Finally a Proven Way to Conquer Your Stress

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Could you use less stress and more energy? Me too! I've finally found what I've been searching for. It's the new Mind-Body Wellness eBook Collection. Best of all, it's all in one place too.

Did you know that 2/3rd's of all visits to family practice doctors are stress related? It's true! Getting sick is such a waste of time and it's expensive too. Luckily, stress can be controlled and conquered.

"This collection is a treasure chest. It is clear, concise and full of practical help for changing exhaustion into energy." Marlene Maheu, PhD, Self-Help Magazine Editor-in-Chief.

Here's what you'll get in Julie's Mind-Body Wellness eBook Collection:

#1 Stress Solutions Now
This amazing manual gives you ways to quickly identify your sources and symptoms of stress. Next you'll get 8 smart solutions for genuine stress relief. Your life will feel more worthwhile with 6 proven wellness strategies to improve your mind-body health.

#2 108 Easy Energy Answers
If you get tired or frustrated, here's the answer you've been looking for. Here are 108 proven secrets to supercharge your outlook and health. Once and for all, you'll know how to get more satisfaction out of living.

#3 Power Napper: Guided Relaxation and Mini-Meditations
Spark your energy and erase tiredness by taking a 2-hour nap in minutes. You'll enjoy having relaxed energy like you've never felt before with the 4 proven techniques provided. It's easy to get refreshed and clarify your thinking with the 6 mini-meditations.

Click on this link for free details

The eBooks above are by Julie Lusk, M.Ed. She's been a leader in this field for over 30 years as a popular author, recording artist, and professional speaker. Check her out for yourself.

If you act now, you'll also get 3 FREE bonus books.

#1 Determination for Self-Motivation
#2 The Top 501 Inspirational Quotes of All Time
#3 How to Overcome the 7 Toxic Beliefs about Happiness

Did I tell you that all this great info is being offered for 70% off for a limited time? Don't miss out. Time is running out. It's easy to check this out for yourself at this link.

They're Back, Darn Allergies

How are your allergies doing? Mine started acting up last night with a vengeance. I think I have sneezed over one hundred times and used double the tissues.

I have endured the pleasure of dealing with allergies since I was very young. I remember feeling horrible and my eyes would practically shut completely, I would be sneezing, coughing, not being able to breath well, and blowing my nose till it was as red as Rudolph. I started every school year in this condition and it really could be embarrassing at times.

When I was young people did not bring their child to the doctor unless it was a necessity. My parents had the money to bring me but they never did. Instead, I would take over the counter medicine and put a heating pad over my eyes for days at a time. I would get so sick that I would miss days of school the beginning of every year. I got use to this, it was something I could count on happening every fall and spring.

After I was married and just couldn't take it any more I went to my doctor and told her my history. My doctor sent me to a allergist and I learned all the things I was allergic to even though, really, I already knew most. I figured the test were good because other doctors would see the proof for themselves. I also learned that I had asthma, that was a little bit of a shock but made sense from all the things I had gone through.

All this knowledge started a series of finding the correct medicine to work well for me. I have tried multiple allergy medications, some were prescriptions and then they turned to over the counter medicine. It seemed like every time you would discover something that worked they would change how they would sell it. When you deal with insurance companies, as I am sure you know, this can be a problem. I also have tried multiple inhalers, pills, and breathing machines for my asthma.

The worse part for me was I would try a certain allergy pill and it would cause my asthma to act up, twice I ended up in the hospital for these reasons. I had bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic asthma, and my allergies happening all at the same time. I spent five days in the hospital with breathing treatments, on a IV. I thought I was going to die, honestly. I think my family thought I was going to die to, my kids would just look at me as I struggled to breath. I have to say that I was seriously scared to death.

Well, you know I made it because I am writing this. The thing I want to share with you is if you feel that the medication that you are taking is not working for you then you have to talk to your doctor. It took me twenty years to feel like I am finally taking what works for me. It took me this long because I didn't question the doctor. I learned in the last twenty years that nobody knows my body like I do and I trust when I question the doctor that I am right to do so.

The reason my allergies acted up last night was because I was stupid and did not take the time to go to the store yesterday to refill my medicine. It wasn't smart of me at all, especially considering the time of year it is. Last night was a reminder to me of how I don't want to feel. Find the medicine that works for you and stick to it. When you feel to tired to go to the store for a refill, take my advice, GO!!

Relaxing regularly and Deeply is the Perfect Remedy to Conquer Stress

Relaxing regularly and deeply is the perfect remedy to conquer stress.

Excerpt from Power Napper: Relaxation and Meditation,
an eBook by Julie Lusk, M.Ed.

The World Health Organization predicts that stress-related disorders and psychological disorders will be the second leading cause of disabilities in the world by 2020.

The good news is that we can each take action to prevent and/or cope with stress. It’s time to take stress seriously and learn to do things that really release stress and result in reducing muscular tension, regulating blood pressure and even relieving pain.

Is rest and relaxation a waste of time? Hardly!

* Isaac Newton made his breakthrough discovery on gravity while he was relaxing and watching apples fall from trees.

* Archimedes had his “eureka” moment in the bath tub.

* Albert Einstein was asked how he discovered the atom. He said, “I didn’t discover it. I meditated and it revealed itself.” Einstein also said,

“Play is the best research.”
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Guided Relaxation is a valuable tool for your stress relief toolbox. The secret to gaining relaxed energy is to clear away the mental ruckus and emotional debris to make room for clear thinking.

One of the easiest ways of doing this is through relaxing the muscular tension held in the body by tensing and releasing muscle groups throughout your body using a reliable technique known as progressive muscular relaxation. Doing so not only releases physical tension, it also teaches you the felt difference between tension and relaxation. By knowing this, you can catch physical tension early on and before it causes painful headaches, back problems and digestive trouble. A calming effect for the body, mind, emotions and spirit is awakened as well.

Guided relaxation will:

- Improve immunity
- Lower Stress
- Feel more refreshed; especially when you need it most
- Cellular rejuvenation and repair
- Better sleep
- More energy
- Greater mental clarity while reducing worry
- Increase creativity
- Enhance problem-solving and intuition
- Extra stamina and endurance
- More productivity
- Relieve pain
- Improve your outlook
- Better overall health
- And more!



Excerpt from Power Napper: Relaxation and Meditation,
an eBook by Julie Lusk, M.Ed.

Julie Lusk is the author of the Mind-Body Wellness eBook Collection. It features 3 popular eBooks. They are
- Stress Solutions Now,
- 108 Easy Energy Answers
- Power Napper: Relaxation and Mini-Meditations.

3 FREE bonus books are available for a limited time.
- How to Overcome the 7 Toxic Beliefs about Happiness,
- The Top 501 Inspirational Quotes of All Time
- Determination: Inspirational Guide for Self-Motivation

Farah

I remember my two friends and myself pretending to be Charlie's Angels. I can laugh out load remembering us running through the field in the park down the road from our house pretending to hold guns in our hands. I use to have my hair cut just like Farah's, my hair use to look so much like hers that people always made comments. My friend had given me a clipping from a magazine of Farah's haircut and how it was done, it hung on the board at the back of my desk for the longest time.

What a truly remarkable woman Farah was. When you look now at the life she has lead and what part she played in making her life have meaning is fantastic. Her looks alone could have gotten her through but that was not what she was all about. She made smart decisions and showed people she was more than a pretty face.

She made some movies that I thought made a big impact on others. She probably was a good influence to many people with similar problems to the movies she was in.

