Sophie Woman's Magazine April 2010

Volume 6 - Issue 2 April 2010

Wo m a n ’s M a g a z i n e

Photo Provided By BKing Photography

In This Issue:

~ Shutterbuggerz Photos ~ Kacey Clark: Sophie’s Bride of the Year ~ Monthly Features

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essage M

by Judy Smith

Our February Winners

from the

Sometime in the last month I was at a meeting and the focus was on taking care of ourselves and the benefits of eating and exercising. My very favorite topics…NOT! Another focus was on stress. Do I have stress, I ask myself?

Usually, I am very happy, energetic and love life. So how could I have stress?

Then she took us through some breathing exercises with the deep breaths and the right way to exhale. One thing she told us to do was to focus on the breathing. Now I am sure I have heard that many times over but I guess it just didn’t register with me. They say there are two sides of the brain and each has a different job, so I guess that little tidbit got stuck in the middle somehow.

Pro Winner: Wiseman Photography

With my eyes closed, only thinking about how tired I was at the moment, concentrating on my breathing, the tension just seemed to roll down my shoulders and out of my body. I think it was a miracle! How could something so simple; something that I have heard over and over, make such a difference?

Once again, I am reminded that it is not always the big things that matter, but sometimes it is the little bitty things that make such a huge impact in our lives.

Every day I want to make a difference in someone’s life. I can’t give you a million dollars or promise you that you will never have a problem again. I can give you encouragement and hope. I can share smiles with someone who needs them. I can offer to help a struggling mother with her grocery bags or an elderly gentlemen pick up change when he drops it in a store. Maybe the kind gesture will be missed all together; then again; maybe not! It might just be like taking some deep breaths and finding out that it makes a big impact.

Will everyone who reads this make a promise to themselves that when, not if, but when you see an opportunity to do something for someone else, that you will take it? I am not asking that you always do it. I know that we get selfabsorbed and the opportunities will just pass us by. How do I know that…. because we are human and because it happens to me all the time. I do however; make the promise that I will do my best.

Thank you for reading Sophie Woman’s Magazine and checking out Shutterbuggerz. You are so special and I want you to know that!

Judy Smith

Amateur Winner: Ronda Fagan

Visit us online at

shutterbuggerz.com

sophiewomansmagazine.com

or pick up our magazine Follow Us Onfind Facebook wherever you Sophie!

pg 4 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Sophie

Woman’s Magazine

3354 16th Ave SE, Box 1 Conover NC 28613 (P) 828-466-0122 (F) 828-466-0123

Editor: Judy Smith Sales: Judy Smith Sherry Sigmon Marie Hill Graphic Design: Scott Hansley Production Manager: Scott Hansley Printing: RT Services Distribution: Scottie Townsend

Final Advertising Deadline For The Next Issue: th

April 9

How to place an ad: Call our office at (828)466-0122 and leave a message. One of our sales representatives will return your call as soon as possible. You may also fax material to (828)466-0124. We reserve the right to refuse to run any ad we deem to be controversial or in bad taste.

s t n e t n o C

Message From The Heart..........................................................................................pg 3 Mandy’s Misadventures............................................................................................pg 6 Keep Kids Healthy....................................................................................................pg 7 Unlikely Mentors: Reaching Your Full Potential.....................................................pg 8 Success In Optimizing............................................................................................pg 11 The Fly Lady...........................................................................................................pg 13 Ask The Coach: Discipline Is Not A Bad Word......................................................pg 14 Nicole Greer: Overwhelmed?.................................................................................pg 17 David Hudson: Apples or Bananas?.......................................................................pg 18 Sophie Bride of the Year.........................................................................................pg 20 Girlfriends In God...................................................................................................pg 22 Optimizing Your Home Office................................................................................pg 25 The Front Porch......................................................................................................pg 27 The Sophie Shopper................................................................................................pg 28 Dinner Diva............................................................................................................pg 31 Shutterbuggerz Feature...........................................................................................pg 32

shutterbuggerz pg32 Thanks To Our Distributors

For a complete listing please go to www.sophiewomansmagazine.com.

Please be sure to visit all our participating businesses and remember to support area local small businesses

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Sophie Woman’s Magazine LLC is published monthly. The articles published in Sophie do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. All articles are intended for informational purposes only, and none should serve as a substitute for doctor’s advice and orders. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content and validity of information published within their ads and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. Deceptive or misleading advertising is not knowingly accepted by the publisher. Advertising is accepted with the understanding that all liability for copyright violations is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. All material submitted for publication is considered to be the sole property of the advertiser.

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 5

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pg 6 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

’s y d n

Ma

Misadventures

by Mandy Thomas

With Mother’s Day just around the bend, I was trying to think about some similarities between my own mother and myself. That got a little scary (especially when I realized that half of the things I say to my kids are things my mom would say to me...), and, being the coward we know I am, I decided not to go any further down that particular path. I stumbled across this little interview that one of my friends did with her son and thought I might have something here.

I’ve never asked Savannah what she thinks about me before, and so, here is my first attempt at an interview. I’ll leave out the part where she got bored and I had to bribe her with chewing gum, though.

1. What is something mom always says to you?

I love you 2. What makes mom happy?

Cleaning up my room

3. What makes mom sad?

Being mean to each other 4. How does your mom make you laugh?

When we make fishy kiss faces 5. What was your mom like as a child?

She liked to play toys 6. How old is your mom?

One 7. How tall is your mom?

Way, way taller than me 8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Chores!

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?

Clean up my baby sister’s diaper 10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Being a rock star 11. What is your mom really good at?

She takes care of me 12. What is your mom not very good at?

Taking temperatures, because she’s NOT a doctor 13. What does your mom do for her job?

Clean the house 14. What’s your mom’s favorite food?

Spicy 15. What makes you proud of your mom?

I love her 16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Spongebob Squarepants 17. What do you and your mom do together? play Candyland 18. How are you and your mom the same?

We have the same blonde hair 19. How are you and your mom different?

She is bigger than me 20. How do you know your mom loves you?

She kisses me 22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?

Bunco 23. What is your mom’s favorite thing to wear?

Leopards It was fun to see myself through Savannah’s eyes; a fish-faced, leopardwearing, poopy-diaper-changing rock star is a high compliment. Though in the future I’d like her to take out the poopy diaper part and switch rock star to “super model.”

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 7

Keep Kids Healthy As Winter Gives Way To Spring

When days get longer and the weather begins to warm up, it’s a sure sign that spring is around the corner. After months of cold temperatures and gray skies, just about everyone looks forward to spending time outdoors taking in the sights, sounds and scents of the season. But with temperatures rising and flowers, trees and grasses beginning to bloom, it’s also time to protect kids from seasonal allergies and sun exposure. Here are some tips for keeping kids healthy all spring long. * Look out for signs of seasonal allergies. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common problem in both infants and children. Common symptoms include repeated sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose with clear drainage or congestion, itchy eyes and nose, throat clearing, sore throat, and/or a cough that tends to worsen at night and in the morning. Kids with seasonal allergies also tend to breathe through their mouth a lot and may have dark circles under their eyes. * Limit kids’ exposure to common allergens. While it’s impossible to keeps kids clear of all outdoor allergens, there are some common-sense steps that can help minimize their impact, such as keeping kids indoors and closing windows in the early morning when the spring tree pollen count is highest, not hanging clothes outside to dry and bathing kids at bedtime to help minimize nighttime allergies.

The return of spring marks the return of allergy season.

Parents can keep kids healthy by looking out for signs of seasonal allergies.

* Protect skin from the damaging effects of spring sun. After being indoors for much of the winter, kids are eager to spend as much time outdoors as possible. To protect their skin during the spring months, break out the sunscreen and their favorite hats. When choosing a sunscreen for a baby, toddler or young child, look for a product that offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with a minimum SPF of between 15 and 30. Also consider a product that is water resistant and one that is hypoallergenic and free of fragrance. * Don’t forget about eye protection. The lenses of children’s eyes are extremely sensitive. Just as taking care of kids’ skin can help prevent skin cancer in adulthood, eye protection can protect kids’ eyes from developing certain conditions, like cataracts and macular degeneration, later in life.

