Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is here already. It’s hard to believe that 2010 is almost half over. I guess my usual “I can’t believe how time flies by” is a reality jolt again. As we get older “time” really is a precious commodity. Think about what you love to do. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or even effort. It just has to be an important and meaningful use of your time. If you enjoy doing it with, or in the company of others—that’s a bonus. Don’t get me wrong! It’s OK to rest, relax, rejuvenate, recharge, even “slack-off” at times. Everything should be a choice—Your Choice! I choose to do what makes me happy. I hope my family and friends respect that. If I’m happy, I can be a better partner in my relationships. As usual, let me know your feelings.

Dr. Rick

BIRTHDAY WISHES

I hope this isn’t too vain of me, but today’s blog is about my upcoming birthday. Over the years my birthday celebration has taken on different traditional purposes in my life. There have been “milestone” birthdays (30, 40, & 50). There have been “legal/social” birthdays (18-voting, 21-drinking, 25-reduction of car insurance premiums, 30-“I’m one of them now!”, 40-whattayamean I need bifocals, 50-AARP, 55-Marlins games at half price). The future “ I’m close but not yet” birthdays (59 ½-IRA distributions without penalty, 60-movie discounts, 65-Medicare, 66-first year of my full retirement age). I’ve often made wishes that never come true. I guess many of them have been unrealistic. The more important wishes come true only with my input and energy. At least I’ve learned that lesson. For this birthday (March 6th) my wish is that all of you reading this blog write a comment about you—anything about you! Let me know you’re out there.

Dr. Rick

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

It’s a new year and, as many people do, I gave myself a pep talk about what I would like to change, focus on, commit to, and fix about me this year. I, of course, promise to follow through on all of the goals I set, reward myself in some way for accomplishing them, and feel better about myself for moving forward and being positive. I took me a long time to come up with anything for this list, because this year, unlike years in the past, I chose to include only things I am truly willing to change, not just things I’d like to change. One of the things I found was that by altering the rules to only include what I’m willing to do made me really think harder and more strategically. Ultimately I came up with what I think is the perfect New Year’s resolution for me. And you’ve just read it!!!!

Dr. Rick

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009 is finally behind us! It’s been an interesting year, full of ups and downs, full of promise and misfortune. On the up side, we attended the National Stationery Show for the first time and got good feedback about our printed line. We’re still trying to find the right representation to promote our cards. We have gotten progressively more and more hits on the website and the subscriber base has grown this year. On the down side, we’ve been affected by the recession and economic crisis as everyone else-- not only in our greeting card business, but in our Accounting and Psychology practices as well. Carmen also lost her best friend after a courageous three year battle with ovarian cancer. Our memories of Ronnie are vivid and animated, but her time with us was way too short. Losing older friends and relatives are a part of the life cycle, but losing someone at the peak of their life is unnatural and unfair. As much as I try, I can’t truly understand what Carmen is feeling. Please take the time to love and care for those around you. Life is wonderful, but life is short. From all of us at thestepcardcollection, have a very happy new year.

Dr. Rick

thestepcardcollection

We’ve just completed two years since the launching of www.thestepcardcollection.com. While we’ve made changes to the website, our thought process, our plan, the printed card line, and other areas of this business, the one thing that has not changed is the vision we had at the onset regarding the importance of our message—the emotions and sentiments expressed between family members is important and unique. We hope you’ve enjoyed our site and our message, and have sent e-cards, written suggestions, read our Step-Forum, and used the facets of the website for your personal growth. We are continually committed to giving you the best information and products to help promote the wellness of your stepfamily. Please let us know your needs. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Rick

STEPGRANDPARENTS - Sometimes Lost in the Mix!

Stepgrandparents usually enter into a family in one of two ways. They marry someone older when they are older and they get a huge package which includes stepchildren and stepgrandchildren. Or, their biological child marries someone who has children from a previous relationship and voila, they get new stepgrandchildren. Either way, I’ve talked with people in this situation and manytimes they are confused about their grandparent identity and/or their role. A lot of the time the responsibility falls on your shoulders to “keep a finger in the pie.” Let’s face it, you can still act like the typical grandparents—rile up the kids, have fun at their parents expense, and then go home. What do your stepgrandchildren call you? Is it OK to call you by your first name or refer to you as Aunt or Uncle? If their four other biological grandparents are still around do they really see you as a Bonus or as an odd extension to the family? So, all you stepgrandparents out there—let me hear from you. What are your experiences?

Dr. Rick