NO MORE Negative Nellies !

I have agreed to write every Wednesday for Forsyth Woman Magazine Blog and I plan to embrace this as a challenge to begin living more fully, more thankfully, more wisely, more healthy and just MORE, MORE! I invite you to walk with me and live your life MORE, MORE. I invite you to share ways you are living life fully, healthy and wisely and I invite you to encourage other women to join us.

Here is my plan. On Wednesdays, you will find a word to consider for the day, a hint to reduce stress in your life or improve the quality of life, a recipe that tastes great and helps you reduce your caloric intake or some other positive reinforcement for life.

Today, Wednesday’s Hint: Simply count your calories. I am beginning this today and plan to do this for four weeks and see how this simple little change in my life might help me lose weight. A skinny little friend of mine told me she did this and I thought, “Well isn’t that wonderful.” By counting calories, she is probably able to stay a size negative two! All kidding aside, it is good advice and I plan to try it.

How can you count calories and keep it simple? Have you discovered a simple calorie counting method?  Join me, let’s be intentional about living life – MORE, MORE!

It Only Takes A Minute…

“There is never enough time in the day to get everything done.” I say this to myself many times. It seems we are all too busy with our everyday lives to slow down! So I started thinking…if I am so busy, maybe I can do something in all my “busyness” that will help someone else. Maybe I can practice some random act of kindness that just might allow another person to not be so busy!! So I started a list of things I could do. I made sure this list was simple and easy. My goal was to feel good about helping someone else out while trying not to add more to my plate. Here is my list so far:
1. Return shopping carts on the way into a store.
2. Pick up the neighbors paper and put it on the porch.
3. Bring snacks or goodies to those you work with.
4. Write a note or call someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
5. Send recent pictures of you and your family to older relatives.
6. Donate clothes and toys to shelters or charities.
7. Hold the door.
8. Put extra money in a parking meter.
9. Leave an extra big tip.
10. Give a little present to a friend thanking them for being there.
11. Compliment a stranger.
12. Write a thank-you note.
13. Babysit for a friend.
14. Cook dinner for someone who is sick or feeling down.
15. Pick up trash.
Even though we are all busy, taking a few minutes for someone else is worth the time!!These are just a few things that can make a difference to someone and make you feel better at the same time. Can you think of anymore? Add them to the list!!

Fitting Girl’s Nite Out!

Barely There panties and bras feel just like that – they are barely there.  Gone are the days of cotton underwear that ride up or bunch up!  Gone are the days of panty lines!  Wear something that you WANT to wear, something you ENJOY wearing!  Made of ultra soft microfiber, Barely There is such a success they want to let all women know with the Barely There Smart Sizes Tour!

Find out what Tyra Banks has raved about and Madonna wears!  (Guess she’s off the stainless steel uh, well you know)

Most Forsyth Woman Girl’s Nite Out are at a restaurant with discounts and specials, this is a extraordinary Girl’s Nite Out with specials on the Barely There Smart Sizes line!  DISCOUNTS include 20% off any purchase of $50 or more – NOW THAT’S A DEAL!!  Learn about living simply with Wanda Urbanska!  Then go over to Noble’s Grill for those drink and food specials!

Come join Forsyth Woman at the Hanes Outlet of Thruway Shopping Center.  Meet Keela Johnson, Publisher Forsyth Woman, with the writers, editors, and family of Forsyth Woman/Forsyth Family Magazines!  Enjoy girl time with your friends as we have an intimate discussion about intimates!  Then let’s enjoy time at Nobles!

Barely There believes that how it fits determines how a woman feels in her clothes.  Find out why Barely There is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing apparel lines.  Barely There Soiree for Forsyth Woman, a fitting evening of underwear that FITS!!

Art With A Heart! TONIGHT at June Deluas Interiors!

June Delguas Interiors is hosting their Art With A Heart event today starting at 3pm.  Wendy Bilas has graciously offered two FANTASTIC paintings for raffle!  For only $5 a ticket you can win one of two beautiful paintings and help an organization that is giving children in Honduras a chance to go to school!

