"Deck the Halls with
Boughs of Challah"
Interweaving
interfaith religions & traditions
by Beth Bruno & Deirdre O'Gorman Goldsmith
   Many families interweave the traditions
of different religions. My friends, Scott and Deirdre, who were raised in Jewish and Roman
Catholic families, respectively, combined their religions when they married and now look
ahead to educating their children, families and friends through the richness each religion
brings into their lives. Find out more with a wonderful essay from my friend Dierdre."Keeping American Schools Safe"
by Dr. Anne Garrett
 The headlines have been horrifying. The
names of once obscure towns are now familiar, linked to nearly overwhelming tragedy:
Littleton, Colorado; Jonesboro, Arkansas; West Paducah, Kentucky; Springfield, Oregon.
Arguments rage over the possible causes of the rash of shootings - lack of family values,
violent popular culture, the easy accessibility of guns. Find out more about identifying
the characteristics or symptoms of children with violent tendencies and learn more about
what you can do to help the ones you love to be safer from these threats.
Overcoming Depression & Finding Happiness
excerpted from
"Family Desk Reference to Psychology"
by Chuck T. Falcon
  Depressed people often lose interest in many activities and
social contacts because of loss of pleasure in and enthusiasm for their usual activities.
There are many effective ways to overcome depression. In this essay from author and
Counseling Psychologist Chuck Falcon, he illustrates the causes and treatment of
depression; how activity can help break the depression cycle along with a step-by-step
guide on things that you can do to feel better. Don't forget to join our discussion groups
where you can ask your questions and share your feelings.
Socks Are Laundry
The importance of the seemingly insignificant
moments of life
by Sue Spataro
Sure you have most of your clothes, shirts, pants, and underwear. Socks seem
incidental until they are gone. The same is true when you don't take care of the details
of your life; your relationships, your soul. Find out more.
Meet the Author
Michael J. Murphy
"Popsicle Fish" Tales of Fathering
 interview & FREE excerpt "Big Boys Do Cry"
  Dr.
Michael Murphy has written a wonderful book called "Popsicle Fish" which is an
anthology of many of life's lessons and we have the privilege of asking Dr, Murphy a few
questions about himself. He is a licensed psychologist and is certified as forensic
psychologist. He has worked with men’s groups for ten years and his work has been
included in an anthology of the best of the award-winning Family Therapy Networker
magazine and in the best-selling book Chicken Soup for the Soul.
"Fishing With
Grandfather"
by Linda Thomas
Billy grabbed his fishing pole from the closet
and headed for the back door. As he went out the door, he called to his grandmother that
he would be back soon.When he reached the river, he put bait on his hook and threw the
line into the water.
"The Gift of
Christmas" - a story
by Linda Thomas
I was late getting off work on Christmas Eve and I hurried
across to the Department store, hoping it was still open.I had to buy a scarf as a last
minute gift for my daughter, which she just had to have she had told me this morning....I
noticed a small boy, about seven years old with his face pressed against the window. He
was dressed in shabby clothes, with only a sweater to ward off the cold.
see the rest of this story
"Wild Tulips"
Raising Parents in a
Complex World
by Beth Bruno
hosted by Joe Spataro
 Beth Bruno is the author of Wild Tulips,
which is a collection of entertaining tales about parenting. She has always been
"fascinated by people - their motives, emotions, what makes them tick." As a
school psychologist, her philosophy is not to solve problems for people, but rather
"to help people discover their inner resources and create ways to help
themselves." In this interview with Beth, she discusses how living life is akin to gardening;
what lessons her book can
teach homeschoolers; a little bit about Beth's daughter Nikki; her
approach to dealing with
school districts; and an essay on "special" education
that focuses on bringing out the strengths in our children. She is available for your
questions and we hope to have a lively discussion.
The Grey Knit Vest
by Linda Caroll
 Grandpapa always read to me.
It is my sincere hope that sharing this story with you will inspire you to share something
of yourself. How wise the words, "Sharing makes everything better." The need to
reach out to another human being is instinctive, and as necessary as the air that we
breathe.
Please read on
"Making Love
the Way We Used to...Or Better"
interview
with Laurie Ashner and Alan M. Altman MD
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Interviews
& FREE excerpt
   Within
the last 15 years, intimate relations at midlife has made it to the talk show circuit.
Laurie Ashner and Dr. Alan Altman have worked together to write the complete guide to
regaining the intimacy, love, and yes, the fun that you shared before hitting 35. Laurie,
as an established health author and Dr. Altman a prominent gynecologist and expert on
midlife sexuality, have written an in depth, easy to read, and most importantly, easy to
use handbook. Find out more about the science of intimacy and what you can do to improve
your love life.
Meet the Authors:
Conversations at the
Girlville Diner
by Kim Bolton and
Chris Wave
Interview & FREE recipe for
Love Soup
 
The Girlville Diner written by Kim Bolton and Chris Wave is a wonderfully charming
collection of inspiring everyday life stories from a Christian woman's point of
view. These stories bring people closer to the true values of Christianity and
remind us of how good life is and what values really are.
