Lost and Found (A Valentines Day Story)
September 30, 2007
I casually glanced down at my hand, but instead of a wedding ring and an engagement ring, there was only the narrow gold band.
“Randy!” I yelped. “My engagement ring is gone.”
It was Valentine’s Day, and my husband, Randy, and I were on our way from my niece’s wedding, which had taken place in one town, to the reception, which was being held in another city about fifteen miles away.
If there hadn’t been other cars behind us, I think my husband might have been tempted to slam on the brakes.
Of course, one of the things I have always admired about Randy is his ability to remain unruffled during a crisis. Like that time one winter when the landlord had arranged for contractors to build a sloped roof over the flat roof of a house we were renting, and the next thing you know, the snow trapped between the two roofs started melting, and then gallons of water began dripping into the house and THEN the ceiling caved in?
Summer Vacations: 7 Universal Laws for Survival
September 29, 2007
Summer vacations - what better topic could there be for a mental health column than one so likely to separate you from your own mental health?
With that notion in mind, here are 7 Universal Laws for Summer Vacations.
The Law of Preparedness: It’s been said that “prior planning prevents poor performance.” Planning for a vacation is one of those interesting paradoxes of life: the more you plan, the more room there is to have fun.
The Law of Plan B (or C, D, etc.): If it’s good to plan, then it’s also good to have a back-up plan, sometimes more than one. What are you going to do if they have lost your reservation or your luggage? What are you going to do if the amusement park or other attraction you have traveled so far to see is closed for the day?
The Law of Good Time: Sometimes parents, and not just men, measure the worth of a vacation by how fast you can get from point A to point B. Sorry to disappoint you, but being able to say “we made good time” is not the mark of a good vacation.
Valentines Day ? Where Did THAT Come From?
September 28, 2007
Just as soon as the stores put away their Christmas merchandise, out comes the Valentine’s Day items - even though Valentine’s is still more than six weeks away.
I don’t know why, but it always takes me by surprise to see Valentine’s Day merchandise so soon after Christmas.
I’ve always wondered where Valentine’s Day came from, and under those circumstances, a person could be forgiven for thinking it was invented to create more business when Christmas is over.
But no, after a little research, I discovered that Valentine’s is not a holiday that was "invented" by greeting card companies to sell more greeting cards or by candy companies to sell more candy or by florists to sell more roses.
Valentine’s Day actually started more than 1,500 years ago.
According to legend, Valentine was a priest who defied the orders of the Roman emperor Claudius and continued to perform marriages. It seems that Claudius realized no young men wanted to join his army because they didn’t want to leave their wives and sweethearts. When it was discovered that Valentine was still performing marriages in secret, he was sentenced to death. Valentine allegedly cured the jailer’s daughter of blindness, and on the night before his execution, sent a note to her signed "from your Valentine." He reportedly died on Feb. 14, 269 A.D.
Valentines Day! The Sweet and Romantic Holiday
September 27, 2007
When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates and Flowers. Others might think of a more romantic subject too. What ever it means to you it should be made fun and can offer another reason to think of giving someone special a gift during this holiday.
There are many ways to shop for valentine gift ideas. Some options you might think of are to browse through the catalogs we all receive in the mail to get ideas, go out shopping at the stores and wait in lines, or kick back with a cup of coffee or cup of Mocha and browse online. Doesn’t the 3rd option sound the best? I have found shopping online to be so much easier to do and did much of my shopping during the holidays this way.
Some businesses offer free shipping or free with orders over a certain amount. Even if you have to pay shipping, it is a small price to pay for the convenience of shopping from home. Unless you like traffic and crowds, it’s the best option. I have found this to be a much less stress free option for my life style. If you have not tried online shopping already, you should think of doing so, you won’t be sorry.
A Mothers Keepsake
September 27, 2007
A mother’s bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the most important woman in your life, mom. It makes for the perfect gift for many gift occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to mother’s day and gifts to the new mom.
A Mother’s bracelet is a top gift idea for any mom. Mom’s enjoy gifts of all sorts ? candy and flowers to drawings and breakfast in bed. A Mother’s Bracelet is a gift that will last a lifetime. A mother’s bracelet is a gentle reminder of the most important things in her life ? her children. Mother’s bracelets are great for mothers of all ages, from mothers of little children or adult children, to new mothers and grandmothers. Mother’s love to talk about their children, grandmother’s love to talk about their children and their grandchildren, it’s a known fact. The subtleness of a birth month Mother’s bracelet is sure to be a reminder of memories.
Each time she looks upon the bracelet, she is reminded of the bond she shares with each child. The bracelets are designed with the birth month stone for each child along with silver spacers. Bracelets can be created with just the birth stones of children or include one stone for everyone in the family and make it into a family bracelet. Mother’s bracelets make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, however they are also great for birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events.
