Sophie Woman's Magazine Oct 2014 Issue by Sophie Woman's Magazine

VOLUME 10 - ISSUE 8 / OCTOBER 2014

phie Woman’s Woman’s Magazine Magazine

INSIDE: Girlfriends In God ~ Will You Make Everyday Count? | Page 14 Sophisticated Women ~ How Can You Better Express Your Emotions? | Page 8 Me, Myself, & Inc. ~ Can You “Unplug” From Stressful Situations? | Page 29 shutterbuggerz pg 37

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Heart from the

From The Editor: Judy Smith

his past month we did The Catawba Valley Women’s Show, plus we saw a lot of you at the Viewmont Street Strut and it never ceases to amaze me all the wonderful things you have to say about what Sophie Woman’s Magazine means to you. It also just tickles my funny bones (yes, I have more than one) with some of the stories you share with us as well as some of the questions. I am going to try to answer a few of those for you. 1. Does anyone with any brains ever edit the magazine before it goes to print? The answer is most definitely not! If you ever look on our content page you will see that I am listed as Editor. That is because no one else will take the blame and I am just too old to care. We try to catch some things but some things are just too darn good the way they are. Plus, the articles that I write, let’s just say, it is who I am. Enough said. 2. How do I get an article in Sophie Woman’s Magazine? Well duh, you have to write it first and then you need to send it to the dummy we just finished talking about. Here is her email: judy@ sophiewomansmagazine.com

not be? The only things I ever say is about how amazing and wonderful he is. That is why he tells me he is “Mr. Wonderful”. Why he has not had a shirt made with that on the front and back, I will never know. 6. Who do you have to know to get your photo in the magazine? I keep trying to figure that out. Not nary a one of mine ever gets in. The three S’s are very important in getting this done. Say Cheese ~ Snap ~ Submit I hope these answers have helped put your mind at ease about the condition of Sophie Woman’s Magazine. We try to get out as much as we can and meet our readers and say thanks for being so supportive. October, November and December are especially busy times for us. Not just because of the holidays but because there is a lot that goes on this time of year. I think you can find almost any kind of event that peaks your interest. If you ever see us out anywhere, please stop and talk to us. We go to ribbon cuttings, business events, trade shows, movie reviews…. especially events that give back to the community in some way. Please stop and tell us your stories or ask us any dumb question you want to. We don’t mind! Blessings, Laughter and Love

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Focusing On Women’s Issues

3. So how come a guy answers the phone when I call your office? That is because all of us girls have either made a run to Starbucks, gone shopping or to get our nails done and someone has to answer the phone! More times than not it is the shopping thing though. 4. Why do you feel like you need to have a section called “Women Need to Know”? Okay, so that is a tough one. I will just need to get back to you when I find out the answer but I am guessing maybe, and that is a big maybe, that we don’t know it all. Please don’t tell anyone I said that. 5. Are all those stories that Judy Smith write true? Always, always, always! Ninety percent of the time anyway….most of them…well except that one about the giant mosquitoes. But the part about the giant bite mark was totally true. Plus all the stories I tell about my husband, well, yes they ARE true. How can they

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 3

phie Woman’s Magazine

P.O. Box 1393 22 South Main Ave. Newton, NC 28658 (P) 828-466-0122 (F) 828-466-0124 Editor: Judy Smith Production Manager: Scott Hansley Graphic Design: Brittany LeFever Sales: Stephanie Daulton Ledford 828-729-8353 stephanie@sophiewomansmagazine.com Kaye Ball 828-855-8140 kaye@sophiewomansmagazine.com Marion Keener 828-320-0040 marion@sophiewomansmagazine.com

A Special Thanks To All Of Our Distributors Please be sure to visit all of our participating advertisers and remember to support area local small businesses. How to place an ad: Call our office at (828)466-0122 and leave a message. One of our sales representatives will return your call as soon as possible. You may also fax material to (828)466-0124. We reserve the right to refuse to run any ad we deem to be controversial or in bad taste. For more information about advertising or to view Sophie Woman’s Magazine online, visit our website at www.sophiewomansmagazine.com.

Message From The Heart......................................pg 3 Reaching Your Full Potential................................pg 6 Sophisticated Women............................................pg 8 The Front Porch...................................................pg 11 Questions, Queries & Quests.............................pg 12 Girlfriends In God..............................................pg 14 JC’s Mom: Scripts & Social Stories................pg 18 My Mother’s Poems..........................................pg 22 How To Keep Your Bridesmaids Happy..............pg 24 Me, Myself, & Inc.............................................pg 29 Think Small!.......................................................pg 30 Recipes For Life................................................pg 33 Dementia Care...................................................pg 34 Shutterbuggerz....................................................pg 37

*Now Available* SUBSCRIPTIONS

We have been asked by many of our readers to offer a subscription to Sophie Woman’s Magazine. If you would like more information about a subscription, please visit our website at:

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com You can also find more information on page 10 of this issue.

********************************************************** Disclaimer: Sophie Woman’s Magazine LLC is published monthly. The articles published in Sophie do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. All articles are intended for informational purposes only, and none should serve as a substitute for doctor’s advice and orders. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content and validity of information published within their ads and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. Deceptive or misleading advertising is not knowingly accepted by the publisher. Advertising is accepted with the understanding that all liability for copyright violations is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. All material submitted for publication is considered to be the sole property of the advertiser. Sophie Woman’s Magazine LLC’s publishers, staff, and other persons involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the magazine (in whatever format) or its content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of the use of the magazine. **********************************************************

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REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL: Cultivate your AUTHENTICITY!

