We thought this article was worth passing along.
12 Tips to Keep Joy in the HolidaysBy John M. Grohol, Psy.D. December 5, 2008
The Christmas season is upon us once again, and once again we find ourselves balancing between our work or studies, hanging out friends, scheduling time with family, and maybe even attending a party or two. The Christmas tree stands are up down at the corner, where they magically appear every year, full of the usual perfect, green triangular symbols of the season.
At some point though, in-between the parties, the family gatherings and the endless shopping crowds, the cheer of the holidays can quickly leave our rosy cheeks and send us into a downward depressive spiral. How do you keep that depression from affecting not only your mood, but the mood of others around you? And how can you keep the joy in the holidays and stop them from turning into yet another year of an endless parade of materialism?
12 Tips to Keep Joy in the Holidays
1. Be realistic and put the “ideal” Christmas out of your head. Too many people have an idealized version of what the holidays should be like, instead of what they really are. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has an ideal, picture-perfect holiday. By setting expectations up-front — and keeping them realistic — you won’t be disappointed that your family gathering devolves into another eating free-for-all, when it has happened every year since you can remember.
2. Take a time-out from materialism and do something spiritual, family-oriented, or non-materialistic this season. All too often we get caught up in the shopping, the endless sales, the “need” to make sure we buy something for everyone, that we lose sight of things that really matter — our friendships, our family, our spirituality, our fellow man (and woman) who may be less fortunate than us. Even in tough economic times (some might say, especially in such times), others need our help even when we feel we have little to offer. Volunteer at a food bank, do something additional for your church, adopt a family in need this season. If you cut just 10% of your spending on gifts and donated that money to charity, you’d be surprised at how much a difference such giving would help.
3. Take a time-out from family arguments, simmering feuds, and unhappy relationships. In an ideal world, we’d be friends with everyone and everyone would be friends with us. But in the real world, we get into disagreements or sometimes full-fledged arguments with others we care about. In the spirit of the giving season, give something that is priceless — your compassion and forgiveness (even if only temporary) to those in your life you feel have wronged you in some way.
4. Schedule sooner and often. Feeling overwhelmed by too much to do and too little time to do it all in? Schedule it all out right now on your favorite calendar or planner, then stick to it. Too many people get into trouble accepting last-minute invitations, or by trying to accommodate a last-minute visit with someone they hadn’t planned on seeing. If your schedule allows for it, fine, but if not, you’ll know in an instant.
5. Check your coat — and guilt — at the door. Everyone has likely felt the pang of guilt due to not being able to meet some holiday obligation or feeling bad about a gift gone awry. But this is the season of joy and celebration, not one where every misstep is meant to make us feel badly for our choices. Leave the guilt at home for a change and if you find yourself going down the guilty road in your head, simply tell yourself, “Yes, I feel badly about that, but I’m going to let it go and enjoy myself anyway, because time is short and this moment only lasts right now. There’ll be time enough to feel guilty next week!”
6. “No” is not a four-letter word. We’re all human (yes, you too!), and we humans get ourselves into more trouble than you know because we simply don’t know when to say, “Thank you, but no.” I suspect it’s tied closely to guilt (see Tip 5), but at some point, the sooner we learn that it’s okay to say No, the sooner we’ll feel less stress and anxiety. You can’t do everything, every year. Choose carefully, schedule well (Tip 4), and then say No to the rest and you’ll rest better at night.
7. Give yourself a break. While rushing around the holidays, we often put ourselves last on the “To do” list. We also feel guilty when we indulge in things we wouldn’t ordinarily indulge in (”Another piece of pie? Why, thank you!”). Give yourself a break this season, forgive your transgressions, and be kind to yourself. That means taking some time out for yourself and your needs, even if it’s just a few minutes of solitude in the morning or before you go to bed that you can relax, catch up a crossword puzzle or some reading, and just enjoy your own company. It also means not beating yourself if you step off your diet or can’t get to the gym for a few days. More people cause themselves more anxiety and stress about beating themselves up over such decisions, when the resulting difference is almost always negligible.
8. Be aware of your breaking points. Rarely does a holiday season pass without someone realizing they’ve reached their “breaking point,” the point where if one more thing goes wrong, they’ll simply breakdown or just lock themselves up in their bedroom and only come out in the new year. Know yours, and when you’re coming close to it. Then stop, take a break, and make sure you avoid those things in the future which bring you closer to it.
9. It’s okay to ask for help, often and directly. Part of the reason we sometimes get into trouble around the holidays is that we simply attempt to do too much on our own. Ask for help from your significant other, children, friends or family when you need it, and be direct and honest with your requests. Don’t expect others to read your mind, either. If you decorate the tree every year, but this year find you won’t have the time, ask someone to do it for you (don’t just assume people will see the bare tree and offer their help). Don’t stop at a single request if you need help with a dozen different things, either.
10. Connect with your significant other on the things that matter most. One of the people we often leave out of our holiday plans is our significant other. Not physically, but often emotionally and directly checking in with them and their expectations for the holiday. Too many couples get into an escalating tug of war about reading each other’s minds, or keeping score on what happened last year, that they don’t start with a clean slate each and every year. Check in with your partner and see what his or her expectations are, and share with them yours. You might be surprised to learn something you didn’t know.
