Love Where You Least Expect It!

Love is when your pet snuggles up against you on a cold winter's night. Love is baking cookies inside while your mate shovels outside. Love is when your teenager laughs aloud with you instead of pretending that you don't exist. Love is talking to your mother and her actually agreeing with you instead of her telling you the way she would have done it. Love is picking up where you left off with a good friend even though you haven't seen each other in months. Love is buying loads of snacks and dropping them off at a homeless shelter on Superbowl Sunday in memory of your Dad, who was an avid football fan. Love is feeling good about you, having hopes for your future, and letting go of dark shadows from your past.

Seeing love in so many forms makes Valentine's Day less threatening for some. Anyone can be our Valentine, not just a boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife. February is cold in New England. Why not share the warmth with someone? Heck, we even leave our mailman a Valentine!

Still not in the mood yet? There are a few tickets left for our humorous talk on "Love" combined with a wine-tasting at Alfalfa Farm in Topsfield on Friday, February 18th. My husband, Larry, and I will share some situations couples can relate with all too well! Living together, in-laws, kids, holidays, sex - come laugh with us and warm up with a nice Pinot Grigio! When all else fails, there's nothing like a nice glass of wine and good company to set the world right again.

Wishing you a February full of love, warmth, and laughter - or at the very least, a great glass of vino!

Ode to January and Mother Nature

January. Not everyone's favorite month. It begins after the holidays when everyone has to clean up and find room to store the presents received (including enough toys to open our own store). Then there are those new year's resolutions which always include losing weight and doing more exercise. Shoveling must count, right? Oh yes, the lovely weather in January has our attention, too. Tons of white snow against the dark sky that comes all too early in the afternoon. And we wonder why we feel out of sorts this time of year?

I could say we should all let our hair down and take up a winter sport like skiing or snowboarding. But my lack of heeding past new year's resolutions having to do with losing weight and moving more caution me that my body probably won't be able to handle this new hobby too easily. Never mind my back or knees.

All right, then how about a less physical new hobby? How about hooking Netflix up to my tv so I don't have to mail them back and wait so long in between movies? Or does shopping for deals at the mall count? The cold and dark just make me want to stay under my covers. Animals hibernate this time of year - shouldn't we take their lead? My body needs rest. Hey, have you seen the snow out there? Travel isn't easy - another reason to stay close to home.

Oh, January. I'm really trying. Forgive me for not sticking to those resolutions - but my mind is numb from the cold. My body is sore from shoveling. And I'm too busy reading directions on those toys from Santa to spark a creative thought. Have patience with me, January. Things will be different next month with Valentine's Day and only 28 days to get through until we feel closer to spring. Who am I kidding? My ode to February will be coming next! Winter in New England. You've got to love it - why else would we put ourselves through it?!

We have seasons for a reason. Listen to Mother Nature and allow yourself time to enjoy the winter slumber. Forgive yourself. You can start fresh at any moment - it doesn't have to be January 1st! Spring is coming. What better time to change than when birds are singing and the sun reappears? Hey - we'll all feel just like freakin' Snow White! Energy is on the horizon so be gentle with you and chill out with people who make you smile. It was why January was invented. Mother Nature constantly reminds us with her fresh white blanket, tucking us in like newborns. And you don't mess with Mother Nature!

The Magic of Chocolate!

Welcome 2011! All that rushing for the holidays - then they're over in a flash! Now it is time to celebrate you! Isn't it time to "live" it up? You do so much for others - how about doing something special for you?

One thing that truly makes me happy (besides my wonderful family and friends, of course!) is chocolate. Milk or dark, with caramel or nuts, hot or in big chunks. Chocolate can change my mood. It allows me to escape, even for just a while, and think of a simpler time when people used to drink it for its magical powers. And with the crazy lives we all lead, what's wrong with a touch of magic in your day?

We recently enjoyed a great trip to Taza Chocolate Factory in Somerville. For just $5, we got to sample all sorts of funky flavors of chocolate (salt and pepper, chili, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and more), tour the place, and learn how they make this great stuff straight from the cocoa bean! They use traditional Mexican stone methods, using all organic ingredients. And it tastes great! Who knew all this could happen in Somerville? I highly recommend this adventure (maybe combined with dinner at Redbones BBQ, like we did!).

