A new take on pizza

Pi, pie, slice, za. However you refer to it, pizza is delish.

It can come in any endless variety--thick crust, thin, hand-tossed, wood-fired or baked. Maybe you prefer yours loaded with meat or heaped with veggies. Whether it's traditional or gourmet, there is no shortage of option for the ever-loving pizza. 

Our family recently took a short road trip to an establishment where they served wood-fired pizza right on the farm. It was a beautiful drive from the La Crosse area, up Hwy. 35, through Fountain City. From there you wound your way down a winding country road, up and down beautiful lush valleys. The destination is a family-owned farm where they serve pizza on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the summer. 

We read on the website to bring your own chairs or blankets to have a proper picnic-style dinner. I packed some juice and water, snacks and veggies, plates and utensils and we were set! The kids grabbed a spot on the lawn near the swing set. We ordered our Za at the window, we were pizza numbers 65 and 66. They were currently working their way through the thirties. We settled onto the blanket as the kids ran and played, with the many other kids and families who were relaxing nearby. Somehow our beer seemed to taste better out in the open, the smells of campfire and pizza ever present. Our wait didn't seem so long, without having to contain kids and make them sit. Within about 45 minutes we had our two pizzas and sat down to enjoy! The kids devoured a cheese pizza, and we enjoyed ours with beautiful heirloom tomatoes and a touch of bacon and basil. Not too shabby for a Friday night! 

I had packed the fixin's to make s'mores, and the farm provided the sticks and the fire pit. We didn't even have to bribe our kids to finish their food to get dessert! Our drive home was relaxing and everyone fell into bed more than happy! Next summer if you find yourself with a free Thursday or Friday evening, might I recommend packing up a picnic basket with some goodies and a blanket and heading to Suncrest Gardens outside of Fountain City. It might not be great for the waistline, but it sure is wonderful for the soul!

Wrestling with technology

Technology, good or bad? Helpful or not? 

I think my answer to this is simple, when working properly and used in moderation, technology can be a wonderful and enhancing addition to our everyday lives. However, there is always the evil flip side to this scenario. 

Often times technology seems to operate and go about it's merry way, not behaving the way we want or need it to! Think about all the computer gadgets now in our vehicles and the constant updates, upgrades, notifications we receive on our computers. We have a home equipped with some "smart" technology. Our heating and cooling system is run via an iPad in the wall. Looks neat, until it isn't working properly. I have spent more time on the phone with repair people and can practically call them friends for how frequently they've needed to come "fix" things. My husband swears our next home will be equipped with the bare bones and less technology is better. 

I have to say, it is nice to have fun music at my fingertips, a car that cools to my desired temperature, the ability to see loved ones face to face, even when they live thousands of miles away. Most of the conveniences we live with would be very difficult to give up. Today I am grateful that we have an alarm on our freezer when the door is left open, even if the beeping is truly annoying! It saved us a lot of money not having to replace those waffles and ice cream! 

There is always the constant battle in our home with our children and technology. They are so accustomed to electronics--iPads, Tv's, smart phones, digital cameras and so on. We have to monitor their frequency and what type of sites they are visiting. If given the chance, our son would love nothing more than an uninterrupted day spent playing MineCraft on the iPad. Rules are constantly in place so this won't happen, but it really is a battle! So to live in relative peace with the technology that is such a part of our lives, I must keep chanting the mantra use in moderation, and if broken, be nice to your repair guy/gal, they may be your new best friend!

Refreshed in the North

As the summer slowly slipped from July to August, our family closed

the chapter on yet another week-long family tradition.

We spent the week up at a lake cabin near the Hayward area. While no vacation could ever be "perfect" this was a much-needed escape and came close to reaching this title. We spent the week on a glorious lake with fantastic weather nearly every day. 

Some very close friends of ours were just across the bay with their three kids. Our families are close, and our kids get along swimmingly! They played hide and seek in the dark, sat by a campfire, roasted countless s'mores, fished and swam daily and just generally enjoyed each others' company. 

By having their companions to play with, the adults were able to enjoy some conversation and down time. We didn't solve any critical world issues, but we didn't even try! We too enjoyed our companions and the scenery of the great outdoors. Even our dogs romped with abandon and ran to their hearts' content. 