Everyone, including kids, should wear sunglasses year-round, but especially during spring and summer. Make sure to choose sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV protection. Hats with brims large enough to shade the eyes, while not as effective as sunglasses, also offer moderate protection from the sun.

pg 8 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Unlikely Mentors by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Author, Speaker

Reaching Your Full Potential

“Coaches help people grow. They help people see beyond what they are today to what they can become tomorrow.” James A. Belasco

I love that quote because it reflects my heart as a Life Coach. I also love it because this process of leaving others better is meant for each of us, not just the coaches!

Before taking a short writing sabattical in order to fulfill a two month teaching assignment, I introduced you to a few Unlikely Mentors through authentic stories of individuals just like you and me living out their full potential, some of them even in the midst of unthinkable challenges. That article series was designed to inspire you to ask yourself who you are impacting (and how), as well as who you are allowing to impact you and those you love.

Today, we are making a slight shift (something I often do with my coaching clients) that will allow you to take the best of what you learned from those stories and begin applying it to your own lives. When I think of the mentors who have impacted me along the way, one common detail rings

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sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 9

true… all of the people on that short list in my life are living up to their FULL POTENTIAL. Spending these last 8 weeks in a college classroom has reminded me that this is not necessarily the norm. I watched academically gifted students do just enough to get by while watching those faced with personal and learning challenges pour heart and soul into their education. I came away reminded in a fresh way that those of us ‘pouring heart and soul’ into becoming our very best may actually make up a loyal minority. Are you willing to join me as part of this growing band of World Changers?

I would like to offer four reasons why each of us should strive to Reach Our Full Potential.

REASON NUMBER ONE: We should make much of the life we have been given. The life you are living was given to you by God Himself. He created you in His own image. Stop and let that sink in for a moment. Then ask yourself, ‘if this life really is from God, what is He hoping to develop within me and to do through me?’

REASON NUMBER TWO: The only way to discover your true potential is to live seeking it. This past weekend, I was invited to play basketball with friends. My first thought was that I don’t know how to play and I might look foolish. Well, in the midst of risking looking foolish, I got some much-needed exercise, made a few points for ‘my team’ and met a precious young boy with developmental delay who hung around my neck like a necklace (except much heavier) and laughed with us as we played. As we sat eating pizza and recounting our experience, I was reminded of how much can be discovered and treasured in the midst of ‘trying’ something new. You will never know what you are capable of until you try and you just may make unexpected discoveries along the way… discoveries that fuel your energy, enthusiasm and motivation for life.

REASON NUMBER THREE: The more you develop yourself, the more you will have to pass on to others. As my students hugged and thanked me, I thought of what it means to ‘invest’. I was given this teaching opportunity because I made the professional investment that left me with skills and expertise that could be passed onto them. One of my students left me a hand-written note thanking me for helping her to desire to go higher in the profession than she ever dreamed possible. Live to leave people running hard after their own unique potential.

REASON NUMBER FOUR: We were designed to live by example. This is the best and the most powerful way to live. We were not designed to manipulate, coerce, demand or control others. We were destined to become our very best and to leave others longing to do the same.

Keep A Home Inventory

By Lisa Forté State Farm® Agent

This one goes in the category of those things we are planning to do when we get the time – making or updating a home inventory.

It may not sound like an exciting activity, but in the event of a calamity such as a fire, burglary, flood or tornado, a current home inventory can save a lot of time, money and frustration in the insurance settlement process.

Take this test. Sit down and try to make a detailed list of what’s in each room of your dwelling. It’s amazingly hard to remember all the “stuff” that accumulates – wall hangings, curtains, cookware, clothing, sports gear, jewelry, knickknacks, rugs, clocks, etc. Get the picture?

This weekend, go ahead and bite the bullet. Video or photo each room and list major items on paper. Record brand, model, date and amount of purchase, if possible (serial numbers are important on some items). Also, saving receipts on big-ticket items is always a good idea. For antiques and jewelry, written descriptions or appraisals are important. Don’t forget the closets, and remember, even your attic may be full of valuables.

You can usually get a home inventory checklist from your insurer.

These lists are great tools to help organize your records.

Finally, remember to update your inventory every year or so, and keep it in a safe location away from your dwelling. Taking the time to make and update your inventory now, can help you in working with your insurer later and maximizing your recovery should you have the need.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® offering: Automotive Insurance • Homeowners Insurance • Health & Disability • Life & Annuities • Business Insurance

Who do you hope to get that hand-written note from in your lifetime? Are you living in a way to make that possible? Take a moment today over a great cup of tea or coffee, and ask yourself if there is any area of life where you have been delaying personal growth. That just may be the area where you will ultimately live out your greatest impact!

Kim Fletcher is the Director of Life Compass, an organization providing Transformational Life Coaching and Speaking/Training to individuals and groups who are determined to develop and live their true potential. To bring Kim in to speak to your organization, visit: lifecompassinternational.org/ speaking. To discuss having Kim coach you personally, call 828 327 6702 to set up a FREE consultation. Also, Kim will be launching Spring Group Coaching, allowing individuals with similar goals and aspirations to be coached together as a small group at a FRACTION of the cost of individual coaching. Call Kim today to learn more! Act quickly, as spots are limited!!!

Jackie Weaver

55 NW Blvd (Hwy 321) Newton, NC 28658 (O) 828-466-3888 (F) 828-466-3999 jackie@jackieweaverins.com

Lisa Forte’

732 Lenoir-Rhyne Bld SE Hickory, NC 28602 (O) 828-324-9333 (F) 828-324-9777 lisa.forte.gscp@statefarm.com

*Average annual per household savings based on a national 2008 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm.

pg 10 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

YOUR LOVED ONE IS SICK, BUT THE NEXT AVAILABLE DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT IS A WEEK AWAY.

WHERE CAN YOU TURN?

Sometimes a medical emergency doesn’t require a trip to the hospital ER–but can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment. That’s why we’re here for you seven days a week, 365 days a year.

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Bring your loved ones in any time during our extended hours. You’ll find caring professionals trained and equipped to treat everything from broken bones, burns, and lacerations to ear infections, flu, colds, and sore throats. We also offer flu shots as well as sports, school, camp, and teacher physicals. And we have a full service lab and x-ray capability on site.

Just drop by our office.

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Success In Organizing

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 11

By Nancy Adams, Professional Organizer “What are you afraid of?” I ask.

“I’m afraid if I get organized that I won’t be able to find anything. You know “Out of sight, out of mind” Sue replies.

“Well, what if I told you that getting organized WILL help you find things which will lead to more productivity?”

She instantly chimes “But if it’s not right in front of me, I won’t know where it is and I will forget about it!”

“Ok, so you keep these 5 stacks of paper on your desk because you think you won’t be able to find them again?”

“Yes”.

I ask “When you need a report, how do go about finding it?”

“Oh, that’s easy..., I go through the piles on the desk and eventually I find it. Then I can start working on it”.

“How much time do you spend looking for this project? “ “Oh, I don’t know.....maybe 10 minutes or so.”

“And how often do you have to go through these piles to find something?”

“Probably about 10 times a day”.

“So basically you are spending 100 minutes a day looking for things. That’s an hour and a half a day. If you were organized, how much time do you think you’d spend looking for things?”

Sue quickly replies “I don’t have time to get organized! There are more important things to do each day”.

I’m thinking this is going to be a tough case to crack. “Sue, you are wasting an hour and a half each day looking for things. Think of how productive you can be with that time saved when you know where things are -as soon as you need them. Organizing is not as hard as it sounds and I will guarantee that you will feel so much better once you have good systems in place to keep up with your papers.