by Kim Fletcher, Life Coach, Speaker, Author

“There’s beauty in imperfection. When something becomes too polished, it loses its soul. Authenticity trumps professionalism!” Christine Caine I recently had the privilege of spending a few days with my dear friend Judy Siegle, as she flew in for my birthday from Fargo, ND. Despite staying in touch weekly by phone, we had not connected face to face in a couple of years. All I have to say is that this gal just keeps getting more and more amazing. Judy is no ordinary woman. Injured by a drunk driver the summer after her high school graduation, Judy has spent the years since as a quadriplegic. She lives alone, directs a massive outreach to women, drives her brand new vehicle, and can shop circles around any of my other friends. She is even highly decorated as a professional speaker and national record holder in wheelchair sports. What impressed me this visit was her deepening authenticity. Judy’s disability has forced her to have a keen sense of humor about life, her body, and the things that add challenge to her days. While the emotion still surfaces sometimes over the hardships, 99% of the time she is brimming over with joy. Like Christine Caine said above, I find an unmatched beauty in Judy’s imperfection. She carries herself with style and class from the platform of a wheelchair and others TAKE NOTICE! After all, society quickly judges disabled individuals as “Less than”. While out to lunch one day, an older gentleman approached and somewhat sharply stated, “What put you in that chair?” Many would have been offended, but not Judy. She saw it as a graceful point to enter an authentic conversation about her life, which she quickly turned from talk about tragedy to all God has allowed her to accomplish and experience. One man, and a restaurant full of onlookers, got a beautiful education that day in the power of authenticity. Judy couldn’t pull off perfection if she tried. Perhaps those of us are secretly disabled who are able to hide behind a mask of perfection. I am so glad to have realized over the years that authenticity indeed trumps perfection and performance. It is a key quality that makes you approachable, relaxed, and comfortable in your own skin.

•

MOVE FROM SELF-PROMOTION TO STORY TELLING: If you want to be a change maker, begin to see public outlets as places for sharing your personal story.

•

RESIST THE URGE TO CREATE A DIGITAL ALTER EGO: Refuse to hide behind a website or Facebook page.

•

LEARN TO LAUGH AT YOURSELF: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Instead, grow comfortable enough with who you are to laugh and laugh often.

•

BUILD A SUPPORT NETWORK: Keep honest people in your life that can help you stay grounded.

•

BE INTERESTED OVER INTERESTING: Be more concerned with listening instead of talking. Focus on others, not yourself.

As I review these points from Brad’s leadership advice, what amazes me is that I saw each and every one of the principles being lived out effortlessly in the life of my dear friend, Judy, during our precious time together. Seek out someone this week to inspire and also someone to be inspired by. Take a few moments to journal around how you can make headway in each of the areas Brad shared. As you move from performance and perfection to authenticity, you will find yourself having more peace, more joy, more influence and a stronger network of like-minded individuals. Embrace your imperfections as beautiful… you just may find that one simple act of kindness toward yourself teaching you how to embrace others even with their flaws and struggles.

Author Brad Lomenick, in his book titled The Catalyst Leader, addresses AUTHENTICITY as an ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP QUALITY. He goes on to highlight some of the best practices he has found that help cultivate this key quality. The following bullet points are taken directly from Brad’s book: •

PRACTICE SELF AWARENESS: Before you can release your true self, you have to recognize your true self. Too many people refuse to accept and even name their weaknesses, struggles, and pitfalls… understand who you really are.

•

QUESTION YOURSELF: I encourage leaders to evaluate their self acceptance with honest questions: Whose attention do you crave? Are you chasing the approval of friends, colleagues, and customers? Self diagnosis can lead to self discovery, which is the only path to authenticity.

pg 6 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

As a Life Coach of global impact, Kim would love to share these principles and more with your group or organization, with topics ranging from identity/ goals/vision to developing the leader within. How could your organization be transformed today by identifying and revising broken systems? Kim would also love to hear your life and leadership impact stories. You may contact her team of coaches and speakers directly at: www.kimfletcherassociates.com / kimfletchercoach@aol.com / 828 327 6702.

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Sophisticated Women...

Have Emotional Intelligence

By Nicole Greer, PPCC Founder and Principle Coach at Vibrant Coaching

As a sophisticated woman you must deal with your emotions before your emotions deal with you. If you don’t, you might miss what’s behind the joy. Or worse, what’s behind the anger, that’s when drama, dire straights, and disaster will ensue. And believe it or not, that’s a choice.

Ask the people in your environment genuinely, “How are you feeling?” Read body language; learn to ask powerful questions that gently reveal the emotions of others. When emotions are uncovered, the energy they hold can be directed toward a cooperative, contributing, and constructive future.

All day long emotions bubble up that take you up and down the feeling scale. At the top of the feeling scale is euphoria and at the bottom of the feeling scale is depression. The aim of the sophisticated woman is to notice …notice, notice, notice… where these feelings are coming from. Typically, the environment, something in the environment or somebody in the environment triggers an emotion. Whether that emotion is good or bad, you have the choice to stop and see the cause. Once you see the cause, you can harness the emotion.

Manage stress. Stress is emotion in motion. It can be controlled, even useful in your life.

Emotion is pure energy. And hello, you need more energy, right? The word emotion stems from the French word emovoir, which means to “stir up.” This stirring up is an internal swell of energy that can be used to your advantage or your detriment. Your aim is to be intelligent, emotionally intelligent. Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, wrote extensively on how this intelligence is hugely valuable in life. In fact, Goleman claims, “If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.” He’s right. So, let’s consider some next right steps to harness the energy of our emotions and create a more vibrant life.

Noticing your emotions gives you the choice to frame a situation as either hopeless or hopeful. Slowing down to size up a situation and what is possible can turn on the virtue of optimism. With optimism at work, you can see how to turn something that is possible into something that is probable. In this state, you have taken either a positive or even a negative emotion and reframed it as a catalyst for change. Ultimately, having emotional intelligence increases personal power. This power aka energy can move you toward serious selfmastery resulting in a vibrant life. If you’d like to take a selfmastery assessment, email me at Nicole@thevibrantcoach. Until next month, all my best!