11. Moderation in all things. Aristotle knew a thing or two of what he was talking about a few thousand years ago, and yet it’s a lesson many of us forget. While the holidays are a good “excuse” to stop being moderate in our drinking or eating, we should resist the urge to overindulge. Sure, you can have an extra piece of cake or one extra drink more than you might usually enjoy, but that shouldn’t open the floodgates to eat the remaining half of the cake or finish off a half bottle of Jack Daniels on your own. In the same way, even buying presents for your kids can be taken to an unhealthy extreme (”Always leave them wanting more”). Celebrate, but not to the point of excess.
12. Remember your friends and those forgotten. Because we get so busy, we sometimes lose touch with our friends and people whom we normally rely on to be our sounding boards. Don’t be tempted to go into a communications blackhole and resurface only after the holidays, as such regular communication is often one of those touchstones that keep us grounded. And while not an ideal time to renew old acquaintances, the holidays are a good excuse to do so if you’d otherwise feel awkward in getting back in touch with old friends.
* * *
The holidays, luckily some would say, only come once a year and last for a few short weeks. Being aware of these kinds of things may help you better keep the joy in the season, and the happiness in your heart. But you have to take the first step and be vigilant during the next few weeks to keep these tips close at hand. Follow even just a few of them, and you’ll likely find yourself enjoying the holidays more this year than in any year past.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tips to keep joy in the Holidays
We thought this article was worth passing along.
Please have a "happy, enjoyable" holiday season.
12 Tips to Keep Joy in the Holidays
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. December 5, 2008
The Christmas season is upon us once again, and once again we find ourselves balancing between our work or studies, hanging out friends, scheduling time with family, and maybe even attending a party or two. The Christmas tree stands are up down at the corner, where they magically appear every year, full of the usual perfect, green triangular symbols of the season.
At some point though, in-between the parties, the family gatherings and the endless shopping crowds, the cheer of the holidays can quickly leave our rosy cheeks and send us into a downward depressive spiral. How do you keep that depression from affecting not only your mood, but the mood of others around you? And how can you keep the joy in the holidays and stop them from turning into yet another year of an endless parade of materialism?
12 Tips to Keep Joy in the Holidays
1. Be realistic and put the “ideal” Christmas out of your head. Too many people have an idealized version of what the holidays should be like, instead of what they really are. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has an ideal, picture-perfect holiday. By setting expectations up-front — and keeping them realistic — you won’t be disappointed that your family gathering devolves into another eating free-for-all, when it has happened every year since you can remember.
2. Take a time-out from materialism and do something spiritual, family-oriented, or non-materialistic this season. All too often we get caught up in the shopping, the endless sales, the “need” to make sure we buy something for everyone, that we lose sight of things that really matter — our friendships, our family, our spirituality, our fellow man (and woman) who may be less fortunate than us. Even in tough economic times (some might say, especially in such times), others need our help even when we feel we have little to offer. Volunteer at a food bank, do something additional for your church, adopt a family in need this season. If you cut just 10% of your spending on gifts and donated that money to charity, you’d be surprised at how much a difference such giving would help.
3. Take a time-out from family arguments, simmering feuds, and unhappy relationships. In an ideal world, we’d be friends with everyone and everyone would be friends with us. But in the real world, we get into disagreements or sometimes full-fledged arguments with others we care about. In the spirit of the giving season, give something that is priceless — your compassion and forgiveness (even if only temporary) to those in your life you feel have wronged you in some way.
4. Schedule sooner and often. Feeling overwhelmed by too much to do and too little time to do it all in? Schedule it all out right now on your favorite calendar or planner, then stick to it. Too many people get into trouble accepting last-minute invitations, or by trying to accommodate a last-minute visit with someone they hadn’t planned on seeing. If your schedule allows for it, fine, but if not, you’ll know in an instant.
5. Check your coat — and guilt — at the door. Everyone has likely felt the pang of guilt due to not being able to meet some holiday obligation or feeling bad about a gift gone awry. But this is the season of joy and celebration, not one where every misstep is meant to make us feel badly for our choices. Leave the guilt at home for a change and if you find yourself going down the guilty road in your head, simply tell yourself, “Yes, I feel badly about that, but I’m going to let it go and enjoy myself anyway, because time is short and this moment only lasts right now. There’ll be time enough to feel guilty next week!”
6. “No” is not a four-letter word. We’re all human (yes, you too!), and we humans get ourselves into more trouble than you know because we simply don’t know when to say, “Thank you, but no.” I suspect it’s tied closely to guilt (see Tip 5), but at some point, the sooner we learn that it’s okay to say No, the sooner we’ll feel less stress and anxiety. You can’t do everything, every year. Choose carefully, schedule well (Tip 4), and then say No to the rest and you’ll rest better at night.
