Job well done!

There are many tough jobs during the holiday season but today most people that called me said Mail Carriers had the toughest job during the holidays. So, hats off to you! Thank you for a job well done through rain, sleet, and dead of night. Oh and your neighbors ferocious dog.

While mail carriers are normally paid well, they do have to work in all weather conditions. They are exposed everyday to the dangers of other drivers on the road, dogs and other animals. While you have 2 days off a week, mail is delivered on Saturday so you won't be getting many weekends off. Being a mail carrier is a tough job, depending on the route, you may need to carry a heavy mail bag and walk quite a distance in a day. But that is good exercise, right!

Some of the other tough jobs during the holidays that deserve mention. Our men and women serving in the military and away from home, the folks that clean up the stores we mess up, grocery stores, Mall Santa, retail sales, gift wrappers, bell ringers, firemen and police. Thank you all for keeping our holiday LITE and refreshing.

Holiday cards

Every year I go to Target or Wal-mart and buy some holiday cards with the best intentions of sending them out and every year I get too busy to do it. Do you send out holiday cards?

Are they fancy? Maybe with a family photo or a poem? Here are a few idea's to create a fun holiday card.

If you wanna send me a card and Jeff some coal here is our address:

101.5 LITE FM
20450 NW 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33169

Happy Holiday!

Classic toys

What was your favorite toy? Hot wheels, Frisbee, Easy-Bake-Oven, a Yo-Yo, Westy Besty?

A recent suryvey says Barbies and board games are back on top of holiday wish lists. Seems those classic toys never go out of style. Here is a great website that will take you back to your childhood.

My favorite toy

This very pretty ballerina is Mattel's popular Dancerina, who was introduced in 1968. She stands 24 inches tall and is a battery operated dancing doll. I believe this size only came in a blond version. She does lovely pirouettes when the knob inside her plastic crown is pushed or pulled. She turns in either direction and can also dance in place on her tip-toes.

I asked for it from my parents for Christmas and I remember the one and only time I snooped for gifts...it was that year. I found my Dancerina under my parents bed. I was so riddled with guilt that I had snooped...I told on myself. To this day I can't look at this doll without feeling a bit guilty.

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?

Holiday shopping safety

I'm sure you heard that I sprained my wrist on Sunday while I was holiday shopping. Heavy Bags!!!

This uncomfortable situation made me do a little research and I found out that its more common to have injuries while you shop during the holiday season than any other time of the year.

As a result of my investigation, I found some useful tips that I hope help with your holiday shopping.

And if you want to know your shopping style, check out this quiz.... Let me know how it comes out.

Hey twinkle toes!

In life as in dance:Grace glides on blistered feet.
~ Alice Abrams

All week we are giving away tickets to see the Miami City Ballet's "The Nutcracker"...which got me thinking about my early years as a ballerina. I was 5 years old my instructor was Mrs. Good and I loved this part of my life. The pink tights, dancing around and the big recital. We performed "Little Miss Muffet" I remember I got to be the spider that sat down beside her. I felt like a star!!

But I was not aware that Jeff Martin donned a tutu as well. I have the picture to prove it.

He's the one on the far right with the blonde wig and mustache. Nice.

Did you ever take ballet lessons and did you enjoy it?

How do you shop?

What is your shopping style? I did some holiday shopping last weekend and my poor husband became a coat tree... Howard ended up holding my purse, bags and coat while I went searching for the next gift on my list. It's a good thing he's very understanding and patient.


Immediate shopper - this kind of shopper looks at something, likes it, finds the price and buys it. This shopper does not think why and how that product is better to others, nor cares to compare any prices. I like it, so I buy it. Shopkeepers love this shopper.
Thoughtful Shopper - This shopper looks at a product, and thinks about it. Why should i buy it? Should I buy it? How will I use it? Will it be useful? Am I making a mistake buying it? Or should I buy it? What about the cost? This shopper will think about everything and then take a considered decision.
Confused Shopper - This shopper is confused. Does not know why he/she entered the shop at all? Why and what to buy? What will be the use? What about this? How about that? The shopper is confused about the whole shopping and is a big headache for the stores.
I Will Buy It Later - This buyer is a unique specimen. He/she will look at all the products. Discuss about few thoroughly and compare the prices. Will decide about what is to be bought and then suddenly walk out saying - I will buy it later.

The holiday bulge

Don't become a holiday blimp: with parties, work, and family events, calories can add up faster than snowflakes in a blizzard at this time of year.

Here's how to splurge without ending up shaped like frostyElizabeth M. Ward
HOLIDAY MEALS
* Be a discriminating diner. Scan the table for one or two foods you must have. Instead of gorging, take small portions--the first few bites are the best anyway. Fill the remaining space on your plate with lean meats, plain vegetables, and grains.
* Keep your mind off food. Instead of going for seconds, volunteer to do the dishes or clear the table.
* Bag it. Take all those spare cookies and treats your hosts ply you with to work the following day so you don't have unneeded temptation around your house.
PARTIES
* Never arrive hungry. Regular meals and snacks throughout the day will blunt your appetite and allow you to resist overdoing it on the festive treats.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
* Protein load. Foods like fish, seafood, chicken, and lean beef keep you fuller longer, so you eat less sugary junk.
* When you're done eating, avoid more mindless munching by parking yourself far from candy dishes and cookie platters.
EVERY DAY
* Don't deny yourself. If you're lusting after sugar cookies or eggnog, indulge. Just keep the portions as small as possible, so you limit the damage.
* Monitor yourself. Record everything you eat and how much you exercise. Studies show keeping tabs on excess pounds makes it easier to lose them.

By Elizabeth M. Ward, M.S., R.D.

Songs to make you skinny

This is a 23 pound turkey! This is Jeff Martin!

Jeff Martin just lost 23 pounds...that's amazing! Especially during the holiday season. He did it with Quick Weight Loss but I wonder if a little music might help.

Can a song help you drop the pounds?

I was a little apprehensive but then I listened to "Skinny Jeans" and a song called "The Incredible Shrinking Woman."

The songs are snappy and made me feel like dancing which could burn a few calories. This is really funny...take a listen.

Candy Cane Parade pics

We had sooo much fun Saturday night at the Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade. Here are a few pictures from our night. I'll have more to come so you can see Jeff Martin's peppermint tights.