The good news is we’re not alone; technology is on our side. Use a Smartphone to track goals and stay motivated this year. Research shows that less than half of people who make New Years Resolutions actually keep them. Use these apps to defy the odds and make 2012 the year you achieve everything you desire.

Apps to keep you on track in 2012 . . .

Joe’s Goals

A free tracking tool to monitor habits and daily goals.

Strengths: ease of use, simplicity, and daily score keeps you motivated.

Best for: keeping track of short term objectives — things you need or want to do every day or week, such as exercising or writing your daily blog.

43 Things

Free social goal-making site that helps you connect with others to inspire and motivate you to try new things.

Strengths: social, inspirational, and connects to Facebook account.

Best for: getting support with reaching your goals from an Internet community, especially for reaching difficult goals.

GoalsOnTrack

A detailed goal tracking, task management, and time management service. Membership is $68 per year – it’s BBB accredited and offers a 60-day money back guarantee.

Strengths: slideshow feature included to help you “subconsciously find ways to achieve your goals,” integrated calendar and journal for creating an action plan.

Best for: anyone looking for a full-featured goal planning/achievement system.

Lifetick

A personal or professional goal achievement that acts like a personal trainer for your mind.

Strengths: email reminders to help you achieve SMART goals, with accessibility from smartphones, and a mobile Web version for iPhone, Android, and Palm users. Free version for up to 4 goals. (Paid version is affordable at $20 a year, with unlimited goals, journal tools and live stat updates.)

Best for: mobile devise accessibility and utilization of the SMART methodology of goal setting.

Don’t Break The Chain!

“Don’t Break the Chain is a simple calendar designed with the Jerry Seinfeld motivation technique in mind. As explained on Lifehacker, Seinfeld’s productivity secret was to use a giant calendar and mark off each day he completed his writing task; the growing chain of red X’s encouraged him to maintain his desired habits.”

Strengths: simple and straightforward app that works best for achieving a single goal. Can be integrated with iGoogle and Google Chrome.

Best for: visual learners who have one large goal to achieve.

ToodleDo

“One of the best to-do list apps available today!”

Strengths: a powerful to-do list that creates action plans to help you reach goals.

Best for: tracking tasks and goals in one single place.

Now it’s up to you, pick an app and get going making 2012 the year you defy the odds and reach your goals! If I can do it, so can you. We’re in this together.

If you’re a little bit last minute this year, like me, you may be way behind in your holiday shopping and looking to find gifts fast. I’m here to help you! This way you can cross shopping off your “to do” list and make time for your “want to” list!

Here’s a list of gifts that are sure to delight and spread joy this season, especially since they all come in at the very reasonable price of $50 or less.

Awkward Family Photos: The Board Game

Based on a popular website, Awkward Family Photos will be your new favorite party game! Combines classic and never- seen-before Awkward Family Photos with probing, open ended questions for a hilarious game night!

Giant Gummy Bear (bigger than a football)

This giant 5 lb. gummy bear is bigger than a football and sure to satisfy even the most die-hard gummy addict. And as a table topper or conversation piece it can’t be beat.

Funky iPhone Cases

Keep your iPhone safe while making it super-fun. Soft rubber phone holders in a range of designs. Fits all iPhone models.

Universal Remote Control Pillow

The sofa pillow with the distinctive difference – it’s also a remote control. Never again will you have to ask, “Where’s the remote” And you’ll never lose this remote in between cushions because it IS a cushion – with a built-in 6-in-1 universal remote control!

Twilight Turtle Nightlight

Sweet dreams are made of this. A soft and plush turtle nightlight radiates a tranquil, star-studded light to help little ones drift off to sleep. More than a nightlight and friendly bedtime companion, it projects constellations on the ceiling and walls, transforming a child’s bedroom into a planetarium.

Personalized Steak Branding Iron

Made of durable stainless steel to withstand even the most intense grilling heat, this personalized steak brand can be custom ordered with any combination of 5 letters of your choice. Perfect for indoor or outdoor grilling and an awesome gift. If you’re in a hurry, pick the initial of the recipient – premade and ready to give.

Ok, time to shop to you drop! Ready, set, CHARGE!

Each year I’m amazed at how quickly the year goes by. One minute I’m hearing back to school ads on the radio and then before I know it, Santa greets me at the grocery store, ringing that little bell in my ear.

Ok enough with the shock . . . there’s really nothing to do at this point but to embrace it! Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Years – they’re approaching and it’s time to step up and make this a season one to remember for many years to come.

Now I’m getting to my point. What I know for sure (and now I sound like Oprah) is that the term “Give to Get” really is true. Whenever I give of my time and talents, I reap a harvest of contentment and joy. What I also know is that without planning on my part, the chance of actually doing something for someone else decreases with each holiday party and activity.

