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Family Summer Plans?

posted Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:07 AM by Christopher P
The time of year has arrived once again!

SUMMER!

Although we have a retrograde coming up this month and going into next, it is also time for summer vacations and I wanted to provide a checklist for all of the readers of my blog.

Going on vacation is something most of us look forward to all year and while it is fun and exciting, a vacation or trip can be very stressful in the process of planning and even while we are there! If you have children I believe that it is important for them to have a voice in planning stops along the way that are interest to them. These could be anything from going to a museum or water park, to viewing historical sites or even a zoo for the afternoon. Having your child or children participate in making choices will really help out the stress level for you.

      If you are traveling with a child or children, it is important (as you know) to bring along items such as coloring books and pencils, travel games (non electronic) and even a walkman or portable cd/radio player (with headphones!) to keep them busy, and you happy during this trip. The vacation is also for you - never forget that. This should not be a baby sitter situation for you or your loved ones - these tips should help you to achieve just that - a vacation!

     While you prepare for your trip it is most important that you make sure the automobile you are driving or traveling in has been checked, oil changed, tires rotated, and all lights, wipers, fuses, belts, caps, hoses, etc checked over. This may seem like a lot, but all it takes is 30 minutes at your favorite local car spot. Once on vacation if any of these things go wrong you will be faced with getting them fixed in an unknown area, which will also charge you a lot more than your local familiar spot.

Fixing sandwiches and buying small pre packaged chips, crackers, and snacks (non chocolate) are the best option if you wish to save money on the way there and back, so remember that as well. You can save a lot of money fixing your own food before you go, and when you return. If you do not allow food in the car, stop by a rest stop or park and eat there with your family, this also adds a natural aspect to your travel and sunshine is great for everyone!

If this is a long drive, it is also a good idea to take turns driving. If you are traveling with a man, not only will you need to pray (lol) you will also need to force him to share the wheel with you. Taking turns driving will help in many ways, and there will be no heavy eye or asleep at the wheel dangers. You might have to twist a arm or two, but it's worth it!

Pet's are important and sometimes they come with us on vacation and sometimes they don't. If you decide to bring your loved one along with you, please remember to bring fresh water, food, treats, and something to keep your small baby entertained. There are many cases in which a happy pet has caused an accident, so keeping your pet busy, or having someone to watch the pet while the driver is driving, would be a good idea.

Making car rules I have found to also be a very good idea. Rules such as Clean up your trash, keep a mellow voice, no horse playing, and keep your hands to yourself have proven to really help the driver focus on the other drivers and situations that summer vacation traffic can bring.

I always believe that you can never be too safe, so preparing a safety bag is always a great idea and will not cost a lot. Good thing about putting the money into one of these safety bags is that the items will never expire or go to waste. Some of the items I would suggest are a flash light, duct tape, a blanket, tire gauge, road flares, towel, water, tool kit, a knife or cutting tool, and a jumper cable. I also would buy one of those emergency cell phones in case the one you may have, dies! This reminds me, don't forget your cell phone charger!

If you do decide to have fun this summer, please be careful and remember that you need this vacation just as much as the children (if you have them) do. I have heard of something called Quarter Fines but you could use nickles, dimes, or the alike. At the beginning of the trip, give everyone (except you of course) ;) a roll of coins and each time a rule is broken, they have to give up a coin. At the end of the trip, whatever they have left, is theirs. This provides much motivation to follow the rules you have set, and also gives a reward.

If you are traveling alone, SHEW! how did you manage that? lol. You have a MUCH needed vacation ahead of you, and you should ENJOY it!

I have had much success with looking into situations that may arise during vacations and trips. If you are planning one, and would like some insight on it give me a call and I will be sure to look for you. I wish you all the BEST vacations this year, and I will be with you in spirit and on  Keen at any point if you should need to chat, or gain insight. I also want to know where you went - so have fun and be safe!

ChristopherP


2 Comments

The Girl Scouts of America

posted Saturday, February 16, 2008 10:35 PM by Christopher P
The time is here (in my neck of the woods) for Girl Scout Cookies!
 
Of course they would come out RIGHT when everyone begins to work on their new year goal of losing weight and counting carbs and calories!

I was out today and ran across a table with two small girls and they were selling these yummy delights. I watched them as they thanked the man after paying for his two boxes and a very special message came across me as I saw this. These small girls which were about 9-12 years old were really professional and actually wanted to do such a great job and make money at the same time.

This was impressive to me because these girls are learning about socializing and learning about people and the community of which they live everyday. I really do not believe that they would know how much these type of activities can (and will) affect them later on in life. Thanks to Girl Scouts of America (and Boy Scouts alike) children all across America will be able to learn SO much about society in a positive way instead of the negative influences that public schools and peers often carry.
 
 Along with these two girls there was an older woman directing them to say "thank you" and "your welcome".  While I was in line and ordered my boxes (to give them support and enjoy the cookies) I was then aware that the counsler also helped them count out change and it really felt great to be able to hand the girls a $10 bill knowing that they feel so great in being able to count change, learn how business works, and socialize with the general public.

