to know a few things about beer to understand what I’m talking about. So, the first part of this article will be about the history of beer, types, and common terminology.

The actual invention of beer is shrouded in antiquity. We do know that beer was made as far back as 6000 BC. It seemed to come about very soon after cereal grains were cultivated. Beer is the second-oldest alcoholic beverage, right after wine. The difference between them is that wine is simply fermented fruit juice, while beer is made from fermented mash of cereal grains. Many different grains have been, and still are, used to make beer, but malted (sprouted) barley is the undisputed king of beer grains. To a lesser extent, wheat is used, and even lesser, oat groats, rye, and even rice and corn (mostly in cheap, mass-produced beers).

The beer-making process is not complicated. First, barley is allowed to sprout. Then, it is roasted to varying degrees, depending on what flavors the brewer is aiming for. The darker the roast, the darker the beer. The grain is then mashed (or crushed very finely) and flushed with water to form the wort, which is a thick, sweet, sticky fluid. The wort is boiled with different varieties of hops to add more flavors. The next step is to cool the wort and add more water to reach the desired amount of beer (there is really a formula for this). The beer is then allowed to ferment for a few weeks. The final step is to prime the beer with a little more wort (cheap mass-produced beers use sugar to prime, but good beers are all-malt), bottle it in individual bottles or kegs, allow it to age, and naturally carbonate for a few months. Mass-produced beers are often simply shot full of CO2 for rapid carbonation. After that, all that’s left is to ship it to its final destination.

So, what makes a good beer? Certainly, taste is a big factor, but not the only one:

• The foam head can tell you a lot about how the beer was made and treated during its infancy. A pearly-white head with big bubbles, like soda pop, is a sign that the beer was sugared and shot with CO2. These cheap beers also often have egg whites added to mimic the appearance of a natural head, but it doesn’t work. These heads will be thin and dissipate rapidly, which is likely to make for an unsatisfying beer. Natural heads are not white, but almost a light tan color. The head on a good Stout or Porter will actually be light brown.
• Bouquet—a good beer will announce its presence with wonderful aromas that can range from citrusy and woody in a good Pilsner to chocolatey and smoky in a good Stout. The bouquet of a beer is like a promise of things to come. Cheap beers will only have an aroma of sourness and fermentation. They do not promise; they threaten.
• Color—most good beers will be crystal clear, with obvious carbonation. A little sediment at the bottom of the bottle or glass is proof that it was naturally carbonated and properly aged. The sediment will not hurt you. In fact, it’s quite healthy to consume and not unpleasant to the taste. It is part of the beer.
• Hops—there are many varieties of hops, each with its own aroma and flavor characteristics. Hops are the female plants of the *Humulus lupulus* family. Some varieties are floral, fruity, and tart, while others are bitter and astringent. It is the combination of these hops that gives a beer much of its character. Some well-known hop varieties include Pilsner, Cascade, Tettnanger, Hallertau, Saaz, and Spalt. These are known for their lack of bitterness and wonderful aromas, often used in lagers. The famous Pilsner and Löwenbräu beers are lagers. Other hops, like Goldings, East Kent Goldings, and Fuggle, are renowned for their bitterness and are the hops of choice for fine ales. Like wine grapes, the areas where hops are grown also impact the final product.
• Yeasts—these microorganisms are responsible for fermentation. They convert sugars into alcohol.
• Body or mouthfeel gives the beer its characteristic impression. Light beers should have a light mouthfeel, while dark lagers and ales should have a heavier, more robust feel.
• Alcohol content also adds to the flavor, but it can be overdone. Most beers will average between 5%-7%. Some ales can go as high as 17%. As a rule, anything over 14% is considered a Barleywine or Malt Liquor.
• Bitterness is imparted by different hop varieties and is used to accent or offset other flavors and aromas in the brew. Bitterness is measured in International Bitterness Units (IBUs).

Beers can be broken down into two main types: Lagers and Ales. A Lager uses bottom-fermenting yeasts that work best at low temperatures (less than 50°F) and are fermented for extra-long times, sometimes for a year or more. This produces a remarkably well-balanced, smooth brew. Ales use top-fermenting yeasts at room temperatures. This produces a beverage with very complex tastes, sometimes pleasantly bitter, and very satisfying. There is, of course, a multitude of sub-styles within these two categories, such as West Coast lagers and ales, Bohemian lagers, Belgian lagers, and more. Most wheat beers are lagers.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the beer world, we can move on to the brews. When I said “best” earlier, I meant it in a relative manner. People have different tastes, and one person’s treasure can be another’s trash. However, I’ve selected the craft beers that I feel are great examples of the types they claim to be. I also didn’t rank them numerically because, once again, it’s all relative, and few would probably agree with my rankings. Keep in mind that I have not sampled every brew out there, so feel free to chime in with your favorite craft brew.