Most of all Farah showed a tremendous amount of pride in the last couple years, going through this sickness and sharing it with the world. I think she thought that if she shared this sickness with others that they would see that all people have sicknesses and how they handled each day would be the most important thing they would ever do. It was very sad watching her go through all she did but I bet that many people, sick or not, learned and admire her more today than ever.

Farah's life had meaning beyond the word, she entertained us, gave us many memories, and taught us to live every day without taking it for granted.

These Are All Questions I Believe We Ask Ourselves Often.

Do you believe that your life is planned out for you before you are born? Do you believe when you die that it is because that was the plan all along? Do you believe that when an accident has occurred that alters your life that you were meant to be a role model for others?

These are all questions I believe we ask ourselves often. I, myself, have asked these questions many times in my life so I imagine that everyone does the same.

I don't know about the thought that your life is planned out for you before you are born but I think it is possible. Dying I have a hard time believing is planned only because I don't understand children dying so young or people being in so much pain. It is hard for me to understand the reasoning in that. Being a role model for others, though, because of an unfortunate accident I do believe.

I have had the unfortunate chance to witness this kind of experience first hand. My oldest sister was married to this absolutely fantastic man who use to play college football, he was very active, good job, and about to become a father for the first time. I was very close to my brother in law, he was always very good to me.

When I was around fifteen years old, I came home from school to find out that my brother in law had been in a bad car accident. He was driving for work and a car had crossed over the medium strip in the road and hit his car hard. He was in serious condition and there were doubts that he would be ok.

My brother in law thankfully did survive the accident but his face was severely damaged and he needed to have reconstructive surgery. After his surgery was completed my sister was told that he was blind and there was no surgery that could change that.

Imagine how hard it would be to learn that you would never see again. It was hard, hard seems to not define the effort it took to move ahead. My brother in law attended a school for the blind to learn how to read braille and function through the day as normally as he could. He eventually had a guide dog that helped him get around a lot better.

He didn't give up but I know it was not easy for him. He learned to golf, bowl, he even ran his own company. He had the chance to see his son at a very young age before his accident, and he had a daughter later on after his accident. How hard it must be to not be able to watch your children grow.

My brother in law is like a hero to me, he is someone I look up to and I believe many people that know him do too. When I got married he walked me down the aisle, he meant a lot to me.

Today my sister and brother in law have divorced and he has remarried and has two more children. Although I don't get to see him often, He is very special to me and he will always be someone I look up to.

My brother in law is an example of a person that is a role model for others. He is proof that life goes on and you can play an important in it. I'm sure that others that know him and know of him have learned through his experience and that he has helped many others in their times of need.

Discover Yourself, Creating New Techniques, To Become A Healthier Mentally New Me. Also Visit Me Here For More.

Pictures and Memories to Last a Lifetime

Pictures and Memories to Last a Lifetime

I remember your picture, the first thing I saw when I woke up that morning. A picture which meant more to me than life did itself. It meant my existence, my past, and my future. This picture was of the one I loved, but more, the one I lost. I can't begin to say the loss I felt, I can only say the feelings that were still inside me. They were undoubtedly strong, so strong that my insides were ready to erupt. My eyes filled with tears, good tears not bad. I loved, I remembered, I will never forget.

I was looking through a box I keep of old writings, newspaper clips, and poems that I use to write when I was in high school and I came across this older poem I wrote. Of course the poem was written from the ending of a special relationship I had been in for a long time and I was hurting a lot.

Pictures have to be one of the most sacred material things that we have. If my home were on fire and of course my family was safe, I would be frantically running around trying to grab my photographs. Photographs are the one thing that helps us remember all the good things we have had in our lives. It is good to look back and remember the people in them and the wonderful times in your life. It is fun to see and remember what your children looked like from the time they are born until the age they are at now. Some times pictures are the only thing we have left to look at because your loved one may have passed away or you have gone your separate ways. I can't think of anything that is more precious, materially speaking, than those pictures, photographs, and memories that last a lifetime.

Enjoy relaxation like you've never felt before.

My Grandmother

Every one has that one special person in their life that stood beside them always and loved you more, you feel, than anyone else. My Grandmother would be that person for me. I don't know what my life would have been like without my Grandmother. I was lucky enough to at least have her in my life for fourteen years before she passed away.

I spent a lot of time with my grandmother when I was growing up. At first when I was very little, I don't remember where she lived, but I remember waiting for her anxiously to come visit me. My parents house was very big and there was a apartment on the other side of the house, eventually she moved in that apartment.

While my Grandmother lived there, I think I spent more time with her than at my own part of the house. My Grandmother brought comfort and love to my life where my parents were not capable of those traits. I can remember playing bingo, rummy, and cribbage all the time with her. Her favorite shows were Parry Mason and Emergency, I watched them all the time with her. I loved grocery shopping with my Grandmother, she always let me pick out a couple things I really wanted. I also cleaned for my Grandmother regularly and it was something I actually looked forward to.

My parents traveled a lot so I was lucky that my Grandmother was always there to take care of me, I couldn't have asked for a better babysitter. When things got rough at home with my parents my Grandmother use to let me talk into a tape recorder and get out all the things I was feeling. I really don't think that she did this for any other reason than to help me vent.
She worried about me so much and I knew it.

My Grandmother was my constant, she was the one person I knew would always be there. When I was about eleven years old my Grandmother fell down from my back porch and broke her hip which had her laid up in a nursing home for awhile. The nursing home was not too far from my house so I didn't mind so much because I could walk there and I knew that it was only temporary.

When my Grandmother was better my mother decided that it was time for her to move into a senior citizen place to live. I was not happy at all for this decision and I will never believe it was what my Grandmother wanted. I still stayed with my grandmother every weekend, she lived close to my school and a couple of my friends so it worked out fine. It got to a point where I would even go down and join the functions that were going on there with her, all the older people enjoyed me very much. I took dance lessons for several years so I would put on shows for them and stuff.

Nearing closer to the time my Grandmother passed away, I didn't go there as much. I got involved in so many activities and boys came into my life. I still saw her quite a lot but not as much as before, I always felt bad about that. One day I came home to find out that my Grandmother had died in her sleep, it was the worst news I ever could have heard.

I missed my Grandmother more than words can tell but I am grateful for having her. I found out a couple years later that the night before she passed away that my Grandmother had called my aunt and asked her to make sure I was ok and didn't get married to get away from my house. I guess she kind of knew it was her time. My Grandmother cared for me right up till the last minute and I wouldn't give up a minute that I spent with her.

Grandmothers are so important, the role they can take on in a child's life is priceless. I named my daughter after my Grandmother and I hope she realizes how special that is to me.


Constructive Ways To Help You Live

Get Rid Of All The Clutter

Spring is a great time to get rid of all the clutter and things that have been hanging around your house for years because someone thought for sure they would use it for something or that they would be able to gain or lose weight to fit in that particular item again.

Time to let things go, the only time you think of these things is when you are spring cleaning any way. All year long you don't even remember you had these items until you spring clean, then you use the same excuse as you did last year to keep that item.

Cleaning up and making room for new things gives you a good feeling. Getting rid of things finally means next year you won't be facing the same question of throwing the item away.

One year I took it upon myself to clean out the garage, it took me all day but I really accomplished a lot. My husband had so many things hanging around that were never used that it wasn't funny. Someone would be getting rid of something in the neighborhood and he would be picking it up for the reason that some day he just might need it. I threw so much out, he almost panicked when he saw all I threw out.