Let’s have some fun with this and give it try.”

Sue reluctantly agrees and we get started. She is basically a right-brained person so she needs visual organization. First we take everything off her desk and she is amazed at how good it looks yet fearful of lost items. I ask her to picture a neat desk every day, and have faith that she will be able to find things. Then we sort through the stacks and file the papers which are not needed on an every day basis. These papers are put into files with bold labels determined by category. Then we set up vertical project files which can remain on her desk. The folders are color coded to help with her visualization needs. Red is for projects needing immediate attention. Yellow is for projects this week, and green is for projects this month.

I instruct Sue to take time each week and prioritize each task. If she takes 15 minutes a day to sort, prioritize, and file the papers, she can stay organized. She will learn that although everything is not stacked on her desk, she knows where to find it. She spends a little (15 minutes a day of organizing) to save a lot (100 minutes of looking for things). Spend a little, save a lot!

Sue is happy but claims she has this “out of sight, out of mind” mentality in her home also. “Even with my fridge, if it’s not in plain sight then I forget about it and it goes bad.” After looking at her fridge which has no clear view shelves or drawers, we set up a new system of creating zones.

The sodas, drinks, and other items that will stay fresh longer go in the drawer.

Fresh veggies are placed into a clear plastic box on the top shelf. Another clear box is set up for deli meats & cheeses. This is placed next to a dairy zone which has yogurt and milk. Leftovers are on the second shelf on the left side. Keeping like items together will help ease the fridge confusion.

Sue never thought of “mapping” her fridge like this but says it helps her find things. She spends a little time each week to maintain her organizing. This success story reminds us that being more productive is possible for anyone! For more information on Organizing Solutions Unlimited, call 828-256-8832 or visit www.organizingwithnancy.com

“So basically you are spending 100 minutes a day looking for things. That’s an hour and a half a day. If you were organized, how much time do you think you’d spend looking for things?”

got clutter? get relief

Organizing Solutions Unlimited Nancy Adams, Professional Organizer (828)256-8832 or (828)260-0520 www.organizingwithnancy.com

Closets, basements, office, kitchens, garages, downsizing, more!

pg 12 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Blue Berry Fool

No fooling -- this oddly named old-fashioned dessert of whipped cream and fresh blueberries is as delicious as it is pretty.

Ingredients 1 pint (2 cups) fresh blueberries 2 tablespoons water 1/2 cup sugar 1 pint whipping cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mothers + Flowers + Lane Florist = A Perfect Mother’s Day

Instructions - Wash the blueberries and remove any over- or under-ripe ones (a good job for kids).

- Place the berries in a medium saucepan and stir in the water and sugar. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the berries are soft and have released their juices.

Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool. (To speed the cooling, pour the mixture into a small bowl.)

- Meanwhile, pour the whipping cream into a medium mixing bowl and beat it with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Mix in the vanilla extract.

- Pour the cooled blueberry sauce over the whipped cream and gently fold the mixture until the blueberries and the cream are well combined. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, then spoon the dessert into serving dishes. Serves 6 to 8.

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sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 13

by The FlyLady Marla Cilley

D

o you ever look at the clock and find yourself in a panic because you are not dressed yet? It doesn’t matter if you are headed off to work in the morning, work from home or you are retired; that same panic tells you that once again that time has gotten away from you!

There is no worse feeling than to walk into the bathroom and be startled by what you see staring back at you. Well there is something that is worse; running to hide when your UPS man comes to the door with a package. Why do we wait to the last minute to get dressed?

I have heard every excuse in the world for not getting dressed, but the truth is we don’t take the time. One minute we are having our coffee watching our favorite morning program and the next minute we need to be walking out the door. It slips up on us!

Even though getting dressed is something we do every day, most of us don’t know how long it takes us to actually put our clothes on. This is because we get sidetracked; with ironing, getting kids ready, watching tv and everything else that gets thrown our way.

The ease of getting dressed in the morning starts before you ever go to bed. By picking out your clothes and getting them ready; you don’t have to think! It is all laid out for you. That will help you put an end to your procrastination.

Unless you keep hitting the snooze button! This tells me that you are not going to bed and getting enough sleep! If getting up and getting moving is hard, then it is time to set your bedtime just a little earlier.

Our habit this month is to practice getting up and getting dressed to lace up shoes first thing in the morning! As soon as your feet hit the floor start getting ready. There are no more excuses! You can do this and you are going to be less stressed in the morning.

Stress free mornings make for a peaceful day! What have you got to lose; your nasty attitude and hateful words. Get up, get dressed and feel on top of the world. Then when you walk into your bathroom you will not scare yourself! You can get more done before you leave. You won’t be hiding from a knock on your door! This one act of getting dressed to shoes has you ready for anything that comes your way!

Here are the tools to help you establish this empowering habit!

Pick out your clothes before you go to bed.

Go to bed and get plenty of sleep.

Get up 15 minutes before the rest of the family.

Start getting dressed as soon as your feet hit the floor!

Then lace up your shoes!

Your day is off to a peaceful start! That stress free morning sets the tone for the rest of your day!

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections published by Bantam and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter published by Fireside. Copyright 2010 Marla Cilley Used by permission in this publication.

s s e r t

S FREE

Start To Your

Day

“Discipline”

pg 14/ April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

by Jody Williams

...is not a bad word

I have studied people who are the most successful in their chosen fields and found that they all have certain actions or activities that they do that the majority of the others do not. Some of the most common shared activities are taking time to meditate and reflect, having written short and long term plans, they are well organized without a lot of clutter in their office or on their desk, and they look for opportunities to learn and improve their skills.

In short, they have a disciplined approach to their lives. One of the things that attracts me to them is that they always seem in control no matter what may be going on around them.

Discipline is a word that can bring up thoughts of sacrifice, loss of independence and loss of freedom. What is interesting is that it is through the use of discipline that the most successful people have achieved their lifestyles of success, financial independence and freedom.

So what is discipline really all about? Webster defined discipline as, “To discipline means to instruct a person to follow a particular code of conduct.”

Discipline is the process used to learn and become an expert at a certain task usually under the instruction of someone who has already completed the activity and achieved the desired results. When we invest our time and energy into learning how to do something new, we are disciplining ourselves in that activity.

Usually when I find that I have been slack on taking the time to meditate, exercise, make plans for my day and week, I use the excuse that I am just too busy. I hear the same reason from my clients when I talk to them about these issues. This is really a sign that we have allowed our lives to get out

of control. We are either focusing on the little things that seem important in the heat of the moment or we have taken on too many things and need to delegate more things to others.

Here is a technique that I use and have shown my clients that is very effective. In fact, Andrew Carnegie paid a consultant $25,000 in 1937 to teach his executives this strategy and in today’s terms that would be over a $100,000. Take five minutes and make your to-do list for today. How many things do you have on it? You now have to make a single line through all but ten of them. After you have completed that, you need to take and mark off five more so that you only have five items left. Now ask yourself, are these five things moving me toward my stated short and long term goals for this year? If not then look back at the ones you have marked off and replace any of the five that are not aligned with your goals with one that you shouldn’t have marked off before.

“To discipline means to instruct a person to follow a particular code of conduct.”

Now part two of the activity, look at the marked off items. Go through and put a “D” beside any of the activities that someone else could or should be doing for you. After you have completed that, place the name of someone on your team to do that task. If you don’t have anyone because no-one has been trained to do it, we now know one of the next steps to take to start to add more freedom to your work. If you can’t put a name because there isn’t anyone else’s name to put, then we need to start adding more people to your team. When looking at the list of marked off items there may be an item that after reflecting on isn’t necessary to do and you can mark a second line through that task. By the end of the exercise you have freed up your schedule to focus on the most important things to move you and your business forward and have started to utilize your team more effectively. Now you can start to add back in the important tasks listed above and begin to live a disciplined life of freedom and balance.