So, here they are: My picks for some of the best craft beers made in the U.S.A.:

• Anchor Steam Beer: One of my all-time favorites, and until recently, very hard to get outside of California. It’s not exactly an ale, nor exactly a lager, but possibly the best of both worlds. It’s brewed with lager yeast but at ale temperatures, producing a remarkably full-bodied, well-rounded beverage with a light, super-clean, crisp finish that leaves you wanting more. The aroma is enticingly herbal and woodsy, and the taste is not tart, but not sweet either, with light citrusy overtones. Very refreshing.
• Dale’s Pale Ale: This is the ale that started the can revolution. It was the first craft beer offered in a can, and believe it or not, it’s absolutely wonderful. It has just enough citrus and a little bitterness to offset the malty, almost biscuit-like backbone. One of the best brews I’ve ever had with outdoor BBQ.
• Brooklyn Brewery Lager: An amber Vienna-style lager with an outstanding malty taste and a perfect medium body. It’s mellow and subtle, with more depth of character than any other lager I’ve ever consumed.
• New Belgium Fat Tire Ale: A golden copper-colored ale with a nice creamy head and a medium malty body. It has just enough bitterness to offset its citrusy, fruity overtones. Definitely worth a try.
• Sam Adams Boston Lager: One of the oldest craft beer companies in the U.S., and for a while, often the only craft beer widely available. This brew is a great example of a pre-WWII American lager, with a wonderful malty smooth body and flavor. The bitterness of different hops complements it perfectly.
• Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA: The 500-pound gorilla of IPAs. This big beer has big taste and a big kick. With 90 IBUs and 9% alcohol, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but when you want a good, stiff brew with tons of flavor and depth, this is the go-to.
• Westbrook Gose: A very old German-style sour wheat beer using salt and coriander to create a light-bodied, slightly lemony, very refreshing brew. Westbrook’s version is true to the original, with an aroma that I can only describe as crisp, salty, and tart—like homemade sauerkraut. Extremely satisfying.
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: Bold but balanced, this is the textbook example of a West Coast pale ale. Wonderfully crisp, with overtones of citrus and pine and a nice medium-malty finish. A great beer for pairing with a juicy cheeseburger.
• Allagash White: This Belgian-style Witbier is a tart, crisp, and refreshing brew with plenty of hops. Its floral, citrusy aroma and light, crisp palate make it perfect for pairing with deli sandwiches or various cheeses.
• Stone IPA: A fine example of a West Coast IPA, this beer has complex citrusy flavors and a great astringent hoppy finish.
• Terrapin Wake N Bake: A robust oatmeal stout with aromas of fresh coffee, caramel, and cinnamon rolls. At a hefty 9.7% alcohol, this brew is in a class by itself.
• Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Ale: The world’s first beer made with pecans as a grain, creating a unique and nutty brew with tons of depth and character.
• Sweetwater Low RYEder IPA: A refreshing IPA with a dry, crisp finish, aromas of light rye and pine, and a great floral finish.
• Shiner Bock: An amber, wonderfully malty brew from Shiner, Texas, that pairs perfectly with bratwurst and beans or sauerkraut.
• Deschutes Black Butte Porter: A coffee-dark porter with aromas of chocolate, coffee, and walnuts. It’s full-bodied enough to be a meal on its own.
• Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro: A smooth, velvety stout shot full of nitrogen, creating a creamy, coffee-like aftertaste that makes you want another sip.

As I said, this list is by no means all-inclusive, nor are these necessarily the absolute best in their categories, but I feel they are good representatives of their styles and great places to start your journey into the wonderful world of craft beers.

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Couples typically don’t think much about twins, just as they don’t think about blue cheese. However, if there’s the slightest suspicion that they could be having twins, they begin to wonder about the odds. Soon, they find themselves asking their physician if indeed it is a twin pregnancy.

Thanks to advances in modern science and the millions of twins born to families worldwide, there is reliable information available, not to mention tests. There are also fun quizzes and questionnaires online that can give you a rough idea of whether you’re carrying more than one fetus. However, we strongly recommend obtaining a diagnosis from your obstetrician or GP. Quizzes are entertaining, but as we learned in grade school, they don’t always “make the grade” (no pun intended).

Are the Odds in Your Favor?

Here are a few factors to consider when weighing the likelihood of giving birth to twins:

• Family history: If you, your mother, and your grandmother are fraternal twins, the chances are higher that you could be carrying twins yourself. However, keep in mind that “chances are higher” doesn’t mean you *will* give birth to twins.
• Use of fertility drugs: Research suggests that if you’re taking fertility drugs or undergoing fertility treatments, there is a 1 in 38 chance of having twins. If you’re taking the drug Clomid, the odds rise to 1 in 5!
• Your age: If you’re 45 or older, there’s a strong likelihood that twins may be in your future. Studies show that 17% of women in this age group give birth to twins.
• You already have fraternal twins: If you’ve previously given birth to fraternal twins, chances are higher that you may have more.
• Ethnicity: While it’s not conclusive, some reports suggest that women of Nigerian descent have higher chances of having twins. Nigeria has the world’s highest rate of twins and multiples in proportion to its population. In contrast, Asians and Hispanics have a lower incidence of twin or multiple pregnancies.
• Height and weight: Research indicates that taller and heavier women may be more likely to have twins compared to their shorter and slimmer counterparts.

While these factors provide some insight, take them with a grain of salt. The information suggests that being overweight and tall might increase your chances of carrying twins, but it’s far from definitive.

