Do It Yourself New Year's Party Favors

Making Your Own New Year's Party Favors

New Year's Eve is a time of fun and celebration with our friends and families.  In other words, it's time to party!  And what's a party without party favors?

New Year's party favors are easy to find at your local party or discount store.  But why give out the same old favors everyone else is giving when you can create your own unique ones?  Whether you make elaborate crafts or put together simple goodie bags, your guests will appreciate the effort you've put into them.  Here are a few favors that will put a smile on your guests' faces.

* Handmade party hats - Those kooky little party hats are a New Year's Eve staple that it's easy to make yourself.  All you need is some card stock, glue, a hole punch, and elastic.  Simply roll the paper into a cone shape, glue the seam, and cut off the excess paper to make the bottom of the hat even.  Then punch a hole on each side, run a piece of elastic through, and tie at each end.  You can customize the hats with streamers, paint, stamps and other embellishments.

* Party in a bag - Goodie bags are great for any occasion, but a New Year's Eve party bag includes everything your guests need to celebrate.  Place a blowout or noisemaker (or both), a small baggie of confetti, and some treats into a small, brightly colored gift bag.  Add some shiny filler and you have a fun favor that your guests will have a blast with.

* Fortune cookies - At a time when everyone is excited about the coming year, fortune cookies make a perfect party favor.  You don't have to buy ready-made ones, though.  You can find recipes online and make your own.  If you'd rather not try your hand at the real thing, you can easily make paper ones.  Just cut some decorative paper into a circle, fold in half, pull the edges down to meet and secure with glue.  Write fortunes on small strips of paper and place inside the real or fake cookies.

* Beaded necklaces - Party beads make great New Year's party favors, and it's a cinch to make these beaded necklaces.  Just get some elastic string or fishing line and lots of colorful beads, cut long pieces of the string or line, and string the beads on.  Tie the ends together when you're done, trim the excess, and add a drop of glue to secure the knot.

New Year's Eve is always a night to remember, and you can make it even more memorable for your party guests with unique handmade favors.  These simple projects will help them ring in the New Year with flair.

New Year's Eve Budget Party Ideas

New Year's Eve  Party Ideas

After the hubbub of Thanksgiving and Christmas you may not really want to think about New Year’s Eve. However, the holiday will arrive and you want to celebrate the changing of the calendar. Use these New Year’s Eve budget party ideas so you don’t destroy your already stretched budget.

You may not be able to travel to Time’s Square to watch the New Year ball drop, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holiday in style. Ask friends and family to join you at your home to watch the live television broadcast. You’ll be much warmer and will have everything you need right at hand.

Decide on a budget for your party. You don’t need to spend a great deal of money to have some friends and family over. If you let those attending help supply some of the party’s needs, it can drastically reduce how much your party costs.

Ask everyone on your list to help with the food and beverages. You may think it seems ungenerous to have a pot luck New Year’s Eve party, but it’s a great way to have a party on a budget. Everyone else just celebrated Christmas, too, so they will probably be more than happy to chip in.

Disposable plates, glasses and silverware may seem ‘cheap’ but who wants to spend January 1 washing a ton of dirty dishes? You can find holiday and plain party items at most dollar stores and the price is low enough not to break your budget. Be sure to get at least twice as many as you think you’ll need so people can go back to the food table for seconds.

Avoid the concerns about too much drinking for the holiday by inviting friends with children. This will give everyone permission not to drink and you’ll know there won’t be a problem when they go home. Of course, you may want to have sparkling cider on hand to at least give the impression that you’re having champagne when midnight comes.

Break out the board games while you’re waiting to ring in the New Year. Set up several games on different tables throughout the home. This will give everyone a couple of choices of games to play. If your guests have children, ensure you have children’s games for them to play as well.

Choose simple decorations. Fancy balloons and streamers are all fine and dandy if you have the money for them, but they’re really not necessary. Make a “Happy New Year” sign on your computer or don’t have decorations at all. It’s not likely anyone will complain because there were no decorations.

Of course, if you’re really concerned about your budget, you can have a simple New Year’s Eve party at home with your own family. Watch a movie until midnight and then go on to bed. You could also go to bed early and sleep through the changing of the year. There’s nothing that says it must be celebrated in a particular way. Find something that meets your needs and enjoy.

These New Year’s Eve budget party ideas are pretty universal. You can enjoy friends and family without having to go broke. Set a budget and stick to it. Ask your guests to bring something to share. Don’t serve alcohol. These simple ideas will keep every party you throw be fun without your having to worry about the cost.

Top 5 Gifts for the Family This Christmas

Top 5 Gifts for the Family

Although it's fun for everyone to get their own gifts at Christmas, some gifts have a unique way of bringing the family together in the true Christmas spirit. Here are a few unique family gifts that could do just that for you and your loved ones.

Sponsor a Child, Animal or Cause

Instead of buying gifts for each other this Christmas season, as a family you can give a gift to help others in need. You can sponsor children in many different countries by sending in a one time donation or agreeing to sponsor them on a long term benefit. If you'd like to help out more locally, donate to toy drives, animal shelters or any other non-profit organization.

Take a Vacation or Stay in a Hotel
Taking a vacation is always exciting. While toys and clothes may get lost over time, memories never do. If taking a long vacation is not in your budget, you can visit a nearby town or even stay in your own town, but at a hotel. Your family can check out the pool, or even order room service and watch movies. A change of environment is sometimes all the vacation you need.

