40 Tips for a Better Life in 2010

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today..'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books.

7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 80 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least five people smile each day - including yourself!

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything - including yourself.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch..

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Be Happy. Happy New Year!

Chelsea turns 35!

My oldest daughter, Chelsea Dyan, turns 35 today on New Year's Eve. She turned out to be a wonderful human being.......a great daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, mother, wife and friend. We all love so many things about her and especially how she keeps all the kids together and close. She has always been great big sister and loves her siblings as her very best friends. She is warm, funny creative, and talented is so many ways.... and does so many great things everyday.

Happy Birthday Chelsea. We are so glad you were born.

Reflections 2009 : Winning Paintings and Film

Coco and Felix definitely have their father's artistic genes. We all know Dana is a genius at art and Chelsea is really creative (she got a little of that from her dad, Greg). Chloe and Felix both won their school Reflections contest in two categories. Chloe won first place for Visual Arts and also Video Production (grades 3-5). Felix won first place for his Lighthouse Painting and Dance Choreography (grades K-2). The theme: Beauty Is. Felix won first place for grades K-2. We just found out that Coco's video, "Beauty is My Brother" won 1st place at the Wake County level also. We feel like that is a real win for both kids since Felix starred in her production, climbing trees, running around, flinging object with his toes, and being a good sport about whatever Chloe 'directed' him to do. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAhVXM-9HpY

Below are photos of their paintings. .

This year Chelsea served as the Reflections Chair at the kids' school. She organized the first ever 'art show' at Halle Arts Center to recognize all the winners. The judging is 'blind' (no names on any projects) and conducted by members of their town arts council. This year Chelsea was proud to have worked to make the Literature portion of the contest run by by teachers in the classrooms, so their school could get 100% participation and recognize more students than ever. The school entries went from 4 (three years ago) to 1,300 (ish).

I think it is just great for all kids to try and use their creativity.

Our Congratulations to all of them.

Merry Christmas 2009

I realized that I don't have some of my " peeps" ( or blog followers ) email addresses so I can't send them a Christmas e-card. I decided to post on here so I don't leave any Christmas wishes undone. To all my known and unknown friends this was the email we sent this year:

We are a little late this year.....December came fast. But we send our very best to all our family and friends.

As has become a tradition, we send our e-card (thanks to Denton) to wish you the merriest of holidays with hope for many blessings to you and yours for 2010. Just click on the link in blue and you can catch up on our news.

We would love hear you received this, if even just a reply or a fun email if your in the spirit.

We are snowed in which is uncharacteristic of Richmond. I was glad to be with my Nebraska truck driver as we treacherously made it home last night at 20 miles per hour for 30 miles. We even got stuck in our own driveway....but with my great navigation skills and Greg's' brut strength we got ourselves out.

Virginia is declared in a state of emergency...but we are as calm as a summer morn loving that we have a White Christmas a few days early. It is beautiful here looking out the window so makes a perfect day for sitting at the computer listening to Christmas carols.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love, Greg and Suzie ps. If you want to be added to my email list, email me at suzieromans@comcast.net

http://littleromans.com/romanschristmas/

One of our Christmas Traditions

Every year ( 3 now) we take our grandkids that live in Richmond Christmas caroling and to deliver treats to families in our ward ( HT's and others), out for sundaes at McDonald's and to see the lights. This year we went to a few extra's so didn't see too many lights because it got late. But we will go another night when the Wood's come to town. Wish we had all our grandkids and we would make quite a choir. Rocky was a big hit this year as he was old enough to stand by himself in the front and sang really well. And the kids love to sing other carols in the car as we drive around. They are so cute with their Santa hats on. Baby Dodge was too little ( 1 month) but hopefully will join us next year.
It is such a fun thing to do ( and even Grandpa likes it because the kids are with us). I love Christmas traditions and especially this one. I always feel like I have had a great Christmas no matter what after I have this fun with the kids.

We always sing" We Wish You A Merry Christmas.............We Wish You A Merry Christmas .....and a Happy New Year" and

We Wish You A Merry Christmas.............We Wish You A Merry Christmas .....and a Happy New Year.

Hallelujah Chorus by silent monks...

No Christmas is complete without at least one presentation of the Hallelujah Chorus. But how, one would wonder, would a monastic order pledged to silence ever perform this majestic traditional piece?

Herewith, the Silent Monks perform "The Hallelujah Chorus."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU

It's Snowed in Richmond!

We had the biggest snowstorm in Richmond last Friday and Saturday since 1966. Greg was on his mission in DC and still remembers it. It threw this town for a loop and Christmas church was cancelled. We will do it all this Sunday.

But Dana and Chloe came through on their way to DC for Dana's work on Sunday night. It was her special trip with her dad since she is out of school. They stopped here on their way to and from so she could build a snowman with her dad. She named him ' SUNNY" because he looks so happy. He even has a real carrot nose.

And here are some cute pictures of Evie in Raleigh, NC. They got a few flurries and school got out early but no snow came.The kids we so excited but then disappointed. But Evie looks adorable nonetheless. The snow may be all washed away from the rain when they come on Christmas Day. But Coco got to make her snowman.

Merry Christmas to All to All a Good Night!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and Happy 2010!

Spend time with you family, call an old friend, put a puzzle together, make some fun food, read your Christmas books, watch a favorite movie, sing Christmas carols, listen to your favorite Christams CD's, go see all the Christmas lights, read all your Christmas cards and then again, take a treat to someone who needs remembering.....just do anything that makes this wonderful time of year wonderful. We are making our last deliveries today and wrapping the last presents.

We are almost ready.

But Christmas has already happened in my heart.

Merry! Merry!

I love this at Christmas

This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. And do something nice for someone everyday.

Celebrations with Friends at Christmas

This is my dear friend Pam Donlon. We have been friends for 23 years and meet in Williamsburg every Christmas ( as well as other times) for our annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange. This year we went for lunch to a new French place and had chicken and mushroom crepes and creme brulee for dessert. It was yummy. Pam lives in Virginia Beach. We try to allow ourselves all day to talk and catch up on all the news. We knew each other in Alabama for 6 years and in Virginia for the rest. Our husbands used to work together and we have watched our kids grow up over the years. For many years we traveled to DC to shop and see the White House and all the other Christmas decorations. We don't make it every year now...but are planning to go again next year.She is very dear to me and we have many memories and secrets we share.

And I also went to "Christmas Town" at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg this year for the first time with my old YW presidency. Here we are in one picture with Santa....the elves loaned us their hats. Genia couldn't make it until the next day. A couple of us have moved but we try to get together every month and always do a fun celebration for birthdays and Christmas. Here we are in all our glory. We spent the night at a Marriot and shopped until we dropped. I love these girls.