Odds of Having Twins: Find Out Using Tested Methods

Don’t waste your time visiting a palm reader or Tarot card reader if you want to know whether you have twins on the way. Of course, if you want to have a laugh and do it for fun, feel free to make an appointment with your reader.

But if your family is eagerly awaiting the news and wants to know whether they’ll be welcoming twins, there are medical tests you can undergo. Here are some of them:

• Ultrasound: An ultrasound can show images of the fetus and reveal if there is more than one fetus in the womb.
• Constant fatigue and unusual morning sickness: If you’re feeling more tired than usual (which can be common during pregnancy) or experiencing excessive morning sickness, these could be signs of a twin pregnancy.
• AFP test: The AFP test, or maternal serum screening, is conducted between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy. It’s typically used to detect abnormalities in the fetus, such as spina bifida or Down’s syndrome. However, it can also indicate the presence of twins.
• Measurement of the uterine fundus: This measurement, performed during the third trimester, tracks the height of the uterus. If the pregnancy is 33 weeks along, the measurement should be approximately 33 centimeters, with a slight variation of up to two centimeters.
• Doppler heartbeat: Each human typically has one heartbeat, but if you’re carrying twins, an experienced doctor can usually detect multiple heartbeats.
• Early movement detection: If you feel fetal movement earlier than expected, it could be a sign that you’re carrying twins.
• Extraordinary weight gain: While unusual weight gain isn’t a definitive sign of twins, it could be a contributing factor.

Online Questionnaires

Many people enjoy taking online questionnaires because they provide instant results. If you’re pregnant and wondering whether you’re carrying twins, you might find some online quizzes fun. However, we need to emphasize that these quizzes are only rough indicators of a twin pregnancy and should never replace a consultation with your physician or obstetrician.

Online questionnaires related to twin pregnancies might ask questions such as:

• How early did you feel the baby’s movements?
• Do you have a family history of twins or multiples?
• Have you undergone fertility treatments or taken fertility drugs?
• What is your age?
• What is your typical diet?
• Have you gained a significant amount of weight?
• Were your previous pregnancies twin pregnancies?
• Were you overweight before getting pregnant?
• What is your current energy level?
• What were the results of your ultrasound, AFP, and Doppler tests?
• Did you become pregnant while breastfeeding?
• Were you taking birth control pills?

Based on your answers, the questionnaire will give you an indication of whether you could be expecting twins! However, always remember that a professional diagnosis is the only way to be certain.

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When considering what it means to spoil a toddler, the first thing that comes to mind is buying them every toy, game, candy, or piece of clothing they desire. However, overindulgence takes many forms. For instance, I’ll admit I often let my two-year-old watch too much television. While everyone knows TV can negatively impact a young mind, I watched plenty as a child and turned out fine, arguably. The real issue isn’t the method of spoiling—whether it’s TV or toys—but the dangerous sense it gives children that they’re in charge. Babies are born kicking and screaming, engaging in a constant power struggle with their parents. I vowed never to break my kids’ spirits, but there comes a point when they must learn that Mom and Dad are in control, not them. When I ask parents of grown children when parenting gets easier, they often say, “When your kids are in their mid-twenties!” That’s a long wait for a parental sigh of relief, so it’s wise to establish authority early to make the journey smoother.

I’m far from a structured parent. As a free-spirited woman, I find schedules stifling. I chuckle at nanny shows that fix families by slapping a colorful chart on the fridge, mapping out every minute of the day. I’d lose my mind in that setup, but I do see value in some routine. Kids thrive on predictability. I hate surprises myself, even pleasant ones, so I understand their need to know what’s coming. My kids generally know what to expect daily, though we leave room for spontaneity. One thing they’re certain of is that Mom and Dad run the show. When spoiled kids take over, life becomes miserable for everyone.

Consequences of Overindulgence

Spoiled children often struggle to share with others. Without parental intervention to correct their mindset, they learn it’s acceptable to be greedy and refuse to play nicely. It’s normal for kids to go through a selfish phase, but by kindergarten, they should understand taking turns. This is especially true for only children or those with limited peer interaction, who need caregivers to teach sharing since it’s rarely required at home.

Another way to spoil a toddler is failing to teach them manners. Few things frustrate me more than a child interrupting adult conversations without correction. This signals to the child that the world revolves around them and their words are paramount. While we should be attentive to our kids, it must be at appropriate times. Neglecting to teach manners often stems from a larger issue: lack of discipline.

An undisciplined toddler faces a challenging future. Without parental guidance on proper behavior, they may be disliked by peers and authority figures. Some parents fear setting boundaries will make their child dislike them, but the opposite is true. Many of my friends wish their parents had been stricter, feeling neglected when not taught how to function in society. Overdisciplining, however, can be harmful—constant berating or disciplining out of anger can erode self-esteem or cross into abuse. Discipline should come from love and care, and in time, your child will appreciate it.

A lack of appreciation is another trait of spoiled toddlers. I frequently remind my children to say “thank you” for gifts. It bothers me when gift-givers dismiss the need for acknowledgment, as it undermines the lesson. A child who forgets to thank someone with parental prompting is likely even less grateful when parents aren’t around. Parenting is about preparing kids to function independently in society, and appreciation is key to social acceptance.

