Extreme Packing for a Measly Three Day Trip

Does this look familiar? Are you one of the control freaks (like me) who prepares for a little getaway by packing everything you could possibly use in any weather or eventuality?

My husband and I are going for our ritual little end of summer getaway to Block Island for a long weekend. It's a lovely little escape from all the hustle and bustle of the mainland, and actually reminds of an Ireland - France combo with its rolling hills, stone walls, and ocean cliffs. The problem though, is when you get a weather report which indicates tornados going into the weekend, sunny warm days, and 55 degree nights. So what do I do? I practice extreme packing for 31/2 seasons, bringing everything from bathing suits, beach towels and chairs, to Polartec jackets. We also bring all our own liquor and wine because the prices there are exorbitant. Oh, not to mention the seltzer for spritzers, piles of fruit, sandwiches and chips, cookies and whatnot. Then there's the workout shoes and outfits for hot, cool, or freezing conditions.
(One of my mottos is "Be prepared!)
The only slight snag in the plan is that we have to fit all this crap in the wee little dinky trunk of our old
Beemer 2-person convertible! There's barely enough room in there for a big sandwich!

I wonder what would happen if one year we just played it all by ear, weren't so over-prepared, and just let whatever happened, happen. Would the sky fall in? Would we have a better time?
I may never know because I'm wedded to the illusion of control................

Wish me luck,
Susan Lager

End Of Summer 2012 - New England Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Here we are, amazingly in September, when just yesterday it was the beginning of June! Where did the time go?
I think most (normal) people feel a twang of sadness at this time of year, saying goodbye to the sweet, long days of summer, when you don't have to wear socks or coats, or worry about the cold, and the snow.
But in New England, it's another thing entirely.
People here grieve the end of the carefree warmth and sunshine. Typical conversations focus on charming things like: When are you getting a generator? Do you have a decent snowblower? Did you get a roof rake yet? Does that new car you bought have 4 wheel drive? Have you winterized your shrubs? Did you bring in the air conditioners? How's your winter coat? Did you paint the side of the house yet? Have you raked all the leaves? Did you drain your septic while the ground is unfrozen? Do you have good boots? How are your knees doing? (You'll need them).

The list of "to do's" goes on and on, as New Englanders grieve and prepare:
- for piles of snow
- cabin fever
- Nor'Easters
- frigid temperatures
- dark mornings
- dark evenings
- shoveling
- slipping and sliding
- black ice fender benders
- gaining weight, etc., etc............

I call it New England Seasonal Affective Disorder, something unique to us in our little corner of the globe. We adore our measly little summers. We love our glorious Fall, but whine incessantly about winter coming. Then when winter is actually here, we marvel at its beauty while we ski, ice skate and snowshoe, or sit by our blazing fires reading books, talking to our spouses, playing instruments, cooking, doing projects. Ah, winter......

The irony is that only a fraction of us New Englanders would trade it all in for a condo in a gated community in Florida. Okay to visit, but no thanks. We'll stick with our ice and snow, and our seasonal schizophrenia, because we're tough, and besides, it's so beautiful here!

Hang in there, (after December 21st the days get longer again!)
Susan Lager

My Sisters

I've just spent two weekends, each with one of my wonderful, wacky sisters. Unfortunately, we couldn't coordinate the visits to Maine so we'd all be together, yakking into the wee hours of the morning, tooling around the coast, sharing secrets, boating, walking, recreational eating, shopping, cooking, jewelry hunting, clothes swapping, laughing and more yakking. 

Maybe it's the aging process, but as we all get older there's an increased sense of tenderness, compassion, and acceptance of each other, as well as a deeper appreciation of our bond. We no longer take each other for granted. We know full well what a blessing it is to have loving family. If you too are fortunate enough to have sisters (or brothers, for that matter), I hope you too cherish them.

"My sisters and I, friends are we, Best of friends we'll always be"

Author: Unknown

Cheers,

Susan Lager

"How Love Is Not Enough" Blogtalk Radio show tonight, 8/15 8:30 PM!

Don't miss my Blogtalk Radio show tonight at 8:30 PM! I'll be discussing
the six critical factors to evaluate when looking at how healthy or viable a
relationship may be, and how people often delude themselves, thinking love
alone will get them through. Here's news for you:
love is not enough!!!!

Call in toll-free at 877-497-9046 to be able to join me live on the air with
questions or comments or stories. I welcome all of it!
If you can't make the live show, simply catch the recording at:
www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SusanLager

Olympic Effort In Everyday Life

For the past several days I've been glued to the Olympics on TV, along with millions of other people all over the world. My husband and I have been cheering and shrieking at the displays of courage, endurance, grace, power, and agility in the summer games in London.
Mostly, I never cease to be amazed by the sheer force of will demonstrated by these athletes, how they push past the threat of horrible injuries, public humiliation, defeat, and the instant loss of their dreams. I've decided that they can teach the rest of us regular humans a thing or two, very applicable to ordinary, everyday life:

1. Keep plugging away at your goals or dreams day by day. Daily practice builds new neural pathways, moving you closer toward mastery with every effort.
2. Envision your dreams or goal clearly, as though it's happening now. The imagining provides a form of mental "practice" vital for success, and reminds you about your motivation.
3. Line up your actions with your goals. Ask yourself if what you're doing daily or weekly moves you closer to your destination. If not, make necessary adjustments.
4. Get a "coach," either literally, or in the form of supportive friends and family who will support you and give you critical feedback about your progress. You can't succeed at most things in a vacuum.
5. Create a "team." Find likeminded people who may share your dreams, and understand the anguish you feel when you fail. They'll speak your language.
6. Practice daily, diligent self care. Get away from all or nothing stances, do the best you can with the time and energy you have. Remember that rest is also an important part of the picture.
7. Monitor your thinking and be vigilant about self defeating or dark thoughts. They have a way of becoming self-fulfilling. If you give up, do it for a bit, and then get back in the game. Be kind to yourself. Congratulate yourself and enjoy your successes.

Remember, olympic effort can only move you closer to a medal of one kind or another.

Cheers,

Susan Lager

Love Is Not Enough!

For all of you hopeless romantics out there who think that love conquers all, I have news for you - it's a delusion. Love is not enough!!

If you've been in a relationship where you excuse various kinds of chronic disrespectful, unkind or unfair behaviors, "because deep down
I know he (she) loves me," then I would recommend that you stop and examine a few critical things very closely.

For a limited time, I'll be offering one hour phone consultations 
to be used in conjunction with my latest original article, "Love Is Not Enough." We'll explore the six major factors which may help you decide if you are wasting precious time, hope, and energy in a dead relationship, or whether there's a happier pulse which can be amplified.

Contact me by email at: Couplesctr@gmail.com or simply call my office at:
603-431-7131 for information about pricing and availability.

Cheers,
Susan Lager

Tools For Obsessive Thinking, Negative Thoughts And Anxiety!

Tune into my BlogTalk Radio show tonight at 8:30 PM to learn about how to manage the noise in your head. My co-host is Louise Beck, an internationally recognized expert on Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Call in toll-free at 877-497-9046 to join us live on the air with your questions or comments, or catch the show live streaming at: The Couplespeak Relationship Forum

If you're already in bed at that hour, you can catch a recording of the show at the same site later on.
Hope you join us!

Susan Lager