Life's Little Lessons
"What - Me
Worry?"
by Tammy Faye
Don't
be a victim of "worry-fear"
 I don't know if you are like me but I can't just worry about ONE
thing. When I jump on the "worry wagon" I fill it up. The two words that always
start me worrying are "what if"! What if this happens, what if it doesn't
happen? And before I know it I'm scared to death or life AGAIN and wonder if I can make
it. So we add another phase to worry-fear! The Bible says that "fear bringeth
torment". And mental torment can be devastating to your life.
Meet the Author:
Leigh Anne Jasheway
FREE
excerpt & interview
 author
of: I'm Not Getting Older; I'm Getting Better at Denial
Leigh Anne Jasheway's book I'm Not Getting Older; I'm Getting Better at
Denial is a hilarious look at aging. Leigh Anne, a humor writer with 8 published
books,a humorous speaker, and a stand up comic is from Eugene, Oregon. Her wit
and writing comes from her unique position as a woman facing mid-life. Leigh
Anne uses her sense of humor to help us get over the bumps of the "middle years"
and encourages us to look at life with laughs, not tears.
"Nothing
Nice to Say? The Unspoken Word"
by Tammy Faye
Words
CAN and DO Hurt People
There is an old saying,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones
but words will never hurt me."
That old saying is FALSE!
Words CAN and DO hurt people
Every one of us needs to start putting ourselves in other people's shoes. Try to think of
yourself as the brunt of what you hear yourself saying.
Find out more.
"Lunch with Tammy Faye"
by Sue Spataro
 I had lunch with Tammy a couple of weeks ago. Over chicken cashew and iced
tea we got to talking about life and the cards that life can deal you. Tammy felt strongly
that when life hands you a bunch of lemons you should make lemonade. Find out more about
Tammy, her life and her new role as a regular columnist for our website her on
Pinksunrise.com
"Choose to
Live for Today"
by Tammy Faye
Tammy's
Monthly Column on Pinksunrise.com
We can lose
today by worrying about tomorrow. We can lose today doing nothing, waiting for tomorrow
and something better to come along in our life. And, what can start as one day lost soon
turns into months and then years....We get caught up in words like "if only" and
"what if". Find out more.
 Meet the Author:
Rose Sweet
FREE excerpt & interview
How to Be First in a Second Marriage
hosted by Joe Spataro
Rose Sweet has been a First Wife, Second Wife, Ex-wife and Stepmother and knows
first hand the problems faced by those in todays' blended families. Rose has authored
magazine articles, appeared on TV and radio talk shows and is a public speaker at seminars
around the country, helping to heal the hurts unique to divorce and remarriages.
Meet the Author
Jed Diamond
author of:
"Male Menopause"
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Interview & FREE excerpt on
Erectile Dysfunction
  The
vast majority of men and women do not recognize the signs of male menopause. The
signs can be subtle and "sneak up" on a man. They also can be attributed
or blamed on something else, like stress, a move, the job etc. These warning signs of male
menopause have their roots in real and measurable physical changes. This is more
than a "mid-life" crisis. This interview with Jed Diamond talks about: What is
Male Menopause?; Common Signs & Symptoms; Erectile Dysfunction; Mid-Life Crisis; and a
FREE Book Excerpt on Male Menopause and Erectile Dysfunction.
 Caregiving & Depression:
Are you at risk?
November is National Caregiver's Month
November marks the first annual National Caregiver's Month. For the first time in
history many states and local communities are recognizing November as National Caregiver's
Month. We have the privilege of presenting an essay by author Beth Mcleod who is the
author of Caregiving: The Spirtitual Journey of Love, Loss and Renewal. It discusses the
connection between caregiving and depression.
Are you at risk?
Find our more.
Meet the author: Beth Witrogen McLeod
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Caregiving:
The Spirtitual Journey of Love, Loss and Renewal
Beth, in her book Caregiving, pulls back the
heavy black curtain that separates us from the folks who face the daily silent crisis of
caregiving. Who are these extraordinary people and families? They are caregivers. They
take care of their seriously ill children, spouses, and aging parents. They quietly do
what few even dare think about. They find a place in their hearts, and open it to the
demands, sacrifices, and sometimes actual highs, of this often times painful journey. This
is the revelation of the human spirit, complete with all its complexities. Find out more.
The Simple Things
in Life
This week's Life's Little Lessons
sends us the message of appreciation. Too often it takes a crisis for us to appreciate
what we have. Debbie has generously shown and given us reason to appreciate our
lives through her story. See her story and add your comment to help us understand the
meaning.
Ten Holiday Stress Busters
How can we cut back on the stress?
 - - - and still make a wonderful holiday season for our families?
How can we relax and eat one of the hundreds of dozens cookies we bake? How can we
remember who gets what gift and still remember OUR names? Here’s ten stress busters
which will help us have a terrific time with our families |
FREE recipes, desserts, crafts & health ideas
Join our Mom-to-Mom & other discussion groups