Have an awesome month and if there is any way I can help you achieve this life of balance and success, please contact me. Action Business Coach Jody Williams 828-466-2279

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sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 15

A Roof Over Their Heads

CONOVER. Last year, Sipe’s Orchard Home announced plans to re-open Houston Cottage to homeless 16 to 21 year olds pending the successful outcome of a two year campaign to raise the first year’s operational funds for Houston Transitional Living Center.

Houston Cottage, a 9000 sq. ft., state licensed facility, was built through the generosity of the late Dewey Houston in honor of his wife Hazel Houston. Houston Cottage will provide 12 homeless young adults age 16 to 21 with 24-hour teacher/counselor and supervisory staff, safe and comfortable rooms with baths, a community kitchen, dining and living area, a CVCC instructor led GED classroom, vocational and higher educational opportunities, access to transportation, The Cognitive Connection’s S.M.A.R.T. program, Sipe’s therapeutic Equestrian instruction, internships at Sipe’s and in the community, career and life skills counseling through a mentoring program and from Sipe’s teacher/counselors. Residents will also have access to Sipe’s 380 acres for self reflection and recreation as they work to gain a life sustaining perspective. Upon graduation and through a personal savings plan and the attainment of supervised personal goals, education and sustained employment, residents will be able to transition from Houston Cottage to their own homes.

Brian Phelps, CEO of Sipe’s shares, “We are over two-thirds of the way to our funding goal. We have had so many of our supporters step forward to help us get this far. We hope others will also step forward to help us go the last stretch in reaching the first year’s operational goal. It does not make sense to open the doors only to close them due to lack of funding. These folks have had enough doors slammed in their faces.” Sipe’s already has a waiting list of homeless young adults ready to move into Houston Cottage.

Sipe’s Orchard Home a member agency of the Catawba County United Way, has served children and families of Catawba County, throughout the State of North Carolina and from across the nation since 1943. Sipe’s is located on County Home Road in Conover and is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation. For information on how you can help Sipe’s call: (828) 256-5056, or go to our web site: www.sipesorchardhome.org.



          

 CAMP STONEY CREEK Hickory Foundation YMCA

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              

 

YMCA Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

pg 16 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Watering Wisely Tips to Properly Maintain Your Garden

(Family Features) As you’re prepping for your gardens this spring and gathering your much needed supplies and tools, keep in mind that 40 percent of water used during the spring and summer is actually used outdoors.

In fact, as we enter into the summer months, the increase in water use comes during a time of year when there is actually less water available naturally due to increased temperatures and plant demand. For this reason, it’s important to ensure that all gardeners - expert or novice - have an understanding of garden watering best practices.

Whether you’re gardening plants that are rooted in the ground, in a garden bed, or scattered throughout your back porch or patio in decorative planters, it’s essential to tend to your plants with just the right amount of water without going under or over their needs. Watering just the right amount will help your garden flourish, while conserving as much water as possible.

As you care for your plants this gardening season, here are a few tips to consider from Ames True Temper: Tip #1: Follow plant instructions. Read and follow the care instructions and needs of each plant you purchase closely.

Tip #2: Weather is a factor. Check the weather in your area on a regular basis and take note when it’s going to rain or if the temperature rises dramatically, and remember to water your plants accordingly.

Tip #3: Remain consistent. Incorporate watering into your daily routine so that you’re watering the garden on a regular basis. If you miss a day, don’t overwater the next to compensate, as this will simply flood the roots.

Tip #4: Steer clear of midday watering. The best time to water is in the early morning or evening - not the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest.

Tip #5: Water deep. Make sure you’re watering enough so that the excess runs down into the roots and does not just sit on the surface. Dig deeper into the soil and feel with your hand to check if the water is reaching the roots.

Tip #6: Water gently. To protect the integrity of more delicate plants, be sure to water with a gentler stream as opposed to a targeted force.

Tip #7: Make watering easy. It’s best to have watering tools that are versatile enough to water your different types of plants and garden beds. For example, the Ames Water Genie, the Bottomless Watering Can, includes a gentle watering option and works for potted and hanging plants alike. Plus, this easy watering solution fully integrates the hose, hose reel and spray nozzle into a simple all-in-one watering can design.

Once you’re equipped with the right tools and watering know-how, you’ll be able to create and maintain a beautiful garden, lawn or patio from spring through summer, and well into the fall while conserving water.

For more information on the Water Genie or other Ames True Temper outdoor products and accessories, visit www.AmesTrueTemper.com.

For More Helpful Household Tips and Videos, Visit

SophieWomansMagazine.com

Overwhelmed?

Overcome Overwhelm by Simply Moving Toward your Desires

“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”- Aristotle Rushing into our appointment lugging a ridiculously jam-packed bag of to-dos, she sighs tosses her keys on the tabletop and gives into the cushioned booth by slipping off one shoe and tucking one leg up and under the other, leans in to speak to me while brushing the rogue strand of hair from her face and states in exhaustion, “I am overwhelmed.”

She is doing more with less. She is feeling the stress of the economy, juggling work, caring for loved ones, working harder than ever before and a fog of uncertainty that her efforts will produce the right outcomes clouds her mind. She is part of the 57% of women in the United States surveyed by Johnson & Johnson who have experienced a significant increase in stress in the last five years.

Harness the energy of the mind and reduce stress Stress is an energy zapper that starts in the mind and manifests in the body. In order to alleviate pain and gain clarity, might I suggest a look at how to manage energy with our minds? Or more accurately, how are we not managing our energy with our minds?

Life is defined as: a condition of being an active energy-filled organism with the capacity for growth.

Every one of us has the potential to cultivate and nurture each 24 hours we have in a day. How do we do that? By carefully monitoring how we engage our energy around the plethora of opportunities, challenges, and invitations that life presents. You need a strategy and a system to move toward the life you want and that starts with a smart look at the energies at work in our lives.

There are three different approaches we use to output our energy: overagainst, retreat and toward. Depending on our personality, the situation, and the people involved, we all choose one of these energies to approach life at any given moment. The key is to consciously, clearly and vibrantly make a decision how we will engage the moment.

The Three Mental Energies

Over-against energy quickly depletes our personal batteries. This energy is tension-filled, verbose, urgent, and competitive. This approach to any given moment in life is characterized by a ‘ramping up’ a ‘revving of an engine’ or a ‘win at all cost’ mentality. While this is a necessary energy for situations that call for protecting something or someone, it is often the default energy for some of us that feel like we must fix, alter, or control every outcome. It is rooted in fear of a loss.

Retreat energy slowly but surely depletes our personal batteries. This energy is also tension-filled but quiet, reluctant, and avoids conflict. This approach is characterized by a “pulling back” “a hiding away” or a “just forget it” mentality. This energy is also necessary for situations that call for protecting something or someone (usually ourselves). All too often it is the default energy for the rest of us that feel like we can’t make a difference, the demands are too high, and the outcome is hopeless. It is rooted in fear of a loss.

The excess tension we create by moving toward our lives aggressively or moving away from our lives passively both drain and compromise our quality of life. Our fears of loss run us ragged. This creates overwhelm. We take on more than we really want compromising the quality of our work. Or we avoid the necessary work that we know will set us up for success.

Toward is the ideal energy. This state of expending our precious battery life is liberating, offers input, shows up fully prepared to accept the outcome, and simply engages the resources available like skill, talent, and willingness to try. To move toward something you must have a system that knocks out the fear and invites faith to step in. The next time an output of energy is re-

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 17

quired use this system to simply move toward instead of going over-against or retreating.

A System for an Energy Filled Vibrant Life Step One: Ask this question, what contribution can I make to this situation that flows from my natural talents, skills, and capacity?

Step Two: Create a realistic time line to complete the task with on purpose down time incorporated into the framework.

