GIBSON GLEANINGS

By Jill Reynolds

December 29, 2011

 

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We watch the ball drop in Times Square.   The band plays “Auld Lang Syne”.   People raise glasses of eggnog, or champagne, and hug and kiss, and wish each other the best for the New Year.

 

Sometimes the Best that we wish for each other may include things that we can change ourselves.  Of course it is important to remember that we can only change ourselves, we cannot change others, they must decide to do that themselves.    When we decide to make changes, (and new beginnings, like birthdays, and new years are times we especially look back on and evaluate our lives) we resolve to do the best we can.  We resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, and stop unhealthy habits.  We sometimes look beyond the physical things and examining our behaviors, our thoughts, and our attitudes.   Then resolutions can be things like thinking before speaking, developing a positive attitude, or saying nice things only.

 

When making resolutions, (New Years or otherwise) it is best to start with a goal.  Break the goal down into small easily achievable steps, and then reward yourself every time a small step is achieved.  It is important not to beat yourself up if you “fall off the wagon”.  Loading on guilt makes it harder to start again.  While it is easier to start a new regime on a certain date, like New Years Day, EVERY Day is a new day.  (In twelve step programs they say “One Day at a Time”).

 

Some people find it helpful to have a friend to act as a buddy when starting, or ending a new habit.  Others find keeping a journal keeps them on track.  For some things, like changing an attitude, it is hard to keep track of changes because there is not physical evidence.  At times like this one may be able to adopt a concrete habit to help the attitude.  Some thing like counting to ten before speaking if you have a quick and deadly tongue, or starting an Gratitude Journal (where you write down 5 things a day for which you are grateful) if you want to improve your attitude or be more positive.

 

The most important things to remember when starting a new habit are:

Start small

Don’t beat yourself up for lapses

Find a way to keep track of changes

Find a support system

Keep trying!

Good Luck, and may you have a Happy and Healthy 2012

 

May this New Year be blessed with peace and harmony for you, your families and friends.

 

Monday, January 2nd  The Gibson Center will be closed .   

Tuesday, January 3rd:  Act on your resolutions, and join our Strength, Balance, and Stretch class at 10am. The Visiting Nurses will be here from 11-12 to check Blood Pressures, and ACE. Lunch will be served at noon at our Silver Lake meal site.  

Wednesday, January 4th:  Wii games are available 1030-11:30 & 12:30-1:30 in the pool room.  Game day begins at 12:30 in the activity room. Care for the caregiver begins at 12:30 in the social room.

Thursday, January 5th:  Chair exercise begins at 10:30.  Medicare Counseling is available from noon – 1:00 in the dining room.  “Fiddler on the Roof, part 1” will play in the activity room at 12:30. There will be one to one computer labs offered today, please call 356-3231 to sign up for a free ½ hour session.

Friday, January 6^th: join our Strength, Balance, and Stretch class at 10am in the activity room. On this the 12^th day of Christmas, we will have a party in the dining room.  We will sing THE song, and there will be door prizes.  Afterward Becca will lead a sing along in the activity room.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Blood Pressure Clinics: on the last Wednesday of each month from 11:45 – 12:45 and the second Tuesday of each month from 11:00 – 12:00.  VNS foot checks are also available on the second Tuesdays.

One on One Computer Labs:  on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.  Call 356-3231 to reserve a spot.

Fleece Craft Bees will be held on Fridays after lunch. 

Care for the Caregiver: a leader facilitated support group will meet Wednesdays from 12:30 – 2:30.  Receive healthy information to build self care into your life and support to sustain this self care plan.

 

Upcoming trips need sign ups as soon as possible so that we can purchase tickets.  Call 356-3231 to reserve a spot.

• Ice Sculpture and Buffet at the Wentworth: 1/9/12 $21. 
• Snow Sculpture: See the sculptures, and then stop of cocoa and a snack to warm up.  1/24/12 $5
• Portland POP’s Concert:  2/26/12 A Benny Goodman Tribute. Afternoon concert. $55
• 1940’s Sing Along, at the Wright’s Museum: Sunday, March 11th.  12:00PM $13, dinner out after.
• BostonFlower Show: This years theme: First Impressions.  Wednesday, March 14th.  7AM-9PM.  $49 includes ticket, transportation and a box lunch.  Dinner on own at Olive Garden
• Art In Bloom: Monday, April 30th.  7AM-9PM.  $54 includes ticket, transportation and a box lunch.  Dinner on own at Newicks’
• SeaDogs Night Games & Fireworks: June 21st, August 16th. $25

 Overnight trips:

• Bermuda cruise:  June 1-8, 2012   Prices range from $1244 – $1594.
• San Francisco & Lake Tahoe: June 7-13, 2012 $2479ppdo
• Boston Historic Tour: September 22-24, 2012 $ 289ppdo
• Branson:  November 8-12, 2012Holiday shows galore!  4 nights $1909 pp/do.

 

MENU: Monday: New Year holiday – Gibson closed, Tuesday: Macaroni & cheese; Wednesday:  chicken chasseur; Thursday:  BBQ Ribs, Friday:  pork Eisenhower.