Yippee Zippee It's Friday Again!

Last night, a few of my friends donated a couple of hours towards a good cause.  Every year, the O'Toole's Harley Davidson Dealership of Wurtsboro, NY does a Santa Toy Drive and Santa visit to the Head Start Program up here in Sullivan County.  These children really have nothing.  Most show up with their best clothes for their one and only photo with Santa and their one and only Christmas gift.
Every year, my companion and I purchase and wrap 'goodie bags' for these kids (the cost of which comes directly out of his pocket and kindness).  Our friends come to donate their time to help us wrap these goodie bags.  Each child receives crayons, a coloring book, stickers, fake tattoos, a lollipop and some other fun little toys.  It's a wonderful evening...lots of talk and laughter and everyone feels so good about what they're doing.  CEOs of major financial institutions, Executive VPs from the communications industry and my favorite...an interior designer who insists that all the items she places in her goodie bags are color coordinated!  You gotta love it!  Food, drinks and the beginnings of new friendships always happen at my dining room table and all of us walk away feeling like we did something nice.  The nicest surprise of the day:  a dear friend of mine heard about the toy drive and went online to purchase 7 gifts for these kids.  She made sure they would be delivered to my home in time to have them wrapped and ready for the December 5th visit.  What an amazing act of kindness!!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  it doesn't cost money to volunteer an hour of your time towards a good cause.  There are many homeless shelters, orphanages and nursing homes where people just want to be recognized as being alive.  All it takes is a smile, a hello or an hour to listen to them.  Volunteer for something or someone this season.  You've not only made someone else feel better, but you've just saved lots of money on your own mental health.

Caregivers Need To Take Care Of Themselves

This morning, as I am sitting in front of my computer thinking about what I can offer to you today, the thought occurred to me:  caregivers need to take care of themselves first.
Being a caregiver to a child, an elder person, a sick individual or in my cirucumstance, a sick dog...it takes a toll on your well-being.  This is why we, as caregivers, must take good care of ourselves first.  If we are not in good condition, how can we possibly care for another who needs us?
So here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  if you are a caregiver, to your best ability, create normalcy in your life.  Try to eat well, exercise as much as you can and above all, get enough rest.  You have more than your share of stress in your life and you need to do as much as you can to stay healthy by keeping up with your immune system.  To any of you out there who knows a caregiver...do something nice for them once in a while.  Whether it't doing an errand for them or treating them to a mani/pedi or even to 'sit in' for an hour or so and lend a hand to the caregiving - it's a blessing.  As I took a break from writing this blog today to calm my dog who has experienced a sudden seizure of wheezing due to her nasal tumor, I realized that more than ever, I've got to be on the top of my game.  If I'm not 150%, then I'm no good to her.  You can't slide with your Wellness Program when you have another life to take care of.  So, if you're healthy, then appreciate what you have and nuture it.