Carroll EMC Members can receive a one-time $250 rebate for installing an approved electric vehicle home charger.
Photo by Brittany Ann Photography
Counting My Blessings
As I reflect on the last 12 months, I am filled with joy and humble gratitude at the multitude of blessings I have been given. None of these blessings stand alone – they have all been created from the support, encouragement and kindness of so many people around me.
This past year also reminds me of the incredible strength and resilience that thrives within our community. I've seen neighbors helping neighbors, community leaders stepping up with kindness and compassion, and countless individuals giving generously of their time, treasure and talents. This is what makes our community so special, and I'm so grateful we can be a small part of it.
Looking ahead to 2026, my gratitude motivates me to continue contributing to this shared purpose in every way I am able, and I hope to take the blessings I have received and pass them on to others.
In This Issue
Our feature this month is 15-year-old Bremen High School sophomore Annalee Price. When Annalee was 8 years old, she entered a local beauty pageant on a whim. She borrowed a dress from a friend, and walked away with a crown that day. That experience fueled a passion for Annalee. Since then, she has competed in numerous pageants at the local, state, national and international levels.
As a pageant queen, Annalee uses her success to help people in West Georgia through various community service projects focused on hunger, homelessness, strained school budgets and the emotional needs of children.
On page 10, learn more about Annalee and her heart for helping others in need. (Fun fact: Annalee's dad Marc Price was one of the store managers at Publix in Carrollton when I started my business. He was kind enough to let me put our very first magazine rack in his store. It's funny how things always seem to come around full circle, isn't it?)
As you flip through the pages of this issue, you'll learn how to unpack the stress of moving, how to truly achieve a healthy work/life balance, handmade Christmas gifts that show you care, the never-ending journey of attaining emotional maturity and, of course, Chef Rose Isaacs offers two delicious recipes. We've also included photos from our 10-year anniversary event last month.
Thank you for reading our magazine. I'm truly grateful for you, and I hope you'll continue to do business with our wonderful community partners included in this issue. Without them, there would be no West Georgia Woman magazine. I wish you abundant joy and happiness this holiday season, and I'm looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Merry Christmas!
Publisher
Dr. Fred Richards was a great friend and helper of Santa Claus for 40 years in Carrollton, Ga. Photo by Zachary Dailey.
Finding our voice. Knowing our value.
Making a difference. TM
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From Pageants to Projects
Teen uses pageant success as a springboard for community service
By Shala Rathke
Photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography. Community service photos provided by the Price family.
Many teen girls dream about living a glamorous beauty queen life, seeing it as the epitome of fame and success. The reality of participating in pageants is very different from what movies often portray, however.
While looks, poise and confidence play a part, pageants these days consider the person as a whole, looking at traits like her character, service, intelligence and talent. Annalee Price, a 15-yearold high school sophomore from Bremen, Ga., is the whole package, using her love of competing in pageants as a way to explore and address needs in her community, transforming it into a platform for compassion, leadership and change.
Annalee walked across her first pageant stage almost by accident at age 8. “My first pageant was the Miss Fried Pie Pageant when I was just 8 years old,” Annalee shares. “The Fried Pie Festival is held each year in Buchanan, Ga., and I believe that was the first year they added a pageant to the event. My mom saw the advertisement and asked if I wanted to participate just for fun. I said, ‘Sure!’ I borrowed a dress from a friend, ended up winning a crown, and that was the start of my pageant journey.”
That dress borrowed on a whim has since grown into a mission driven by Annalee’s service mindset fueled by her empathy for others.
Her mother Jennifer says she was as surprised as anyone when Annalee decided to move forward with bigger pageants.
“I was definitely not involved in pageants when I was younger,” she explains. “I was an athlete and played softball and basketball growing up and never dreamed we'd have a ‘pageant girl,’ but I wouldn't trade it for the world. When I casually showed Annalee the advertisement for the Miss Fried Pie Pageant, I would have never envisioned that she would go on to compete in pageants at the local, state, national and international levels like she has! She is such an encouragement to me and is a testament of learning that she truly can ‘do hard things.’”
Purposeful Projects
Another skill pageants cultivate is a community service mindset – looking for meaningful ways to make a difference, and being able to communicate that need effectively enough to get others involved in the service projects. While pageant queens sometimes focus on a single mission, Annalee discovered several issues directly affecting West Georgia: hunger, homelessness, strained school budgets and the emotional needs of children. All of these tugged at her heart, so she set out to make a difference.
One of her earliest and most meaningful projects began with a simple, heartfelt conversation.
