A Toast To You

With colder temperatures here, and already signs of snow, I am more than ready to sit on the beach, read some books, and get some sun … and, the great thing is that I am actually doing it!

This week, my husband and I are in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Is it the best time to take off? Probably not. But, if you don’t take/make time for yourself, you won’t get it.

I encourage anyone reading this to block out some time for yourself, and your family over the upcoming holidays – and, in general year round.

Personally, my motto is: “Work hard and play hard.” I know that this won’t work for everyone.

But, consider this -- when a study was done interviewing people over 65 (no, I’m not there, yet), and researchers asked, “What would you do differently in your life?” … The resounding response was, “I would have taken more risks. I would spend more time with my family. I’d take time to stop and ask the big questions.”

As I sip my margaritas in the warm sun this week, and follow this "advice," I will think collectively of anyone reading this, and offer a toast to you!

More Reflections & Being Thankful

I love Thanksgiving!

We had 22 people at our house on Thanksgiving day, including three women in their 80s and four boys 5 and under.

Think a happy kind of chaos!

My husband and I are always thrilled when our four children (and spouses and grandchildren), are all together. Like many families, we are all scattered across the country, so it is special when everyone can be in one place.

In our crazy, fast-paced world – filled with working longer hours, layoffs, recession, conflicts in various regions, and terrorist attacks like what happened in India – sometimes we need to take a step back and remember, and be grateful for, what really matters: quality time spent with family and friends.

I hope that we all have many opportunities to celebrate throughout December, and in the New Year, too!