West Georgia Woman Magazine December 2015

Woman

December 2015

West Georgia

TM

A Taste of Reality Caterer takes her success to the small screen

Holiday Recipes ‘Yule’ Love

Unstoppable Hearts Ellen Wynn McBrayer refuses to give up

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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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What’s inside...

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Unstoppable Hearts Season’s Eatings Buying and Selling Homes During the Holidays Avoid the Holiday Drear Favorite Holiday Recipes

40 Staff Recipe Picks 48 The New Breed of Working Mom 53 Wedding Checklist to Your Pets During 58 Catering the Holidays 59

Kidz Korner

In Every Issue:

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24 30 34 42

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

43 Celebrate Her Success 51 Ever After 56 Resources for Women 61 Wee Said

Christmas is upon us, and Santa will be coming to town!

No matter who you are entertaining or who you will be shopping for, Southern Home & Ranch has wonderful sweets, treats and gift-giving ideas!

Here are a few examples of all the good stuff waiting for you at Southern Home and Ranch.

We Can Help!

Pure North Georgia Sorghum Syrup, made by the Z.W. Seabolt family. OH! Breakfast, just out of the oven hot biscuits and sorghum syrup – it doesn’t get much better than that. Available in pints and quarts. Don’t wait too long, to get yours!

Todd’s Ole’ Timey Ribbon Cane Syrup also available, yummy good Southern sweetness!

Brighten your holidays with Life Time Candles by White River Design. Oil-filled for LASTING beauty ALL thru the Holidays.

Yeti coolers, hoppers, colsters, YETI Rambler LOWBALL, T-shirts, caps and accessories.

Born boots and casual shoes for men and women. Great looks, and comfort, too!

Carhartt clothing for men and women.

Twisted boots and casual shoes for men and women. Country comfort and style!

Clyde Cook, close-to-home pure “LOCAL” honey produced in Ephesus, Ga., it’s just the best, and it’s just plain good for you, too!

Aspen Mulling Spices and Special Holiday drink mixes. It smells and tastes just like the holidays. Just love that special holiday room filling smell. Order yours now!

Back by popular demand, Southern States, Georgia grown, raw “SHELLED PEANUTS,” with tried and true “peanut brittle” recipe ideas. New harvest, while supplies last!

Olivia Marie’s “SWEETS AND TREATS” locally produced in Roopville, Ga. Jellies, jams, veggies, salsa and more, it’s ALL good! Gift packages available.

If you like cheese, you will LOVE our genuine, old-fashioned “Wisconsin Waxed Hoop Cheddar Cheese,” 3-lb. rounds in a box, perfect for entertaining or gift giving.

“RED” mild, “Black” for sharp.

Trapp seasonal Holiday Collection of eight wonderful fragrances, perfect for your home, holiday event or special gift giving.

Georgia Olive Farms. Chef’s Blend “extra virgin” olive oil, produced in Georgia. It has a green, fresh, buttery taste with a mild fruity finish, just wonderful in so many healthy ways.

The magic of Mystique Lifelike flickering flame candles, 100% paraffin wax, no open flame, no smoke, no worries. Replicates the random flicker and ambient glow of a real candle with timer function. Holiday colors available in 8” and 10” tapers, and 5”, 7” and 9” size candles. Perfect for your holiday table, windows or decorative setting. The safe alternative to a real flame.

Mascot “Fresh Shelled” Pecans.

Can’t you just taste them now? The perfect healthy treat for cooking, baking, snacking or gift giving. 12oz., 16oz. bags and specialty gift ideas.

New harvest, never frozen.

And that ain’t all!

Make your list, check it twice, then come on over to Southern Home & Ranch. We’ve got everything you need, with Service to please. There’s always something NEW! at Southern Home & Ranch.

Hope to see you real soon,

your friends at

Southern Home & Ranch

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The Little Things

By now, we are all heading into the holidays full swing: the parties, the baking, visiting relatives and day trips to the mall for Santa photos or shopping for our family and friends.

Although these things are usually a necessity in December, I hope we all take time to think about the real reason behind the season. No matter what religion you embrace or if you aren’t religious at all, some basic fundamentals exemplify the Christmas season – extending love and kindness toward others, giving of yourself to those less fortunate and spreading joy and peace to those around you. These things hopefully we all aspire to do for each other throughout the entire year.

Hold on to your loved ones a little tighter this month. Share fun and unforgettable experiences with your families, and try not to worry too much about getting them the most expensive gifts or having the perfect decorations or dinner parties. Just … be.

Offer yourselves completely to each other and be present with them. Most likely, they won’t remember the gifts you gave them this year, but they will always remember baking cookies together, sharing a little of yourselves by giving to those less fortunate or just hanging out at home eating pizza while watching a classic holiday video together. These little things are what make life worth living.

This is my family’s first Christmas without my precious nephew Tristan. My throat tightens and the tears flow even as I write this. Please say a prayer for Tristan and my family as we navigate through this first Christmas without him. I wish all of you much peace, joy, love and happiness during this holiday season.

This Issue The woman on the cover of West Georgia Woman is someone many of you may know personally. Ellen Wynn McBrayer is an extremely determined and courageous woman who has faced some tremendous obstacles in the past five years. She graciously shared her story with us about her son Wynn, who has a serious heart condition and has bravely endured several open heart surgeries in his short lifetime.

This sweet little boy has encountered so much more in the last five years than many of us have endured in a lifetime.

Ellen has been his constant companion and advocate throughout his difficult journey, and I am truly amazed by her humble spirit and fierce determination. She manages to balance a busy career in funeral service with being a wife and mother of four, including offering Wynn the special care he needs.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Ellen and her family during their photo shoot for this edition, and I was truly humbled by the warm welcome I received from Ellen, her mother Dana and the rest of her sweet family. Her story is quite amazing, and I am glad I was able to spend some time getting to know them.

In addition to Ellen’s inspiring story, there are some good tips in this issue on how to stay sane and healthy during the holidays as well as some of our very own West Georgian’s favorite holiday traditions in our “She Said, He Said” section.

Our December edition wouldn’t be complete without some fabulous holiday recipes, courtesy of Charlene Brooks.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipes with us!

Many Thanks As always, I wish to thank our valuable advertisers who have made this publication possible. Because of their investment, we are able to share these wonderful stories about the amazing women of West Georgia. Please patronize the businesses included in this edition, and make sure you tell them you read about them in West Georgia Woman magazine!

Thank you, women of West Georgia, for reading this publication. Your opinion and input is extremely important to us, and we welcome your comments and suggestions regarding future publications. We received so much positive feedback after the publication of our first issue. Please keep those comments coming! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Looking Ahead As this year winds down, I am excited about what we are working on for 2016. It is the most amazing experience to be able to spend time getting to know these inspiring and fabulous women of West Georgia! I look forward to sharing the new year with all of you.

Merry Christmas,

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Publisher

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

TM

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

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and cultivate a cohesive community for all women in West Georgia by sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives.

This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our advertisers. Please be sure to show your support by doing business with these VIP’s (very important partners) so we will be able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West Georgia Women! Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

Woman

Contact us: Angela@westgeorgiawoman.com (404) 502-0251 Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com Follow us!

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Email your photos to: photos@westgeorgiawoman.com

All submissions must be 300 dpi or higher.

Mail correspondence to: West Georgia Woman P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

Volume 1 • Issue 2 December 2015

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor/Graphic Design/ Editorial Contributor Shala Hainer

Graphic Design Andi Stewart

Do you know an interesting woman Instagram.com/westgawoman who should be on the cover of West Georgia Woman? Is there a special project or organization you would Pinterest.com/westgawoman like us to feature in our magazine?

Let us know!

Need a copy?

Email your suggestions to: Get yours at Southern Home and Ranch features@westgeorgiawoman.com and Publix in Carrollton, as well as over 500 grocery stores, convenience stores, Share your special events. other retail locations and medical offices Are you part of an organization throughout West Georgia! that meets on a regular basis?

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We welcome your comments and suggestions

Inspiring women wanted.

Send your upcoming events to:

West Georgia

Photographer for Cover and Pages 2&3 Rachel Dobson

Editorial Contributors

Charlene Brooks, Julie Culpepper and Sydney Dailey

Email sales@westgeorgiawoman.com

All submissions will be included as space is available. West Georgia Woman reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions that are not in compliance with our editorial policy. If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a self addressed stamped envelope along with your submission.

West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2015.

West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

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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Unstoppable 10

Hearts

By Shala Hainer

As a third-generation funeral director, Ellen Wynn McBrayer dedicates her life to helping others move through their grief and celebrate life. But when the fear of death touched one of her children, Ellen had to experience grief in a whole new way.

Ellen’s second child, Wynn, was born with several major heart defects. The doctors doubted he would survive much past birth, but he was born a true warrior. Five years and several surgeries later, Wynn is thriving and living a full life in part because Ellen and her husband Scott refused to give up on him.

Finding Her Path Ellen grew up in Villa Rica, watching her parents serve the community through Jones-Wynn Funeral Home. She didn’t grow up knowing she was going to work in funeral service, but after her father died, her path was clear.

“I feel like God was preparing me for this my whole life,” she says. “My father passed on my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary when I was in college. He suffered a massive heart attack at age 49.”

Although she had grown up around the funeral service business, experiencing her own personal grief was different. “I didn’t realize what that meant from a broken-heart standpoint,” she says.