Next Right Steps Learn to express your emotions with intelligent behavior. It’s time to stop bottling up or exploding with your emotions. When you experience a swing in emotion stop to clearly communicate your internal emotional state. Clearly and specifically communicate your feelings, beliefs, and stance that support your emotion. Choose to be self-directed and selfcontrolled in your thinking and actions. Consider with your IQ or intellect how you will use your emotion to move forward. Tune into the thoughts and feelings of others. Realize you’re not the only one feeling something in this situation.

pg 8 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

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Front

The

Porch

by Judy Smith

On one of those rare days when I just get to lounge around, I was also privileged to do one of “those man things” called channel surfing. I actually had control of the remote control and was seeing if there was anything on that might really be interesting that did not involve blood and guts. I came across a show where they were looking at houses across the country…. and there it was!

the view of the sunset over the rising swell of the ocean. “How”, I asked myself, “could anyone's house be this incredible”? Then I heard it….

The most perfect house. Here a porch, there a porch, everywhere a porch porch! I got so dizzy headed that I almost passed out. This house did not have a stoop, it had a wrap front porch that started from one side of the front door and then wrapped around to the side that fanned out to a triple layer deck. Not just any triple layer deck either. One that had a huge fire pit for roasting marshmallows and one that was full of lush containers of greenery and flowers with a sitting area for reading. Oh, Oh….I am hyper ventilating just thinking about it. The third layer was so amazing with a one lap pool for exercising….or not….actually, probably not!

“You must have been dreaming. It must have been about me because you kept saying how perfect, how absolutely perfect!”

Now you would think that would be enough but then the show took us in the house and after showing you all the great things inside, they went to the back deck. It was amazing and my mouth just watered! Can you taste it as I am describing it to you? It was a lush oasis for the weary soul with a wall around it adorned with flowers and small trees of all kinds. When I didn’t think it could get any better, they took us upstairs to the balcony of the master suite that overlooked the lushest rolling hillside I have ever seen. It was all just a drop in the bucket though when they showed you the view from the upper deck that ran the whole width of the house. From here, you had

“Wake up honey, wake up”. “What, where am I?”

Darling, you just keep right on thinking that! Please understand, I think my husband is about as close to perfect as one man on earth can be but unless he gets me that house he will fall a little short. That is Okay though because I am learning to be content with what I have. From my porch, I can see the world and God’s incredible creation. Every once in a while, I am blessed to get to witness it from another viewpoint but always, always in awe of His creation. From the mountain tops to the seashore, God has painted a canvas more beautiful than humanly possible. Please don’t miss it. If you have trouble seeing it just close your eyes and feel the warmth of the sun or feel the gently breeze as it moves from tree to tree. You really don’t have to see it to see it! I can see it with my eyes shut. That is what faith is all about. Do you see it now? Blessings, Love and Laughter

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 11

Questions, Queries and Quests

Allowing Questions to Clarify Your Quest as a Mom

by Jackie E. Perry, MS, LPCS, NCC

ave you ever noticed how one really good question can take hold of your heart and mind for days? Powerful questions have a way of doing that. They invite us to contemplate and consider something anew. Other times, they allow us to condense things down to what matters most. Following the recent death of a beloved teenager in our community, a good friend asked me what I really desired most for my kids before they die. Without hesitation, I responded by telling her I most longed to see my kids fully committed to Christ, steadily growing in their faith and wholeheartedly seeking and yielding to His daily will. As soon as I said that I heard a second, more penetrating whisper within me say, “Then, what are you continually doing, saying, encouraging and standing upon to foster this desire?” This question has simmered in my soul for some time now. I know that my teenager’s relationship with Christ occurs by and through the redemptive and supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. I also know, however, that both my husband and I play a very critical role in this process and their overall spiritual growth. As parents of His kids we are charged with encouraging and fostering our great desire (because it is ultimately His great desire) in every way that we possibly can. When they were little this was so much easier. They loved talking about Jesus, reading Bible stories, going to church, and attending VBS. They chose to watch wholesome videos, participate in family devotions and always seemed open to conversations about God. And, then they became teenagers. (This should be the name of my book!) Little did we know that the hardest, yet arguably the most important chapter in fostering a kids’ faith in Christ was just beginning. But now, their enthusiasm over all things Jesus seemed to slowly wane. Their growing interest in pop culture and social media began to lure them away from the solid foundation I thought was there. Pressure from the outside and disappointments and disillusionment at home began to impact their interest in God at times. There are days, weeks where my greatest desire is unfolding before me. Other days their resistance overshadows, or perhaps just disguises, their receptivity. Raising Christ centered teens in a world so opposed to Him can be incredibly difficult at times. As teens age and grow more independent, we can easily grow weak and weary. Our deep desire can easily dishearten us rather than inspire us. As we enter the home stretch as moms of teenagers, let’s reach out to other moms who are in it with us. United in faith we can encourage each other to: •

Stand firm and allow our standards, guidelines and expectations reflect our faith in Christ. Even when our kids hate us. Even when our kid’s friends hate us. Even if our own peers question or mock

pg 12 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

our limits, values or principles. These will forever represent what we believe in and what we choose to stand for. •

Humbly admit we all need the help and support of others (especially our church family). The influences and norms of our culture and community are strong- stronger than us at times. We need other people to hear us, affirm us, and encourage us to remain focused. We all need safe people who don’t judge our struggles or weak moments yet who invite us to the foot of the cross. Here we resist the urge to pretend that all is well. The Enemy is committed to steal, kill and destroy our teens and wants every mom to deny their need for support.

•

Strongly encourage (or even require) our teens to be involved in youth ministry. Because teens are in the process of separating and individuating, they need other godly adults who will stand firm in their faith and steer our kids toward Him in the midst of their storms. We are NOT abdicating the discipleship of our teens by allowing these relationships. Instead, we are partnering with others in the body of Christ to equip and encourage our teens. We need this and they need this.

Walk the walk ourselves. By far the best thing we can do during our kids’ teen years is to remain continually devoted followers of Christ. You are not alone. We must lean on Him to refine us as we seek Him daily. There are no guarantees, no formulas, no surefire way to raise a Christcentered teen. But, as a mom I know I play a pretty central role. Today, I know that God used the death of a precious son and a question prompted by His spirit to motivate me to cling to Him and press on. I hope and pray that you will too.