The only down side was the week came to far too abrupt an end. Why don't these moments stretch on a bit longer? Why does a hot dog taste so much better roasted over an open flame? Why is the sound of your kids' laughter like music as they bounce across the water on an inner tube? Like I said, it wasn't perfect. The gnat bites along my leg are evidence of that, but that was so worth it! So we came back a bit lighter, a bit more refreshed, even if we are scratching and itchy for the next few days! 

So until the great north woods beckons again, we have some wonderful new memories to carry us forward.

Seeking balance

As I approach the horizon to middle age, I sit and ponder my life. 

Using the Balance Your 7 website is a nice guide. What areas can I improve on, where do I find I have strengths? I know that overall I am a pretty happy, relatively "balanced" person. My mind could certainly be sharper, and I could foster my sense of community and spirituality a bit more, but I have decided to focus on work for this particular blog. 

As a college student and early twenty-something person I always envisioned myself working in a fast-paced environment, with lots of travel and new experiences. I did get the opportunity to work like this for many years, but then along came baby number one, and my corporate days were over. I never imagined myself as a stay-at-home mom, but now I have a hard time thinking of doing anything else! I consider myself very fortunate to be able to stay home and be with my kids, shuttling them to and fro. Lately though, I'm getting a severe itch to go back to the workforce. The problem is, I'm not sure into what capacity this would be! My skills are all rusty, and buried under so much dust, I'm not sure they exist any longer! So I've decided to write my ultimate job description and see if anyone is "hiring" Here goes:

Enthusiastic, well-seasoned individual seeks challenging new role in life. Job must include travel to wonderful locales, opportunity to sample the cuisine and tons of shopping. Willing to sacrifice some weekends. Will write about my experiences and shop for clients upon request. Can start immediately.

Time

Time is a strange creature. 

When you are young, you have all the time in the world. Just watch a kid stroll home from after school, not a care in the world, unaware of time. Summers used to feel like they stretched on endlessly, one hot afternoon after another, until, like magic, it was time to go back to school. 

You probably heard the saying a time or two as you got older how "time flies." Maybe it means time moves faster as you age. Well suddenly I'm that person and time seems to be melting away. I felt like I had all the time in the world, my kids would stay young, I would forever be far from "middle aged" and life was just ducky. 

Now I face the prospect that I have a child nearing the end of his time at grade school, and having to wear deodorant! My first babe now has feet the same size as mine and soon will surpass me in height. And if he ever ate veggies that would be sooner rather than later! I'm no longer looking forward to my thirties, they too will soon be a thing of the past. Thank God that 50 is the new 40! Ha. 

And time this summer, where oh where has it gone? June was all but a blur and then we welcomed another Fourth of July and oohed and ahhhed at yet another fireworks show. I'm still in denial that we are past the middle of the summer season. Heck, I just started wearing shorts like, last week! So Time, please oh please slow down just a little bit. 

Let us enjoy the brightness of a fresh-bloomed flower and the chirp of a baby bird. I want to ride on a roller coaster until I'm dizzy with laughter and eat a fresh ear of corn dripping with butter. My kids need to stay young and innocent just a bit longer, because this far from "middle-aged" mom needs them to! I'm not quite ready to talk about the remember whens, and the used to be's just yet. I want to embrace the now and soak up every moment before it too is gone.

A 'novel' summer

Well now that we are officially into the summer season, do you gravitate towards one type of reading material or another? 

Maybe you don't have time for books and can only peruse a magazine article. Is this the only time of year you can sit and devour a good novel, maybe while sitting on a beach or flying somewhere fun? Do you read a certain type of book this time of year, lighter hearted or maybe dark and stormy? 

I am always up for a good read, if I had my way my nose would be buried in a book more often than not. I have recently finished a great book that was perfect for anytime of year, but short enough to read on a quick vacation. It was titled Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. Without giving much away, it tackled some pretty hefty life questions in a rather light hearted and uplifting way. She is a British author and the book has a sprinkling of British humor, truly enjoyable. 