“One day when I was 10 years old, my mom and I were at the kitchen
Fifteen-year-old Annalee Price competes in pageants at the local, state, national and international levels. Photo by Sheldon Smith.
table, and she said, ‘Annalee, I love you so much.’ I playfully replied, ‘Mama, you tell me that all the time!’ She told me that she truly loved me and that there are children out there that don't hear that every day or even every week like I do. That broke my heart, and I wanted to do something to make sure that kids in my community knew they were loved.”
She began making monthly “You Are Loved” bags for children visiting the Community Christian Council (CCC) food bank Kid’s Club.
“I started making bags with a small Beanie Babysized stuffed animal, a couple snacks for school and a handwritten note that just says, ‘You Are Loved.’ I still serve there every month five years later and have given out over 1,800 bags in five years here as well as internationally to other food banks.”
The impact of this small act of kindness is immediate. “The kids' eyes always get big when they see the bag, and they're usually drawn to the stuffed animal,” Annalee relates. “I know the snacks are appreciated the next day for school, and I pray the little note brings them some love when they read it at home.”
Food insecurity for children hits home with thousands of families in West Georgia. One in five children in Georgia don’t have enough food at home. Carroll, Haralson and surrounding counties consistently rank among the highest-need regions
for childhood hunger in the state, according to the Georgia Food Bank Association. In Carroll County alone, nearly 66% of families with children are eligible for federal nutrition assistance based on income.
In West Georgia, tens of thousands of children rely on food banks each year for supplemental meals and snacks. Annalee’s bags don’t just offer food for these children – they offer belonging and companionship.
At the CCC Christmas event where volunteers hand out items like food, toys, books and diapers to parents, one child’s wish has stayed in her heart. “A lady came up and said she has a 6-year-old son, so I picked out a giant stuffed panda bear for him,” Annalee remembers. “She began to cry, and I asked her if she was OK. She said that her son had asked for a panda toy for Christmas but that she couldn't find one she could afford, and she was just so thankful for that stuffed bear.
“I knew at that moment that God led me to that panda bear, and that only He could have blessed this lady and her son. It opened my eyes to the simplest needs and wants of people in our area and that we can be a light to them in the simplest ways.”
For Annalee, that moment proved how small acts
Annalee's first pageant brought her a crown and a love for pageantry.
matter. She hopes her “You Are Loved” bags send a clear message to the children who receive them. “If I could share one message with the kids who receive the bags it would be that no matter what they may be going through, there is always someone who loves them for who they are and is there for them – especially me. My motto for my ministry is, ‘Whether on Earth or from up above, always remember that you are loved.’ That is what I want them to remember when they hold that stuffed animal when they go to bed at night.”
Her "Hoodies for Homeless" program also had modest beginnings, starting with a simple closet clean-out three years
Bremen • Carrollton • Douglasville
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ago. She and her brother, 19-year-old Brady, were cleaning out their closets, and they decided to donate the hoodies they could no longer wear to someone in need. They contacted the homeless shelter in Carrollton through Impact West Georgia. “They were eager to receive them, which inspired me to start a ‘Hoodies for Homeless’ drive on social media,” she remembers. “Since hoodies are so popular, I knew many people might have extras to give. The response was so positive – our first year brought in 50 hoodies, and last year we collected 80. I also expanded the drive last year to include socks and blankets, gathering 80 of those as well.”
This time of year, items such as hoodies, socks and blankets can make the difference between life and death for people
Annalee at the Community Christian Council's annual Christmas event, where volunteers hand out items like food, toys, books and diapers to parents.
experiencing homelessness. About 59,000 children statewide experience homelessness annually, making warm clothing a critical need. The number of people experiencing homelessness at least one night in 2024 increased 33% nationwide over 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which makes Annalee’s "Hoodies for Homeless" program that much more impactive in West Georgia.
While the program attempts to meet a large need, Annalee recognizes smaller, more personal needs as well, including supporting those who support kids all day.
“When I was in 4th grade, I heard that teachers spend over $500 each year on basic school supplies, and I knew I could help make that a little easier for them,” she explains.
She asked local teachers what they used the most, and tissues came through as an overwhelming need. “So, 'Tissues for Teachers' was born,” she recalls. “Over the next five years, I received donations of tissues and money to purchase 500 boxes of tissues. My favorite part was delivering them to the teachers' rooms after school and leaving a little note from the ‘Tissue Fairy.’”
Nationwide, 94% of teachers use personal
funds to buy classroom supplies, with the average American teacher spending $450-$600 out of pocket every year. While teachers need tissues all year, the
Please Help Us Build a Memorial Bench for Dr. Fred Richards
Sculptor Kevin Shunn will be creating a bronze memorial statue of Fred with a bench.
