West Georgia Woman Magazine February 2016

Woman

February 2016

West Georgia

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Fifteen Ways To Love Yourself

Teen Dating Violence Keep your kids safe

Dr. Kathryn McFarland She’s All Heart

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This publication is dedicated in loving memory of

Tristan Alexander Brooks

May 15, 1993 - September 1 7, 2015

He will remain forever in our hearts...

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PROVIDING POWER FOR 50,461 OWNERS. AND COUNTLESS FUTURE GENERATIONS. That’s why your local not-for-profit Touchstone Energy cooperative will always have the reliable information you need about optimal renewable energy options for our region. To learn more about what’s available, go to TouchstoneEnergy.com.

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What’s inside...

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Heart & Soul FAQ: You Asked and We Answered Love Your Community When Love Hurts Small House, Big Rewards

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32 41 54 59

How Do I Love Me? Your Heart and Coffee February Facts for our Furry Friends To Ask or Not to Ask: Can Women Do the Proposing?

Kidz Korner

In Every Issue:

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25 33 34 36 40

She’s Got Game Womentality She Said/He Said Daily Fare Local Happenings

44 50 51 56 61

Celebrate Her Success Caught in the Act Ever After Resources for Women Wee Said

Subscribe to our free digital issue

and have it sent to your inbox each month. westgeorgiawoman.com

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Love is in the Air February is recognized as the month of love because of Valentine’s Day, but it doesn’t have to be all about just flowers, candy and Cupid. Take some time to take care of yourself this month so you can be the best you can be for the ones you love. Speaking of love, have you told those closest to you how you feel about them lately? Sometimes we get so busy with life that we forget how to really live. Remember, we are never promised tomorrow, so make the most of the time you have with your loved ones. Tell that special someone today how fabulous they are, and while you’re at it, take a look in the mirror, and tell yourself how wonderful you are today, too!

February is National Heart Awareness Month, and Feb. 5 is National Wear Red Day to remind women of the importance of heart health. Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and the number one killer of women – even more than all cancers combined? On this issue’s cover, we have the beautiful Dr. Kathryn McFarland, a Carrollton cardiologist who has made it her life and career goal to teach women about the dangers of heart disease. Dr. McFarland is also a busy mother of two boys and is such a kind and warm person. She is truly a fabulous woman, and we are proud to have her as our feature story. Please read about her on page 10.

The month of February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Make sure you read about the signs of a dangerous teen dating relationship on page 20. And don’t forget, it’s a leap year, and perfectly acceptable for you ladies to propose to your true love. Read more about how to plan the perfect proposal in “Ever After” on page 54.

I know I say this every issue, but it always rings true. Here’s a big thank you to our wonderful advertisers. Please support and do business with these valuable advertisers who make this publication possible for you to enjoy every month. When you do business with our advertisers, please don’t forget to tell them you read about them in West Georgia Woman!

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Publisher

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Dr. Fred Richards with Publisher Angela Dailey Celebrating the “Birth” of West Georgia Woman Magazine Photo by Dr. Anne Richards

Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.

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West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

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West Georgia

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Volume 1 • Issue 4 February 2016

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor/Graphic Design/ Editorial Contributor Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for Cover and Pages 2&3 Rachel Dobson

Editorial Contributors

Charlene Brooks, Julie Culpepper and Sydney Dailey

Angela Brooks Dailey, Publisher of West Georgia Woman, has lived in West Georgia most of her life and has a deep love and appreciation for the area. She received her B.B.A in management from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia and is also a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, Georgia and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey. She is engaged to Dan Keever, also a Carrollton resident. Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch her daughter play soccer.

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Photos by Rachel Dobson

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Heart & Soul Cardiologist works for her community, not just her patients

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By Shala Hainer

r. Kathryn McFarland wears many hats, all overflowing with care and grace. She switches seamlessly from doctor to mom to daughter to friend. Her two little boys, only 7 ½ months apart, keep her busy and full of joy.

“I checked my pregnancy test and it was positive, and literally four hours later, the adoption agency called saying there was a little boy coming into the world, and did I want him,” she remembers fondly.

“I was six to eight weeks pregnant when my oldest son was born.” They are both 4, and the oldest will be 5 in March.

She embraces a new family trend of having her parents live with her as well. “I have the pleasure of sharing the house with my mother and father,” she says. “I’m one of those in-betweeners, caring for my parents and taking care of my kids at the same time.”

Although Kathryn knew she wanted to be a doctor, her heart wasn’t always set on cardiology.

“I had every intention of being an endocrinologist. I wanted to do research, working on weight loss medicines,” she says. By chance, a colleague got sick and Kathryn ended up completing two back-toback rotations in the coronary care unit.

“After the second rotation, I knew I was going to do cardiology. It’s an opportunity to make impactful changes in people’s lives at that critical time – when you tell them to make lifestyle changes, and now is the time to do it.” She works as a cardiologist at West Georgia Cardiology in Carrollton, Ga., where she found a a kindred spirit of caring and outreach in practice owner Dr. Charlie Rouse.

Women in Medicine While it’s common to see female doctors these days, men still dominate the field in many areas.

Overall, men make up about 65 percent of the doctors in this country, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. “There was only one other female in my cardiology class and two others in whole program,” Kathryn says.

But to women wanting to enter the medical field, she says you should absolutely do it. “Medicine is changing so much now – sometimes for the worse – but we need people with good energy who can turn things around,” she says. “Women who are geared toward medicine shouldn’t be fearful that they won’t be able

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to have a family and do what they love because it won’t allow for family time. Women are now vascular surgeons, ophthalmologists and in every specialty.

They have families and are prosperous in all realms.”

It used to be difficult to be a surgeon or a specialist such as a cardiologist and have a family because of the demanding schedules. Women typically had to sacrifice either their career or their desire for children. That’s no longer the case, in most instances. “If that’s the desire of your heart, pursue it and know everything in time will happen – including your family,” Kathryn advises.

Knowing you’ll be in the minority when you enter a career field can be intimidating, she says, but being true to yourself is key to becoming successful.

“Often, women find themselves changing to fit the mode and being unhappy or struggling to get to the point where you maintain yourself and how you want to be viewed,” she explains. “I chose the latter, and finally, I feel like I can be myself and who I am as a person and a physician. I like people, I want to help people, and I want to make a connection with people. I spend a lot of time with patients, which is not always what medicine wants you to do now.

To get them to make long-term changes, I have

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to spend time developing a bond. But it’s been a journey.”

Kathryn focuses on developing those relationships with patients from the moment they walk in the door. In addition to a welcoming smile, she dresses purposefully to help people feel comfortable – to her, that means no lab coat.

“I hate lab coats,” she says. “I don’t even own one. Most patients don’t like lab coats. They get white-coat hypertension – they see the white coat, they get anxious and their blood pressure goes up. I’m not a formal person. I want to go for the connection, which might mean jeans, a sweater and a nametag.”

Fighting the #1 Killer Heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country, yet most people don’t know that. Other conditions, specifically breast cancer, tend to get the most publicity, even though they don’t affect nearly as many women as heart disease.

Not to downplay the importance of awareness and research for these other conditions, but Kathryn often feels frustrated by the lack of publicity about the

dangers of heart disease. “One in eight women die from breast cancer, but one in two women die of heart disease. It’s so pervasive that no one thinks about it.

Cancer is a much scarier word than heart disease. But when it takes out one in two women, it literally destroys families – their entire foundation and stability is rocked.”

The frustration stems from her desire to help people and to make a difference.

“It does drive me batty that we can’t get on the same level. Heart disease has been happening more often to more women for many more years, but we’re in the infancy stage while breast cancer continues to get support across communities. But I still keep plugging away, still hoping to gain participation from other people.”

Getting the Word Out Kathryn puts her time where her mouth is, passionately spreading the word about heart health and the dangers of heart disease. Every February, West Georgia Cardiology hosts the Go Red expo and luncheon. This year, it’s on Feb. 6 at the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Carrollton, and next door at the Cultural Arts Center.

Guests enjoy an expo where they can learn more about heart health while visiting with vendors and community members who are displaying wares supporting heart disease awareness. The event features speakers, a buffet lunch, a fashion show and testimonials from heart disease survivors.

“The testimonials this year are super compelling,” Kathryn says. “Nobody is going to believe it. So wear the cutest red thing you’ve got and come to the luncheon to learn and have a good time. Go Red is really about awareness and making sure women know all the risk factors – really get them down cold.”

The expo, speakers, testimonials and fashion show are free, but a lunch ticket is $15.

In addition to the Go Red awareness event, West Georgia Cardiology reaches out to women in the community on the first Friday in February every year.

They close the office and focus on free screenings for women who might be uninsured, underinsured, homeless, from shelters or just don’t have access to

proper health care. “We check their blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, fasting cholesterol, body mass index and more,” said Kathryn. “Before every woman leaves, she knows her risk for heart disease over the next 10 years.”

West Georgia Cardiology recently offered its second annual “A Giving Heart” event to children in the community. Each year around Christmas, the practice puts on a fun event for children where they’re given hats and mittens and treated to pictures with Santa, food and other gifts. With the help of their sponsors, they make sure all the kids who might not have enough food, clothes or gifts leave with something.

“This second year, we had an even better response than the first year,” she says. “This practice

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is really geared toward community. We have our hearts and souls in this community – not just to take care of hearts, but we live here and want to be good stewards.”

