Seven Sizzling Summer Boredom Fighters!

Full-time stay at home moms as well as seasonal one's -- teachers, for example - can often find themselves fighting the blues when summertime roles around. While being at home with you child is a noble venture, let's face it, it's not always the most mind stimulating. Tired of being stuck in side all day? Want to do something different to break up the routine? Try one of these activities that not only stimulates your mind and body but can lead to new friends, great memories, and maybe even a little spending money!

1.Plan a community garage sale. This is a great activity that is multipurpose. The main goal that is serves is to help you clean out and organize your home. The great thing about doing a neighborhood garage sale is that they are almost always big traffic generators. Nothing stimulates shoppers like an ad stating "multi-family garage sale!" This sale can be as small as two or three families or as large as the whole bock. Organizing and pricing are also great ways to get to know your neighbors. You can even get the husband's involved by having a "bring your own" grilling session the night before to get everything organized. And of course, lastly, you will hopefully generate some cash out of the venture as well.

2. Start a babysitting co-op program. Sometimes all it takes to beat cabin fever is a little time to yourself. Not all stay-at-home mom's have babysitters lined up, or can fathom paying $20 for a little peace and quiet. If this is the case, then co-oping is a good idea. Co-oping consists of trading time with other moms in your same situation. You babysit for two hours in exchange for two hours of free sitting. If this program is not already in place in your area, start one. Leading the group requires you to act as coordinator of time, tracking who has given and who has received. Once the rules and schedules are in place, the main job consist of tracking the usage. When in place, this program offers an opportunity for moms to share babysitting services with each other with the only cost being time. You will often find that adding children to your load is not always a bad thing as they usually occupy each other. 3. Plan a block party. Try a BYOM - Bring Your Own Meat! Does even the idea of a dinner party exhaust you? Fancy doesn't always equal fun. Some of the best times are spent around the grill or in a lawn chair. This activity can be done on a weekday night or weekend. Simply scout out a location - someone's patio, an empty lot (with owner's permission of course), or the end of a lazy cul-de-sac (with the city's permission, of course). Ask each neighbor to bring their own meat for grilling and cooler of cold drinks, and any sides and appetizers they would like to share. Crank up the outdoor sound system or scout out some talented acoustic musicians in your neighborhood. For a variation turn this into a themed recipe swap.

4. Host a themed play time for the neighborhood children. This is a child-sized version of the block party. Host this on a weekday or weekend. Simply pick a theme (party jumpers, cool treats, water games, etc.) and invite the neighborhood. Coordinating is easy. Simply ask for volunteers to bring treats or punch. If cost is involved, such as renting party jumpers, then simply ask for a small fee to cover the cost. Your kids will make new friends and hopefully you will, too

5. Join a book club. Easy enjoyable activity. The key is finding a book club of comparable tastes to your own, but do find one diverse enough to allow for personal growth. No book club in your area? Start one!

6. Volunteer at your church's Vacation Bible School. This can be one of the most action packed weeks of your summer. VBS spans the range from toddlers to teens, arts to music to missions. Don't feel crafty? Work in the kitchen! VBS is a wonderful activity for both children and adults. Nursery care is often available for younger children of workers.

7. Start you own blog. Yes, technically this has you staying in the cabin but it can be a wonderful mind-expanding exercise. Blogs are the new high tech version of diaries, but they are much more than that. Use blogs not only to detail memories but also to put "on paper" your hopes and dreams for the future. If you have a laptop spend time blogging outdoors and soaking up the sunshine!