I have also just finished The All-Girls Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flag. She is the same author who wrote Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. This is a fast, enjoyable read and part of it is set in Pulaski, Wisconsin. It's a book filled with large, enjoyable characters who make this a fun novel to page through. 

I am a bit behind the times but I am finally finishing the Divergent trilogy. It's a bit darker but filled with enough action to keep it interesting. I can only read so much about a dystopian society, but it does prove, if nothing else, entertaining. My kids are required to read a minimum of 20 minutes per day, either with us or on their own. So far this is working and with the idea that they can pick a new book at the library and keep it fresh, we are all happily reading our way through summer! If any of you readers out there have any must-read suggestions, please send them in! In the meantime, here are a few summer booklists to get you started.

A Plan for Your Summer Reading
Summer Books of 2014

Green thumb?

Those of you with a green thumb, raise your...um...thumbs! 

I will not be one to do that, I'm more of a garden/plant destroyer. Don't get me wrong, it isn't because I don't want or try to grow things, I think I'm just lacking in experience and general knowledge about how to go about keeping things green and healthy. But I am trying to change that. I have planted a few containers on our patio and so far so good. I've even "harvested" some rather tasty basil and dill and a few tomatoes are starting to grow. 

I am fortunate to have some very talented gardener friends, and we have the perfect spot set aside to add to these herbs, hopefully by next summer. They are going to help guide me in the planning and planting process! Yippee! 

We have participated in our local community garden, and have added weeding to our kids' responsibilities. It is so very important that they see how food is grown and participate in the process. I think we all gain such an appreciation for food and the work that goes into it. I will never forget the joy of picking a tomato fresh from the vine and eating it, warm and juicy. I have really enjoyed sending my kids out to pick some herbs for a salad or cut some lettuce and then they realize that it was growing right in our backyard. Even our son tried some. Success! So the next time I ask for a thumbs up to all who garden, maybe I can raise a partial thumb. At least I'm trying!

Preparing for the Final Days

One of our favorite rituals involves lazy Sunday mornings, dressed in our most comfy of comfy pj's, steaming mug of coffee and settled comfortably on the couch watching the show CBS Sunday Morning. It's a fantastic program that features short stories, sometimes based on a theme, usually very interesting and always well delivered. My husband and I could always be found this way on any given Sunday, enjoying our hour or so of a.m. television.

Well those days are gone! 

Now it's usually recorded and watched whenever we can grab a free chunk of time, more often than not, mid-week and in between refereeing our three kids. Needless to say, it does not carry the same effect it does on a lazy, quiet Sunday morning! But we manage to forge on and still enjoy the show. A few weeks ago we happened to both be seated together and caught up on the latest episode, and much to our surprise the show featured a wonderful segment on our own Gundersen Health System! They showed scenes of downtown La Crosse, and interviewed some locals in a coffee shop. In case you missed it, the theme for the week was death. A grim topic for sure, but this segment remained rather upbeat. In our small town at last count, 96 percent of the people who passed away here had created advance directives. That's the highest percentage of end-of-life planning in a nation where only about 30 percent of all adults have such a document.

An advance directive is a statement of patient preferences that tells everyone else: This is what I do (and do not) want to keep me going--and perhaps most importantly, who will speak for me when I can't. It is a fantastic program that helps ease the burden of decision making if such an event arises. It's not the most pleasant topic to discuss, but at some point the end comes for all of us, in one form or another. A hefty topic to ponder while sipping coffee on a sofa! But it did raise a discussion between my husband and I--one where we both shed some light onto how and what our wishes would be. 

La Crosse is definitely doing something right! The segment is a great reminder of having things in place, and planning ahead if possible. It's worth watching, if for no other reason than to see our community in a national spotlight, for taking the initiative that may help many families.

"The ultimate content of this conversation, I think, isn't about death," said Gundersen's Bud Hammes. "I think the ultimate topic that's being discussed is how people care for each other. And so what comes out at the end of the conversation is, 'I love you, and I now know how to take good care of you.'"

Being Prepared for the Final Days

The Power of a Compliment

Never under estimate the power of a compliment. 

I was finishing up getting showered and dressed recently at the local gym. I was on the fence about the outfit I had packed but seeing my other option was sweaty gym clothes, I got ready with the clothes I had packed.  

