Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Advice

PAUL REVERE'S MOTHER: "I don't care where you think you have to go, young man. Midnight is past your curfew!"

MONA LISA'S MOTHER: "After all the money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

COLUMBUS'S MOTHER: "I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher. You still could have written!"

LITTLE MISS MUFFET'S MOTHER: "Well, all I've got to say is if you don't get off your tuffet and start cleaning your room there will be a lot more spiders around here!"

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S MOTHER: "Again with the stovepipe hat, Abe? Can't you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?"

BATMAN'S MOTHER: "It's a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance is going to be?"

THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER: "Of course I'm proud that you invented the light bulb, Thomas. Now turn off the light and go to bed!"

No claim of the authenticity of any of these quotes is made

Author unknown

==============================================================

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." ~Abraham Lincoln

A Mother's Journey

A Mother's Journey

By Jeannine Carroll

A young mother, intoxicated with the joy of motherhood,

begins a journey across the mountain tops

and valleys of her heart.

Does she know this is forever?

Y

Through love and nurturing, her children grow, as she has grown.

Gone are the nighttime feedings, diapers and story times.

Her children are entrusted to others-teachers, peers, coaches...

Do the entrusted know they hold her heart in their hands?

Y

The time comes to share her children with their "life's love".

Vows are exchanged at "happily ever after" weddings.

Mother rides in the backseat

as her children take their place in the front.

Do they know how long the road ahead will be?

Y

Her children become parents.

Oh, the joys of being a grandmother!

Tiny bundles of memories- How fast time went!

Do they know how soon today will become yesterday?

Y

Now, Mother needs "mothering".

How hard it is to accept the help she needs.

How beautiful to see how lovingly it is given!

Being a mother was the journey of a lifetime!

How had she known?

=================================================================

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever."

Fun Ball Exercise

Here's a fun move to do with the ball that not only strengthens the hands and fingers but is also a great brain fitness move:

Playing the Ball

Hold the ball with all ten fingers on it. We are going to number the fingers. The thumbs are #1, pointers are #2, middle fingers are #3, ring fingers are #4 and the little fingers are #5.

When you call out a number between one and five, the participants press that finger into the ball. You can give participants turns calling out numbers, if you'd like. After they get comfortable with the numbers, you can start to play songs, if desired.

Play simple songs on your "Ball Piano". Here's an example:

Frere Jacques

1 2 3 1 - 1 2 3 1- 3 4 5- 3 4 5 - 5 5 3 1 - 5 5 3 1 - 5 4 3 2 - 1

Merrily We Roll Along

This one is a little harder- The thumbs are still #1

Right Hand - 3 2 1 2 -3 3 3 - 2 2 2 - 3 5 5

Left Hand - 3 4 5 4 - 3 3 3 -4 4 3 4 - 5

Have fun and let me know how it goes!

Thought for the day:

People are like a piece of paper on which everyone they meet leaves a mark. What marks will you leave today?

Relaxation Segment: When Grandma Goes to Court

When Grandma Goes to Court

In a trial in a small southern town, the prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you'll never amount to any thing more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"

She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention, he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him

The defense attorney nearly died.

The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a quiet voice, said, "If one of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair!"

Great Activities for Older Americans Month

I'm back again with fun activities for Older Americans Month or any time when you need an idea to get you going. Here are some great ideas:

1. Small Step Bingo- e-mail me at j.carroll@hughes.net and I will send you the game handout.

2. Take a Nature Hike or Walk and have a picnic

3. Read-A-Thon- Do you have a preschool group nearby? Ask the teacher if your seniors could sign-up for 15- minute sessions where they could read to individual children.

4. Go Fly A Kite!

5. Senior Olympics- think of fun games that seniors could safely do for their version of the Olympics

6. Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social

7. Have a Talent Show or Comedy Show

8. Have a Karaoke or Singing Time

9. Play Board Games or Card Games

10. At a potluck, play Liar Liar (See March 12 Blog)

11. Have a Potluck and Exchange Recipes

12. Penny Auction- Have seniors or local businesses donate items that you will auction off for pennies. Have rolls of pennies available to buy, if needed. Money can go to a senior fund for future events or anything you choose. You could also do this with nickles or dimes, depending on your group.

13. Have Dance Lessons

14. Prize for anyone who Brings a Guest

15. Themes for Potlucks: Hawaiian Luau, Beach Day, Sports, Broadway, Movies, Funny Hat, American, Cook-out, etc.

16. Invite a local police officer to talk about Safety Issues for Seniors

17. Invite other Interesting Speakers

18. Prizes for High Monthly Attendees

19. Ask a local store to put on a Fashion Show include some Dapper Styles for Gentlemen!

20. Play Minute to Win It: Go to http://www.nbc.com/ and you can find a list of all the games played on the show. Some are better for this age group than others. Here are some to get you
started:

Hanky Panky- Pull all the tissues out of a box without putting hand in the box in 60 seconds or less.