“I feel like in that moment, that was the hardest and largest challenge I had ever lived through.”

The journey of going from a happy and close family that served others to truly understanding personal grief and feeling like life was falling apart was the turning point for Ellen’s future. “The Lord called me into funeral service. And it is a

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calling. It’s not what I do, but who I am.”

Her husband, Scott, was a teacher when they started dating, but soon realized funeral service was his calling as well. “I told him it’s a give-your-all kind of place,” Ellen explains. The long hours, often in the evenings and on weekends, combined with the constant emotional atmosphere makes funeral service particularly difficult.

Funeral service isn’t for the faint of heart. Many funeral directors burn out quickly because of the severely emotional nature Funeral service is typically of their jobs, considered a male-domaccording to Health Day. inated field, but strong They commonwomen such as Ellen and ly suffer from her mother, Jones-Wynn stress-related issues such as Funeral Home CEO and compassion President Dana Jones fatigue synWynn, are paving the way drome, explains the American for the gender tide to turn Institute of in the funeral director Stress. Similar to post-traumatic profession. The National stress disorder, Funeral Directors Associacompassion fation estimates women make tigue is considered secondary up 57 percent of students traumatization studying mortuary science where the fuin the U.S. neral director’s extreme empathy – a requirement to do the job well – leads to debilitating changes in mood and behavior.

But Ellen has no doubts about her life with Jones-Wynn Funeral Home. “You find out more about yourself that you can’t otherwise through service to other people,” she says. “When you help tell a loved one’s story, it’s not a day in a life, but a life in a day. I find strength in being able to help people have peace of mind and look back on the funeral service to honor a loved one, start the healing process and have a healthy grief journey. “

Warrior Wynn Balancing a demanding career with family and personal time creates challenges under the best of circumstances. Adding a child with life-threatening health issues to the mix makes those challenges seemingly overwhelming. But Ellen and her family

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Photos by Rachel Dobson

credit their faith in God with keeping them full of hope and determination to keep Wynn alive.

“We just chose to stay positive,” explains Ellen, adding that it was definitely not easy. “When we found out about Wynn’s heart condition during a routine sonogram before he was born, we remember an extended family member looked at us and said ‘If your faith is stronger, your son will be born without a heart condition.’ I asked my mom, ‘Can you believe she said this to us?’” Ellen still took the high road in her response. “I told that lady I wouldn’t put God in a box. There will be a miracle, but I won’t tell Him what miracle to give us.”

That started a journey with Wynn that included seeing doctor after doctor with consistently disappointing results. After exhausting all the options available in Atlanta, one doctor finally put Wynn on hospice care, saying they could help keep him comfortable until he died.

And then, the miracle. A friend of a friend heard Wynn’s story and passed on the name of a doctor in Boston. Ellen and Scott hesitated to contact the doctor, knowing they just weren’t able to handle another “no” from someone in the medical profession.

“We already felt like we had second and third opinions from the doctors in Atlanta,” Ellen remembers. “But God kept tugging on my heart, and we actually emailed the doctor from a visitation at the funeral home. We didn’t even pause to proofread what we wrote – we just sent the email. Dr. Roger Breitbart emailed us back from Boston 12 minutes later.”

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MEDICINE BEYOND MEASURE

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After reading and rereading the email, Ellen and Scott realized the doctor didn’t say no. For the first time, there was a doctor saying, “We’re going to try.” He said Wynn’s condition was very challenging, but he offered the one sliver of hope they needed.

“We have amazing support with the medical team in Atlanta, but in Boston, they focus on researching these difficult heart conditions,” Ellen said. The journey became achingly slow, making sure Dr. Breitbart had Wynn’s medical records and trying to time the trip to Boston when an operating room was available so they could operate on Wynn if the doctor felt it was feasible after meeting him in person.

In November 2011, 1-year-old Wynn survived major heart surgery, which rebuilt his heart and part of the circulatory system so it could function more normally. After a month in the hospital, he returned home. He’s had several surgeries and other procedures to keep him progressing, and he’s now a spunky 5-year-old – still with medical challenges, but with a bright outlook on life.

Ellen credits the support of her family, and her funeral home family, for helping her through the difficult times with Wynn. “We have an amazing Jones-Wynn family. My mom and the vice president, who I call Uncle Ken because I’ve known him since I was 3, we all work together.”

She says they use a rotating schedule to ensure all five of the funeral home’s directors have family time.

“Even without the medical part of it, we all realize family time is important – none of us is promised tomorrow,” she explains. “When we say JonesWynn is family serving family since 1950, it really is true.

There is so much meaning behind that.”

Throughout Wynn’s fight, Ellen and her husband have continued to work at the funeral home, taking

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Ellen, right, with her mother, Dana Jones Wynn

time off as necessary to care for Wynn. They continued helping families through grief – even when they knew they could be on the other side of the table, planning their own son’s funeral, any moment.

“Funeral service isn’t what we do – it’s who we are and what we understand,” she says. “If one of us is having a hard day, we lean on others and ask for prayers from our closest friends.”

Her oldest son, Rhett, now 9, has a unique perspective on life thanks to his parents’ profession as well as his experiences with Wynn. “I ask him how he finds his strength, and he says that Wynn is still here so we have hope. We never lost hope,” Ellen relates. She says Rhett is learning much about life that he can carry with him forever, including love, compassion and the sacrifices people often need to make.

“It’s hard sometimes because we all have to stay in the house during flu season – we were really locked in for the first four years of Wynn’s life. One day at the drive-through, Rhett asked if we could please go inside Chick-fil-A and eat like normal people,” she remembers. “But he doesn’t complain.

He knows we have to do some things differently, but we make it up to him in different ways and make sure he stays involved in activities.”

Double Dose In 2013, Ellen and her family prepared for a different kind of upheaval: twin girls.

“We haven’t talked about it much, but when we

got pregnant with twins, the surprise of that felt like maybe the Lord was preparing us for saying goodbye to Wynn,” remembers Ellen.

Instead, she says Wynn has actually learned so much from the twins, Allie and Reese. “We have two little occupational therapists there,” she says.

“He decided they’re not going to talk before him and not be potty trained before him, for example – he takes three different medicines to pull fluid from around his heart, so it’s hard to make it to the bathroom without having an accident.”

She said they asked the doctor how to potty train a child Wynn’s age, and he laughed and said it would be a struggle. “The answer is to have twins and a competitive son – he is potty trained now!”

“We were wrong about what the Lord was preparing us for,” Ellen relates. “We had to not focus on fear and focus on hope, which is always a bigger emotion than fear.”

As for changes in their household since the twins’ arrival, Ellen describes how it changes the laundry and dishes dynamic more than anything.

“One of the biggest struggles is not having breaks and the normalcy of sitting down and watching the news after a hard day. Go, go, go is our new normal.”

“Getting a break actually creates anxiety – what am I missing?” she says with a laugh. “There are some other challenges, like Wynn and his nutrition, G-tube feedings and medicine twice a day. We’re trying to help him gain weight without the rest of us gaining weight, and the girls don’t understand when we tell them they can’t eat the same thing as Wynn.”

Ellen says her idea of “me” time has changed since Wynn’s diagnosis and especially since the twins were born. She focuses on small moments of peace to keep her grounded. “Instead of answering email during a hard day, I might listen to an uplifting song and take a tiny break in that moment – some relaxing time just for me,” she explains. “The world tries to say you need a spa

Top: Ellen with husband Scott, sons Wynn and Rhett, and twin daughters Allie and Reese.

Bottom: Ellen with a cute photobomb from Wynn.

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day to relax, but for us, just a moment to find joy is enough. Certain moments are precious, like making silly videos on my phone with Rhett that we can look back on.”

Although the twins come with a more hectic lifestyle, Ellen says it still doesn’t feel as hard as she thought it would be because there isn’t that constant, overhanging stress of life and death daily like with Wynn. “Every moment mattered with Wynn.

A cold could mean it would take three weeks for his GI system to get back on track, plus at least one hospital visit.”

Putting It All Out There Outside the fact that she’s a wife and working mother of four children, including one with special medical needs, Ellen takes the time to share her journey on social media. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with a few small bumps in the road here and there.

“There are hard moments where people say things and don’t realize what they are saying, but I feel it has been from a mom stating her biggest

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fear – not our journey, but what she is fearing,” she says. “We really use it as a way to help Wynn to get the word out, and we are blessed that people take the time to pray and respond – they don’t have to read it, and we’re humbled when they do. Love and prayers do matter!”

Ellen believes social media has made the world feel more like a small town, where even people who live far away can stay in touch.

“It’s usually the fastest way to reach people’s hearts,” she says. “Facebook and Caring Bridge helped us discover how small the world is, connecting hearts to join in prayer to help our son. It’s restored our faith in human nature and in people loving each other.”

She says other women learn of her story and say they can’t imagine what she is going through.

Ellen believes they can. “You’re a mom and you hurt with your baby, no matter what. Other moms get it because anytime we watch our children hurt or struggle, we all want to put them in a bubble and just hold them.”

As for the future, Ellen stays faithful and positive.