Kathryn shares some personal time reaching out to others as well. Every other Saturday, she invites people to come “Run with a Doctor” and help get women connected. “So many women say they need to exercise, but they don’t have anyone to exercise with,” she explains. “Your doctor exercises – I’ll do it with you! It helps people meet others from their same areas with their same goals. They can motivate each other and hold each other accountable. Building that network is how things really change” She meets every other Saturday from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Carroll Lake Track by the Greenbelt. “We get it done early so you have the rest of your day to get things done, and so it’s not too hot in the spring and summer.”

Finding Balance All moms struggle with finding balance, making time for themselves and their families, but it’s often harder for working moms. With the sometimes unpredictable schedule her job requires, Kathryn uses a couple of tools to keep life in balance.

“I think I have to always keep in the forefront that family matters – they’re not the last thing on the totem pole,” she explains. “I have to keep my perspective – God first, then family, then my job.

Sometimes it is a struggle. I’m fortunate because I have a nanny who is like my sister – she’s family, and

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I would do anything for her. She helps me keep that balance.”

Kathryn works on call at the hospital one week a month, and she could get called out anytime day or night that week.

Having the nanny gives her the flexibility to continue impacting lives through her job without worrying that her children aren’t receiving the care they need.

“If I get called out early in the morning, she can get the boys up and off to school,” she says. “If that happens, I’m trying to break my neck to get out the door to sit at the table and have a family dinner. Or, if I’m called out in the evening, then I’m there at 5 a.m. to watch GI Joe and Transformers cartoons with my little boys, then get them ready for school.

They don’t realize how crazy and hectic it is, but they know mommy is around and doing what she is supposed to be doing. They know I am a doctor and have to help other people, too.

I focus on knowing the quality time I give them is going to be good time with them.”

Kathryn helps center herself by taking time to run regularly and play tennis when she can. “Running helps tremendously,” she says. “It helps clear my mind. I can listen to my favorite music and let my mind wander.”

She is also excited about taking her first class for women shooters, as she is preparing to purchase a gun. “I’m tickled about it because we have to be able to protect our families. [Target shooting] also helps relieve stress.”

She advises other moms to find the balance that works for their families, noting that the balance is different for everyone. “You always have to be cognizant of whether you are in balance – that’s a question you must always ask yourself,” she says.

“Mother’s don’t want to teach their kids the wrong thing intentionally or subliminally. You want them to know there is time to study, time to play, time to rest and time to worship.”

If you ever answer “no” to whether your life is in balance, Kathryn suggests finding the courage inside to make a change, for yourself and your family. “Sometimes it might have to be switching jobs, or stepping back from routines, or saying no to people who are always asking for your help,” she says. “Your life might be busy and hectic but still be in balance. If you’re focusing on priorities like going to church and exercising, and you know your kids are getting quality attention, you can find balance.” WGW

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You Asked, and We Answered Hello, West Georgia Woman readers! As we’ve been out in our communities distributing West Georgia Woman, people have asked us several questions we want to address in our publication with a frequently asked questions page. As always, please call or email us if you have any questions or comments – we love and appreciate your feedback!

Do you charge the people you feature in West Georgia Woman?

WGW: Absolutely not. The stories we write about the women in our communities are always provided free of charge. We feature women we find interesting and who we believe add value to the publication from the cover feature to the business owner. We all have a story, and we want to share these stories with the women in our communities. The wonderful thing about our publication is a woman does not have to be a high-profile person to be included in the magazine. You never know who we might feature next – your mother, daughter, sister, co-worker, your neighbor or even you! If you have a story about an inspiring woman, a fabulous local business owner or an amazing female student athlete or coach, please let us know. Email us at features@westgeorgiawoman.com, and you may see them in the magazine one day!

Where do you get your material for the magazine?

WGW: Simply put, from you! Our readers provide stories about local women in our communities making a difference or who have an inspiring story. We are always searching for good stories about fabulous women in the community. West Georgia Woman prides ourselves on never using purchased editorial, or stock, content for our written articles. All of our articles are written by our staff so we can provide interesting content to our most important clients – our readers.

How often do you publish West Georgia Woman?

WGW: West Georgia Woman magazine is a monthly publication.

If you just found us and would like to see past issues, visit our website at www.westgeorgiawoman.com to find links to previous issues. You can also sign up for a digital subscription there.

Getting West Georgia Woman in your email inbox means you’ll never miss an issue.

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How much does your magazine cost?

WGW: West Georgia Woman is free to the public. When you are out and about and you see the magazine, feel free to pick it up and take it home with you. West Georgia Woman is completely supported by our VIP’s (Very Important Partners), our advertisers. That is why it is extremely important to please let our advertisers know you saw their ad in the magazine when you do business with them so we can continue to provide this wonderful resource to you.

Q&A I love West Georgia Woman! Where can I pick up a copy?

WGW: Our magazines are distributed in over 500 locations throughout West Georgia such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, banks, beauty salons and nail salons. Often, women see the magazine and take it home with them because they love reading it, and it can be harder to find them toward the end of the month in the offices and salons. We always have racks inside the foyers of Publix and Kroger in Carrollton, Southern Home and Ranch on North Park Street, A Plus Size Consignment store on South Park Street and Food Depot and Texaco on Maple Street in Carrollton. We also have some at the Publix at Mirror Lake in Villa Rica and on a rack at Piggly Wiggly in Bowdon. We are adding more locations daily. Hurry and get your copy before they’re gone!

The quality of your magazine is amazing, from the beautiful, thick pages, to the wonderful articles, to the outstanding color quality. Is it really expensive to advertise in your magazine?

WGW: Our advertising rates are very inexpensive considering the premium quality product we provide at no charge to the women of West Georgia every month. In fact, our rates are often lower than many other local glossy magazine publications. We provide a beautiful, high-quality, premium product that our readers enjoy holding and reading from cover to cover. We provide interesting and valuable content our readers often share with others time and time again, and most importantly, your ad won’t get lost in a busy jumble of ads and boring editorial in West Georgia Woman magazine. We have many sizes of advertising that will fit your budget, and you can rest assured we operate with the utmost transparency and integrity within our industry. We would love to work with you. Give us a call today at 404.502.0251, or email us and we will provide customized advertising for your business: sales@westgeorgiawoman.com.

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Do you have a question you’d like to see us answer in future issues of West Georgia Woman?

We’d love to hear from you! Email us at features@westgeorgiawoman.com. We’ll answer your question personally, but we’ll keep it on file to potentially share with our readers as well. Thank you for reading West Georgia Woman!

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How to Love Your Community Every Day I

t seems like every day, we have so many things pulling us in different directions. Kids, work, pets, parents, housework – you name it. We are always busy. But just because we’re busy, it doesn’t mean we can’t take a few minutes every day to help and contribute to the communities in which we live.

Making a difference every day does not have to be time consuming or expensive, and it means so much to our neighbors and business owners. It also sets a good example for others.

For example, picking up litter whenever you are outdoors exercising, walking your dog or running errands makes your little corner of the world more beautiful for yourself and for others to enjoy. It only takes a few moments to pick something up and throw it away, so take a stand against littering and do your part to help keep your community clean and beautiful.

Another example is to shop locally whenever you can. The business owners in our communities really depend on all of us to buy locally. The next time you are ready to make a purchase, take a moment to search online to see if a local business near you has the same product. Buying locally from people you know and trust boosts the economy where you live by helping those businesses create jobs for your neighbors and pay taxes for services we all use in the community.

Try to think of one thing every day, or even once weekly, to help. It may be volunteering at a homeless shelter or nursing home, taking a favorite dish to your ailing neighbor, or cutting the grass for the young couple down the block who just had a baby. Even giving money to a women’s shelter or taking food to a local food pantry doesn’t take much time. The opportunities to help others in your area are endless, so get out there and show your community some love. WGW

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When Love

HURTS

Help Your Children Recognize the Signs of an Abusive Relationship February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, but teen dating violence is not a topic often discussed in society or, more importantly, within family units.

Many teens don’t report dating violence because they are afraid to tell their families about it, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Children from age 11 to 17 are especially at risk for accepting violent behavior from their dating partners, and those who have experienced dating violence at an early age have a much higher risk of being victims of dating violence in college.

Parents embrace the obligation to protect their children from dangerous activities throughout their lives, and that duty to protect them doesn’t end once they reach their teens.

That may even be the time when parents must become even more vigilant and aware of the dangers young pre-teens and teens face on a daily basis. Don’t think you’re out of the woods because you don’t have daughters, either.

Females aren’t the only victims of teen dating violence, according to loveisrespect.org. One in 10 men has experienced physical abuse, rape or stalking by a dating partner, and because boys and

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men are afraid to talk about the abuse due to social stereotypes, the statistics of female-on-male abuse and those in same-sex relationships are probably much greater than reported.

According to Dr. Jill Murray, an expert on teen dating violence, several warning signs may indicate your child is in a dangerous dating relationship.

1. Academic success has declined in the weeks or months since the relationship began.

2. Loss of friends or fewer interactions with close friends. Your child has lost interest in things she or he enjoyed doing prior to the new relationship such as participating in church, family or school activities.

3. Excessive jealousy from the dating partner. This can also include misguided or untrue accusations of wrongdoing by the partner.

4. Your child has become very secretive after beginning the relationship.

5. The dating partner frequently checks up on your child especially between the hours of midnight to 5 a.m. through texts or phone calls, or exhibits stalking behaviors such as showing up at your home at odd hours when she or he has no reason to be there.

punishing them, recommends Caring Unlimited. Be clear about what you see happening in the child’s relationship, and ask the child what you, as parents, can do to help the child feel safe and what the child would like to see happen in the relationship.