7. Give yourself a break. While rushing around the holidays, we often put ourselves last on the “To do” list. We also feel guilty when we indulge in things we wouldn’t ordinarily indulge in (”Another piece of pie? Why, thank you!”). Give yourself a break this season, forgive your transgressions, and be kind to yourself. That means taking some time out for yourself and your needs, even if it’s just a few minutes of solitude in the morning or before you go to bed that you can relax, catch up a crossword puzzle or some reading, and just enjoy your own company. It also means not beating yourself if you step off your diet or can’t get to the gym for a few days. More people cause themselves more anxiety and stress about beating themselves up over such decisions, when the resulting difference is almost always negligible.
8. Be aware of your breaking points. Rarely does a holiday season pass without someone realizing they’ve reached their “breaking point,” the point where if one more thing goes wrong, they’ll simply breakdown or just lock themselves up in their bedroom and only come out in the new year. Know yours, and when you’re coming close to it. Then stop, take a break, and make sure you avoid those things in the future which bring you closer to it.
9. It’s okay to ask for help, often and directly. Part of the reason we sometimes get into trouble around the holidays is that we simply attempt to do too much on our own. Ask for help from your significant other, children, friends or family when you need it, and be direct and honest with your requests. Don’t expect others to read your mind, either. If you decorate the tree every year, but this year find you won’t have the time, ask someone to do it for you (don’t just assume people will see the bare tree and offer their help). Don’t stop at a single request if you need help with a dozen different things, either.
10. Connect with your significant other on the things that matter most. One of the people we often leave out of our holiday plans is our significant other. Not physically, but often emotionally and directly checking in with them and their expectations for the holiday. Too many couples get into an escalating tug of war about reading each other’s minds, or keeping score on what happened last year, that they don’t start with a clean slate each and every year. Check in with your partner and see what his or her expectations are, and share with them yours. You might be surprised to learn something you didn’t know.
11. Moderation in all things. Aristotle knew a thing or two of what he was talking about a few thousand years ago, and yet it’s a lesson many of us forget. While the holidays are a good “excuse” to stop being moderate in our drinking or eating, we should resist the urge to overindulge. Sure, you can have an extra piece of cake or one extra drink more than you might usually enjoy, but that shouldn’t open the floodgates to eat the remaining half of the cake or finish off a half bottle of Jack Daniels on your own. In the same way, even buying presents for your kids can be taken to an unhealthy extreme (”Always leave them wanting more”). Celebrate, but not to the point of excess.
12. Remember your friends and those forgotten. Because we get so busy, we sometimes lose touch with our friends and people whom we normally rely on to be our sounding boards. Don’t be tempted to go into a communications blackhole and resurface only after the holidays, as such regular communication is often one of those touchstones that keep us grounded. And while not an ideal time to renew old acquaintances, the holidays are a good excuse to do so if you’d otherwise feel awkward in getting back in touch with old friends.
* * *
The holidays, luckily some would say, only come once a year and last for a few short weeks. Being aware of these kinds of things may help you better keep the joy in the season, and the happiness in your heart. But you have to take the first step and be vigilant during the next few weeks to keep these tips close at hand. Follow even just a few of them, and you’ll likely find yourself enjoying the holidays more this year than in any year past.
Please have a "happy, enjoyable" holiday season.
12 Tips to Keep Joy in the Holidays
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. December 5, 2008
The Christmas season is upon us once again, and once again we find ourselves balancing between our work or studies, hanging out friends, scheduling time with family, and maybe even attending a party or two. The Christmas tree stands are up down at the corner, where they magically appear every year, full of the usual perfect, green triangular symbols of the season.
At some point though, in-between the parties, the family gatherings and the endless shopping crowds, the cheer of the holidays can quickly leave our rosy cheeks and send us into a downward depressive spiral. How do you keep that depression from affecting not only your mood, but the mood of others around you? And how can you keep the joy in the holidays and stop them from turning into yet another year of an endless parade of materialism?
12 Tips to Keep Joy in the Holidays
1. Be realistic and put the “ideal” Christmas out of your head. Too many people have an idealized version of what the holidays should be like, instead of what they really are. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has an ideal, picture-perfect holiday. By setting expectations up-front — and keeping them realistic — you won’t be disappointed that your family gathering devolves into another eating free-for-all, when it has happened every year since you can remember.
2. Take a time-out from materialism and do something spiritual, family-oriented, or non-materialistic this season. All too often we get caught up in the shopping, the endless sales, the “need” to make sure we buy something for everyone, that we lose sight of things that really matter — our friendships, our family, our spirituality, our fellow man (and woman) who may be less fortunate than us. Even in tough economic times (some might say, especially in such times), others need our help even when we feel we have little to offer. Volunteer at a food bank, do something additional for your church, adopt a family in need this season. If you cut just 10% of your spending on gifts and donated that money to charity, you’d be surprised at how much a difference such giving would help.
3. Take a time-out from family arguments, simmering feuds, and unhappy relationships. In an ideal world, we’d be friends with everyone and everyone would be friends with us. But in the real world, we get into disagreements or sometimes full-fledged arguments with others we care about. In the spirit of the giving season, give something that is priceless — your compassion and forgiveness (even if only temporary) to those in your life you feel have wronged you in some way.