“Whatever challenges the future holds, we plan to jump and grow our wings on the way down.” WGW

Season’s Eatings Avoid Those Extra Pounds During the Holidays

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rom that extra helping (or two) of cornbread dressing to eating at fast-food restaurants on cross-country trips to visit relatives, it’s often difficult to avoid packing on a little extra holiday weight. It’s not unusual to gain between 5 and 10 pounds over the holiday season, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Holiday festivities, extra shopping excursions and a host of family obligations can leave you too tired to do anything but collapse in exhaustion every night. However, a few tips can help you stay fit even during the tightest of holiday schedules ... red velvet cake be darned!

Have Some Family Fun Instead of lying comatose on the sofa after a large family feast, put on those parkas, grab a ball and

challenge your family members to a game of touch football, or enjoy a game of soccer together. You create wonderful lasting memories with your family while sneaking in a super fun workout.

Break out the cameras and take plenty of photos and videos so you capture that fabulous moment of Uncle Billy “pantsing” Grandpa.

Go To The Mall If you must make the obligatory visits to a mall or shopping center during the holidays, you might as well make shopping about fitness while you’re at it. Lace up those tennis shoes and power walk from store to store as you complete your shopping errands.

Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Park as far away from the door as possible (which shouldn’t be difficult at most malls!) to get in a few extra

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steps. While you’re checking off the people on your “nice” list, you are burning off some of those extra holiday calories.

Stay Hydrated All Day The holidays often include imbibing on various pleasures that contain a ton of extra sodium, caffeine and alcohol, all of which can cause dehydration. Eat, drink and be merry, but remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day before, during and after those holiday parties. You’ll feel better, and your body will thank you.

Get Your Groove On Show everyone how cool and brave you are by being the first person to cut a rug on the dance floor. Once you step up, others typically follow, and you can dance the night away.

No dance floor in your living room, you say? No problem. Some minor furniture-scooting is all you need to create a safe, open space for some serious boogie action.

Dig In The Dirt Grab the hubby or kids along with a few rakes and shovels and get busy in the yard.

Raking leaves and digging holes to plant fall trees or shrubs can give you a powerful workout. The resulting update to your winter landscaping is simply icing on the cake – with cake being one of the reasons you need the exercise, of course!

Free Workouts When the weather outside is frightful, try a workout at home in front of the television. Pull up one of the thousands of free workout videos on YouTube or find your cable company’s free workout channels and feel the burn. As an added bonus, you don’t even have to change out of the grungy sweats you slept in the night before! WGW

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Buying and Selling Homes During the Holidays

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By Shala Hainer

any people count down the days until it’s time to deck the halls with holiday cheer. When you’re looking to sell your home, though, try to keep it to a minimum – the decorations, at least, but not the cheer.

Don’t let the season fool you – winter isn’t a bad time to sell. In some cases, it might actually be better because you often have less competition. Most people wait to list until spring, so wintertime buyers usually have a small inventory to choose from.

If you want, or must, list your home over the holidays, try a few key tricks to keep buyers engaged and feeling at home from the moment they pull up at your door.

1. Less is more. A few simple, tasteful decorations

help buyers envision their own decorations in the home. An elegant wreath on the front door welcomes them, and a mantle garland or comfy holiday pillow on the sofa offer gentle decorative touches. Avoid a huge mix of colors, and instead stick to a palette of two or three of your favorites without adding clutter to the rooms.

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2. Trim the tree – its size, that is. Instead of a large,

overbearing tree, forego one altogether, choose a tabletop version or pick a thin tree that doesn’t take up much floor space. Buyers want to get a strong sense of the room’s size, which can be difficult with wide trees.

3. Bake holiday cookies. Nothing is

more welcoming than the scent of freshly baked cookies as soon as you open the door. Simple sugar cookies cut into holiday shapes offer a tasty, and memorable, treat as well. Emotions help people make their home-buying decisions, and anything that helps them remember your house as warm and cozy can help sway them your way.

4.

Turn up the heat. Speaking of warm, turning up the heat in your home just before a showing helps create a positive experience for buyers. Don’t crank it up to 90 degrees, but bump it up just a bit so there’s a marked difference between the chilly wind outside and the warm interior of the house. Buyers likely leave their coats on, so don’t make them sweat – find the right balance so that they notice an immediate difference when they enter without getting uncomfortable.

E XPEC T B E T T ER

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Your home is not just another house, it’s a reflection of you. It’s your style, your personality, your taste. It’s the place where your fondest memories are made, and where your dreams can come true. That’s why Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Metro Brokers is dedicated to helping you find the ideal home, one that will inspire and comfort you for years to come. You can count on us to guide you through every step of your home buying or selling process – before, during, and long after the sale.

Shala Hainer, Realtor

Expect Better SM.

www.metrobrokers.com

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Office: 404.843.2500 Direct: 678.320.4529

©2015 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company.

Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers

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5. Enhance your

upgrades. Play up your home’s best features by adding strategic decorations.

If you have a fireplace, put a tiered candelabra inside the fireplace and add battery-powered candles – no open flames for safety reasons.

The lights help the buyers envision themselves sitting beside a toasty fireplace on cold winter nights.

If you have an impressive staircase, showcase it with tasteful garland along the sides.

6. Avoid overly religious decorations. Not every-

one celebrates the holidays in the same way.

Instead of risking offending a potential buyer, keep most decorations non-religious. For example, you might keep your nativity scene packed away, but a simple angel at the top of your tree should be fine.

For Buyers For buyers, shopping during the holidays often means you can score a decent deal. Most people who list during this time must sell for some reason,

such as a job transfer, and their companies might be helping with any equity shortfalls. Or, the house might have been on the market for a while, leading to price drops as the market slows for the holidays.

Another benefit to buyers is that many people wait for the market to pick back up in the spring before house hunting, which means you might not have as much competition to bid against when you find the home of your dreams.

Buyers might find lenders who are in the holiday spirit, offering low interest rates and quick closing dates – also possible because of the small amount of buyers. New lender disclosure laws typically mean it takes 45 days to get from contract to close currently, so talk to your lender about how quickly they can make it happen for you. WGW

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23

SHE’S GOT

GAME Cheering Her On To Victory

University of West Georgia cheerleading coach is creating a remarkable legacy of her own Nicole Nichols is heading into her fifth season as head coach of the University of West Georgia cheerleader program. Originally from York, Penn., she graduated in 2008 from Slippery Rock University where she was active in cheerleading during her time there. While attending Slippery Rock, Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in Spanish.

She was an educator and head coach in a Pennsylvania high school for two years before moving to Georgia. Nicole met her husband Brian while they were both working Universal Cheerleaders Association summer camps together and moved to Georgia five years ago to pursue her coaching career as well as to be closer to Brian. They were married in August 2014, and they have two fur babies, Chipper and Maggie.

She and Brian rarely get any down time due to practicing several days a week as well as practicing during most holidays, but they prefer life this way. When they do have time to relax, they enjoy spending time with friends and family, working out together, attending sporting events and going on ski trips.

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Nicole has led her UWG cheer teams to national championships four times during her tenure as head cheer coach, all-girl champions in 2012 and 2013, and coed champions in 2014 and 2015.

Taking over the helm in July 2012, she credits

former UWG cheer coach Sherry Cooney for positively impacting her decision to make this her lifelong career.

According to Nicole, she always remembers the sacrifices made by the alumni and coaches that were there before her. She is referring to the tragic highway accident in 1997 that took the lives of UWG head coach Stephanie Suzanne Shaw, and cheerleaders DeAndre Hamilton and Michael Massa.

The West Georgia cheerleading team was on its way to attend a cheerleading camp in Myrtle Beach, S.C., when the passenger van they were traveling in blew a tire and flipped, ejecting 11 of the 12 occupants. The new competition team was created by former head coach Sherry Cooney and some of the survivors of the horrific accident.

Since beginning the program in 2002, the UWG cheerleader program has quite an impressive record, winning 18 UCA national championships

for the university – the all-girl team winning seven and the coed team winning 11 of those championships.

Nicole shared her experience and thoughts about her collegiate level career with West Georgia Woman.

West Georgia Woman: In what type of events does your cheer team compete?

Nicole Nichols: We compete one time each year in January at UCA College Nationals held in Orlando, Fla. WGW: How far in advance do you begin to prepare for a competition?

NN: We start preparing over the summer immediately after our tryouts in May. We attend UCA College Cheerleading camp at the University of Alabama in July. Once school is back in session in August, we start our weekly practice schedule.

WGW: Tell me about your practice regimen.

NN: We practice three days a week for three hours each practice. We have early morning workouts twice a week in the athletic weight room. During our nationals season, we practice every day, sometimes twice a day.

WGW: Cheerleading is often not considered a real “sport” in mainstream society. How do you explain to those people the importance of what your team does?

NN: Our teams demonstrate all things relative to any sport. They exemplify athleticism, competitiveness, entertainment and much more.

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WGW: What made you decide to become a cheerleading coach?

NN: I was a cheerleader all through high school and college, so I was bound to do something in life with cheerleading. I loved being a teammate, and I knew I wanted to carry my leadership skills further than just being a member of a team.

WGW: Who in your life impacted your decision to go into this field?

NN: Sherry Cooney. She helped to build this program and she continues to be a huge impact on my life and the program.

WGW: Tell me about your biggest fan.

NN: I think our biggest fans would have to be our alumni and our parents. We can always count on our parents to travel to events with us and cheer with us. Our alumni love building relationships with the current teams and telling stories about their memories here at West Georgia. We can always be sure to see our parents and alumni wherever we are.