Now is the time to make a plan to give. I promise that by giving to others this season, we will all grab our own pocket of joy amidst the craziness of the season!

Why not start small by giving to one of the organizations I’ve listed below? After that, you may feel so good that you want to do more. Find a place to volunteer your time – at a school, a shelter, a hospital, etc. The opportunities for giving are endless and no effort is too small. Ok, time to start . . .

Check out these great places to GIVE TO GET this holiday season:

HomesForOurTroops.org (support our troops)
Operationsmile.org – (help those with a cleft palate)
Cradlestocrayons.org – (support homeless and low income children)
ASPCA.org – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (support animals)
MOWAA.org – Meals on Wheels (support senior citizens)
Foodforthepeople.org – (support poor in the world)
www.worldvision.org -World Vision (support underprivileged everywhere)
www.sharedhope.org – Shared Hope International
(support victims of human trafficking)

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and Happy New Year to all of you! May this be the year we all GIVE TO GET!

Wow, the popularity of Halloween appears to be rising exponentially each year. When people break-out the plastic ghosts and giant costume stores pop up on roadway corners over a month before the day well, pretty soon we’ll be seeing Halloween in June sales and kids will be taking a week off to celebrate ghouls and goblins. Yes, Halloween is becoming a very big deal around here! The stores are stocked full with spooky decorations and Halloween party planning is already in full swing.

In the spirit of this spooky season, I’m sharing a few tips to help you choose a great costume that will make this Halloween your spookiest, scariest and most sensational to date . . .

CREATIVE COSTUME IDEAS -

Politically minded? You could organize a group dress up as a famous political family. Some ideas– the Obamas, the Palin family, the Kennedys, the Clintons, etc.

Self professed TV addict? Why not plan costumes around a hit television show – some ideas that are sure to spark your creativity – American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, Modern Family, Glee, etc.

Music lover? Why not become “Rock Royalty” for a night – dress up group style as a band or a famous rock family. Some ideas . . .the Osbornes, KISS, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Blue Man Group, etc.

Movie Buff? Have each member of your group dress up like a character from a movie. Good choices: Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Flinstones, Smurfs, Captain America, etc. – you could even put together a gang composed of different superheroes.

Artsy are you? Choose a play and design costumes around the screenplay. For example, dress up as the characters from Wicked or Jersey Boys. If you’re real artsy, you could even design a group costume around a famous masterpiece or dress up as an artist for a night (Warhol would be an easy one to imitate).

Are you a foodie? Dress up like your favorite meal or dish. Arrive at a costume party as your favorite wine and cheese pairing. More of a family man? Why not go as a family picnic – with mom being the basket, dad being the blanket and the kids being the food inside (hot dog, sandwich, pickle, etc.) – the dogs could be the ants.

Hey techno geeks and geeks of all ages, why not dress-up as a play on words or your favorite gadget? You could be anything from an iPad to a Rubiks Cube to a Grammar Nazi. Be creative – the dictionary is your oyster.

Now that we’re all thinking about what we’re going to be this Halloween, I’d better get started with my own plans. Let’s see . . . Superhero (already done that) – hmmm – I’ll have to surprise you!

Taste buds, now that I’ve got your attention, here’s a couple of recipes that are sure to delight this season.

FOR THE TAILGATER:

Champion Chili

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped, divided
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 habanero peppers, seeded and minced
• 2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onion
• 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle lager-style beer
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Cook ground beef and pork in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease.

2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 of the onion and all of the green pepper, habanero pepper, jalapeno pepper, and garlic. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir the drained meat into the onion mixture along with the green onion, chili beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beer, and water. Sprinkle with the cornmeal, then season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

3. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate overnight.

4. Reheat the chili over medium heat until it begins to simmer again. Top individual servings of chili with cheese and remaining chopped onion.

FOR THE APPLE PICKER:

Apple Crisp

Ingredients

• 4 apples – peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a 9 inch square baking pan, mix sliced apples with brown sugar. In a large bowl, mix together flour, white sugar, cinnamon and salt. In a small bowl, beat together egg and melted butter. Stir into flour mixture. Spread evenly over apples.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until topping is golden and crisp.

FOR THE FAMILY BONFIRE:

Smores with a Twist

Ingredients

Marshmallows
Graham Crackers
Mini M&M’s

Instructions

Place a handful of mini M&M’s in a small bowl. Toast the marshmallow until the outside is nice and toasted. Remove the outer portion of the marshmallow and roll the gooey portion in the mini M&M’s. Place the gooey M&M creation between two graham crackers and enjoy!