Step Three: Vision around the outcome by articulating the following: My best effort looks like this: The actions I am responsible for are: I want to grow from this experience in this way: Nicole Greer, PPCC is a professional life and business coach. She received her PATH coaching certification through the PATH Coach program and serves the Laurie Beth Jones Company as part of the National Training Team.

At its deepest level, working with a coach frees you to indentify your birthright gifts, discern your deepest passions, and fulfill your highest purpose. A coach can pry you off dead center.

As Principal Coach for Vibrant Coaching and Workshop Leader for The Lydia Group, LLC, a collaboration of individuals focused on work, life and spiritual growth, Nicole is on a mission to impact, energize, and influence people to lead a Vibrant Life by engaging the possibilities. As a life and business coach and workshop leader, Nicole views her role as a conduit to release all that you want to achieve. Join me on the PATH to move forward with authenticity, skill and confidence. www. thevibrantcoach.com/www.thelydiagroup.com/www.vibrantcompass.com

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“Should I Convert to a Roth-IRA?”

Sweeping U.S. Tax Law Changes for Roth-IRA beginning Jan1, 2010 favor doing a Roth-IRA Conversion in 2010 to get additional tax-free income that can stretch your retirement money further.

David Hudson is a Certified Estate Planner, and a Registered Financial Consultant. He is the President of Master’s Estate and Financial Services. He has served the Catawba Valley area for over twenty-four years.

Q. Isn’t there a limit on who, or the amount you can convert, to Tax-Free Income?

A. There are NO RESTRICTIONS on the amount you can convert in 2010.

Q. I have heard there is an extra-conversion tax you have to pay up front?

A. Contrary to what you’ve heard, it is NOT EXTRA. This money will be taxed someday. You can convert and pay the taxes due today or don’t convert and pay the taxes in the future.

Q. But I don’t have that extra money lying around right now...

A. Because of the special advantages for converting to 2010, you can skip payments for up to *2 1/2 years. And only pay 1/2 the amount in two payments.

Q. What happens if income tax rates go up?

A. If you think your personal tax rates are going to go up (and there may be good reason for that) it is best to convert now while taxes are at their lowest in years.

Q. But I still have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits. I really hate that.

A. Changing to a Roth-IRA can actually reduce or eliminate paying taxes on Social Security Benefits altogether!

Q. What about the required minimum distributions.

Do I still have to take those?

A. When you convert to a Roth-IRA you no longer have to take forced withdrawals. And can leave them to accumulate for interest that can be income tax-free.

Q. Fact is, I really don’t need additional income from those withdrawals.

A. Then you’re in luck. You can use the Roth-IRA to grow a large cash reserve (using the extra tax free interest or earnings) to pass on to your spouse, children and grandchildren 100% income TAX free for generations which will provide for their retirement. Or you can use the money yourself to pay for any unexpected catastrophic event such as nursing home costs, etc.

Apples

Bananas OR

By David Hudson RFC, CEP Are you an apples or bananas person? Bananas are the main ingratiate in banana splits, right?

Bananas are sweet and wholesome food. While not as flashy, doesn’t everyone enjoys a red juicy apple on a cool fall day? Both fruits are good and good for us. Yet some people don’t like bananas, while others don’t enjoy apples. Of course this article isn’t about fruit, it’s about two different investment philosophies. Neither is bad, but they are very different.

To understand what I call the banana investment philosophy you have to understand a little about certain investments. Those that believe in the bananas philosophy enjoy investments like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and variable annuities. All of these are investments that have some risk associated with them. In other words, you can lose all or a portion of your money if things go wrong.

The proponents of such investments believe the markets go up and go down, but eventually they will go up more than they go down.

The proponents of the apples philosophy believe in investments like certificates of deposit, fixed rate annuities, and fixed indexed annuities. With the exception of early withdrawal fees all these have both a guarantee of principle and a guarantee of some gain. They also are backed by the government in some form. Apple people believe safety and steady growth are far more important than large gains in a given year.

There are two important factors in deciding which philosophy best fits you. One factor is your risk tolerance. Bananas are great fruit, but they can go bad rather quickly. If your investment portfolio value starts dropping, can you sleep well at night? That’s a question only you can answer. While that is a very important factor, it isn’t the only factor. The other and maybe the more important factor is age appropriateness. If a retired person or a person nearing retirement takes a large loss will they have time to recover before they need their money? If they plan on using the account for income it makes the loss that much more devastating.

Everyone needs some apples. Didn’t your mother tell you, an apple a day keeps the doctor away? The investment rule of 100 says that if you take the number 100 and subtract your age, the total will equal the percentage of your portfolio you should have at risk. Because my clientele are either approaching retirement or already retired I am an apples person.

So what exactly is the point here? The point is, the most important financial decision you face is what type of person you are. Do you enjoy bananas, apples, or both? What is your investment philosophy? How much time will you have before you need your fruit? The second important financial goal should be to find a person that has the same philosophy as you do to be your advisor. Does your advisor think like you do? If you are mismatched with your advisor the only certainty is worry and discord.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the advantages of Roth-IRA Conversions and how they may benefit you.

For a free private, consultation call: David Hudson,CEP,RFC Master’s Estate and Financial Services 260 1st Ave. NW Suite 208 Hickory, N.C. Phone: (828) 322-6554 www.mastersestate.com email: estatecoach@yahoo.com

David Hudson is a Certified Estate Planner, and a Registered Financial Consultant. He is the President of Master’s Estate and Financial Services. He has served the Catawba Valley area for over twenty-four years.

Women’s Financial Life Stages Seminar Ladies, do you know the answers to these questions?

• As a single woman, are you financially knowledgeable?

• How financially independent would you be if you found yourself suddenly single through death or divorce?

• As a wife, do you know your financial obligations?

• What happens to your money if your spouse dies?

• How much do you understand regarding your retirement plan?

• How much do you understand about how your retirement income will be determined?

Woman’s Magazine g Alon

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pg 20 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

“

Congratulations To The Sophie Woman’s Magazine

“

Bride of the Year

Kacey Clark “I feel so blessed to have won Sophie Bride of the Year. I almost decided not to go because at the last minute, the ones who were to go with me, were not able to. When I got there, I run into someone I knew and in the minutes before the drawing, I was nervously trying to fill my time with conversation. When the DJ pulled out the paper, I couldn’t look. I about swallowed my heart when he called my name.

I actually think I stopped breathing just realizing all the stuff I had won. That was an affirmation to me that at this very moment, I was in the right place in my life. I give honor and praise to God because He chose to honor me. I am so thankful to all the vendors for all the wonderful prizes.”

$5000

Kacey Clark

Kacey was presented with a Prize Package valued at over.....

Sophie Woman’s Magazine and all of the vendors at the Bridal Event of the Year would like to congratulate Kacey as well as all of the Bride of the Month winners.

Keep reading Sophie to find out about next years Bridal Event.

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 21

A Very Special Thanks To ALL Our Venors Who Helped Us Make This

The Bridal Event of the Year!