If you're willing to splurge, there's still time to join us for a trip to Boston to the "Chocolate Bar" on Saturday, January 15th. The cost is $65 per person for all-you-can-eat incredible desserts, tea or coffee, tax and tips, and roundtrip bus from Middleton or Saugus. Once you do this, you will not be the same! It will make 2011 seem a whole lot brighter already! Hope to hear from you before January 7th!

I know the new year is when you're supposed to be dieting and eating better. And you still can take care of you! But there's nothing wrong with living it up with a new experience and splurging every now and then! Besides, you gotta love those antioxidants in chocolate!

Whether it is at Taza, the Chocolate Bar, or just with a few Hershey kisses, wishing you the sweetest and most satisfying new year ever!

Taking Care of You in 2011!

It was great to end my Fall Wellness Series ("Faith, Hope, and Charity") at Cradles to Crayons in Quincy this past Sunday. A fabulous group of Ever After volunteers got to match outfits for children, making nearly 60 bags of clothes to be dispersed this week. We had a lot of laughs and left with hearts full of hope for the numerous kids the agency serves. A big thank you if you volunteered with us and/or donated items that we delivered that day. We hope to volunteer again next year and hope you might join us next time.

After the hectic holiday season passes, remember to take time for you and attend my Winter Wellness Series, "Live, Love, Laugh". It kicks off on Saturday, January 15th with a trip to the yumilicious Chocolate Bar in Boston. Cost is $65 per person for all-you-can-eat desserts, coffee or tea, tax, tip, and round-trip bus transportation from Middleton or Saugus. It is time to "Live" it up and enjoy yourself after taking care of so many others in your life! Please let me know soon if you would like to attend.

My husband, Larry, and I will host a talk on "Love" in February - more details to follow soon! Great for couples, too!

Then in March, we'll "Laugh" together at a presentation at the Reading Public Library on Tues., March 22nd from 7pm-8:30pm. Complete with comical video clips, this is something you won't want to miss!

Hope this holiday season brings dreams that come true and hopes fulfilled. May 2011 be the best year yet for you and yours!

Holiday Shopping Idea: Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice!

Holiday shopping is in the air! Mall parking lots runneth over already - and if you're anything like me, you're probably thinking of running the other way! I'm doing my best to avoid the malls this year and try smaller local businesses instead. Here's some ideas...

Spend an afternoon on Route 20 in Sudbury, Wayland, and Marlborough. Start with Russell's Garden Center for a unique selection of holiday decorations, jewelry, toys, and so much more. I thought Russell's was only for gardening but was I ever surprised! Although they can be a bit pricey on some items, it is difficult to leave here without a few unique gifts for those who seem to have everything.

My next favorite stop is the Wayside Country Store in Marlborough. Their candy counter alone is worth the trip! Kids of all ages will have a ball picking out all sorts of "penny" candy - from watermelon gummy bears to Finnish licorice to handmade nonpareils - this place has it all! Great stocking stuffers! Right next door is a country store with pickle barrels and ginger snaps, also offering numerous unique gift ideas, including Byers' Choice carolers and specialty foods.

Backtrack to the plaza with Learning Express for toy ideas and have dinner next door at Lavender, a stylish restaurant serving Asian favorites such as Beef with Sliced Ginger and String Beans, Tangerine Chicken, and Pineapple and Spinach Fried Rice. When a Chinese restaurant offers free wontons when you sit, and ends your meal with free sliced oranges and fortune cookies, you've got my attention! After all this shopping, you deserve a nice meal!

Have unique stores you like to visit? Please share them here or email me and I'll list them. We can all use a little help finding unique gifts this holiday season and helping keep smaller stores in business in this economy. Thanks in advance for sharing your tips!

We All Benefit from a little Practical Magic!

October is my favorite month. I love the crisp autumn air, the smell of cider donuts and apples, and the mystical way Halloween makes me feel. This is the time of year I pop "Practical Magic" into the DVD player and kick back with a few of those mini candy bars that I should be giving out to trick or treaters instead.

"Practical Magic" contains my favorite song, "This Kiss" by Faith Hill. Romance isn't the easiest for the Owens sisters. And may not be the easiest for some of us - but never stop hoping. There's something magical about making a True Love Spell and wishing for the person of your dreams to come your way, or to at least add some spark and spice to your current romance.

Women feel empowered by this movie. I love the scene when all the ladies get together to help free-spirited Gillian (Nicole Kidman) get rid of her abusive zombie boyfriend. We can always use a group of pals to help us "clean house" and sweep away life's pain. Sometimes they may be just aquaintances who will later blossom into good friends. Gal power reigns supreme in this flick, even when it depicts how catty us women can sometimes be to one another. Who wants to befriend a witch with a past? I've learned to take those sort of chances - it makes life much more interesting!

