Simplifying Life – Choosing Voluntary Simplicity to Simplify Your Life

A great quote by Hans Hofmann says, “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” That quote and others, along with numerous books and articles dealing with simplifying life in very meaningful ways has been replaying in my mind for quite some time now.

For about six months now, I have been thinking of ways to simplify my life in ways that are meaningful to me and my family, to allow me the necessary time and energy to focus on the more important things in our lives. I spend an enormous amount of time reading books, doing craft projects, gardening, and researching a large variety of topics, learning how to do new things.
Read more »

Toxic Relationships – Narcissism and its Deadly Effects

 Thank you, Lin, for asking me to guest post on the topic of narcissism and its deadly effects. This is a subject that has come into its own. Lin’s awesome post, Toxic Relationships – Toxic Family Members has garnered almost 200 comments and 700+ Facebook “likes” since it was written three years ago.

Many more resources are available to folks who find themselves in a relationship with these insidious people than when my co-author, Lori Hoeck, and I first wrote The Narcissist: A User’s Guide a scant eighteen months ago. Since then, our User’s Guide e-book has been downloaded over a thousand times, and continues at a steady rate.
Read more »

Top 5 Gifts: Gift Guide for Father’s Day 2011

Buying Dad impersonal gifts like ties, cigars and cologne are “safe” but exceptionally boring. Instead of taking the traditional gift-giving route, why not make this father’s day extra special by getting him one of the top 5 gifts listed below? As a bonus, there are also some really neat craft gift ideas kids can make for Dad as well.

5. Wrap a Nap—Just because Dad is man doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need his beauty sleep. This unique and highly innovative pillow acts as three devices in one which will give any hardworking dad the soundless rest that he deserves. In addition to being an extra comfy pillow that is designed to allow anyone to sleep comfortably in even the most awkward positions, the device also serves as ear muffs that can block out a spouses’ excessive snoring and as a blindfold for sleeper’s who are sensitive to light. Price: $14.99
Read more »

How to Diffuse 10 Common Family Problems with Psychology

Every family has its struggles. Siblings bicker, teenagers butt heads with their parents, and parents are faced with their own conflicts. Fortunately, most of these problems can be resolved, if not avoided entirely, when taking the time to understand the psychology behind the issues.

While this may sound complex, in actuality it is fairly simple, as you don’t even have to have a psychology degree to learn the basics. Simply learning the reasons behind conflicts will give family members a better understanding of each other, as well as themselves, and allow them to work through the issues as a team.
Read more »

RealitySteve Bachelor Spoilers – Bachelor Brad Womack Final Four and Season 15 Winner Revealed

Dallas’ own Steve Carbone, AKA the Reality Steve blog at realitysteve.com, revealed the season spoilers for Brad Womack’s second chance shot at love on The Bachelor four whole weeks before the premiere aired on ABC. Great job Steve!

After last season’s debacle of RealitySteve being wrong about Ali, saying she didn’t choose anyone and was single when Ali actually picked Roberto at the final rose ceremony, it’s quite entertaining reading Steve’s spoiler blog and his sarcastic episode recap’s of Brad Womack’s season on The Bachelor.
Read more »

Christmas Spending – How to Stop Christmas Gift Giving Exchanges


Christmas spending predictions for the 2010 Christmas holiday season says 43 percent of American shoppers plan to spend less money this year than they did in ‘09, while only 11 percent plan to spend more, according to America’s Research Group. Founder and CEO of America’s Research, C. Britt Beemer, says “Pessimism among Americans about the upcoming Christmas season is off the charts”.

Consumers responding to the research group’s polled survey gave political, financial and personal reasons as to why their Christmas spending habits this holiday season will be less this year than previous years. Reasons given include massive government debt and unhappiness with the direction the country is heading with current political leaders, while many families continue to struggle just to make ends meet.
Read more »