Spoiled toddlers also often fail to help around the house. Once a child can walk, they can contribute, even if it’s just handing you their shoes or putting away a toy. I wasn’t expected to do much as a child, with an older brother who did everything for me. This hindered me later, leaving me without integrity or self-motivation when given responsibility. Only through maturity did I become diligent, but I wonder what I could have achieved with earlier accountability.

Finally, spoiled toddlers master manipulation. With my first daughter, I didn’t realize how sneaky a small child can be. My second had no such luck—requests to stay up late or skip dinner for dessert were met with a firm “no.” How your children treat you reflects how they’ll treat others, so teaching empathy, gratitude, respect, and diligence is crucial. After all, nobody likes a spoiled brat.

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Understanding this language not only helps you avoid feeling lost but also enables you to recognize whether you’re entering a good deal. It can also protect you from making judgment errors that you otherwise might if you were unclear about what was being discussed. Instead of learning on the fly, a few basic real estate terms can help you grasp key concepts before they are presented to you.

Key Real Estate Terms to Know

Some of the most commonly used terms, like “agent” or “buyer’s agent,” refer to the licensed real estate professional responsible for helping the seller sell and the buyer buy. This is the person who will guide you step-by-step through the process of finding a home.

The home has most likely been appraised, which means that a professional has evaluated and determined its actual worth. An assessment has also likely been conducted, which is the process of determining the appropriate property taxes for the home.

There are several terms related to the cost of purchasing a home. For instance, a down payment is typically between 5% and 20% of the home’s value. Closing costs refer to the additional expenses required to complete the purchase, such as loan origination fees, lawyer’s fees, discount point fees, and often recording fees. These usually range from 3% to 5% of the home’s value.

A debt-to-income ratio is a key factor in determining the buyer’s ability to afford the home. This takes into account not only the buyer’s credit but also their income and expenses. This ratio often cannot exceed 50-60%, depending on the situation.

Another crucial term is contingencies, which are clauses that can prevent the contract from going through. These may include requirements like mortgage acceptance, a home inspection, or any work to the home that must be completed prior to settlement.

All buyers should take the time to get a comparable market analysis, which provides an idea of what similar homes in the area are appraising and selling for. This helps prevent overpaying and ensures the seller isn’t asking too little.

Closing is when the entire deal is finalized. At this point, the buyer will receive the deed (the official government paperwork that establishes property ownership) and pay all associated costs, including the down payment, earnest money (a portion of the down payment offered as proof of the buyer’s seriousness), and closing costs. For the buyer, this is often a very expensive day.

Not all lenders require a loan origination fee, though most do. This is a percentage paid to the loan officer for initiating the loan. If applicable, this fee is paid at closing. It’s also important to lock in the interest rate when agreeing to purchase the home, as rates may increase between the time of agreement and the actual closing.

The closing will also require the buyer to pay points, which are equal to 1% of the home’s value. Points can help lower the interest rate on the mortgage. Instead of paying interest over time, the buyer may choose to pay a lump sum up front in exchange for a lower rate. Additionally, closing costs usually include pre-paids, which cover costs like homeowner’s insurance (typically for one year), property taxes, and any other recurring fees, such as association fees when buying a condo.

Of course, having a basic understanding of common real estate terms will not only make you a more educated buyer but also help you determine how much home you can realistically purchase, maintain, and afford.

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“Oh, what a marvelous idea!” some will say, while others will say, “You’ve gone bananas, old boy.” That’s because, like most things in life, there are pros and cons to moving to the countryside – or “the boonies,” as some folks fondly call it.

We used to think that the people attracted to the prospect of moving to a small town were mainly seniors seeking peace and quiet. However, it’s difficult to generalize because we’ve met many seniors who prefer to stick close to the hustle and bustle of the city. They don’t mind the noise and pollution of urban life, as it makes them feel alive and young-at-heart.

So, we’ve come to the conclusion that you don’t have to be a certain age or have a specific temperament to be a small-town lover. The reason could be purely circumstantial (like a job assignment) or a desire to shift from a supermarket diet to a strictly organic or home-grown one.

A multitude of reasons explains why people decide to move, and it’s a subject of demographic interest to sociologists and statisticians. Let’s take a look at the advantages:

Moving to a Small Town: Pros

People who move to the countryside are usually looking for something specific and have clear reasons for making the shift from city to village. Certainly, there are many advantages, and many of them are worth considering:

• Better environment for their children – No one will dispute that children need to be exposed to a good value system with the least amount of negative distractions while growing up. You want them to be self-sufficient, with village values deeply ingrained in them.
• Bigger space – While location is real estate’s mantra, some people don’t prioritize location because they need a bigger house and want to get the most bang for their buck. If that means moving to a small town, they’ll do it without thinking twice. A family of four could enjoy the added space – larger living areas, children not having to share rooms, and possibly even a barn or stable. House and land are a dream come true for families who believe that bigger is better but don’t want to pay city prices.
• Cleaner air, healthier lifestyles – In a big city, you’re forced to coexist with big industry. This means higher levels of pollution and fewer green spaces. In small towns, this isn’t an issue. Industries don’t typically build in small towns because they need immediate access to facilities and resources. Additionally, healthier values tend to prevail, with greater access to home-grown or organic food. Foods are less likely to be processed, and you can enjoy farm-grown fruits and vegetables untouched by manufacturing methods.
• Lower incidence of crime – This is still the general impression, although we’ve seen instances of crime even in the most peaceful and quiet towns. However, street crime is less prevalent, and since there are fewer public spaces like subways, malls, and bars, the likelihood of crime is reduced.

