Living Happily Ever After Today/The Alert Parent and QueenPower all rolled up into one! :)

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Hi! And a special hello to all the new subscribers! We made a big jump in numbers leaping from December to January and I'm so glad to have you all with us.

To read the feature articles please visit the websites listed below. Or, if you'd rather not bother and don't need to see all the colors and pictures, keep scrolling down a bit.

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Featured article #1: "Old Dog Willing to Learn New Tricks"
Visit: www.allynevans.blogspot.com

(P.S. There are a few more posts you might enjoy so check out previous posts while you are there.)

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Featured article #2: "Try Living in the Moment"
Visit: www.thealertparent.blogspot.com

(I loved the above article so much, it's actually posted on both blogs...please forgive the repetition!)

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Have a wonderful week. Don't forget I love hearing from you!

FEATURED ARTICLE #1: "Old Dog Willing to Learn New Tricks"

For most, the month of January has us thinking about change or how our lives can be different or better. If this is truly your desire, certainly is mine, then it is time to be willing to say yes to things—even if what is in front of you scares you.

In Mastering Life's Energies Maria Nemeth tells us: "Being willing is an effective affirmation. In fact, I would argue that it is the most potent of all affirmations." I agree with Maria.


So many times I'll say no to a situation, event or to someone. I usually have all these really good reasons or so I think. There's a quotation attributed to many including the likes of Albert Einstein, Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin that comes to mind.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."


If I keep saying no and do my very best to keep everything the same, then I will have the same results (or close to it) as last year. Hmmmm.

So today...and this week, if you are so inspired, let's agree to be willing to take a few chances or do things we haven't done before. Because if you are like me and wanting different results, then it means we also have to make changes. Let's stretch our wings a little as we move into 2009.

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FEATURE ARTICLE #2: "Try Living in Moment"
New Year’s Resolutions, anyone?

This year I decided on the perfect resolution: to live happily in the moment no matter the circumstances. The resolution was so perfect I had already begun speaking about it in presentations.

Living in the moment can be hard to do—think holiday travelers stranded at airports and train stations. Most of us relive the past or pine for a better future. I didn’t even understand the concept until I was in my 40s, and I was going to make sure 2009 was going to be the year when I focused on the present.

That is, until my daughter Addy took the dog - sitting job, which required me to be the designated driver.

“Let’s sit in the hot tub tonight,” Addy said. The doggy momma owns a fancy hot tub, which she had offered to us.

“Good idea!” I said. It was blustery and cold. Soaking in the hot tub sounded like fun.

We arrived at 6:30 p.m., checked on the dog, put our belongings on the kitchen counter and then went outside to the tub. As I was about to step in, I realized I still had the thank - you - for - my - Christmas - present note I had meant to leave inside.

Addy jumped into the hot tub as I headed for the backdoor. I turned the knob. It didn’t turn. The door was locked. “It’s still 2008,” I yelped at the intractable door. I wasn’t ready to face my new resolution yet, but what choice did I have. Plus, I had an impressionable witness.

And there I stood clad only in my swimming suit in 28 - degree weather with our shoes, coats and my car keys locked securely in the house.

Fortunately I also had my cell phone. I could have called someone to pick us up, but I had left my spare house key in my own house. My friends who did have a key to my house were out of town.

I tried calling my hot tub friend, but I knew her plane wasn’t arriving until 8:20 p.m., if it did arrive on time in this time of many travel delays. I called my husband who was on his way home from an out - of - town trip. He wouldn’t make it for three more frigid hours.

Don’t tell my friend, but I thought about breaking down her door, but that solution didn’t appeal to Addy or me. We couldn’t think of anyone else to call. Who wants to be at someone else’s house in their swimming suits for three hours, even when the temperature is more favorable?

There was only one thing we could do. We threw up our hands.

At this point Addy said. “Okay, Mom. Let’s just enjoy the moment.” We had been talking about this lesson for some time now, and in the cold, in the dark, part of me was thrilled to know Addy had been listening to our discussions.

“You’re right, Addy,” I said, trying to set a good example while the idea of not knowing how long the hot tub ordeal would last unnerved me.

It was 8:20 when doggy friend texted me the number of the next - door - neighbor, who did have a spare key and after a good laugh came to our rescue. We had plenty of hot tub time, a good story for the retelling, and lots of practice of living happily in the moment. I have to admit I need lots more practice, which makes this 2009 resolution just right for me.

E - mail me and let me know about your living in the moment experiences and the opportunities you’ve had to practice.

allynevans@suddenlink.net