Take a Tour

Take a train, bus or boat tour of your area. You do not have to travel far from home but you can see your city in a whole new way. If you are willing to brave the weather, go for a hike and have a Christmas day picnic. For a more economic option, go to your local museums or historic sites and ask for guided tours.

Family Coupons

Have each family member write up 5 things they would like someone to do for them such as washing dishes, room cleaning, back rub, a one hour nap with no interruptions or washing the car. Each person puts their coupons into a hat and each family member pulls out 5 different ones. Instead of gifts, each person will have to do what the coupons says.

Language Class
Sign up for a language class as a family. Not only will you learn together, but you will also have built in study buddies ready to help and someone to practice with. If languages aren't your thing, you can try boxing, swim lessons, art classes or anything else that interests you as a family.

Not all family gifts have to be something you buy or something that can be held in a box. There are many gifts that will last a lifetime and don't cost a thing. Making family memories is one gift you know that no one else will have.

　

Top 5 Gadget Gifts This Christmas

Top 5 Gadget Gifts
If you know someone who’s really into gadgets, and are totally stuck for ideas this Christmas, then take a look at the following few gift ideas for gadget fans. Although none of these gadgets are cheap, they’ll put a big smile on a face and be used for a long time to come.

iPad: Tablets are getting increasingly popular, and none more so than Apple’s iPad. Apple recently released the iPad 3, which is the reigning champion of tablets right now. It’s sleek and snazzy, ultra-fast and trendy too. However, if the iPad 3 is a bit too expensive, the iPad 2 is still a great product that really delivers and won’t leave anyone disappointed.

Kindle Fire: The Kindle Fire is Amazon’s own tablet – or range of tablets. Just recently Amazon released a new range of Kindle Fire HDs, which come in two sizes to meet the demands of various users.

If you’re looking for something portable and effective, then the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD is a great option. If you think that’s too small, then the 8.9-inch device might work better. And, although none of the products in the Kindle Fire range are that powerful, they’re the cheapest tablets on the market right now which makes them almost irresistible. Great design, great usability and at a budget price. There’s no doubt that this is a hit product.

Kinect: One of the biggest developments in video game technology over the last couple of years has been motion control. Once, this was the sole territory of Nintendo’s Wii, but it’s hard to top the unique Kinect motion control on the Xbox 360. This is the only device that lets you interact with games without any hand-held controller whatsoever. Instead, it detects full-body movement which lets you interact with games in totally unique ways. This is the most popular motion control device on the market right now, and is sure to please both serious and causal gamers!

Sonos PLAY: 5: An increasingly popular technology for both music and gadget lovers is wireless speaker systems. The Sonos PLAY:5 is probably the king of consumer wireless speaker systems right now (without spending many thousands of dollars) and it’s easy to see why.

Not only can this system eliminate ugly wires from your living room speaker system, but it can be used to control streaming media services connected to your TV, and can also link up with other Sonos wireless speaker systems around the house to control music in each and every room! This is a serious piece of kit, and will definitely go down a storm on Christmas day!

Apple TV: A great choice for any gadget fan, and a top choice especially for fans of Apple’s products, the newest Apple TV box is a fantastic bit of kit. It includes full iTunes music, movies and TV shows integration, as well as Netflix, Vimeo and more, all in HD. It can also stream content stored on other Apple devices, like iPads and iPods, direct to your TV, and can be controlled using an iPad, iPod touch, iPhone or the included remote. This is a fantastic product that delivers one of the best end-user experiences of any streaming media home setup. A truly excellent gift for any gadget buff!

Top 5 Gifts This Christmas

Top 5 Gifts For Babies and Toddlers This Christmas

Buying gifts for small children doesn't have to be hard, and most of the time they'll just want to play with the box anyway. To keep their attention on the toy and not the package, try these top 5 gifts for babies and toddlers this Christmas.

Newborn to 3 Months - Fisher-Price Discover 'n Grow Kick and Play Piano Gym

This toy is a combination of a tummy time mat, hanging mobile and music maker. The colors and sounds help new babies to develop motor skills and also refine their five senses. Infants can kick soft piano keys to produce lights and music or grab at hanging toys like mirrors, rattles and teething toys. Parents can also set the music to play for up to 15 minutes.

4 to 9 Months - Peek-a-Blocks and Look-a-Rounds
Both have the same general idea, but one being round and one being square. These plastic toys have objects inside that the infants cannot remove. There are alphabet versions, barn yard animals, some that make sounds and other that have different textures on the exterior. There are also accessories that sort the blocks or use them as moving parts, such as trains and activity centers.

9 to 18 Months - Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker For infants that sit, crawl or are beginning to walk, this is the perfect toy. The main face of the toy has sounds, lights, a small telephone, shapes, numbers, sorters and rattles. Once your child starts to walk, you can mount the toy to its wheeled base and let your child take the toy on the go. The cart also works as a support system for new walkers, helping them to build confidence while taking their new steps.

18 to 24 Months - Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
These Little Tikes cars come in three colors: Princess Pink, bright red and there is also a police patrol car version. Not only have these cars been around for 30 years, they are still popular, kid tough and allow toddlers to entertain themselves.

