Housing Options for Seniors

Peggy Presnell led this interesting class in Housing Options for Seniors.  What will you do when your current living arrangement no longer works.  There are several options such as independent living, assisted living, nursing home, or memory care center.  It is important to know the options so that you can express your desires to relatives before you need to make a change.  Click on the attachments to learn more. Peggy will be arranging for visits to various facilities during the Spring Semester.  Let her know if there is any particular ones you would like to have the group visit.
Housing Options Definitions - Click Here
Facilities near Cypress, TX - Click Here

Gift for You - From Louise Hayes

Louise Hayes has sent us a gift for the holidays.  Below is a link to her booklet on improving your vision.  As we age many of us experience vision issues.  Feel free to download this booklet and do the exercises.  Louise have shared many of her health enhancing tips with us in classes and she is inviting you to share this information with your friends and family.  Remember that she makes individual appointments to assist you with particular needs. Happy Holidays to ALL.
Vision Booklet - Click Here
Workshop Schedule for January 2013 - Click Here
Order form for other booklets - Click Here

Life Insurance Need

Even though life insurance isn't the most friendly topic, Duane Horne of Guidance Financial presented an informative and interesting program.  Most people need life insurance at one some time in their lifetime...especially if others are dependent on them for support.  Open the handout that Duane reviewed with us to learn some more.  Duane outlined the different types of life insurance and what their functions are.  Feel free to contact Duane if you would like to review your personal situation.
Worksheet - Click Here
Duane's Bio - Click Here
Duane's Card - Click Here

Holiday Cookie Plate

What a fun class we had decorating plates for the holidays. This would be a fun activity for both adults and kids.  Check out the following information to learn more about how to use the Porcelaine 150 paint by Pebeo.  This is a food safe paint when the china is heat cured in the oven.

Linda’s Picture Examples – Click Here

Website for paint used to paint the plates  -www.pebeo.com

Website to find ideas on painted plates….or any craft idea -www.pinterest.com

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=painted+holiday+plates

Good Instructions -http://www.miycreations.com/MIY-christmas-dishes-painted.html

Good Instructions -http://www.kidspot.com.au/Christmas-Christmas-crafts-Hand-painted-Christmas-mugs-and-plates+1391+117+article.htm

Good Pictures -http://www.scriptandscribble.com/Holiday-Themed-Gifts-Holiday-Ceramic-Plates-Frames-Plaques/c156_230/index.html

Christian Right and American Politics

Dr. Blake Ellis, associate professor of History at LSC-CyFair, shared with us his study of the Christian Right and its influence on American Politics starting in the 20th century until now.  We learned some very interesting takes on the history of the United States from this different perspective.  The class was very informative with some interesting Texas tidbits thrown in for good measure.

You can view the presentation here.

Staging Your Home for Sale

Have you tried to sell a house lately?  It has become more difficult to sell a house for the price you want.  Many people have turned to "staging" in order to make their house more attractive to potential buyers. Home staging is the act of preparing a property for sale.  The goal of staging is to make the home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers and in turn lead to a greater selling price.  Suzanne Davis, owner of "Signs of Design", shared some great tips and pictures showing how staging a property improves (shortens) time on the market. The goal is to sell a property for the highest price in the shortest period of time.  Check out Suzanne's handout and her web videos.
Signs of Designs Handout - Click Here
Suzanne's web videos - http://www.signsofdesign.biz/StagedListings.html

Another website video - http://www.signsofdesign.biz/index.html

Suzanne's Business Card - Click Here

Tax Free Investing

We all know how dismal earning rates currently are for Certificates of Deposit and other investments.  Anita Bowman-McCormick of Edwards Jones enlightened us on the use of Tax-Free Investing to build your financial accounts.  It's not what you make, it's what you keep.   There are three primary ways to earn tax-free income:  Municipal Bonds, Retirement Accounts and Life Insurance.  Tax-Free Investing definitely deserves a spot in your portfolio.  See the Tax-Free Yield chart to compare tax-free equivalent yields.  Example:  an investment in a tax-free bond earning 3% would be equal to a taxable account earning 4% because you would then have to pay taxes on the taxable earnings.  If you would like further information on this investment approach, feel free to contact Anita directly.
Tax-Free Equlvalent Yield Chart - Click Here
Anita's Business Card - Click Here

Living Mindfully

Do you live in the present, past or future?  That is a question to ask yourself.  Life is better when you live in the present and do it thoughtfully. Micki Fine, a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, shared how we need to live fully with an open-hearted awareness.  Don't let things from your past drag you down.  Don't waste today by worrying about tomorrow.  We need to learn how to live our lives appreciating each day's beauty in surroundings and people.  Learn more by reviewing Micki's info below.
Presentation - Click Here
Inspiration - Click Here
Living Mindfully Info - Click Here
Tips for Relieving Stress - Click Here