Funny thing is, it has probably been five years since I did that clean up job and he hasn't asked once for any article that I got rid of.

Of course pay close attention to anything that might be of value. If you question the worth of an item, it is smart to have someone with knowledge look at it before discarding that item.

I've of remembered the Shirley Temple doll I had, or the beatles balloon people I had, or a whole set up of all the presidents through the years. I was young and didn't think I wanted them any more, god I wish I had known better!

Be Your Own Best Friend

Do You Hate Your Mirror?

Do you hate looking in your mirror? A important fact I have found in my life is that you need to feel good about yourself. You need to try every day to make the changes in your life to make that feeling possible.

I always thought if you can look in the mirror and like what you see on the inside and out that you have done your job for that day. I think when you really look at yourself in the mirror you see things that you might not notice about yourself.

You can make changes on the way you look, maybe you want to change your hair, makeup, weight, anything along that line. You can also make changes that will change the look you see on your face. When you look in the mirror do you see a person that isn't getting enough sleep? Do you see someone who isn't happy or is carrying around a lot of stress?

It is so important that you notice the person you are seeing in that mirror. When you can recognize the problem, you can then work on solving it. Whether it be something really minor or something major that you want to change doesn't matter, it is that you took the time to notice.

An example of this would be that when my kids use to come home with their report card and sometimes their grade wouldn't be as good as the last time. My children would give me their report card and wait to see how I would respond. Early on I learned that it was better for both of us if I laid the response on them. I would say, "Hey, if you can look in the mirror and you are happy with that grade and you know you have done the best you can do then ok.". It worked for us, because then they began to notice that only they had the power to make things the way they wanted them to be.

I believe this theory can work for all people if they give it a try. When you are really looking at yourself it is hard to lie, it's harder to let things go, it's harder to not notice.

Funny thing, that mirror, it shows you a person that you have all the power in the world to change. That mirror gives you the ability to make you feel better about yourself on the inside and out.

Find More Self Help Answers

Be At Peace With Your Decisions

Your parent or friend is dying and you haven't spoken for a long time because of conflict between you, what do you do to be at peace with your decision?

I was talking to a close friend a few months ago that had a parent who was dying from cancer. The problem my friend was having was that her mom and her had a falling out and had not been speaking for a very long time. She was having trouble mostly because it took her so long to get to the point where she felt she had done everything she could do for that relationship and was content in her life without her mother. Now the tables were turning, her mother was very sick and who was going to care for her? My friend was the only child and her father had already passed away.

My friend, knowing that I had dealt with problems of my own with my parents, came to me for advice. Lets just say we sat and talked for at least three hours and when we were done she told me that I really helped her. She said because of all I had been through with my parents that she expected me to say the opposite than I did, I think she was hoping I would.

Trying to be as brief as I can on our conversation, I started by telling my friend how things occurred. I was married for a few months and hadn't spoken to my parents in several months. I, for the first time in my life, could be me without worry of a disaster being around the corner. My husband and I were entertaining a few of our friends in our apartment when my phone rang, it was my mother.

Good thing I had a couple drinks in me because I handled it more calmly. My mother told me my father was dying from lung cancer. My father and I were not close at all ever, actually, he was never a good father to me as I was concerned. I don't remember that phone conversation well enough to tell you what was said but I know I did a lot of listening. After our friends left our apartment and I told my husband what was happening, my brain had to sort out what I was going to do.

I will tell you that I came up with many more reasons not to go see him than I did to go see him. One fact remained steady, he was my father. Whether I liked, loved, or hated him, he was my father and he was dying. I went to my parents house for the first time since the horrible day that I left. God, it was hard to be there. There were no apologies for the past, no I love you's, no emotion but that I was doing what was expected of me.

I not only went there that first day but many days after, I stayed with my father when my mother couldn't be there, I went to the hospital when he was in there, and I was there at the hospital the day he died. The day my father died, I swear he waited for me to be there, it was the first time in my entire life that my father told me he loved me and was proud of me. The words came a little late for me but probably gave him some peace while dying.

Do I regret my decision to be there for my father? The answer is a definite NO, I would do the same if I had to do it all over again. I did the same with my mother after but she didn't pass away for another twenty-four years.

My feelings are this, people don't always meet your expectations, they don't even meet their own. As bad as things were in our home growing up there was always the thought it could have been worse. If I was to be honest, my decisions were truly based on what I could live with. I was becoming closer to the person I wanted to be and with respect for myself and my parents being my parents, I made the right decision.

My friends mother has since passed away, she did go back and spend time with her. Although the situations that made them part were never addressed and resolved, my friend is a peace with her decision.

If you have this same kind of situation, know that you are not alone, do what is best for you in the long run. You do not have to give in, you are not admitting defeat, you don't even have to talk about the past. You do, however, need to live in the future and be able to be at peace with your decisions.

Learn How to Control Your Stress Rather Than Letting it Control You

Taking A Step Back Helps

The best thing to do when you are angry with someone is to take a step backward and take a really good look at the whole situation.

Trying to take that step is definitely not always an easy thing to accomplish. People get very caught up in the moment though when they don't take the time to evaluate the situation. The reactions and words passed are done from anger and not always what you wanted to say or do.

When people get really angry I think the first defense is to hurt the other person as much as you are hurting. The fights get so crazy and out of hand and by the end of them you are fighting over something that didn't even have to do with the problem that started it. Many times you don't even know what started the fight in the first place.

What you do know though is what you said or what the other person said that hurt. Many times people regret things that they say or do and think that an apology will clear it all up. The fact is words hurt, some times they hurt more than being punched, words are hard to forget.

Look at it this way, when somebody says something really nice to you, do you remember it? It is the same thing with someone saying something really bad, hard to forget.

How many times have you watched two people that you care about fight and cringe when they say something you know they didn't mean or shouldn't have said? If we learned to take that step back and take a good look before reacting, not every situation but some, we would have definitely have a different conclusion. Try taking that step back, encourage others to try taking it too.

If people said to each other, just give me fifteen minutes to think this out and then we'll talk, do you think it would work out better for everyone? I do. Make taking a step backward a new fighting rule in your home and let me know how it works for you.

Ways to evolve right here

Dig Way Down Inside

I learned at a very young age that if you dig way down inside yourself and tried harder than you have ever tried before, that you can become the person you want to be. People tend to take the easy way out and make comments like, "I'm like this because of how I was raised." or "My family was messed up, always fighting, abusing alcohol, and I had no choice but to turn out like them."

I am here to tell you that is just a crock of crap! You're taking the easy way out. You have no ambition to succeed and to become a better person. It's true and the thing is, you know it. You're scared and maybe you don't know where to begin but you really want this. You need this for yourself more than for anyone else.

Well, let me tell you just a little bit about my childhood. My parents had their own business, they had a beautiful home, and they were very involved in a few private clubs. My parents had great cars, a lot on a lake, and four boats. My parents had three children, all girls. I was the youngest, my sisters were eight and ten years older than me. We always had the best clothes, toys, basically any item that someone else could see. My parents were very materialistic people.

My parents were very strict and when I say strict the couple of examples I can give you are, I was not allowed to wear jeans except on Fridays but they could not have one little hole in it, where I went and how long I was gone was totally monitored, I did my chores without question, and I never spoke with even the littlest testy tone when I spoke to them. Sounds great doesn't it? Sounds like a normal home that had parents that were a little strict.