Always keep communication open and make sure the teen knows there is a strong support system at home.

6. Your child becomes critical of her or his own talents, appearance or general abilities.

7. Sadness or crying is prevalent, and there seem to be too many ups and downs in the relationship.

8. An expression of love was announced from one or both parties early in the relationship.

9. Texts or phone calls from the dating partner must be answered, and your child is nervous or upset if she or he is unable to respond immediately.

10. The dating partner has been a victim of domestic violence within her or his own family unit. The partner’s parent or parents may be drug users, alcoholics, or physically or verbally abusive to one another or the child.

How do you help your child if she or he is in an abusive dating relationship?

It can be extremely difficult to break away from this type of relationship because of the simple fact that your child’s abusive partner most likely has some control over your child already.

Quite simply, the abuser exhibits patterns of behavior to gain control and power over the victim, and you must tread carefully if you suspect abuse. You don’t want your child shutting down or expending energy defending the abuser.

Parents should calmly and clearly speak to their children about their concerns without judging or

What should you do if you suspect your child is the abuser in the relationship?

Being a good role model for your child is one of the best ways to teach her or him how to handle relationships, according to Caring Unlimited. In your own relationships, model respect and kindness, confront your teens about suspected abusive behavior and don’t allow them to blame others or other circumstances for their actions toward their dating partner. Talk to them about the behavior and let them know it is not acceptable.

Turning the tables might help as well. Ask your teens to walk in the victim’s shoes by asking them why they think their behavior is acceptable. Also, let them know that by exhibiting controlling and abusive behaviors, they will not be able to have the healthy and happy relationship that they and their dating partners deserve. WGW

If you or someone you know is a victim of dating violence, loveisrespect.org has a toll free help hotline.

Call: 1.866.331.9474 Text: loveis to 22522 or go online to loveisrespect.org and chat online with a LIR Advocate.

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Small House, Big Rewards

But is the tiny house lifestyle right for you?

By Shala Hainer

T

he tiny house movement is quickly gaining momentum around the country, and the small homes are starting to pop up in our area. These homes are a bit of a novelty in West Georgia, but the movement has earned national attention – it won’t be long before they become more popular in local communities.

Depending on who you ask, a tiny house might be 500 square feet, 300 square feet or, in the most extreme cases, 120 square feet – the smallest versions can fit on 8-by-18-foot trailers so the owners can simply tow their homes wherever they go.

Some slightly larger versions, sometimes called mini-mansions, take the most advantage of vertical space, building a second floor. They have the same small footprint as other tiny homes, but they might have full bedrooms or living space upstairs or in a basement, as opposed to the condensed loft space sometimes found in tiny homes.

The appeal, in many cases, is mostly financial.

Tiny homes cost significantly less than traditional homes, sometimes falling between $25,000 and $45,000 to build, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Some people pay out of their savings to own their tiny homes outright, while others can pay theirs off in about the same length of time as paying off a new car.

People who build tiny houses tout other benefits as well, including a simplified lifestyle. There’s less house to clean and maintain, and you’re forced to keep clutter to a minimum because there is simply nowhere to put it.

Others build tiny for environmental concerns, hoping to reduce their home’s carbon footprint. Tiny houses need fewer building supplies, offer more open space in the yard around the home and take less energy to heat and cool than larger homes.

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The Downside Tiny homes require significant sacrifice. You must be willing to part with a huge chunk of your belongings and downsize permanently. Many tiny homes use space creatively – offering builtin couches with storage under the cushions or a kitchen table that folds into the wall when not in use, for example – but expect it to be a continued effort to find the right balance between the personal items you want and finding the space to put them.

Local governments often make it difficult to build tiny houses. Most in this area have ordinances requiring homes on foundations to be a minimum size, such as 750 square feet. Homes small enough to fit on towable trailers might be treated as RVs by the local government, but some RV parks have rules prohibiting tiny houses.

Financing creates another obstacle. If you can buy outright, financing isn’t an issue, but if you’re seeking a mortgage for your new tiny home, be prepared to shop around, and around, then around some more. Because the tiny house idea is new,

Consider it ...

!

D

L O

S

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most mortgage lenders shy away from providing loans – there’s no solid basis for resale value on the homes, so they are difficult to appraise to a lender’s satisfaction.

Making the Decision Living in a tiny house isn’t for everyone, but the benefits might make it worth considering for certain buyers, especially first-time homebuyers or mature buyers looking to downsize.

Tiny houses also seem popular with active, adventure types – people who prefer to be outside hiking or sitting by a fire pit. Many tiny houses sport elaborate outdoor spaces to help expand the living area, often with several sitting areas, large porches or even rooftop patios.

Although families with children can live happily in tiny houses, the condensed space means there’s a marked reduction in privacy, so consider your needs carefully before making the leap.

If you think a tiny house might be right for you, first check your local city and county ordinances to make sure you can build a tiny house. Talk to the utility companies to ensure there won’t be issues with electricity, gas, water and sewer or septic tank.

Interview several builders who specialize in tiny houses – they often provide thoughtful ideas on how to meet your needs with small spaces by custom

designing multipurpose spaces.

Before you break ground on your tiny house, take a couple of vacations with everyone you live with, testing properties of different sizes. Perhaps rent a small mountain cabin or a cozy beachfront condo so you can get a feel for how you might function in a tiny space. If you love it, a tiny house might be for you. WGW

Taking the Leap to Tiny

by Kellie Hunter, Waco, Ga. Stages of life often bring us to a place of re-evaluation.

That’s where I found myself three years ago when several things changed in my life, and I began looking at how to adjust.

My mother lived with me and my children at the time, but with the onset of Alzheimer’s, she had to be placed in assisted living.

Shortly after that, my daughter left for college. A 1,900-square-foot, four-bedroom, split-level house became too overwhelming for just me and my son.

Thus began my journey of going “tiny.”

I have spent countless hours researching the “tiny house movement.” I originally began with a plan of 500 square feet, but as the grading started,

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I re-evaluated and made a decision to add a basement, increasing square footage to just over 1,000 square feet total. That’s a tad too much to be considered tiny, so I have claimed the name of “mini-mansion.”

I have been fortunate to live on site during my build, which is a pay-as-I-build strategy. I went from 1,900 down to 300 square feet, and I will settle at 1,024 square feet at the completion of my mini-mansion.

God has blessed my journey. When the minimansion is complete, my plans are to continue on with another project, “Hope’s House,” which is a ministry to provide homes for women rescued out of human trafficking.

I hope to have a video documentary produced at some point regarding my journey and providing inspiration to others who are considering this same type of lifestyle change.

SHE’S GOT

GAME Nothin’ But

Heart Local Basketball Player Breaks Records on the Court and Gives Her All to Her Community

Outstanding. Exceptional. Dedicated. These are all words that describe Kelsi Fizer, a 16-year-old junior and power forward basketball player at South Paulding High School.

Historically, Spartans were known as people of great courage and self-discipline, and as a SPHS Spartan, Kelsi is no different.

She leads her basketball team in rebounding, scoring and block shots, and she recently broke 1,000 points -- only the third girls’ basketball player at SPHS to reach that milestone. She also broke the 500 rebound mark, which made her only the second girls’ player to claim that accomplishment in Photo by Deedra Kerlin SPHS history. But she’s Kelsi, left, jumps on defense.

Photo by Kelly Nye-Hinkson

not finished yet – this season, she broke the school’s record for scoring the most points in a game with 38 points.

Her success on the court hasn’t gone unnoticed.

She was named the Paulding County Player of the Year as a sophomore, made the Christmas All Tournament teams, has been recognized by other coaches in the region and has been on the All Region teams the last two years. She also received the Coca-Cola Athletic Award in basketball for the 2014-2015 school year.

Originally from Baltimore, Md., Kelsi currently lives in Hiram, Ga., with her mother Kelli Crawford and her brother Rodney. She has two siblings, Rodney Crawford and Quinci Fizer. She is an avid reader.

Kelsi also enjoys shopping and hanging out with her friends in her spare time, which is sometimes hard to fit in with her schedule of sports, academics and volunteer activities.

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Photo by Deedra Kerlin From left: Athletic Director Dr. Christopher McAllister, Kelsi Fizer, Head Coach Kelly Nye-Hinkson and Principal Dr. Keith Rowland celebrate Kelsi’s 1,000-point shot.

Kelsi letters in two sports -- basketball and volleyball -- and is a front-middle and right-side hitter volleyball player at South Paulding. She recently made the Junior Olympic volleyball team.

She is also a member of Future Georgia Educators and Spearhead, the school principal’s leadership and advisory group that requires a rigorous application process.

“Kelsi is a natural-born leader on and off the court,” says Kelly Nye-Hinkson, physical education instructor and head girls’ varsity basketball coach for SPHS. “She exemplifies all qualities of a studentathlete. She has been a starter on the team for three years and a team captain chosen by her coaches and teammates for the past two years. Her teammates and student body here at SPHS look up to her.”

Coach Kelly says Kelsi is a good person on and off the court and is the type of athlete coaches want on their teams. “She is friendly, smart, outgoing and a very humble individual. She respects herself, the game, coaches, teammates and other players in the league.”

As if sports and academics weren’t enough, Kelsi somehow manages to add to her busy schedule

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numerous volunteer and charitable activities within her community. She reads to students at Dugan Elementary school once a week during basketball season, helps with the elementary school’s fall festival, and participates in Feed the Homeless every Thanksgiving, Toys for Tots and Spartan Holiday during the Christmas season, and more.

