Oh NO!!!! Today I drank 2 whole tea pots of a green tea/passion tea mix that I assumed was caffeine free. I was wondering why I was so alert and cleaning the house at midnight. It turns out I was wrong. Green tea shouldn't have caffeine!! Arg!! I can't even handle a cup of coffee without issues, but I will give the green tea some credit: I haven't had any heart racing or anxiety, so it's not too high in caffeine, I guess. But I had 2 whole pots, including several glasses tonight!!! I'm never going to sleep again... but the house will be clean.

I have a garden overflowing with tomatoes, bell peppers, egg plants, and zucchini. I am trying to find ways to preserve them. I know there's nothing to do with egg plants, but I would like to use my organic, chemical-free tomatoes well into the winter months, if possible. I want to try canning some tomatoes this year, perhaps even tomato pasta sauces, or even salsas. We didn't can anything at home growing up, and it seems to be a lost art form.

I need help! I have searched online, and the recipes vary wildly, which makes me nervous. Some bake the jars; some tell me to do a "water bath"; some tell me to use canning salt (??); and even others use no special things at all.

Have you ever canned tomatoes or tomato pasta sauces? How did you do it? How long did the results last? How did you store them?

Thanks in advance for your help. This really does seem to be a lost art, or science. I appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise!

I usually get my massages at my acupuncturist's office, but I love going to different spas around town, too. I want to know what you think is better: deep tissue or Swedish massage?

Personally, I usually have a deep tissue massage. It isn't really very relaxing, though. In fact, it's almost painful at times, but I am pain-free for at least a few days after the massage.

I already tried a hot stone massage this summer, which was amazing, but I haven't had a plain-old Swedish massage lately, and I've been considering it. What is your opinion? Is a Swedish massage worth the time and money (for the relaxation), or are deep tissue massages a better deal, since they really attack the knots and sore spots?

Today is the last day of swim lessons for my daughters. The swim lessons are through Bakersfield Parks & Rec. My 3 1/2 year old has done a complete turn-around. Her instructor Kaitlin led her from 35 minutes of terrified screaming (2 days in a row), to a laughing-screaming, happy child in the pool. The transformation is amazing.

I wondered who would take this terrible summer job. Both the girls she started screaming nonstop. I'm a teacher, but I couldn't have tolerated that screaming so close to my ears. Kaitlin was patient, and I can now see why she does swim lessons during the summer. She doesn't get paid very much, but she makes money helping kids love swimming. She explained that she was terrfied of the water when she was young, and a teacher helped her learn to love swimming.

When you think all teenagers are nightmares, take a look around. There are some remarkable young people out there, quietly doing very good things in this world. Kaitlin is one of them. I am lucky enough to teach high school, so I see some thoughtful, amazing teens regularly. Pay attention to those around you, and try to see past the obnoxious behavior. You might be pleasantly surprised.

What did you think about the new Harry Potter movie?

 I have some issues with universal health care. I have used the clinic system in town, Clinica Sierra Vista, but it's a drag. I was pregnant and paid minimal cost for an office visit. I got great care, but you have to take a whole day off work to wait for each and every visit. My mother lived in Holland, where they have universal health care. She was disabled, so she didn't mind waiting all day in the waiting room. I do. I'm sorry, but I do. I know we need to have a system that works for the people who are between poverty (they are already covered) and those that have jobs with benefits. Those are the people who don't qualify for the Clinic system and can't afford the insurance. What can we do for them that won't change the whole way we do this?

I have a friend who is pressing me to contact Senator Feinstein: (202) 224-3841, (310) 914-7300 about the public option health care plan. I'm not sure I know enough about what the options are right now.

Does anyone out there have an opinion that they can explain?

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Hey, Bakersfield can be fun! Are you looking for things to do with your kids this summer? Do you want to save some money on your air conditioning bill? Turn the air off and go out!

Here are a few ideas:

• Go to Beale Library. The children section is wonderful, and it's free.
• Go to Barnes and Noble, or another local book store. We love the children area at the California location, which has nice seating and a great selection.
• Go to a baseball game! There are some special promotions for Blaze game nights. There are several family nights, with discounted 4 packs of tickets, with hot dogs, sodas, and a program included. www.bakersfieldblaze.com
• The Speedway is a fun weekend choice to see some drag racing (if you happen not live in a neighborhood with drag racing teens). www.bakersfieldspeedway.com
• Go to the Calm Museum. It's a little bit of a drive for most of us, but what a great trip. I save this for mornings, to beat the heat. Kids love seeing and petting the animals. My daughters have a strange fascination with the snakes. There are some beautiful ones there. They have family passes for reasonable prices. You can find discounts for the pass at various places around town, including Your Radio Store. www.calmzoo.org/
• Don't forget about our other fantastic museums: Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art. They are both well worth an afternoon of your time, but make sure it's a mild day for the Kern County Museum.
• Go to The Wild, 8500 Harris Road. It has 3 bounce houses. You check your kids in, and sit down with a book in a nice, air conditioned room. It's relatively cheap ($7 for a day pass), and appropriate for kids from 2-10 or so. They have nighttime activities for teens, too. We had a birthday party here, and even our 11 year old cousins had a ball!
• Use the local parks. Many have pools or the water play areas. You sit around and watch them have fun, or play with them!
• Sign up for a class from Parks and Recreations. They have lots of Junior Sports and Dance choices for your little ones, and maybe for you too! www.bakersfieldcity.us/recreation/index.htm and www.norrecreation.org.
• Head to Camelot Park, at California and Oak Street. They have video games, foozeball, air hockey, batting cages, miniature golf, and more. It's fun, but a little expensive. You can find something for all of your kids to do, though, and they have some wristband days. The outdoor activities should be saved for the cooler days.
• On a particularly hot afternoon, go to a family-friendly restaurant. We love the Garden Spot and Rosemary's. They both make the kids happy, for different reasons.
• You can also find a fast food spot with a play area. McDonalds has one of Real Road, Burger King has one on California (indoor), and Carls Jr has one on White Lane. There are lots of others, but those are a good starting point.
• Splurge a little and get a hotel for the day. We love the Days Inn on Real Road (we usually find discount rooms for around 35). We get a cool room, a pool, a nearby bowling alley, and lots of eating choices within walking distance.
• If your kids are bigger, you can go to the river, but use reason and caution.

I hope this gave you a few ideas of things to do with the kids. Do you have more ideas? Or there some great family spots I missed? Please share!

Next time I will explore some fun places to go within easy driving distance. If you have any ideas for that, let me know!!