Living Well Etc.

  Stay Healthy During Season Changes Every autumn my immune system goes into hyperdrive as if it is trying to fight off some fierce monster virus.  After two decades of multiple sclerosis – or what I like to call it: what will it do to me today? – I've come to expect the flu symptoms, severe fatigue, and achy muscles my immune response to the change of weather brings.  It is an all-out assault against my body and mind.  Why is Season Change an Immune-System Trigger? With temperatures dropping from warm to cold, the change of season affects everyone at some level.  After all, this change adds stress to the body, thus triggering an immune system response.  Fold in the increased chances of contracting a cold or virus and this is a challenging time for all of us—autoimmune disease or no.  Through the years, though, I have found ways to combat this assault.  Plus, the pandemic taught us many general health lessons.  I’ve found wearing ...

As a small business owner, I often entertain for business and for fun during the holidays.  Since watching my budget can be a challenge, I'm always searching for ways to cut costs, especially for non-essentials like decorating .  Over the years, I've found great ways to do just that and I'm sharing all with you today.  Dollar stores offer great deals. Shopping for deals at the Dollar Store is easy if it is done wisely.  Everything is a dollar but beware not all items are worth a dollar.  I look for packages of red bows, floral, garland, and ornaments to string on a ribbon.  Floral-filled baskets are perfect for table decoration.  Many times, I find coupons on the Family Dollar Store's website, like one last year: $5 off $25 or more. Get crafty at craft stores. Luckily the craft store – Michael's – nearest us not only has sales each week but discount coupons.  Here I can find everything I need to create my own work of art or one that i...

  Eat Well, Spend Less, and Engage Children This Holiday Season As a young mother, many years later a small business owner, now retired, I've always found ways to save money.   The holidays often bring budget-busting challenges, especially when hosting the extended-family Thanksgiving dinner.  However, after 30+ years of hosting, I've come up with some great money-saving tips.  Follow along as I share mine with you.    Decorate with found objects or real fruit and vegetables. Feeding a large group of people doesn't leave much room in the budget for decorations.  This doesn't have to be an issue as most of us have just the right table centerpiece in our own homes.   I often dress a large oval plate with leaves, pine needles, or herbs from my garden.  On top of this, I arrange fruit, vegetables, nuts, pinecones...whatever I can find that looks appealing.  One year, I filled the plate with bright orange persimmon...

  All Treats and No Tricks for Those Who Go Green As an avid recycler, composter, and green gardener, I use every opportunity to be green .  Halloween can be a bit tricky but offers us a chance to be inventive with our eco-friendly efforts.  Let's explore some of my favorite green and eco-friendly ways to celebrate this ghoulish holiday. Trick or Treat Goodies Treats don't always have to be food .   In fact, most candy packaging is excessive with a tiny treat packaged inside paper, packaged inside plastic, making most a non-green option.      As a retired teacher and gardener, my favorite choices are recycled bookmarks, stickers, and seed packets.   Ghostly Parties Halloween parties are a much better green option for serving organic, home-baked goodies in a safe environment.   Involving children in the planning, baking and hosting makes this an even more memorable event.   Compostable Invitations Begin by hand-deliveri...

A party is a perfect time to teach children the importance of hosting.   After all, a host is attending to the needs of others.   This type of selfless giving may assist in the child learning empathy, which is difficult to teach at times.   However, a child is not hired help and shouldn’t be treated as such.   So, she/he as an assistant host should be elective.   Plus, consider what type of party you are hosting.  A loud drink-fest is not an appropriate setting for children.   Teachable Moment  Pro-Tip Parent and plan your party well.   Set expectations and practice with your child well ahead of the party. Suggestions for the Child As a door monitor, smile, maintain good eye contact, and introduce yourself to the arriving guest. When answering the door, you would initiate the introduction and handshake.  Offer to take the guest’s coat and purse and put them away. Lead guests into the home to greet the parents or to...

  The Hostess Gift An invitation to another’s home is a privilege and honor, so the good guest would behave as such.   Guests should bring some type of gift such as a bottle of wine, flowers, or even a single rose as a token of appreciation.   Note : It’s much easier for the host if flowers are already in a vase.   Dollar stores usually have nice ones in stock.   One dollar and done! Must-Follow Rules Guests should avoid picking up or reading notes laying around, entering rooms uninvited, putting feet up on the furniture, or indulging in anything unoffered.   After the gathering, guests should also write a thank-you note thanking the host for including him/her. More by Rebecca How to Avoid the Biggest Party Planning Mistakes How to Create a Great Guest List Party Hosting Reluctance: Why and How to Overcome it?