WGW: What type of support do you receive from family and friends?

NN: We receive an incredible amount of support from our friends, family and alumni.

Our cheer parents have helped to coordinate pre-game meals, as well as attended many of our events. Our alumni are always ready to show up and attend events, and they are always ready to purchase their annual T-shirt during our T-shirt fundraiser. We can’t thank them enough for what they do for our cheer family here at West Georgia.

WGW: Being a cheer coach requires a lot of hours and sacrifice. What keeps you motivated?

NN: The kids, alumni and my coaching staff keep me motivated every day. It is important for me to always remember where we came from and where we are going as a program. This will be my fifth season, but what motivates me most is that there is

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always something to learn and always something to do better.

WGW: What advice would you give a young woman who is interested in coaching at the collegiate level?

NN: I would suggest they find somewhere they can be a graduate assistant. They will be able to learn there is more to coaching than just showing up to practices. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes and being educated on those things will help them gain experience and confidence to run a program on their own.

WGW: What is the most important thing you would like to convey to our readers about you and your career as a cheerleading coach?

NN: Coaching has been a great experience, and I love having the opportunity to work with these kids every day. I love being part of their lives both inside and outside of cheerleading. This program and those involved in the program are my family. We love our community and the support we receive and we thank everyone for what they do for us.

GO WEST GO WOLVES!

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27

Avoid the Holiday

DREAR 28

We all try to live life to its fullest.

However, sometimes our lives are so full of existing daily commitments including jobs, families, housework and yard work that it’s difficult to transition into the holidays without panicking at the thought of the monstrous list of additional seasonal responsibilities.

Taking a few simple steps helps you pack in more holiday cheer and avoid that holiday drear.

Give to others

Give yourself a time out

Take a road trip

Plan a little romance

No, this doesn’t mean trekking to the mall for yet another Christmas sweater to give Aunt Charlene. This is about giving a little of yourself to others. The great news is you don’t have to drain your bank account to get the feel-good benefits of giving.

It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, if you give a little to others it greatly improves your well-being, according to the American Psychological Association. Their research shows people who spent money on others instead of themselves were significantly happier regardless of their income level, social status or what country they lived in. So take your nephew to grab an ice cream cone, treat your co-worker to a surprise latte, buy a toy for Toys For Tots or just pay for a random stranger’s food behind you in the drive-thru, and you’ll be smiling all the way home.

Time outs are not just for kids; adults need them, too. Grab your bestie, get your husband to watch the kids or pets and hit the spa for a relaxing day. A quick mani/pedi or a facial and a much-needed massage can help lighten that holiday load. Moments like these ensure you really talk, connect and share your lives with your dearest friends without your kids screaming in the background or your dog deciding she needs to throw up on the carpet.

You can leave all that fabulousness to your significant other for a change.

Round up some family or friends and take a short road trip to visit a holiday light show or a nativity scene nearby. Heat up some cocoa and bring your Thermoses along with a few fun treats for the ride. Make memories by rolling those windows down while you have a blast singing Christmas carols together as loud as you can. Yes, people will probably stare at you at stop lights, but that just gives you a reason to invite them to join you at your final destination. Or, take turns reminiscing about your favorite holiday memories of each loved one in the car with you, or share beautiful memories to honor the legacy of those who are no longer there. By the time you get to where you’re going, you’ve had so much fun that the destination is just icing on the cake! Don’t get caught unprepared, though. With the crazy Georgia weather, it could be 70 degrees during the day and drop to 30 degrees in the evenings. Bring plenty of warm clothing and blankets so you’re prepared when Jack Frost nips at your nose and toes.

Are the grandparents or Aunt Nell visiting for a couple of weeks during the holidays? Ask them to babysit or pet sit for you while you and your honey spend a romantic evening together going out on the town. While you’re having a lovely candlelit dinner or dancing the night away, you won’t have to worry about the kids doing their homework or having to cut the evening short to let your furry baby outside. No kids at home and no relatives visiting? No problem. Grab a bottle of wine, light a warm fire, order takeout and make your own holiday magic. Just make sure your furry friend doesn’t monopolize the hearth. WGW

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Q:

SHE SAID WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION?

“My husband and I buy new pajamas every year for ourselves and our three children. On Christmas Eve, we unwrap our new pajamas together, put them on, and watch Christmas movies all night long.”

Melissa W. 36, Buchanan, GA “Every Saturday in December, my kids and I go shopping for the Toys for Tots. We always buy one toy for a girl and a boy each week until Christmas.”

Lisa B. 45, Douglasville, GA

“My mom always buys those pre-made gingerbread house kits and we will build them together. After we finish, we have a contest where everyone votes on the best house. Whoever wins gets to choose the Christmas movie we watch that night.”

Nicole B. 20, Villa Rica, GA “We have this fabric Advent calendar that depicts the story of Jesus’ birth. Every day leading up to Christmas, we take a little fabric figure out of one of the pockets and place it on the top of the calendar. It has Velcro backing on it so the figures stay in place. On the last day, we put the baby Jesus figure in the manger. It’s a good way to remind the kids what the season is all about.”

Beth F. 31, Tallapoosa, GA

“On Christmas morning, all of my kids and

grandkids come over and I cook a huge country breakfast for them: biscuits, pancakes, bacon,

sausage, hash browns, eggs and country gravy.

That’s my favorite day of the year.”

Margaret S. 59, Carrollton, GA (Editor’s note: What time should we be there?)

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HE SAID

WEST GEORGIANS WEIGH IN

“We watch ‘A Christmas Story’ every year. That is the funniest movie ever.”

Mitchell G. 46, Carrollton, GA (Editor’s note: We agree! Although ‘Elf’ is a close second.)

“We have this tradition that I think comes from Germany where my mom will hide a pickle ornament in the tree on the day we decorate the tree together. On Christmas Day, whoever finds the pickle first gets to open the first present. I know that sounds weird, but that’s our tradition!”

Brandon S. 21, Carrollton, GA

“Every year, we all bundle up and go to Callaway Gardens to see the Christmas lights. We take the trolley tour, and when it’s over, they have this Christmas village there. We always pick out one ornament to buy, and we take it home and hang it on the tree.”

Damon L. 53, Douglasville, GA

“My wife is Jewish and I’m Christian, so we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas in our house. We have a Menorah that we light, and we also put up a Christmas tree every year. It’s fun teaching the kids the two different religious traditions, and it teaches them to be tolerant of other people’s religious beliefs.”

Mike R. 34, Hiram, GA

“On Christmas Eve night, we take gifts to someone’s house that we know are struggling. We put the gifts in front of their door and ring their doorbell. Then we go hide and watch them as they find the gifts. It’s nice to see the smiles on people’s faces and to watch them look around trying to find out who left the presents for them.”

Lewis P. 28, Bremen, GA

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Dear Reader, “Decreased Home Values, Appraisal Problems, Shortage of Buyers, Loan Difficulties, Bankruptcy, Foreclosures, Short Sales, HUD Homes, Dealing with Banks as Sellers” When the real estate market began to crash, THESE were some of the DREADED WORDS that became a part of our EVERYDAY language.

Selling real estate, once a fun and rewarding way to earn a living, suddenly became a profession rife with daily struggles from trying to get a house under contract, then all the way to closing. Working within this environment, day after day, is never easy or simple as the Market Crash made it immensely worse and took a heavy toll on most. Many real estate agents placed their licenses on hold, while still others gave up and simply left the profession. Those of us who kept our licenses active have managed to ride out the storm. Slowly, conditions seem to be returning to the way they were before the Crash.

My job, which I had enjoyed, personally and professionally, rapidly became a situation where I found myself completely at odds with my own beliefs. I felt that I was no longer helping people make the most important purchase of their lives, but more like a pawn that was being manipulated by both the market and the banks. I knew I needed time to make a decision as to whether I wanted to continue doing what I knew and loved, or move on to a new profession.

MY SON CARTER (some of you may still remember him), ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, AND I RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A NINE MONTH ADVENTURE. We visited twelve countries throughout Latin America, from Guadalajara, Mexico, through Central America and finally reaching the bottom of the globe at Ushuaia, Argentina in the Patagonia region of South America.

Together, we spent many weeks studying and practicing Spanish. We both learned to teach English as a second language (I am now internationally certified).

We visited Mayan ruins and even ran from bats in caves while there. Together, we learned to scuba dive on Utila Island

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in Honduras. We hiked a volcano in Guatemala, and again in Leon, Nicaragua and then boarded back down on a small piece of plywood. Not the preferred method of descending a mountain, but certainly faster than walking!

We saw ships bound for China as they passed through the Panama Canal. From there, we helped sail a 113 year old, 120’ Dutch sailing vessel. We sailed along with Captain Ludwig and about a dozen other passengers from around the world for four days all the way to Cartagena, Colombia. Sailing, even today, is hard work!

In Colombia, we picked coffee beans on a working coffee farm in Salento. We played hide and seek at a park in Popayan when two charming kids insisted we join in their fun. We slept in hammocks on pristine and isolated beaches by the Caribbean Sea and enjoyed our first paragliding experience when we jumped off a mountain in Medellin.

It still amazes me what Carter was able to convince me to try.

In Ecuador, we hiked up Mt. Cotapaxi to almost 19,000 feet, all the way to the bottom edge of the snow cap. At Quito, we visited the “literal” Middle of the World and in Baños we rappelled down waterfalls.

