Nutcracker – A Review! by Kristi Marion

Help us give dogs a New Leash On Life!

The New Leash on Life program is a pairing of homeless dogs with the most unlikely of trainers, Forsyth Correctional Institute Inmates.  How does this work?  An inmate is paired with a dog in need of socialization and rehabilitation, both then go through a 10 week program where the dogs are crate trained, taught the basic obedience with Professional Dog Trainers then when the dog graduates it goes to a great home with adoption.

Not just the Inmates go through a rigorous training program and qualification process, but the dogs that are chosen as well as the families that adopt.  Many dogs come into the system unable to be adopted, this program gets them to a point where they can find a forever home.  Some of the inmates say that the program has changed their lives, in the 10 week program they have learned responsibility, and discipline, something they will take with them outside of the Correctional system.
Want to help?  There are several different ways:

1.  Adopt a Dog!  New Leash On Life has a doggy class graduating the 7th of August, if you’ve thought about adopting take a look at the graduates you may fall in love with one.

2.  It costs money to run this program, any donation from a token “we believe in you” to a gift that puts a dog through the program, as a non profit your money goes not not just helping dogs in a need of a home but the inmates as well.

3.  Wear the New Leash on Life T-shirt – stop by and pick up yours.  Wear it proudly around town and answer questions about the program spreading the word.

4.  They are always in need of supplies, dog food, dog treats, training videos, books you name it.

5.  A little time goes a long way, help volunteer with the program or with the Humane Society to put up flyers, answer phones or just help out.

These dogs and their trainers are taught to love and trust, some come from backgrounds that have broken that part of them, help Forsyth Woman and Forsyth Family give these deserving dogs a NEW LEASH ON LIFE.
Visit www.anewleashonlifefcc.org

Move It AND Lose It – Today

Today I choose….

Today I choose happiness over fear.

Peace over Anger

Joy over sadness.

Today I blame no one,

Love everyone,

especially myself.

Today I will make mistakes

Learn and Grow

Educate others.

Today I stop complaining

Accepting what I cannot change

Throwing away the rest.

Today the mask comes off

I am open and honest

I am who I am

Today I make a choice

for a better tomorrow.

Move It And Lose It – Spring Anew!

Today is the first day of Spring, and new beginning!  The “vernal equinox,” vernal meaning Spring, and equinox meaning “equal length.”  This is the celestial tipping point where day and night are of equal length (let the inner geek out.)  Sure it’s, MARCH but the trees are blooming, you can hear the frogs in the creeks, there’s birds everywhere.  It’s an exciting time to renew your vow to yourself.  Make it a point to celebrate who you are and then make your list of where you want to be, not just the BIG things but the little things.  A sampling of my list:

Get a raw egg to stand upright!  Yes, you can do this on the Spring Equinox, I won’t tell you how long I was in my kitchen (it’s still dark at 430am) but I got it!

Take my dog for a walk everyday – she’s so much happier AND she really needs it.  A daily walk is the dog’s therapy – she gets to read the poo poo bulletin board and I get to stand and watch her while doing NOTHING.

Write my morning pages every morning, one page long hand that is then thrown away.  This is my daily brain dump (could be great writing, could be drivel) it helps prepare me for the day.

Work on adding some type of fruit and veggie to every meal.

Packing my boys lunches for school – have you seen cafeteria food lately?

Call one person a day to just chat – especially my friends that don’t live close.

It doesn’t take much to make yourself happy, not a single thing on that list costs any money – but as the Earth starts a new, I choose to start anew too.  What would you add to your list?

Move It AND Lose It Challenge – In The Beginning There Was The Decision!

Everyone at some point stands at the edge of a cliff in life, looking over the edge trying to decide what to do.  Many turn around and walk back, backtracking to what is safe, what is familiar, away from that edge.  For over 25 women though, they’ve held their breath and jumped off that edge, they’ve entered unknown territory.  We met some of them at our Girls Nite Out at Bermuda Run Country Club and the excitement was in the air.

Some heard about our Move It And Lose It Challenge from sitting at a car wash and picking up a magazine, other’s found out from our Personal Trainer, April Hartsook while others heard from our favorite way – word of mouth!  “I signed up for the challenge because my friend is signed up and I want to do this with her.”  These women will share this journey and most will become lifelong friends as a result!

How does it feel to stand on that edge?  Some have said, “exciting,” “scared,” “hopeful,” and we say COURAGEOUS…you decided THIS time you weren’t going to walk away from that edge, you were going to take that step into the unknown and put your heart into it!  You are going to Move It AND Lose It!  Congratulations ladies for accepting our challenge and letting our readers be inspired by women taking a chance and moving toward a better life!

