What if, at the end of the year, you could have half your annual income as a bonus? The catch: you must give up something important.

New York Life released their "Keep Good Going" report today, a survey of more than 2,000 Americans that assesses how people cultivate goodness in their lives, and how optimistic they are about their ability to "keep good going."*

Despite their willingness to give up important things for 50% more money (more on that below), nearly half of respondents said the quality of their lives is better today than it was five years ago. And despite challenging economic times, a majority--56% of respondents--feel that the economic downturn has had no negative impact on their ability to live life as a good person.

It isn't that finances aren't central to Americans' ability to live well: they are. Ninety percent of respondents stated that "living a good life" would be easier if they didn't have to worry about the bills, if they were able to be financially

Santa Monica Nativity Booth








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Christmas Scene Displays move onto Private Property

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec 3, 2012 - The City of Santa Monica, California has banned all Christmas Nativity scenes and "unattended displays" in Palisades Park after nearly 60 years. However, there are no prohibitions on live Nativity displays. A live Nativity display is planned for Palisades Park on Saturday, Dec 8th at 1 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec 9th, Nativity scene displays next to Clover Park in Santa Monica are scheduled to open. The static Nativity display location has been moved from Palisades Park to private property on the 2700 block of Ocean Park Blvd. between Clover Park & 28th St. Displays will be up through January 5th, 2013.

Hunter Jameson, Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee Chairman said " We're deeply grateful for the use of this new site to allow all of Santa Monica's distinctive Christmas Story to continue spreading the message of joy, hope and peace found in the Christ child's birth."

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I am a victim of corporate downsizing and poor planning on my own part. In spite of that, I was able to find a way to keep my home from going into foreclosure using a home loan modification program, and you can too! It wasn't that I was living above my means, but I just had not been able to save enough to tide me over when the layoff came. I was struggling just to keep the minimum paid on my credit cards, car note, and regular bills, and my house was close to foreclosure. Fortunately, I learned that to make the payments on my home, affordable modification of my loan was the answer.

Read More info of loan modification assistance

Here are some points to help you understand home modification loans:

• · What is a Loan Modification?
• · How is a Loan Modification Different From Refinancing, Short Sales, or Bankruptcies?
• · Are There Different Types of Loan Modifications?

What is a Mortgage Loan Modification?

It is a process where rather than getting a new loan,

If you're currently single, feel like it may be a chronic condition, and your mantra is starting to look like "I'm-never-going-to-meet-anyone-anytime-ever," you'll want to visit this list of Dating with Dignity's "real" reasons you may still be single.

1. You're still reeling from a traumatic break up and can't let it go.
Yes, he might have been one of your great loves and a (hopefully) wonderful part of your life. But the truth is, sister, from me to you, he's also no longer a part of your life. Letting go hurts, but remaining stuck on him and your relationship will leave you right there: stuck.

In order to be truly happy, begin to consider what it would like if you were to truly move on with your life. What would you be doing in your free time? Would you be Facebook stalking his friends? Would you be driving by his house or stopping by your old haunts to see if he's there? Or would you be getting more involved in a hobby or a new project at work?

Whatever you do, it's

A Bedroom with a Beach ThemeGetting my now teenager to clean her room was always a hassle. Clutter drives me absolutely bonkers and she couldn't seem to care less that you couldn't see the floor in her room for all the clutter.

As with most parenting dilemmas I have had, I decided the best way to change my child's behavior was to first adjust my attitude. All those years we fought about her room, it was MY problem, I was the one stressed by the clutter. So I decided to turn the tables and make her clutter HER problem. My daughter felt, as most kids probably feel, that it is her room so she should be able to keep it in whatever condition she likes. However, her room is in my house, therefore its condition should be to my housekeeping standards, not hers.

So one weekend when she was at her grandmother's house, I decided to clean her room. I had forewarned her that if she did not clean her room I would, and likely she would not be happy with the results. Armed with a trash bag, a laundry basket and my phone, I

Hello! Thanks so much for hosting me here today! In honor of my book's title, Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four, I thought it would be fun to share four random facts about the story.

Fact 1:

The story takes place in a setting that's loosely based on my New England boarding school. I loved my high school campus! And I remember feeling that it had an element of mystery to it. That it held ancient secrets. I tapped into that feeling as I wrote about a supernatural school hidden beneath the grounds of a regular school. . . .

Fact 2:

I thought it would be entertaining to make my husband a character in the book - at least use his name. When I asked him what kind of character he wanted to be, he thought long and hard about it. He really took the "casting" opportunity seriously. After a day or so of thinking, he announced that he wanted to be the guy the other characters feared. The funny thing is that his name is Al. And the name Al does not make anyone tremble with fear. I

Brandy Thurman has written a wonderful inspirational book, "Awaken Your Mind," filled with powerful messages that will transform your life to a bright beginning! The quotes throughout her book will bring feelings of joy, inspiration, and warmth bringing a new light and fulfillment in ourselves. Brandy said, "The world can be a cruel place sometimes and it is heartbreaking how some of us suffer physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am hoping to inspire, encourage, give hope, and help others to recognize their value and the beauty of life." Brandy's book is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, and her website massagetherapyconnection.com.

~Love is the ultimate bliss that conquers the depravity in our hearts ~
~Freedom is the one who has banished their fears, who is in control of oneself, and not bound by the judgments of others ~
~The past reflects who we are today, but tomorrow is another day ~
~A person who doesn't use their gift or talent is like a bird

BMS classrooms.jpg

Paola and Dawn handed in their Reading assignment to Mrs.Sanders and gathered their books for the next class.Mrs.Sanders smiled at Paola and told her that her heart necklace was pretty."Thank you!" said Paola.(Paola's grandmother gave her the heart necklace for Christmas.It was pink,yellow,and blue.) Paola went to the doorway of the classroom where Dawn was waiting.Dawn told Paola that her stomach was hurting.They always walked to Art class together on Tuesdays and Thursdays and had five minutes to get to the next class.
Paola went to her locker.Then she went around the corner to the stairway to Art class.She dreaded walking to the stairway.It wasn't because she sometimes lost her pencil on the way to class.(continued... on www.tweensheen.blogspot.com) Marie Brewer,author