Six hundred miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador are the Galapagos Islands. Here we found ourselves swimming and walking within inches of huge sea turtles, the famous Galapagos land turtles, iguanas, blue footed boobies, pelicans and sea lions along with their precious little cubs.

We co-piloted a Cessna airplane and flew from the city of Santiago out to the coast of Chile and back. Neither of us had ever flown before, but the pilot needed a hand and we were willing to give it a try. I think I’ll leave the flying to someone else from now on.

In Chile, we offered to help with the production of wine at a small family run vineyard, but were told they already had enough unskilled labor. In Chile and Argentina there were ancient glaciers to rediscover and view, hiking along the amazing Patagonian tundra and the breathtaking natural wonders of Mt. Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine National Park.

We crossed the Strait of Magellan by ferry and sailed along the Beagle Channel at the very bottom of the world, just as Charles Darwin did almost 200 years ago. Only a lit-

tle further and we would have been in Antarctica.

We visited the many barrios (neighborhoods) of Buenos Aires and added a quick stop in Colonia, Uruguay. From here we made it to the incredible Iguazú Falls. Eleanor Roosevelt upon seeing them, once said, “Poor Niagara”.

The culmination of our trip was a strenuous, adventuresome and incredibly rewarding four day hike over authentic sections of the Inca Trail which leads to the Lost City of Machu Picchu.

All through this, equipped with only our backpacks, we were continually getting on and off buses, colectivos, tuk tuks, trains, airplanes boats and lanchas. We even caught rides standing on the rear bumper at the back of a pickup truck and hanging on for dear life with the other 20 or more people on board. Trust me, not the most relaxing way to travel. We stayed in over 60 different hotels, hostels, private homes, tents and hammocks. We arrived at some destinations in the middle of the night with no clue as to where we would stay, but we always seemed to manage and make the best of the circumstances.

Ah, the cuisine! We ate some rather exotic local dishes along the way. Even with near fluent Spanish, there were many times when I still was not sure what I had ordered. We drank horchata (rice milk) in Mexico, aguardiente (Firewater) in Colombia and Fernet (Distilled Spirits of Herbs and Spices) in Argentina. None of which are recommended for the Teetoler or the faint of heart. We learned to eat with plastic forks whose tines easily break when used and how to spit out the plastic pieces. (We also learned that it is best to have a backup fork handy.) Did you know that milk is available in either a bag or a box? We discovered what it is like to sleep in a small, airless dormitory room with six or seven complete strangers. Don’t even get me started on the bathroom facilities!

Oh, and by the way, the term “Every one for themselves!” best describes the conditions when it comes to walking/biking on or near a street. OH, THE MANY THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED HERE AT HOME. We set out on this trip to see as much as possible, while enjoying the culture, the people and the sights. Carter and I had the most amazing experience and hardships aside, would recommend a trip such as this to anyone. I am happy to say that we wholeheartedly embraced the many different customs of each nation we visited. We learned a very valuable lesson: Despite the common Spanish language, each country and its people are distinct and special in their own way.

We also met men and women from all corners of the globe. There was Youssef from Morocco, Gavi from Israel, Tarik from Turkey and Joerg from Poland, to name only a few. From our new friends we shared personal accounts of their respective cultures, languages, philosophies, politics, religions, tastes and so much more. Through their experiences we gained a personal insight into much of the world.

So, while this trip was a wonderful opportunity for me to bond with my teenage son before he sets off to college on his own, it was also a chance for me to relax, evaluate and reflect upon my life at home. Before departing from Atlanta on this “Great Latin American Adventure” as my son and I like to call it, I wasn’t so sure real estate was still in the cards for me. I wasn’t so sure if I still had the passion that is required of the true Real Estate Professional.

I needed to consider my options. Do I join the ranks of those who left the real estate industry? Leave the country and volunteer my time somewhere, or take a 9-5 job, perhaps open a coffee house or even teach English as a Second Language? HOWEVER, the time away has shown me that none of these are realistic options. I have been involved in real estate in one form or another since 1995 and despite the setbacks and challenges we face in this profession, I know now that REAL ESTATE IS WHAT I LOVE AND WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. I realize now that all I needed was a good long break.

Moving forward, I want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all my previous and current clients for their business. I further want to formally announce that I am back from my travels and happy to be back in the United States. I am refreshed, recharged and ready to get back to work. Hopefully, you will grant me the opportunity to work for and with you. My goal, as it has always been, is to exceed all your expectations. I look forward to re-establishing previous relationships and creating new ones with both my clients and colleagues alike. IT SURE IS GOOD TO BE BACK HOME!!!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding real estate or the Great Latin American Adventure. Either way I would be happy to speak with you.

Sincerely,

John “JC” Carollo

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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

Bringing Joy to Your Table Christmas is not just about the food you prepare; it’s also about creating a lovely atmosphere to display your culinary works of art. Try some of these ideas to create a simple yet elegant holiday table.

Buy a few small Christmas stockings at any retail store. These are usually inexpensive, around $1 each. Place your silverware inside the stockings, and add a few sprigs of holly or greenery for an instant and easy cutlery wrap. Place it all on your dinner plate along with a small ornament.

Take simple and inexpensive bead garland and cut it into different lengths. Use the garland to accessorize small ornaments or candles along with more holly or greenery.

Use any large clear glass vase as your table’s centerpiece. Place small ornaments in the bottom, and cut a long piece of Christmas ribbon to place inside the vase. Surround the outside of the base with greenery, holly, red berries and a few candles.

Voila! An inexpensive yet elegant table setting that can be done in a matter of minutes. Now that’s something to be jolly about!

Photos by Michelle Horsely

Bean Soup with Bacon and Herbs Ingredients: 4 slices bacon 1 tablespoon rosemary-infused olive oil, or 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary 1 medium onion, diced 1 large carrot, diced 1 celery rib, diced 1 tablespoon garlic paste ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans 4 ½ cups chicken stock ½ cup white wine

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Instructions

Cook bacon in a large pot over moderate heat until crisp. Drain fat and reserve it.

Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add onion, carrot, celery and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and herbs and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the drained beans, stock, wine and 1 tablespoon bacon fat and bring to a boil. Simmer the soup over moderately low heat until flavors combine, about 30 minutes.

Season soup with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to bowls. Garnish with bacon crumbles.

This is delicious soup that can be refrigerated up to 3 days. Try it with cheese toast! An additional light drizzle of oil in the soup bowl is a beautiful and nutritious garnish as well.

Pan Roasted Lamb Chops with Rosemary and Grapes Ingredients 8 lamb loin chops, about 1 Âź inches thick

Salt and freshly ground pepper (pink Himalayan salt is wonderful) 2 tablespoons fresh chopped rosemary

2 tablespoons blood-orange-infused olive oil or plain olive oil 1 tablespoon garlic paste

2 cups washed red grapes

1/3 cup cranberry-pear white balsamic vinegar or white wine 1 teaspoon honey

Serves 4 to 6

Instructions Heat olive oil in a large pan over moderately high heat. Season lamb chops with salt and pepper. Place into pan and add 1 tablespoon rosemary, cooking about 5 minutes. Turn the chops over and add the garlic to the pan.

Cook the chops until they are done to your preference, about 3 to 5 minutes more for medium rare.

Remove the chops, garlic and rosemary and keep warm. Add the grapes and remaining rosemary to the pan. Reduce heat and cook about 8 minutes until grapes soften, stirring frequently.

Add the honey and the balsamic vinegar or wine, and simmer 2 more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve 2 chops per plate topped with the grapes and sauce.

Serves 4

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Tips from Julie: Everyone is so busy nowadays. I get that. I am, too, which is why I try to streamline the way I cook so it allows me to enjoy as much of an event as I can.

Preparedness is a must if you do not want to be cooking all day while everyone else is having all the fun.

1. Do all your grocery shopping a day or two before the event. There’s nothing I dislike more than having to run to the grocery store for one item.

But I’m thankful my husband usually accomplishes that task if the need ever arises!

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2. Have your recipes close at hand and accomplish your mise en place (recipe preparation) the night before or earlier in the day before you begin cooking.

3. Gather everything necessary to execute your recipe, such as cookware and non-perishable items. This allows you to enjoy cooking much more if you do not feel pressured for time.

4. Use "simple but fresh" ingredients.

This is one of the most important secrets for culinary success. If you use the highest quality ingredients you can, your recipe usually looks and tastes fabulous. If you cannot use the fresh version of an item, use the next best thing available. For example, for a filling winter soup, you most likely won't be able to cut fresh corn off the cob. Flash frozen corn is an excellent substitute and won't change the quality of your recipe significantly.

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Fruitcake Cookies

Chocolate Clusters

3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 2 Tbsp. orange juice 1 Tbsp. vinegar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup chopped candied mixed fruit 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 cup dried pineapple, chopped Powdered sugar

8 oz. milk chocolate, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in egg, milk, orange juice and vinegar until blended. Mix in dry ingredients, and stir in walnuts and fruit.

Drop tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto prepped cookie sheets.Bake 12 to 14 minutes until lightly browned around edges. Dust with powdered sugar and store in an airtight container. Yields about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Mix-in ingredients: Chopped nuts Raisins Mini marshmellows Small, crunchy, shaped cereals White chocolate or peanut butter chips Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

Make the coating: In a double boiler, melt the chocolate with the oil over hot, not quite simmering, water, stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside to cool to tepid.