Kelsi is looking forward to attending college after she graduates next year, but she hasn’t made a final decision on where she will attend. She is currently being recruited by Division 1 universities for basketball, and she maintains As and Bs while taking Advanced Placement and honor classes. She says her success academically and with sports is a product of the hard work and dedication she has put into herself over the years. “I work hard for grades and I work hard for all the awards that I’ve earned,” she explains. “Nothing was handed to me as a player, so hard work is my greatest success story.”

West Georgia Woman: Tell me what you love about basketball.

Kelsi Fizer: What I love about basketball is the drive, competition and passion I have for the game.

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Over many years of playing, my love of the game has definitely grown into something that is unperishable.

WGW: What keeps you motivated?

KF: Things that keep me motivated are planning my future and watching lots of men and women playing college basketball.

WGW: What is your training regimen?

KF: My training regimen is practicing every day except for game days, which are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and skills training on Sundays.

WGW: How do you prepare the day of a game mentally and physically?

KF: Before games, I drink lots of water and eat lots of carbs and fruits. Mentally, I focus on what we worked on during practice and the team we are about to face.

WGW: What do you like most about playing?

KF: Getting better and expanding my game is what I like most about playing. I feel more useful and more of an asset to the team. I also love traveling and playing different types of teams and being exposed to new environments.

WGW: What do you like least about playing?

KF: Having to recover my body fast after either a game or workouts is the toughest and least favorite part about basketball.

WGW: Who has had the most influence in your life at school?

KF: I have a friend name Katie Amritt who goes to Wake Forest, and I love her to death. We were best friends when I was a freshman, and she was my teammate. She worked so hard during her senior year to get where she is now, that as a freshman, it was truly inspiring. She helped and motivated me so much on and off the court, and she is the most

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Photo by Deedra Kerlin

influential person in my life to this day involving school.

WGW: Who has had the most influence in your personal life?

KF: My mom is the most influential person in my personal life. She just works for everything we have in our life. She’s my mom, coach, teammate, best friend and principal. She’s truly inspiring, and I love her so much.

WGW: What goes through your mind when you’re out there competing? What do you think about?

How does playing make you feel physically and mentally?

KF: When I play, I just stay focused and have fun.

and it is key to remember that her expectations of herself are more important and should be higher than what anyone else has of her. She has to push, work hard and be consistent.

I focus on communication and hustling with my team, and getting the “W” in the end.

WGW: What do you do to help other girls on the team who are younger than you?

WGW: If you could do one thing differently in high school, what would you do?

KF: I try to help girls on my team that are younger than me by keeping close relations and good communication with them. I try to grow a close personal bond with them and be someone they can go to if they ever need any help or advice.

KF: If I could do something differently in high school, I would push myself earlier to go out of my comfort zone.

WGW: Do you see yourself playing basketball the rest of your life?

KF: I see myself playing basketball as long as I can. I definitely know that basketball will always be a part of my life with either being a trainer or a coach.

WGW: How old were you when you started playing? What was that first game experience like for you?

KF: I first started playing basketball in the 3rd grade. My first game experience was scary – I was lost and confused, but at the same time, I oddly had a lot of fun and couldn’t wait for the next game.

WGW: What do you want to do as a career after high school?

Photo by Kelli Crawford KF: I want to run my own daycare

WGW: How do you balance basketball and your other activities along with your schoolwork?

KF: I have a planner and I plan out everything I have to do. Staying organized and prioritizing is a big key factor.

WGW: Who is your biggest fan?

KF: My mom is my biggest fan. She comes to almost all of my games, either basketball or volleyball, and she always cheers me on. She gives me advice and tips on every aspect of my game, and I always appreciate it. Even though sometimes she is tough on me, I know it is all out of love and she only sees the potential in me.

WGW: Tell me about your support network at home.

What do they do for you to help you succeed?

KF: My support system at home is comforting to have. They are always understanding and super supportive. They push me when I feel low and celebrate with me during my highs.

facility. I love kids, and managing my own daycare would make me really happy in life.

WGW

Do you know an outstanding athlete or coach in your school or community?

Tell us about her!

Email us at features@westgeorgiawoman.com

WGW: If you could give a freshman advice, what would you tell her?

KF: I would tell a freshman to have high goals,

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1

How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways...

I compliment myself and I really mean it. I am a beautiful person inside and out.

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I write myself a love letter telling me how marvelous and amazing I am, then I post it in a conspicuous place so I can see it every day.

3

I focus on the positive, and I don’t allow too much negativity in my life, such as watching depressing news or reality television all day, gossiping or tearing others down.

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4. I get plenty of sleep, and I exercise regularly.

5. I take a day off once in a while ... from everything!

6. I help people because it makes me feel good, knowing I make a difference in the lives of others.

7. I eat foods that are good for my body, and I drink plenty of water to keep myself hydrated.

8. I take time for myself to do things I love and enjoy.

9. I take time out to have some fun.

10. I relax with my loved ones or pets and really enjoy the time I am able to spend bonding with those who matter most to me.

11. I am grateful for the things I have and the people I have in my life.

12. If I am in a situation I don’t like, I do something to change my situation instead of subjecting myself to needless suffering and heartache.

13. I forgive those who hurt me or make me feel as if I don’t count. I know that forgiving those people is a gift to myself so I can move forward with a positive outlook on life.

14. I do the things I love professionally and personally. Life is too short to work in a job that makes me miserable or to spend my time doing things I don’t enjoy.

15. I allow others to do acts of service for me. I go to a restaurant and allow someone to cook for me, or I hire someone to do chores that take up too much of my time.

WGW

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Your Heart and Safe Stimulant or Coffee: Scary Stressor?

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illions of people look forward to waking up to the magnificent aroma of coffee every morning.

According to a survey by the National Coffee Association, about 83 percent of Americans drink an average of three cups of coffee per day, totaling an annual consumption of 587 million cups. In prior years, many misconceptions existed about the harm coffee may cause on the heart and blood pressure, but many doctors are now encouraging Americans to keep loving and drinking their daily cups of java.

Numerous studies now tout the benefits of drinking coffee on a daily basis. More importantly, those Americans who drink an overabundance of coffee daily don’t need to be worried anymore, according to a study conducted by Harvard University in September 2015. The study shows that Americans who drank one to five cups of coffee a day were less likely to die from a stroke or heart disease than those who drank very little or no coffee at all. The study went on to show that excessive coffee drinkers, or more than five cups a day, showed no additional risk of death of any type than those who drank three to five cups a day or those who drank little to none.

Of course, if you’re prone to bouts of anxiety or heart palpitations due to drinking caffeine or have existing issues with high blood pressure, it might be smarter to reach for decaf. Make sure you always speak with your physician regarding the benefits and risks of drinking coffee or caffeinated beverages based on your personal health history. WGW

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Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. .”

- Mildred Barthel “Mistakes “Never eat more than you can lift.”

- Miss Piggy

“You don’t need endless time and perfect conditions. Do it now. Do it today.

Do it for 20 minutes and watch your heart start beating.”

- Barbara Star “There is no reason to repeat bad history.”

- Eleanor Norton

are part of the dues one pays for a full life.”

- Sophia Loren

“Acting childish seems to come naturally, but acting like an adult, no matter how old we are, just doesn’t come easy to us.”

- Lily Tomlin 33

Q:

SHE SAID WHAT DO YOU DO FOR THE ONE YOU LOVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY?

“Nothing. Valentine’s Day is for women, not men.”

Kerry L. 30, Douglasville, Ga. “I usually make a romantic dinner for him with candles, and I light a fire in the fireplace – the works.”

Jocelyn G. 44, Buchanan, Ga.

“My husband and I decided a long time ago not to support or celebrate what we call a ‘Hallmark Holiday.’ We don’t like the price gouging from retailers.”

Paige B. 51, Dallas, Ga. “I don’t do anything because I don’t have a boyfriend. I’ll probably sit at home and cry all day.”

Aviana W. 20, West Georgia Technical College student from Cedartown, Ga.

“We usually go out, but the season premiere of ‘The Walking Dead’ is on that night, so we’ll probably just order pizza. We don’t miss [that show] — not even for Valentine’s Day!” Caroline R. 38, Carrollton, Ga. (Editor’s note: A woman after my own heart!)

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HE SAID

WEST GEORGIANS WEIGH IN

“I go all out to show my wife how much I love her. Valentine’s Day is very important to her, so she gets candy, flowers, jewelry and I take her out to dinner wherever she wants to go. I’m broke on February 15th!”

Xavier M. 26, Carrollton, Ga. (Editor’s note: Is this guy for real?)

“I always send her flowers to her work. It makes her feel good to know I think she’s special.”

Heath S. 34, Bowdon, Ga.

“The usual: flowers, candy and dinner. I’m not a very romantic guy, and it works for her, so that’s good enough for me.”

Darnell L. 40, Newnan, Ga.

“I don’t like it because I have to pay so much for them, but I better bring some roses home or I’ll pay for it later!”

Jerry P. 49, Tallapoosa, Ga.

“I always break up with whoever I’m dating before Valentine’s Day so I don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money.“ Victor F. 19, University of West Georgia student from Douglasville, Ga. 35

Daily Fare ”Adapt these recipes to your tastes and your lifestyle. That’s what I want you to feel the freedom to do with my recipes. You are more talented and creative than you give yourself credit for!”

