Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve and you are probably wondering what happened to countdown Day 22, 23, and 24?  When you are born 3 days before Christmas you tend to get a little busier!

This year we were very busy on Dec 21st delivering bears , hats and thermal bags with goodies to the preemie parents in the NICU.  Visit my birthday link: http://thegiftoflife27.org/why-you-should-join-in-on-this-december-22th-birthday-celebration/

Christmas Countdown Day 22  Christmas Cards

In this techy generation that we live in, many people skip the snail mail to send Christmas Cards due to time, cost of stamps and the ease of uploading pictures to many families.  That is a great thing for ease, but do you remember the last time that you received a card in the mail and how you treasure it because the cards these days are so far and few between.  Take a moment and send someone a Christmas card, it’s okay that today is the 24th, we have the 12 days of Christmas after 12/25 where people still are in the Christmas spirit celebrating!

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Christmas Countdown Day 23 Walking for Christmas

It is a lot of fun to drive and check out the Christmas lights, but how nice is it to walk and see yrou neighbor’s homes decorated.  You get some exercise, fresh air( yes even in Florida where it is extremely warm this year) and you can wish other neighbors a Merry Christmas.  So get some walking shoes and go see some lights!

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Christmas Countdown Day 24 Be Blessed today

There is so much going on today that can keep us busy, get us down, or make us feel disappointed.  Some families are struggling with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, others struggle with their loved ones in the service, others are dealing with divorce and families split up for the holidays, others are sick, others have lost a loved one, others have financial struggles, but at the end of the day, we have much to be blessed for.  Take a moment and say thank you to those who have made a difference in your life. Count your little blessings because as little as they are, we consider them a blessing.

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My gift to you this Christmas, is a blessing that you have a wonderful and memorable Christmas this year.  No matter what your circumstances are, we all have them but we are all in one family.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

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Christmas Countdown Day 20 Take Care of Your Health

During the holidays it gets very busy with so many activities going on in between trying to work and attend to your household.  Take precautions to get plenty of rest no matter what needs to be done.  Try to plan out your days so that you are getting a good amount of sleep and not feeling run down.  Also during this busy flu season, wash your hands frequently and carry antibacterial around to use.  After all, you don’t want to be sick after preparing for family and friends to visit with you. Some Vitamin C and Zinc, if your doctor allows you to take it is always helpful to avoid getting sick.

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Christmas Countdown Day 16 Be Like Santa Claus

There is nothing quite like good laughter from the belly to put you in the Christmas spirit.  Watch some good movies to make you laugh, some good ones are Home Alone, The Santa Clause and many others.  Try going out with your sweetheart and remember those fun times you had as a kid like trimming the tree together, playing a good game of catch in the beautiful weather that we have here in Florida, play with the kids, involve the family.  Laughter is the best medicine is what is said, so imitate Santa Clause and laugh hard from the belly releasing all the stress in your life!

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Happy couple embracing and laughing on the beach

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Christmas Countdown Day 15 Examine Your Sole

Going Christmas shopping can take a toll on your pocketbook, but also on your feet!  After Christmas shopping take a towel around one foot, grab both ends and pull your toes towards you for 15 seconds, then release. Switch feet and do this until your sore feet feel better.  Also wearing comfortable shoes while shopping helps!

Happy Shopping!!

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Christmas Countdown Day 14 Light a Candle

If you have ever sat in front of a fireplace, you will know how deeply relaxing it can be just staring in to it with a nice cup of coffee or hot cocoa with the one you love or just by yourself after a stressful day.  Well in Florida not everyone has a fireplace, but if you light a white or blue candle on a table from afar and gaze in to it and stare into it, slow your breathing down and let stressful thoughts float away, you will be relaxed in no time.

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Christmas Countdown Day 13 Rest During The Season

Christmas time can be overwhelming to many people about this time of the year with so many things to get done in such a short period of time.  A good way to battle this fatigue is to try to pace yourself, don’t over commit, we can’t get everything done in a day.  Also try to catch a nap just a few minutes a day to get you back on track with all you have to do.  Enlist help from everyone in the family, make it a fun time to wrap presents together, write Christmas cards and decorate together! Happy Napping!

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Christmas Countdown Day 12 Tie One On

Tie an apron!When you start baking all those delicious cookies and cakes, and you add a little festivity to it with a Christmas apron, it puts you in the spirit of Christmas;  especially when shared with your special someone!  It is not so much about the baking, but more about the moment that you share with your sweetheart or the kids!

So this Christmas season, bake away and make memories!

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Christmas Countdown Day 11 Make a Joyful Noise

We all can’t be professional singers, but caroling with others makes the Christmas season fun.  Think about signing up to go caroling in hospitals, nursing homes or just around your neighborhood.  Wouldn’t it be nice to bring cheer to the busy lives of others and have them all join in the neighborhood to sing and celebrate Christmas.

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Saint John Neuman Nursing Home- courtesy

Saint John Neuman Nursing Home- courtesy

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Christmas Countdown Day 8 Drink Merrily

It has been said that dark chocolate reduces blood pressure.  Try this recipe:

Heat 3/4 cup of milk in saucepan over medium heat until just before boiling.

Remove from heat and transfer to a large mug.

Stir in 1 oz coarsely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate pieces.

Let stand about 30 seconds, then stir to combine.

Then take that hot cocoa and sit by the fireplace( I know we are in Florida) or on your patio and enjoy the cooler breeze as you relax to some Christmas music.  You can also share that cup with a special someone in your life and just snuggle up together….

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