You need 1 2/3 cups of mix-ins. You can use all or choose which ones you would like to mix in.

Stir the mix-ins into the chocolate. Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set the chocolate.

Readers’ Favorite

Heavenly Bits Cookies ½-pound butter 4 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 2 cups self-rising flour 2 cups finely chopped pecans Confectioners sugar Mix first five ingredients. Shape in 1-inch balls and bake at 275 degrees F about 1 hour on ungreased cookie sheet. Let cool slightly. Roll in confectioner’s sugar when done and still slightly warm.

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Mini Cheesecakes 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 3 pkgs. (8 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature 3 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Angel Fudge 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup chocolate syrup 1 cup milk 1 Tbsp. butter 1 tsp. vanilla 3/4 cup marshmallow creme

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine crumbs, sugar and butter. Press equal portions into the bottom of paper-cup-lined muffin tins. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well.

Spoon equal amounts into prepared cups, filling to 1/4 inch from top. Bake 20 minutes or until set. Cool and chill in refrigerator. Top with desired fruit, topping or eat plain.

Holiday Recipes

Place the sugar, chocolate syrup, and milk in a 3-quart saucepan and stir over medium heat until the ingredients are well blended.

Boil, without stirring, until the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped into cold water (or measure with a candy thermometer to 234 degrees Fahrenheit).

Remove from heat and add butter, vanilla and marshmallow creme. Do not stir. Cool undisturbed until the mixture has cooled to lukewarm (110 degrees F), then beat vigorously until fudge loses its gloss (the fudge will hold its shape).

Pour into buttered 8-inch square pan. Cut into squares.

Southern Pecan Pie 3 eggs 2/3 cup sugar Dash of salt 1 cup Karo dark corn syrup 1/3 cup melted butter 1 cup pecan halves 9-inch pastry shell Beat eggs thoroughly with 2/3 cup sugar, dash of salt, Karo dark corn syrup and melted butter. Add pecan halves. Pour into unbaked pastry shell. Bake in 350-degree oven for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

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Absolutely Divine Grandma Spruell’s Sweet Potato Casserole Cornbread Dressing Angela Dailey

Shala Hainer

My family loves this casserole! I always use fresh sweet potatoes in my recipe. I just use a fork to poke holes in the sweet potatoes and pop them in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes each, depending on the size of the potato. If you’re short on time, use canned sweet potatoes, making sure to drain them.

One of the best things about spending the holidays with my grandparents in Bremen, Ga., was Grandma’s cornbread dressing.

She created a cookbook of her recipes for all her grandchildren, but the dressing is the only thing I’ve been able to master so far – don’t even get me started on my fudge disasters. Grandma has been gone for eight years now, but I’m immediately transported back to her kitchen every Christmas when I take a bite of the dressing I make using her recipe. I hope this recipe helps your family make happy memories, too!

Prep time: 30 minutes Bake time: 30 minutes Serves 6 to 8 people For the crust: 1 cup brown sugar 1⁄3 cup flour 1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer pecans) 1⁄2 cup melted butter For the sweet potato mixture: 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs (beat thoroughly) 1⁄4 cup butter 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Staff Picks

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and nuts in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

In this order, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly.

Pour the mixture into a buttered baking dish.

Cover the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with the crust mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes. Set aside for at least 30 minutes before serving.

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Ingredients: 1 medium skillet of cornbread 4 or 5 biscuits (canned or homemade) 1 1/2 cup hot chicken or turkey broth 1 medium onion, chopped 1/3 cup celery, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 3 eggs 1 extra cup hot chicken or turkey broth

Directions: Cook cornbread and biscuits according to package directions. Let them cool (I usually cook mine the night before). Crumble cornbread and biscuits into a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups hot broth to soften crumbs. Add onion, celery, salt and pepper and eggs. Stir. Add another cup of very hot chicken or turkey broth, and stir. Pour mixture into your baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes. Pour a few tablespoons of hot broth over the dressing immediately after taking it from the oven for extra moisture.

Delicious Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni & Cheese Angela Dailey

This is absolutely the most amazing macaroni and cheese my family and I have ever tasted. Seriously … it’s that good! I’m not big on breadcrumb toppings, so I always use more shredded cheese. I double the batch so it serves about 12 people. Remember to stir this recipe constantly so it doesn’t scorch. This recipe definitely gives you a workout with all the stirring involved, but it’s so worth it.

Prep time: 30 minutes Bake Time: 20 minutes Serves: 6 people Ingredients: 1 8-oz. package macaroni 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk 1 cup cream 1/2 tsp. salt Black pepper, to taste 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, good quality (shredding your own is best) 1 cup shredded cheese or ½ cup buttered breadcrumbs for topping

Staff Picks

by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted.

Turn off heat. Add cooked macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat thoroughly with the cheese sauce. Transfer mixture to a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese or breadcrumbs.

Bake 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cook macaroni to al dente according to package directions, then drain. Set aside. Melt butter in a large saucepan.

Add flour mixed with the salt and pepper, stirring until blended well. Using a wire whisk works better for me. Pour in cream and milk a little at a time, stirring constantly. Bring mixture to a boiling point and boil at least 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat and cook 10 minutes. Keep stirring constantly. Add shredded cheddar cheese little

Have a recipe you’d like to share with West Georgia Woman? Send them to: features@westgeorgiawoman.com 41

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims.”

- Harriet Woods

“I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

- Anne Frank

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are - you aren’t.”

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- Margaret Thatcher

“Old age ain’t no place for sissies.”

- Bette Davis “You don’t have to do great things to matter.

Do small things. Greet others with a smile.

Say something kind.

Let others know they matter.”

- Melissa Flanagan

“If a child is to keep alive his [or her] inborn sense of wonder ... he [she] needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him [her] the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”

- Rachel Carson

HER

CELEBRATE SUCCESS

ONE BIG H A P P Y FA M I LY From catering queen to TV celebrity, local businesswoman knows the recipe for success.

Sometimes, things don’t work out like you planned. And just sometimes, that leads to a life path you never expected.

That’s how Lorie Bomar came to found Atlanta’s Finest Catering in Winston, Ga. She learned valuable lessons while working for Kroger and planning

their grand openings, including how to cook in the deli, how to order in volume and how to make 3,000 loaves of bread in one day.

She says her family life growing up helped prepare her as well. “I was one of 13 children,” Lorie says. “I loved to be in the kitchen, and when you have that many brothers and sisters, you don’t make one or two pies – you make six.”

She says her family has one big problem: They are all workaholics. “I was raised in a really close, faith-based family,” she explains. “We’ve always been taught whatever you do, do it with all your might, all your strength and all your heart.”

Lorie’s dad exemplified this mantra, working night

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and day to keep food on the table and clothes on their backs. When she was 22, she cooked her dad supper one night while her mom was out of town, and afterward, he told her he was going to die that year. He asked her to take care of her mother and the five brothers and sisters that weren’t married.

“I was so upset about the conversation, but he wanted me to make the commitment, so I did,” she says. “I told him he wasn’t going to die soon, but then he did – 10 days later.”

Lorie knew she had to keep her promise to her father, and she did it by working full-time at Kroger, full-time with the post office and starting the catering business. She had been volunteering to make food for weddings when couples at church got married, giving the food to them as their wedding gifts, and she used that reputation as the springboard for the catering business.

She used the money from her three jobs to put two siblings through college and pay for their weddings. During that time, her catering business started to grow exponentially. “I took on a sister as an employee, then a brother, then a sister-in-law, then a brother-in-law, then more siblings. I didn’t know that 30 years later, we’d have Atlanta’s Finest Catering with our own building and a huge number of events,” she says. “In the month of October alone – it will blow your mind – we catered 47 weddings.”

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She has eight brothers and sisters who work for her today, as well as an army of children, in-laws, nieces and nephews as well as their spouses. “It’s an honor and privilege,” she says about working with family. “We’re living in a constant family reunion -every day I see my brothers and sisters. Yes, we argue, but at the end of day, they always have my back.”

Lorie believes her business is a ministry, not just a business. “When people use Atlanta’s Finest Catering, especially on weddings, we have so much décor we bless them with to save them money,” she explains. “Mason jars, chalk boards and more – we just let them use it. We want parents to walk in and say ‘This is way more than we bargained for.’“ She keeps her prices affordable, trying to pay it forward to her clients. “I don’t need to make a zillion dollars off one family,” she says. “I want to do the right thing – offer great food and décor at a great price. We base it on volume.”

Secrets of Success Lorie credits her success to a few factors: Always doing the right thing, keeping prices affordable, working hard and being willing to go that extra mile.

“Do I work a lot of hours? Absolutely! I might sleep for two hours, get up at 3 a.m. to prepare for an event, and work until 3 the next morning. A lot

of our events happen in the evening, so we’re often up late,” she relates. “It’s crazy to think that 20 years ago, I used to think, ‘Wow, we did 88 events this year!’ Now we average more than 200 a month.”

She estimates that on average, most weekends include a minimum of six weddings.

“We do as much of an event as someone wants – we thought this was just a food business, then we added décor, then got into the linen business, then we started doing flowers, then bartending, then wedding cakes, then added day-of coordinators, then chauffeurs. It keeps on expanding – we shake it, we bake it we make it happen. For example, if there’s an outdoor wedding and a client says she’s stressed because she needs the house pressure washed – I’ll send three brothers out there right now.

