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The Best Gifts Ever

We’re back now from our Christmas travels, and enjoying the glow and the memory of several gifts we received that were better than anything we could have imagined. The best gift was that for the first time in many years we were able to spend the Christmas holiday with both of our kids at the same time. This has been pretty much impossible ever since they grew up and started jobs, lives, and families of their own, and even more [...]

By |December 30th, 2019|Columns, Family, Holidays, Quotes and Sayings, Values|

Holiday Hopes

I hope this holiday season finds you safe and warm, and with a sense of satisfaction as you reflect on everything you accomplished and enjoyed throughout the year. I also hope you take some time to relax and dream, and to start envisioning the plans and goals you would like to pursue in 2020. I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous and Happy New Year! December 20, 2019 ©Betty Liedtke, 2019 I welcome your comments, but please [...]

By |December 20th, 2019|Achieving Dreams and Goals, Columns, Holidays|

A cranky day, a dreamy week

I had two holiday-related dreams this week. One of them was uplifting and inspiring. The other one – not so much. In the first dream, I was watching an awards show on TV, and a big song-and-dance number was going on. The performers were all dressed in robes of either gold or white, creating a festive and majestic look. At one point they started marching across the stage in a routine that reminded me of the precision drills bands often [...]

By |December 14th, 2019|Columns, Holidays, Toastmasters, Values|

Holiday Specials

My three all-time favorite Christmas specials were on this week, although I was only able to watch two of them: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” For the record, my other favorite is “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but I was busy the night that one was on. These Christmas classics always take me back to my childhood, which is one of the reasons I like them so much. But they also have timeless and important messages, [...]

By |December 6th, 2019|Columns, Holidays, Respect, Values|

Enjoy the Weekend

I’ve never been one to go out on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that’s the unofficial start to the Christmas shopping season. Besides, Black Friday has gotten kind of gray and fuzzy over the years, with “Early Bird Black Friday Sales” starting sooner and sooner.  It wouldn’t surprise me if, before too long, we’ll be seeing Black Friday sales advertised during the Labor Day weekend. Still, Black Friday remains enormously popular, and I know a number of people who [...]

By |November 29th, 2019|Columns, Family, Holidays, Values|

Thanks for the Memories

Yesterday was my dad’s birthday. He would have been 92 years old. Today is my grandfather’s birthday. I remember him well, but not the day he died or how old he would have been today. And next Thursday, of course, is Thanksgiving, the day we dedicate to giving thanks for our blessings. The day that reminds us to make a conscious effort to be grateful for everything we have in our lives. I’d like to suggest that we also take [...]

By |November 22nd, 2019|Columns, Family, Holidays, Values|