The Carrollton Fraternal Order of Police is collecting donations through its Barry Carroll Foundation for this project.
If you wish to donate to Fred's legacy project, please make your check payable to the Barry Carroll Foundation, with "Fred Richards Memorial Bench" in the memo line.
Checks can be dropped off at the City of Carrollton Police Department or mailed to:
Barry Carroll Foundation c/o Chief Joel Richards, 115 W. Center St., Carrollton, Ga. 30117.
Or, you may donate through PayPal or Venmo using the QR codes on the left. Please reference the "Fred Richards Memorial Bench" in the "for" section.
Annalee, with Impact West Georgia President and CEO Kathy Parsons. Annalee's "Hoodies for Homeless" project benefits the Impact West Georgia homeless program.
HELP IS HERE
Providing safe shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence in Carroll, Coweta, Haralson, Heard and Meriwether Counties.
need becomes greater during cold and flu season. Most schools don’t provide tissues for classrooms, which means teachers must pay out of pocket or rely on parent donations – which are easier for elementary grades, but much harder for middle and high school teachers, where parents aren’t in the schools or classrooms as often.
In addition to helping keep teachers and students healthy, Annalee tries to bring inspiration directly into classrooms with her RISE Above presentations. She has a deeply personal message she hopes resonates with younger children.
“Over the last year, I have started taking my message into elementary classrooms and have given presentations on rising above challenges that kids may face using the RISE acronym – Reach, Inspire, Serve and Empower – which is part of the Royalty
USA national pageant system,” she says.
“I currently hold the Georgia Junior Teen title for that system and really love what they stand for. I have a math learning disability called dyscalculia that I work through every single day, and I have been able to share the RISE message with over 150 students over the last year to remind them that what makes us different makes us powerful, and that we can rise above anything life throws our way.”
Annalee remembers an influential teacher from 5th grade –Carla Coppett – and she hopes to make a difference in other people’s lives the way her teacher did for her.
Over the last year, Annalee has given multiple presentations to elementary classrooms sharing the message of rising above the challenges kids may face using the RISE acronym – Reach, Inspire, Serve and Empower – a part of the Royalty USA national pageant system. Annalee currently holds the Georgia Junior Teen title for that system.
“She helped me believe I could do anything I put my mind to and has always let me know she is here for me. She still checks in on me today and supports me at pageants, came to see me on the Homecoming court and still gives the best hugs. I just want to be as caring and compassionate to other kids as she has been to me.”
Jennifer remembers many of Annalee’s accomplishments with pride, but she’s especially proud of Annalee’s true and caring nature. She
recalls a community service event where Annalee felt moved to pray with one of the ladies in need.
“She was helping her load her car with items for her child, and Annalee boldly prayed for her and her children,” Jennifer relates. “That was one of those moments where it was all worth it, just to know that she sees beyond her 15-yearold self and wants to make a difference in her community and the lives of others.”
Annalee hopes her story inspires others to look for needs and work to make life better for the community as a whole. “If you want to get involved in community service, there are SO many needs in our area from food pantries to soup kitchens, to church clothing banks, coat drives, foster care closets, Toys for Tots and beyond,” she shares. “You don't have to do anything fancy to get involved; just picking up trash in your neighborhood or ringing the Salvation Army bell one Saturday are great ways to serve.
“There are so many ways to show love – we just have to be willing to open our eyes and serve in ways that bring a little light wherever we go.” WGW
Balancing Act
Making time for yourself in a busy world
By Sandra Bolan and Angela Dailey
You’re the first one in the office and the last one to leave, yet you feel like you’ve accomplished nothing at the end of the day because your to-do pile only got higher at the office and at home.
The popular credo, "Work smarter, not harder," should be applied to the office if you want to find some semblance of work/life balance.
Sometimes people assume that by putting in more hours at work, they'll be more productive. Wrong. When people are constantly “on,” it becomes harder and harder for them to focus as the day goes by, and there comes a point where no amount of caffeine will help.
Studies show employees who log off at the prescribed quitting time and don’t check back in until the next day are 20 percent more productive
than employees who burn the midnight oil or drop everything to answer every work-related ping their phone makes.
Ideally, a balanced life is much like the separation
of church and state – work stays at the office and the home stays out of the office.
But what does a work/life balance look like? It can be different for everyone. A single mother with two young children has vastly different demands on the home front versus someone who has just entered the workforce and only has herself, a cat and a houseplant to worry about.