Vendor A & J Entertainment A Creative Hand AKRS Design Cake Craze Creative Memories Dashing Diva’s Deborah’s Gracious Gifts Dillards Dots Dress Barn Elegant Bride Hair Stylist - Jennifer Stump Healing for Life Hen & Chicken Papers It’s My Party Rental Jewelry Exchange Kay Robb Portrait Painter Lane Florist Mann Travels Mosteller Mansion Mrs. NC - Julie Abernathy Neely D’s BBQ Orangerie Events Pampered Chef Party Lite Candles Patty’s Cake by Patricia Pepsi Premier Designs Raintree Cellars Shawn Geiser Photography Silhouette’s by Lena Sophie Magazine Tapestry Harp & Flute Duo Tastefully Simple Thistle House Bed & Breakfast Tupperware Village Kitchen Vitality Anti-aging Center Your Sweet Boutique

Phone Number 828-320-2056 828-315-9548 704-746-3273 828-855-0328 828-446-6783 828-431-2331 828-328-5599 828-327-2656 828-324-6490 828-328-6155 828-464-4995 828-465-1556 828-325-5850 828-328-6039 828-267-2789 828-322-4898 828-850-7775 828-324-7008 828-464-6962 828-345-1001 828-514-9058 828-320-3063 704-526-5116 828-238-8303 828-390-4050 828-396-2738 828-322-8090 828-495-7059 828-397-5643 828-234-2792 828-267-1090 828-466-0122 828-238-0947 828-495-3150 828-313-3989 828-327-3829 828-855-0328 828-322-1498 828-464-1328

Email or Website a.jentertainment@charter.net clontz@acreativehand.com www.akrsdesign.com richter.erin@yahoo.com www.mycmsite.com/sites/pamstarnes www.dashingdiva.com www.deborahsgifts.com www.dillards.com

Contact Jeff Sigmon Cynthia Clontz Mandy Sweirad Erin Richter Pam Starnes Summer Deborah Miller Grace Rome Susan Little www.dressbarn.com Erica Whitehurst Tanya Jennifer Stump www.drbeadle.com Dr. E. Beadle henandchicken@embarqmail.com Sally Brown www.itsmypartyrental.com Dwayne www.thejewelryexchangeinc.com Derek Wright www.kayrobb.com Kay Robb www.lanesflorist.com Twanna Kiser www.manntravels.com Kasey Davis www.mostellermansion.com Christine www.ellakatedesign.com Julie Abernathy www.neelydbbq.com Neal Hudson www.orangerieevents.com Priscilla Ervin www.pamperedchef.biz/robinstone Robin Stone www.partylite.biz/lynnscandleshop Lynn Shell www.myspace.com/pattyscakesbypatricia Patricia www.pepsi.com Doug Houser www.premierdesigns.com Janet Bradshaw www.raintreecellars.com Ed Yoder www.shawngeiserphotography.com Shawn Geiser www.silhouettesbylena.com Lena Bengtson www.sophiewomansmagazine.com Judy Smith www.tapestryharpflute.com Suzanne & Denise www.tastefullysimple.com/web/mdahlstrom Maggie Dahlstrom www.thistlehousebb.com Phyllis Easler www.my.tupperware.com/audreyelledge Audrey Elledge www.villagekitchen.info Paula Shelly www.vitalitymedicalspa.com Vicki Tingen www.yoursweetboutique.com Tonia Bryant

A very special thanks goes out to Pam Starnes with Creative Memories, Robin Stone with Pampered Chef, Audrey Elledge with Tupperware, Twanna Kiser with Lane Florist, Shawn Geiser with Shawn Geiser Photography, Deborah Miller with Deborah’s Gracious Gifts, and Vicki Tingen with Vitality Spa. We would also like to thank our DJ, Jeff Sigmon with A&J Entertainment plus our fashion show coordinator Renee Colbert.

pg 22/ April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

The Beauty of Rest

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Friend To Friend

For most of my adult life, I have wrongly equated being busy with being productive. I’m guilty as charged when it comes to living each day in overdrive. My Day Timer has, at times, been my Bible. The result has always, always been exhaustion, burnout and watered down living. Everything looked great on the outside - but when I was alone with God, we both knew the façade I had so carefully erected was a spiritual monument to selfpromotion and pride-filled goals. The house built upon the sand seemed like very familiar digs. And I was not alone.

We are all masters of rationalizing our way to approval. The problem is that the approval we gain comes from impotent and lifeless sources. I am convinced that if we are willing to surrender our lives to the tyranny of the urgent, the enemy will keep the urgent things in life coming - people who need you immediately, those who clamor for your attention above your family and personal relationship with God, the person who can talk to no one but you, and the list goes on. What ego strokes they offer! And what futility.

I have always loved music and began taking piano lessons at the age of five. I will never forget that first piano lesson with Mrs. McKenzie, a very sweet, elderly woman who played the piano beautifully. Her hair was slightly blue, her house smelled like lemon drops and she had clocks that chimed every fifteen minutes. I was so excited and ready to play the piano like my sister who played for our church worship services. Betty was amazing and I was desperately hoping that same musical ability ran in our family.

“Let’s get started,” Mrs. McKenzie said. I climbed up on the piano bench, waiting for her brilliant instruction to begin. She placed a bright, red piano book in front of me and invited me to open it to the first page. I was disappointed to see only little, black pictures. Where was the music? Where were the songs? Mrs. McKenzie smiled as she patiently began to explain the musical symbols pictured in the book before me. I soon grew restless.

“What’s wrong, Mary?” she asked. “I want to play the piano, please,” I sweetly responded. With a knowing smile, she said, “We’ll get to that.” I was not happy.

On and on - for what seemed like hours - Mrs. McKenzie pointed to funny-shaped black symbols, named them and explained their meaning. I

was not impressed. I just wanted to get my hands on that keyboard. Sensing my impatience, Mrs. McKenzie pointed to one of the symbols on the page before me and said, “Mary, this small, black box is called a ‘rest’ and is one of the most important symbols in music.” I simply didn’t care. It did nothing but sit on a page in useless and unproductive silence. I wanted music. “Do you know why rests are so important in music?” she persisted. Obviously, I had no clue until she said something I remember to this day, “The music that comes after the rest is the most beautiful music of all.”

At the time, I didn’t understand the deeper meaning of those words, but life and time have illustrated their importance and their truth. The best part of life comes after we rest in Him. The most beautiful service follows time spent at His feet. Rest is a powerful part of our life song. The rest in music prepares the listener for what comes next. So does rest in life.

Let’s Pray

“Father, please forgive me for being too busy to spend time with You. Forgive me when I fail to see the hurting and wounded people who need my love and attention. Lord, I need to rest in You but am not very good at doing so. Teach me, Father, to rest in Your love and Your plan for my life. May the essence of my life be a song of praise to You that others will want to sing.

In Jesus’ name, Amen”

More From The Girlfriends

I know what many of you are thinking. You do not have time to rest.

However, the spiritual reality is that we need rest the most - when we have the least amount of time to rest. Maybe it is time to re-evaluate you priorities and goals. Are they part of God’s plan for your life or does your life reflect the tyranny of the urgent? Take a deep breath and choose to rest in Him. Need help in making Bible study a daily habit? Enroll in my online Bible study, Light for the Journey, and join women from across the world as we study God’s Word together.

Going through some tough times? Check out my new DVD, Strength for the Storm.

We can also connect through e-mail or on Facebook! Join the discussions on relevant life topics. Let’s talk!

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 23

2010 Marks 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

While tens of millions of people from Poughkeepsie, New York to Papua New Guinea will take part in events to mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April 22nd, the story behind the first Earth Day begins with a single individual. In the early 1960s, when Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, a Senator from Wisconsin, first hatched the idea that began the modern environmental movement, there was little public awareness of the fragile state of the planet. The nation’s roads were filled with cars sporting massive, leaded-gas-guzzling V8 engines and its factories were spewing smoke and sludge into the air with little regard for environmental consequences.

Nelson had been working to bring national attention to a wide range of environmental issues for several years before launching the first-ever Earth Day in 1970. His early efforts included persuading President John F. Kennedy to embark on a five-day, 11-state “conservation tour” in 1963. While the President’s trip failed to generate interest on Capitol Hill, Nelson continued to press the issue during his own speaking tours.

It was during one such tour in 1969 that Nelson formed the idea that would become Earth Day. Inspired by the anti-Vietnam War protests that were taking place across the nation, he began to organize a day of protest to express concern about the state of the environment. The idea took off, and on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans representing groups and communities from every corner of the country joined in what Nelson called “a nationwide environmental ‘teach-in.’”

Earth Day 1970 not only ushered in a new era of support for the environment, but brought about the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of key legislation, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. In 1995, Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor given to U.S. civilians -- in recognition of his role as the founder of Earth Day.