24 to 36 Months - Little Tikes Barbeque Grill and Kitchen Sets
At this age, toddler love to copy their parents and play “pretend”. Any toy that mimics adult activities are bound to be a hit. Other ideas include grocery stores, tea sets, dress up clothes, face paints or even costumes. This is the perfect age for kids to start using their imagination.

Understanding The Health Benefits Of Positive Thinking

Many of us have the idea that benefits of positive thinking extend to our physical health as well as our mindset, and research has shown that this may just be true. Here is a guide to some of the benefits you may feel if you work on developing a more positive outlook on life.

Positive Thinking Helps Beat Stress and Illness
Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty can have a huge impact on the way you deal with life's problems. Those who are generally more optimistic will often see the silver lining in situations that would otherwise make them stressed. And there is a direct link between our stress levels and the way our immune system works.

Other studies have shown that negative thoughts may also directly affect our immunity to certain conditions. One study suggested that increased brain activity while thinking negative thoughts was related to our body's response to the seasonal flu vaccination. Negative emotion and self-talk is also a huge factor in those suffering from depression.

A positive outlook has also helped people dealing with serious long term illnesses such as cancer. Those who practice positive thinking - by keeping check on the stream of thoughts that go through their brain throughout the day - were known to reduce some of the negative side effects of their treatment, and help increase the speed of recovery.

The Research Isn't Yet Clear
The research isn't yet conclusive when it comes to the many benefits of positive thinking on our health. However, Mayo Clinic states that positive thinking may affect more areas than we realize, including:

* Increasing our life span,
* Giving us greater resistance to the common cold,
* Improving physical wellbeing in general,
* Lowering our chances of becoming depressed,
* Helping us to cope better with difficulties in life,
* And reducing the risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease.

There are many theories as to why positive thinkers may experience some or all of these health benefits, but it generally comes down to the fact that positive thinkers are less stressed in general. This, in turn, is a result of what we tell ourselves day-to-day.

We all have a stream of thoughts, and we don't even notice most of the thoughts that pop into our minds. Studies have shown that there are as many as thousands of negative thoughts going through our minds every day. It's not difficult to understand why a constant stream of negative thoughts can lead to a negative outlook on life, making it harder to deal with difficult situations!

As you can see, the benefits of positive thinking aren't limited to happiness. It can affect all areas of our lives if we work on our thoughts properly.

What Is Positive Thinking

What Is Positive Thinking? Understanding Self-Talk
Although it may seem obvious, understanding the answer to the question "what is positive thinking?" can put you in a far better position to become a more positive person. In short, it all comes down to the way we talk to ourselves throughout the day, influencing the way we look at situations and life in general.

What Is Positive Thinking Self Talk?
Self talk is simply the name given to those thoughts that pop into our head throughout the day - our stream of consciousness. It is the way we talk to ourselves about what we're doing, the way we convey our emotions and the way we think about ourselves.
This self talk can have a huge affect on the way we feel. Some of us are in the habit of talking to ourselves negatively. As a consequence, we look at situations negatively and feel bad about the things that happen in our lives.

There are a few specific types of negative self talk:

* Catastrophizing - thinking everything is going to be a disaster,

* Imposing "shoulds" on ourselves - thinking we should be a certain way and we will be "punished" if we aren't,

* Mind-reading - negative thoughts that revolve around the idea that we know what others are thinking,

* Expecting the worst - never imagining what will happen if a situation goes well,

* Absolute thinking - e.g. you "never" do well in interviews, you "always" mess things up.
If you take some time to really analyze your thoughts one day, perhaps even writing some down, then you'll probably notice you're guilty of some of these. All of us are from time to time, but positive thinking means generally learning what our destructive thought patterns are, and taking time to avoid them.

Other Areas That Influence Positive Thinking

Although your self-talk has a huge influence on the way you think, there are a few other things that are crucial when it comes to thinking more positively:

People You Spend Time With: If the people you spend time with are positive and supportive then it's far easier to think more positively yourself.

Your Lifestyle: Studies have shown that people with an active and healthy lifestyle are more likely to be positive thinkers.

As you can see, the question "what is positive thinking?" has more answers than you may have expected! Positive thinking is a complicated combination of the way we view ourselves, the way we view circumstances and events, the people that surround us, and the way we take care of our bodies. If you want to become a more positive person, then working on each of these areas in turn will get you there one step at a time.

Stress Relief Techniques Extend Your Out of Breath

Stress Relief Techniques: Extend Your Out-Breath With The 7/11 Technique

Out of all the stress relief techniques, extending your out-breath as part of the 7/11 technique is extremely useful if you want an immediate calming effect. Whether you feel stressed, anxious or even angry, this is an easy technique for you to try.

How To Perform The 7/11 Technique
The name of this technique comes from the number of counts you need to breathe in and out for. Breathe in for 7 counts, and out for 11 counts.
In practice, however, you can be flexible with the number. For example, you may find it difficult at first to breathe out to a count of 11. In this case, you might start by breathing in to a count of 4, and out to a count of 6. When you practice you'll find it easier and easier to extend your out-breath.

Why Does This Technique Work?
Stress relief techniques can help to prevent our body's natural response to anxiety, sometimes known as the "fight or flight" response. Studies have shown that breathing out for longer than you breathe in can help you relax. And, in some cases, focusing on the counting can also give your mind something else to focus on - away from whatever may be worrying you at the time.