Unhealthy Work/Life Balance
An unhealthy work/life balance happens when work takes precedence over your personal life. Typically, this happens so gradually that you barely even notice. Sometimes, it starts by going into the office a little earlier to take advantage of the quiet. Then, you may stay later for a meeting that accommodates other people’s schedules. Eventually, you might “drop by” the office over the weekend to ensure a project someone else was supposed to do was completed. Those quick pop-ins can turn into hours of sitting behind your desk, until one day you may not remember the last time you took a national holiday off, let alone went on vacation.
Your home life may look like this: the fridge may be full of half-eaten take-out; you feel it's easier
Your local agent for home & auto
to buy a new pair of pants and a shirt than to do a whole load of laundry, or you can't seem to find the time to take your clothes to the dry cleaner; You have no idea where the toilet bowl brush is because you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your apartment.
Things may even snowball to the point where you do absolutely nothing just for fun anymore.
Achieving Balance
If you can’t remember the last time you had dinner with your family or hung out with your friends, then you’re probably feeling as if there’s no way to hit the reset button. But it is possible.
The goal of having a work/life balance isn’t to have a perfect 50/50 split every day but to create a rhythm you can sustain over the long haul. Think of it as marathon training versus training for a 5K.
The first thing you should do is set clear boundaries for yourself as well as your co-workers and superiors. When you’re at the office, work should receive your undivided attention – no social media trolling or online shopping allowed – unless you're on your scheduled break. When you leave the building at the end of each day – which should
be closer to 5 p.m. than 11 p.m. – leave your work behind, physically and mentally.
Here are a few ways you can achieve the work/life balance you may dream of having:
• Plan ahead. Before you clock out at the end of the day, create a to-do list for the next day. Start with the most important items at the top, then work your way down.
• Follow the 1-3-5 rule. Each day, tackle one big project, three medium tasks and five smaller items. The goal is to complete all nine assignments in one day, without making any additions or subtractions, until they’re all done. The premise behind this method is to make tangible progress (literally checking items off the to-do list) while maintaining a manageable workload.
• Focus on one project at a time. Multi-tasking doesn’t always work. Focus on one thing for a specific amount of time, then move on.
• Set boundaries in the workplace. You're probably thinking, "That's much easier said than done," and you're right. Setting boundaries can be the most challenging thing to do because of the workplace hierarchies
Land Zen
Land Zen
Land Zen
and power dynamics you deal with on a daily basis. Tread lightly here, but be determined to stand up for yourself and your needs. For example, if your boss asks you if you received the email she sent you at 10 p.m. last night, tell her you completely unplug at night so you can spend time with family, but you are happy to help her now. Setting boundaries may also include saying "no" to projects or additional tasks outside of your regular work hours and safeguarding your lunch and other breaks by leaving the office. When you eat your lunch and take your scheduled breaks at your desk, this leaves your time for recharging open for coworkers and supervisors to come in and assign duties or talk shop.
• Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Get back to the gym and create an exercise program that works for you, get an adequate amount of rest, don't skip meals for work, eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and schedule mental-health check-ins throughout the day. Treat these things as appointments you cannot miss or put off for another day.
• Get a life. Reconnect with friends you haven’t seen in forever and go have some fun. Spend quality time with your family. Rediscover old hobbies or take up new ones. Your personal life should be all about doing what makes you happy and leaves you feeling fulfilled.
It's difficult to work in a world that prioritizes career productivity over emotional well-being, but there are ways to care for yourself and still achieve "Employee of the Month." Maintaining a good balance isn't about disregarding the importance of work; it's about realizing your identity extends far beyond your career. WGW
Crafted with Love MerryChristmas!
Handmade Christmas gifts that show you care
By Sandra Bolan and Angela Dailey
For many people, the stress and self-induced pressure to find the perfect Christmas gift for partners, family members or close friends is equivalent to going to the dentist or giving a speech. As such, people typically resort to letting the internet do the hunting for them, while others will just give up and opt for a gift card.
Although you can buy pretty much anything your heart desires and get it dropped on your front porch 24 hours later, you can’t purchase the sentiment, “I thought about you when I made this.”
Handcrafted gifts – no matter how elaborate or simple – are personalized, thoughtful, unique and show you care, because time is the most valuable gift you can give someone. A handmade gift also shows you decided to make this for your loved one, figured out how to craft it, sourced the supplies and actually created it with your own hands. It may not be perfect, but you cared enough to try. Ten years later, that perfectly imperfect gift will likely have made every move with its recipient and continually put on display or used, while the 1-click item, in all likelihood, is broken, lost or is sitting on a shelf at your local Goodwill store.
