Here it is December 31st already and we are all getting ready to jump into a new year. Ready or not, whether we 'bring' it in or sleep through it, 2013 will arrive.

How many of you have made New Years's resolutions?  I'm sure some of you are ready to jump into a new fitness program, a new diet, a new committment to some goal - or are you the person who has made resolution after resolution and each year, it seems like nothing changes? So, forget resolutions - you don't even want to hear that word!

Well, here's my thoughts. How about looking back over the past year and finding something in it that you are proud of? What have you accomplished this past year? Did you nurture any relationships and perhaps now, they are a little better? Did you make a committment to have a better attitude towards your job? When we resolve to do something, it's doesn't have to be all or nothing. Appreciate what you've accomplished in this past year. Yes, we are welcoming in a new year - how about resolving to be the best you that you can be? Start with one small, doable step and let's see what we're thankful for and proud of a year from now! (By the way, have a happy New Year!).

Good Monday morning and a very Merry Christmas to all!

It's hard to believe that Christmas 2012 is upon us and 2013 is waiting just around the corner.

Here's my encouragement for today. I know that for some Christmas is not a time of joy and excitement. It can be stressful with seeing certain family members. I also know that for some of you, it's a time to be reminded of loss. And for others still, a time of lonliness. Can I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there - even just a little bit? Maybe visit a shut-in, help at a soup kitchen or make the effort and visit that person in your family that no one really likes. When we reach out beyond ourselves, something happens. Suddenly we forget ourselves and become aware of the needs of others. We receive so much more when we give.

I pray that you would be blessed this Christmas but also that you would be a blessing! Merry Christmas!

Another Monday morning and here we are again! I hope this week holds wonderful things for you!

Today I'm going to talk a little more about simplifying Christmas. How many of us still do Christmas baking? I know that a lot of my friends still do this and enjoy it. However, if you are like me, I don't care for detailed baking - I like making a big loaf of grainy bread and let's just leave it at that. I'm not sure how a platter with a large loaf of bread would do on a table with dainties. So here's my deal. I make only one type of cookie each year but never have any left after Christmas. Everyone loves them! I'm talking about shortbread but with a twist.

Most people LOVE shortbread. It's a very simple recipe: Heat your oven to 350. Mix 3/4 c of butter ( it MUST be butter!) softened and 1/4 c of icing sugar. Mix in 2 cups of flour until you have a good dough consistency to roll. Roll it out about 1/2 inch thick. Here you can use cookie cutters or I just use a small glass and make them round. Now here's the twist: take a small Toblerone bar and break it up into those lovely little single triangles. Gently press one triangle into each cookie. Now bake for 10 to 12 minutes - until the cookies are just starting to color. When you place them on a plate, place chocolates randomly and it will look very fancy. Look at you go! (I often put out a little dish with a few plain ones for those who don't care for chocolate or who like it a little less sweet).

This is all I bake every year. I take one afternoon and bake a lot of cookies - I double or triple the recipe and then freeze them until I need them. That way I'm not eating too much before Christmas and there's actually some left for my guests.

If you have something else that you love to make and you know that your family loves it, why not stick to only one really good thing? Just another tip for simplifying your holidays so that you can focus on enjoying your family and friends and enjoying yourself!

And on that note, I'm jumping into my day. Till next week, take

Good Monday morning, my dear Blogites. I figured if I'm the blogger then you, being the reader of the blog, are Blogites. Do you think it will catch on??
Well, great news! My grandson was indeed born last Monday - a beautiful little boy - although at 8 lbs 6 oz - not so little.
Being a first time Grandma, I am totally smitten and (I write this very sheepishly) am tempted to show his pictures to strangers. Yes, I am that crazy! I have to use lots of self-control and common sense here. Strangers (at least most...) do not want to look at pictures of my family.

And now onto what I promised last week - how to simplify Christmas. First of all, I want to address traditions. We all have them - certain things we do at Christmas time because we've always done them. I want to ask you a question: do you enjoy the traditions that you are carrying out each year? Do they still serve a purpose? Is the rest of your family enjoying them? These are good questions to ask. It's like the lady with the roast - each time she made a roast, she would cut the end off. When her daughter asked her why, she replied because her mother had always done it. Then the little girl decided to ask her Grandmother who replied that her mother had always done it. Approaching the Great Grandmother, the curious little girl again asked her question - 'why do you cut the end of the roast off?' to which her Great Grandmother replied, "my pan was too small.".
Are we doing the same thing each year? Are we carrying on because it's how it's always been done? If your traditions are not serving your or your family anymore, how about creating some new ones? Sometimes you have to be a little cautious and a little gentle in this area because some are not as open to change as others - try changing up one or two things in the old tradition and each year, continue to modify until it is working well for everyone.

Christmas is to be a time of enjoying each other - it's not just about the presents. Let's focus this season on really loving  and
appeciating our family and friends. It's not about what we can get but what we give - this is a great beginning to simplifying Christmas and your life!

It's Monday morning and blog time! First of all, as I write this,  my grandchild is being born. Yes, my daughter is in labor and I am so anxious/excited, my skin can barely keep me together! But I will discipline my mind and focus on something else for a few minutes. Last week I told you that I would blog about stress at Christmas time and also how to simplify. Today we'll work with the stress and talk about simplifying next week.

Stress at Christmas time is a big issue for a lot of people. Most of us are already too busy and Christmas - instead of being enjoyable - becomes more 'have-to's' and that stresses us. Okay, so let's start with our thoughts. Often times we think of our responsibilities as chores that we 'have to' do. Let's reframe here a little and think about some of what we do. I 'have to' drive my kids to school - how about 'I choose' to drive my kids to school because I want them to get a good education and live a fulfilled life. I 'have to' walk the dog - I choose to walk the dog because it's good exercise for him and for me! When we have choices in our lives, we are no longer victims but are taking control. It will also cause you to think of different choices that you are making in your life and maybe wanting to change some of those choices. Are these choices I'm making good for me or for my family or for my career, etc.? How about Christmas? How can I choose to do things differently so that I really enjoy the season - what do I really like doing? So first step, reframe 'have to's' into 'I choose'.

And secondly, try to be in the moment. An example: You're waiting in line at the postoffice. How about striking up a conversation with the person behind you? Not that extroverted? Ok, try thinking of 5 things that are great in your life right now and be grateful for them. With thankfulness comes great perspective! By the time you reach the cashier, you'll be smiling. And how about a smile and some eye contact for her or him? At Christmas time, the service people really feel the stress from others who are stressed. You can make someone's day with a smile and a kind word! Let's try serving our servers. That's a de-stresser in itself.

So, less stress at Christmas? We make choices and we are not victims. Try to be in the moment, thankful and focused a little more on others.

And now, back to baby focus - more on simplifying Christmas (and on the baby!) next Monday.