Julie Culpepper Julie Culpepper is a Georgia native living in Carrollton for the past 26 years with her husband Alan and their adult children. She became a personal chef after graduating culinary school in 2012 and loves working with two companies that she incorporates into her style of cooking- Branch and Vine in Newnan and Doterra, an online source for essential oils located in Utah. For further information about contacting Julie or these companies, please feel free to contact her at : jculpep4@gmail.com or culpepperoilsolutions@mydoterra.org

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or go online to: branchandvineonline.org

A Little Chocolate and Spirits Spice Up Dinner If you do not have much time to invest in a complicated romantic dinner during the week, try this easy pasta dish that is simple, different, and will be appreciated by the one(s) for whom you took the time to make something simply fresh and delicious.

Need some red meat for romance?

Add chocolate for an unexpected sweetness. These flavors are so complimentary even though you wouldn’t always think of using them together. The flank steak entrée is the perfect romantic dinner that will impress your special someone. Serve with a beautiful salad and potatoes, or if you want to be extra fancy, splurge with chocolate pasta that can be found in in specialty stores or online.

Photos by Michelle Horsely

Pasta with Vodka Cream Sauce Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 2 teaspoons garlic paste 2 shallots, minced 1 cup good-quality neutral vodka, such as Stolichnaya 1 cup chicken stock 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces) ½ cup heavy cream 20 basil leaves, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 16 ounces pasta of your choice, cooked al dente according to package instructions 12-ounce container ricotta cheese

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Instructions

While the pasta is boiling, start your sauce. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil, butter, garlic and shallots. Sauté for 3 minutes. Add vodka and reduce for 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and tomatoes, and after bubbly, reduce to a low simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir the cream into sauce just before serving and remove it from the heat. Toss in the basil leaves and pour over the pasta, serving immediately. Place a generous spoonful of ricotta cheese over each serving if desired. Serve with garlic bread and salad.

Serves 4

Have a recipe you’d like to share with West Georgia Woman readers? Send it to: features@westgeorgiawoman.com

Flank Steak with Chocolate Merlot Sauce

Ingredients

For Marinade: 2 ½ pound flank steak 1 ½ cup extra virgin olive oil ½ bunch cilantro, washed and chopped ¾ cup cocoa powder 2 tablespoons garlic paste 1 tablespoon onion powder ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce Juice of 3 limes or about ½ cup For Sauce: 1 onion, small dice ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 3 teaspoons garlic paste ½ cups roasted red pepper 2 cups Merlot wine 2 teaspoons beef base 1/3 cup grated semisweet chocolate 1 teaspoon hot Spanish paprika

Instructions Place all marinade ingredients except steak into a food processor and puree until smooth. It will be thick. Coat the flank steak with the marinade and place in a zip-top bag, refrigerating overnight.

Scrape off excess marinade and grill on a hot grill over medium heat until desired doneness – about 140 degrees F for medium rare. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.

For the sauce, sauté onions over medium heat in olive oil until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir 1 minute. Add wine and reduce by half. Add the chocolate and beef base and stir until melted. Puree this with the red pepper in a food processor until smooth. Serve drizzled over the flank steak.

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Serves 6

Tips from Julie: Winter is the best time for making good use of all the things you cooked and preserved during the year. Your freezer can be a huge asset and help if you follow a few guidelines.

• Try to use the items in your freezer within six months, and no longer than a year • Keep your freezer clean, organized and in good running order. Clean the coils underneath every few months so the motor doesn’t overheat.

• Cube leftover breads and freeze in a big bag. Use it for all sorts of things, such as making croutons, panzanella salads and bread crumbs to use binders, like in meatloaf. Birds also appreciate bread crumbs in the winter.

• Buy your meats in bulk when on sale, and portion them into freezer bags for later use.

• Always label the foods in your freezer with a permanent marker, giving the ingredients and date. It’s amazing how different your food will look in that bag later!

• Make large portions at one time, such as soups, then freeze in smaller portions. It saves on time and expense.

Plus, it is wonderful to easily meet a need in a pinch, such as sicknesses and births. People really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

• Always save stock from meats you roast or bake. Homemade stock is better than store-bought stock and usually contains less sodium. It makes a tasty starter for homemade soups.

• Freeze liquids in an upright position and save room for expansion. I cannot tell you how many bottles of pomegranate juice have overflowed in my freezer, causing a terrible mess!

• Winter is great time to catch up on canning from the summer harvest when things were overwhelming. Juice the liquids from fruits, freeze it, and spend a cozy winter day canning inside when it is cold outside.

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Local Happenings

Publisher Angela Dailey, left, with Dee Dee Murphy at the CCWC Christmas Luncheon. For more information on the club, visit carrolltoncivicwomansclub.org.

Free Heart Health Assessment Friday, Feb. 5, 8 a.m.-Noon: Free healthy heart women’s assessment at West Georgia Cardiology, which includes BMI, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol check, blood pressure and personal physician assessment.

Go Red Event Saturday, Feb. 6, 8:30-11 a.m: Join West Georgia Cardiology for the Go Red Expo, Luncheon and Fashion Show. The Expo and Program is from 8:3011 a.m. at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Carrollton, and the Luncheon and Fashion Show is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott next door. Lunch is $15 per person for luncheon, and you may purchase tickets at West Georgia Cardiology.

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Healers and Helpers Wellness Group This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville. Save the date for the annual healers and helpers D.R.E.A.M (Discover, Rejuvenate, and be Empowered to Achieve More ) in March 2016. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or learn more at www. heartmatterswellness.com.

The Barn at Sierra Springs Spring Open House Join The Barn at Sierra Springs for an open house on Sunday, March 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1075 Old Four Notch Road in Whitesburg, Ga. Vendors welcome. To reserve your spot, email Angie Crews at thebarnatsierrasprings@gmail.com.

Photos by Gail Allen

At left, the Carrollton Civic Woman’s Club celebrates at its annual Christmas Luncheon. The club meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Sunset Hills Country Club.

Visit the club’s website for more information.

February Facts

for our Furry Friends February heralds thoughts of red hearts and blustery winds, but it’s also an important month for your pets. Keeping your pets safe, healthy and happy takes just a few thoughtful moments.

National Pet Dental Health Month Do you avoid your dog’s sweet Valentine kisses because of her bad breath? It might be time to have her teeth cleaned. Depending on how often you brush your dog’s or cat’s teeth, you might need to have a dental cleaning for your pet every couple of years or even once a year.

As soon as you notice yellow tartar building up on the teeth or sense bad breath, take her to

the vet for a dental checkup, recommends the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Periodontal disease in pets has been linked to several major health issues, including heart disease and kidney disease. However, an overwhelming majority of pet parents don’t brush their pets’ teeth. The pets don’t like it, and the parents don’t like it.

After you’ve brushed their teeth several times, they’re likely to accept it more readily. Always use toothpaste designed for your pet – the flavors are specially designed to appeal to certain animals.

Pick the kind of tooth cleaner that works best for you, which could be a tiny toothbrush, a small brush that slides onto your finger or even a cotton swab.

If your pet is small enough to fit in your lap, hold her with her back to you, tilt her head up and brush her teeth. For larger animals, try sitting on the floor with her head in your lap.

Although daily brushings are best, chew treats designed to clean teeth can help if your pet despises tooth brushings.

Check with your vet about your pet’s diet, as proper diet helps keep your pet’s teeth cleaner.

When it’s time to get your pet’s teeth cleaned, ask your vet about the procedure and the dangers involved with using anesthesia on your pet. You know how hard it is to simply brush your pet’s

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teeth – imagine how hard it would be to try to keep her still while you cleaned them deeply with tools that made strange noises.

The vet must anesthetize your sweet pup or kitty, and with anesthesia come some risks. However, the risks of not cleaning her teeth are often bigger, but discuss it with your vet to make sure the procedure is right for your pet. In some elderly pets, for example, the vet might recommend a gentler, although somewhat less effective, treatment using an ultrasound scaler and a mild sedative rather than a true deep cleaning.

Brushing your pet’s teeth daily might sound crazy and outside your comfort zone, but it can truly make a difference in your pet’s health and happiness.

Cold Weather Safety Most pets, even those who routinely

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stay outside, aren’t able to withstand extremely cold temperatures. When the temperatures start to fall close to freezing or below, the best idea is to bring all pets inside during the coldest days and nights.

If that’s just not possible, provide an enclosed area, such as a dog house with a door the pet can push open but closes behind them.

Place a heated kennel mat, heater box or ceramic heatemitting lamp designed for pets inside the dog house to keep it toasty warm.

If you keep any food or water outdoors, use plastic bowls instead of metal in case it falls below freezing, recommends the Humane Society of the United States.

Your pet’s tongue could stick to frozen metal. Check the water regularly to make sure it’s not frozen – your pet needs plenty of food and water to stay warm.

Although this isn’t a huge issue in West Georgia, be mindful of rock salt used to melt snow and ice on the roadways. If you walk your dog along a street that’s been treated for rock salt, or if you use rock salt to melt ice on your driveway, wipe her feet, legs and belly with a damp cloth after you get home to remove any salt sticking to her fur. That also goes for cats that might venture outside after an area has been treated with rock salt.

If the salt is left on your pet, it could burn her poor little

paws and skin. If your pet licks the salt off her fur, it can irritate and inflame her mouth, or, in a worse scenario, cause severe vomiting. If you suspect your pet ingested some rock salt, take her to the vet immediately – or as soon as the roads are safe enough to travel.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day the Pet Way Valentine’s Day is full of fun and romance for people, but for pets, it can be full of hidden dangers.