After all, not only is reading relaxing, it’s also good for you! Reading reduces stress, provides greater tranquility, and increases both vocabulary and memory. Studies show that reading helps people prioritize goals, improves analytical reasoning and enhances writing skills. One other big benefit to reading – when compared with other forms of entertainment, it’s just plain cheap!

If you care to join me, I’ve compiled a list of books that are WELL worth your time and effort. Let’s all carve out some time to read before things get hectic and the easy living of summertime is a memory.

4 REALLY GOOD READS!

The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andres

“Much like the best-selling books by Og Mandino, this unique narrative is a blend of entertaining fiction, allegory, and inspiration.  Storyteller Andy Andrews gives a front-row seat for one man’s journey of a lifetime. David Ponder has lost his job and the will to live. When he is supernaturally selected to travel through time, he visits historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon, and Anne Frank. Each visit yields a Decision for Success that will one day impact the entire world.”

The Collectibles by James J. Kaufman

“In his debut novel, James. J. Kaufman delivers a gripping and unforgettable story of two strong men from separate worlds – one touched by tragedy, the other by greed – brought together with unexpected results. In chronicling how their lives and those they touch are dramatically changed by their encounter, Kaufman reveals the power of relationships, the nature of love, and ultimately the meaning of life.”

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hildenbrand

In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit.  Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.

The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter by Mark Seal

The story of The Man in the Rockefeller Suit is a probing and cinematic exploration of an audacious imposer-and a man determined to live the American dream by any means necessary. A real-life Talented Mr. Ripley, the unbelievable thirty-year run of a shape-shifting con man. The story of Clark Rockefeller is a stranger-than-fiction twist on the classic American success story of the self-made man-because Clark Rockefeller was totally made up.”

I don’t know about you but I hear a hammock calling my name! Happy Reading!

What special 4th of July memories can you remember? Better yet, rather than remembering past holidays, why not plan to make this 4th one that will make you smile for years to come. Here are a few ideas to help make that happen.

4 Fun Ideas for a Fantastic 4th

1. Spend 4th of July by the water
Find a lake, a pool or a beach to enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating and splashing to beat the heat.

2. Have a 4th of July barbecue with family and friends
If you’ve been invited to barbecue, enjoy this American tradition and if not, why not host your own 4th of July barbecue? Be sure to include 4th inspired desserts and drinks and buy a few sparklers and firecrackers to end the night with a bang. If you’re not up for having the party at your home, have your friends meet you at a park – make sure to bring lots of cold drinks and barbecue fare to enjoy.

3. Attend a 4th of July festival
If you can’t make it to the water and find yourself without the motivation to throw a party, no worries, find a community that celebrates the 4th with a festival and go enjoy the holiday en masse. Catch a parade or better yet, volunteer to be in a parade.

4. Watch Fireworks
It wouldn’t be 4th of July without fireworks! You can buy your own and host a private fireworks display or check your local Chamber of Commerce to find a display close to home. Bring a blanket and chill-out under the stars as the sky lights up to commemorate our nation’s birthday.

Happy 235th birthday America. And many more.

I don’t know about you but summer makes me feel like a kid again. Remember back in school when that last day rolled around? Nothing could replace the feeling of freedom that came over me as I heard the final school bell ringing. Now as an adult, I might not hear that final bell ringing but I still anticipate and enjoy all that summer has to offer – sunshine, swimming, boating, golfing, hammock swinging, bicycling, fishing, fireworks, vacation, sand between my toes, grilling, etc. Summertime makes me feel free again!

Let’s face it: sunshine and happiness, they go together like summer and sandals. In the spirit of the sunny summertime, let’s all find time to make fun memories. First, we’ll have to figure out what makes us happy (i.e., what we consider fun) and that isn’t always the easiest task in our grown-up world.

Gretchen Rubin, best-selling author on happiness states, “A surprising number of adults spend so much time thinking about what they wish they found fun, or think they ought to find fun, or what other people find fun, that they’ve lost touch with how to have fun.” I agree. So the first step is to really think about what makes you relax and enjoy life and then to plan some time to do it this summer. You may even have to take yourself back to your childhood and remember the things that you chose to do as a kid.

Once you figure our what constitutes fun in your life, then the next part is easy, Take the next step and plan your fun activity. Yes, when we were kids, we didn’t have to plan fun but now with work and responsibilities, planning fun is sometimes the only way it happens. So plan that vacation, that Saturday afternoon trip to the beach, that fishing trip with your best buddy, etc. Take the time now to organize special events this summer. You’ll be glad you did when that first fall breeze rolls in. Let’s have a happy SUMMA, SUMMA, Summertime everyone – there is never a better time to enjoy the important things in life than right now!

At this point in my life, I fear this fantasy will never become reality but I keep wishing and dreaming about it anyway. Perhaps you share in my little delusion – we’ll see.