Food
Most people have that one friend or family member who can turn their garden’s bounty into the best-tasting tomato sauce or the yummiest casserole. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
• Bread. Fresh-baked loaves of bread are amazing, and bread always seems to taste better when someone else makes it. Add some homemade preserves or honey butter, and you'll have a delicious gift the recipient will ask for time and again.
• Cookies. Homemade cookies make excellent crowd pleasers that can be easily personalized with different flavors, shapes and decorations. Some holiday favorites include gingerbread, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, peanut butter and sugar cookies.
• Fudge. This rich and indulgent dessert is simple and easy to make in big batches. Flavors such as peanut butter,
chocolate, peppermint swirl and chocolate walnut are holiday crowd pleasers.
• Peppermint Bark. Holiday favorite peppermint bark serves as a beautiful and festive gift that doesn't require a ton of work to make. Layered chocolate and crushed candy canes make this homemade bark delicious and elegant at the same time.
• Seasonings. Gifting someone seasonings is a great way to remind them of you year-round. This is a thoughtful and practical gift for anyone who loves to cook. Ideas include taco seasoning, Italian herb mix, cinnamon sugar or BBQ rubs. You can also make popcorn seasonings for the ones on your Christmas list who love snacks. Kettle corn, caramel, spicy sriracha and ranch are popular flavor choices.
Photos
Once you take a picture and post it to social media, you tend to forget about it until it pops up years later as a memory. Why not curate all those photos into a customized book? Grandparents never have enough pictures of their grandbabies. Pick the best 12 and create a custom photo calendar. Photos can also be used to customize Christmas ornaments, coasters, socks, phone cases, mugs or puzzles.
Christmas Wreaths
beautiful gift that lasts throughout the season and reminds loved ones of your effort every time they see it.
Fabric Crafts
Even if you don’t know how to knit or crochet, or it’s been a few decades since you cast on, there are a lot of simple projects people can create, such as cozies, scarves, coasters and potholders. If sewing is more your forte, quilts – especially panel quilts – are simple and can be customized to fit the recipient’s
décor and tastes. But most important, it will be used for years to come during the cold winter months, and a handmade quilt serves as a legacy that is handed down from generation to generation.
From the Kids
Who doesn’t love a good macaroni necklace or art project from their children or grandchildren? But kids are capable of creating more sophisticated art, including the ever-popular friendship bracelet. Other gifts children can make include beeswax candles and air-dry pinch pots, which can be used for jewelry or spices.
Hand-painted canvas tote bags and aprons make creative gifts the recipient will appreciate and use for years.
The gentle tinkling of
wind chimes when there’s a light breeze blowing can be quite relaxing to listen to while sitting on the back deck with a hot cup of tea. With a couple of embroidery hoops, jute twine, hot glue and a trip to the thrift store, kids can make numerous unique wind chimes. Seek out items that would make a pleasant sound when banging against each other, such as skeleton keys, tin cans, mason jar lids, shells, wooden spoons or mismatched cutlery.
Handcrafted gifts represent a bond between the creator and recipient because they were created with thought, care and were made specifically for that one person. These are the kind of meaningful and loving treasures that you can't just have shipped to your door overnight. WGW
Daily Fare
Chef Rose With
Chef Rose Isaacs is a native of Carroll County and lives in Carrollton with her husband, Shawn and their son, Sebastian. She graduated from West Georgia Technical College in 2013 with a degree in Culinary Arts.
She is a personal chef who offers cooking lessons, baby food prep, date night dinners for two and more. Learn more about Chef Rose at www.chefrosecooks.com.
Chef Rose photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography, daileylifephotography@gmail.com
Recipe photos by Andrew Agresta, Agresta Photography, www.agrestaphotography.com
Sugar Plums
Ingredients
½ cup prunes, finely chopped
¼ cup dried apricots or dates, finely chopped
¼ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
½ cup toasted unsalted almonds or walnuts, chopped
¼ cup toasted unsalted pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons fig jam
¾ teaspoon orange zest
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 pinch of salt
For the purple sugar:
½ cup coarse or sanding sugar
1 to 2 drops purple food coloring (or 1 drop blue and 1 drop red if using primary colors)
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Preparation
Finely chop the dried fruit and nuts, or pulse them briefly in a food processor until they are small but not reduced to a paste.
Mix in the fig jam, orange zest, spices and salt. Pulse again until the mixture becomes sticky and easily pressed together.
To prepare the purple sugar, place coarse sugar in a zip-top bag, add a few drops of purple food coloring, seal, and massage until evenly colored. If some clumps form, spread the sugar on a parchment lined baking sheet and allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes before use.