How To Practice The 7/11 Technique
You can use this technique whenever you need to. Many people find that stress relief techniques such as this one are perfect for moments where you're feeling anxious - such as before giving a speech, times  where you feel angry, and ordinary occasions to help relax your mind and calm general anxiety.

When you practice the technique, simply sit down somewhere quiet and repeat the process for around 6 times, or until you feel relaxed. If you're finding it difficult to breathe out for longer than you breathe in, try pursing your lips and letting the breath make a noise in the back of your throat. And, as mentioned above, it's perfectly fine to alter the counts to a rhythm that suits you.

You don't need to wait until you're feeling anxious to practice this technique. Many people find that it helps to practice it at certain times a day, such as once in the morning and once in the afternoon, until it becomes a natural reaction for them. However, if you are already feeling anxious it may help you to feel better.

As with any other stress relief techniques, it does take practice to get this one right. So keep trying and you'll find it comes naturally over time.

Relaxation Tips For Stress And Anxiety

Relaxation Tips For Stress And Anxiety: Visualization

One of the best relaxation tips you can use for stress and anxiety is to visualize yourself in a "happy" place that leaves you feeling calm. This is a great tip that can leave you feeling refreshed if things are just getting on top of you. Here's a quick guide to visualization.

1) Start by sitting comfortably and start breathing slowly, but don't force any breathing rhythm on yourself. One of the best relaxation tips is to breathe through the nose and out through the mouth to help control your breath. You should also try to breathe deeply, feeling your stomach rising and falling. Imagine that your lungs are in your chest.

2) When you are feeling calm and relaxed, you want to start imagining you are somewhere warm and comfortable. You might imagine you're on a tropical beach, that the waves are lapping gently on the shore, and there are tropical trees all around you. You are completely safe in this place, and it's warm, quiet and comfortable.

3) Now you need to let your imagination take you even deeper into the world you're imagining. Think about what you are experiencing with all of your senses. What can you hear? Maybe you can hear the gentle waves. What can you feel? This could just be a warm tropical breeze. Go through all of your senses to imagine your world in as much details as possible. Everything you imagine should be relaxing, comfortable and safe to help you relax even more.
4) Keep on imagining the scene you've set in your mind, while you breathe slowly into your stomach. Just keep experiencing all the aspects of your imaginary world for as long as you want - ideally 5-15 minutes - to allow you to relax fully.

5) When you're ready, go back to your day. You'll be feeling more relaxed and more calm. Use the technique again if you ever feel you need to.

Why Does Visualization Work?
Visualization is one of the most useful relaxation tips thanks to the way that it trains your body to relax. When you practice the mental state of being in a beautiful, peaceful and comfortable environment, you'll be training your mind to reach this kind of state even when you're not imagining yourself in that location. You can also use visualization as a way to help take you away from any stresses you may be experiencing in your day to day life, with an increased sense of perspective once you're done.

With all relaxation tips, you're going to have to practice before you get it perfect. Over time, you'll find it easier and easier to find this point of inner calm inside yourself.

Relaxation Techniques For Stress

Relaxation Techniques For Stress: How To Get Started

Relaxation techniques for stress are more effective than you may realize. By practicing a few proven breathing exercises you can slowly train your body to relax more quickly and prevent getting stressed in the first place. If you're going to try certain relaxation exercises, then here's a guide to practicing them and using them effectively.

Why Do You Need To Relax?
It may seem obvious, but it's important to understand why relaxation techniques for stress are so important. In short, feeling stressed has an impact on your body. Your muscles will tense up, and this may lead to a number of unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, backache, feeling tired and more. These physical feelings can also lead to mental feelings, and make us feel more anxious. By learning to relax properly, we help to release tension and feel more relaxed.

Relaxation Takes Practice
The first thing you need to realize is that relaxation is a skill. It isn't something you can just snap your fingers and do. You probably already know that. After all, if it was that easy, you wouldn't be stressed, would you? This means you're going to have to take time to fit relaxation into your day, and practice various techniques until they begin to feel more and more natural to you. Eventually certain techniques will become second nature and you won't need to practice them at all.

Some Tips For Learning To Relax
You should try to practice relaxation techniques for stress in quiet and relaxing environments. This is the time when you should be quieting your mind, and feeling safe and comfortable wherever you are. This could mean lying down, or sitting in your favorite chair.

Try to practice relaxation techniques every day if possible. In order to make sure you do them, and get into a routine, try to plan in advance the time of day you'll practice your techniques. This could mean doing one when you wake up, one on your lunch break and one before going to bed - whatever works best for you. Eventually you may want to experiment with different times of day if some work better than others to prevent stress.

When trying to relax, it can sometimes make you feel even more tense if you feel like it's not working or you're not doing it correctly. Try not to worry about these factors. Just know that by practicing regularly you're well on your way to learning how to relax more naturally. Breathe slowly but never force it - do what comes naturally to you.

Relaxation techniques for stress take time,
practice and commitment. However, by taking time out every day you'll be gradually increasing your natural ability to unwind and prevent anxiety and stress.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: How To Use This Technique To Reduce Stress And Anxiety

Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that can help you to relax and unwind by tensing and releasing the muscles in turn. It can be used for relaxing throughout the day, or for helping your body to relax when you're trying to sleep. Here's a quick guide on how to use progressive muscle relaxation effectively.

Before You Begin: Before you get started, you'll want to be in a comfortable position. This could mean sitting or lying down, as long as you feel relaxed and comfortable. Make sure you're in a quiet place and make yourself comfortable. You want to be able to concentrate on the feelings and differences between tight and loose muscles.