Whatever the family needs, we do it.

“It’s a heart issue. My staff always says ‘WWLD’ – what would Lorie do – and I say roll up your sleeves and do it with them, that’s what it means.”

Lorie believes giving back to the community is key to getting new business and staying successful. She constantly receives calls from non-profits and civic organizations to give food, and she gives as often as she can. “You have to sow to reap,” she explains.

“I’m smart – I give away food to reap more business. I also give to people who serve the community everyday. When there are leftovers, I try to take them to places like 911 or the fire department, to honor the people who help take care of us. If you can be a blessing, people will be a blessing back to you.”

Lorie also credits her family’s support and inspiration as keys to her success. “I just have to give a big shout out to all my family,” she says. “My kids, well, they’re why I do all this. My mom has been an amazing inspiration. She works hard to make a difference, and was even honored as a Volunteer of the Year by President Bush. I have great in-laws that support my craziness, too.”

and see the smiles and tears of joy from the families during that one moment in their lives, and that’s my encouragement, my strength. My heart finds joy in seeing people so pleased – my tombstone will probably say ‘She loved pleasing people.’”

Lorie believes fear is the main thing holding people back. She says sometimes you just need someone to push you out of the nest. For her, it was her husband and her mentor, Kroger President Bruce Lucia. “They told me not to be afraid. Women who are ready to start their own businesses are standing on the end of the diving board. They should quit looking at the water and get ready to make a splash.

Just jump in – all in. You might come up swimming or go down drowning, but you need to do it with your whole heart.”

She encourages women to be patient and to listen. “Sometimes you just want to push to get your point across instead of listening to someone else’s feelings or point.”

She stresses that thinking fast and planning ahead helps keep the business rolling smoothly.

“You have to solve problems right then. I feel like it’s a gift from God, to be able to think fast and be three steps ahead.”

For her catering business, for example, Lorie always watches the weather, knowing she has to adjust her schedule to add some extra time for loading

Her Advice Starting any small business comes with challenges, but also rewards. Lorie says with catering, a challenge can be finding time with your family when your events usually fall on nights and weekends.

“I have a very patient husband and three kids who have allowed me to be a servant to others,” she says. “It’s hard to be a wife, a mom and run a business that requires you to be gone as much as I am. I work hard, and when it’s time to play, I play hard.

“I like to say that when the world is having fun, I’m working. But I get to look through that window

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TECHNICALLY, THE BEST!

120 programs to prepare you for the career you’ve always dreamed of

855.887.9482 admissions@westgatech.edu 46

www.westgatech.edu

and travel. “You can’t be late. You don’t get forgiven when you’re an hour late for someone’s wedding – thank God we’ve never been,” she says. “Things happen – if you have a blowout on the expressway, you have to figure it out really quickly. The food still has to be delivered and on time.”

Atlanta’s Finest on TV Lorie and her crew have enjoyed some extra publicity, being featured on the 2013 Lifetime reality show “Catering Wars” and winning several episodes of Family Feud. “’Catering Wars’ was so much fun,” she says. “I’ll never forget it. We still look at that and laugh. And

Photo by April Estes Reflected Photography

we’re going back to Family Feud in the 2016 season.

The next game will be worth nearly $60,000 if we win, including the $20,000 fast money and the car.”

She’s not blind to the inherent dangers of reality TV shows, in particular. “I put all that in God’s hands. Sometimes reality shows can ruin a family.

Catering Wars only had a few episodes, but we have a couple of companies looking at our family for another reality show.”

She explains that the behind-the-scenes work is more than most people realize. “For a one-hour episode, they might film 60 hours. There were prompters typing every word we said, who said it, the day and time it was said. If they need to add a certain phrase to a different scene, they just pull it up and put it right in there later.”

Lorie said she and her family were a bit concerned at first because they didn’t know how the footage would be edited. They didn’t want viewers to think they were a family who thrived on drama, even though that’s what most reality shows like. “I didn’t want everyone to think I’m mean and that I beat up on my family all the time. But they really did a good job, showing our laughter, our hollering and our hard work.”

To see episodes of “Catering Wars,” look for them on the Lifetime TV website – it’s $2.98 to see them all. WGW

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The New Breed of Working Mom:

The Hybrid

By Shala Hainer

Shala with her youngest son Dylan 48

Photo by Rob Hainer

T

he job of a mom is constantly being I scheduled a phone interview with a prominent redefined. At first, mothers took care of female corporate executive on a day when my the house and kids – that's still true today husband was going to be home to keep my son in many households. But as more moms entered occupied. My husband's plans changed at the last the workforce full-time, their jobs became, well, minute, so I took my son to McDonald's to play and their jobs, and many mothers struggled to find the hopefully wear him out a bit. I brought his Happy balance between family and work.

Meal home (don't judge me!) so In a new twist, some moms he could eat and stay occupied choose to work from home, while I conducted my interview, om: A creating a hybrid breed of Hybrid M tays which I expected to last about 30 sorts. These hybrid-at-home minutes. er who s h t o m r e moms have a different struggle: I got set up in my office with with h juggling the duties and my work computer to type notes, at home le i h w n expectations of a stay-at-home my phone set on speaker and e r child o t mom while working part- or fullmy video camera to record the ing t p m e t t a time. conversation – I can't type as ing v i l a The job of a mom is never fast as most of those women can n ear . s o a easy, but trying to work from speak, and I need something he ch t d i m a home with young children around to record what is said so I can presents a special range of quote people properly in my challenges. Many – but definitely articles. not all – mothers who work outside the home have I turned on the TV in the living room so my son clear lines of demarcation: when they're at work, could watch cartoons, set him up at a computer on they work, and when they're at home, they are with age-appropriate games and gave him his nuggets their kids. and a drink. His favorite toys were in the living room Hybrid-at-home moms squeeze in work whenever floor. Then, I went back to my office and closed the they can, often meeting deadlines at midnight door. (My son was 4 ½, so old enough to sit in the and screaming at the delivery man for ringing the living room by himself for a short while.) doorbell after the baby finally went down for his I shut myself in the office, called in for my afternoon nap. interview and began asking questions. Then, I hear I've been a hybrid-at-home mom for seven years a faint cry of “Mommy! I made a mess on your as a writer, editor and now a Realtor, and although computer!” Ugh. I mute my phone and run into I have many, many stories about trying to work with the living room, carrying the phone and the video my kids around, this one definitely takes the cake. camera as I go. Sure enough, there is sweet-and-

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sour sauce all over my MacBook. Double ugh. I frantically clean the gooey mess off the computer, praying I caught it before it ruined the laptop.

I unmute periodically for a quick “How interesting” or other meaningless comment so the woman I'm interviewing thinks I'm actually listening.

I take off my son's shirt, which is also covered in sauce. I throw the remaining sauce away and admonish my son to please play quietly for just a few minutes while mommy is working. Back to the office.

Phone off mute, I ask another question. Then, I hear my son coughing in the living room. Mute and run, carrying the phone and video camera again. Sure enough, he's choking on a nugget. I whack him on the back several times to loosen the nugget piece before it completely blocks his airway, double check that he's breathing and over his choking spell, then give him a quick hug. I throw away the rest of the nuggets, toss the drink in the sink and run back to the office. All I want to do is finish this stupid interview!

Unmute, ask another question. Then, of course, from the living room: “Mommy! I peed in my pants.”

Really? Are you kidding me? Mute, grab the video camera and head back into the living room. Not just in his pants – there's pee all over the hardwood floor. Ugh. I yank off his pants, send him to the

bathroom and wipe up the floor as quickly as I can.

I run back to the office to finally finish the interview with no idea of what she said the entire time.

Since I wasn't able to take many notes during the interview, I had to transcribe it later. Press play, type as fast as I can, press pause while my typing catches up with what she said. I've had to transcribe interviews before, but using the video camera was pretty hilarious. I kept getting distracted by the video on the screen that was playing along with the audio – me running back and forth into the living room and my son in varying stages of undress (ending with him completely undressed).

I attempted phone interviews a few more times, but after the last one where my son refused to stay in another room and brought his play parking garage into my office, I stopped phone interviews for a while. During my last interview, I told myself that the toy wasn't loud enough to get picked up by my phone. As I was playing back the audio later, I heard a periodic “Ding, ding, ding” and whirring sounds as the parking garage moved cars up and down during the entire interview. I'm sure the woman I was interviewing was wondering what the heck was going on, but she never said a word. She was a mom too, I'm sure. WGW

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

Ever After “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.�

Emily Bronte

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were married on October 17, 2015, at The Hitching Post in Woodland, Alabama

JERRICA EAVES of JERRICA NICHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

DRAKE & JENNA VINES

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CHECKLIST Heat Up the Planning Now for Your Spring or Summer Wedding

Spring and summer weddings offer a fragrant selection of colorful flowers in season, as well as beautiful backdrops for outdoor ceremonies and memorable photos. But to create the day of your dreams, vow to start planning now to ensure your spring or summer wedding goes off without a hitch.

Checklist for December and January for weddings from April to August: Set a date.

It’s hard to do additional planning without knowing what day you’re working with.

Select a venue.

Where you plan to have your wedding dictates many factors, including how many guests you can invite, what kind of decorations you can use and whether you can have a sit-down dinner or must do buffet-style.

