Good riddance 2009!

I am so glad this year is over—especially this last week. I have not been out of the house for the past seven days. I’ve been trying to get over a cold and cough but everyday brings a new symptom. It began with laryngitis and now it’s settled in my head. I’ve just decided to surrender to it and give my body a rest. (more…)

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Where will you and your family spend the holidays this year? Who will be there and who decides the answers to these questions?

As you begin thinking about these questions, many decisions must be considered. According to therapists and authors Evan Imber-Black and Janine Roberts in their book Rituals for Our Times, the key to a successful holiday celebration is in the planning. They suggest you approach these decisions with an open mind and willingness to compromise. Holiday planning falls into three categories: people, place and participation. (more…)

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Good Riddance 2009 Good riddance 2009! I am so glad this year is over—especially this last week. I have not been out...

This year, as you plan your holiday celebrations, pay close attention to your feelings and those gremlins in your head. Are you looking forward to the holidays or are you filled with a sense of burden and dread? If you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to do it all and your traditions aren’t fun or meaningful, then you may need to take stock and prioritize your holiday celebrations.

During the holidays, expectations—especially our own—can run high. We often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to do—or outdo—the things we’ve always done. But this year, with everyone being more cautious about spending, it’s the perfect time to make some changes. This year, give yourself permission to re-evaluate your holiday plans and scale back—everyone else is. By modifying your goals you can be more realistic about what’s feasible during the holiday season. (more…)

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Grandparents — Let’s Have Our Say! At our July GaGa Sisterhood meeting twenty grandmas engaged in a lively discussion that was long overdue:...

It’s time to get out my trusty Thanksgiving folder and start organizing this year’s Thanksgiving celebration. My worn manila folder is a treasure full of memories of Thanksgivings past: menus, recipes, shopping lists, decoration ideas, guest lists, timetables, and notes about what worked and what didn’t. (more…)

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