Dr. Henry Gibson of Barnwell, SC is a physcian who started traveling to Honduras in 1987, working with people in a clinic operated by churches.  Carolina Honduras Foundation has grown from this clinic to a staff of volunteer physicians and dentists who help people in Honduras with medical/dental needs.  Most positions in the foundations are volunteer and they are in need of funds to get volunteers over to Honduras and supply them with what they need.

Your $5 raffle ticket goes to this fund, a small way to help those in need.  To show how we can make a difference, we sold $105 in raffle tickets at New Town Bistro’s Girl’s Nite Out….that was enough to send a child to school for a year!  Imagine where that child will go because someone took the time to spend $5!

We hope to see you tonight starting at 3pm.  We’ll have wine tastings from a local winery, Wendy Bilas, the artist will be there, music to dance by then topping the night off with choosing our winner.  Stop by June Delugas Interiors for a great night for a great cause!

Daisy Smiles!

Can a dog smile? Does your dog smile or have you seen a dog smile? Many people including professionals contend that dogs do not smile or at least that contraction of muscles around a dog’s mouth is not a smile, as we understand it. In fact, many say that it indicates submission to the current situation, person or another animal.

Bob, a young bachelor came home from work on a wintry, cold, rainy night about eighteen months ago. As he walked up on his porch, he discovered a shivering, muddy, injured and wet dog. The dog was small and appeared to be a beagle mix. Bob called the Humane Society and they asked him if he would take care of the dog overnight. (Probably a secret trick they use!)

Bob bathed and fed the small dog and allowed it to sleep near the corner of his bed. He said the dog did not move from a curled up position unless he moved her. After several attempts to find its owner and after the veterinarian commenting that he though the dog liked Bob, Bob decided to keep the dog. He named her Daisy.

Do you think animals smile? I am sure Daisy smiles . . . I have seen it! In fact, Daisy smiles a lot . . . it is the sweetest thing. Does your animal smile? My own dog, Kipper smiles and I assure you it is not about submission!

How I became a Wolf – Part 2

When I went off to college, things only got worse.  At least in High Point, the name was familiar.  But this was sheer torture.  How could eighteen and nineteen year old boys not react to such an invitation?  I assure you, there is no clever remark I haven’t heard. 

            “Really?  I’m horny too.” 

            “I’ve been dying to meet a horny girl all my life.”

            “Oh, man, this is my lucky day.”

            “Will you marry me?”

            Eventually, all us Horney girls did marry, some of us including me, more than once, perhaps to find just the right last name.  My first married last name, Morris, I liked just fine.  Marilyn Morris flows nicely off the tongue.  When that brief marriage ended, I kept my ex-husband’s name, which was about all he had to leave me, and continued on happily as a Morris for a few more years.  My second married last name, Williams, I actually found downright boring.  But after having been a Horney, it felt pretty easy to be a good sport about it.  So from Marilyn Horney Morris to Marilyn Horney Williams I went and was to remain for 10 years. 

            My name change dilemma struck when my second marriage ended.  I didn’t want to stay a Williams, having no children from that union.  But I was not going to be a Horney again, and that was that.  Williams I remained, and it stood between me and humiliation, serving me well for a few years.

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet William Shakespere

To follow along with the name blog, I thought I would add my 2 cents. I think as you age, you acquire more names. Some you like some, you don’t. But I think each one adds to your story. So here are my names: I have been a student, at UNC-G, UNCW, Greensboro College, and VCU. I was a waitress, at many fine restaurants in the Winston-Salem area, along with a few stops in Chapel Hill, Wrightsville and New Bern. I was a credit analyst, in Richmond VA, An interior designer and an architect. Wife, I get to be married to a wonderful guy who keeps me laughing and shares my love of exercise and sports!!
I am a mother, my favorite job of all. Yes, it is the hardest job of all but the best!! I am a runner, and I try to be a triathlete! I may not come in first..or second..but I do have fun! Caretaker..that is a name that I have that I love and I hate. Sometimes I try way too hard to take care of everything and everybody. Scavenger: running around town trying to find all the latest fads that come along that my daughter has to have!!! And of course a teacher!
And hopefully I am a friend. I consider myself a lucky person to have been able to have all these names. I hope to continue to add more names to my list, what? Who knows? That is the great part of life!!