Ask your bridesmaids to stand with you.

These ladies need time to arrange their schedules around your wedding and start planning things like bridal showers and bachelorette parties.

Nail down a caterer.

Popular caterers get booked months in advance, so that should be one of your first tasks. You don’t have to decide the full menu yet, but provide a rough idea of what you’re thinking about and how many guests might attend. Most caterers require a deposit to hold the date.

Start dress shopping.

Although you don’t have to buy your dress yet, the earlier you can get it, the better. Many shops need at least a couple of months to complete alterations, so no waiting until the last minute for this super-important detail.

Search for other vendors.

Look for photographers, DJs, florists or other vendors such as videographers. Ask your friends for references, and ask the vendors if you can see samples of their work or attend one of their events to observe how they work. Like caterers, the good ones often get snatched up quickly, so get on their schedules early – this also reduces stress closer to your wedding date when you feel bogged down in the details.

Tip: Include a back-out date in any contracts with vendors, which is the last date you can get out of the contract and get your deposit back. This protects you if you find a different vendor to use or if you must change the date for some reason.

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770.214.8004 / 120 Lucile Ave 30117 stewartinks@gmail.com 54

Order your invitations.

While email works well for RSVPs, etiquette still requires paper invitations for formal events such as weddings. It’s not time to send the invitations yet, but it sometimes takes a few weeks to print them, so order now to ensure they arrive on time.

Make a timeline for the rest of the tasks.

Work on a guest list.

Work with your partner to decide who to invite. This sounds like a straightforward process, but once the moms get involved, it can become complicated. Try to balance the size of the guest list against your budget, and ask your mothers to prioritize who they want to invite. Chances are you can’t invite everyone, but including the top few off of both mom’s lists keeps both sides of the family happy.

Putting everything in writing, including hiring an officiant, booking hair appointments and attending wedding cake tastings, enables you to assign a date to each task. Divvy up some of the tasks among close family and your bridesmaids so everything doesn’t rest on your shoulders. When handing out tasks, note who gets what and ask them to report back to you when it’s complete so you can check it off the list. WGW Tip: Anyone with decent handwriting can help you address invitations, so take advantage of your bridal party. Invitations usually go out six to eight weeks before the big event.

PHOTO BY: SANTIAGO DUARTE

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Resources for Women

Police Departments Call 911 in an emergency.

Bremen Police: 770.537.4441

Dallas Police: 770.443.8100

Heard County Sheriff: 706.675.0444

Tallapoosa Police: 770.574.7211

Buchanan Police: 770.646.5246

Douglasville Police: 770.920.3010

Hiram Police: 770.943.3087

Temple Police: 770.562.3151

Carrollton Police: 770.834.4451

Douglas County Sheriff: 770.942.2121

Newnan Police: 770.254.2355

University of West Georgia Police: 678.839.6000

Carroll County Sheriff: 770.830.5888

Floyd County Sheriff: 706.291.4111

Paulding County Sheriff: Villa Rica Police: 770.443.3010 678.785.1100

Cedartown Police: 770.748.4123

Franklin Police: 706.675.6624

Polk County Sheriff: 770.749.2900

Coweta County Sheriff: 770.254.8922

Haralson County Sheriff: Senoia Police: 770.599.3256 770.646.2011

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

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

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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

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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Catering to Your Pets

During the Holidays

By Charlene Brooks

Tired of doing the same old thing for your special furry friends every year? The collar, the catnip toys and brushes.

Maybe a chew toy or two. This year, try something different and give your babies something a little extra special to snack on. Taste tested by our staff's own animals, these made-with-love, safe and delicious treats are the perfect stocking stuffer for woman's best friend.

Cheddar and Parmesan

Perfect Peanut Butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Cat Treats

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups white self-rising flour 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 10 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup corn meal Directions In a large bowl combine flour and cornmeal.

Add yogurt and cheese and knead until a ball is formed. Add a tiny bit of water if needed. Roll dough into 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough into 1-1 1/2 inch pieces. Place dough pieces on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown. Ovens may vary in cooking time.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen pieces.

Dog Treats

Ingredients 2 cups creamy peanut butter 2 cups milk 2 tablespoons baking powder 4 cups whole wheat flour Various dog-shaped cookie cutters (We used bones, dog and paw-shaped cutters) Directions Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add milk and peanut butter. Knead ingredients by hand for 5 minutes. Roll dough into 3/4-1 inch thickness. Cut out dough with cookie cutters. Place dough shapes on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Dog treats should be firm but not overly hard.

Dog Treat Icing Ingredients 2 teaspoons water 1 teaspoon honey 2 tablespoons cornstarch 6 drops of food coloring of your choice Directions Lightly coat dog treats with icing and allow to dry 1 hour before serving.

Editor’s note: My dogs loved these treats so much that my older baby girl took half of the younger baby boy’s treat right from under his nose!

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T

he much-needed holiday break from school usually means the boredom kicks in about, well, the first day of the vacation. Beat the winter doldrums by keeping your little elves’ hands busy with yummy goodies that are fun to make and an adorable ornament that includes its own tasty treat.

Kidz Korner

Crispy Rice Cereal Marshmallow Pops

By Charlene Brooks and Sydney Dailey Ingredients for crispy rice marshmallow treats: 6 cups crispy rice cereal 1 bag of mini marshmallows (10 1/2 oz.)

3 tablespoons butter or margarine Directions for crispy rice marshmallow treats: Melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add marshmallows. Cook until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Place marshmallow mixture in a large mixing bowl. Add crispy rice cereal and mix well. Allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes.

Ingredients for decorative icing: 1 small bag of chocolate melt wafers 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Ingredients for treat pops: 1 medium gingerbread person cookie cutter 1-quart size plastic bag to use as a piping bag 1 small bag of decorating candy dots 1 bag of cake pop sticks 1 small decorator icing tube with black icing Butter for parchment paper and hands

Directions for decorative icing: Melt chocolate melts in microwave, stirring every 10 seconds until completely melted. Add vegetable oil to the chocolate.

Place chocolate in quart-sized plastic bag, and cut small tip off the corner of bag. Squeeze the bag to force icing out of the small hole and decorate treats.

Turn these treats upside down for reindeer pops or keep right-side up for gingerbread people.

Directions for treat pops:

Editor’s note: This icing dries very quickly in the bag at the piping area. We just squeezed the chocolate tip at the bottom to pull fresh chocolate into the piping area. The treat on the far right in the photo was me trying to create a gingerbread woman. I know it’s really bad, but my daughter Sydney decorated the others – didn’t she do a great job? Don’t judge me for attempting equality among the gingerbread world. Perhaps one of you could send me your female marshmallow gingerbread shaped creation and show me how it’s done? I’d love to see your photos!

Line cookie sheet with buttered parchment paper.

Butter palms of hands. Take some of the mixture and press into the cookie cutter. Gently push the formed mixture from the cookie cutter onto the parchment paper. Put the cake pop stick through the middle of the formed treat. Decorate as desired with icing and candy decorations. Put finished treats in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to set the icing.

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Stick Horse Candy Cane Ornament

By Charlene Brooks It’s hard to buy just one candy cane. Even if you want to share just a couple with friends or pass around a few to coworkers, chances are you end up with leftovers. With leftovers comes opportunity – the ability to get in touch with your (easy) crafty side and make adorable ornaments to add a personal touch to your tree.

What you’ll need: 10 mm googly eyes White yarn Red, green and white felt squares Candy canes Beacon fabric tac glue Thin cardboard Scissors Instructions: • Draw a pattern on the thin cardboard. Include the shape of the head and the mane.

• Cut out felt according to pattern, making two heads per ornament and one mane.

• Lie two head shapes flat.

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• • • • • • • • • •

Glue around outer edges. Do not glue base of horse heads.

Glue mane to one side at the top of the horse.

Place one side of horse head on top of other horse and mane, flipping it so the glue is on the inside of both pieces.

Allow glue to dry at least 10 minutes.

Make slits in the exposed side of the mane with scissors to create a fringe look.

Poke a hole through top of the head with the sharp end of scissors.

Loop yarn through the hole and tie the yarn in a loop to make reins.

Glue googly eyes to both sides of the head.

Insert candy cane into horse head through the base.

Hang on the tree and enjoy!

Wee Said Little West Georgians Weigh In

What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

“I like doggies. I like the Christmas lights.”

Jamie 3, Buchanan, GA

“My favorite thing is when I get to visit my Grandma at her house.”

Jalin 6, Douglasville, GA

“Santa Claus brings me presents.”

Madalynn 3, Carrollton, GA

“I make cookies with my mommy and we leave them for Santa and Rudolph.”

Nicole 5, Dallas, GA

“On Christmas Day, all of my cousins come over to our house, and we get to play with our new toys together.”

Daryl 8, Villa Rica, GA

“My favorite thing is my Mom and Dad don’t have to go to work, and we can spend a lot of time together.”

Jenna 9, Newnan, GA “I love going with my Daddy to pick out our tree, and then we come home and the whole family decorates it together.”

Danisha 7, Franklin, GA

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Christmas Tidings Word Search Word Bank ADVENT CHRISTMAS HOLLY MISTLETOE STOCKING ANGEL CRÈCHE JOY NOEL CANDYCANE FELIZNAVIDAD MERRY STAR WREATH

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Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

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