My parents behind doors fought so much, their fights were violent, destructive, and to always be kept in silence from others. I remember being like seven years old, being brought to the hospital in my pajamas being warned to tell anyone who asked, that my mother's arm was bleeding and all cut up, from an accident where she had tripped and fallen through a glass window. I remember guns being held to family members heads because they were so messed up and fighting. I remember pills being taken to threaten suicide and threats to myself that I could never let anyone know that we were nothing but the fantastic family that everyone else thought we were. Mostly, I remember being scared way more than any child should be. I'm not asking you to feel sorry for me, I am trying to show you that you can move on and be better from all this.

Being so secretive all my life caused me a lot more problems. I couldn't tell anyone important things that were happening to me that should have been told. I kept so many secrets, some that could have put my life in danger. I was extremely scared, hurt, and defensive the minute someone would approach me in a negative way. I probably acted more like a snob in peoples eyes because I tried to act accordingly with how I was taught to act. My closest friends, even my boyfriend that I loved, didn't know what was happening in my life. I never told them till I was older, some I never told. Beyond a couple that witnessed a few things, nobody knew, the ones that did I made promise to not tell anyone. Most people never knew and really there was no reason for them to, I learned how to handle every situation myself, alone.

Now to get back to the point I'm trying to make. When I was eighteen, I had experienced the worst year of my life, and I decided that in order to make it better for myself that I had to change. Now when I say change, I mean more the way I was with people, public things, the way I reacted to things. I didn't want to be like my parents, was really the thing I didn't want to be. I was letting life kick me in the butt and using the way things were for my excuse.

I began my change by knowing one simple fact, I was a really good person. I always had a lot of friends, I really got along with most every person I met, I always helped people. Actually, I was better at helping others than I was at helping myself. That was just my start, I moved out of my home and then my journey really began. Leaving my parents home was an event in itself, they made it as hard as they could with threats and the works. But I did it and was lucky enough to have a family that loved me dearly take me in for a while. They were an important influence on me at that time and I love them dearly. From the day I made this decision to change I have worked on trust issues, being honest issues, and being confident that I hold an important role in my life. My defense issues were the hardest and I had to learn to let people know better what I was feeling inside. I had to learn that if a negative thought came my way it didn't mean that I wasn't loved. Sounds easy but even today I still have trouble with that. One good thing about it though is I can admit that I have this problem and than therefore work on it. I'm not blaming my past but changing my future.

I've overcome a lot in my life and I am so far away from being my parents that I couldn't be any happier. I some times feel that I am two separate people, the one who lived that life that seems like it was someone else, and the person that I am today. My husband knows most everything about my past and I have told my kids things that I felt would help them in their own lives. I told them because I wanted them to know that no matter what happens in their life not to use it as an excuse not to do better. With a lot of dedication and hard work, for yourself, make the changes you want to make in yourself and for yourself. Good Luck!

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Illness And Happy Endings

As I told you before my in laws moved in with us for a couple years and my sister in law was sixteen at the time. Sixteen is a hard age for anyone and my sister in law, Ann, had a really difficult situation ahead of her that would change her life forever.

When I first met Ann she was six years old and I use to spend a lot of time with her. She was the youngest of five children and being a lot younger than the other children, three being boys, she needed the attention. I would take her to the beach and to my house to let her play with all my makeup and hair stuff. We became really close, she was my flower girl in my wedding. Ann spent many weekends at my house when we still lived in Maine and she loved helping me with my first daughter after she was born. Ann and I had formed a bond that was very close.

After we moved to Pittsburgh Ann went through some rough times that every teenager does, going out with boys that she shouldn't, not getting such hot grades, and getting into a little bit of trouble with other things. When she moved to Pittsburgh with her parents she was not a very happy camper but we all hoped it would be for the best. It took awhile but she made friends and her and I began to once again form that close bond.

When Ann moved into our house things were pretty good, of course nothing is perfect, but for the most part good. You have to picture there were eight people living under one roof, two families with their different styles of living, thank god we loved each other.

Ann started to get very sick and she had a lot of pain so we took her to the doctors. I can't even begin to make you understand how many doctor and hospital visits we had before we found out what was wrong with her. The doctors had diagnoised her with everything in the book but what she had, they even actually accused her of making it up! Her mother did not drive so I was at every visit with her and after the fifth time of her endlessly being in the hospital I lost it.

Ann was in so much pain and it was like nobody cared or believed her, it had been six months since the initial visit. One of the most important things I have ever done in my life was what I did next, I called Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. We immediately signed her out of the hospital she was in and I brought her to Childrens. Within one day we found out that Ann had Lymphoma cancer in all of her lymphoids. She was immediately treated with chemotherapy and this treatment would go on for years.

After spending some time in Children's Hospital Ann came home and I brought her to all her appointments. Worry is putting lightly what everyone was feeling. It is very hard to be strong and confident when you are looking at a child being so sick but she needed that from us. My children were small and they grew up fast in that way, My oldest daughter wrote a essay for her school on Ann that she won a award for. She was in fifth or sixth grade at the time and I don't believe there was a dry eye in the room. Her mother and father were beside themselves but helped her through everything as did my husband and myself.

The sounds of Ann being sick after her treatments and the first time she screamed when she lost her hair haunt me. I can't tell you how many emergency trips we made to Children's, all I remember is driving like a bat out of hell while her mother cared for her in the back seat. Seventeen and dealing with all this, also being in another state where you don't have those lifetime friends to hold you together. Ann missed many, many days of school that year but the school was great. Ann had a super tutor that came over all the time, she became a close family friend, I remember a group from the school coming to our door and giving her a coat and gift certificate which I thought was very kind. People help, kindness helps, you never forget what people do for you in times like that.

Ann, after years of chemotherapy, was in remission and was told the cancer was gone. She was told that she would never be able to have children and for the first five years would have to be checked regularly.

Today, Ann is around thirty six, she is married with two beautiful children. Ann is proof that miracles can happen, she is proof that if you or someone in your family is going through this or something similar that there can be a happy ending.

Unwanted Changes

When my Children were pretty young we had a lot happen within our family that caused us to make changes in our lives. My mother and father in law still lived in Maine and my father in law had a bad heart attack leaving him unable to work or take care of himself on his own. This left my mother in law in a bad situation because she did not work enough to take on her bill situation. Also, my in laws still had a sixteen year old child living with them.

I went to Maine because my husbands job could not let him go at that time and I helped my mother in law go through all her financial situations. I made all the phone calls that needed to be made and after all was said and done we had decided to bring them back to Pittsburgh to live near us.

We moved them to an apartment that was only a few streets away from us, they had money from selling their home in Maine. I knew moving was so hard on them because it had been hard on me and they had lived in Maine all their lives. My father in law had been a walking mailman and he was involved with clubs. My mother in law had many friends and family that lived in Maine also. My sister in law was sixteen and, well, I don't have to tell you how hard that was for her.

The reason they moved to Pittsburgh was because they were very close to my husband and myself. They knew we would take care of them and felt it was best for their youngest daughter. You see, being that their was a huge age gap between them, it was hard for them to understand their daughter and she tended to cause them a few problems. You can imagine that moving was a big problem for her.

After a few years of living in the apartment, their finances were turning hard. They were still paying bills for Maine and here, things were starting to get tight. We decided to add a addition on our house and had them all come live with us. For a while things were ok, there was so much confusion at first.

After two years we all together decided that it was just to much strain on our relationship to be in one house. I am telling you that we love each other very much but it just had things that really just didn't work out. It certainly wasn't for the lack of trying.

