Hope I do better with the rest of my Thanksgiving preparations

I started getting ready for the day at 6 am and finally got the car loaded by 9 am. After visiting a client and a quick shopping trip for next week's fairs, I dropped off half my house at my daughter's (she's hosting Thanksgiving dinner and needed pots and pans, serving bowls, my turkey platter, toaster, food and microwave). Then I dropped off a candle order before heading home at 1:30 pm. That's when the fun started!

As I began preparing food to bring to my daughter's for Thanksgiving, I realized I had just dropped off all my pans, bowls, etc. at my daughter's. With a little improvising I made a pumpkin cheesecake (for the first time). The recipe was supposed to fit an oversized pie shell (mine didn't). It was only after the pie had been baking for a while that I realized I had misread the recipe -- it called for a whole can of pumpkin and I had only added a cup! I really must get my eyes checked! The cheesecake looks (and, hopefully, tastes) good. Thankfully, my daughter does not have a computer so she will never find out.

On to the next recipe!

Football Fever

My four-year old grandson is dying to play football -- just like his older brother. He showed the coach all his best moves (including his touchdown dance). The coach gently told him he must be five to play. He responded, "I can be five."

Amy's Corner

The other day my daughter, Amy, was taking a nap with her son. She woke to a strong smell of smoke. A cloud of thick black smoke could be seen through the living room window. Concerned, because she lives next to a wooded area, Amy went out on her balcony to investigate; the smoke was billowing up from the downstairs apartment. She called the fire department and went to alert her neighbor -- who informed her they were barbecuing.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Today marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every three minutes another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.

The first step in eradicating this dread disease is early detection. Schedule regular self exams and mammograms.

Consuming more than one alcoholic beverage per day can increase the risk of breast cancer by 20-25%.

Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Fireflies

I was so excited! Looking out the window last evening I spotted fireflies flitting around. I haven't seen them in years! I rushed to put on my shoes and went outside to watch them -- just in time to see the "fireflies" disappearing through my neighbor's door on the feet of her two little ones who had just gotten new light-up sneakers.

On-Line Job Scams

People are always looking for opportunities to earn more money.

Job scams have been around for years but, especially in a poor economy, people may be more susceptible to:

- ads that offer high pay for little effort (i.e., earn $500 a week stuffing envelopes).
- fake job ads
- vague ads
- phony websites, anonymous contact information, and free email accounts (i.e., Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail).
- Ads that ask for money up front.

When applying for jobs, research companies posting ads.

Be careful about sharing personal information (i.e., social security numbers, bank account numbers).

National Assisted Living Week

The 16th Annual National Assisted Living Week will be observed rom September 12-18. During this week, assisted living facilities throughout the country will celebrate by promoting the services they provide to elders in the community while, at the same time, acknowledging the residents and families they serve.

This year's theme is "Living Life". Living life to the fullest means participating in activities that you enjoy and pursuing your passions; continuing to learn and grow; sharing and teaching others what you have learned.

This month, staff, residents, and family members of many assisted living communities will participate in memory walks to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.