In this fantasy, you’ll find me lying on the couch with a soft pillow, a down comforter wrapped around my pajama-clad body, with a little bell sitting on the coffee table in front of me. The television is parked on my favorite channel and I don’t have to go anywhere for the next 24 to 48 hours. The phone is off, the computer is not even invented yet, and no outsiders can invade my little piece of sick heaven.

Keep reading . . .  I’m just now getting to the good part of the fantasy. You see, every time I ring the little bell perched on the table in front of me, every single time I ring it, a lovely lady appears ready to fulfill my every need. Get your mind out of the gutter, people. This lovely person is not who you think. This lady is my mommy. My mommy who treats me like gold when I am sick. When I ring the bell, my mother comes over and brings me whatever I ask for – chicken soup, hot tea, a cold washcloth for my head, my favorite stuffed animal.  She is so sweet and kind and patient and makes my sick day feel a lot like a holiday.

I don’t have to go into work, I don’t have to pretend like I feel good, and my significant other isn’t acting like I’m faking. I’m a kid again and mom is there to nurse me back to health.

Oh, the joys of childhood. There are some days when I just want my mama. You know what I mean? Thinking about mom and all the countless ways she impacted my life for the better, and for the practical ways she raised me into the outstanding citizen that I am today, this fills me with neverending gratitude and thankfulness for that woman.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’m taking this moment to celebrate moms., mine and yours. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms who are reading this and if you’re not a mom, go find one and give them a big hug and a sincere thank you. After all, MOM’s ROCK!

It’s not what you think. I wish it were something a little sexier but what it is just isn’t sexy at all. The truth is, I am a junky! A junky of the worst kind – a self-proclaimed ultimate and supreme bubble gum junky!

You can catch me blowing bubbles at all hours of the night, chewing and smacking and driving anyone in the near vicinity of my being crazy.  Sometimes I even shove 5 pieces in my mouth at once. Actually maybe even more. I even suffer from “bubblegumitis” at times – if you’re a gum chewer too you’ll know what I mean. Bubblegumitis is when your jaw aches from over chewing.

So this month with all this talk about the big vehicle bubble bursting, I thought I’d take my chance to do a little research on bubble gum and find out anything useful and entertaining to share on my favorite subject. I’m not going to win a Pulitzer Prize with this one but really; I’m not here to wow you with my knowledge and philosophies. I’m just writing this to make you smile and to give you a little break from whatever real issues you are dealing with at the moment.

Ten fun facts about the pink stuff:

Fact 1
The average American chews around 300 sticks of gum in a year.

Fact 2
San Luis Obispo, California, USA is the home of Bubble Gum Alley, which is an alley with brick walls covered with ABC (already-been-chewed) bubble gum wads.

Fact 3
The Official Gum of Major League Baseball is Bubble Yum bubblegum.

Fact 4
The color of the first successful bubble gum was pink, because it was the only color the inventor had left, and that remains the predominant color today.

Fact 5
Richard Walker holds the record for the Chomp Title by chewing 135 sticks of bubble gum for 8 hours. The first person to win the ‘Chomp Title’ was Sue Jordan, who chewed eighty pieces of Doublemint gum for five hours and twelve minutes! Clyde Steward McGehee, of North Carolina, broke that record by chewing 105 sticks of Juicy Fruit for six hours and Richard Walker broke that record by chewing 135 sticks of gum for eight hours.

Fact 6
The country with the largest number of chewing gum manufacturers is Turkey, with more then 60 producers.

Fact 7
The largest bubble ever blown was 23 inches in diameter. The record was set July 19, 1994 by Susan Montgomery Williams of Fresno, California. (Guinness Book of World Records 1998).

Fact 8
There are more than 1,000 varieties of gum manufactured and sold in the Untied States.

Fact 9
Chewing gum consumption varies by geography. In the U.S., people chew an average of 182 stick equivalents per person per year. In the U.K., the figure is 125 – it’s 103 in Germany, 84 in Russia, 20 in China, and 4 in India.

Fact 10
In 1928 the first successful bubble gum was invented. The first known bubble gum, “Blibber Blubber,” appeared in 1906. It failed to catch on because it was too sticky and too brittle so it didn’t hold together when it was chewed. The first successful bubblegum was invented by Walter E. Diemer in the summer of 1928. A 23-year-old accountant who knew nothing about chemistry, Diemer created his invention in a tiny laboratory in Philadelphia. The only food coloring he had on hand was pink – see Fact 4 above. “It was an accident,” Mr. Diemer said in an interview with The Lancaster Intelligencer Journal in 1996. “I was doing something else and ended up with something with bubbles.”

OK, time to get back to the real world and to stop blowing bubbles, at least for today.