Moving to a Small Town: Cons

If city life runs through your veins, you may find it hard to adjust to small-town living. Some people welcome the change and stay forever, while others say, “The peace and quiet got to me after a while.” If you’ve spent your whole life in urban centers, you may want to think twice – or even three times – before making the move. There may be strong motivation to make this radical change, but whatever your reason, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully.

• “What happened to my Internet connection?” – If your job relies on constant internet access, research, or online work, be sure to check the internet service in your new small town. It’s not enough to have an internet provider; you’ll need one that’s reliable. In the city, when the internet connection falters, it’s frustrating, but imagine the chaos if you have inconsistent coverage in a rural area. If your livelihood depends on being online, make sure you won’t have to deal with intermittent service.
• Limited facilities – This is another crucial factor to consider. All humans rely on essential services: if you fall ill or have a health emergency, you want at least a few medical centers nearby; if you enjoy reading, you want libraries with a decent collection; and if you like to have fun, you want entertainment options. In a small town, these facilities might be lacking. If you’re a social butterfly, enjoy entertainment, or need quick access to services, make sure to count how many theaters, concert halls, bars, and universities exist in your town. If the population is under 20,000, the government might not provide these services as generously, preferring to allocate resources to more populated areas.
• Town gossip – Due to the lack of activities in small towns, gossip can run rampant. There’s the “everybody knows everybody” phenomenon. You can’t escape being the center of attention, especially if you’re new in town. People will want to know who you are, what you’re doing there, and if you have a big barn. If you’re a social butterfly, you’ll enjoy the attention, but if you’re the type who kept to yourself in the city, you might find the constant attention overwhelming. Expect knocks on your door with offers of homemade cookies and visits that will eat up your time!
• When disaster strikes – While moving to a small town may offer peace of mind and tranquility, consider this: if a hurricane, earthquake, or major snowstorm hits, how soon before help arrives? Does the town have emergency centers for evacuation? In the city, you’re usually back in business within a day after a major snowstorm, but in a small town, that efficiency might not be the same. You might have to wait much longer for help.
• “I miss the kids” – You will miss the kids, especially when they turn 18 and yearn for city life. They’ll likely want to attend one of the country’s best universities, which means they’ll move away. When you moved to the small town, you brought the whole family with you, thinking the idyllic lifestyle would last forever. However, as they grow older, they will slip away from your grip, whether you like it or not.

Moving to a small town might bring the splendor of grass, the songs of birds – tweet-tweet – and the peaceful murmurs of a stream. But before you call the movers, give it some serious thought.

What’s it going to be? Funky town or sleepy town?

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North Americans have a love affair with space. The more space there is, the grander one feels. Breathing room is abundant, and it provides refuge for family members who need peace and quiet after a heated argument. For those used to space, there’s nothing more annoying than running into each other in the common areas: the staircase, kitchen, living room, study, and garden. When you live in a dwelling that stretches out over 5,000 square feet, it’s like paradise. At least we’re not screaming every five minutes, saying, “Get out of my hair!” or “Get off my back!”

Knowing there’s a corner of the house to retreat to and lock yourself in after a screaming match reassures us. When we’re on a phone call, living in a large house means we don’t have to lower our voices for fear of being overheard. We don’t have to run outside to avoid family quibbles—we can simply sneak quietly to the basement and hope it takes hours for someone to find us. It also helps if we have a large bedroom, where we can scatter our dirty clothes in inconspicuous corners, preventing them from forming one huge pile and triggering another argument with mom.

But buying a smaller house can prove to be a winning proposition in many respects. There are real advantages to downsizing, and we can simplify our lives because there’s less chance of hoarding—thus avoiding becoming clutter beasts.

Advantages of Buying a Smaller House

Off the top of our heads, here are some advantages of buying a smaller house:

