Awareness
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Publishing Hearts Holds Fundraiser for Families in Newtown, Connecticut
Most everyone I know is and will continue to be saddened by what happened in Newtown, Conneticut and many wish there was something they could do to help. I was just saying last night to a friend how I wanted to help in some way and am thankful that I heard about a group of people who organized an auction that will benefit the families of Newtown, Connecticut. This is a fundraiser in the publishing industry that will benefit the families and victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. Following is an explanation that best-selling author Shelli Johannes-Wells gives as to why she and Miral Sattar organized this auction and how people…
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Creating Family Traditions at Christmas
There are few holidays that hold the place of Christmas for family traditions. Through the years we create and maintain traditions that have a special place in our memories. Some are sacred and never change, while others are replaced with a new tradition that fits the family dynamics at the time. When our son was growing up, the day after Thanksgiving we gathered with extended family and turkey leftovers and drove to Santa’s Acres to cut down the perfect tree. When our son went off to college, we purchased our first pre-lit tree. I used my creative side to decorate it in elegant gold and white ornaments, garlands, flowers…
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How To Talk to Our Children About a Tragedy
Our country faced one of the saddest days in our history yesterday with the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It is beyond comprehension that a person could do such a thing to little children. Our children are faced with hearing about this frightening experience as they might hear bits and pieces about it on the news or hear about it at school. The principal at my daughter’s elementary school sent out a letter last night and provided some resources on how best to talk to your children about this tragedy if you find it appropriate. I am providing this resource from The National Association of School Psychologists verbatim so you can…
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Does Raising Children Dead End Your Dreams?
Torn between doing what you love and being a good mom, let me share my experience of how I kept my dreams alive while raising my kids. Before becoming a mom, I thought I’d have to give up my personal desires but, to my surprise and delight, my children were a catalyst for my dreaming new dreams…even better dreams for my career and life goals. You see I liked what I was doing—working on marketing projects for a high tech company—but I didn’t like the structure of a 9 to 5 schedule. I worked hard to make myself a valuable employee who could work independently, make deadlines, and add…
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Salt Lake City For The Holidays
I love to travel and see the world, but I have found some wonderful things to do and see right in my own back yard. Utah has been my home for many years now, and even though I have moved away a few times, I always seem to find my way back. Salt Lake City has something to offer everyone. It’s a beautiful city that sits right up against the Rocky Mountains, offering fun dining, shopping areas, dance, music and theater, museums, indoor and outdoor sports, and of course, the great outdoors. If you love being outside, then this is an awesome place to find yourself. This city is a great…
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The Eight Days of Hanukkah
Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. This year Hanukkah starts at sundown on December 8th and lasts until December 16th. The story of Hanukkah is quite beautiful and is one of miracles and of overcoming Greek influence over the Jews in the Land of Israel. Antiochus, the Greek ruler, forbade any Jewish religious practices, so a small group of Jews called the Maccabees revolted against this power. This group…