Jackie E. Perry, MS, LPCS, NCC is a North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor. For the past 20 years her primary focus has been working with adolescents and families to address a myriad of problems typical of this season in development. Jackie is also a frequent speaker and writer who is passionate about using her experience to equip and encourage parents and professionals through her seminars, articles and blogs. You can follow her weekly blog, LifeGiving Streams, check out her next speaking engagement or learn more about her work at www.jackieperry.net. She is married to John and together they are parenting three teens of their own.

Everyday Counts by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border…” (1 Chronicles 4:10, ESV)

Friend to Friend

Years ago I worked with a woman in Nashville named Cindy. She was a no-nonsense publisher for a major music company. Each month she listened to the songs I wrote and gave honest, constructive feedback that required this songwriter-chick to have thick skin and wear big-girl-panties. I didn’t always love what she had to say. Total honesty? She. Scared. Me. Silly.

I wrestled with her strong, bristly opinions while at the same time grew from the pruning of her wise, professional words. She challenged me toward greater excellence and she wasn’t afraid to speak difficult words of truth.

One thing I will never forget: as she listened to the new songs I wrote, she regularly insisted that I was a “worship leader/worship writer” instead of a CCM writer/artist (Contemporary Christian Music). Drove me bananas because I was SURE I was a CCM writer/artist. Over the years, Cindy and I became friends and eventually, I came to realize that she was right all along. I am a worship leader and worship writer. And it’s not only who I am, it’s who I always was. Even when I didn’t know it and insisted otherwise. Cindy died a few months ago. Cancer stole her from us.

A few nights before she died, a large group of Nashville’s finest songwriters gathered at her bedside to celebrate her life, thank her for her impact, share stories, and sacredly sing her to the other side of glory. A knot held my throat captive as I watched the gathering on video. What a legacy. Cindy poured into so many people and spurred them on toward excellence. She lived a life of influence. I want to die like that.

I want to live like that. Don’t you?

In the Bible, a man named Jabez asked God for all the influence God would give him. Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from

pg 14 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.” (1 Chronicles 4:10) He wanted to live with impact to the max.

He pleaded to be a difference maker. Man, I’m right there with him.

We all have influence. The question is will we use our influence to sway our friends toward an awesome movie or will we influence them toward our awesome God? Will we choose to live in such a way to cause our unbelieving neighbor or co-worker to want to hear more about Jesus? Will we teach a young wife to understand how to respect her husband, or help a young mom realize that God is honored when she nurtures her demanding, thankless children? Will we help the weary parent of a prodigal see that her child’s rebellion is not her failure and not her child’s final faith chapter? It all begins with a choice. If we want to be women of impact, we need to live with our eyes wide open to God-opportunities. We need to get beyond our own agendas and ask God what HIS agenda is. Let’s ask God to bless us and enlarge the borders of our influence for Him today!

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for impacting my life with your grace and truth. Please open my eyes to see the opportunities all around me to point others to You. Stir my heart to make every day count for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Now It’s Your Turn

Consider the people in your life that you influence. Pray for fresh vision, courage, and opportunities to make an impact in their lives for Christ.

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JC’s Mom: Scripts and Social Stories By Kim Eroh

Scripts

I often say that JC has “scripts” for various social situations and when these scripts aren’t followed, his anxiety level rises and he often cannot function. Think for a minute if you went to a foreign country. Rather than driving on the right side of the road, everyone drove on the left. And what if instead of eating at the table, you ate on the floor. And instead of sleeping in a hotel room you slept outside. This would all be very unnerving. ESPECIALLY if no one warned you about it. JC relies on routines so heavily to give him the understanding of what to expect in situations. He then develops a script in his mind as to what that situation should look like (for us, things like: we drive on the right side of the road, we eat at a table, we sleep in a bed in a hotel). And if that script changes (especially without notice) his expectations aren’t met and he cannot adjust by himself.

I think of it like this:

JC lives in a box - his comfort zone. He has all of his rules and scripts setup inside that box like wallpaper. Sometimes he allows someone in there with him, but they have to also follow his scripts or he quickly kicks them out. Occasionally he will venture outside of his box, but quickly retreats back inside the safety of that comfort zone when life gets overwhelming. The walls of the box are always changing. Sometimes, they are like clear plexi-glass. He can look through to the outside world and sometimes interacts by meeting you half way. And other times, the walls are made out of bricks and there is no getting in or out. The majority of the time, I would say the walls are made out of sticks. Strong, but able to be permeated with the right tools. And just like we build our houses to protect us from the elements or rain, wind and sun - JC has built his box to protect himself from the unknown, the unexpected, and the unexplained elements of his world. So how do we get through into JC’s box? Certainly not by knocking the walls down like the big bad wolf or trying to drag him out kicking and screaming. We have to remember that this box serves a purpose for him. So we work to be included in the box, then from the inside out we can gradually adjust the structure, add to or change the scripts and maybe chip away bit by bit at the rigid walls. This is why we use visual aides and social stories.

pg 18 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

What are Social Stories?

Social stories help explain what is expected in certain situations. They can be simple short stories (we use pictures along with them) that describe a social situation and give the child a “script” to follow when one is not readily available already. For our example above, it would be like sending us to a foreign country with a guide book that says “we drive on the left side of the road, eat on the floor and sleep outside”. All of a sudden our experience isn’t surrounded by anxiety and uncertainty. We may not like it - its still outside of our comfort zone - but at least we know what to expect. Social Stories contain certain types of sentences that describe social situations and explain in detail what is expected in those situations. •

Descriptive Sentences: these are statements of fact... e.g: “Sometimes I ask for a cookie”

•

Perspective Sentences: these are statements that refer to or describe an individual’s internal state, their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or physical condition…e.g. “I like cookies”

•

Directive Sentences: these describe desired responses to social situations... e.g. “If Mommy says ‘no’ I don’t scream or cry”

•

Affirmative Sentences: these often express a commonly shared value or opinion within a given culture…e.g. “I can wait or choose something else”

It seems simplistic but after hearing the story several times, the concept is engrained and when the situation arises, a simple reminder will help ease the anxiety of the situation. In addition to molding behaviors, another important reason to use social stories is to provide preparation for the unknown. We went on vacation recently and used a social story so that JC would have a preview of what to expect so that all of the new sights and activities wouldn’t overwhelm him. They are a useful tool, along with visual schedules and first/then cards to alleviate stress in day to day activities.