My mother in law was working for my husband at that time and we found a small home that had a really good rent price and they moved there. For a couple more years they had this home and seemed to be very happy and content until my father in law had another heart attack, my nephew was hit by a car (he is fine now), and all this caused my mother in law to have a severe stroke that left her unable to be left alone. Now we had two parents that were not able to be alone and in wheel chairs.

Try to find help out there, one that you actually can do and is affordable. If you can find it, I couldn't, but I wish you luck. I worked full time at this time and my children were growing up fast, I needed to work. After many, many attempts to try to find a solution we ended up having them move back to Maine with their other son who owns his own restaurant that is right beside his house. There is always somebody home and they would be well taken care of.

This killed us, my children cried, we cried, they cried. We felt like we had let them down and their brother tried to tell us it was his turn and not to feel that way. I think we will always feel bad about that decision even though we know it was the right thing to do for them. Putting them in a nursing home was not a option and none of us could have afforded to do that anyway. Their daughter, being older and married now, remained in Pittsburgh.

I know there must be many of you out there dealing with this same kind of situation and I just want to let you know you are not alone. Talk to someone, don't hold it all in, these feelings can really be hard to deal with. I know, I had a lot of trouble dealing and it was really hard on my husband. You feel like you let everyone down, my children were so close to their grandparents as you can imagine. If you need to vent, please do so, just letting it out may help you.

Now, my father in law, has passed away. He was on his way to a birthday party so you know he was happy. My mother in law still lives with my brother in law but now visits here at least a few times a year. My sister in law is married, has two children and still lives in Pittsburgh. I will tell you more about my sister in law in my next article, it will be something you will want to read.

Your Child Attending College This Year?

Your child attending college this year? Believe me, I understand all the feelings you may be going through.

Maybe it is your first child leaving to go to college and you are having a lot of anxiety just thinking about it. The first is always the hardest for everyone because it is the first time you are having to deal with this and you have constant doubts on every decision you make.

I found that it was really hard to get answers to the many questions I had. Where to find money to be able to send your child is the hardest. I had three go through and I can honestly say we were never sure we were going about things the correct way, or maybe I should say the most beneficial way for our family.

Your first child is hard to let go, the fear you feel for letting them go tends to over weight the feeling of excitement you feel for them at the same time. Maybe your child is going far away or maybe they're just staying close, both is hard.

I can tell you from my own experience that all three of my children stayed pretty close but all went to different schools. Each of my children went to a college that really fit their personality and also to a school that offered a good education in the field they were going into.

I found that them being close enough to come home when they wanted, be able to call for free when they wanted, and stay at college and enjoy their new found freedom worked well for all of us. Believe it or not I saw my kids quite a bit and they called frequently. I believe it is because I tried not to put to much pressure on them and tried hard to understand their wants and needs.

I am not saying this was always easy because that would be a flat out lie. When my oldest left, I cried. When my second left I felt better on a lot of things that bothered me the first time but still, I cried. My third, being she was the farthest away, I was concerned. I still felt comfortable in a lot of ways because of the experience I had but still, I cried. I helped them all to a point of getting their rooms set up and left immediately, why sit looking at each other and making the day harder? I knew they wanted to get started with their new life.

Give your child all the advice you can give them of any situation you can think of. Offer support at a moments notice whenever they may need it. Cheer them up every once in awhile by stopping by and taking them out to eat or sending them something. Tell them what you expect of them and remind them of that once in awhile. Most of all, trust them and give them this time to grow and learn to become this person they are intended to be.

I have three teachers now, not all with permanent jobs, but they are all working in their field. They have made me very proud and all those things that worried me about college days are in my past. You will never stop worrying about your children, thier age doesn't matter, and there will always be a new adventure in their lives.

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Gifts From The Heart

Are you finding buying presents for people have really become a problem? We all buy presents that we really can't afford and it only makes the pressure on our money situation harder.

We all seem to get caught up in those family or friend gift circles that cause us conflict. I think it is time we start changing things. It is time to talk and understand that there are better ways to celebrate someone's occasion then without spending a lot of money that you don't have.

Presents that come from the heart are the best. Think about this, what is the most treasured gifts you have every received? I know, some of you are saying that diamond ring, trip, TV, etc., but did you treasure it?

When I think of gifts that I treasured I think of the flowers that my husband would pick for me and bring them home without it really being any special occasion, I think of the person that came over and helped me accomplish something when they knew that I needed the help, I think of the things my kids would make and give to me, and I treasure just sharing time with my friends and family.

All these things and so much more can make great gifts, all they do is require your time and effort. You will find that you will feel like you have really done something worthwhile and the receiver will never forget you. What better thing to teach your child how to give gifts like that. Like Fathers Day is coming up, maybe they can wash dads car, mow the lawn, spend the day with him, all without being asked. Don't you think that would mean a lot and be noticed a lot more?

It's time to be honest with people and start bringing things back to basics. It's time to start enjoying each others occasions instead of dreading the one that is coming up. Try to shorten your money gift giving list and find creative gifts to give from your heart. There is always something you can do for someone.

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Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

I was watching this commercial last night and it questioned on how many times you question decisions that you have made. It referred to having money problems and whether you would send your child to college or not because of those money problems. It talked about if you gave your child a correct punishment that was deserved because of an act they had participated in and so fourth.

It had really nothing to do with what it was advertising about but it really made me stop and think of how many times we doubt the decisions we make every day. I think as much as we believe in what our decision is that there is always that little piece of doubt if it was the right one.

We hope that decision has the conclusions we are picturing it to have. No matter what the situation is we have to take the person or persons involved, the situation at hand, and combine the two to see how we see it all act out. What we see isn't always the way it plays through but we learn from that.

Not every decision we make has to be the best, that decision doesn't have to have the perfect ending. No matter how confident you are there will always be some doubts of your decisions. We are not made to be perfect people and we will not always make the perfect decision.

Don't put more pressure on yourself than you need to. If you have put thought into your decision and feel good about it, you have done your part. If things don't work out the way you had planned you can always make a new decision, now I'm talking the normal every day decisions.

Say that you are having financial difficulty and your child wants to go to college, of course look into any programs that can assist you, maybe have your child live at home and go to a community college, or have them hold off a year and work to save some money to attend the next year. As long as you are honest of the reasons for that decision with the people involved you are doing the right thing.

We put so much pressure on ourselves every day and we need to stop or at least give ourselves a break. This is just a thought for the day, the commercial just got me thinking.

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Sharing Sleep Habits

How many times do you wake up during the night and find that you can't fall back to sleep? Don't you hate people that can just go to bed and sleep all night long?

I have always been a very light sleeper, the littlest noise wakes me up and then my head starts thinking so I can't fall back to sleep. It really is just the way I am, I don't find there to be a cure for me. I even take Tylenol pm, it helps, but I still wake up frequently.

Now my husband is another story, he goes to bed and is out in a few minutes waking up the next morning. I envy him, wish I could do that even a couple times a week.

I dream a lot too, some times one dream after another. I think that is because I wake up and when I finally fall back to sleep it is with a new dream.

Sleeping habits are hard to break, they are also a habit that would contribute to having a better day. A certain amount of sleep is required but I am beginning to think that different people require different amounts of time that they need sleep. I require about 6 hours of sleep and actually I function very well during the day. My husband requires more sleep and when he doesn't get it he needs to make up for it the next day.

They say that older people require less sleep and that is kind of scary because I can't imagine sleeping any less than I already do.

