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Apples, coffee, cozy sweaters and other ways to turn your mood around with November stress weighs you down. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Simple ways to add comfort to your day in stressful times

Stressed out? Give this rule of threes a try: Make it healthy, affordable and environmentally friendly.

Washington Virtual Academy, a free public school option in Washington state, sends out kits of materials to help supplement online learning. Pictured here is the sixth-grade kit. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

For some kids, virtual schooling is actually an improvement

Her daughter needed a tutor to stay at grade level, but now she’s excelling with at-home instruction.

Vaccines promise health — and fun — for a family tired of social distancing. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

COVID-19 pandemic brings a new appreciation for flu shots

After not leaving the house for weeks, a drive-thu appointment to get an influenza vaccine is an adventure.

When it comes to kitchen tables, it’s not the price or comfort level that matters — it’s the memories. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Kitchen table memories linger longer than coffee mug stains

The chairs may be uncomfortable, but this mom can’t bring herself to get rid of the set.

Stocking a garage freezer with comfort food brings a busy family bliss. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Freezer-to-table meals a dream come true for this busy family

The pandemic has made chest freezers hot commodities right up there with Lysol wipes and toilet paper.

Which subject does your child struggle with most? Have them study that subject first thing in the morning, while they are still fresh. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

How to manage distance learning like a pro in 7 easy steps

This mom sees the humor in trying to work from home and play teacher for her kids at…

A course of traffic-cone slaloms is one way to help teens improve their driving skills. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Her teen is putting pedal to the metal for accident avoidance

She signed the new driver up for an advanced collision avoidance class taught by Defensive Driving School.

Workplace ergonomics become tricky while working from home, but simple changes can make a difference. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Work-at-home ergonomics might ‘B’ a problem for you, too

She ordered a laptop riser and an ergonomic keyboard to help ease constant pain from tennis elbow.

An open letter to my stalwart Dining Room Table

Life

An open letter to my stalwart Dining Room Table

You were made for elegant dinner parties, but you’ve proved to be indispensable during pandemic times.

More than 4,000 indoor cyclists form the Peloton Pacific Northwest Facebook group, with members cheering each other on to good health and stress reduction during the pandemic. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Seeking a cardio high in the middle of a pandemic

Becoming a Peloton bike member is like joining a cult — but it’s a great way to manage…

Your beach vacation is just a ferry ride away. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Day trip to Bainbridge Island offers reflection and relaxation

Their itinerary included stops at Fay Bainbridge Park and the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.

Teaching son to drive knocks mom senseless — or sentenceless

Life

Teaching son to drive knocks mom senseless — or sentenceless

When she’s in the passenger seat and trying to stay calm, she forgets how to speak. Is that…

It only takes a small amount of cash to build a homemade swamp cooler to make your home comfortable this summer. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Can a do-it-yourself swamp cooler beat the August heat?

Instead of spending $400 for an air conditioner, purchase $25 of simple parts and assemble one yourself.

Creative thinking, equity and pedagogy should lead discussions for the 2020-21 school year, not judgement and shame. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Back to school or home school: What’s a family to do?

Check out a list of publicly funded online homeschool programs available in Washington.

DUMB

Life

The good, the bad and the ugly, all in one camping trip

Two nights in the family tent trailer at Lake Easton State Park near Cle Elum wasn’t all they…

Keep masks on the kitchen counter next to your phone so you remember to grab one when you leave the house. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Life

Household strategies to manage summer’s hottest new accessory

This mom lays out her plan to keep clean masks available to all four family members at all…

How to fix your student’s ‘spring slide’ this summer

Life

How to fix your student’s ‘spring slide’ this summer

A former teacher offers easy tips for distancing learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With summer break, we say RIP to the 2019-2020 school year

Life

With summer break, we say RIP to the 2019-2020 school year

High school seniors aren’t the only students who missed out on rites of passage because of COVID-19.

Pandemic prompts renewed interest in baking sourdough bread

Life

Pandemic prompts renewed interest in baking sourdough bread

Her 15-year-old son is baking popovers, English muffins and loaves of bread with the fermented dough.

Our collective vocabulary grows as civil rights protests march on

Life

Our collective vocabulary grows as civil rights protests march on

From redress to hashtags, the words and phrases in our protest lexicon change with the times.