Just a positive note for the week…found these great ways to be happy and stay happy! Enjoy

1. Be grateful

A study had people write letters of gratitude to people who had helped them in some way. The study found that the people reported having more happiness over weeks and even months after writing the letters. What’s even more surprising is that sending the letter wasn’t even necessary. People still said they felt better even when they wrote letters but never delivered them.

2. Be optimistic People were asked to visualize an ideal future, for example, living with a loving and supportive partner, or finding a job that was fulfilling. They were then told to describe their image in a journal entry. After doing that for a few weeks, people also said they had higher feelings of well-being.

3. Count your blessings People who practice writing down three good things that have happened to them every week show big boosts in happiness. It seems that the act of focusing on the positive helps people remember reasons to be glad.

4. Use your strengths Another study asked people to identify their greatest strengths and then to try to use these strengths in new ways. For example, someone who says they have a good sense of humor could try telling jokes to lighten up business meetings or cheer up sad friends. That seemed to help happiness.

5. Commit acts of kindness It turns out helping others also helps us. People who donate time or money to charity, or who help people in need have improvements in their own happiness.

The whole John Mayer issue…I think he just talks to hear himself talk. If you are out of the loop, he made some really inappropriate comments in an interview recently. I really do not think he is racist, but he has no filter. There is at least ‘some’ standard that people in the public eye should practice. I believe in free speech and speaking your mind, but useless comments with no value are simply ignorant. We talked about it on the radio this morning and there were mixed reviews. Here’s the deal…every interview I have heard him on or read, he for the majority makes absolutely no sense. Sometimes I think he is going for shock value, but now I’m starting to think he is mentally disturbed. Ok, we all have our demons…we all have some sort of mental state…but he went too far this time. Maybe I don’t get his sense of humor and it is hard for me to believe that somebody as polished as Jennifer Aniston would ever date him. Really?

To even use the ‘N’ word in any context is extremely insulting and hurtful. The same goes for ANY other slang/hateful words that refer to any race or culture. Did he realize what he was saying was being published? I’m sure after this little episode he will not be pulling hot Hollywood chicks like he was before. I would be embarrassed to date someone like that. Ohhh…and to top it off, he also insulted the gay community. Certain groups are demanding an apology as well about that. If he is going for shock value, get a new gig. He is a great songwriter and guitar player, I give him that…but now that is not enough. When I hear his music I cannot separate his lack of intelligence and arrogance. Some people can look past that and separate the two, but this chick…not so much.

Sexiest Songs of All Time – Really? I have to say some I agree with, but most…not so much. If you go to the link below you can check out the top 50, but to make your life simple, I will give you the top 5 right here:

1. Physical – Olivia Newton-John (ok..all I can think of is leg warmers and dancing in the mirror!)

2.Tonight’s the Night – Rod Stewart (ok…I get this one, not a favorite, but understood)

3.I’ll Make Love to You – Boys 2 Men (totally love this song, used to jam to it back in the day even though I was too young to…you know what)

4. Too Close -Next (trying to remember..uhhhh)

5. Let’s Get it On – Marvin Gaye (this should be number 1 out of all the sexiest songs!)
 http://www.billboard.com/features/the-50…

Welcome to a new week! Just a quick note…if you have any non-profit events, PSA’s, or any other type of service work that you want posted to our website contact me directly. My email is  www.carmen at 987simon.com. You can also go to our main website and post your event on the community page and I will put it up there for you. Something else you may be interested in… we have a show called ‘Triad Today’ that runs every Sunday morning. If you have any cool events or fundraisers you would like to do an interview about contact me as well about that. Hope everybody is hanging in there after the big game night! As always, make it a good one J Carmen

So, I just bought a new little SUV! Yeahhh…this takes a lot of pressure off of me. My poor little Acura was on it’s last leg…a mechanic bought it, which is good for him because he can fix it without paying giant labor bills! Here is something I did take into consideration when trying to figure out which vehicle I wanted to buy…Toyota is having a time right now with the gas pedal issue. It’s a bit scary. Here is the recall and suspension of sales:

2009-10 RAV4

2009-10 Corolla

2009-10 Matrix

2005-10 Avalon

Certain 2007-10 Camrys

2010 Highlander

2007-10 Tundra

2008-10 Sequoia

I’m sure in time they will work these issues out and hopefully nobody else gets hurt, so until then be careful and if you own one of these makes and models, take it in! As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Hello! Big changes in my family are happening. Little man has officially started school…little people school that is! I have been prepping him as much as possible, going to a lot of different parties…being around other kids…making play dates and such. There is always that separation anxiety, and that was my biggest fear. Ahhhhhh… I want him to be on top of the world, playing with other children…doing all kinds of neat arts of crafts…music classes…reading…it breaks my heart if he cannot enjoy these activities if he gets upset because mommy is not there… but, so far, so good. I just called and checked on him and he was on mission sponge paints! They told me he was a bit upset at first, then he found the ‘monster trucks’ to play with and he was a happy camper. What a big step! Ok mommy…now I just have to embrace the whole experience and know that this is the best move to make. He is right around a year and a half, so it is time to socialize and be around other kids. I will officially have my first piece of artwork to hang on the frig today! Yeahhhhh…As always, make it a good one. Mommy Carmen

