Valhalla Funeral Home
Winter 2011
onnections
Br ing ing g e ne r at ion s to g e t he r
5317 Bessemer Super Hwy, Midfield AL | 205-425-9898 | www.valhallafuneralhome.com
Travel Tips for Grandparents
Vacations made with your grandchildren are the most memorable and it’s no wonder! Just
imagine lively, youthful sounds to keep you going for more. There’s just something these little
ones are able to give you—like an energy potion to make the most out of your vacations!
Unfortunately, no matter how jolly we all are the moment we leave our houses, there’s no telling
how everything would be as soon as we reach our destination. Vacation blunders are bound to
happen, especially if the organizer was not too careful in making everybody happy. Here are
some vacation and travel tips for grandparents to make your vacations fun and hassle-free.
Shovel Safely
In these winter months, check
the weather daily. If winter
weather is in your forecast, plan
to pay someone or learn how to
safely shovel snow. Check with
your doctor about any such
strenuous exercise. Persons
with cardiac conditions or
asthma and who regularly
exercise in warmer months may
not be able to tolerate the same
amount of exercise in the cold
winter weather.
Read more at livestrong.com
EASY EGGNOG
The perfect recipe for egg nog
novices. It's non-alcoholic, so
make enough to share with the kids!
Plan according to everyone’s schedule
As a general rule—and especially if you are
not living with your grandkids—ask their
parents what time do the kids usually get up
when in a vacation and chart your activities
from there. If you plan to start your day early,
make sure you talk with “late-risers” so they
are forewarned.
Have a pre-vacation talk
Make sure you discuss all necessary points
such as where and what time exactly activities
will happen. This way, you would know your
grandkids’ priorities and be able to plan from
there.
Plan for conflicting priorities
Work on a schedule that would be very
beneficial for all even if it means not being
2 whole eggs, beaten well
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
2 1/3 cups of whole milk
together all the time. By grouping yourselves
according to preferred activities, everyone is
guaranteed to have a good time.
Envision yourself when you get there
Your vacation should be a trip you and your
grandchildren will enjoy. If you feel your body
won’t be able to handle your grandkids, it is
much better to admit it, get help and not regret
anything later.
While it is normal for grandparents like you to
spoil your grandkids especially when out on a
vacation, try to control yourself and save the
spoiling activities later! Remember that when
you’re somewhere far from home, you should
be the one in charge!
- More at senior-site.com
Blend all ingredients.
Refridgerate until
chilled. Garnish with
cinnamon sticks!
Book Review
Winter Safety Tips from msnbc.com
home heating safety
More home fires happen during the winter
months than any other time of the year mainly
due to home heating devices. In addition,
heating devices and household appliances
that are fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood
in a closed up house can also produce deadly
carbon monoxide gas. Some simple things
you can do to protect yourself are:
holidays on ice
by david sedaris
Holidays on Ice is a collection of
holiday-themed fictional stories
and personal essays written by
David Sedaris, the best-selling
humorist. Holidays on Ice was
one of Sedaris' first works when
originally published, and it's been
re-released with the addition of a
few passages, most of which
have been previously published
elsewhere.
Sedaris' family makes several
funny appearances throughout
the book. One of Sedaris' great
skills is that he can create a
gently and subtly moving and
emotional story without sacrificing
any of his humor.
The fictional pieces are bleakly
funny, including a Christmas
letter written by a suburban
mother at the center of a scandal.
It's dark satire, but it's quite
funny, and a change from the
personal essay format of most of
Sedaris' other writing.
The bottom line is that Holidays
on Ice is a joy to read, the kind of
book that really makes you laugh
out loud.
Read more book reviews at
www.bestsellers.about.com
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
on every level of the home and check the
batteries every month and change them at
least once a year.
Space Heaters
If you’re using a space heater remember that
space heaters need space. Keep anything that
can burn at least three feet away from the
heater, and if you’re looking to by a new space
heater get one that automatically shuts off if
the heater falls over.
Fire Places
If you use a wood burning fire place make
sure you have a glass front or screen large
enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
Have chimney flue pipe checked once a year.
Fire Extinguishers
Get an ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher for
the home; learn how to use it and check it
yearly to be sure is working.
winter auto safety
To ensure winter time driving safety — if you
live in a cold climate — have your vehicle
serviced and winterized so it’s ready for winter
driving and winter road conditions. Some
specific items to be checked are the:
Tires: check the tire air pressure and make
sure your tires have sufficient tread.
Radiator: have the anti-freeze levels checked.
Belts: inspect the belts and hoses for cracks
or leaks.
Oil: ask you mechanic about switching to a
thinner grade of engine oil for better
performance in colder temperatures.
Wipers: inspect the windshield wipers and
wiper fluid to ensure better visibility.
Battery: make sure it’s fully charged.
Buy an auto safety kit designed for winter and
cold weather emergencies. It includes 46 vital
items that can help in an emergency like a
folding shovel, emergency survival blanket, ice
scraper, emergency candles and water proof
matches, 3 packets of water, poncho,
flashlight with batteries, gloves, hand warmer,
LED safety light, 5 in 1 whistle, 27 piece first
aid kit, AAA car care guide and a carry bag.
Available at Target or your local AAA Store.
Managing Grief During the Holidays
The holidays are a busy time, full of joyful gatherings, a time of reflection and fond memories. But for those
who have experienced the death of a loved one, the holidays can seem much more daunting, stressful and
lonely. While it may be a struggle, there are things that can be done to ease the grief and make coping less
difficult. The National Funeral Directors Association offers the following suggestions for the bereaved:
Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Don't be afraid to set limits. The holiday season is
busy enough that it can exhaust anyone, but if you are shouldering an extra burden of grief, it only makes it
more unappealing. Get enough sleep, eat well, and take time out for yourself. Think about what family
traditions you want to take part in, and what may be too much. Don't be afraid to say no.
Share your memories with others. Speaking about your loved ones can often help alleviate some of the
pain of the season. Take part in a remembrance service at your local place of worship or funeral home.
Spending time with others who understand what you're going through is often a great source of comfort.
Above all, do what's right for you. Your family and friends care about you, and will likely offer advice
about what they think is best for the grieving process. It is perfectly natural to need time and space to honor
the memory of your loved one. But don't forget to seek out family and friends for support. You are not alone.
For additional information, contact us about holiday aftercare programs. We're here to help.