Blogs

Our grandchildren accept us for ourselves, without rebuke or effort to
change us, as no one in our entire lives has ever done, not our parents,
siblings, spouses, friends - and hardly ever our own grown children. ~Ruth
Goode

Once your children hit the toddler stage, you realize that the baby years were
easy times. You can outrun crawling babies, but a 2 year old is non-stop action.
When our daughter began walking, it was more of a sprint. As a 3 year old, she
is marathon runner, everywhere in the house and outdoors. She can'€™t be
stopped.

Cooking at home is the first step to eating healthy. Sure, you might find healthy items on some menus, but it’s not often enough. And, I’m not going to pretend that we are never going to go out for dinner again, or order out. However, I want to cook in, healthier.

If you are also looking to cook healthier, than you may have already looked into what foods are healthiest, and which to avoid. But, there’s more to it than simply finding the right foods.

Getting divorced is one of the most devastating hurdles in the life of a person. Even after so many years, the pain of divorce never seems to abate. This is because apart from the psychological and emotional stress of ending a relationship, both parties have to discuss and agree a seemingly trivial and yet significant arrangement: the financial aspect of the marital agreement.

“Kids these days.” Parents have been lamenting the laziness and bad manners of children since the days of Aristotle. But things do change. Aristotle's kids didn't have video games, cell phones, or the internet. While it's hard to argue against the advantages of some of our modern technological conveniences, you have to admit they do make for some interesting parenting challenges. Namely how to keep kids fit and active.

Christmas is right around the corner, and with it, the usual hustle and bustle of shopping, attending parties, celebrating...and spending a little too much, just like last year.

We all know the real reason for the season. Yet it seems each December (or earlier) we give in to the many pressures of the media, marketers and even well-meaning friends to "make this year better than ever.". So we spend. And spend, and spend.

The New Year is quickly approaching, bringing along with it many promises for resolutions by people who have great intentions. However, many of us fall short on fulfilling them.

I have given this a lot of thought, because I also have good intentions, yet have not followed through on many resolutions in the past. I came to the conclusion that it might be due to not planning for it ahead of time.

I worry about my parents driving as they get older. Both are in their 70s, and they’re still going strong. I’ve noticed their reflexes getting slower though. Sharp, fast responses are so important when driving, and especially in the winter, so I really work hard to make sure they are safe and prepared for bad weather driving.

By Jessica Lee

Christmas time is truly transformed when you get to experience it though the eyes of a little kid. I mean let’s face it; this holiday is more for them than anybody else. As adults, we may appreciate the family-time, the togetherness, the memories and traditions, the great meals and nice presents we get from loved ones.

However, for us it’s also about a ton of preparation, of errands and the dreaded Christmas office party. It’s a couple of weeks of ups and downs (on the scale...ha!), of emotions running high and ultimately burn-out by the end of it.

It’s beginning to look a lot like—time to get ready for the holidays. They’re coming fast, and I am feeling the pinch. It’s not like I wait until the last minute each year to prepare for those massive influxes of friends and family, but my house always seems to be uncooperative in the process.

Along with cleaning and sprucing up, there’s the decorating, and of course, all of that has to be done while gathering up the presents, wrapping and then doing the cooking as well. Sometimes I feel like the turkey on the center of the table when I’m through—fully cooked.

Today is my birthday, and not just any birthday. Today is one of those great birthdays that end with a zero and therefore give one a sense that time is marching on. I have to admit, though I’d rather not, that I am a little surprised to find myself this old. I know it’s a cliché, but it really does seem like I just turned 30 yesterday. On the other hand, I do believe that there are some really positive things about being forty that are often overlooked. So that’s what I am choosing to focus on.

I Am Better