1) Breathe Slowly: Start by breathing slowly, feeling yourself relaxing more deeply with each breath.

2) Start At Your Feet: Start by pointing your toes and tensing them, gradually let this tightness go before moving up and doing the same with your calves and muscles behind the shins. You want to tense your muscles as you inhale slowly, and release them as you exhale - this will boost the relaxing effect.

3) Work Your Way Up: Now work your way up throughout the body, tensing your thighs, then relaxing, now onto your stomach, your arms, your hands, back, shoulders, neck and face.

4) Work On Your Face: When you reach your face, bite your teeth together then relax your jaw. Tense all the muscles in your face and then slowly release them.

Now that you've worked your way all through the body you should feel a wave of relaxation over you. This is a great way to relax if you find it difficult otherwise. Practice it as often as you need to - you'll find that it becomes easier every time.

Why Does Progressive Muscle Relaxation Work?

When you use this technique, you'll be teaching yourself the difference between the feelings of being tense and relaxed. Many of us hold tension in our muscles without even realizing, and practicing this skill can help you to realize when you may not be relaxed. The feelings of physical relaxation of the muscles, in direct contrast to the prior tension, have a knock on effect that leaves you feeling mentally relaxed at the same time.

So, if you suffer from stress, anxiety or difficulty sleeping, try progressive muscle relaxation as a way to relax both the body and the mind. It takes a little practice but can be extremely effective.

How To Relax With Anxiety

How To Relax With Anxiety: Diaphragmatic Breathing

Many of us are used to taking shallow breaths, which can lead to hyperventilation and feelings of anxiety. Knowing how to relax with anxiety, and even how to prevent anxiety, means knowing how to breathe properly. Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that can help to calm your body down in a number of situations.

Diaphragmatic breathing will help to use your whole chest and lungs for deep, relaxing breaths. The diaphragm itself is located at the bottom of your chest, and is a muscle that moves up and down as you breathe. Here is the technique for learning how to relax with anxiety and to use your diaphragm more effectively.

1) Get In Position: You can do this sitting down, but it may help to practice when you're lying down. Get comfortable and place one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. This will help you to feel the way you're breathing.

2) Breathe In: Slowly breathe in through your nose and feel your stomach rise as you do. The hand on your chest should not really be moving at all. If it helps, imagine that your lungs are in your stomach, and picture them filling with air. This is the technique that will help you to relax with anxiety.
3) Breathe Out: Now breathe out slowly, through pursed lips if it helps to extend the breathe, and feel your stomach deflating. Again, the hand on your chest should be staying still.

Don't wait until you're anxious to use this technique: it helps to practice it regularly if you want to learn how to relax with anxiety. The more you practice, the more you'll strengthen your diaphragm and retrain yourself to breathe in this way even when you're not consciously trying to.

Diaphragmatic breathing can be difficult when you're not used to it, this is why you may want to lie down the first few times. You may feel tired at first, but keep practicing regularly and things will get easier. Practicing in five or ten minute bursts around three times a day is a good way to start, and it can even help prevent anxiety when you master the technique.

Knowing how to relax with anxiety certainly isn't easy, which is why it's important to stick at it and practice regularly. When you become better at it, diaphragmatic breathing will come more naturally and you'll be able to do it sitting up in a chair. This is also a great way to simply escape from life, stress and have some time to yourself.

My Thoughts on Happiness

My Thoughts on Happiness I think the key themes boil down to how we talk to ourselves, how we respond to things, how we make meaning, who we spend time with, and how we make the most of what we’ve got. The other key thing is that happiness is dynamic and it’s not a static state. It’s about living, learning and growing, and rolling with the punches. I also think it’s important to think of happiness as a skill. Drive from happiness. For durable happiness, lead your happiness from the inside out. Most importantly – enjoy the process.

Everything you want should be yours

Everything you want should be yours: the type of work you want; the relationships you need; the social, mental, and aesthetic stimulation that will make you happy and fulfilled; the money you require for the lifestyle that is appropriate to you; and any requirement that you may (or may not) have for achievement or service to others. If you don’t aim for it all, you’ll never get it all. To aim for it requires that you know what you want ~ Richard Koch

No Limits

“The sky has never been the limit. We are our own limits. It’s then about breaking our personal limits and outgrowing ourselves to live our best lives.”