I would really like to hear from some of you out there on this subject. Let me know about your sleeping habits? What you've tried? What you have found works well for you? What annoys you about how well others sleep? Even if you are just like me and except it as the way you are?

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Together For A Stressless Easter

Here it is April 6th and here in Pittsburgh we are waiting on snow. Do you believe this! With the holiday weekend coming up I am sure you all have plans as I do and would love some wonderful weather. Most of the clothes advertised for Easter are summery and if the weather remains this way we'll all be in sweaters!

Holidays are sometimes very stressful for people, especially the people that are the ones who always do everything. Easter is the one holiday I have changed in my life. You see, I too, am that person that always hosts the holiday meals and functions.

A few years ago, I decided that I deserved a change and now we meet at a restaurant for a big breakfast all together and then everyone has the rest of their day to do as they please. I love it! No spending too much money, no cooking, no cleaning up, it is wonderful. You get to be waited on and share quality time with the family and still have the day to do anything you please. We even meet our friends at the place we eat, very enjoyable.

I also found that I was not the only one that this arrangement helped. My oldest daughter is married and it gives her time to spend with both families and not be in such a rush. I understand and remember too well how hard it was when my husband and I had to eat two meals on holidays to please everyone. My sister in law has two children and it makes it easier on them to go between families and functions. All in all, everyone is very content.

Money being like it is right now for a lot of people I think you may find this to be a cheaper way to get together and enjoy you day. By the time that you buy your food, drink, and supplies you need the cost can be very high and you still have the shopping, preparing, and cleaning up to do.

No matter what your preference is for your holiday, enjoy and Happy Easter!

Laughter, Best Remedy Ever!!

Laughter is the best medicine, now there is a very common comment. I also believe this one, laughter is the best medicine.

When you are laughing and enjoying yourself there is no better feeling. Your spirits are high, your outlook is positive, and you feel better all over.

Haven't you ever experienced a time when you were at your lowest and that right person came along and said or did something that just made you start laughing? Have you ever watched a show on TV and someone did something that made you laugh out loud when you were the only one in the room? Here's a good one too, how about reading cards that you are buying for someone and you find yourself laughing out loud in the store? Laughing is a great remedy for all that ails you.

Remember I told you earlier about going to get your yearly physical? Well, my results ended up being nothing that I had expected. I found that I need to have surgery to get my ovary removed because of a tumor that is growing on it. This will be my third operation because of these same kind of problems and it just kind of blind sided me because I thought I was done with all that.

Anyway, getting back to the laughter part, I have been pretty down and went to tell my best friend what was going on. She is a cook and was working in the kitchen where she works so I went in there to talk to her. As I was telling her I started to cry a little and she came over to give me a hug and I went to hug her back. In that little bit of time she closed the microwave door that was right beside us and my sleeve got caught in the door. I had to say, I can't hug you because I am stuck in the microwave door. We both started laughing, it took the pressure off and made it all easier in some ways. My friends and family make me laugh a lot and I know from experience that it is my best medicine.

I watch Ellen on TV for that reason, the woman can make me laugh like no other. I enjoy her so much and I can count that I will laugh while watching her show. Friends and Mad About You use to do the same thing.

Find whatever it takes to give you a laugh in your day. It doesn't matter if it is a TV show, friends, family, or a stranger for that matter. You will feel so much better from laughing and you will be able to handle whatever is in your path in a healthier manner.

Find Your Positive Outlook

Do you have a hard time finding a way to maintain a positive outlook in your life? Do you find that it is easier to be depressed and alone?

Well, you are not alone and it is easier to let yourself feel that way, but it is not the answer. Reach way down inside yourself and find that person that wants to make today and all your tomorrows better and just plain work on it. You are not going to have any immediate change but if you really try, you can do it.

There are so many obstacles in our lives to interfere with us keeping that positive outlook. We deal with health, weight, family, money, jobs, loss, and that is just to name a few. We take care of one situation and another one crops up. You start to question just how much more can you take? What did you do to deserve this? Will it ever end?

How many times have you heard someone say, "God only gives you what you can handle", "Every problem only makes you a stronger person", or "You'll get through this"?

To some extent all those sayings are true, you have to handle it, you will get stronger, and you will get through it. How you do this though is totally up to you.

Positive thinking is a necessity to get you through every day. I know it is so hard sometimes to find that positive thought but when you do it is easier to move ahead. You think more clearly, you act and feel healthier mentally and physically, and you find solutions that you may never have discovered just by thinking in a more positive manner.

Don't ever feel alone, we all share the obstacles that are thrown at us. Think positive and if you're finding that hard to do, call a friend that can help you find that positive feeling, that's what friends are for.

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Fun With April Fools Day

Tomorrow is April 1st, are you ready to have some fun with that? Many people find April Fools Day to be a day to have some fun with friends.

I have had a few April Fools jokes played on me over the years. Of course sometimes I didn't find the jokes to be very funny until after the fact. Jokes like I've been in a accident and something happened to the house and so fourth really can get you worked up and it is hard to find the humor at the moment.

I have played a few jokes on people too. One joke I played was on one of my bosses. I was working for a book fair business and one of the Harry Potter Books was just being released. The book was treated as if it was gold and inventory needed to be done on this book every morning and night before I left because it was not the release date yet and it was illegal to open any boxes till that date. There was a lot of theft going on with that book so we had to keep our eyes open.

I use to joke that I was the Harry Potter police and carried a whistle around my neck. On the day of the books release we were expecting a second shipment to come in and it just happened to be arriving on April Fools Day. I called my boss and pretended that the shipment had arrived and was damaged. I told him that I had the delivery people there and I was having a problem with them. I really got him and he never forgot that. Every year that I was there after he was waiting on April Fools for me to do something else. There was no topping that one though.

So tomorrow, on April Fools Day, lighten up and have a little fun with someone you would love to get. Also, be ready, you may be the target of someone else's plans.

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Spring Has Sprung

The weather is starting to improve outside which brings a rejuvenating feeling to many people. Spring is a good time to start making changes in your lifestyle. Taking a walk at night is always a good way to unwind after a filling dinner. Walking also gives you time to think and let those thoughts go for the rest of the evening.

Spending more time outside rather than in the house seems to give people a healthier personality. There is so many little things we can do to pass the time outside, we see and talk to neighbors that we haven't seen in a few months. Spring is like a beginning, a new fresh day. Don't you notice that people seem so much happier when the weather is nicer?

Use this time to start new habits in exercise, eating, things you have put off. Spend time with your family. Go on picnics, participate in outside activities, encourage any activity that can bring your family out of the home. We have all been inside for many months sitting in front of the TV, computer, mainly sitting. Time to make a change people.

How about making a commitment right now while you're reading this. Make a list of accomplishments for this week and do them, next week make another. If you take it week by week and you see you are heading in the right direction, you will push harder the next week. If you just sit there, though, and don't start anything, nothing will ever change.

My goals are to start exercising just a little bit every day and my husband and I have many projects to complete around the house outside. We work on them together and we still manage to have fun. We don't put any pressure on, just do what we can each day. We like to go camping in the summer, so in order to be able to do that we have to get these things done soon.

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Heathly Communication

When you talk with someone do you listen to what the other person is saying or are you quick to react without taking a moment to think about what is really being said? Learning to communicate healthy is important. If you feel that you lack in this area, it is a very good place to start learning new skills.

We have all kind of grown up and developed communication skills that may not be working well for us. Maybe you find that you don't express how you are feeling well, or maybe you feel that you never understand others very well. These communication problems can be worked on. You can learn different skills and different methods to try that may help you.