Within five minutes I had two strangers come up to me and tell me how they loved my pants, and one lady said my entire "ensemble" was beautiful! Now trust me when I say that I am the furthest thing from a fashionista. I will occasionally take a risk, and on this day I was wearing some rather snazzy red pants. But those words--compliments from complete strangers--powered me forward. 

I felt lighter as I left, and more confident in my selection. I went through my day just feeling a bit happier, and believe me when I say that I tried to pay those compliments forward. You never know just how a few choice words may impact someone. We all face aversion and various challenges. Some of us more than others, but words are very powerful. They can be a deadly weapon, if delivered correctly, or a soothing balm. They may be someone's most cherished gift, sound advice from a loved one or a lesson never forgotten. Or those words might just be someone's kind compliment that lifts a stranger's spirit, if only for a brief moment. Never underestimate the power of a compliment, make it meaningful and go hand some out today! They are free and sometimes more appreciated than you realize.

On yoga...and spirituality...

Down dog, up dog, warrior one, warrior two, crescent lunge, child's pose. 

Some of you may recognize some of these yoga terms, others may not. They are all terms used to describe certain poses done during a yoga practice. 

Whether challenging your balance, your coordination, your strength or maybe your spirit, the benefits of yoga are too numerous to mention. For me lately, it's been a place I've been going to, at the end of a busy week, to stretch not only my limbs but my psyche as well. I've found a great sense of peace and a calming effect that yoga has on me. 

One of the core elements to Gundersen Health's Balance Your 7 is spirituality. 

For some, there is an obvious place to find this, a church or place of worship is where you seek comfort. For others it maybe in the company of nature, or fellow friends. I find myself enlightened in multiple places, one of which is while practicing yoga. Lately the positive energy in my classes has been almost palpable, something that lifts one's spirits, especially needed during this dreary period of weather we have been experiencing. I look forward to gaining physical strength with each class I attend, but also I find I've been looking inward and finding out a bit more about myself too. 

Self discovery and growth is not the side effect I thought I would find in a sweaty yoga class, but when struggling to do dancer pose or going up in wheel, I learn a bit more about who I am and how I can continue to travel in the same direction or change course if need be. There are many mottos to live by, many ways to live. Yoga may not be for everyone, I'm so thankful I found it and it found me, may I continue to grow with each practice. 

I feel like someday my soul will thank me!

Want to learn more about yoga?

Lifelong learning

I've written before about my attempts at learning to play guitar. 

I haven't visited this topic in quite awhile, simply because I feel that I am a miserable guitar student, at best. That is not to say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed my dive into this pool of opportunity. I love the way that it challenges my brain and lights up a sense of learning that I have never experienced before. 

I attend my weekly guitar lesson, and now it is something that our 8-year-old son does with me. In our hectic schedules, we don't often find the time to have some quiet together. So now we find ourselves, once a week, trekking to lessons together. 

We will often talk about school or the books he's reading, or whether we like a certain song on the radio. Sometimes we drive in comfortable silence, me just enjoying having my not-so-little buddy alone in the car with me for a bit. He's doing a wonderful job learning to play, and far outpacing me as a student. It is rather humbling to have your 8-year-old show you up so handily! 

Lucky for me he doesn't read this blog, so this isn't a fact I'll be sharing with him anytime soon! My husband has taken his new skills to a different level, and has starting jamming with a couple of fellow friends. I played with them not so long ago, and it recharged my enthusiasm for learning to play! There is something energetic about playing with others, even if you are in the wrong key the entire time! But we ended the jam almost sounding, dare I say, mediocre! No, we are not booking any gigs soon, or even ever, but it was a fun way to put into practice all that I've been learning. 

My husband aspires to write his own song soon, this too will enhance his joy that he's found in playing guitar. I'm fortunate to have found this little hobby so enjoyable. It's enhanced my appreciation for music, and will continue to do so for years to come. Now, if I only practiced like I am supposed to, I might be able to play a recognizable tune! One thing at a time.

Transforming a house into a home

While the list varies from person to person, some of the most stressful events in life include moving. 

I can attest to that, especially when you toss in three kids, a dog, and a whole lot of stuff! We made the move, and are on the other side of the difficult part. Whew. 