• **Cash proceeds from selling a bigger house**: Selling a larger home to buy a smaller one can free up funds for other needs. For example, if you’ve paid off the mortgage on a six-bedroom house with 5,000 square feet, a pool, a triple-car garage, a basement that could be converted into a two-bedroom apartment, sprawling gardens, and a winding driveway, and you buy a smaller house (two bedrooms, one-car garage, 1,000 square feet, no basement), the difference could be substantial. If the first house sold for $485,000 and you bought the smaller one for $185,000, you’d have $300,000 to add to your retirement portfolio, helping cover future healthcare costs, assist an adult child with their university education, or fund a much-deserved vacation around the world—and still have money left over.
• **Reduced time spent on maintenance**: When you’re a young, growing family, it’s fine to spend your weekends cutting the grass and tending to a rose garden. It’s a perfect bonding time, with everyone pitching in. But after ten years of repeating these chores every weekend, the excitement wears off. Lawn and garden maintenance can become drudgery, and the grunt work starts to generate frustration. We’re not even talking about other indoor maintenance. A pool may enhance the value of the house, but it comes with hours of cleaning, vacuuming, and dealing with bacteria and chlorination. A well-appointed home with airy spaces can be an interior designer’s dream project, but once all the decorating is done, someone still has to ensure the dust never settles and the floors remain spotless.
• **Lower utility payments**: Let’s take air conditioning as an example. When you approach an air conditioning salesperson, their first question will likely be, “How big is the living space you want to cool?” The bigger the house, the more BTUs needed to keep it comfortable. A large estate requires central air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, leading to higher utility bills. By downsizing, you can reduce those costs significantly, saving money on unnecessary energy consumption.
• **Less money goes to the taxman**: Our father used to say, “Don’t complain about taxes. They’re good for the country.” Sure, but our father didn’t live in Canada. If he had, he might have packed up and headed back home! In the U.S., property taxes may be manageable, but in Canada, especially in expensive locations, property taxes can make you think twice before buying a large house. The U.S. allows taxpayers to deduct mortgage payments, providing some relief, but in Canada, this is only possible under certain income conditions.
• **Less junk in a smaller house**: And we’re not talking about junk food, which always goes into the fridge or cupboards. We’re talking about the bric-a-brac that piles up into a mountain of junk you can’t even compost. In a smaller house, space is at a premium, so you’re more careful about hoarding things or accumulating dust collectors. In a larger house, however, the temptation to fill every empty space nags at you—so what do you do? You buy more stuff! One day, our aunt emailed us, clearly frustrated by the ongoing task of clearing out her house. She started in the basement, which alone took two weeks. She still had seven rooms to go. “Let this be a lesson to all,” she wrote. “One day your possessions—even the insignificant ones—make you their slave.”
• **Can the alarm be dispensed with?**: We’re not sure if people would be willing to go from a high-security house to a no-alarm house, but with a smaller house, the need for an alarm system isn’t as pressing. After all, there’s less to protect. People with larger homes often install cameras and other surveillance systems due to the size of their land and buildings. They need to monitor their property for potential intruders or trespassers.

There’s a lot to be said for buying a smaller house. But do take some time to think about the implications before you start house-hunting. If you’re someone who hosts large gatherings for special occasions, entertains often, or simply needs your own private space, a smaller house may cramp your style.

Want to hear what British comedian and actor Alexei Sayle said about his neighborhood? “I come from a poor neighborhood. If anyone ever paid their rent, the police immediately came around to see where they got the money from.”

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You guessed it. The poor husband spent his days mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool, maintaining the tennis court, trimming the grass and hedges, and landscaping the front yard to perfection—so perfect, in fact, that it deserved to be photographed for a glossy home and décor magazine.

But back to our story: The man remarried, and his hope was to purchase an 800-square-foot condo right downtown and live happily ever after. It turns out his second wife had big plans—really big plans. She wanted a house “just like the one you had with your first wife. I also want an English-style garden and an oversized gazebo in the backyard with a kidney-shaped pool.” When she said that, he knew he was about to relive a nightmare. He didn’t have the heart to question whether they really needed a bigger house because he was afraid of losing her or looking like a cheapskate. He had divorced his first wife to get rid of the space and say goodbye to his lawn mower and toolkit. But no such luck.

Strange how history has a way of repeating itself.

If You Need a Bigger House – There’s Got to Be a Good Reason

A bit of common sense is called for here. To answer the question—”Do we really need a bigger house?”—our immediate answer would be yes, if you’re living in cramped quarters, you have the extra cash, and your family is growing. No need to debate this.

There are as many possible answers as there are scenarios. Let’s review a few:

Scenario 1: A young couple in their early 30s, both working, with their first child on the way. They currently live in a one-bedroom apartment downtown, which is convenient since they can both walk to work. However, the bedroom is too small for a baby, the kitchen is tiny, and the living room is cluttered with memorabilia. Both have decent incomes, are university-educated, and are being groomed for promotion.
Do they need a bigger house? Definitely. A baby’s on the way, and that child will need a separate bedroom. The family also needs a living room spacious enough for everyone to bond comfortably. As upwardly mobile professionals, they’ll likely need space to entertain, but with such a tiny kitchen, that would be awkward. They definitely need a bigger house in the suburbs.

Scenario 2: A couple in their late 40s suddenly learns that they will host their boomerang kids. This means not only their 35-year-old son, who was downsized, but his wife and baby, and their 28-year-old daughter who is moving back in because she can’t afford rent after splitting up with her boyfriend. To add to the family drama, the aging and ailing father will also move in because the couple can’t bear to place him in a facility. They have retirement funds saved up in case of emergencies.

Do they need a bigger house? Yes, again. In fact, it’s imperative. With only three bedrooms, they need at least two additional ones. If they have enough land, they could build a smaller house for the father-in-law or the son and his young family. If not, they may need to buy a second, larger house.

