Father’s Day is coming up.

photo credit: veryuseful via photopin cc

Some things I have been taught by my mentors and father figures is to have a toolbox within reach at all times.

My toolbox consists of many things.  I consider mine a catalog of lessons from the past and present. I can take what I learned and apply it to any situation whether it be physical or digital.

What’s in your toolbox?

Graduating season is winding down or building up. For the past several weeks graduates near and far have been taking the next step in their lives.

No matter how many years it has been since you last donned a cap and gown, there is always a reason to celebrate.

You know more than you did, yesterday, last, week, last month or last year.

What steps have you taken for the better based on what you now know?

If you are better off than you were, congratulations graduate!

Over a month ago, I attended TEDxTimesSquare. The talk that hit home for me was that of Karol Ward’s.

I was reminded of last summer. I woke up one morning after dealing with a summer cold. I felt mentally suffocated. I felt that the resources that I has were no longer helpful to me. So  that morning, I walked to the store and upgraded my phone.

Yes, I felt that my former phone was holding me back. Being able to get things done quickly on the road  and bee coordinated was and still is of vital importance to me.

That day was the catalyst for me to be open to change other areas of my life as well.

What items in your life are preventing you from being more open?

This week  forced me to take care of myself.

The wake up call back  in October reminded  me of that.

I have been on constant chicken soup and tea rotation.

I have also learned  to take more time for myself that isn’t forced due to illness.

For instance I gave myself an early Mother’s Day present.  I went and saw a movie last weekend and plan to go to a ballgame next week.

Caregiver, do not wait for others to care for you, learn to  take the time to care for yourself.

This is not a sponsored post.

Last week was Earth Day.  However, why wait for Earth Day to be green?

Mindbloom, an web and phone app, helps me to live my life  to  my potential. It helps me to take meaningful and purposeful actions and tasks to who I want to become and where I want to be.

Some “green” tasks  that I have added to my list are:

• Give away items I no longer need or want
• Sort through items too give to Goodwill
• Eat leftovers
• Visit a farmer’s market
• Consolidate errands
• Use resuable bags for shopping
• Turn off appliances when not in use

There are many, many more green things to do, not just during Earth Day.

P.S. Are you are Mindbloom? Let me know in the comments and become part of my forest of friends! Your email will not be shared.

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“Before there was “42″ there was The Jackie Robinson Story.” My Nana said that the original was produced in to 40′s and also that the legend himself starred in it. So finally I had investigated and found The Jackie Robinson Story – In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced! at Amazon.

I do plan to see the current movie in a week or so.

Have you seen “42″ or the old school version? Let me know in the comments.

We are big James Franco fans around here. When we saw him on Jimmy Kimmel a few weeks ago we were smitten about how he talks about his grandmother. She  was in the audience and got in on the act as well.

In case you didn’t know, March 1 is the deadline for Social Security checks going paperless.

If your elder has a bank account and benefits are already being sent there, they are ahead of the game.

According to the article, recipients that don’t specify a preference will still receive a paper check, but they will be bombarded by additional mailings until a method is selected.

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Happy New Year.

Even though we have made some headway on our eldercare and caregiving goals, we still have a ways to go.

We are finally getting back into the groove after the holidays and we a certainly ready to roar!

What helped for me to to have my own goals as well as my goals for Nana visible to me everyday, so I could not forget them.

What caregiving goals do you have for your caree or for yourself?

This quote hit home since this is the lesson I had to learn all over again.

Don’t compromise yourself. You’re all you’ve got. – Janis Joplin

I was so consumed with everyone else that I forgot to take time for myself and it nearly cost me.

Since then I’ve been saying no more often and letting people know exactly how I feel, regardless of the consequences.