Use a 1 tablespoon scoop to portion out the fruit mixture and shape it into oval or round “plums."
Use a toothpick to create a small indentation on one side. Roll each fruit-shape in the purple sugar until fully coated. For a festive appearance, insert a small rosemary sprig as a stem.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Serves 6 to 8.
“These charming holiday treats bring festive spirit to any gathering, and children will love them.”
Cranberry Balsamic Glazed Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1 lb. ground beef and ground pork mixture
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
For the Cranberry Balsamic Glaze:
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly oil it.
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, bread-
“Can be moved to a slow cooker to serve as a perfect party appetizer.”
crumbs, Parmesan, egg, Worcestershire, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
Shape into 1-inch meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
To make the glaze:
In a small saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, balsamic glaze, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, ginger and salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes glossy and slightly thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Transfer the cooked meatballs to a large skillet or saucepan.
Pour the cranberry glaze over and toss gently to coat.
Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve warm, topped with extra glaze.
Garnish with chopped parsley, fresh cranberries, or a touch of orange zest for a festive appearance.
Serves 6. WGW
Moving out of your home can be as stressful as going through a divorce or losing your job. Ironically, they
estimate a one-bedroom apartment takes roughly two days to pack. A two-bedroom home needs upwards of four days and a three-
set up new utilities, get kids registered in a new school and find the best coffee shop and grocery store in your new town – not to mention finding new friends.
However, there are ways you can keep the stress level at a minimum. The first is to plan ahead. How to get all your stuff from one place to another is the most complicated part of moving, so do yourself a favor and figure this out months ahead of time. Depending on how much you have to move and your budget, your options range from a full-service moving company (they pack, load, transport and unload everything), a company that will only load, transport, and unload your stuff, or you can go the DIY route where you do all of it. This is the cheapest way to move, but also the most stressful.
No matter how you’re getting your life from A to B, you’ll need a truck, which should be booked at least six weeks ahead of time. Moving experts
using. Be ruthless. The less you have to pack, move and unpack, the better.
About 30 days before you move is when you'll need to contact all of your current utility companies (water, electricity, gas and internet) to either cancel or have the service transferred to your new home. If you’re renting, this is also when you give your landlord notice, unless your lease agreement requires more time.
The week before moving day will be hectic. If you're contracting out the job, contact the movers to confirm their arrival time and finish your packing. You’ll also need to purge your fridge and give it a deep clean.
Pack a "first-night" box and bag for everyone in the house, and put those in your vehicle. These should include bed sheets, pillows, pajamas, nextday clothes, charging cables, toiletries, toilet tissue, breakfast foods, a coffee maker, a toaster, and most
important, your child’s most precious items such as her teddy or blankie. Don’t forget about your pets. Have the litter box, food, leashes, water bowls, medications and other supplies available to set up as soon as possible.
When moving day arrives – depending on the ages of your children – it may be easier for everyone if they spend time at a friend or family member’s home for the day. If you have pets, consider boarding them for the day so you won’t have to worry about someone accidentally letting the dog or cat out and having to spend hours looking for them.
Once you’ve made it to your new home, reassemble the beds first so you have a comfortable place to sleep after a long day of lugging boxes and furniture around.
When you have to move, you’re not the only one who feels anxious and stressed. Your children and pets feel it, too. If it’s your child’s first time moving, she may be extra anxious about making new neighborhood friends and going to a new school. Don’t diminish her anxieties as you try to cross things off your to-do list. Take the time to validate her worries and let her know you’re worried about the same things, but you’ll get through it together. Starting over somewhere new is exciting and scary, but the actual act of moving is overwhelming. Keep your stress levels to a minimum by planning ahead, and once you arrive at your destination, take
a deep breath, and enjoy the process of decorating and discovering your new hometown. WGW
How to Pack
Back in the day, you probably fit all your wordly possessions in a few garbage bags and boxes with plenty of room left in your car for a couple of friends. But now, you’re an adult, and you have a ton of stuff. Whether you’re the one schlepping the boxes on and off the truck or it’s professional movers, all will appreciate a well-packed box.
• Use boxes that are sturdy and designed to survive a move.
• When wrapping fragile items, use your clothes. You have to move them anyway, and you'll keep all the bubble wrap you would have used out of the landfill.
• Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books and dishes. They’re less likely to break open from the weight. It will also make loading and unloading quicker.
• Label every box with its contents, whether or not it's fragile and which room. Grade them in terms of the importance of opening – this will save you from unpacking every box when all you want is your omelet pan.