I have thought about this all day and thought I would write a post about it. I feel that these events are really helpful and although I can not afford to buy boxes at every little location I may run across, I fully support events like this and I encourage more events like this to take place.

Being a part of something as simple as buying cookies, supporting a great orginzation and interacting with the future of America was really my highlight of the day. The small things really DO count, because I know these two litle girls went to bed tonight thinking of how much they sold, and how fun it was to interact with people today.


1 Comments

Hello? Anyone Out there?

posted Sunday, December 30, 2007 1:47 AM by Christopher P
....A Blog

It's new to me but I think its something I would like to add to my Keen profile.

WELCOME!

I am glad you all have joined me for my first post. It is almost like a celebration because I normally can not stay focused long enough to actually provide updates on these things, BUT this is one of my new years resolutions!

 I will try real hard to come up with good stuff to add and speak about in order to help all of my clients (old, new, and future) with their paths and their spiritual awareness. I thank all of my clients for being there for ME as I am here for YOU. It means a lot that you are here with me, and I love to help you with your life and the situations that follow!

HEY - so speaking of New Year Resolutions, did you know that the number 1 New Years Resolution is to spend more time with friends and family? It's true!

2. Fit and Fitness - This is the second more popular and it has very little to do with actually losing weight, but more so with maintaining the fitness aspect of your life. Fitness and Spirituality are hand in hand. Keeping fit works out those "muscles of the soul" and they include courage, faith, humor, patience, humbleness, honesty, compassion, imagination, forgiveness, intution, and more!

3. Losing Weight - This goes hand in hand with fitness, but suprise! it is not number 1 - could have fooled me! This is one of the hardest things I believe to really get to doing if you are overweight. This is an important one because as we all know, losing weight and stopping mid year.. will only gain you double (or sometimes triple) or what you lost to begin with! This one is more of a LIFE change, than a (yearly) change, so if you are finally ready for a life change, this would be the one to go with!

4. Quit Smoking - This is always something I hear when I ask friends and family. Now they have medicine that can help you kick this habit. It has had great sucess as well, so if this is something that you would like to FINALLY quit, ask your doctor about the medicine available. There are also now natural herbs and alternative ways to quit smoking, such as Lobelia, Ginsseng, Hypontherapy, or acupuncture.

5. Enjoy life more - This seems pretty easy right? With friends, family, children, work, and other hectic things in our life, it can be one of the hardest things to actually put into place on a regular basis. The easy way to begin something so important in your life would be to start something new. Begin a new hobby, go to new places, and meet new people! This transformation happens in small steps, but they have to start somewhere!

6. Quit Drinking - This habit or issue can become pretty important and have a negative impact on your life, your thinking, and your ability to stop on your own. It is important that you seek professional help because they have the tools and abilitiy to help you through this. It is not a bad thing to get professional help, it is one of the best decisions you make. Be heppy that you are able to make this decision! Some do not have the choice, and are forced one way or another.

7. Get out of Debt - Welcome aboard! Getting out of debt it NOT easy, nor is it something that happens overnight. There are several companies that are really legit and able to help with this issue. Creating a budget is also important lifestyle change, but it will allow you to purchase the things that you still want and need, just in a managable way!

8. Learn something new - This is a one that never really comes out, but always sticks in the back of the heads of millions. I look at learning something new as a spiritual chance to really develop your awareness to your spiritual self and inner being. This is something that you do in "patches" every day, but to really set out and make this something important to you, will change your life! read, and study! Sounds boring, but once you begin, it can become very fun! This also goes hand in hand with starting a new hobby and going new places! See look there, that's 2 in 1!

9. Help Others - This is always something I believe we all should do year round,. but a great way to really practice this is to carry some small money or change in your pocket or wallet and when you are in a situation where someone needs some extra change or help with tax, you are there! it is really the small things that can make such an impact in others lifes. It is also great to volunteer (if you have the time) but if not, helping out at the local library, or mentoring a child are all great ways to go out helping others - including something I do every month, donate.

10. Last but not least! This one is the one we all cringe to. Being Organized. I hate this one LOL and maybe this is why it's number 10! It has my vote. Being Organized is easy to begin. Heck, we fix up our desks, clean up, put everything in folders, and color code everything A-Z and then what... well, we are REALLY lost now! Seems we have adjusted to the non organized ways of life and when we get organized, we are lost. Hey, I am with you on this one! BUT if we can keep it up, it makes for a great resolution!

 So many to choose from, but the ones that are the most important, are the ones that you choose on a person and private level. Whether it is one of these 10 or something that did not make it on the list - it is YOUR resolution and it requires more than just sharing it with your friends (I know, bummer!)

Let's begin 2008 with a bright outlook, and let's enjoy the month of Jan as a celebration of the learning and struggle that we all encountered in 2007. It's time for a GREAT year, and if we all can go INTO the year with great outlooks and positive vibes, I am more than positive, it will manifest as so!

God Bless and I look forward to our work together in '08!

  • ChristopherP
3 Comments