You can still celebrate the day with your fur baby, but be mindful of issues that come with traditional Valentine gifts.

Chocolate, for example, is toxic to dogs. It causes stomach upset that can be serious enough to need veterinary intervention, so don’t share your treats with your dog.

A bigger problem with cats tends to be the flowers you get for the special day. Lilies in particular can harm your kitty if she eats them.

Certain flowers are toxic to dogs as well, so keep them away from areas your pets frequent.

If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, call the pet poison hotline at 855.764.7661.

The ribbons that decorate your gifts and balloons might cause problems for your pets, too. Some pets play with the ribbons and end up eating part of it, which can cause dangerous blockages in their digestive systems.

To celebrate with your pet, give her treats designed specifically for her. Most pet supply stores offer a variety of safe treats in heart shapes around Valentine’s Day, as well as toys such as flower-shaped chew toys or some that are filled with catnip. Or, make your own special pet-safe treats using heartshaped cookie cutters, and show your pets how much you love them. WGW

Proud Supporter and Printer of 925 Pacific Avenue Bremen, Ga. 30110 770.537.4329 www.gatewayprint.com

Woman Magazine West Georgia

TM

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Celebrate HER SUCCESS

Healing Hands, Gentle Heart

Hometown Chiropractor Touches the Lives of Adults and Children On the surface, Gwyn Goodwin, D.C., FICPA, full-time chiropractor and part-time ballet dance instructor, is a petite woman with a gentle smile.

While small in stature, she packs a ton of muscle into that 5-foot-2 ½-inch frame not only by staying

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physically fit, but also with her strength of character, her tireless work ethic and her eager willingness to serve others.

Gwyn is co-owner with her husband Clyde Navarro of Integrative Body Health, a chiropractic office in Carrollton, Ga. She began practicing in January 2003, is a Fellow with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, and she’s Webster’s technique certified. She is working on her basic certification for Chiropractic Biophysics; Clyde is currently certified in that specialty.

They live in Gwyn’s childhood home in Carrollton with their two children, Gavin and Gia Nicole, and

Small Town Girl Gwyn was born and raised in Carrollton and attended all grades at Oak Mountain Academy.

She was named valedictorian of her graduating class and was selected for the Governor’s Honors program. She found it more beneficial for her dance education to attend the summer at the Atlanta Ballet instead, so she respectfully declined the Governor’s Honors opportunity.

“My father was interim headmaster at Oak Mountain Academy at the time I graduated,” she says, smiling fondly at the memory. “He handed me my diploma, which at the time was mortifying! Now I find it incredible.”

She was accepted into every undergraduate school she applied to and was granted merit scholarships into each dance division of those universities. She attended two years of college at North Carolina School of the Arts (UNC) in Winston Salem, N.C., to work toward her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance. She then moved on to Indianapolis to attend her last two years at Butler University, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and graduated with honors.

Gwyn grew up an only child and gives her mother, Beverly, all of the credit for teaching her how to be a good friend through her mother’s example. She would watch her mother host dinner parties and

Photos by Amber Eason

their two dogs, Dolly and Tanner.

She enjoys the home because of the wonderful memories she has with her parents. She likes to travel, cook, clean and organize, which she rarely has time to do with her busy schedule.

As if being a chiropractor and mother weren’t enough, she also teaches ballet at Fever Performing Arts. “I love helping these talented students achieve their goals and perform,” she says. “Dance has changed so much since I was a student. There is more that is expected from them, and you must be good in all genres. Fever does an excellent job of making sure every student gets everything they need to one day become a professional performer.”

shopping trips for her friends and learned much about friendship by listening to her mother’s phone conversations with her friends.

Her immense and undying love for her mother is quite evident in the way she speaks of her. “I believe my mom and her amazing friendships had the greatest impact on my personal life. When you grow up as an only child, you have your parents.

Your friends become your siblings. My mom’s friendships were real, genuine and beautiful. She was an encourager and supporter. She truly cared and made a huge effort with each of them. In today’s world, that’s tough, because we are all so busy.

She was also an incredible mother and and helped me achieve the education I needed to pursue my dreams. She was my best friend.”

She credits her professional success in life to her parents, the late Beverly and Cope Goodwin. Both of her parents were educators, her father a history professor at the University of West Georgia and her mother a 7th-grade English teacher at Central Middle School. Gwyn hopes to instill in her own children her parents’ determination, passion and dedication to their work.

“Both of my parents were excellent teachers,”

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“

she explains. “I learned from them how to be a good teacher. That’s essentially what I do in my practice and in the studio with my dance students. I am very out of the box, and that was my mom. She was a musician and taught her students to learn things in a musical pattern – she always used music in her grammar lessons!

She created a song that her students learned year after year, ’Verb, adjective, another adverb.’

They still have not forgotten that song. When I see her former students, they sing her grammar lessons to me!”

became a student at Life University,” she says. “I recovered and healed much faster while being under chiropractic care.”

She was born premature and endured a lowered immune system as a child. Her father was a heavy smoker, which also affected her health as a child. She recalls how she would get strep throat every year until the age of 19. “I had been under a care plan with Dr. Loretta Griffin,” she remembers. “That was my first year free of strep throat. I learned from her that nervous impulses from the brain do not flow freely if you have a bone that has shifted and is creating spinal nerve irritation. The nerves control our organ functions. Once that had been corrected, my immunity greatly improved. I never got sick my junior and senior years at Butler, even with all of the heavy winters.”

“My mom’s

friendships were

real, genuine and

beautiful. She was

an encourager and

supporter.”

In Good Company

After graduating from Butler University, Gwyn began dancing professionally with the Colorado Ballet in Denver, Colo. She danced with the ballet company for two seasons before injuring her knee.

The constant pain of dancing with a knee injury was quite taxing on Gwyn. She decided she needed a change of pace and began working in retail until she made a long-term career decision.

She enjoyed working in retail and was quickly promoted to assistant manager within several months. After much deliberation, Gwyn decided she wanted to move back home to Georgia and attend Life University to pursue chiropractic work as a professional career. The day she went to the store manager to resign, she was told she was going to be sent to a higher-volume store to train for a full management position, but she had other plans for her career path.

Gwyn has always been fascinated with the chiropractic field, even at an early age – she had been under chiropractic care on and off since the age of 12, and her knee injury that kept her from performing at full capacity while dancing professionally with the Colorado Ballet made her want to learn how to help other injured athletes in the future.

“My father loved chiropractic and found tremendous relief from the treatment. Whenever I was injured, he took me to Dr. Bergstrom or Dr. Griffin, and both were amazing mentors when I

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A New Life Once Gwyn chose her career path, she came home to Georgia and began studying at Life University. She first had to qualify for the program, which required a minimum of two years of undergraduate studies at the time. She was required to take her core science classes at University of West Georgia for one year before she could begin attending Life.

Being a student at Life University came with some stringent requirements. “Chiropractic school is a four-year, 10-credits-average per year, education process,” she shares. “During the four years, you are required to take three parts of National Boards and complete student and outpatient clinics. You must complete a certain amount of exams, adjustments and clinical tests before graduating. Upon graduating, Part IV is the practical exam that is taken and required in most states to qualify for licensing.

Now, the University requires that you complete an internship with a participating private practice for several months. After that, you can apply at any of the 50 states.”

She says she was licensed in Georgia and took the Puerto Rican boards. “At that time, they did

not accept Part IV. So, I was at one time licensed in two different ‘states.’ Many chiropractors do this so they can also do fill-in work for friends, which makes vacation time easier.”

Life University was where she met her husband, Clyde, who was one quarter ahead of her. They had a mutual friend who introduced them and set the two up on a date in 2001. They quickly fell in love. They married in 2005 and opened their own chiropractic office in San Juan, Puerto Rico – Clyde’s birthplace – then their first child, son Gavin, was born in 2006. Their daughter Gia Nicole was born four years later.

Starting Over Gwyn and Clyde lived and practiced in Puerto Rico for nine years before moving back to Gwyn’s home in Georgia in 2013. They opened Integrative Body Health in August of that year. They both have experienced the challenges of being business owners since moving to Georgia. “Starting over has been a challenge, but we were told by local business owners that if we can make it through three years, we will make it,” she says. “Almost there!”

Owning a chiropractic practice in Puerto Rico and owning one in Georgia is markedly different, she says. “The Puerto Rican culture is a really fun culture.

They are very friendly people, and they greet you with a kiss on the cheek and a hug, even upon introduction. They say good morning as you enter the door. I hate to say they are even friendlier than the Southern culture, but it’s true!

“The food is the absolute best. It is not a healthy diet, but delicious! There is a real sense of family there. You can go to dinner at 9 p.m. and see families with small children eating together, and it is not frowned upon at all. They are energetic people who love to laugh and talk with their arms.

Sometimes it sounds like they are angry, but they are just animated.

“The Puerto

Rican women as a whole are beautiful and take good care of themselves. Most of them have manicured nails, perfect hair, and dress like they are on the cover of Vogue, just to go to the grocery store. The favorite shoes in Puerto Rico are very high heels.

This was a major problem in our office. Most of the women refused to give up these shoes, and as a result, suffered with low back pain. Even with us trying to educate them about the effects and problems with wearing high heels, they insisted on fashion over health.

“Practicing there was really fun. We had a very busy practice, and never once needed marketing.