• Before packing up your electronics, photograph the setup and label all the cords. This will make reassembly much easier as well as save your sanity.
A
journey that can transform a lifetime Emotional Maturity
By Sandra Bolan
There’s nothing like being told you’re immature by a person who promptly stomps off in a huff. You know you were just insulted, but what exactly did they insult about you?
In a nutshell, being told you’re immature is being called out for throwing temper tantrums or refusing to take responsibility for your actions.
You can, however, blame your poor behavior on your age – sort of. Science shows the human brain is not fully developed until we hit our late 20s.
Still, the portion responsible for controlling emotions (the limbic system) doesn’t fully form until the early 40s (age 43, to be exact) for men, while women’s limbic systems mature around age 32. There is one caveat: these are generalized milestones based on studies of adults who had healthy upbringings where their parents allowed them to express their emotions and taught them how to process them constructively.
Signs of Emotional Maturity
Emotional maturity isn’t something we achieve overnight – it’s a gradual, ongoing process that is shaped by our experiences, challenges and relationships. While emotional maturity looks differently for everyone, certain traits can reflect a person growing in self-awareness and the ability to navigate through life with calm and clarity.
From taking responsibility for your actions to
managing your emotions in healthy ways, the signs of emotional maturity reveal how you respond when life tests you. Understanding these signs not only
helps you recognize your own growth but also deepens your connection with others as you learn to communicate, empathize and handle conflict more effectively.
• You have more empathy for others. When the barista hands you your overly complicated coffee order that took longer than usual to make, and she’s not her usual chatting, chipper self, you let it slide because you realize she may be having a rough morning.
• You've let go of old grudges. You finally understand the person who stole your lunch money 25 years ago hasn’t given you or that incident a second thought since it happened.
"thank you" politely. You realize those two words may have been what she needed to turn her day around.
• You can handle criticism. No one is perfect, and there are times when supervisors, partners, parents or friends feel the need to call out your questionable choices. No one likes to be criticized, but with emotional maturity, you’re able to receive and process it without clapping back or lashing out.
• You've learned how to roll with the punches. As much as you plan for every potential outcome of every decision you make, life sometimes throws curveballs at you to keep you on your toes. The emotionally mature person can stop and take a deep breath, think about how to proceed, then shift gears and carry on.
• You don't care what people think of you. You’re not trying to be hated, but you’re not desperately seeking everyone’s approval, either. You understand not everyone is going to like you. You also don’t live your life based on others' opinions. You do what what makes you happy.
• You've stopped blaming your parents. No matter how complex or terrible your childhood may have been, you don’t let it stop you from becoming your best self, and you don’t blame your impoverished childhood or parents’ divorce for any of your questionable life choices. You own the decisions you make.
• You're aware of the world around you. Emotional maturity means you understand your words and actions have consequences. Instead of being rude to the barista, you say
• You know enough to know what you don't know. No matter how many acronyms you have after your name, it doesn’t mean you know everything about everything. But you’re smart enough to admit it when you don’t know something, and you know when to ask for help.
• It's not your way or the highway. In spite of your many similarities, you and your family and friends may have disagreements and differing points of view. Instead of trying to sway them into thinking your way, you listen and learn from them. You accept that it’s OK to agree to disagree, and you still love them.
Emotional maturity unfolds over time, shaped by the experiences we face. It's a lifelong process without a true finish line, because each new conflict or stressor invites us to grow and mature a little more. No matter how challenging it may be to face this journey, it's one of the most fulfilling ones you can take. WGW
LocaL Happenings
Domestic Violence Support Group
There is Hope is a support group for women survivors who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, domestic violence.
This is a private group where women survivors come together and share their personal stories of experience, strength and hope.
This group meets on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a private location. A ZOOM option is available.
There will be guidance for help and resources available as needed. At times there will also be guest speakers.
Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information and to obtain the privacy contract with the physical address or ZOOM meeting ID and passcode.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups
Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. These groups offer peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss. There is no cost to attend.
Group meetings in Carrollton are the third
Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 118 South White Street.
For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909.
Group meetings in Douglasville are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 6167 Priestley Mill Rd., Room 226.
For more information, contact Terri Johnson at chose2live@aol.com or 770.765.2181.
Group meetings in Newnan are the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2564 Hwy 154.
For more information, contact Lynn Bradley at 770.301.4890 or email nbll.bradley170@gmail.com, or contact Nancy Bradley at 770.251.6216.