4. Schedule sooner and often. Feeling overwhelmed by too much to do and too little time to do it all in? Schedule it all out right now on your favorite calendar or planner, then stick to it. Too many people get into trouble accepting last-minute invitations, or by trying to accommodate a last-minute visit with someone they hadn’t planned on seeing. If your schedule allows for it, fine, but if not, you’ll know in an instant.
5. Check your coat — and guilt — at the door. Everyone has likely felt the pang of guilt due to not being able to meet some holiday obligation or feeling bad about a gift gone awry. But this is the season of joy and celebration, not one where every misstep is meant to make us feel badly for our choices. Leave the guilt at home for a change and if you find yourself going down the guilty road in your head, simply tell yourself, “Yes, I feel badly about that, but I’m going to let it go and enjoy myself anyway, because time is short and this moment only lasts right now. There’ll be time enough to feel guilty next week!”
6. “No” is not a four-letter word. We’re all human (yes, you too!), and we humans get ourselves into more trouble than you know because we simply don’t know when to say, “Thank you, but no.” I suspect it’s tied closely to guilt (see Tip 5), but at some point, the sooner we learn that it’s okay to say No, the sooner we’ll feel less stress and anxiety. You can’t do everything, every year. Choose carefully, schedule well (Tip 4), and then say No to the rest and you’ll rest better at night.
7. Give yourself a break. While rushing around the holidays, we often put ourselves last on the “To do” list. We also feel guilty when we indulge in things we wouldn’t ordinarily indulge in (”Another piece of pie? Why, thank you!”). Give yourself a break this season, forgive your transgressions, and be kind to yourself. That means taking some time out for yourself and your needs, even if it’s just a few minutes of solitude in the morning or before you go to bed that you can relax, catch up a crossword puzzle or some reading, and just enjoy your own company. It also means not beating yourself if you step off your diet or can’t get to the gym for a few days. More people cause themselves more anxiety and stress about beating themselves up over such decisions, when the resulting difference is almost always negligible.
8. Be aware of your breaking points. Rarely does a holiday season pass without someone realizing they’ve reached their “breaking point,” the point where if one more thing goes wrong, they’ll simply breakdown or just lock themselves up in their bedroom and only come out in the new year. Know yours, and when you’re coming close to it. Then stop, take a break, and make sure you avoid those things in the future which bring you closer to it.
9. It’s okay to ask for help, often and directly. Part of the reason we sometimes get into trouble around the holidays is that we simply attempt to do too much on our own. Ask for help from your significant other, children, friends or family when you need it, and be direct and honest with your requests. Don’t expect others to read your mind, either. If you decorate the tree every year, but this year find you won’t have the time, ask someone to do it for you (don’t just assume people will see the bare tree and offer their help). Don’t stop at a single request if you need help with a dozen different things, either.
10. Connect with your significant other on the things that matter most. One of the people we often leave out of our holiday plans is our significant other. Not physically, but often emotionally and directly checking in with them and their expectations for the holiday. Too many couples get into an escalating tug of war about reading each other’s minds, or keeping score on what happened last year, that they don’t start with a clean slate each and every year. Check in with your partner and see what his or her expectations are, and share with them yours. You might be surprised to learn something you didn’t know.
11. Moderation in all things. Aristotle knew a thing or two of what he was talking about a few thousand years ago, and yet it’s a lesson many of us forget. While the holidays are a good “excuse” to stop being moderate in our drinking or eating, we should resist the urge to overindulge. Sure, you can have an extra piece of cake or one extra drink more than you might usually enjoy, but that shouldn’t open the floodgates to eat the remaining half of the cake or finish off a half bottle of Jack Daniels on your own. In the same way, even buying presents for your kids can be taken to an unhealthy extreme (”Always leave them wanting more”). Celebrate, but not to the point of excess.
12. Remember your friends and those forgotten. Because we get so busy, we sometimes lose touch with our friends and people whom we normally rely on to be our sounding boards. Don’t be tempted to go into a communications blackhole and resurface only after the holidays, as such regular communication is often one of those touchstones that keep us grounded. And while not an ideal time to renew old acquaintances, the holidays are a good excuse to do so if you’d otherwise feel awkward in getting back in touch with old friends.
* * *
The holidays, luckily some would say, only come once a year and last for a few short weeks. Being aware of these kinds of things may help you better keep the joy in the season, and the happiness in your heart. But you have to take the first step and be vigilant during the next few weeks to keep these tips close at hand. Follow even just a few of them, and you’ll likely find yourself enjoying the holidays more this year than in any year past.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thanksgiving Day!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. There were a total of 10 of us and we feasted on an 18 pound turkey. We had a little mix up on the timing of the bird so our dinner was a little late in the day but the turkey and all the fixins turned out great.
It was a day of football games, visiting and just enjoying each others company.
Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving day together.
Greg takes charge in the kitchen.
Mom and Al looking as young as ever.
Waiting for the turkey to get done.
My brother, Andy and his son Seth
Oh, Grandma, I love you.......
