The unofficial end of summer is almost here. The kids will get their first holiday from school (they just started!) and we'll get a day off of work to enjoy the last days of summer fun.

Before you break out the grill and the picnic plates, I thought I'd share a few facts about the holiday that might make all of us a little more grateful for our labor-free holiday.

• Labor Day became an official federal holiday in 1894.
• At that time, it was common for people to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Children as young as 5 years old were allowed to work in mines and factories.
• The Central Labor Union decided American workers needed a day off between July 4th and Thanksgiving, so they chose the first Monday in September.
• The first Labor Day holidays were celebrated with street parades and festivals to entertain laborers and their families. 

Your "Work Hard, Play Hard" Gift Guru,
Linda

August 25th is International Kiss and Make Up Day. It's a day to forgive and mend fences with anyone you've been mad at. I love this holiday because it reminds us to appreciate everyone in our lives and to let go of anything "bad" in our relationships.

This year, I'll have something to celebrate. Because, after all these years, my sister and I can still really irritate each other. In fact, we've sort of ticked each other off last Christmas. We used to talk on the phone once or twice a week, but I haven't heard from her since then. Of course, I've been too stubborn to call her, too.

The funny thing is...I don't really remember why we started arguing. I bet she doesn't either! So to celebrate the holiday, I'm going to take my sister to lunch and apologize for whatever it was that I did — even if I didn't do it!

Life is way too short to hold grudges. Much better to let it go. To kiss and make up. And get my sister back.

Your "Forgive and Forget" Gift Guru,
Linda

The older I get, the faster the years go by. It seems only yesterday summer was starting and I was trying to dream up things to do to keep the kids (and adults) busy.

And now it's back-to-school time? How did that happen? Did I sleep through summer?

Now I have to get my school year ducks in a row. We need pens and paper and books. We need lunch boxes and and clothes. We need to make a schedule. Figure out everyone's activities. That's an awful lot of work for the dog days of summer!

Not that I'm complaining. The kids are bored and Mom is tired of being activity director. The first day of school can't come fast enough for me. I just hope I don't sleep through it!

Chicago's Red Line wants to spread the facts about squirrels. Earlier this year, ads warning against the furry monsters began appearing on trains. The public "service" is courtesy of Chicago comedian Ben Larrison who raised more than $4,000 through Kickstarter to purchase the satirical ads.

Chicago's Red Line

Larrison's four "facts" about our friends the squirrels are:

1. Squirrels live in trees. Bees live in trees. Are squirrels actually killer bees...in disguise?
2. No squirrel has ever been appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court...yet. Stay vigilant, humans."
3. Statistically speaking, at least one 'person' on this train is actually 7 squirrels wearing a human suit. Don't be a victim.
   And my personal favorite:
4. "Squirrels have never, ever wished you a Happy Birthday. Like, not even once. Probably because squirrels are inconsiderate, selfish monsters." 

But Larrison doesn't really have it in for our cute, furry little garden pals. He started the campaign to relieve the drudgery of commuter train travel. "I know how tough it can be to take the train every day," he says. "I just like making people smile."

Awww. He's just as sweet as a squirrel.

Your "Still Loving Those Squirrely Squirrels" Gift Guru,
Linda