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I Know That Spring Will Come! “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

have been blessed to know many friends and family that are in the winter of their life. It has caused me to look at life and think about the order of things. Take a moment and look at the world. Notice that there is clearly an “order”, “design”, a “plan.” Consider the seasons. The first fresh scent of spring, the sticky humidity of summer, the smoke-filled, golden essence of fall, and the crisp snap of the frost of winter. Just as you think you can’t bear to hear the crunch of snow under your boot for one more day the first signs of spring appear. The daffodils poke their brave heads through the soil as if to say, “Me first!” The leaves on the trees unfurl almost overnight. The birds are busier than ever planning for their new family members soon to arrive. Life begins again. Consider the sunrise. A simple day begins at dawn with the first pink hue, followed by a glint of the sun’s rays over the horizon. High overhead the sun warms the earth and activity abounds. In late afternoon the hustle dies down and before long the sun dips below the horizon to give us rest in the soft breeze of night. We do not doubt that there will be another sunrise. Consider your loved ones. When my children were little, I felt like I was the only one who had “been so tired” or “worried myself silly” or “loved so much”. Now I realize this love is not a thread between my children and me but instead a circle that came through me from my own Mother and Father and into my children. So it goes. When I stand on the shore, watching the waves gently break, my toes awash in foam, I can’t see the other shore but yet I know that it is there. Even when we don’t know what is next that is okay too. Does the baby in her mother’s womb worry about the transition from the safety of her world to the open spaces of this? Hardly, because it is part of a grand design, a perfect plan, the order of things. Then why do we have so much fear of dying? We don’t want to talk about it, or prepare our loved ones to manage the circumstances when we die. Simply observing the natural order of things would lead us to believe that death is as much a part of the process as birth. Embracing the notion that dying is nothing more than another transition allows us to take away the fear. It is because we know there is order, symmetry, and a circle of continued expansion that we can feel confident that we are headed toward a new beginning. We can’t see the other shore, yet we know that it is there. When each baby is born we celebrate a new beginning. At the end of each day we look forward to another sunrise. Open your eyes and your heart to embrace the order of things. There is no reason to fear, Spring will come.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 21

My Mother’s Poems

Submitted by Sharon Settlemyre

My mother is Mary Imagean Briscoe and I would like to tell you some things about her. She was born in January of 1934. She was only Fifteen years old when she met my father, Dean Briscoe, while getting on the back of a truck taking people to a revival. Four years later they were married in March of 1953. My mother always had trouble with her nerves, but still managed to raise three children. I was the oldest, born in 1954, my brother Kenneth was born in 1956 and then they had a second family, you could say, when I was 18 and my brother was 17. We had a baby sister Julanne, born in 1973. Mama was mostly a stay at home mom, but she had an outlet… she wrote poems. She was a Christian woman so all of her poems are about the Lord. In 1986 she had a poem published in “Our World’s Most Cherished Poems”. We were so proud of her. We found out about 5 or 6 years ago that she had dementia. Dad took care of her as long as he could, and then she went to the Lutheran Home Hickory West. After she when to the nursing home, we cleaned up her and dad’s bedroom. To our surprise we found over 80 poems. No one knew she had written this many poems. They were on scrapes of paper, old envelopes, church bulletins; whatever she could find to write on. I just knew that I had to do something with them. So I started making scrapbooks; I’d never made a scrapbook in my life, but I found her old scrapbook, when we found the poems. On the inside of her scrapbook it said; “Imagean Griffin, birthday gift from mother January 1953” and had never been used. That was the one I used for the one I gave my dad. I plan on making her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren one. I have finished eight and have eight more to do. It has been an honor to make these scrapbooks and preserve them for her family. Even though now she doesn’t know us anymore, she smiles at us and sometimes waves good-by. It is just a joy to spend time with her. We almost lost her a couple of months ago, but God was not ready for her, we were so thankful that he gave this extra time with her, and we love her and our dad dearly. I am grateful to Sophie Magazine to share this story with each of you. Sharon Settlemyre

pg 22 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

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Wait a minute, you are thinking,” Why do I have to keep my bridesmaids happy? It’s MY wedding after all.” Well, it is you wedding, but you do want it to go smoothly and without a hitch, don’t you? After spending years listening to bridesmaids complain about, well, everything, I thought you might find a few tips useful. First of all, when asking someone to participate in your wedding, do it in person. Don’t email and especially don’t text. I had one bride who actually sent out all of her prospective bridesmaids’ emails at the same time and from her work email address at that. To be asked to be a bridesmaid in someone’s wedding is an honor, but it needs to be done face to face. And definitely not as a group. Be considerate when asking someone to be in your wedding. If they live across the country, keep in mind the expense they will be absorbing, not just for travel, but also for their hotel, food and transportation to the venue. Also, diplomatically let them know that they aren’t expected to come for every bridal function. (I did say be diplomatic.) But if they choose to do so, let them know it is greatly appreciated. pg 24 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

So often, a bride will ask her college suitemates to be in her wedding. Usually these are the girls that know everything about each other. So make sure when you think about doing this, that there are no animosities between any of the girls left over from college days. If there are, I can guarantee that problems will arise during the festivities, if not before. And if you are thinking about only asking certain ones, have an explanation ready. You are crossing a very thin wire when picking and choosing among friends. When shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses, only take one person with you, mother, aunt or someone that has no vested interest in them. Have a color in mind when you go and do try to keep in mind ALL the girls’ shapes and budgets. This is not a time for revenge. Always keep the big picture in mind. When you see the wedding photos for the first time, nothing but you and the groom should stand out. Everyone and everything else should compliment the two of you. If you have a bridesmaid that tends to be a little outspoken and has already expressed her concern about something, take care of it right away. As I have said before, there will always be someone unhappy about something. You don’t need that added stress the day of YOUR wedding. If it can’t be resolved in a reasonable fashion, kindly say that you understand, but it is your decision and you are the bride. And you would like for them to attend even if they can’t participate. Chances are they won’t show up and they may defriend you on Facebook. Oh, well. Don’t be a diva. We owe that word and a lot more to the over rated TV shows that use the word “reality” in a whole new context. Use common sense when speaking to anyone involved with your wedding. The availability of the girls may vary. Some may have families or demanding jobs, so they may not be able to attend all of the prewedding festivities. It doesn’t mean they don’t care, but that they have a life. And the same goes for gifts. Don’t expect them to have a gift for every little thing.