Halloween decor - more treat than trick

BPT) - While displaying ghosts and goblins is great for the kids and the standard for Halloween decor, how about getting into the spirit but with a bit more sophistication this year? If you are throwing a Halloween party for those adults who are kids at heart, a spooky holiday theme can still be part of the festivities, but with a touch of panache.
There are many directions you can go with a decoration theme. Certainly there are the colors of black and orange that can be integrated into the decor and the use of pumpkins or candles, which still scream Halloween but can be displayed elegantly.
Gary LaVasser, academic director in Set & Exhibit Design at The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, a campus of Argosy University, says that while everyone thinks of orange and black consider the combination of dark red and black. At Halloween, any time black is used it represents scariness and the dark red can be symbolic of blood. “For a more sophisticated look, combine dark red arrangements of roses, cover them in black hat veiling so that you see the roses through the veil and tie them together with black satin ribbon,” he suggests. “If you want to go a little further, place the arrangement on an inexpensive black placemat and drip dark red nail polish from a few rose petals onto the placemat. It will look like the roses are bleeding.”
LaVasser also has these tips for alternative but sophisticated Halloween decor:
* Use vintage Halloween toys from the 1930s, 40s or 50s as part of the design. If they are worn they have more character. Combine them with garlands of silk fall leaves available at most craft stores, tree branches or wheat and place on mantels or dining tables.
* Paint objects black that normally are not this color. For example, jack-o-lanterns are orange so spray them black for a twist on a familiar item. Also consider painting real flowers black. To make objects more interesting, select different black textures such as using matte, glitter, satin, gloss or metallic paints.
* The colors of fall are rich earth tones and these colors also associate with Halloween. Add a little “punch” by using a deep purple color. It can be an interesting contrast to oranges and gold tones. Also consider using metallic gold, copper and pewter colors. You can paint leaves or pumpkins with these shades as well.
LaVasser adds that one can look for inspiration among different cultures and how they celebrate certain holidays or Halloween. A Latino tradition is Day of the Dead, observed on November 1st and 2nd, which celebrates family and friends who have passed. “Day of the Dead decor includes folk art, candles, colorful flowers and bright ribbons together with skeletons,” says LaVasser. “This theme offers great options for Halloween.”

Time Is Limited

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drowned your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”–Steve Jobs

Speech is Silver and Silence is Gold

It's not what you say, but the way that you say it. You may be  involved in all kinds of talks and have to react in the right way. Even if you feel like speaking the truth or if your honest opinion is asked for, choose your words carefully. Your thoughts could be so brutally honest and caustic that they might hurt others. Sometimes speech is silver, and silence is gold.

Life As It Is

Life

Whatever may happen, there is no need for dismay. Always, there is the opportunity to creatively and successfully deal with the things life sends your way.
There’s nothing to be gained by wishing that things had turned out differently. Pick yourself up, connect with the energy of your passion, put a smile on your face and move forward with what is.
Your best choice is always to be your best. And you can’t be your best when you’re complaining or regretting or worried or dismayed.
Every situation generates a new set of positive possibilities. So in every situation, choose to see those possibilities and to enthusiastically follow them.
Each setback is just another step toward getting where you have chosen to go. Learn, adapt, re-commit, and get quickly back on track.
Every twist and turn in the road of life gives you the opportunity to make a difference. Relish those opportunities, make the most of them, and build a magnificent life.

The Best Crcumstance

It’s great to be where you are, and it’s great to have what you have. It’s great to know what you know, and it’s great to be who you are.
The opportunity to live a life of joy, meaning, and fulfillment is not somewhere else, or in another time or situation. It is right here, right now.
The best circumstance from which to move forward is not in some distant, idealized future. It is the circumstance where you now find yourself, because that is the circumstance from which you can immediately take your first, powerful step.
If you wait until conditions are perfect, waiting is all you’ll ever do. Stop demanding perfection from the world and start demanding immediate, effective action from yourself.
Merely wishing for things to be different, will just get you more of the same. It is by making good use of what you have, that you’re able to create and attract what you desire.
Your life’s great treasure is not in some alternate place or time or situation. It is yours to be claimed right now with the power of your positive, focused thoughts and efforts.

After School Programs - Recreational and Educational

Should You Choose a Recreational or Educational After School Program?

There are many reasons a parent decides to put their child into an after school program. They may be shy and need to learn how to be more social. Maybe they don’t have many friends as you are new to the area. Or your child might be bored or hyper active and needs to get out and do things.

Broadly speaking there are two main types of after school programs, recreational and educational programs. Sometimes the issue can be choosing which would be the best one for your child.

Many parents tend to think of educational programs first. This is normally because the child may be having difficulty in certain areas and extra help could be beneficial. While this is true it may actually not be the best idea. It might suit your child better to go out and do some recreational type of activity. This would allow them to forget about school work for a few brief hours.

Many recreational programs include all types of sports, painting, arts and crafts, and dancing. These programs are intended to provide your child with fun and exercise. Many of the sports events can become competitive as your child ages.

Educational programs are intended to help build memory skills, learn new techniques and re-enforce skills learnt at school. You don’t want to confuse tutoring and educational after school activities. This is because many kids that are pressured into having a tutor feel that they are behind and not good at school. If you choose an educational program for your child make sure they understand that they are having the chance to develop new skills.

When choosing between the two main types of programs your best choice would be to discuss the options with your child. If they are happy to go to an educational program to learn memory skills then seize the opportunity and sign them up.

If not then a recreational program is still an excellent choice. Your child will still learn new skills and will become more confident. This can run over into their school work with wonderful results anyway.

Remember a recreational program will probably feel more like a break for your child. They will be eager to make friends and take part in group sessions. The physical activity included will also keep your child healthy and prevent them from becoming overweight.

It is well known that children who participate in any type of after school activity end up with better grades in school. After school programs also keep your child from becoming addicted or obsessed with computer and TV games.

If you make any activity fun for your child they will unknowingly learn and develop new skills. By placing your child in a program you will have provided your child with a new healthy outlet.

WWW.WAHMChoices.com

Follow Your Dreams

Don't follow the crowd...they will only take you where they want to go. Follow your DREAMS and take your life where YOU want it to go!!!

