Well here we are again looking foward to another new year and a new decade and it seems no matter what year it is some things still remain the same. When it comes to making New Year Resolutions the top 3 are usually to stop smoking, get fit and lose weight. It’s obvious we don’t keep em because those three wouldn’t be the top three on the list every year.

Here are some easy resolutions you might be able to keep this year.

1. Start smoking

2. Gain more weight

3. Get into more arguments

4. Not to make more than one resolution

5. To break all your resolutions

Have a Happy New Year!!!!

Another New Year is here as well as the start of a new decade. So what are you calling the new year? When 1999 turned into 2000, naming the year the long way — (two-thousand one, two-thousand two) became pretty much standard. But with the first decade of the new century, there is bound to be a debate about how to say each year. I admit I go back and forth of calling it twenty-ten, and two-thousand ten, and it sounds better to me to call it two-thousand ten.

I’m just glad I’m blessed to be able to live to see another new year, not to mention another decade.

While I was on vacation a wonderful thing happen in the Scott’s family.  My wife and I became grandparents for the first time as our only daughter gave birth to a beautiful 8 pounds and one ounce baby girl Friday night. Her name is Cheyenne Ashante Sheridan, and she is already the most spoiled baby in the world. As you probably already know we spent much of the weekend at the hospital. Mom, baby and dad are doing just fine.

What a wonderful Christmas present.

Many a career has been tainted by inappropriate behavior at the annual office holiday party. Most of the time free alcohol is the cause of people saying and doing the wrong thing at office parties, so drinking too much is an obvious don’t.  Flirting and inappropriate touching is another obvious no-no.  But, what are some of the other holiday office party do’s and don’ts that aren’t quite so obvious?  Here are 10 of career development specialist Dr. Randall Hansen’s holiday office party do’s and don’ts:

1.  Do remember that although office parties are intended as social events to reward employees and raise morale, they remain strictly business events.  Do act as though your behavior is being observed every minute (because it probably is).

2. Don’t pass up the invitation to an office party; not attending could hurt your reputation. And when you attend, do spend at least 30 minutes at the party for appearances.  But don’t overstay your welcome by partying until the wee hours.

3.  Don”t pull the nightclub attire from your closet for the event – and do ask whether the attire for the party is formal or casual.  The party is still a business function, so conservative party clothes are a good choice.  Do remember to skip anything too revealing or too flashy.  Keep your reputation for good taste intact.

4.  Don’t spend all evening talking business.  You’ll forever have the label as the office bore.

5.  Do keep all conversations positive and upbeat.  Don’t spend the evening complaining, bragging, correcting, whining, or ridiculing.  And do avoid controversial subjects (such as religion, politics, etc.) and off-color jokes.

6.  Don’t monopolize conversations – and especially, don’t talk about yourself or your accomplishments all night.  Do show interest in others.  Do be gracious and thank coworkers and team members for all their help and hard work during the past year.  And don’t even think about gossiping about others.

7.  Do keep one hand free during the night so that you can offer handshakes to people as they come by.  And do keep your drink in your left hand, so you are not offering people a cold, wet handshake all evening.

8.  Don’t assume everyone celebrates the same holiday, so don’t go overboard with the Merry Christmas.

9.  Do be sure you know exactly who is invited to the party.  Spouses or significant others are not always on the guest list for office parties.  And if guests are permitted, don’t bring an inappropriate person as your guest.

10.  Don’t forget to thank the person responsible for planning and coordinating the party.  And do consider sending a thank-you note to top management hosting the party.

The holiday season is supposed to be joyous, fun and filled with happiness. But it can also be stressful.  That’s one of the reasons we play Continuous Christmas music to keep you in a Good Mood all day and relax you at night. But for many, the holidays come with a daunting pile of obligations, sending cards, decorating, buying presents and hosting or attending parties. A long to-do list can be overwhelming. It is important to pace yourself, whether it’s eating and drinking or even shopping.

The American Psychological Association found that 71 percent of Americans report that money is a significant source of stress this holiday season because of the current state of the economy. Here are some tips to help you get through the season with the least amount of stress possible. 

 ·         Get exercise: This is extremely important. Go to the gym, take regular walks or run. Make sure you are staying active in order to help reduce your stress level.

·         Watch your diet: People tend to eat more quantities of rich foods during the holidays. It’s okay to indulge occasionally, but do it responsibly and in moderation. 

·         Get a checkup: If you haven’t had one recently, the holidays might be a good time to visit the doctor and have a routine physical.

 ·         Be organized: Have a plan, make a schedule and do it one step at a time. Do not wait until the last minute to do everything. 

·         Be cost effective: Given the current economic crisis, no one should blame you for spending a little less this year. Keep it simple. 

·         Ask for help: No one should expect you to do everything yourself. Ask for help when it comes to shopping and decorating as well as other tasks. 

·         Get enough sleep: You shouldn’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep as well as daily down time. Take a nap, take time for yourself, reenergize and relax. Your body will thank you for it. 

The holiday season is a time for you to enjoy being with your families and friends. Listen to The Magic of Christmas as much as possible and take care of yourself. Together we’ll reduce that stress so you can spend the time enjoying the holidays.

Steve Santa Suter

1. At night the neighbors come over to your front lawn and tan.

2. When you turn on your lights, your electric meter spins so fast you could saw wood.

3. Airplanes keep trying to land in your front yard.

4. Neighbors are upset about all the carolers that keep showing up in front of your house.

1. Keeps asking Mrs.  Claus, “What day do I go to work again?

2. Accidentally sat on an elf again.

3. Locked his keys in the sleigh for the third time.

4. Is it me or does Santa’s pipe smell funny?

5. Can’t recall the most famous reindeer of all.

“Year Without a Santa Claus – One of my favorites because of the Characters. Shirley Booth (aka ‘Hazel’) was the voice of Mother Nature. It featured the Heat Miser and Snow Miser: I could never get those songs out of my head…”I’m Mister Heat Miser, I’m mister one hundred and one…”

Of Course the original animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas“,  Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer, and  A Charlie Brown Christmas, are still being enjoyed by new generations. These are classics that should not be tampered with (in other words, don’t try to make live-action movie versions of them… whoops, too late on the Grinch!).

“Frosty The Snowman” but not “Frosty Returns” which was made recently with different voices.

“The Little Drummer Boy” – this was shown for years until sometime in the mid-1980’s. That was when most religious Christmas specials seemed to disappear. . It had the same animation style (a combination of marionette work, traditional puppetry, and stop-motion filming.) I got teary eyed when the little lamb was run over by the chariot in this one.