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www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 25

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Avoid Halloween Makeup Allergies and Other Reactions What are the horrors of Halloween? Many might say encountering a gruesome ghoul or a blood-sucking vampire is the most horrific part of Halloween. However, an allergic reaction can be just as scary as ghosts and goblins come Halloween. The candy a child eats, the makeup kids use as part of their costumes or even the costume itself can cause an allergic reaction. Parents and kids need to be careful and exercise their due diligence to avoid possible allergens. Makeup - According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Halloween makeup can trigger an allergic reaction or symptoms of asthma. Inexpensive makeup may contain preservatives that can cause a rash and swelling of the skin. Formaldehyde is a very common preservative used in many of these products, but some products labeled "formaldehyde-free" can still cause allergic reactions. Certain makeup is not advisable to use around the mouth or eyes, so be certain to check all packaging for any warnings. High-quality theater makeup may be a better option than the cheap crayon sticks sold at costume stores. In any event, always test makeup on a small area of the skin well in advance of Halloween. If a rash or any abnormality occurs, do not use the makeup. Costumes - Costumes can induce an allergic reaction as well. If costumes are older and packed away in a basement or attic, trapped dust and dust mites can make it difficult for those with allergies or asthma to breathe. Accessories used for many common Halloween costumes also may cause reactions. Crowns, magic wands and faux jewelry that uses metals like nickel may cause rashes and irritation. Beware of nickel and cobalt, which can trigger allergic reactions. Decorations - Those who want to create a spooky environment at their Halloween parties should be advised that fog machines can trigger asthma attacks in some people. It's best to check with party attendants before firing up the fog machine. Edible treats - Food allergies abound in children and adults. Many commercially produced candy and chocolate bars are manufactured in factories that also process peanuts and other tree nuts, so exercise caution with treats. Baked goods may contain wheat, gluten, eggs, soy, and any number of other food allergens. It's wise to have a variety of inedible treats available for trick-or-treaters or party-goers, including stickers, pencils and small toys. Halloween should be an enjoyable day for the young and the young at heart. This beloved holiday can be made safer by avoiding common allergy triggers.

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Give yourself the gift of unplugging I hear too many people state how much they dread the holiday season and this, quite frankly, breaks my heart. The joy and fa la la la la have been replaced with bah humbug in a big way. This is why I chose this month, October, to talk about the value of unplugging. Part of the reason so many of us are unable to enjoy the holiday season is because of the chaos within our own minds and lives, making it impossible to feel like ho ho hoing. Chances are, the first thing that came to mind when I used the word “unplugging” was all of your electronic devices. This is a whole topic in and of itself. Each and every one of us knows we are too attached to these marvels of technology. No, the unplugging I am talking about is what weighs us down and continuously distracts us in other ways. Unurgent Demands: How many times throughout a day, week, or month do you drop everything to do something for someone else? And worse yet, that something you are doing: 1) the person requesting could easily do it themselves, or 2) wasn’t something that had to be done at that moment, and 3) caused you to lose even more momentum in order to regroup or refocus once your attention was back on what you were doing in the first place. Sound familiar? When someone requests something of you, consider if it really is urgent, necessary or something that that person could do themselves. Negative Influences: Nothing drains us more than negative people, situations, news, and the list goes on. And guess what? You have a choice to choose positivity. You really do. When you are around that friend that always seems to talk negatively. Turn the conversation around by responding with a positive every time. Even change the subject to a more positive conversation. Choose to watch and listen to information that is enlightening, empowering and enjoyable instead of doomsday news and information. Choose to think about something positive in your life whenever anything unfavorable occurs. Pleasing Everyone: We, as women, tend to feel that the whole world relies upon us to keep things in equilibrium. As a result, we want everyone to be happy, too often, at the expense of our own happiness. As we gear up for the holidays, this can take on monumental proportions in scheduling, juggling and appeasing. My goodness! What is the worse that will happen if everyone is not getting things exactly their way? I venture to guess that it is your own high expectations that are causing you angst, and many of those wonderful people in your life would be just as happy with you not being so stressed out in your attempts to make them happy.

Lost Opportunities: How much time are you spending dwelling on things that might have been or could have been? In this journey called life, we will not be able to leverage every opportunity that comes before us or embrace every opportunity as we would ultimately like. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Instead, focus on the new opportunities before you and how you can leverage and embrace them. Learn and engage yourself in the lessons from missed opportunities to catapult another opportunity forward. Instead of being disappointed, let them go in order to be able to focus on the opportunities you have right now. Unnecessary Worrying: Our human ability to think and imagine are both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is in how our imaginations and thinking innovate, create, motivate, inspire, and empower us and others as a result of our ideas and insights. The curse is when we allow our imagination and thinking to steal the best of us in exchange for worry and doubt. If you are a self-proclaimed worrier, it is time to unplug in a big way. Replace worry with wonder in positive, ideal outcomes instead of the doom and gloom. Getting Even: When something occurs that feels unfair or unjust, it is easy to want to retaliate as a means of easing the disappointment or appearance of being taken advantage of in the process. What does this really get you in the long run? Another distraction is an obsession on evenly distributing affection, gift giving and investment of time or money with family to not look as though you are playing favorites. In one family, every adult child would get the exact same gift. The underlying feeling was that spending the exact same amount of money was more important than the act of giving. Gift-giving felt like an obligation instead of a meaningful display of affection and appreciation for each individual relationship. Giving yourself the gift of unplugging will prove to be liberating in ways you cannot even imagine right now. All the more reason to do it. By unplugging, you become more plugged into what really matters. Guaranteed.