  Dear Rebecca, What are the biggest party mistakes people typically make?   Is there a magic formula to planning correctly? Just Asking Dear Just Asking , No one wants to sit next to a bore or attend a party and not know anyone but the host.   These two mistakes are preventable.   Always create a guest list with ultimate care.   And don’t sit two shy, quiet people next to each other; neither will initiate a conversation.   I also find it especially offensive when a host expects his guests to cater his party or if it is to be held in a restaurant , expecting the guests to pay for their owns meals.   Very poor manners. Always consider who your guests are, what they prefer, and provide it.  This is your magic formula.   Most sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca The ABCs of Party Planning How to Create a Great Guest List Party Hosting Reluctance: Why and How to Overcome it?

  Choosing Refreshments Based on the Guest List & Type of Party Dear Rebecca, I want to plan a great party .  Please inform me of how to choose the food, drink, and atmosphere.   Also, could you tell me more about types of parties, theme parties, and when is best for the usual vs. elegant event?   Clueless Dear Clueless, The first thing I think of when planning a party , besides the guest list, is the food and which wines I will pour.   Food and drink are essential components of any party.   The type of party the host wishes to host will dictate what type of food and beverages are served. However, there are times that I will purchase a new bottle of wine and while thinking of what type of food will best match it, will experience an epiphany. Suddenly, I just know that I want to share this type of wine paired with a certain food with a particular group of people.   The best host knows what their guests like to eat and drink, and h...

  Dear Rebecca, I’d like to know your insights about creating a perfect guest list and how to choose the size of the party .   Wants to Party! Dear Wants to Party! The size of the guest list depends upon the intimacy level the host is trying to create but should always be made with care. The best parties are those where everyone interacts and is stimulated by the conversation of the others in attendance.   So, the mix of people is very important.   Most sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca Q & A: The Best and Worst Parties I’ve Hosted or Attended Using Teachable Moments When Planning & Hosting Parties Party Hosting Reluctance: Why and How to Overcome it?

  Dear Rebecca, What do you think keeps most people from having a party ?   How do reluctant hosts overcome this?   Lots of Questions Dear Lots of Questions, Parties are a lot of work!   The host must create a list of guests who complement each other, plan, prepare a delicious menu , mingle, and clean up.   Why would anyone want to work that hard?   I believe the only reason anyone might want to host a party is to enjoy the company of others or to honor someone specific.   Some reluctant hosts are uncomfortable with others coming into their homes and causing a mess.   If this is the issue, these people should probably skip hosting parties. Most likely, guests would feel the host’s uncomfortableness.     For the timid host-to-be who simply cannot boil an egg… go for it.   Enjoying a special evening with a group of friends is, well, there is nothing like it. One way to help with this anxiety is to buy prepared food ...

Dear Rebecca, What do children and teens learn from their parent’s throwing parties ? Parent Dear Parent, Children of all ages learn everything from their parents.   They learn all their manners , which is basically how we treat others and ourselves.   They also learn etiquette, which is the protocol, how we behave, or how we are expected to behave in public.   So, if a child’s parents throw raucous parties with alcohol and loud music, the child will believe that this is what is expected at parties.   If the parents cater to their guests, treating them as special, the child will learn that he/she should treat their guests as special.   Parents are their child’s best teachers to teach him/her about life and being a good person. Pro-Tip Involve your child in the planning and preparation of the party.  Teach him/her how to focus on guests' needs. Most sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca Q & A: The Best and Worst Parties I’ve Hosted or At...

  The Worst Party Dear Rebecca, What is the worst and parties you’ve attended or given as well as what made them so? Wondering Dear Wondering, The worst I hosted was for my daughter’s 12 th birthday party. My planning focused on all the invitees: gift bags, a variety of games with prizes, birthday cake, candles, and the lot.   The one thing I didn’t plan well was to make sure that my daughter was the center of attention.   I expected her to be a cohost and cater to the guests.   Not good.    Huge mistake!   This was her special occasion, her party.   Children want to feel as if their birthday party is all about them.   They need to win some of the prizes.   They need to be the center of attention.   They need to feel special.   So, this was a good lesson for me.   Message to daughter: Sorry, Shannon.   You are special to me.   The Best Party One of my dear friends hosted a wonderful...

  While enjoying one of my favorite past times, I had an epiphany.  I realized that there is etiquette involved when gardening, which I should have realized sooner.   After all, there is etiquette involved and expected in every aspect of our lives.  Except, I hadn't really thought much about "Gardening Etiquette" and what that might entail.  And, how about you? I wonder what all of you think of this concept.  Do you think there is etiquette when gardening (for our plants, for our land, for our neighborhood, etc.)?  The thought and question have my mind working as a mouse on a little wheel.  So, let's get that mouse running full speed here. Respect for Our Plants First, consider how we treat our plants.  Since we care about our plants and want to treat them with respect , we would also want to consider their comfort.  Yes, this means planting them where they would thrive and not in some dismal spot where they would suff...