PFLAG Carrollton Support Group
PFLAG Carrollton provides a free monthly peer facilitated support group for adult members (ages 18+) of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as their family, friends and allies, as a resource for families struggling with acceptance of their LGBTQ+ loved ones.
The goal is to meet people where they are and lead with love. PFLAG’s mission of support,
education and advocacy from a place of love can help struggling families, as well as the community at large.
Support group meetings (for adults 18+) are led by a PFLAG trained facilitator and held on the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Lutheran Church, 101 Somerset Place in Carrollton.
Confidentiality and safety are top priorities. Contact Julia Houser, pflagcarrollton@gmail.com for more information.
Al-Anon Family Groups
Al-Anon family groups provides support for families and friends who have been affected by an alcoholic or drug addict. Members have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others who have faced similar problems.
There are several weekly meetings in the Carrollton, Douglasville and Newnan areas.
There is no cost to attend. If you'd like to find a group near you, visit al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings, click on "Find an Al-Anon Meeting" and enter your ZIP code for the complete directory in your area.
Carrollton Goodwill Career Center Job Fairs
Carrollton Goodwill Career Center provides support to the community with local resources, job search assistance, career coaching, skills workshops and connections to local employers.
Local employer partners participate and support the community by attending our monthly job fairs. There is no charge to become an employer partner and begin networking at our events. Visitors are always welcome at the Goodwill Career Center. For more information, call 678-839-5923.
West Georgia Woman Magazine Celebrates 10 Years/Hosts
Carroll Chamber Business After Hours
West Georgia Woman magazine's 10-year anniversary celebration was held on Nov. 13, 2025, in partnership with the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, with West Georgia Woman hosting the
Chamber's Business After Hours event. We enjoyed celebrating a decade in West Georgia and East Alabama with our clients, friends and neighbors.
Special thanks to Jessica Beckom and the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Carrollton for catering and providing the event space, Greg Hendrix with Mountain Oak Florist for providing the beautiful floral centerpieces, Ozier apparel for creating our anniversary T-shirts, the Carroll Chamber team for partnering with us on their Business After Hours, Dream City Delights for the delicious cake pops, Dan Keever for the beautiful flower bouquet, Marshall Stone for his impeccable bartending skills and Andrew Agresta for taking the photos.
Special thanks to the entire West Georgia Woman magazine team, our readers and our remarkable community advertising partners for helping us reach this milestone.
Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us. We're looking forward to sharing the next decade with all of you!
Kids Korner
By
Coffee Filter Snowflake
Materials
White coffee filters
Scissors
Blue marker
Spray bottle filled with water
Instructions
Flatten a coffee filter and fold it in half. Fold the same filter in half two more times.
Cut out small shapes along the folded edges, such as in triangles or semicircles.
Unfold to reveal a snowflake.
Take the blue marker and color small areas all over the snowflake.
Lightly spray with water for a watercolor effect. Allow to dry.
Jordan Dailey
Craft photos by Zachary Dailey
Snowman Paperchain
Materials
White, black, orange and red construction paper
Black ribbon
Googly eyes
Craft glue or tape
Black marker and scissors
Instructions
Cut six 1-inch-by-5inch white paper strips for the snowman's body.
Cut one 2-inchby-5-inch white paper strip for the snowman's head.
Link the 1-inch strips together, using glue or tape, to form a paper chain for the body.
Link the larger strip to the top of the paper chain.
Decorate the larger strip with googly eyes, a carrot nose from the orange construction paper and draw a smile with the marker.
For the hat, cut a small rectangle and a thin strip for the brim from the black construction paper.
Cut out a thin strip from the red construction paper for the hat band.
Glue pieces together to make the hat.
Glue the hat to the top of the snowman’s head.
Attach a ribbon to the snowman for hanging. WGW
Christmas Word Search
Pain is a signal — not a way of life.
Pain is a signal — not a way of life.
If your hips or knees hurt day after day, your body’s trying to tell you something. Whether you're powering through work, caring for family or just trying to stay active — joint pain can stop you in your tracks.
If your hips or knees hurt day after day, your body’s trying to tell you something. Whether you're powering through work, caring for family or just trying to stay active — joint pain can stop you in your tracks.
You stretch. You rest. You ice. You repeat. And the pain still comes back.
You stretch. You rest. You ice. You repeat. And the pain still comes back.
Tanner Health’s free, online health risk assessment helps you understand what’s going on — and what to do next.
Tanner Health’s free, online health risk assessment helps you understand what’s going on — and what to do next.
In just a few minutes, you can:
» Find out what may be causing your pain.
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» Know when it’s time to see a specialist.
Take the free health risk assessment today
Take the free health
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