After School Programs Finding A Great one

Finding Great After School Programs

One of the best ways to find great after school programs for your child is to ask at the school first. Normally they will have a good listing of programs that are offered in your local area. Some schools actually have after school programs and clubs that are run on their premises.

Another way to find activities is to look in your local newspaper. Many times especially just before school starts they will run special advertising sections aimed at after school activities. Here you can find information on many types of clubs from music and art classes to martial arts and gymnastics.

Your local library, community centers and churches are all great resources for after school programs. It doesn’t hurt to ask your neighbors which programs they have used for their children. This way you can get some helpful insight into the programs and which ones are recommended the most.

Of course putting your child into any type of after school activity should be something that you discuss with them. Don’t just assume that they would enjoy going to an art class. Sit down and talk with your child and see what they would really like to do. Some kids want to take on so many activities and this can be very time consuming and costly.

It is better to restrict the number of after school activities your child does. You want to make sure that they have enough time to get their homework time and time for relaxation.

Once you have a list of choices then it is time to narrow the list down and pick one or two clubs to join. Also take into consideration what time of day these classes are held and if you or another family member can get your child there on time.

If timing is an issue you may have to opt for programs that are run on a Saturday morning instead. This way you can make time to take your child there and possibly stay and watch. This would show your child that you have an active interest in what they are doing.

After school programs are the perfect way for your child to develop new skills and this will help boost their confidence. Some ideal classes for this are self defense classes, yoga and rock climbing.

Of course there are so many classes to choose from, once you and your child start looking, narrowing down your choices will be the only issue you have!

After School Activities - Benefits

Benefits of After School Activities

After school activities are meant to help your child develop their talent or skills by programs that are not covered in school. Some of these programs can be educational or recreational in nature. The aim of an after school activity program is to keep your child active and interested in what they are doing.

After school activities for children are normally grouped by the child’s age. This way they can easily master a new skill while making friends their own age.

Developing new skills has the added benefit of increasing your child’s self-esteem and confidence. These activities can also open up a world of new opportunities to your child. They may like music, arts or a certain sport and by participating in an after school club their knowledge of this subject increases. They may even want to pursue this interest further possibly into a college education.

Another huge benefit of after school programs and clubs is that they get to socialize with other children. They will meet children of different cultures and kids who share the same interests as them. This is a wonderful way for them to develop new friendships.

After school activities are great for children of all ages as they keep all kids busy, from youngsters to teenagers. This can help keep them away from mixing with the wrong groups of people and possibly getting into smoking or drugs.

Research has shown that those children engaged in after school activities are less likely to suffer from depression and burnout. There is also a significant increase in achievement and attendance throughout school. Plus these kids are less likely to be the ones to drop out of high school.

After school programs and clubs have children learning how to interact with other adults. This has the added advantage of teaching them how to form positive relationships with older people. Many times these adults are the ones that troubled kids will confide in. This can be extremely helpful for the child and allows the child to receive help from someone who is not their parent. This is because many kids are ashamed or embarrassed of letting their parents down if they feel they have not lived up to their expectations.

Another great advantage of after school programs is that many of them are exercise based. These include soccer, swimming, martial arts, hockey, baseball, running or even dance programs. This additional exercise helps the child to keep healthy and not gain weight. Statistics today show that obesity in childhood is becoming more of an issue and requires attention.

After school activities are great way for children to become more social. They will make new friends and develop new interests.

After School Activities - Inactive Child

After School Programs for the Inactive Child

Research has shown that child hood obesity is a major issue today. The cases of juvenile diabetes are on the rise and this can be directly related to the lack of activity and exercise children get today.

With so many families having two parents that work it can be easy to forget about exercise. Everyone comes home tired and it is so easy to allow your kids to watch TV or play a video game. Even feeding them convenience foods is at an all time high. Popping a frozen pizza or dinner in the oven is much easier than cooking a meal. But this benefits no-one especially your children. They will grow into overweight teenagers and develop a lifetime of dealing with weight issues.

With so many budget cuts many schools have been forced to close or cut down on their gym and swimming programs. Kids no longer get a couple of hours of exercise each week. Instead it is left to the parents to encourage their children to exercise more.

One way to do this is to enroll your child in some form of recreational after school program. As well as getting them more active and fit the child is shown that exercise is fun!

There are many types of after school activities that you can enroll your child into. Football, swimming, skating, Karate and dance classes are all healthy exercises that will help your child become fit.

The biggest issue you may face is getting your child used to the idea of going to an after school program. Especially if they are really inactive! The best way would be to discuss the idea with your child first and see what type of sports interest them.

Swimming is actually easy on the joints and fun, there are many water aerobic classes aimed at kids. Your child may want to do yoga or martial arts, again these are great forms of exercise and are something that your whole family could enjoy.

Many recreational after school programs run for a limited number of weeks. This can work to your advantage if your child is being stubborn about joining an activity. Getting them to go to a class for a six week period may be much easier than signing up for a year’s worth of Karate lessons!

Summer camp programs are another neat way to introduce your child to a more active lifestyle. But of course they would learn by example from you as their parent. If they see you being more active then they will be more willing to join you. How about taking up a family Sunday hike?

Good Things

 

Good Things come to those who WAIT!

 

 

Work At Home Choices

After School Activities – When is Too Much?