The people there ask ‘Who is your chiropractor?’ not ‘Do you see a chiropractor?’ They just understand that it is part of a healthy lifestyle. Because of this understanding, they would refer friends, family and neighbors. Some of these patients have even traveled to our current practice for care, which is almost unbelievable, but they, too, have become our family.”

She laughs about funny stories she remembers from her 13 years of working in the chiropractic field.

“In Puerto Rico, I never learned Spanish, but most patients there were bilingual. So, many of them would speak to me in Spanish and I would respond in English. One time I told a patient to put on her “Gato” instead of “Bata.” I told her to put on her cat! She burst out laughing and said, ‘You mean bata, gown!’”

No Regrets Gwyn has few regrets as she looks back over her time with her two practices. “I really am proud of both of our practices that we have created,” she says. “I am a grateful and positive person, so if I need to choose one thing that would need to be different, it would probably be moving earlier to Carrollton. This would have given us more years with my mom, rather than months before she

Gwyn, far right, performs with the Colorado Ballet.

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became ill. It still worked out that both of my kids knew her, and I feel so blessed for that time with her.”

Owning her own business is not without challenges, she says. “Without going into details, healthcare is definitely a challenge. Billing insurance, understanding what is needed and accepted is always changing. Sometimes it is really hard to keep up with all of the changes. This makes it very frustrating while trying to give people the care they need and deserve.”

Gwyn is not afraid to reach out for help when she needs it, and she has a huge support network of mentors she can turn to if the need arises. “We are so lucky to have our Chiropractic Biophysics family. One of my best friends in chiropractic school is an instructor for [the Chiropractic Biophysics] technique and business owner in Windsor, Colo.

She and her husband helped us get started with our current practice. They were so incredibly helpful and generous.

“If I ever need advice or help, I reach out to her or any of the CBP docs. We all support one another with any type of problem and even celebrate each other’s success. Of course, we

have had other mentors along the way. I feel like you can learn from just about anyone. Clyde and I have had lots of business coaching in our years in practice and have learned so much from these wise people.”

Although women are outnumbered in the chiropractic profession – only around 22 percent are females, according to the Journal of Chiropractic Education – Gwyn shares her perspective on what strengths women can bring to the table through chiropractic care. “Something I learned from one of my favorite clinic doctors is that women adjust their patients differently,” she explains. “They need to use skill and finesse, not muscle power and strength. Women tend to have incredible communication skills with patients and the compassion needed to serve patients who are suffering. I cannot tell you how many calls we get preferring a female doctor.

“Women have a huge presence in our profession, and some of my favorite adjusters are women. One of the best things we have going for us is our strong sense of intuition. I honestly love practicing with my husband. We both have strengths and weaknesses.

West Georgia Ambulance Encourages all WOMEN to INVEST IN YOURSELVES! For the greatest return on your time and money, invest in yourself.

• • • • • • •

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Check your blood pressure at the local drugstore.

Scan the paper for free health screenings in your area.

Get your yearly check up and mammogram.

Add drinking water to your daily routine.

Park farther out from the store and walk.

Incorporate a meatless Monday and eat your veggies!

No one is worth more than you. When you are at your best, then you can be better for those around you.

Dedicated Healthcare When You Need It Most

770.832.9689

We are lucky we can utilize them together in the same office at the same time.”

Debunking the Myths According to Gwyn, most people have the wrong idea about what chiropractic care really is all about.

Chiropractic Biophysics is a technique used in their office that dispels many of the old myths regarding chiropractic, she says.

“Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) is a protocol used in our profession to correct the structure of our spine,” she explains. “In doing so, proper function is restored as well. We really look toward the ‘ideal model’ that has been researched thoroughly by numerous doctors in this field. We gather information from the patient’s X-rays and design a care plan around that individual’s needs.

“By doing intensive work with adjustments, traction – which is the real game changer – and mirror-image exercises, we can make structural changes that can be seen on X-ray. This will last much longer than traditional methods. Plus, we have maintenance plans that can be done at home and a few times in our office monthly. Our protocols and techniques are the most researched in our profession and are recognized all over the world.

Only 1 percent of our profession practices this way.

“Our office is not for the person who wants the quick fix, but for those who can envision the long-term benefits. We tend to get the patients who have tried everything else but cannot find relief. However, it is always better for the patient to come in before more damage is done. We also have Power Plate technology that we use for postural correction. Our K-laser has been a huge hit because of how fast it relieves pain and heals injuries. We also have a great weight-loss program for those people who have tried the conventional ways to lose weight.”

Although Georgia requires a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education in her field, Gwyn and Clyde often exceed the minimum requirements every year due to their love for learning. They complete most of their continuing education at the Ideal Spine Center in Boise, Idaho, because their specialty, CBP, is taught there.

Gwyn shares what she believes makes their chiropractic office different from the others. “Aside from our state-of-the-art equipment and techniques, we offer quality service and a chance to be heard.

You are not rushed though our office like cattle, and we honestly do everything we can to help each

patient. Our individual approach and caring staff make the experience like no other. Our patients are amazing. Each one of them is so different, but they are all in our office for one common goal. I love hearing about their lives and helping them through a challenge, hearing about the outcome, and celebrating with them.

“Our patients feel like family. We are really normal and very down-to-earth people who work hard.

We create a fun, focused environment for quality care. We love to help and serve More than 20 million others. We also believe Americans receive care that there is a place for from chiropractors, all forms of health care.

Patients according to the need to have both National Institutes medicine and of Health. chiropractic sometimes.

We understand and respect that and hope to one day work with physicians locally to enhance healing for the residents in the West Georgia area.”

Looking Ahead Gwyn is excited about living and practicing in her hometown and plans to stay right where she is, continuing the profession she loves and teaching ballet. She enjoys her work, but like most working mothers, she often struggles with the work-life balance. “I love my job, though I do hope to have more balance so that I can enjoy my family more. I love being a mom, too,” she relates.

According to Gwyn, she wouldn’t live and work anywhere else because of the wonderful experiences she has had, new and old, in Carrollton. “I love the small-town environment and that it doesn’t take long to get anywhere. After living in Marietta for almost five years and in San Juan, it is nice to not have to worry about traffic! I also love that so many people knew my parents and have stories to share about them. The fact that my kids can go to the same school I went to and live in the same home I grew up in is unbelievable. I never in my dreams thought this was going to happen. It is really special!” WGW

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Caught in the Act

of supporting women in West Georgia!

Bretha Bryan and her staff at A Plus Size Consignment welcome all West Georgia women! Located at 909 South Park Street in the Trojan Center in Carrollton, A Plus Size Consignment is a distribution point for West Georgia Woman magazine.

Stop in today for personal, friendly service and a fabulous atmosphere, and remember, Big Girls Rule at A Plus Consignment!

For quality plus-size clothing in sizes 14 to 6X, A Plus Size Consignment has you covered for all of your clothing needs. Stop by today and support a business that supports women in the community.

Calling all business owners!

What does your business do to support women in the community?

Send us your photos with West Georgia Woman magazine and tell us about it. We may include you in our next issue!

Email: features@westgeorgiawoman.com 50

Ever After “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Solemnization of Matrimony

51

LORNA AND ERIC JENS 52

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA KLECA

LORNA AND ERIC JENS Were married November 21, 2015, at St. James Catholic Church in Jackson, Wisconsin

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To Ask or Not To Ask Can Women Do the Proposing?

Synonymous with love, February serves as one of the most popular months to become engaged.

One day in particular stands out as top of the list for proposal-versaries: Valentine’s Day. About 10 percent of couples, or roughly 6 million, are likely to pick Valentine’s Day for their proposals, according to the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker. It is, after all, the most romantic day of the year.

In most of those proposals, it’s the man saving for a ring, building his courage, crossing his fingers and getting down on one knee. But can the woman do the proposing instead?

The short answer is yes. There’s no reason women can’t ask their fellas to tie the knot.

However, the practice is typically frowned upon.

While society continues to push for equality for the sexes, many people seem to be developing an even stronger opinion that it should be the men doing the asking.

The idea that men should plan the proposal crosses generations, with younger couples sticking to that tradition as strongly as past generations.

When asked who should do the proposing, 75 percent of Americans surveyed said they thought the men or the women could propose, according to CBS News. That seems to be just politically correct talk, however, because only about 5 percent of married couples say the women asked their men to marry them.

That’s not to say women don’t have a voice when it comes to when, where and how the proposal happens. In many cases, women decide it’s time

54

to get married, and they tell their boyfriends. They describe their dream proposal or help pick out their ring. Then, it’s up to the men to make the plans and choose the right moment to actually pop the question.

There’s one time, though, that a woman proposing to a man is considered the norm.

According to tradition, women should propose to men during a leap year. And guess what happens in 2016 – Leap Day on Feb. 29!

But for the majority of women who prefer not to make the proposal, there is still good news. Men are getting more creative when asking their girlfriends to marry them. Some plan destination proposals, asking their girlfriends on the beach or during an exotic vacation. Others keep it closer to home, but go all out with musicians, photographers to capture the moment of the ask, or even flash mobs to help make the proposal truly memorable.

The current trend toward elaborate proposals means women can still have unforgettable moments as they start their new lives with their spouses without having to bend a knee – their only effort is to lift a finger as he slides on the ring. WGW

Creative Proposals

Thinking out of the box for a marriage proposal might take months of planning – not unlike the wedding itself. These elaborate proposals aren’t for everyone, but these examples show unforgettable moments for the happy couples.

Film Debut One groom-to-be asked a videographer friend to help him make a movie trailer showcasing his love story with his girlfriend. They used actors, but told a story the girlfriend would recognize.