Now What? Roller Coaster of Life

by Kathylyn Barnhill

I started this blog back in February to take readers along on the “Rollercoaster of life” the journey of my Mother in Hospice.  Well, it’s been 3 weeks since Mom died and I’m lost, now what?  Caring for my Mother has been such a part of my life that there is now a very large void. 

 I have a picture of Mom and I on my mantle, I walk by it many times a day and still can’t believe she is gone.  Her death was very expected, just very unknown.  Her ups/down were so frequent that it just seemed that she would be riding this rollercoaster forever.

So, now what?  I should have all this time and energy now that I’m not hanging out @ Hospice. I have ADD and had difficulty concentrating before, now it seems impossible, even this blog is disorganized. I have been told this is all part of the grieving process. The reality of Mom’s death hits me at the strangest times.  I was listening to my Ipod during a run and the song “It’s the climb” by Miley Cyrus came on, it’s tough to keep running when you’re sobbing.,

I was advised to pick a race and keep training. I did sign up for some running events to get me motivated.  I love to run, it’s getting out the door that’s a challenge.  I will be running the Cannonball Run ½ Marathon on October 16^th, 2010 and I will run it faster than the Disney Princess.  I have entered some 5K’s and my son and I and a friend will be competing as “Tutu’s Team” @ the Angel’s Race Triathlon on September 19^th, 2010, if you see me, please cheer me on…I’ll be the one wearing the “Tutu”.

What would my Dad want for Father’s Day?

What would my father like for Father’s Day?  My first answer to this was NOTHING-he’s in paradise!  My father taught me to enjoy life, just being with the family was his delight!  I loved my Dad’s sense of humor, he wasn’t the most vocal man, but his wit was dry and wickedly funny.  Here are some stories I think he would retell:

My Dad always tried everything.  I remember watching him go down the water slides in Ocean City, sliding down the demon drop in the water park and our ride together on the ZIPPER, a ride in Ocean City that put you in a cage that just kept turning upside down.  Unfortunately, My father always had a BIG pocket of change and we spent 5 minutes dodging quarters, dimes and nickels!  Of course, he laughed the entire time while I screamed my heart out!  I always think of this as I get nauseous with my son on the Zipper at the Dixie Classic!

We loved canoeing in Cunningham Falls State park.  My sister and I are on both ends paddling as my father is standing in the middle of the canoe yelling at my brother with my mother (maybe that’s where I get the yelling from).  I saw a PRETTY fish on the side and pointed it out to the my sister.  We both leaned over and looked at the fish and the canoe got a lot lighter!  We look and see my Dad’s hat floating in the river as he’s walking up the beach to our picnic area.  I remember this as I prepare to take my kids tubing on the Watauga River.

My father started my writing career in the 6^th grade when he gave me my first journal (I still have it).  He has provided so many good memories that are moving into my stories and books I write!  So from those two stories, the lessons learned are always have BIG pockets when it comes to your family and never stand up in a canoe to yell at anything!  The gift he’d want is enjoying sitting outside with the family telling funny stories!  Closing I’ll give to you one of my Dad’s favorite sayings, especially when we got the parking spot closest to the store, “HOW SWEET IT IS!”

Happy Father’s Day!

Monumental Open Mic Moments

Have you ever been present when a microphone was on, and the speaker thought it was off? Recently California Senate Candidate, Carly Fiorina said, “God, what is that hair . . . ha ha ha . . . so yesterday.” (She was referring to her opponent, Senator Barbara Boxer.)

On a funnier note, years ago I was present at a church conference when a monumental open mic moment occurred. The speaker, a very poised, beautiful woman was speaking to hundreds of people about a church program she was passionate about. About half way through the morning we were given a break to stand, stretch or whatever. Well, the speaker needed to “whatever” and forgot to turn her wireless microphone off.

Many of us (both men and women) were sitting in the conference room when we began to hear the sounds of many women chatting. Everyone looked around puzzled, and then we noticed her sister, who was also her assistant, jump up with horror on her face and run out of the room. Well, she was too late, we all heard her go into the stall, we all heard her latch the stall, we all heard that tinkling sound and then we all heard a gasp as the microphone was turned off.

When she returned to the conference room, everyone in the room roared with laughter. She was able to laugh at herself and join in on the laughter. She knew and we all knew it could have been worse!