One of the things that get in peoples way is they don't take the time to talk in a healthy manner. People are always in a rush to get to the next conversation or errand, by the end of the day they can't even remember any conversation they may have had.

If there is an important conversation you have to have with someone find a place and time that is compatible to both and sit down to talk. Make sure that you are in a place where there can be no distractions. It is important if you are the one that initiated this that you need to begin and tell in a calm manner what it is that is on your mind. When you are done with what you need to say make sure you listen to what the other person has to say and give it a minute thought before you react. Keeping matters calm and the other person knowing that you are listening to them will make your conversation more productive.

Notice the person that is troubled and may need to vent. Offer them a good ear and listen to what they have to say. Sometimes people do not need your advice but they need someone to just listen. This is also healthy communication.

The more you work on your communication skills the more you will find that you will feel like you accomplished something very important to you. When you use healthy communication skills, you tend to leave your conversations knowing that you understand the person you have spoken with better, and that person understands you. If you don't practice those skills, your conversations will end with you questioning did I get my point across?, was I to demanding?, or maybe you didn't understand one thing that you were told but you didn't take the time to question them.

If you feel that you need to work on your communication skills then start today, it is something you can do.

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What Are Your Summer Plans

What are your summer plans? Are you planning to go on a vacation of any kind? There are things you can do to get away and not spend a lot of money.

I am projecting that there will be many people not going on vacation this year and that can bring feelings of unfairness. Everyone needs to escape even if it is just a little one. We all work hard and get caught up in our every day functions. Levels of stress add up and there just doesn't seem to be any release offered.

Instead of planning that big Florida vacation that will cost you more money than you have available why not look into a lake that is near you. Cottages can run so cheap for a week at lake resorts and you don't need a lot of extra money to spend. You will get away, have a beach and lake to go to, and there will be functions happening around with people to enjoy them with.

My husband and I, about five years ago, bought a used trailer that someone just didn't need any more. We didn't spend a lot of money on it and we put it in a campsite near a lake about two and a half hours away from where we live. We go there almost every weekend from the end of May through October.

We, also, in those years purchased a pontoon boat from someone who didn't want it any more and sold it at a great price.We fixed it up a little and we use it all the time. We know friends there and get together a lot on and off the lake. The fires we have at our camps are the best.

Now we have a vacation every year and we get to go often without spending tons of money. Actually we spend less there because when you are home and go out it cost a lot. Every weekend we can't wait to get there, the peace and enjoyment it brings us you can't even imagine.

So don't punish yourself because you can't afford that big vacation, the little ones are just as rewarding.

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Work Together To Make Things Less Stressful

The weather is getting nicer outside and many people are beginning to plan their summer projects. There are so many things that are easier to get accomplished in the nice weather that you start to see everyone going outside again.

Money being tight for everyone is a major problem on what we chose to accomplish. It comes to a toss up of what is really neccessary and what you can afford. This causes a lot of stress to pick and chose for fear that you might make a wrong decision and have the one thing that you thought could last another year won't.

For me, we had to take some trees down that were causing damage to our house. In taking those trees down we found that we had to hire someone to take out the stumps, then you need to fix the lawn to get grass to grow and so fourth. We have a porch that is falling apart, a roof that needs replaced, and a air conditioning unit that has given us problems for a few years now. What to fix and how far can your money go??

One thing that we can all take comfort in is that we are not alone in this area. There are so many people out there that are having extreme stress over these problems. My only advice is to take it day by day, start on something that you can get accomplished and see how much you have left over before you decide what is next. There are many places that will give you free estimates and give good advice on how to maintain with what you have until you can afford to fix or replace something.

Many people are trying to do things themselves these days and that is not a bad idea. I have a better one though, you have to know that your friend or neighbor might need to have something done too. Help each other, make plans to work together and accomplish both of your goals.

With the world the way it is today, we all have to help each other. There are so many people out of jobs or they have a job and they are still struggling. So much stress out there! Maybe it is time for us to all pull together and turn that stress into a really good, positive attitude.

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Nutricious Drink.....

In earlier years we would have never heard of liquid vitamin supplements. We always were told to take pills to get our vitamin supplements. Taking Vitamin supplement pills always worked fine but they have found that they don't get into your bloodstream as quick as they would like. You lose some of the benefits of taking a vitamin supplement when this happens. Over the years they have found that liquid vitamin supplements are a remedy to this problem.

Eating fruits and vegetables regularly can also be a remedy to this problem but many people do not eat enough of them to give them enough vitamins. You couldn't possibly eat the amount of fruit and vegetables it would take to equal what you could get from a liquid vitamins supplement or even a vitamin supplement pill.

To have accurate amounts of nutrients, you have to take a vitamin supplement. To give your body the right amount of supplements it requires, we have always been told to take a supplement vitamin. If you want to take a supplement vitamin and have it do its job and get into your bloodstream immediately, a liquid vitamin supplement is recommended. With liquid vitamin supplements you will be healthier and the healthier you are the longer you will live. Where we live in such a busy world, liquid vitamins is also something that is easy to have with you where ever you may be. Taking care of yourself through taking the recommended amount of vitamin supplements is a positive direction. If you would like some wonderful liquid recipes click on the link below, you won't be sorry.

"Over a 120 Quick and Easy Smoothie Recipes That Give You More Energy and Stamina!"
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What Is Wrong With People???????

Last night something happened that really bothered me and I can't seem to get it out of my head. I'm not sure that it is about my topic but I'm sure that together we will find a way to make it relate to becoming a new me.

I live in Pittsburgh and I went to the hockey game last night, which by the way was fantastic!! When leaving after the Penguins won the game, the parking lot was packed. Of course people were really wound up and excited from watching such a great game.

Walking through the parking lot to get to our car was a experience. There were cars everywhere rushing to be the first to leave. One car had bumped into another car trying to back out of their space. When I say bump, I mean there was no damage. You would have thought it was a fatal crisis that happened because it almost caused a fist fight. People were screaming at each other, threats were flying out of peoples mouths. I don't know how it ended because I just stayed away from that situation.

So anyway, now we are in our car and waiting what felt like forever to get out of the parking lot. I'm telling you that we were only like ten cars back but was in line to get onto the main street for at least twenty minutes. Now remember that the parking lot is packed so you can imagine how many cars there were behind and around us. Of course people are screaming and honking their horns like there is something that someone could do about this mess.

Now here comes the thing that bothered me most. While we were sitting waiting in our car, we saw a girl get hit by this car on the main street. I did not see it happen but the people in the car with me did. They said the girl actually flipped up in the air and down on her back. Do you think the person in the car got out to see if this person was ok?

The answer for that question is NO! The people that were behind that car got out and helped the girl to safety and the car that hit her tried to leave. The people that was helping went over to try to stop that car from leaving, the woman in the passenger side of that car did open her door hopefully to see if everyone was ok but closed the door back up and the car left. People tried to stop them but they cut into the other lane and kept going.

How can someone hit a human being and just leave? Where were the cops that should have been controlling this out of control traffic that lead to these events? I have been to many events there and never seen things get so bad. Most of all I am concerned about this person driving the car. The girl that was hit was walking with a limp but she was alive and functioning which made me feel so much better. Thank god that there is good people out there that do step in and help. She had many people helping her at that time that is why we stayed in our car. But this person driving, what is up with that? How can you look at yourself in the mirror and think that was ok?

To the driver of that car, I hope someone got your license number and reported you, you deserve to be punished. No matter what situation you were in, your actions were totally unacceptable!