We will chronicle their journey with personal trainer April Hartsook, share with you the inspiration, the healthy living tips, the great workouts to get these women moving and losing it!  Are you standing on the edge?  There’s still time to signup and join these women, why not Move It AND Lose It with them?  www. forsythwoman.com

What edge are you standing on?

Spring into these cool fashion trends for 2012

Sure it snowed this morning, but just like any North Carolina day, the sun was out 30 minutes later and it was gone.  So in the spirit of Spring, and all of our flowers are blooming anyway, here’s 5 things trendy for Spring/Summer 2012!

1. High waisted flare pants – no we’re not talking about Mom Jeans, but  think Katherine Hephurn with the high waisted flares.  Pair this in a light linen type fabric with a neutral color and you’ll never wear another pair of pants all summer!  The pants this year will have thin loops for a belt so you can even dress it up with a blingy belt.  Example:  http://www.6pm.com/splendid-linen-flare-leg-pant-clay
2. Preppy is back – espadrill shoes, plaids, stripes are back in style.  These trends are not only clean looking but comfortable, nothing like blue linen pants with a blue and white striped tunic and some bright red espadril shoes!
3. Do you crochet?  Great!  It’s back again.  Small crocheted tops over flowing neutral colored tunics take comfort and style to a new level.  Better bet, go look through vintage or consignment shops and find your own one of a kind treasures!
4. 4.  70′s glam is back for the night life – think of a sequined dress but luckily a smaller shoulder pad to keep the line, and dare I say it – the jumpsuit is back!
5. 5.   You cannot go wrong with a base of neutral colors in flowing clothes.  Pair these items with your few new pieces with added color and create a look that’s unique to you.  What’s the favorite color for Spring?  ORANGE, yes, that’s right Orange!

6.  Don’t forget those Kitty Heels, the nice short think COMFORTABLE heel that makes anything you wear look good!

Plan your wardrobe by taking inventory of what you currently have and what you plan on taking to consignment shops.  Then make a list of what you’d like to add and as you drop off for consignment, shop the racks for a few go to pieces.  Or shop at your favorite boutique for the comfortable tunics and flare pants and go out in style.  What trends do you see for Spring?

A few simple ways to say I Love You!

We’ve moved past the Superbowl and Valentine’s Day looms ahead.  Why celebrate love on only one day a year?  Why not say I Love You every day!  Here’s a few more simple ways to get their attention:

1.  Write them a note – yes, actually write and note and hide it somewhere where they will find it during their day.  In a lunch box, in a DayTimer, with their keys to the car.  They will be surprised you chose this archaic form of communication but it will make them smile.

2.  Give them some space.  You don’t have to spend every minute of every day together, there’s nothing better than a spouse taking the kids out to eat and giving Mom or Dad a quiet hour at home.

3.  Be nice – when was the last time you complimented your spouse?  Make it a point to point out something wonderful every day!

4.  Don’t be selfish – sometimes taking one for the family is the biggest gift you can give them – your time, your sunny attitude always shows you care.

5.  Don’t wait – do it today and every day, then Valentine’s Day becomes just a day in the story of your love!

What are some simple, yet effective ways to say, “I love you?”

A little ditty from Forsyth Magazines to you!

Seagrove Potters Open House this Saturday!

Please Help Meals on Wheels!

Hot-Meal Volunteers Needed

There are many frail elderly in Forsyth County that are suffering from malnutrition because they are unable to obtain or prepare a nutritious meal for themselves. The Meals-on-Wheels’ program would not be possible without the assistance of our wonderful volunteers. We rely on them to deliver nearly 1200 hot lunchtime meals Monday through Friday to the frail elderly in our community.  The volunteers not only provide a nutritious meal to our meal recipients, they also provide a warm smile and for many, it is the only social contact they have all day. The volunteers develop meaningful relationships and truly make a difference in the lives of these seniors in need.

Each morning, Monday through Friday, between 9:45 A.M. and 11:00 A.M., volunteers gather at Senior Services or one of the 12 satellite locations to begin their routes. They pick up the meals and route sheets for their assigned areas and make the deliveries in their own cars. Each route sheet contains pertinent information about the recipients and written directions to each home.

Volunteers deliver as their schedules allow (once a week, once a month or anything in between), and many choose the geographic area of the county they prefer. Delivery time for each route is approximately 90 minutes.

Please contact Leslie Smith at 336-721-6910 or lsmith@seniorservicesinc.org for more information or to express interest in helping.