And let us not forget the value of midnight margaritas! We all should be dancing around our house in the middle of the night, margarita in hand, just like the Owens family. Although my husband might think I've lost my mind, this might be just the thing to jump start our energy and get us thinking creatively. Live alone? Have a sleepover with this goal in mind. These are the moments we laugh about and remember - where we share, bond, and forge friendships that weather nor' easters and more!

One of my favorite friendship memories is heading to Foxwoods late at night with my cousin and two dear friends many years ago. We played the slots for a bit then headed home into so much fog that we couldn't see to drive. We had to pull off the road and wait in the car in the parking lot of what appeared to be an old mental hospital. Yes - a little too much like the movie "Halloween"! We chatted in the car for a few hours, laughing and sharing until the fog lifted. Although it was a bit scary, I really didn't want the night to end. Times like these make you feel alive - taking chances and doing something a bit crazy - not to mention the terrific company!

Here's hoping your fall will be full of unexpected surprises, midnight margaritas and other crazy times with good friends, and just a touch of magic!

Leaping into Faith!

My Fall Wellness Series, "Faith, Hope, and Charity" kicked off last Wednesday evening with a presentation about Faith at the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers. With a crowd of just under 20 people, we tossed around the different meanings of faith - from one's religion to a belief in a supernatural power that controls human destiny to believing in ourself and others. Fitting for spiritful October, we thought about what happens when we die as suggested by various psychics including James van Praagh and John Holland. We laughed at how what psychics say and fortunes in fortune cookies often have more meaning than what our family or friends say to us. It must be that supernatural force behind them, right?!

Next, I shared a photo I took from a concentration camp in Poland depicting two sets of railroad tracks (one that led to being a prisoner and one that led to the gas chamber). I keep it on my desk as a reminder that although we should consider the road less travelled as Robert Frost suggests, sometimes we don't have a choice (deemed choiceless choices by Sonia Weitz, Holocaust survivor who lived in Peabody, MA). Choiceless choices and other difficult times often lead us to embrace religion and believe in the Divine or God. The value of community from your local church or some other type of group can never been overstated. Friends that will help you through life's toughest moments as well as its sweeter ones are extremely important.

While some of us believe that much in life is meant to be, we agreed that not everything is. People make mistakes -- it is what we do with what we are dealt that really matters. Although some good can come from bad (such as young Adam Walsh's death leading to his father helping catch numerous criminals on "America's Most Wanted" and the Adam Walsh Act about sex offenders put into law in 2006), it doesn't make us feel much better about the initial loss. Sometimes we may never know why things happen. Sometimes our woes can affect someone else's life and destine that person to a new calling.

A favorite quote shared by Teilhard de Chardin was "You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience." Being human is far from perfect. Thinking of ourselves as tiny spiritual beings floating on a cloud sprinkling happy thoughts to one another is much better than feeling human and powerless at times. When we think this way, chores like grocery shopping, cleaning up, making dinner, tasks at work, getting homework done - which often consume our daily life - become less of our focus. The meaning of life is what we decide to make of it and how we choose to live it. Laughter, cuddling your pet, looking into your lover's eyes - these small moments should make up your bigger picture.

Lastly, we reminded one another to let go of beliefs that don't help you and embrace new ones, including being part of a community where you feel empowered. Faith may make all things possible but LOVE makes it easier. Seek out those who help rekindle your flame and inspire others in return. Volunteer! Laugh at mistakes and missteps along your journey instead of getting caught up in them. Laugh a lot. Think about what faith means to you, and if you don't know, take some time to figure it out. You will probably feel happier as a result. And who can't use a little happiness?!

The evening ended with everyone picking a random fortune about their future from a special basket. (And I think those made more of an impression than our entire discussion! Guess I can't compete with the supernatural! Glad you all liked them!) Special thanks to Donna Maturi and the library staff for hosting me!

Hope you will join me for "Hope," the next segment in the series, on Monday, November 15th at 6:30pm at the Flint Public Library (Route 114) in Middleton. We'll talk about wishes, how to get through life's difficult moments, laugh as much as we can, and end by creating our own "wish list" to take home (generously provided by Jenna Amara from Mums Art Studio in Tewksbury). You don't want to miss this one!!