Massage, Good For Reducing Stress

Having a great massage is probably one of the most enjoyable remedies for stress. Laying there in a place where the world can't get to you and having someone just help you to relax is a very welcome cure. There are so many kinds of massages offered out there today because there are so many people that go to these experts that their methods have expanded.

Many people prefer the hot stone massage or the aroma therapy massage. The techniques are different and they cover different areas. Having a man or a woman might be a important issue to some, most places provide both. Many people do not ask enough questions when they call for a massage. If you have anything that you question, you should ask. As always, if you know someone who has been to a place they love, than that is a good place to start.

There are different symptoms that lead people to need a good massage. Maybe you are experiencing headaches, stiffness in the body, and problems with motion or flexibility. Some go because they are experiencing a lot of emotional stress and just need to find a release.

When you are calling to make your appointment you should ask what different kinds of massages are offered and let them know exactly what you need in return. Together you should be able to come up with a plan to help your needs.

Massages do not take a long time so it should be easier to fit in your daily schedule. It is not like going to a gym and having to work out, take a shower, and all of that. Find the time that is easiest on you so you don't feel stressed and hurried to get to the next place. Pamper yourself and go try a massage, I guarantee you will not be sorry you did.

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Losing My Best Friend Rock

Tough subject to talk about and yet talking about it can help. I mentioned in a previous article about a friend of mine who had died from Aids. I thought maybe sharing our friendship a little might help others to be supportive of others when it is needed.

My friend, Rock, I met when I was a junior in high school. I really can't remember how we met or even the first time we met but it had to be through mutual friends. As Rock and I got to know each other better we started hanging around together on a normal basis.

He was a great dancer and I loved to dance so we would get together and practice in his basement so we could enter dance contests. I should mention that disco was very big back then and, yeah, that is the kind of dancing we did. Rock was a handsome guy and had a lot of girls attention. His personality was very friendly so friends were not hard to come by for him.

Rock and I got so close that we could talk about anything. I can't tell you how many relationships we comforted each other through. At one time we even thought of us becoming a couple but we were just to good of friends for that. Whenever I had a problem, Rock was there for me, as I was for him. I remember helping him with spelling because he was just the worse speller ever. No matter how big or small the situation was in either of our lives, we were there for each other.

Rocks mom and dad were the best too, they treated me like one of the family always. I was there for more family occasions than any girl he ever dated.

When we were about eighteen years old Rock told me he had to talk to me. We went out on his front porch and he told me he was gay. He hadn't told his parents yet and he wanted my advice before he did. I'm not sure if it was the advice or that he just needed to try telling someone else first to see the reaction.

I'm not going to tell you that I never considered his being gay, because I did, but I wasn't certain and dating girls like he did who knew. All I remember feeling when he told me was how much I loved this guy. I cared about him so much and I would never let anything hurt him, especially me.

I told him I was there for him and that I loved him. I knew it was going to be so hard for him to tell his parents but I admired that he didn't want to live holding this secret. It was a little hard at first for his parents but they too loved him and was there to support him.

After I was married, I moved away to Pittsburgh. Rock and I talked on the phone and sent letters here and there. I would go back to Maine and he was always one of the first people I would go see. I even tried to surprise him a few times but it never worked, he always knew it was me. I would go to his house where his partner and him lived and we all had great conversations. I thought I might feel uncomfortable but I never did.

Rock called me one day and told me he had aids. We cried many tears together and talked for a long time. Rock fought for a long time but lost that fight in the end. His last couple weeks were spent in a hospital very sick. I had three children at that time and couldn't go to Maine to be there. I made a tape for him, the tape had all my kids playing music for him and stuff like that and I read to him some of the things that we wrote each other a long time ago. I included pictures of all of our friends and some of the great memories that we shared together. I had the tape and a dozen roses sent to his room at the hospital with a card saying that I would not be buying roses for his funeral, that these were a celebration of our friendship. He called me, as sick as he was, and he enjoyed both very much. I knew it meant a lot to him, I knew I meant a lot to him. That was the last time I spoke with Rock, but he is forever in my heart.

How Do You Motivate Yourself In The Morning To Get Yourself Moving for the day?

I find that when I wake up and just get out of bed and get going that I function better. If I lay in bed and procrastinate about getting up then I feel tired and have to drag myself around all day.

My morning begins with starting my favorite morning beverage, the coffee pot. I have to have my two cups of coffee while I'm getting ready, it helps me to be able to face the day. It is a very odd day that I don't wake up to having my coffee.

Morning actually is my best time of the day to get things done. I can accomplish so much in a little bit of time. I try to make sure the house is all picked up and I've done everything I really want to get done because later in the afternoon is not my favorite time to do anything.

I usually have the TV on, the Today Show, so I can catch up on what is happening in the world, and then I sometimes will listen to music the last half hour or so before I head out for the day.

All these things that I do in the morning have become sort of a ritual for me and when I stick to that ritual I feel it motivates me and gets me going.

I do have those days that of course do not run on schedule and to tell you the truth, it is those days that seem to be crazy and I can't seem to pull it all together as well. You know those mornings when the kids are fighting or they just remembered to tell you something important that they should have told you the night before when they were right there all night? That
stuff drives me crazy and really puts a dent in the day.

Mornings are so important, how you begin them, the mood that you start your day in, the determination you have to accomplish your goals for that day, all comes from how your day begins. Waking up in a positive mood and just taking on the day is a great habit to get yourself into.

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Put Those Living Paycheck To Paycheck Days Behind You!

Are you sick and tired of living from one paycheck to the next paycheck? Let me tell you about a man by the name of Mack Michaels. Mack has become a millionaire by creating his own home internet business. If you're anything like me, you're wishing that could happen to you.

I know you have probably looked at numerous ads by now that promise you will be making thousands of dollars in a short period of time. What if I told you that I know a website you can go to where this actually works? What if I told you that you could start your own business with the complete guidance of a man named Mack Michaels? Would you quickly believe me?

No, of course, I know you wouldn't. But I think if you let me tell you a little bit about him, you will find him fascinating and want to see for yourself what I know to be true. He has a gift and he used that gift to create a online home business that has made him become a millionaire. Here is a man that wants to give back, he truly wants to share what he has learned to help others.

Mack worked that normal day job, put in those crappy long hours, and like most of us lived paycheck to paycheck. Mack was laid off from his job one day, which turned out to be the best thing that happened. After going through a lot of money he didn't have and experiencing many trys at finding a internet home job just to have them fail, Mack created his own internet business.

Today, Mack is a millionaire and so secure with his life that he is reaching out to others offering to share his secrets so that you too can have that feeling. He will even walk you through his daily life, via video, so that you can see what a real person he is. Mack will share with you his wife and daughter, things that are most important to him.

Then after Mack introduces himself, he will show you some video's that will convince you to make the best decision of your life. I am not going to quote numbers to you, I'm going to let Mack do that. He will show you proof with numbers that will just blow you away. I mean that, I must have watched them five times myself because I couldn't just let go of this feeling that this was the answer I had been looking for.

The most fantastic part of this business is that you have a person that will walk with you, through professionally made step by step tutorials, how to create your own business. Mack will also be steadily available to you when you have any questions, He wants to see you succeed. Do you even get that at a normal job?

Don't take my word for this, go to the link below and find out yourself how to start your own business at home, work four hours a day, be able to enjoy your life, and have more money than you have ever dreamed of. You won't reget your next move, you will be taking your first step to a bright new future.

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