HealthandHappiness

With so many people using the Internet, the World Wide Web so easily assessable, not to mention a popular place to hang out, making online friends is a breeze! And no matter what you’ve heard, lasting, true friendships are possible.

I am part of an email loop with some online friends I met nine years ago. We talk almost daily. We share important events in our lives, weight loss successes and failures, family matters, and everything else under the sun.

The women in this group are true friends! I don’t know what I would have done without them during some hard times the past few years. Online friendships can be just as real as friendships in the “real” world. Any friendship is only as good as the people who are part of it!

If you actually get to meet your online friends, you are even luckier. I have had the pleasure of meeting a few in my email loop, and they are absolutely wonderful! We are trying to set up another meeting for next year to celebrate our 10 years together. I’m hoping we can all make this one!

Treasure whatever friendships you have, online or off. Nourish them and help them grow. True friends are hard to find, so hold on to them when you do!

I’ve been doing well on my New Year’s resolution so far. I weighed today, because Sunday is my usual weigh-in day, and I’m down two pounds. I think that’s pretty good for 3 days!

How are y’all doing? Anybody else weighed yet? I am going to try to make myself only weigh once a week, because otherwise I get discouraged when no losses show on the scale. Do you do that? Let the scale ruin your day? I know it’s not right, but still fall victim ever now and then.

I can’t say that I’ve made my carb goal each day, but I’ve been doing a lot better than I was. Any improvement is good!

I hope all of you are seeing some positive changes also!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone strapped on their motivation this morning, all set to accomplish the ever exciting New Year’s Resolutions.

I feel very motivated this morning. Of course, it’s easy to be excited and motivated on the first day of the year. As the months go by, keeping motivated isn’t as easy. To accomplish our goals, we have to remain steadfast in our quest!

Make lists of ways to get motivation back if you lose it. Keep the list handy for when the time comes. Having a plan of action already set out will help ensure your lapse doesn’t last long.

Keep your eye on the prize. Put encouraging items around the house that will help you stick to your goals. A visual reminder of what you are working toward will help tremendously.

You can achieve your goals. Tell yourself this, and make sure you believe it. We all have the ability to accomplish whatever we set out to. Be good to yourself and reach for the stars!

My dad died in March of this year. He was buried at the Georgia National Cemetery. We were so thankful to find the cemetery. He had a very nice military ceremony that honored his service to the country during Vietnam.

Better than the ceremony, was the fact that we knew his grave would be taken care of respectfully. Veteran’s cemeteries are well maintained and they have certain rules and regulations that must be followed. The rules make everything work well.

I put flowers on his grave for Christmas. The cemetery had already put wreaths on every grave. It was very nice to see that they cared enough to do this for each veteran buried there. The little touches really do matter.

If you have the chance for a loved one to be buried in a national cemetery, take it. You won’t regret the decision.

How long do you leave your holiday decorations up? We usually leave ours up until New Year’s Day. I don’t really know why we do this just that it’s a tradition now.

Do you have a set day that you take all the Christmas lights and tree down? Do you take it all down right after everyone leaves Christmas day?

I love having the Christmas tree up and hate when it has to go. My husband says I’d leave it up all year long if people wouldn’t think I was crazy. He is probably right!

Tell me about your holiday decoration traditions.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you’re all nice and warm in your homes with loved ones, unwrapping presents and eating too much. Don’t forget to say a prayer or two of thanks for the season and all the blessings in your life!

Make Christmas magical this year. Spread joy and goodwill. Teach your children the true meaning of the holiday. Show them that giving really is more important than receiving. Share the truth about doing for those less fortunate.

It’s so important that we teach our children what Christmas is all about. Santa and presents are fun, as long as we don’t neglect to teach that there is more to the holiday.

Enjoy the fun of the season, and explore the spirit of the holiday!

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve? We usually open one a piece, but I know some families that do all their unwrapping on Christmas Eve and then spend Christmas day just being together. I think either way is great.

What are your Christmas Eve traditions? Anything special you do every year. We don’t have any rituals except opening the one present Christmas Eve night.

Whatever you are doing, I hope you enjoy the company of family and friends and remember the true meaning of the holiday! Be thankful for loved ones still with you, and reminisce about those that are gone.

Make Christmas Eve a special day!

Sometimes life gets in the way and loved ones can’t make it home for Christmas. This is the case for our family this year. My husband found out today that they are not going to finish up with storm work in time to make it home for the holiday.

I am disappointed that he won’t be with us, but I’m proud of the work he does. I can’t imagine families being without power and heat over the holidays. All the power crews that are sacrificing family Christmas’s are truly appreciated.

We will still celebrate when he does come home. The tree and lights will stay up, and some presents will still be wrapped. The holiday won’t pass us by completely, just be postponed.

I hope all of you enjoy the holiday season and get to spend it with loved ones in warmth and joy!

My husband left yesterday for storm duty. They are in Indiana. He said they are going to Ft. Wayne in a little while. They told them 50,000 are without power there.

His crew drove all night after working all day yesterday. Because of a wreck and one of their trucks breaking down, they didn’t arrive until 11am this morning! They let them sleep three hours. It’s ridiculous! I’m just glad they all made it up there safely.

I hope any of you that lived in the snowed in areas are safe. Maybe the snow will end soon and everyone will thaw out! I know it’s actually the ice that causes problems, so I hope temperatures rise soon!

Y’all stay safe!

Gardeners will be needing all the implements and supplies to start practicing their craft soon. Even though it’s cold now, spring will be here before we know it! Here are some ideas for gifts for the gardener in your family.

·         Cute little tools are always a hit with lady gardeners. Stores like Lowes and Home Depot have small spades and other digging tools in multitudes of colors. You are sure to find one that is just perfect.

·         Gardening aprons are another great gift idea. These offer pockets to keep tools and gloves. All gardeners need to be organized, so an apron is a great choice.

·         Buy the gardener in your life some seeds. Get a variety of seeds that you know will grow well in the soil of their area. Put the seed packs in a nice little gift bag or box and wrap it all in a pretty bow. You then have the perfect gift for a gardener!

·         Regular tools are always welcomed. Shovels and wheelbarrows get old. If you know a gardener that’s been using the same ole tools forever, get them an updated, stronger version.

·         A gift card to a store that carries lots of gardening supplies or plants is a sure winner. This way they can pick the items themselves which guarantees they’ll get what’s right.

These are just a few ideas. Walk around your local gardening center and I’m sure you’ll find something to fit your budget. You’ll be able to get the gardener in your life the perfect gift!