Now comes the unpacking, sorting, and placing of those things deemed worthy of gracing our space. Pictures that have resided in boxes for the past six years have been unearthed, to keep or not to keep? That has become the major question in our household. But I know we are fortunate and this is a great problem to have! 

We have explored our new neighborhood and the kids are already having a blast. We've been the recipient of several plates of scrumptious cookies and home-made meals, making a move almost worth it! I keep telling people that the house is a work in progress; every time I think I've made progress, there is more work! Ha! But our new place is already feeling like home, and our housing woes are already becoming a fleeting memory. 

I am trying to tell myself to take things one day at a time, one box at a time. There is no deadline for getting things done, and just enjoy the house one step at a time. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, unproductive. But this too shall pass. We have already hung things on the wall! Wow! That doesn't mean that this is where they will stay, but they are out of boxes and giving our walls personality. So as each day passes, and another box is emptied, we are one step closer to transforming our house into a home!

What If...

What would you do if you suddenly won a pile of money? 

The Mega Millions lottery just reached it's third highest level ever, toppling the $400 million mark! The average American household earned just over $50,000 in 2011. 

It would take approximately 8,000 years to earn that amount of money! A tad longer than most of us are hanging around! My sister claims she wouldn't want that much money, she would not want the headache or responsibility! I told her I would gladly take that over for her. She might change her tune if she actually won! 

I will purchase an occasional ticket and for just a split second allow myself to imagine winning. Your world of opportunity could be endless, depending on how you would choose to live. But with this would come enormous responsibility, not only to try to stay true to yourself and those around you, but to give back. I have many fantasies about the things I could do with that amount of income, the ways I could donate and give to those who have so many needs. It would be a riot to just give to any cause or any person and have it actually make a difference! 

But do we really need millions to make a difference? Could we, the average $50,000 household give and have it impact someone? That answer is clearly yes. We could donate not only money but time or talent. 

I ate lunch with a group of kindergartners, and had several kids needing hugs. Still others simply wanted to tell a story and have someone listen. It didn't cost me a penny, I got to eat lunch and was entertained the entire time! But to that attention-starved kid, maybe I filled a need for a little while. So when I go fork over my dollar for the next chance to win unimaginable millions and wake up the next day to find out it wasn't me who won, I'll remind myself of other ways to win and give back. Those kindergartners might be seeing me a tad more often!

Weather or Not...

Living in this beautiful Midwestern state, it dawned on me, whatever would we talk about with one another if it weren't for our weather? 

We are one of a handful of places that can go from sunny and warm to downright miserable with a simple blink of an eye. We all must have wardrobes with everything at the ready, long underwear to swimsuits and tank tops! It's enough to make a person dizzy! I mean, why would you choose to live in say, sunny Arizona or southern California? How boring, sunny and warm almost every day! 

I challenge you to take a listen the next time you are in public, watching strangers interact. It is almost a given that the opening topic of most conversations will be centered around the weather. "Can you believe how cold it is?" "Will this winter EVER end?" "Wasn't the sunshine lovely, isn't it funny how 50 degrees felt hot?" 

At least these are a few of the snippets I gleaned from my outings this week. But it is true, that leading with weather as an opening topic, everyone has an opinion. We are in it together, and together is how we will get through the winter without an end! 

I think it's natural to take comfort knowing that our friends and neighbors are suffering right along side us, shoveling and shivering every January and February, and this year, March! But let's take heart, soon we can start to complain about rain, humidity and mosquitoes! The great part about living in Wisconsin, is there is ALWAYS something to talk about, so make a new friend and discuss the weather!

Turning lemons into...

How do you cope with unexpected news? 

Let me rephrase that, how do you cope with unexpected bad news? I've had three friends in the past few weeks each receive news that was not expected and not pleasant. One has learned that her young daughter has a lifelong illness that required a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, a trip to Madison, and constant monitoring. This news will forever impact their wonderful family and require daily medication and monitoring. My friend reached out for help, and gratefully accepted when it was given. They are arming themselves with information, so they can prepare for what the future holds. She is facing this situation head on, and with an upbeat attitude. I admire that, as I know that it would not be easy to do. 