They played the trailer on the big screen while the couple was on a date at the movies. As the girlfriend started to realize it was about her, she saw the final scene: her boyfriend on the screen asking her to marry him. Her friends and family were hidden among the other moviegoers, and they videoed her reaction to add to the Web version of the trailer.

Seriously Sci-Fi One set of Star Trek fans found character Jean-Luc Picard helpful – the groom-to-be pulled out a picture of Picard saying, “Engage,” along with a ring.

Hopefully theirs is longer than a five-year mission.

West Georgia Woman will feature your bridal photo at no charge in “Ever Af-

ter.” The bride or groom

must be from West Georgia. Please submit one

photo (at least 300 dpi), the bride and groom’s

names, address, wedding date, venue, photogra-

pher’s name and copy-

right release to: photos@

westgeorgiawoman.com.

Photos will be included as space becomes available.

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Resources for Women

Police Departments Call 911 in an emergency.

Bremen Police: 770.537.4441

Dallas Police: 770.443.8100

Buchanan Police: 770.646.5246

Douglasville Police: 770.920.3010

Carrollton Police: 770.834.4451

Douglas County Sheriff: 770.942.2121

Carroll County Sheriff: 770.830.5888 Cedartown Police: 770.748.4123 Coweta County Sheriff: 770.253.1502

Floyd County Sheriff: 706.291.4111

GSPIN

Suicide prevention, intervention, and aftercare information. www.GSPIN.org

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Heard County Sheriff: 706.675.0444 Hiram Police: 770.943.3087 Newnan Police: 770.254.2355

Franklin Police: 706.675.6624

Paulding County Sheriff: 770.443.3010

Grantville Police: 770.583.2266

Polk County Sheriff: 770.749.2900

Suicide Prevention Services National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.TALK (8255)

Haralson County Sheriff: 770.646.2011

Know the Suicide Warning Signs!* If you or someone you know: • Threatens or talks about hurting themselves • Feels hopeless or like a burden • Increases alcohol or drug use

• Feels rage or uncontrolled anger • Feels trapped, like there is no way out • Engages in reckless behaviors • Withdraws from friends and family

Senoia Police: 770.599.3256 Tallapoosa Police: 770.574.7211 Temple Police: 770.562.3151 University of West Georgia Police: 678.839.6000 Villa Rica Police: 678.785.1100 West Georgia Technical College Police: 855.579.4357 Whitesburg Police: 770.832.1184 • Feels anxious, agitated or unable to sleep • Encounters dramatic mood changes • Sees no reason for living *Warning signs provided by Georgia Suicide Prevention Information Network

Healthcare Resources The following list of contacts assists people with no health insurance or those who can’t afford their medications, based on income or age.

www.rxoutreach.com Partnership for Prescription Assistance: 888.477.2669 (toll free) www.pparx.org/

Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging, Georgia Cares Program: (Disabled. 60 years of age and older.)

800.669.8387 dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS/

Lilly Answers: 877.RX.Lilly (1-877-795-4559) (toll free) www.lillymedicareanswers.com

RX Outreach: 800.769.3880

Georgia Parent Support Network: (Addictive Disease, Developmental

Pfizer Helpful Answers: 866.706.2400 (toll free) www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com

Merck Prescription Discount Program: 800.727.5400 www.merck.com

Disabilities, Mental Health Issues.)

404.758.4500 www.gpsn.org Additional Resources: www.rxhope.com www.rxaminer.com www.medicare.gov www.phrma.org www.rxassist.org www.needymeds.com www.themedicineprogram.com PeachCare for Kids: Provides free or low-cost health insurance for qualifying children in Georgia.

To apply, visit www.peachcare.org or call 877.427.3224 (toll free).

Services Georgia Legal Services: 404.206.5175 TDD 800.255.0056

Coweta County Solicitor’s Victim Assistance: 770.254.2701

Exchange Club Family Resource Center, Floyd County: 706.290.0764

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233 TTY 800.787.3224

Douglas Task Force on Family Violence: 678.715.1196

Hospitality House for Women, Floyd County: 706.235.4673

Douglas Judicial Victim Assistance: 770.920.7292

Victim Assistance, Haralson County: 770.646.2016

Douglas County Homeless Shelter: 770.949.4911

Heard County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit: 706.675.3329

S.H.A.R.E. House Family Violence Crisis Center, Douglas County: 770.489.7513

Paulding County District Attorney Victim Assistance: 770.443.7561

Carroll Co. Emergency Shelter: 770.834.1141 Carroll County Mental Health: 770.836.6678 Carroll County Solicitor Victim Assistance: 770.214.3110 Carroll Rape Crisis Center: 770.834.7273 Community Welcome House, Newnan: 770.304.0966 Coweta Judicial Circuit Victim Assistance: 706.845.4270

Highland Rivers Center, Floyd County: 706.233.9023 Floyd County District Attorney Victim Assistance: 706.291.5210

Shepherds Rest Ministries, Paulding County: 770.443.5213 Polk County Women’s Shelter: 770.748.2300

UWG Health Services: 678.839.6452 (free sexual assault exams completed by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE)) UWG Patient Advocates: 678.839.0641 (Jill Hendricks) or 678.839.5338 (Corey Hindman) Georgia Crisis & Access Line Help is available 24/7 for problems with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.

800.715.4225 mygcal.com

HomeSafe Georgia: 877.519.4443 www.homesafegeorgia.com HomeSafe Georgia helps by providing “bridge” mortgage assistance to many Georgians who are unemployed or have seen a dramatic decrease in their income due to national economic conditions.

West Georgia Woman magazine makes every effort to make sure the information made available is complete, correct, accurate and up to date. Despite these efforts, inaccuracies can occur. Angel Media, LLC and West Georgia Woman magazine cannot be held liable for direct or indirect damage originating from use of the information on this page. Should you observe inaccuracies in the information made available, please email us at features@westgeorgiawoman.com.

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58

Super Easy

Valentine

Marshmallow Pops

Kidz Korner

Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and along with that comes the school parties. If you’re short on time and need something in a hurry to take to your child’s party, you will love these quick and easy Marshmallow Pops. Even really young children can help with decorating these yummy treats that won’t break the bank – the cost to make them is around $5, and it takes less than 10 minutes to make several pops.

Ingredients 1 bag regular size marshmallows 1 pack Valentine-themed cupcake liners 1 package red sugar crystals (you can use cinnamon sugar crystals or the decorative coating of your choice) Toothpicks 1 glass of water Instructions Pour the red sugar crystals in a cereal bowl.

Insert the toothpick into the marshmallow. Dunk the marshmallow once in the glass of water, shake off the excess water, then immediately roll in the red sugar crystals. Place in cupcake liner. Try to save some for the party!

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Fun Felt Fortune Cookies These personalized felt fortune cookies are adorable and so easy to make. Write personal notes to your loved ones and slip them inside the cookies for a quick expression of your love, or write personalized favors for chores such as, “Good for one load of laundry or washing dishes.”

Your Valentines will love these cookies so much you won’t even need Cupid’s help this year.

Materials

2. Fold the bread tie in half and place in the middle of the circle with the hot glue (parents, please supervise your children while using the hot glue gun).

Sheets of red, pink or white felt Index cards or white copy paper cut into strips Black pen or fine-tipped permanent marker Red fine-tipped marker or gel pen Scissors Hot glue Bread ties or pipe cleaners Instructions 1. Take the sheet of felt and cut a circle about 4 inches in diameter.

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3. Fold the circle over so the sides meet. Bend the half circle in the middle to form the shape of the cookie. The bent bread tie will help keep the cookie’s shape.

Write personalized messages expressing your love or favors on the white strips of paper and slip into the cookie. When you hand out the cookies, please enjoy the embarrassing display of affection from your loved ones.

Wee Said Little West Georgians Weigh In Who Is Cupid?

“He is this guy who flies around and has wings, and he wears a diaper. He has a bow, too, with heart arrows.”

Robert 10, Bowdon, Ga. “He shoots people with his arrows and makes them fall in love.”

Stefanie 7, Mt. Zion, Ga. “Ummm.................I don’t know.”

Alexis 5, Carrollton, Ga. “He’s this baby angel that makes people love each other.”

Billy 8, Tallapoosa, Ga. “He brings me candy and toys on Valentine’s Day!” Anthony 7, Newnan, Ga. “Who??? Cupid??? What is that???”

Cheree 6, Hiram, Ga

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Valentine’s Day Word Search Word Bank FLOWERS VALENTINE’S DAY BE MINE FEBRUARY LOVE CRUSH CUPID CANDY HEART KISS JEWELRY ROMANCE VALENTINE CHOCOLATES

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Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC Family Dentistry and Complete Facial Esthetics

Don't you look at your smile and your face as one complete picture?

Well, so do we. Ask us today about our treatment options using injectables for wrinkle reduction, "gummy smiles," and lip and line fillers to enhance that beautiful smile.

Who better than your dentist to enhance your facial features to compliment your smile? Your dentist is an expert on the facial muscles and is also among the most experienced with injection techniques.

Do you suffer from TMJ, headaches, and/or migraines?

Did you know that 80-90% of the time, these problems are muscle related? See how we can use trigger point injections to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. Often these injections not only relieve your pain, but also enhance your facial features for the better.

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Give us a call!

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WALKER CADILLAC 1492 N Park St (Hwy 27) Carrollton GA 30117 770.832.9602 www.walkergmauto.com

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