Family Memory Journal
by Rachel Paxton
A family memory journal is a fun, easy way to preserve family memories. A couple of years ago I was sorting through a pile of unused journals (many given to me as presents!) and was trying to come up with a way to put them to good use.
One day after a family gathering, I sat down and wrote a short description of the gathering in one of the unused journals. I wrote where the gathering took place, the occasion we were celebrating, the names of the people who had attended, and anything about the day that had stood out in my memory. I did this for the next couple of family get togethers and then just stuck the journal in a drawer somewhere.
It didn't seem like that big of deal at the time, but probably a year or more later I pulled out the journal again and looked at the entries I had made. It was really fun reading them again. I had already forgotten some of the things that had happened, or thoughts that I had at the time that fortunately I had thought to write down.
I've been really forgetful about writing in my family memory journal, but in the past couple of years have probably chronicled two or three family events a year. When you think about it, 25 years from now, the journal will be full of family memories.
Family journals are a great thing to pass down to your children and grandchildren. At the time they don't really care about what's going on, but some day they will appreciate being reminded of some of their childhood memories.
In the past year or so I've really gotten into scrapbooking. I was just thinking that my memory journal will be a great resource for my scrapbooking projects. Sometimes it takes months to get your photos ready and pages laid out. By that time you will forget any memories you had to go along with them. If you have your family memory journal, you can use it to add journaling to your scrapbook pages, with your memory as clear as if you had taken the pictures yesterday.
Don't let time pass you by and let those special family moments get away from you. Sometimes an event as routine as "another family birthday party" might make a great memory later in life. Especially when older relatives start passing away, it's special remembering the times they were involved in family get togethers. Someday when you're that older person, your youngest family members will enjoy reading about their great- and great-great grandparents.
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About The Author
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize your home, home decorating, crafts, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com. Email: rachel@creativehomemaking.com
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How To Find Affordable Senior Housing
by Molly Shomer
A few years ago Miranda M. became a widow. After a short time her grandson (her only available relative) persuaded her to move across several states to be closer to him.
He located a nice retirement apartment where meals, housekeeping, and transportation are provided. By using her small Social Security income, and funds left by her loving husband, Miranda was just able to afford her rent and basic living expenses.
She didn't much like taking all her meals in the community dining room, so she continued to fix some of them in her own kitchen.
She reluctantly accepted the help of housekeeping for the heavy cleaning. But, as she said, "I need to keep busy. If I can't make my own bed and dust around I feel like a useless slug. I intend t
How To Find Affordable Senior Housing
Recipe
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Family Memory Journal
by Rachel Paxton
A family memory journal is a fun, easy way to preserve family memories. A couple of years ago I was sorting through a pile of unused journals (many given to me as presents!) and was trying to come up with a way to put them to good use.
One day after a family gathering, I sat down and wrote a short description of the gathering in one of the unused journals. I wrote where the gathering took place, the occasion we were celebrating, the names of the people who had attended, and anything about the day that had stood out in my memory. I did this for the next couple of family get togethers and then just stuck the journal in a drawer somewhere.
It didn't seem like that big of deal at the time, but probably a year or more later I pulled out the
Family Memory Journal
Recipe
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Shoes Gone Astray
by David Leonhardt
Dorothy lost hers. I forgot mine. My wife broke hers. I speak of shoes, of course.
So why are we all smiling?
Dorothy is that sweet little girl who broke in that bustin' bronco of a tornado, landing in Oz and inheriting magic ruby slippers from a dead wicked witch.
For most people, the story ends when Dorothy loses her precious slippers somewhere over the scorching desert that surrounds Oz ... much like a Congressman loses his power when he flies out of Washington and crosses over the gridlock on the scorching mid-summer Beltway.
Just as a Congressman is bound to return to Washington sooner or later, Dorothy actually does return to Oz many times. In fact, there are dozens more books in the Oz series featuring hundreds of alm
Shoes Gone Astray
Recipe
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CLUTTER'S SIDE EFFECTS: How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life
by Stephanie Roberts
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with which you resonate on a subconscious level. Clutter and untidiness within each of these areas causes constriction and inertia in the corresponding aspects of your life.
CLUTTER IN THE KITCHEN
The kitchen has been called the "heart of the home," and with good reason. Here we are nourished and provided for, even if we are dining on a frozen entrée zapped in the microwave rather than a homemade meal lovingly presented by Mom. An untidy and disorganized kitchen makes it hard to nourish yourself and others, on both physical and metaphysical levels. How you care for your kitchen is a clue about whether you are giving proper attention to your own nourishment and sources of abundance. Cleanin
CLUTTER'S SIDE EFFECTS: How the State of Your Home Affects Your Life
Recipe
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