After School Activities – When is Too Much? Many parents enrol their children into several after school programs. While this may keep your child busy for hours after school. It could also lead to them becoming burned out and not being able to function properly. Unfortunately some parents look at after school activities as a babysitting service. It may be more convenient to place your child in some type of program instead of finding someone to watch them for you. While keeping your kids busy definitely keeps them away from too many video games, it does not allow them time to relax. This can lead to your child becoming stressed out. This can result in their school grades declining or in them actually getting sick. Many children will feel as though they have to keep up with all their activities to make their parents proud of them. What you want to do instead is tell them that if they have taken on too much then leaving an activity is a smart move. Remember that your child has a busy day at school already. There have their classes to go to with field trips and sports events included. Spending seven or eight hours studying and concentrating all day can leave your child exhausted. The last thing they need is to spend two additional hours participating in yet another rigorous class. While after school activities have been shown to help children, too many classes can have the opposite effect. As a parent you should limit the classes to once or twice a week. Weekend activities might be best for those children who want to do that extra activity. This way there is no pressure or time restrictions. The amount of after school programs that you sign your kids up for will also depend on their age. Small kindergarten children are probably happy with an activity once a week. Their programs should be simple classes where they can learn to develop social skills. For older children activities two or three times a week are great. They will probably enjoy programs such as painting, music, dancing and gymnastics. In the summer time they may want to go to camp or join a baseball summer camp program. As your child becomes a teenager they may want to get involved in the community several times a week. This can be done in various ways by volunteering at the local library, museum, pet shelter or community center. Always encourage your child to be active after school. Remember to look for signs of burnout and take immediate action to prevent this from becoming worse. WWW:WahmChoices.com

Leadership

“The very essence of leadership is that you have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” - Theodore Hesburgh

"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" - Martina McBride

Quote For The Day

You are committed to getting ahead at work today and not much will stand in your way. Although your enthusiasm inspires you, you're able to balance your confidence with a grounded sense of reality. You would be smart to get busy now while you have a practical outlook on what you need to accomplish. Don't wait for others to jump in to support you; the sooner you start, the faster you'll reach your destination.

Business Quote For The Day

In Business when we Work From Home:

Friday, August 24, 2012 - You may find yourself swinging back and forth between the largest possible view of life and the most specific details. Your imagination soars today, allowing you to see every issue from a global perspective. But it's difficult for you to act on a grandiose vision. Bringing your mental meandering back down to earth will be rewarded now. Find small ways to move toward the big picture.

 

 

WAH Choices LLC      Looking for the perfect Work At Home Choice visit:

http://www.ucanworkathome.info/Choices

Quote For The Day

Quote of the Day:

Chaos is rejecting all you have learned, chaos is being yourself. ~ Emile M. Cioran

Dreams

A New Joy or Wonder of the World is often found around corners we never expected to turn.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

 

Belive

Thought For The Day: ♥♥ Everyone carries with them at least one piece to another person's puzzle.

Find inspiration within yourself as you hold the key to your own happiness. All that is good is within our grasp if only we Believe!

Amazing Things Can Happen

Thursday, August 16, 2012 - You're fairly confident that you'll reach your destination, but you have trouble verbalizing your needs today. Unfortunately, your goals may be so far out of the box now that you cannot talk about them. Even still, you might attempt to express your feelings anyhow, only to discover what you want changes as the day goes on. Go ahead and open your heart, but remain flexible and be ready for a surprise.

Amazing Things can Happen In As Little As A Month Just As Long As You. Don't Give Up!

WAH Choices LLC

Quote For The Day

♥♥ Thought For The Day: Life is full of storms -- you just have to have the ourage to go out and dance in the rain. ♥♥

Work AT Home Choices

Quote For The Day

Struggling and Awareness

Wednesday August 15th, 2012  You may be struggling with relationship issues now. Although there are no quick solutions, circumstances push your awareness to new heights. You might need to work harder today, but at least you can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Curb your impatience or you might drive everyone around you crazy. Instead of conquering new frontiers, try a cup of soothing herbal tea and a nice cool bath to relax.

WAH Choices LLC
Struggling and Awareness

Find Your Own Voice

Find your own voice and sing your own song. 

 

Life Is

Life is Full of Beauty.

NOTICE IT.

Smell the Rain,  and feeling the wind.

Live your LIFE

to the fullest portential,

and fight for your dreams.

Life

Life Is.......................

Successful Woman

Behind Every Successful Woman is a Basket Of Dirty Laundry!

Choices

You are FREE to Choose,

but you are nor FREE from the

Consequences of your Choice...

A Great Friend

It's so true.  When you aren't looking, when you least expect it, wonderful things can happen. I think they are called "surprises" .

Thought For The Day

"Little drops of water, little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land,
So the little minutesm humble through they be,
Make the might ages of eternity."

Quote For The Day

Parents can tell but never teach unless they practice what they preach.

Quote For The Day

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.
Samuel Johnson

Quote For The Day

People won't remember what you said or what you did to them, but they will remember how you made them feel ~Author Unknown

Belive
Quote For The Day

Friendship

Real friends don't judge you, make you feel bad about yourself, or compete with you...they support you, give you joy and show you that you can trust them fully.

Quote For The Day

Making a relationship work is just that work. Work together, communicate, forgive each other for past mistakes and leave them in the past. It works.

A Great Friend

...thinks the only thing better than having a great friend, is being the great friend someone else needs ~ Floyd

Quote For The Day

A friend is a gift you give yourself.

Quote For The Day

A true leader is a servant who feeds the talents of his followers.