Time to feast on the turkey and all the fixins.
Serena, Jessica and Jackie work on making wine charms to give as
Christmas gifts.
Then it was time for some games. We played Mexican Train and
Then it was time for some games. We played Mexican Train and
as you can see in this picture Serena was doing very well.
We had a really fun time together!!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We are now off our diet and ready to feast! Can't wait for that pumpkin pie and whipping cream today.
Well Happy Thanksgiving to you all. This is the kick-off for Christmas so get reeeeeeeady...............! I'm sooooooo excited and can't wait til it snows.
Well Happy Thanksgiving to you all. This is the kick-off for Christmas so get reeeeeeeady...............! I'm sooooooo excited and can't wait til it snows.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pre-Thanksgiving visit
The weekend before Thanksgiving Laura and the kids came for a visit and helped us decorate our Christmas tree.
Here are a few pictures of their visit which we enjoyed sooooooo much.
Grandma shows Natalie and Andrew some ornaments for the tree.
Grandpa, Natalie and Andrew put the garland on the tree.
Natalie and Andrew were such a big help in putting our Christmas tree up.
Here are a few pictures of their visit which we enjoyed sooooooo much.
Grandma shows Natalie and Andrew some ornaments for the tree.
Now for the angel.
And the stockings.
Natalie and Andrew get a little pre-Christmas gift.
And their Mommy does too.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
What we've been up to lately........
Well over the past 5 weeks, Greg and I have been very busy dieting. We've been on a 6 week high protein diet - consuming 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. It has required alot of preparation but it's been worth it. The aim of this diet is to increase your metabolism so you can burn more calories, hence, lose more weight. We have both lost 10 pounds and are still loosing. We have 1 more week on the diet but we will still have a few pounds to loose. We are hoping with eating healthy, watching our calorie consumption and working out, the rest of the weight will come off.
We will be going off the diet just in time for "Turkey Day"! Boy are we looking forward to some pumpkin pie and whipping cream. Yummmmmmmm!!
We will be going off the diet just in time for "Turkey Day"! Boy are we looking forward to some pumpkin pie and whipping cream. Yummmmmmmm!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Current Financial Crisis
I saw this advice in a recent health email I received. Thought there was some very good advice here. We all need to have the confidence that "this too shall pass".
********************************************************************************************************
But there may be a silver lining in this cloudy sky. Experts have the following advice to help cope and lessen anxiety:
Frank Farley, a professor of psychological studies in education at Temple University, said the four "C's" can help people cope.
Stay calm. "Don't panic. People who panic do very dangerous things in their life," Farley advised. "Some amount of anxiety is healthy, because it motivates you to do things, but too much anxiety can interfere with your ability to think straight.
Be cautious and careful and have confidence. "We have gone through financial crises and recessions, and we have always come out of them," Farley said. "Have confidence that we will again. It's that confidence multiplied 300 million times that will get us out of this. This whole meltdown to a large and significant degree is fueled by psychology."
Take media reports with a hefty dose of salt. "I sure wish some of the pundits would shut up," Farley said. "We have the specter of the Great Depression, and it fuels fear and panic. This nation has survived incredible things." Ruge reported that many clients are going on a "media fast," refusing to read or watch news reports and refraining from checking the stock market averages except occasionally.
Do something. "Translate your worries into action," Klapow recommended. "Any small action that will control some of your finances will be very productive for reducing anxiety. Focus on what you can do."
Maintain a life balance. "If you become consumed with all of the financial information coming out, you will drive yourself physically and emotionally into the ground," Klapow said. "It's important to eat right, engage in pleasurable activities, and strike a balance between attention paid to the financial crisis and attention paid to your well-being."
Take stock of your life. "It's time to reassess how you handle money and how you handle your life," Farley said. "If you get laid off or have a reduction in hours, maybe this is a time to consider, are you happy in this line of work anyway?" Farley said.
********************************************************************************************************
But there may be a silver lining in this cloudy sky. Experts have the following advice to help cope and lessen anxiety:
Frank Farley, a professor of psychological studies in education at Temple University, said the four "C's" can help people cope.
Stay calm. "Don't panic. People who panic do very dangerous things in their life," Farley advised. "Some amount of anxiety is healthy, because it motivates you to do things, but too much anxiety can interfere with your ability to think straight.
Be cautious and careful and have confidence. "We have gone through financial crises and recessions, and we have always come out of them," Farley said. "Have confidence that we will again. It's that confidence multiplied 300 million times that will get us out of this. This whole meltdown to a large and significant degree is fueled by psychology."
Take media reports with a hefty dose of salt. "I sure wish some of the pundits would shut up," Farley said. "We have the specter of the Great Depression, and it fuels fear and panic. This nation has survived incredible things." Ruge reported that many clients are going on a "media fast," refusing to read or watch news reports and refraining from checking the stock market averages except occasionally.
Do something. "Translate your worries into action," Klapow recommended. "Any small action that will control some of your finances will be very productive for reducing anxiety. Focus on what you can do."