There is a part of me that is broken today…you have seen the headlines…you have read the news about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti. It is so big…so catastrophic, it is hard to even begin to understand. In times like this we feel helpless, but there are ways to help if you have the resources to do so.  If you have an extra dollar, an extra 10…please reach out and donate whatever you can. I heard the President hold a Press Conference that gave their website you can go to and donate as much as you can give. The website is: www.whitehouse.gov    On the front page it says ‘Help for Haiti’ and you can learn more about it. We are dealing with a country that was already living in poverty conditions that are hard for most of us to even realize or imagine…and now with the earthquake that just hit…children are without families…people are walking the streets with nowhere to go…people are desperate for medical attention. I just spoke with a director at The American Red Cross who is donating 1 Million dollars and have volunteers already on the ground and more coming in. Pray for the friends and family of loved ones over there and Americans who have been affected by this tragedy. If you cannot give money with our own hard economic times, we can still unite and pray. We are all in this together, as brothers and sisters, nation to nation, we all remember Katrina…we all remember. It is the first thought that comes to mind…watching the footage the pictures…people living on a prayer that someone will come help…where they might find their next meal…where to go…where to turn…my heart is broken. Thank you for taking time to read this and spread the word. Remember, every bit counts…there is not such thing as a small donation…every dime counts to get water and food…medical supplies…whatever it may be…there is no small donation. YOU matter…YOU can make a difference… and so do our brothers and sisters around the globe. Let’s show our support and love in any way we can. My prayers go out…Carmen

There is a part of me that is broken today…you have seen the headlines…you have read the news about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti. It is so big…so catastrophic, it is hard to even begin to understand. In times like this we feel helpless, but there are ways to help if you have the resources to do so.  If you have an extra dollar, an extra 10…please reach out and donate whatever you can. I heard the President hold a Press Conference that gave their website you can go to and donate as much as you can give. The website is:

Big topic of conversation latley with my single girlfriends. We have hit our 30 somethings…and the ‘dating’ world seems to be so different than it was, even from 10 years ago. Technolgy has something to do with it…well…has a lot to do with it. Texting has taken over real conversation…lame if you ask me and I AM from the tech generation. Don’t get me wrong…texting is a great way to communicate, but if it takes more than 3 text to describe or tell a story…please…pick up the phone. It saves time and says more. If you are single past 30…you are dealing with a couple of different situations. You have your married friends that have other married friend groups…there are the men that are divorced with kids or without (which is great if you love kids)…you have the men that have never found that ‘right’ girl yet…and you have the straight up players that are hard to spot sometimes because they seem so charming…well until they try to make that move…way soon…very unattractive. Then you have those really ‘nice’ guys that are true to what they say…do what they say…and say what they mean. The challenge I have found in talking to many of my ’single’ girlfriends is how can you tell the difference…and on that note, what about online dating…some of my friends say it is an excellent way to meet men, but in the back of my head I’m thinking…this person may be crazy…and you do not want to know where my thoughts go from there. I am not knocking it by no means…it just takes a very trusting person to take a chance. Make sure you drive your own car ladies on that first date…I’m just saying. What about the 3 day rules..and I can’t call him…he has to call me. I don’t know about you, but I don’t play by these rules. I cannot suffocate in a box. If I am going to be with somebody, they have to let me be me…and I will do the same… Common sense does the trick…and if somebody can not handle what you have to say, imagine 20 years from now sitting in front of the TV with nothing to say! Or imagine being afraid to speak up because you are scared of the other person’s reaction…these are just all thoughts on..well not paper…the computer…which brings me to facebook or as I like to call it sometimes…facecrack…it is very addictive! It is great to reconnect with old friends…new ones…family…etc…but for real…do not use that as a dating tool when you are in a relationship…maybe a cute line here or there…but keep your business to yourself and call that someone special and let them know how you feel…or surprise them with a hand writeen letter. Maybe I have an old soul…but I’m ok with that. So to all my single ladies, get out there…be yourself…don’t let any chicken heads get in your way (ha-ha) It seems like the same conversation over and over again. I don’t want to have these same conversations…I want more positive stories…more effort…if you feel something in your heart…shout it from the mountain top because we have this one chance to live this amazing life. (now don’t go crazy on someone…do have standards and grace So, even though it has been hard for me to take my own advice, ladies do your thing. On that same note, trust your gut. If it does not feel right…move on…do not force a situation…what’s the rush unless you know…I mean you really feel it…then say it outloud. Don’t go by all those stupid rules that I have no idea who wrote. Their box is too small for me…and most of all HAVE FUN! Make sure you can have inspiring conversations…have hobbies…learn a new one with somebody…and if you don’t feel like dating…I will tell you first hand…that’s alright too. Just be you…write it in the wall…stick it on your frig…Be in love with YOU! Ladies, you are beautiful…keep it up As always, make it a good one! Carmen

Just want to say a big THANK YOU to everybody who participated in the ‘12 Hours of Christmas’ for Victory Junction. It was a huge success and we could not have done it without you. I am happy to say we raised around 19 thousand dollars, and when I say WE, I mean to all you guys who chipped in and made it happen. You can still donate money to the camp by going to 987simon.com. All the information is up about the camp, their website, and how you can become a volunteer! Just so you know, none of the families pay for their children to go to camp or transportation. The camp covers EVERYTHING. That is huge. Can you imagine how grateful these families are to people like you that have made this possible. Thank you again sooooo much from the bottom of my heart…GREAT JOB! As always, make it a good one! Carmen