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pg 30 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Frye Receives Grant From Through Healing Eyes The Frye Volunteer Auxiliary has received a grant in the amount of $6996 from the local nonprofit organization, Through Healing Eyes. The grant, presented on February 16 by Through Healing Eyes President and Founder Katheryn Harlan, will be used to purchase new software for the hospital’s breast health nurse navigator program.

The new software features a secure nurse-topatient messaging system, allowing a constant connection between the patient and her nurse navigator, and thus enhancing the patient/ navigator relationship.

The cancer nurse navigators at Frye are registered nurses with additional training in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Navigators offer one-on-one support and guide patients diagnosed with cancer through the care process, from diagnosis to recovery. For more information on the cancer nurse navigator program at Frye, call 828-3153596 or visit www.fryemedctr.com/cancer.

Through Healing Eyes promotes breast cancer awareness through education, provides inspiration to those affected and helps to make breast cancer diagnosis and treatment available to those unable to afford care. For more information, visit www.throughhealingeyes.org.

FryeCare Physician Associates - Pulmonology is now making appointments for its new outpatient clinic in hickory.

Specializing in the outpatient treatment of respiratory diseases including: Asthma Bronchitis COPD (Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Cystic Fibrosis Pneumonia Work-related Lung Disease tobacco Abuse

We also provide care for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia.

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to schedule an appointment, call 828-322-2005.

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828-322-2005

OPTIMIZING YOUR HOME OFFICE

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 25

by Susan Guest, ASID

Did you know that your environment can enable you to be more productive? Most of us have had to tighten our budgets as the economy has soured.

This has increased the number of home offices –a trend that is here to stay.

These are some tips for helping you have the best work space possible: • Location, Location, Location- Whether your home office is for work or household needs, find a location that will help you be most efficient.

An area with good lighting or windows is crucial. Depending on the activities that you will be doing, the office may need to be close to or away from central activities of the home. If clients come to your space, you may need to locate your work area close to the front door or provide a separate entrance. In smaller homes, the office may need to be placed in a living room, dining room, or other area.

• Determine Your Needs and Goals- List each activity that you will do in your office and plan for those needs. Some examples of office needs might be a library, presentation space, computer area, inventory, file storage, supplies, and a work area for you or employees. Some items that are not used daily may need to be stored in other area of your home.

• Work Zones- Independent business owners usually juggle many duties such as sales, marketing, customer service, presentations, accounts, etc. Divide your work space into zones for different tasks. If your office is in a room with another use, divide the area with a screen, bookcase, or with your furniture arrangement. A computer armoire that closes after hours is a great solution for home businesses. Set office hours and post those for family members and clients. Dress for work each day. Consider a separate phone line/computer for business only.

• Storage and Furniture- Most offices have a functional desk that is large enough for a computer. A comfortable chair is important and you should have 39” behind the chair for clearance. Filing cabinets with full extension drawers work best and should have 36-39” clearance in front of drawers. Ample lighting prevents eye strain and adds to productivity. The desk should face a window or door, unless you are less distracted facing the wall.

• Space Stretchers- If your space is limited, consider some of the following ideas: Mount your computer monitor on a swing arm and place the CPU under the desk. Store supplies in a separate armoire, closet, or another area of the house. Go vertical-use floor to ceiling shelves or the top of bookcases for storage. A rolling cart or files are great for convenience.

• Organize- Entrepreneurs tend to feel like they are wasting time if they are not making money. You will benefit immensely in time, money, and opportunities from simple organizing. Inspect your current system and see what is working and what is not. Change only what is not working. Purge! Don’t load yourself down with things that may come in handy someday. Toss out information you already know, outdated brochures, old stationary and books you don’t use, and accounting records over 7 years old.

• Equalize- After your office is organized, allow about 15 minutes at the end of your workday to put everything away. This will help you be ready for the next work day or task. Allow time each year to tune-up your system as your business grows or change.

Susan Guest, ASID is an award-winning interior designer in Hickory and owner of Guest Interiors, LLC. She is one of the designers featured in “Spectacular Homes of the Carolinas”, found in high-end bookstores around the country. For more information, visit www.guestinteriors.com.

Interesting Tax Fact The Gettysburg address is 269 words, the Declaration of Independence is 1,337 words, and the Bible is only 773,000 words. However, the tax law has grown from 11,400 words in 1913 to 7 million words today.

pg 26 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

BookTalk CATAWBA COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

April 2010

‘Island fiestas’ to celebrate Big, Little Reads Noted steel pan drummer Nathan Brown of Charlotte will entertain from 3-5 p.m.

Sunday, April 11 when Main Library celebrates this year’s BIG Read. The event salutes the Caribbean setting of this year’s book, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez.

Food samples from the Jamaican Spot in Hickory will spice up the afternoon for older teens and adults. The following day, Little Read enthusiasts will celebrate Alvarez’s book How Tia Lola Came to Stay, about natives of the Dominican Republic, with an island sampler of food, crafts, music and more beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Newton. Little Read involves the county’s fourth graders. Both events, scheduled during National Library Week, are free and open to the public compliments of Friends of Catawba County Library.

Library a vital resource for area seniors When we think about libraries, we often think of children’s homework and school projects. In reality, adults account for most of registered library patrons.

The county library system has more than 77,000 registered borrowers with more than 53,000 of them over age 18. Many of these adult patrons are seniors who appreciate the many services the library provides. Largeprint items are popular among older folks who have difficulty reading small type. Likewise, audio books are a boon to those with visual impairments. One large-print book or audio book costs at least $35.

Seniors on tight budgets appreciate the free services at the library including Internet and email access, newspapers, magazines and DVDs. The Rhodes Local History Room in Newton is a popular spot with retirees interested in tracing their family history, organizing reunions or researching the past. The collection includes thousands of references, family files and research helps. The room is open each week from Tuesday through Saturday.

Friends of the Library in Newton, Sherrills Ford and Claremont offer excellent ways to support the library.

Information about these advocacy groups is available by contacting librarians in those locations.

Moreover, a number of retirees have been taking advantage of free tax preparation service offered by AARP volunteers at the Main Library. The last day is Tuesday April 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kids’ contests announced Children and youth are encouraged to enter poetry and bookmark contests sponsored by the library. Youth Services in Newton is sponsoring a poetry contest for grades K12. Children and youth should submit their original verse

by April 26. Call 465-8668 for complete information.

Claremont Friends of the Library are sponsoring a children’s bookmark contest for grades K-8. Details are available at the Claremont Branch or by calling 459-9311.

t n o r F Porch The

by Judy Smith

Sometimes blessings can just happen out of the blue, or so it seems, and they can touch you with just an overwhelming feeling. That happened to me this morning. Sunday comes around every week…right? This particular Sunday did not start out as anything out of the ordinary but it sure turned into a day with an unexpected blessing.

Like most Sunday mornings, my husband and I get to church and head off to our Sunday School class. I am not in an ordinary Sunday School class, mind you, but I am in the most amazing class ever. It is not obvious just to look at it but you have to experience it to know what I am talking about.

Most people might walk up, peak their head in and think this is a class with mostly older ladies and that it is probably a boring class where everyone goes to sleep.

If you take a closer look though, you will find a huge variety of ladies.

Some young, some middle age, some like me who never get older, and some that are…let’s say “mature”. We have ladies that are single, divorced, married and some that their husbands have already gone home. One of our more colorful ladies may say that we even have some “Old Maids” and some that wish they were “Old Maids”. We have one lady that we are trying to find a husband; without much luck, I must say.

What you won’t find though, is a lack of love in this class. We tell everyone that comes in the door to be careful because we don’t let you leave when you get in. These ladies can really get on the wild side though. Not me…I am the one that tries to keep them in control. They like to party and they like to chase younger men. There is this one little five year old boy that two women fight over all the time. That used to be called robbing the cradle but now I think they use the term “cougars” or something like that. It can get pretty ugly when there are two or more fighting for kisses, let me tell you.