Maintain a life balance. "If you become consumed with all of the financial information coming out, you will drive yourself physically and emotionally into the ground," Klapow said. "It's important to eat right, engage in pleasurable activities, and strike a balance between attention paid to the financial crisis and attention paid to your well-being."
Take stock of your life. "It's time to reassess how you handle money and how you handle your life," Farley said. "If you get laid off or have a reduction in hours, maybe this is a time to consider, are you happy in this line of work anyway?" Farley said.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Our granddaughter, Jordyn, turns 5 years old
This past weekend we took a quick trip over the mountains to the Seattle area for our granddaughter, Jordyn's 5th birthday party. Before the party on Sunday, we enjoyed visiting with the kids and even got a chance to attend Jordyn's soccer game on Saturday.
Here are a few pictures of our weekend with the kids and grand kids. We had so much fun! Enjoy!
Lucas will be 3 months old on October 16th.
Lucas and Great Aunt Cindy, my sister.
Here are a few pictures of our weekend with the kids and grand kids. We had so much fun! Enjoy!
Jordyn is ready for her soccer game. Good luck "Bears". She is number 2.
Jordyn taking a break from the game for a hot dog with her daddy.
After the game Jordyn and Serena had fun in the fall leaves in their front yard.
Such a sweet family - Josh, Kristi and our new grandson Lucas.
On Sunday morning before her birthday party Jordyn opened a few presents from her Daddy and Mommy. This is the Hungry Hippo game she had really been wanting. She was so excited!
Before Jordyn's birthday party got started the kids had fun playing the arcade games. From left, Natalie, Andrew, Serena and Laura, Natalie and Andrew's mommy.
More arcade games. From left, Brian, Natalie, Andrew and Serena.
Brian is Natalie and Andrew's daddy
Natalie, left, and Serena, right, have fun playing pool.
From left, Justin, Natalie, Serena & Jessica, Serena's mommy, Jordyn and her mommy Sarah enjoying pizza.
From left, Andrew, Justin, Natalie, Serena & Jordyn.
Cousins, Natalie and Serena.
Lucas and Great Aunt Cindy, my sister.
Jordyn opening her birthday presents.
Jordyn's daddy lights the birthday cake candle.
Singing Happy Birthday to Jordyn.
Jordyn and her daddy, the other kids and even some mommies and daddies, had fun on the ice after the party. What a fun 5th birthday party for Jordyn!!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Our son, Joel, makes the Seattle news........
Joel is interviewed at the end of this video. For those of you who have not met Joel, he is JJ on the right. Enjoy. :)
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=289886
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=289886
Saturday, October 04, 2008
"Army of Women" aired on The Today Show
Please view this video regarding the "Army of Women" who are currently being recruited to volunteer for the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all. It was aired on The Today Show recently. I hope you will join this "Army of Women".
The Love/Avon Army of Women is a national initiative to recruit one million women of every age, ethnicity, and breast cancer history interested in partnering with scientists and taking part in breast cancer research that will move us beyond a cure. As of today, 131,000 women have been recruited.
http://www.armyofwomen.org/
The Love/Avon Army of Women is a national initiative to recruit one million women of every age, ethnicity, and breast cancer history interested in partnering with scientists and taking part in breast cancer research that will move us beyond a cure. As of today, 131,000 women have been recruited.
http://www.armyofwomen.org/
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Army of Women - 1 Million strong!!
There is a movement going on that is aimed at going beyond a cure for breast cancer. It's trying to recruit an "Army of Women", 1 million strong, that can help in the research to understand what causes breast cancer, move beyond a cure and end it once and for all.
Please read the attached site in this post for information on how you can be included in that 1 million "Army of Women". They need women of all ages, ethnicity and risks - whether you have had breast cancer or not. You are needed now!!
I have joined this "Army of Women" for my mother, my sisters, my daughters, my granddaughters - all future generations of women, in the hope that through this research, this disease will be eradicated once and for all. Please join me.
http://www.armyofwomen.org/aboutus
Please read the attached site in this post for information on how you can be included in that 1 million "Army of Women". They need women of all ages, ethnicity and risks - whether you have had breast cancer or not. You are needed now!!
I have joined this "Army of Women" for my mother, my sisters, my daughters, my granddaughters - all future generations of women, in the hope that through this research, this disease will be eradicated once and for all. Please join me.
http://www.armyofwomen.org/aboutus
Saturday, September 20, 2008
What's been going on......
Well Greg and I have been doing the annual physical/doctor appointments the past few weeks. We had to establish new doctors here in Yakima so it has taken a while to get in but we are just about finished and glad to get that out of the way.
The weather has really changed. In fact, this morning it is actually raining. It's kind of a nice change and we sure need it around here. Very, very dry time of the year. The leaves are turning slightly and starting to drop. The temperatures are dropping too. The expected high today is only 77 degrees. It's been running around 85 - 90 up until now. By Wednesday, it is supposed to be a high of 67 during the day and dropping down to 34 at night. So fall and winter are definitely on the way. Which makes me think of the holidays and the possibility of snow at Christmas. It probably sounds strange to many of you but I am actually looking forward to seeing some snow this year. Greg isn't too excited about it but I sure am. A white Christmas -how beautiful that would be.