Review of Car Rental Abroad
September 26, 2007
Are you thinking of travelling Abroad?
You will surely want to get about easily and quickly and will not wish to be restrained by public transportation and taxi services. You could take your own vehicle or rent one there. Well, taking your own vehicle is certainly a good choice if you can get to your destination via road or ferry ways but you may not want the headache of what might happen if you break down and drawn-out travel times getting there.
That’s where you’ve the option of hiring a car while you’re travelling abroad.
Listed here are a few kinds of situations you may want to stay away from when renting a car abroad. Simply put, the following exclamations should be avoided.
“It didn’t say that on the internet!!!”
Checking online first is the most important method of getting an idea which company to utilize. You may have an option of the well known names in automobile hire that are multinational companies and consolidators or the local firms near to your final destination or airport. If you can find any feedback from others on this particular company then that might aid you to make up your mind. At least ring them when you have narrowed down your choice of who to select and run through your needs with them.
Holiday Health: Give Get-Fit Gifts
September 25, 2007
‘Tis the season to celebrate — and a time to eat! Most of us gain a few pounds during the holiday season. With family dinners, holiday parties and gift baskets loaded with goodies, who thinks of staying fit?
Instead of giving a pyramid of chocolate, a basket of tempting treats or a bottle of bubbly this year, why not be different? Give your loved ones a Holiday Health Kit to start out the New Year right.
With so many inexpensive or low-cost fitness products available, it’s easy to combine several items into a customized Get-Fit Gift. Louise Roach, marketing director at SnowPack, a New Mexico-based company that manufactures ice therapy kits, has several suggestions:
"If you have someone on your Christmas list who likes to walk or run, think of items like a pedometer, a gift certificate to your local running specialty store, energy bars, a water bottle, a portable CD player, books on stretching, sunscreen, and lip balm. Plus an ice pack just in case they overdo it. Put it all together in a nifty duffel bag and you have a very thoughtful gift.
Lets NOT Talk Turkey
September 24, 2007
The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing, cranberries and turkey trimmings. However, it’s been seven years and you know your family will throw the turkey out the window if they have to eat the bird one more Christmas (and never mind the lectures about starving children in Ethiopia—or better yet, send them the turkey if you can get it through security.)
The Pilgrims and your third-grade teacher started something by preaching the turkey gospel. But if you didn’t have turkey—as your vegetarian friends remind you, it’s so much better than Big Macs— what would you serve?
Some ideas:
- Lasagna—it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Slice avocadoes and combine with sliced cucumbers, chopped green olives, diced tomatoes, and sliced onions for a winter red/green salad.
- Serve Mexican and have a “Feliz Navidad” party.
- Serve Holiday Noodles—Thai, lo mein, crispy, or egg noodles tossed with scallions and covered with red curry powder or red pepper.
- Get your Omega-3 boost from salmon, made festive with salsa and guacamole toppings.
- Make a “Christmas pizza”: green peppers, tomatoes, goat cheese, green olives…let your imagination run wild!
Of course, don’t forget the Christmas cookies!
Enjoy the turkey-free healthy and tasty holiday traditions you’ve created.
Palmetto Dunes Plantation ? Hilton Head Island
September 23, 2007
An Award Winning Vacation, Golf, Tennis and Beach Resort
If you are planning a vacation for your family this summer and still are not sure where to go, I recommend going to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. This luxury getaway is just forty five minutes away from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The first thing I would do is look to book a beautiful vacation home, condo, or villa online.
The Villamare is definitely the most requested vacation spot in the resort. This oceanfront community has magnificent views of beaches and a large pool that is just seconds from the ocean. The Villamare offers one and two bedroom condos either both oceanfront or ocean-oriented. Windsor Court and Windsor Place are also in high demand. They too are located on the ocean and range from one to two bedrooms.
Fourth of July Quotes
September 22, 2007
MADRID ? For millions of Americans, this Fourth of July will be a time of celebration and remembrance of those passed or distanced by war. The annual commemoration of Independence Day has always been a bittersweet time for Americans who evoke the thoughts of Cordell Hull, “I am certain that, however great the hardships and the trials which loom ahead, our America will endure and the cause of human freedom will triumph.”
First celebrated in 1776 and declared a legal holiday in 1941, the Fourth of July is truly the most American of all holidays. A time for families and friends to gather, the Fourth of July has become a benchmark between the blooms of spring and Indian summer.
Our national holiday is described best in the words of our most prominent leaders, past and present.
“Where liberty is, there is my country.” - Benjamin Franklin
“Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The experience of democracy is like the experience of life itself-always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been tested by adversity.” - Jimmy Carter