Another friend called to say that their beloved dog of 12 years had just curled up next to the fireplace, and never woke up. Her kids were at school, and she faced the dreaded task of having to tell them and explain why, how, and when he died. She was so sad, as it was completely unexpected. The positive side to this is he didn't suffer with a lingering illness, and the whole family was able to say their goodbyes. It's one of the hardest life lessons we have to learn, but it is a lesson and a very important one. They are still sad, but already talking about adding a new four-legged brother or sister soon! She's in for a shock, as she hasn't had a puppy in 12 years! 

The last unexpected bit of news was from a childhood friend who had learned that her husband of 10 years was coping with a "mid-life" crisis and wanted to move out of their new house, leaving their three beautiful daughters, so he could "work" on things. This bit of news came completely out of the blue and shocked her. They had a wonderful marriage, or so she thought, but apparently he had not been happy for quite a few months. I had a conversation with her today, and she is one of the strongest people I know. On top of this news, she had to have her gall bladder removed! She comes from a family of very strong-willed women, and she said she will not be someone who uses this as an excuse to quit. She is facing it as a chance to create an opportunity for herself and her girls. She is giving into some "poor me" time, and then moving on with her life. It's such an admirable way to handle it, and I know she will do just that. 

However you choose to handle bad news, hiding out, reaching out, or striking out, know that there are so many resources and people who are usually willing to listen and pitch in. I hope the news you hear today is positive, but if it isn't, don't feel like you are alone, seek comfort in friends and family, and maybe try to turn those lemons into lemonade, and add a shot or two if it helps! 

Dealing with Bad News

Feelings are one of the seven dimensions of wellness explored on the Balance Your 7 website. Click here for links to a variety of articles that may help when you're dealing with bad news.

Is it the destination, or the journey that matters most?

Are you more about the journey you take or reaching your final destination? 

Do you take more pleasure in the accomplishments along the way, or maybe you revel in reaching the summit? 

After watching this past weekend's Superbowl game I couldn't help but reflect on this question. These football players just spent an entire season battling game after game, some overcoming injuries, to make it to the final game to see who is crowned world champs. Then it ended in a way that most would not have predicted, with an utter sweep and crushing, one-sided, defeat.

I can't help but think what a let down that game was to all of the Denver Bronco players and fans. But maybe they held onto the joy that the journey was along the way, throughout the season. They made it to the final game, one of the two best teams in the league. Despite the ultimate outcome, wasn't it worth it? As other teams and fans could only sit on the sidelines to watch, they participated in the pinnacle of well-fought journey. 

It's funny how this can be compared to life. Maybe we need to realize that the trip is as much about the journey and the lessons learned along the way, as it is about reaching our goals. Yes, to achieve a feat or goal you set for yourself is fantastic, but so are the pitfalls and achievements reached along the way. 

Life is filled with our own "superbowls." Just making it to the arena is an accomplishment, and not everyone walks away with the trophy, but remember the journey that helped you get there in the first place. Keep striving for the win, but don't forget to enjoy the ride.

Been puzzled lately?

Santa happened to deliver a beautiful 1,000-piece, very challenging puzzle to our house. We have set it up on our dining room table (can you tell how little we dine in the dining room?) and have been working on it little by little. 

 I have not attempted a puzzle in years, except the last winter up at a cabin, which only lasted for about two days, and was never completed. My husband has found the entire thing totally therapeutic and very relaxing. 

I've sat down to "just find a few pieces" and end up sitting for over an hour! It is not only relaxing, but very addicting as well! The one tip I would strongly encourage, do not let your 4-year-old "help." 

We recently found four pieces in her doll's dress. And because our puzzle is not quite complete, we are unsure how many pieces may be missing for good! Ahh, I guess it adds to the challenge. My good friend has a puzzle going for each of her kids, she simply sets it up on a cookie sheet. When they are not working on it, she slides it under her television stand, out of sight! 

Waiting for the next Polar Vortex to descend upon us hardy midwesterners, we need SOMETHING to keep us sane! Might I suggest a puzzle? Maybe you want a second one for your little "helpers" too!

Brrrrr. Make sure you have a winter survival kit in your vehicle.