Greg is fly fishing today. He headed up to Leech Lake this morning which is about 45 min to 1 hour from Yakima near White Pass. He fished this lake a couple of weeks ago and was successful so wanted to try his float tube out again before the weather turns much colder. The fishing is "catch and release" at Leech Lake so guess we won't be having fish for dinner. I am so glad he has found a place he can go to fly fishing. He really enjoys it!!
We have both been continuing on our quest for fitness. We both have been very consistent at working out 3 times a week and hoping it pays off soon. Actually, we are both starting to see some changes so we are happy about that.
We are looking forward to the holidays and time with family. Our trip south to Mexico will be here all too soon. I am sure we will be ready by January though.
Enjoy the changes autumn will bring us in the next few weeks. Monday, September 22 is the first day of autumn and we're looking forward to the change of colors here in the Yakima area.
The weather has really changed. In fact, this morning it is actually raining. It's kind of a nice change and we sure need it around here. Very, very dry time of the year. The leaves are turning slightly and starting to drop. The temperatures are dropping too. The expected high today is only 77 degrees. It's been running around 85 - 90 up until now. By Wednesday, it is supposed to be a high of 67 during the day and dropping down to 34 at night. So fall and winter are definitely on the way. Which makes me think of the holidays and the possibility of snow at Christmas. It probably sounds strange to many of you but I am actually looking forward to seeing some snow this year. Greg isn't too excited about it but I sure am. A white Christmas -how beautiful that would be.
Greg is fly fishing today. He headed up to Leech Lake this morning which is about 45 min to 1 hour from Yakima near White Pass. He fished this lake a couple of weeks ago and was successful so wanted to try his float tube out again before the weather turns much colder. The fishing is "catch and release" at Leech Lake so guess we won't be having fish for dinner. I am so glad he has found a place he can go to fly fishing. He really enjoys it!!
We have both been continuing on our quest for fitness. We both have been very consistent at working out 3 times a week and hoping it pays off soon. Actually, we are both starting to see some changes so we are happy about that.
We are looking forward to the holidays and time with family. Our trip south to Mexico will be here all too soon. I am sure we will be ready by January though.
Enjoy the changes autumn will bring us in the next few weeks. Monday, September 22 is the first day of autumn and we're looking forward to the change of colors here in the Yakima area.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Our latest trip to see the kids......
Last weekend, we headed over to the Seattle area with my Mom and Jackie to visit the kids. Due to the distance between where our children live in the Seattle area and the short trip, I spent time with my kids and Greg met Laura and Melanie and the grandchildren at a park in Bellevue. They had a fun afternoon together. Sorry Greg didn't get any pictures. :( My Mom had a nice visit with her brother Dick and her nephew Willie who live in Bellevue and with Cindy and Andy, my brother and sister. They all had breakfast together on Sunday at Cindy's new apartment in Bothell.
We had a chance to see the other kids too, including our newest grandson, Lucas. Hence all the pics of Lucas. :) He's sure a cutie, really growing fast and such a good baby. We had fun on Saturday night playing Trivial Pursuit (90's edition). Enjoy the pictures below.
Recently, Jessica and Serena and Joel, Sarah and Jordyn moved into a new home in the Kent area. It's a beautiful, 2 year old, 4 bedroom Quadrant home. http://www.quadranthomes.com/about/ It's very spacious with lots of room for Jordyn and Serena. We are very happy they were able to find a home that could accommodate all of them; helping them to save on housing expenses which are extremely high in the Seattle area.
We had a chance to see the other kids too, including our newest grandson, Lucas. Hence all the pics of Lucas. :) He's sure a cutie, really growing fast and such a good baby. We had fun on Saturday night playing Trivial Pursuit (90's edition). Enjoy the pictures below.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Our trip to Idaho Falls & Star Valley, Wyoming
We took a road trip to Idaho and Wyoming over Labor Day weekend. My sister and her family live in Idaho Falls and have a beautiful cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming, just 50 miles from Jackson Hole.
We traveled to Idaho Falls last Thursday with my sister Deannie and her husband Scott who live in Yakima too. Deannie is my sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and just completed 6 months of chemotherapy. My sister, Martha, who lives in Idaho Falls had a great idea to throw a "barn dance" for Deannie to celebrate her fight against cancer. Deannie has for many years had a dream of some day having a barn dance and Martha wanted to make this dream come true.
On Friday, the three of us spent the day together shopping and as you see in this picture below enjoying a glass of wine or two along the way. The barn dance was a surprise for Deannie so Martha and I had to keep her busy all day, as the party didn't start until 6:00 pm and she thought we were headed to the cabin sometime on Friday. The guys were in on all the fibs we made up to postpone our drive to the cabin.
We finally told Deannie we weren't going to the cabin because Martha's husband, John had been called unexpectedly to a meeting at his work and because it would be late we were going to just go out and have a glass wine with their good friends, Ron and Lisa who owned the barn and were so kind to let us use it for the barn dance. When we got there, we told Deannie about the party and in this video below Martha and I are getting her dressed in her country/western duds. She was sooooooo surprised!!