But, I was telling you about a blessing. We are a welcoming class and just about any one can interrupt us. That is what happened this morning. Someone just came in and said they wanted to tell us something. Now all ears really perk up in a room full of ladies and someone says they want to tell you something. Now don’t you let your mind drift…I am not talking about gossip. This IS a Sunday School class or did you forget?

What did she want to tell us? Well, she wanted to tell us it was her Mother-In-Laws birthday. Surely, she is not going to tell her age! Oh, but yes she did; but there was a whole lot more she wanted to share. She wanted to share how much she loved her and how much love was in the heart of this Birthday Girl. She told us how giving her mother-in-law was, how she was always there when anyone needed her and how she would give her last possession if any of her kids or grandkids needed it.

However, the one thing she said that just blessed me in such a way, was that this woman was the woman she aspired to be like. WHAT A BIRTHDAY GIFT!!!

There is NO mother or grandmother who wouldn’t cherish those words.

There is no gift that could be treasured more by a mother or grandmother.

One thing I forgot to tell you about our class is that we use lots of Kleenex. We were all just slobbering and snorting like you would not believe. Not only was it a gift to this one precious woman in our class but it was a gift to us all. It was a reminder that we all have a calling to be the best we can because we don’t know who might be watching. It was also a reminder not to take for granted those little things like hugs and kisses. Everyone does not have someone that gives them their love.

Mother’s Day is coming up and when you ask your mom or grandmother what she wants….she is really being honest when she says she wants you to be together. That she wants your love. Flowers don’t hurt either! So the next time your day starts out ordinary; just look for the extraordinary!

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 27

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pg 28 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

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Healthy Living Solutions Maria Goldstein, CNC Healthy Nutrition ~ Healthy Weight ~ Healthy Children ~ Healthy Beauty ~ Healthy Home

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Shawn Geiser Photography 828-234-2792 shawngeiserphotography.com Cregger Company, Inc. 828-322-8765 creggercompany.com

Plumbing

828.320.7479

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Denver 704-489-2511

Ladies Clothing Consignments

CoCo’s Closet

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Dr. Bruce Withers Chiropractic Physician

Independent Sales Reps, Recruiter and Trainer. www.youravon.com/ltravis

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Billy Jean’s Nu to U Consignment 828-328-8986 2907 Hwy 70 SW Hickory

Jagged Edge 2444 N Center St Hickory, NC (828) 345-1130 State Farm Newton 828-466-3888 Hickory 828-324-9333

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Thirty-One Gifts 828-328-1046 mythirtyone.com/julieray

CPI Security Craig Howes 828-217-2402

Security Systems

Hwy 127 North (Next To Fleet Feet)

Special Events

Tapestry Flute & Harp Duo Weaving Harmony With Heart 828-238-0947 tapestryharpflute.com

Telephone Services

B&L Telephone Sales & Service •Telephone Equipment • Structured Cabling •Telephone & Internet Access Serving Catawba and surrounding counties since 1982

725 11th Ave Blvd SE Hickory NC 828 324 4611

www.bltel.com

Tupperware

Audrey Elledge 828.327.3829 my.tupperware.com/audreyelledge

pg 30 / April 2010 / Sophie Woman’s Magazine

Joes

Cheeseburger

Barbecue sauce brings rich, smoky flavor to this variation on the sloppy joe.

Prep time: 5 min.

Total time: 15 min.

Makes: 4 servings, 1 sandwich each

Ingredients 1 lb. lean ground beef 1/2 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce 1/4 cup ketchup 4 hamburger buns 4 KRAFT Singles Instructions Brown meat in large skillet; drain.

Add barbecue sauce and ketchup; mix well. Cook 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Spoon meat mixture onto bottom halves of buns; cover with Singles and tops of buns.

KRAFT KITCHENS TIPS Variation: Prepare as directed, using KRAFT 2% Milk Singles and substituting 1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen LOUIS RICH Pure Ground Turkey, thawed, for the ground beef.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with carrot and cucumber sticks.

JUNE 24 • SEPTEMBER 23

Sodium

sophiewomansmagazine.com / April 2010 / pg 31

By Leanne Ely CNC The Dinner Diva

You will notice in a lot of my recipes, I say “salt and pepper to taste?

There is a reason for this?not because I?m trying to frustrate you! Salt should be added slowly and, depending on the recipes, in steps. That?s how the pros do it and it makes sense?this is how to get the best taste and to make sure you don?t over salt. The reason to salt anything is bring out the flavor of food?not mask it?and you only need a little bit.

But salt is salt is salt?right? Not necessarily. There is a big difference in types of salt-- kosher, sea salt and regular table salt. You may want to rethink your saltshaker.

Kosher salt is coarse and free of any additives. The taste is lighter, less salty than regular table salt and is a good choice for cooking. As a matter of fact, in a poll of 50 top U.S. chefs, 86 percent preferred cooking with kosher salt than any other kind.

Sea salt is made from evaporated seawater and contains the extra minerals found in the seawater itself. Baleine (French for whale) is the brand of sea salt most readily available in supermarkets. It comes in a blue container with a whale on the label. It?s pricier than table salt for sure, but it will last awhile.

Table salt is pure sodium chloride with a small amount of chemical substance that stops it from clunking together and therefore, free flowing.

Believe it or not, table salt often has dextrose (a sugar) added to stabilize it?who knew?

That?s the practical, cooking side of salt. There are also the health concerns with salt and the majority of the too much salt-in-your-food syndrome comes once again from processed foods and less from your salt shaker (although, you need to watch that, too).

For example, did you know that a fast food hamburger will have nearly twice the amount of sodium than the homemade version? Or that such foods like cereal, instant cocoa, cake mixes and cottage cheese even, are extremely high in sodium?

Excessive intake of salt is a major contributing factor to hypertension. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a disease that puts undue stress on the heart and other internal organs just to keep the blood pumping and moving through the body. This disease leads to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure?this is serious stuff!

We need some salt, but not 10 grams which is what the average American ingests on a daily basis?that?s 10 times too much! We only need about 1 gram and again, that will be picked up naturally by the foods you choose.

Think of it this way: one tablespoon of soy sauce is your daily quota of salt for the day. Makes you sort of rethink things, doesn?t it?

Have you ever been out to dinner and later that night, felt you could down a gallon of water in one sitting? There?s an indication that your food was way over salted. Eating too much food from restaurants and the processed stuff we buy from grocery stores that we erroneously call ?food?, will set us up for future health concerns, big time.

Just remember?the flavor of your food is truly worth its salt. Especially when you are using a quality salt and using it sparingly. You will be amazed how little you start to use when can use a little bit on your food when you?re eating more natural foods and way less of the processed stuff.

Leanne Ely is a New York Times bestselling author of Body Clutter and the Saving Dinner series. The Dinner Diva syndicated newspaper column appears in 250 newspapers nationwide. Learn how to cook great and save signiďŹ cant money with the Dinner Diva?s menus, recipes and shopping lists at www.savingdinner.com

The Dinner Diva

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We have all heard the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words”, right? Well, that is our philosophy behind the creation of Shutterbuggerz. We know that photographers and anyone who loves to look at pictures will tell you that a good photograph is a piece of art. Pictures themselves can tell a story but the best part is, the story is interpreted by the admirer instead of the author. A favorite saying here is:

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Each month, the winning photographer (professional and amateur) will receive a prize.

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You are cordially invited...

Pure Reflection Spa 1st Annual Bridal Fair From the dress to the honeymoon... there are so many things to plan!

We’ve gathered some of the best vendors in the area to help you make those important decisions.

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Monday, April 12 5-7pm Pure Reflection Spa for Wellness 915 Tate Blvd SE Suite 146 Hickory, NC 28602

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