beniebuzz blog

“Are we there yet?” said the very sweet six year old voice from the back of the SUV. Unfortunately, the thirteen hour road trip had started just 35 minutes prior!  I was very excited to take my two young nieces from the Dallas suburbs to quiet, idyllic rural Iowa. However, I was not prepared for such an extensive road trip, as evidenced by the ginormous Gatorades I allowed them to consume along the way (note to self:  less drinking and less sugar!). I learned a lot from that summer and following summers when we continued the tradition and set off on cross-country adventures.  

Of all the things you’ve bought online, have eyeglasses made it into your shopping cart yet? If not, it probably won’t be long before they do.  

Recently, I had a visit with Dr Dhavid Cooper, President & CEO of Frames Direct – the world’s largest online eyeglass retailer. Besides having a great accent, he gave me some tips to help as you “look” into that future!

Do you love to cook? Personally, I hate it. I hate planning meals, grocery shopping, touching meat. Julia Child said, “Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” Well, I have plenty of things I’m interested in and cooking isn’t one of them.  

Why is this goofy guy pictured on our post this week? You'll have to read ahead to find out!  

So, how are those New Year’s Resolutions going? Statistics (and gym traffic) show many don’t usually get past the first 3 weeks of January!  

Did you resolve to lose weight and/or get healthy for 2013?  

At this time of year, we all want to decrease our weight in the time it takes to read a blog-post like this! But those who’ve made lasting health changes in their lives tell us it takes a little longer.

Comedian Joey Adams said, “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!”  Boy, ain’t that the truth! 

Every workout facility employee will tell you to avoid the gym the first 3 weeks of January. It’s packed with size 14’s trying to make good on their New Year’s resolution to get to a size 4. Then, in February, it’s a barren wasteland for the “regulars” to enjoy again.   

Do you have OCD (Obsessive Christmas Disorder)?  Do you pine (pun intended!) over making the holidays a "perfect" experience for everyone in your life?

I think a lot of people do this and then stress-out looking for the perfect gifts (wrapped to perfection), decorating the house impeccably (inside and outside), attending every party (wearing the perfect dress and toting the perfect hostess gift), sending a hundred Christmas cards (BEFORE Christmas), preparing immaculate meals (worthy of a Food Channel feature), gaining a few extra pounds (maybe more than a few), etc., etc., etc.

My father was a Christmas Tree Farmer. When I was a kid and guests came to our small town in the Canadian Rockies, they would get "The Tour". 

My Dad would drive people through the woods and pour out his life-long passion of growing and harvesting the best trees possible. You’d be amazed at his knowledge of and passion for Christmas trees!