Doesn't Deannie look fabulous in her country duds?"
Deannie finds out the "barn dance" is in her honor. It's a "HOE-DOWN"!!
From left, Kyle (John & Martha's son), Ashley (Kyle's girlfriend), Scott (Deannie's husband), Deannie (my sister), Ali (John & Martha's daughter), Greg, Sharon, Martha (my sister) & John (her husband).
Yee Hah.......
There was even country dance lessons at the Hoe-Down.
Now with music.
Deannie and Greg learning the dance steps.
More country dance steps to learn.
Ali and her boyfriend, Nick.
Kyle and his girlfriend, Ashley.
The three amigos, from left, John, Scott and Greg enjoying a cooooool one.
Scott and Deannie
The suns a goin down sista......
Group picture of guests at the Hoe-Down in honor of our sister, Deannie. Even John Wayne showed up.
On Saturday morning, we headed for the cabin were we spent a wonderful two days. The girls enjoyed yoga, the sauna, movies and lots of wine tasting while the guys had fun playing horse shoes and making lots of drinks at John's newly completed bar. The cabin has been in the process of being built over the past 10 or so years and is now fully completed and just beautiful.
Enjoying some wine tasting with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (Martha's favorite) from Edgefield Winery in Troutdale, Oregon.
The guys enjoying a game of horseshoes.
Kyle cooked up a delicious stir fry on Saturday night.
Paco loves relaxing at the cabin.
John and Martha cooked an outdoor dutch oven dinner on Sunday. It included ribs, beans and potatoes and was just delicious!!
On Sunday, a storm blew in and we enjoyed watching it's approach. On Monday morning after we left we understand it snowed. That is the earliest it has ever snowed in Star Valley. Just going along with the strange weather we have had this year.
Come on storm, bring it on.........
We're ready!!
We had a great visit with John, Martha, Ali, Kyle & Ashley and even Paco. John, Martha and Ali are planning a trip to Yakima in October. It will be great to see them again.
We traveled to Idaho Falls last Thursday with my sister Deannie and her husband Scott who live in Yakima too. Deannie is my sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and just completed 6 months of chemotherapy. My sister, Martha, who lives in Idaho Falls had a great idea to throw a "barn dance" for Deannie to celebrate her fight against cancer. Deannie has for many years had a dream of some day having a barn dance and Martha wanted to make this dream come true.
On Friday, the three of us spent the day together shopping and as you see in this picture below enjoying a glass of wine or two along the way. The barn dance was a surprise for Deannie so Martha and I had to keep her busy all day, as the party didn't start until 6:00 pm and she thought we were headed to the cabin sometime on Friday. The guys were in on all the fibs we made up to postpone our drive to the cabin.
We finally told Deannie we weren't going to the cabin because Martha's husband, John had been called unexpectedly to a meeting at his work and because it would be late we were going to just go out and have a glass wine with their good friends, Ron and Lisa who owned the barn and were so kind to let us use it for the barn dance. When we got there, we told Deannie about the party and in this video below Martha and I are getting her dressed in her country/western duds. She was sooooooo surprised!!
Doesn't Deannie look fabulous in her country duds?"
Deannie finds out the "barn dance" is in her honor. It's a "HOE-DOWN"!!
From left, Kyle (John & Martha's son), Ashley (Kyle's girlfriend), Scott (Deannie's husband), Deannie (my sister), Ali (John & Martha's daughter), Greg, Sharon, Martha (my sister) & John (her husband).
Yee Hah.......
There was even country dance lessons at the Hoe-Down.
Now with music.
Deannie and Greg learning the dance steps.
More country dance steps to learn.
Ali and her boyfriend, Nick.
Kyle and his girlfriend, Ashley.
The three amigos, from left, John, Scott and Greg enjoying a cooooool one.
Scott and Deannie
The suns a goin down sista......
Group picture of guests at the Hoe-Down in honor of our sister, Deannie. Even John Wayne showed up.
On Saturday morning, we headed for the cabin were we spent a wonderful two days. The girls enjoyed yoga, the sauna, movies and lots of wine tasting while the guys had fun playing horse shoes and making lots of drinks at John's newly completed bar. The cabin has been in the process of being built over the past 10 or so years and is now fully completed and just beautiful.
Enjoying some wine tasting with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (Martha's favorite) from Edgefield Winery in Troutdale, Oregon.
The guys enjoying a game of horseshoes.
Kyle cooked up a delicious stir fry on Saturday night.
Paco loves relaxing at the cabin.
John and Martha cooked an outdoor dutch oven dinner on Sunday. It included ribs, beans and potatoes and was just delicious!!
On Sunday, a storm blew in and we enjoyed watching it's approach. On Monday morning after we left we understand it snowed. That is the earliest it has ever snowed in Star Valley. Just going along with the strange weather we have had this year.
Come on storm, bring it on.........
We're ready!!
We had a great visit with John, Martha, Ali, Kyle & Ashley and even Paco. John, Martha and Ali are planning a trip to Yakima in October. It will be great to see them again.
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