Bio: Sherré DeMao inspires millions through her monthly columns, weekly Insight eZine and national contributing writing. An expert strategist and marketer focused on entrepreneurs, her unique perspective and innovative approach has earned numerous awards regionally, nationally and internationally including being named among the Top 50 Enterprising Women of North America in 2007. Her books, Me, Myself & Inc. (www.memyselfandinc.com) and 50 Marketing Secrets (www.50marketingsecrets.com) have received national acclaim as Top Business Shelf picks and must-reads.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 29

Think Small! by Susan Guest, ASID

s few as 20 years ago, we were all in a race to see who could have the biggest and most impressive homes. I had clients who struggled to fill such large spaces. Furniture that looked great in their former house was dwarfed in the huge living room with the cathedral ceiling. Sofas grew to over 100 inches as the room sizes increased.

Even before the economic downturn, many of us have made a conscious effort to simplify and downsize. The “McMansions” from the ‘90s are losing appeal and homes and furniture are shrinking. Wasted space, such as the large foyer with the huge Palladian window, is not as common in new construction. Sara Suzanka wrote a book several years ago called “The Not So Big House”. Her book started a trend of building higher quality homes with more dollars spent per square foot but with less space. Now the trend of smaller and more energy-efficient homes is going to the extreme. One of my favorite TV shows is “House Hunters, Off the Grid”. Couples on this show shop for houses that are in trees in a forest or underground dug-outs in the desert. Some have no electricity or running water and are out in the middle of nowhere. A real estate trend that is sweeping the world is “micro houses”. In an effort to save money, simplify, and have a lower energy footprint; people are rethinking their needs. Tiny houses are popping up all over the globe. These structures are usually 65 to 400 square feet. Many are powered by solar panels and propane tanks. Some have composting toilets. According to Business Insider, “The benefits of tiny house living are endless. The homes are easy to manage, not to mention better for the environment. The size limitation forces tenants to de-clutter their lives and keep only the necessities.” I saw some of these homes in modular form at the Dwell exhibition in Los Angeles last summer. Many were made of recycled materials and were small two rooms with a tiny bath. Two could be put together joined with a breezeway to form a larger home. I could have easily lived in one of these if the view

pg 30 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

was incredible, but I would have struggle to find enough space for clothes and shoes!

Another trend that is being combined with the micro houses is the use of recycled materials. I’ve seen photos of homes made from freight containers-some stacked together or joined with a breezeway. Other homes are being built from grain silos. Old windows, rubber tires, and all kinds of discarded wastes are getting a new life in the construction of residences.

Tiny homes can be cute fairly-like structures. They can be tree houses. They can also look like a hobbit structure. They can float on water or be constructed on top of a larger building. Price tags on many are $6000-25000. Annual energy costs can be less than $1000. They could be the answer to homelessness, disaster relief, re-use of discarded materials, high energy costs, debt, and lack of available land. Micro houses can be fun and creative. They can be a great choice for those of us who refuse to “grow up”. There are some obvious disadvantages-including the bath being very close to the kitchen and having to constantly de-clutter. If you are considering building a micro house, you might want to research the places across the country where you can rent one for a few days. This will give you a chance to see if building smaller is a good option for you and your family. Most people who have built these houses have done so to save money, but have found that their new lifestyle is fulfilling.

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

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Recipes for ife

heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words …” 2 Pet. 2:1-3, NASB

Food for the Body

•

by Emily Wickham

Maybe we think it could never happen to us. Be deceived by a false teacher? Oh, that wouldn’t happen in our community … not in our Biblebelieving, family-oriented Christian area … not in any of our churches filled with good-hearted folks. Yet when we assume we’re immune, the evil one can strike sneakily. I don’t possess a perfect plan for ensuring safety from false teachers. I can’t recommend every aspect of how to proceed carefully. But I do promote five key protective measures: •

(Recipe via Sherry Stuesse from her work supervisor) Broccoli Casserole 16-20 oz. broccoli (frozen or fresh) 1 can cream of mushroom soup* ¼ c. mayonnaise 1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded Breadcrumbs Steam broccoli until just tender. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well so broccoli is covered. Put in a greased baking dish, cover with foil, and bake on 350 degrees until bubbly (approximately 20 minutes). Uncover and sprinkle breadcrumbs to taste on top and continue baking another five minutes. * I use more than one can of soup as needed.

A Prayer for God’s Blessing Father in Heaven, You are holy, holy, holy … and true. Christ alone is the way, truth, and life. I confess my human tendency to elevate others who stand out in the Christian community. Thank You for always remaining faithful despite my periodic faithlessness. Please purify my heart, granting me a single eye reserved for You … You alone. In the matchless name of Jesus, Your Son, Amen.

Food for the Soul Vegetables. I enjoy them immensely and appreciate their dietary value, but I find it difficult to prepare them creatively. And if vegetables aren’t packaged tastefully, many people turn up their noses—especially children. Enter broccoli casserole: a deliciously cheesy combination of five ingredients that pleases every time. Isn’t it fascinating how the correct combination makes such a positive difference? Just as easily, a wrong mixture produces negative effects. In the culinary world as well as the spiritual domain, details matter. Just one error—though seemingly small—can cause disastrous results. We MUST be aware and knowledgeable. “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive

•

Know God’s Word. If we don’t read and study the Bible personally, we set ourselves up for deception. Let’s imitate the Bereans, who “received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. God faithfully gives the Spirit, who provides crucial guidance, to every Christian at the moment of salvation. John 14:26 reads, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Listen, observe carefully, and compare to God’s Word. Scripture provides insight into the character and lifestyle of a false teacher. Consider 1 Tim. 6:3-10, then ask: Do my pastor and church leaders display godliness or conceit? Further, how do they view and handle money—at church … at home? Exposing reality, answers to these and other challenging questions rightly reveal the heart. Research. A wonderful tool, the Internet excessively supplies information. Certainly we need to practice discernment because obviously not everything is accurate. However, a lot of helpful, truthful material can be accessed online. We should wisely utilize this opportunity to learn more about the beliefs and connections of prominent pastors, teachers, leaders, etc. Pray. God lovingly hears our concerns and requests. Wondrously He answers. If we’re unsure about a particular leader or ministry, by all means we must pray. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it …” (Col. 4:2).