Scenario 3: This is the opposite of the previous one. Everyone has moved out, the husband no longer enjoys maintaining a large house, and the wife no longer wants to spend her days tidying up every room. They’ve cut back on entertaining since retiring, and their children are all successful professionals.

Do they need a bigger house? Heavens, no! They should enjoy life without the burden of frequent vacuuming, lawn mowing, or shoveling snow in the winter. If they enjoy traveling, closing a condo and leaving it uninhabited for days is no big deal.

Crunch the Numbers If You Need a Bigger House

When the critical decision is made to buy a bigger house, some number-crunching is in order. You’ll need to estimate:

• The balance of your first mortgage
• The interest rates in effect
• Whether you will use an equity home line of credit against your first house or opt for a straightforward home loan
• What your plans are for the first house: sell it or rent it out? If you sell, how much will be left after the mortgage balance is paid off? If you rent it, can the rental income cover the second mortgage and day-to-day expenses?
• How much will the second house cost? Does it have good resale potential?
• How much will your payments for utilities, taxes, and maintenance increase per month?
• Is the purchase of the second property contingent on the sale of the first?
• And the crucial issue: Will your bigger house need regular upkeep and maintenance? In other words, are you willing to put the time and energy into keeping the house spotless?

If You’ve Started Looking for a Bigger House… Buyer Beware

Just because you’ve gone through the process before doesn’t mean the second time will be a breeze. They say love is lovelier the second time around, but we’re not sure we can say the same about buying a second house—especially a bigger one.

Sometimes we’re fascinated and carried away by the space a larger house offers. But a few months after moving in, you may realize that your eyes were “bigger than your stomach.” Those big bedrooms looked great, but now they’re eating up a chunk of your time. The double basement looked inviting, but your teenage son and his friends turn it into a war zone every weekend. You spend your Sundays cleaning it up, only for it to be trashed again by Friday afternoon. Your son’s friends have moved their band equipment in, and their practice is driving you crazy.

Watch out for the usual pitfalls. Monitor interest rates, crunch the numbers as we suggested, and make sure the location of your new house is ideal. After 15 years, when you’re ready to downsize, you don’t want to spend forever trying to sell it.

For the sake of good sense, ask yourself again, “Do we really need a bigger house?” before making a firm offer on that second home. Think twice, thrice—heck, even four times—because once you sign the documents, you can’t back out… from all that space!

One more thing: Many people place a lot of importance on appearances. Bigger is always better. But is being house-rich and cash poor really better?

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Treadmill Pros
Treadmills excel for fat loss because running is highly calorie-intensive, ranking among the best exercises for burning calories. Running requires minimal skill or strength, making it accessible to most people. For non-runners, walking on a treadmill is as simple as it gets. You can also set the treadmill on an incline for intense walking, a low-impact alternative to running. Brisk incline walking can burn as many calories as running while strengthening hamstrings, quads, and glutes, perfect for shaping the lower body.

Treadmill Cons
Treadmills require regular maintenance, especially with frequent, intense use, so a good warranty is essential when you purchase a treadmill. While warranties increase upfront costs, they save money long-term. The high-impact nature of running can also be problematic for those with knee or back pain. Even incline walking involves some impact, which may not suit everyone. Lastly, treadmills focus solely on the lower body, so you’ll need to add upper body workouts, like rowing or weightlifting, for balanced fitness.

Comparing Cross Trainers: Benefits and Drawbacks

Cross Trainer Pros
Cross trainers are popular for their low-impact design, making them ideal for those who can’t tolerate walking or running due to pain. They offer a calorie burn comparable to treadmills, especially at high resistance, as they engage both upper and lower body muscles. This dual action increases calorie expenditure. Additionally, cross trainers provide some strength benefits by working against resistance, making them a good choice if you’re not incorporating weightlifting. While not as effective as free weights, they still enhance muscle tone in both the upper and lower body.

Cross Trainer Cons
The cross trainer’s movement pattern can feel awkward for some, potentially reducing workout intensity and results. For those with a strong lower body but weak upper body, two issues may arise: either the lower body dominates, limiting upper body conditioning, or the upper body’s weakness restricts overall workout intensity, slowing progress for the lower body.

Both treadmills and cross trainers have distinct advantages and drawbacks. The “better” choice depends on your preferences and goals. The key to a successful workout program is consistency, so choose the machine you enjoy most. If you love the cross trainer but hate running, opt for the cross trainer—enjoyment drives regular exercise, leading to lasting results. Neither machine is inherently superior; it’s about finding the best fit for you.

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The BEAVER, the MAPLE LEAF, HOCKEY, MOUNTIES, CANADIAN GEESE, the MOOSE, COLD WEATHER, “EH,” and CANADIAN BACON. These are all great symbols of Canada and what it means to be Canadian. You might argue that some of these fall under the title of stereotypes, and I’ll agree with you, but you cannot deny the fact that they are all a part of our “heritage.” But perhaps the one thing that is most associated with Canada and that Canadians are proudest of is our BEER.

Molson may have emphasized this best with their “I AM CANADIAN” campaign, which insinuated that when you drink Canadian beer, you are truly CANADIAN. The character JOE (as in average JOE Canadian) performed a very intelligent and humorous rant about being Canadian, which included all of the things “Canadian” that I mentioned above and a few more. This advertising campaign worked wonders for Molson, and it was also a huge success overseas and around the world, making the already popular CANADIAN brand of beer even more famous.