Movin On Up- Player is given a stack of cups that are all the same color except the one on the bottom. Player holds stack of cups and one-by-one moves a cup from the top to the bottom until the different color is on top. Player has 60 seconds.

Keep It Up- Using only their breath, contestant must keep a feather afloat for 60 seconds.

Breakfast Scramble- Cut a cereal cover in pieces and give contestant 60 seconds to put it back together.

Separation Anxiety- Give player a cup with 3 colors of M&M's in it and have them separate M&M's into colors in 60 seconds. If this is easy for your group, try having them go in a set order such as: red, yellow, green.

Remember to try the games to make sure they will work for your group and modify if needed!

What are some of your favorites? Please share them with us!!

SMALL STEP BINGO

I am working on activities for Older Americans Month in May. I designed a Bingo game that can be used for the month, if desired. I went to: http://smallstep.gov/ga/take_small_steps_today.html to get ideas for the Bingo game.

The game has 25 activities to promote better health. You can offer prizes for completing a row, column or diagonal line. If your participants complete all 25 spaces in May, you could post their names on a bulletin board or maybe have a special prize. If prizes are limited, sometimes we have to get creative like having a potluck and winners would be the guests of honor. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR PRIZES? PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH US!!!!

If you would like a copy of the game handout, please e-mail me at j.carroll@hughes.net and I will send you an e-mail with the Bingo game attached.

Let us know how this works for your group and if you have any suggestions.

May is Older Americans Month

Just in case you didn't know, May is Older Americans Month. Let's plan now to celebrate the contributions our members have made and their vitality!

There is a National contest which invites Americans to share what they are doing to age strong and live long. There are 3 categories: video, photography, poetry/prose. Entries need to be submitted by April 30, 2010. You can see all the information at: www.olderamericansmonth.org.

Poem- I'm Fine

I'm Fine

Author Unknown

There is nothing whatever the matter with me,

I'm just as healthy as I can be.

I have arthritis in both my knees

And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is weak and my blood is thin,

But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in!

Arch supports I have for my feet,

Or I wouldn't be able to walk on the street.

Sleep is denied me, night after night

And every morning I look like a fright.

My memory's failing; my heads in a spin

I'm practically living on daily aspirin.

But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in!

The moral is, as this tale I unfold,

That for you and me, who are growing old,

It's better to say, "I'm fine," with a grin,

Than to let folks know the shape we're in!

This wonderful poem was shared with me by Gail Lorady-One of Virginia's favorite SilverSneakers trainers!

Rut Blocker

Participants are seated, holding a weight on each thigh (weights are optional). Alternate lifting one leg at a time (knees bent-like marching). Next, you can go into a knee extension: R leg- lift, extend, bend and down. We try a few of these and then I say: If this is easy, you can use two weights on your R thigh. Bonnie Perry, a very creative instructor, always says: Extra credit if you don't touch down! Repeat on the L side. Cue to sit up tall and lift using the abdominal muscles-not momentum!

Relaxation for Today

Relaxation for Today

by Jeannine Carroll

Scoot all the way back in your chair and let yourself begin to relax. Place your hands on either side of your navel (fingertips toward the navel) and as you breathe in slowly through your nose you will feel your hands rise. Exhale through your mouth and begin to feel yourself relax as your hands push towards your spine (elbows come forward). Breathe slowly, in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Your breaths come and go like waves on the seashore.

Today you have challenged yourself as you've tried new things and you know that with challenge comes change. You will begin to notice that it's easier to move about and that each day, in many ways, your life is improving. You'll notice that you are regaining some of your flexibility and strength.

~Since you know that what you think about, you become, you fill your mind with positive thoughts and attitudes.

~You love life and begin each day with hope and enthusiasm! People are drawn to your healthy vitality!

~You like yourself and feel good about who you are. You can accept yourself without having to be perfect.

~You feel good and strong. You take care of yourself by exercising regularly. You allow yourself to have a lean, healthy, vibrant body.

~You are a kind and compassionate person who can be a good friend to others.

Remember:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." Author Unknown

Happy Easter!

All I Need to Know

I learned from the Easter Bunny!

Don't

put all you eggs in one basket.

Everyone

needs a friend who is all ears.

A

cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone

is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let

happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

The

grass is always greener in some one else's basket.

Eggs

come in all colors, but without the shell, you can't tell them apart.

The

egg doesn't fall far from the chicken.

It's

okay to believe in the Easter Bunny as long as the baskets keep showing up.

In

the Easter egg hunt of life, one person's loss is another's gain.

Two

eggs in the basket are worth three hidden in the grass that you won't find until summer.

The

planet has a new beginning every spring, so can we!

HAPPY EASTER!