Finally, as we earnestly seek to avoid false teachers and the lies they promote, much clarity can be derived from a person’s response to one basic inquiry: Who is Jesus Christ? Of course, He is the eternal Son of God. He IS God. No other perspective or fancifully worded definition will do. “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Details matter—in the kitchen, and far more importantly, in our understanding of truth. Let’s diligently do our part to clearly know Who and what we believe, along with why. Until next time, that’s a Recipe for Life…

Emily Wickham gently reaches women’s hearts as she teaches God’s ! Through various writing endeavors, she encourages readers Word. into close relationship with God. Additionally she hosts and speaks at the Connecting with Christ Conference. Visit www.proclaiminghimtowomen.com to read Emily’s blog. Connect with her via social media: www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author www.twitter.com/emilywickhamPH Emily, grateful to God for His blessings, enjoys life with her loving husband and children in western NC.

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 33

SEEK PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL HELP – There needs to be a proper diagnosis from a medical professional (preferably someone who deals in dementia care). First see your family Doctor for a complete physical and rule out any other possible causes for confusion. Next seek out a Neurologist (you can ask your primary Doctor for a referral)– this person will be up to date on research, medical therapies and other things you can do to assist your family member. You want to make sure that you know exactly what you are dealing with. There are many different types of dementia and you want to have the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. *At the Neurologist visit bring a complete medical history regarding your family member including medications they are taking. If possible compile a diary of your family member’s behaviors (eating habits, waking and sleep habits, times of day when they seem to be more active or agitated, possible triggers to specific behaviors). All of these things will help your Doctor get a more precise picture of what you are dealing with. Most important- be honest and forthcoming with what is happening – this is not the time to keep things under wraps.

DEMENTIA CARE:

Taking Proactive Steps

ou’ve lost your phone……AGAIN! You shout to your husband, “Have you seen my phone? I swear this is the third time this week I’ve lost it. I think I must have Alzheimer’s.” Thankfully, you find it (it was in your purse!). All is well! Until my life was touched by families that are dealing with dementia a statement like this never even phased me. NOW? It makes a difference. Stay with me folks for just a few statistics. Today over 5 Million Americans are living with dementia, and in 2050, it could be as many as 16 Million. In 2012, 15.4 Million family and friends provided over 17 Billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia – care valued at more than $216 Billion. Recently I was at a meeting and met a young woman who was more than a statistic. She was dealing with the heartbreak of how Alzheimer’s disease was effecting her own family. Her father had Alzheimer’s disease and her mom had been caring for him for a few years. Recently his symptoms and behaviors had gotten more complex. Mom was no longer able to leave him home alone, he had also become more aggressive. Mom was caring for him primarily alone and had little support. They both had become more and more housebound because of his illness and now HER health had also started to suffer. Friends had been much less available of late and church family had also not stepped up. This daughter was visibly distraught. “I don’t know what we are going to do. I am so worried about my mom. I help as much as I can but dad is becoming more and more difficult. We think it’s Alzheimer’s, at least that’s what we were told but we’re not completely sure. Do you have any advice? We really need some help.” I could hear the frustration and fear in her voice and my heart went out to her and her family. Unfortunately this scenario is all too common. Families are often reticent to share their situation with others either because of embarrassment or not wanting to burden anyone. This is a mistake. Dementia is something that needs to be diagnosed and treated early. So what is a family to do? Here we are at a crossroads where we once again have to “Read the Signs”. There are some Proactive Steps that you can take:

pg 34 | Sophie Woman’s Magazine | October 2014

FIND SUPPORT – Caring for a loved one with dementia is emotionally and physically draining. No one can do this alone – and a primary care giver will need support. Have a family meeting. Be open and honest about the need to share responsibilities, the need for caregiver respite and the possible need for financial assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and/or friends. Contact and attend a local support group. Sometimes just talking with someone who has experienced these same things can be a comfort and an inspiration. You can find a local support group in your area by contacting the Alzheimer’s Association at www. alz.org. PAPERWORK –Many families wait much too late to get their legal house in order. Don’t let that be you. If you or your family member are in the early stages of dementia you will want to make sure that the proper legal forms are in order to assist in executing your wishes. Here are the documents you will need to have: • Living Will • Healthcare Power of Attorney • Financial Power of Attorney • Last Will and Testament • DNR ( do not resuscitate document if desired) • To find out more about legal documentation go to: • www.alz.org/national/documents/brochure_legalplans.pdf HOMEWORK and RESEARCH– We don’t know what the future holdsbut Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease and you will need to have plans in place for potential care. We all would love to stay home of course but we do need to consider that we may need in home care or possibly a care community. Alzheimer’s disease effects not only memory but also functionality of the body. We need to be prepared. Knowledge is power. Knowing what type of care is available, the costs, and possible assistance that could be available to you can be life changing. Do not wait until the need is at critical mass. NOTE* -Medicare does NOT pay for long term care for patients with dementia. Nothing can prepare us for dealing with dementia or having a family member who is facing these challenges. What we CAN do is be proactive. Taking an active role in the decision making can help us deal with the fear and frustration that we will face. Asking for help is a sign of strength. “Reading the Signs” can be the a first right step. Cyndi C. Caldwell Certified Senior Advisor* Seniors Helping Seniors EMAIL: cloucaldwell@gmail.com

www.sophiewomansmagazine.com | pg 35

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Our Monthly Feature

shutterbuggerz Here are some of the photos from our September Showcase!

Submitted by Lindsey Elaine Photography

Photos of Everyday people, places, and events as seen through the eyes of the area's professional and amateur photographers!

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