The deep cold has arrived, fast and furious. Are you prepared? I think, in addition to having a sock monster in my house, we also have a windshield scraper thief as well. I get stuck at least once a season
without the aid of my windshield scraper, brush.

I've also left the house entirely improperly dressed. Which means I'm freezing all day and miserable! I remind my kids constantly to wear their hats and mittens, now I need to be the example!

As we face the reality that is winter, do you have your vehicle properly outfitted, scraper included? On the BalanceYour7.com website they give a handy list of supplies we should all stash into our cars. It's like the Boy Scouts say "Be Prepared."

Are you prepared?
If you got stranded in your vehicle in the cold, snowy winter weather, would you be prepared?
Don't take any chances.

Place a winter survival kit in your vehicle that includes:

• A blanket
• First-aid kit
• Road maps
• Cell phone
• Compass
• Water-proof matches
• Water
• High-calorie, non-perishable foods
• Paper towels
• flashlight and batteries
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Booster cables
• Tool kit
• Tow rope
• Tire chains
• Can of compressed air for tire repair
• Flares
• Salt, sand or kitty litter to melt the snow or provide extra traction

I hope that we will never have to use the majority of these items, but when we live in a wonderful climate like ours, we must prepare for the unexpected! So safe, and happy travels to all!

Searching for the spirit of the season...

I'm making a confession here. 

 I am so NOT in the holiday spirit. 

I have zero excuse as to why either, and it's starting to make me sad! I have every reason to be thankful, happy and excited for Christmas, but just cannot seem to get into it. 

My kids are at perfect ages, so excited about the lights, and the tree, decorations and of course Santa. There is snow on the ground and it helps totally set the scene. My house is decorated, stocking were hung with care, St. Nick has already visited. We've been to our first holiday party already, celebrating with friends and drinking good cheer, and yet, nothing. Maybe it's because I've left too much to do for the past few weeks. Maybe it's because I haven't wrapped a single gift, or addressed one single Christmas card. 

I'm hoping a magic Christmas "whammo" will strike and I'll find myself humming along to carols and anxious for December 24th. But in the event that does not occur, I'll still follow the holiday routine. I'm baking four dozen cookies for a cookie exchange. I'll probably wrap a few presents during the next few chilly days. My Christmas cards are stuffed and waiting, so they will find their way to friends and family. I'm going to dedicate my radio to the holiday station and practice Christmas songs on the guitar. I hope my kids' enthusiasm will rub off and I'll be as jolly as old St. Nick himself come tomorrow. At least, that's the gift I want most this year! 

How about you? Are you ready, festive and loving December? If so, please feel free to share what makes you so into the spirit of Christmas. I went and revisited the spirit dimension from the Balanceyour7.com website and here's what it said:

Spiritual wellness: Search for meaning and purpose, actions match your values and morals, find peace and harmony.
• Explore your individual spirituality
• Spend time alone
• Meditate
• Be tolerant of different beliefs
• Keep a clear sense of right and wrong

Maybe I'm missing the true meaning and purpose. I guess I'll have to keep searching!

Helping those in need

I've run a few errands and settled down into a coffee shop to write and deliver to those wonderful readers out there a new, exceptionally written blog. 

Throughout the course of my errand running, I walked past three Salvation Army kettle bell ringers. As the temperatures plummet and the holidays approach, we are reminded with each bell that tinkles, that there is a great need in our community. Individuals, families old and young alike are in need. 

Maybe you find yourself on the receiving end this year or possibly you are in a position to give assistance to those who desperately need it. Please don't hesitate to contribute, even if you don't think it's much, every penny counts. Some stores are making it easy, you can scan at the register and your donation is put onto your total bill, whether paying by credit, check or cash, easy and convenient! 

Maybe this year you can't spare any extra money but you could donate your time. Here is the perfect opportunity to do so. Please consider donating a couple of your valuable hours to help those in need, right in our own town. I've decided that you are never too young to learn about volunteering. I will be signing our entire family up for a shift or two to ring bells and show them how we can help and hopefully make them feel good about giving. So as the bells sound, count your blessings and help fulfill somebody else's blessing too.

You can sign up to volunteer online at this link.