holidays

Trying to avoid the same old Valentine’s Day of flowers, cards, and chocolate? Look no further! Here we’ll share some fun and unique ideas.

As Valentine’s Day rolls around, many people begin to feel pressure to make the day special for their significant other. With life being so busy, however, a lot of couples end up defaulting to something nice, yes, but predictable- a nice romantic card, dinner out, maybe some flowers and of course, chocolate.

And while a night out like that is perfectly acceptable, it tends to be a bit been there, done that. The news is you can have a really fun and fulfilling Valentine’s Day that is unique and fresh without breaking the bank or going crazy trying to plan something. If you’re feeling frustrated or anxious about creating the perfect Valentine’s Day, take some time to join us today and check out some of our great ideas for your date night.

Dr. Tina Lepage from Lepage Associates is our guest, and she’s sharing some new, exciting ideas for making the day enjoyable and stress-free.

Local Events:

February 14, 4-8pm – Capital Area Transit invites you to join the “Love Bus” event to celebrate the R-Line’s 2nd anniversary. Take your date around downtown on the R-Line to receive free gifts like candy and flowers and coupons to local restaurants. Riders will also enjoy the tunes of local singing groups serenading them along the way. All attendees will be entered to win gift cards from local businesses that will be raffled off throughout the night.

February 11, 12, 13&14The Varsity Theatre will again be hosting a special showing of ‘Gone with the Wind.” Tickets- $20

February 2-20 – The 11th annual NC Comedy Arts Festival

January 29- March 6PlayMakers brings Tony Kushner’s ‘Angels in America,’ a two-part performance

February 12, 18&19 (8pm) and February 13&20 (4pm)Cary Players presents ‘Love Bits & Bites: The Sixth Sense.’ Bring your sweetheart or best friend to the Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary, NC for a hefty serving of entertainment and sweet treats at intermission. Tickets- $17

To find out more about Tina and her practice, Lepage Associates, visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to make an appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s that time of year again… What are your New Year’s Resolutions? What about your relationship resolutions?

At the start of a new year, many people try to set goals for themselves, their relationships, and their families. With the highest of hopes, they plan for the best and most positive possible outcomes. The problem, however, is that some people sometimes set their expectations a little too high and then become frustrated and overwhelmed when they don’t accomplish everything exactly as they had planned. And then some things, like relationship resolutions, are given up on altogether.

The reality is that couples and families can sometimes be overcome with all of the little things life has in store- work, kids, taking care of other family members, and other pesky responsibilities. In many cases, couples don’t cherish and nurture their relationship and end up taking it for granted. They don’t realize it’s an entity that needs cultivating and developing just like anything else.

Today, our guest, Dr. Susan Orenstein of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC will be discussing how couples can use the New Year as a way to motivate themselves to set goals as a team. As a licensed psychologist and the director of Orenstein Solutions, Susan says it’s the perfect time for couples to take stock of their relationships, clarify their goals as a pair, and come up with a good action plan for 2013.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit her website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

Check out Susan’s Pairs Workshops here, and be sure to find out more about the PAIRS App for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

What’s the key to managing the holidays with your in-laws?

If the financial stress surrounding the holidays isn’t enough, there can always be a little more to count on with the arrival of extended family and in-laws, or the anticipation of making the yearly trek to the airport. Of course not everyone experiences tension with family members, but for those who do, when the issues come to a head during the holiday season there can be added stress with unwanted consequences.

For some people, the holidays can be a time when they become more acutely aware of the problems in their family either because they are spending more time together, or because previous holidays have been difficult and it opens old wounds. Whatever the situation or cause of the tension might be, the pressure can sometimes be too much to handle. The beauty in all of it, however, is that change and healing is possible. The holiday season and the arrival of in-laws truly don’t have to be so demanding and worrying.

Our guest today, Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones of KKJ Forensic and Psychological Services in Durham, NC, is here to offer advice to couples and families on how to deal with holiday stress.

To find out more about Katrina and her practice, visit her website or call (919) 493-1975 to make an appointment.