History

Did you know that beer first came to Canada before we were even officially a nation? That’s right! European settlers brought beer to the “area” of North America we now proudly call Canada in the 1600s. They felt Canada had an ideal climate for brewing beer, long before refrigeration was introduced to the world. However, the first commercial brewery wasn’t built until 1668 by Jean Talon in Quebec City. The next hundred years would see the establishment of several thriving Canadian breweries, including some that are still staples of the Canadian beer industry today—and have even made their mark worldwide.

In 1786, John Molson founded his brewery in Montreal. Fifty years later, Alexander Keith established his brewery in Halifax in 1829. The city of London (where I currently reside—a great city) could be called the beer capital of Canada, as in 1840, Thomas Carling opened his brewery here, and in 1847, John Labatt began his beer legacy in the same city. All around London, the Labatt name can be found on buildings, including the brewery itself. Lastly, in 1847, Eugene O’Keefe opened his brewery in Toronto. With all these beers still commonly known, loved, and enjoyed today, they helped create a true Canadian beer empire of great taste and worldwide popularity.

Did you also know that stubby bottles are essentially a Canadian creation? The shorter and slightly wider beer bottle known as the “stubby” was the only kind of beer bottle available in Canada from 1962 until 1982–1986, when most of Canada’s beer producers switched to the more American-style longneck bottle. A brand of Labatt beer was the last major beer label to be found in the stubby, lasting until 1986. The company decided to make the change to the longer-necked bottle after market research showed that women didn’t like the stubby bottle, and they wanted to attract more female beer drinkers. (Based on all the beer commercials out there, I’d say they succeeded—after all, the women in those ads are always having a great time, drinking longnecks and looking beautiful. Ah, yes, beer commercials tell the truth like no other… sarcasm.) However, in recent years, some breweries have brought back the stubby bottle after demand from consumers.

Beer in Our Culture…

Beer, particularly Canadian brands like the ones mentioned above, has become a significant part of Canadian culture and popular culture in general.

For example, at my high school, one of the oldest in Ontario, we had a “Beer Cheer” that was passed down through generations. It was more of a testament to the school, but it also spoke of beer. My parents attended the same school 25 years before me, and they knew the same song. The song actually hails from their era—or even my grandparents’ era—but I still knew the words. I don’t think I ever sang it out loud with my friends, though. It went something like this:

“Give a cheer! Give a cheer! For the boys who drink their beer,
In the cellars of old S.C.I.
Give a shout! Give a shout! For the girls who dish it out,
In the cellars of old S.C.I.
For it’s guzzle, guzzle, guzzle, as it’s dripping down your muzzle,
Shout out your order loud and clear, MORE BEER!”

Silly, I know, but it’s one of those “traditions” passed down in our culture—and it involves beer. For teenagers, it’s somehow acceptable.

Canadian beer is also featured in popular culture, including the Canadian movie Strange Brew, where Doug and Bob McKenzie (played by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis, both Canadian) have a wild adventure involving Canadian beer.

Also, in the feature film Canadian Bacon, starring the great Canadian John Candy, the film humorously spoofs cultural attitudes toward Canadian beer and other aspects of Canada.

Furthermore, the fact that Canadian beer often has a higher alcohol content than its southern neighbor’s (the United States) has led to many jokes in movies and TV shows, suggesting our beer is more like “moonshine,” etc.

Canadian Beer Types…

“Labatt, where good things have been brewing for more than a century and a half.”

“A whole lot can happen, out of the blue.”

“True Canadian taste, from Canada’s oldest brewery.”

“It starts here, I am Canadian.”

Needless to say, these slogans, from Labatt and Molson beer companies, are well-known—just like the companies themselves and the beers they produce. This is for good reason, as these two Canadian beer companies are Canadian beer juggernauts that dominate the Canadian market and others worldwide. This success is partly due to their popular Canadian beer association and their great taste, but also because of their aggressive marketing of their top brands.

These two companies provide us with the most popular Canadian beers: Molson Canadian and Labatt Blue. Other popular Canadian beer brands include Alexander Keith’s, Carling, O’Keefe’s, Kokanee, Sleeman, and Moosehead. Additionally, many Canadian breweries and microbreweries create excellent beers—some you may have heard of, and some you may not. In the world of beer, pushing your brand through advertising is key; without it, a beer brand can go largely unnoticed.

Great Microbreweries…

In both Canada and the United States, the microbrewery industry has flourished recently, leading to an explosion of new local beer tastes. Due to Canada’s geography and the fact that the production and sale of alcohol is regulated at the provincial level, these great microbrewed beers are often only available in the regions where they are produced.

Each province has a variety of microbreweries to choose from, and you may discover new flavors to try.

Some well-known microbreweries in Ontario include Steelback, Steam Whistle, and Lakeport. However, there are countless other microbreweries in various regions of the country that you may not have heard of. The truth is, they all have something great to offer.

So, the next time you sit back and enjoy your favorite Canadian brew, remember that you are CANADIAN.

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