seek out your personal

stress outlets.

Plan Ahead. Make

arrangements with home

care agencies or other

health care providers who

may be involved with

holiday care.

Thing about the positives.

There are many rewards to

caregiving and it is

important to reflect and

remind yourself of the

positives and all that you

are doing well. Such

reflection can also make

you see that caregiving can

be a time of personal

growth.

While only you know what is

best for and what works for you,

it is important to remember that

as a caregiver, you give and give

and give. Therefore during the

holidays especially, you must

recognize the signs of stress and

burnout, communicate with and

rely on your family and friends,

remember the joys of caregiving

and not forget to take time for

yourself.

AARP/Goyer, A. (2015). 10 Tips for caregivers during the holidays.

Retrieved October 16, 2015 from http://www.aarp.org/home-family/

caregiving/info-12-2013/caregiving-holiday-stress-goyer.html

Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Aging. (2015). Caregiving

and the holidays: From stress to success! Retrieved October 16, 2015

from https://caregiver.org/caregiving-and-holidays-stress-success.

Source: Amy F. Hosier, Extension Specialist for Family Life Written by:

Amy Hosier, Ph.D. Extension Specialist for Family Life Edited by: Connee

Wheeler, Designed by: Rusty Manseau Stock Images: 123RF.com

Caregiving and the Holidays

While holidays can be a time of

joy and happiness, they can also

bring stress and frustration

when it comes to caregiving.

Out of town friends and family,

traditions and various events

can disrupt daily routines,

leaving caregivers feeling out of

control or overwhelmed. As a

result, the holidays and holiday

planning can become an

additional stress versus a joy.

To make the holidays more

enjoyable for both you and the

person to whom you offer care,

it is important to pursue better

communication, connection and

support from family and friends.

Communicate. Being

honest with people about

the situation and your

loved one’s impairments

can help diminish the

feeling of being in the

caregiving game alone.

Communication will also

better allow others to

respond appropriately to

the situation.

Adapt. During the holidays

it is important to be

flexible. You may need to

modify time spent in your

home or time away from

your home. It is okay to

allow another family

member to host a dinner or

to cut back on your

responsibilities.

Avoid anxiety. Create a

space in the environment

that provides your loved

ones with peace and quiet.

Quiet time and less

stimulation can reduce the

confusion often caused by

background noise and

multiple conversations.

Enjoy your loved one. Use

the holidays as a reminder

to sit

down

and

take

time

to talk and reminisce with

your loved one. Looking

through old photos,

unpacking and hanging

decorations together or

doing other activities can

help you remember the

good times and importance

of family.

Take time for you. Let

friends and family help you.

This can be the best holiday

gift that they can give.

Such respite allows you

some well-deserved “time-

off” from your duty and

opportunities for you to

take time for yourself and

December 2017

Fat Quarter Apron

December 4

Winter Wreath

December 4

Beginning Acrylic

Painting - Snowman

December 5

Mono Printing

December 5, 7

Ice Box Cookies

December 8

Cricut Fundamentals

December 12

Cheese Boards, Plate

and Holidays

December 14

Office Closed

December 21

Office Closed

December 23 -

January 1

Don’t Miss the Fun

Beginning Acrylic Painting -

Snowman

Everyone needs a little cheer

as the snow starts to fall. Join

us as we paint the charming

snowman in acrylic. No

experience is necessary and all

supplies are

include in

the class

fee. This

class will be

taught on

Tuesday,

December 5th at 10 AM. Cost

is $30 and registration is

required.

Fat Quarter Apron

Learn to create

this quick and

easy apron that is

made from just

five fat quarters.

This apron is

modeled after the traditional

French chef’s apron. The full

cover apron has a large

double pocket, patchwork

trim at the top. Waist ties are

long enough to tie in front or

back. This class will be taught

on Monday, December 4th at

5 PM. Cost is $6 and

registration is required.

Winter Wreath

If you enjoy changing your

door decorations with the

seasons, this

class is for

you. Join us

as our

instructor

shows us

how to make this snowy

wreath to use for your winter

décor. All materials are

included in the class fee. This

class will be taught on

Monday, December 4th at 5

PM. Cost is $30 and

registration is required.

Check out these great classes!

to make

the

perfect

cheese

plate for

your next dinner party or for

upcoming holiday

entertaining. Participants will

make a cheese plate to take

home with up to two pounds

of cheese and/or fruit and

garnishes. This class will be

taught on Thursday,

December 14th at 6 PM. Cost

is $30 and registration is

required.

Ice Box Cookies

Tis the

season to

exchange

cookies,

have

company over, and attend

family gatherings and office

parties. Come join this class

on making ice box/refrigerator

cookies. This demonstration

class will show you how to

make cookies that are

delicious, fanci-ish, simple and

convenient. These cookies

can be prepared in advance,

frozen and then baked fresh

whenever the need or urges

arises. Fresh baked samples

will be offered in class. This

class will be taught on Friday,

December 8th at 6 PM. Cost is

$5 and registration is

required.

Cheese Boards, Plates &

Holidays

Not only is cheese wildly

popular these days, it has also

become a conversation piece.

Join this class and learn what

you need to know about how

Page 2 Laurel County Extension Homemaker

ATTENTION!

If you haven’t paid your dues this will

be your last newsletter!

We will still accept

your dues until

December 8th

Mono Printing Class Mono Printing is a form of printmaking that has lines or images that

can only be made once, unlike most forms of printmaking. During

this two session class , students will not only learn a technique of

reverse painting to create images, but they will also create their

own gelli print block to take home. During the first class, students

will make their gelli print block and create sample pieces using the

instructors blocks. During the second session, students will use

their own blocks to create one of a kind art pieces, use resist

techniques, and explore secondary uses for their artwork. This 2-

part class will be taught on Tuesday, December 5th and Thursday,

December 7th at 6 PM. Cost is $25 and registration is required.

Page 3 December 2017

Bad Weather Policy

Cricut Fundamentals— Heat Transfer

Learn how to design, cut, weed and apply heat

transferred vinyl designs onto burlap. Students will

have an option of creating a monogram or a holiday

design. The instructor will be using a Cricuit Air for this

class. Students are encouraged to bring their own

cutters if they have them. This class will be taught on

Tuesday, December 12th at 10 AM or 6 PM. Cost is

$15 and registration is required.

Our Office

will be closed

December 21st,

and

December 23rd - January 1st

If Laurel County Schools are cancelled due to bad weather, Laurel County Extension

Homemaker programs will be cancelled. (No announcement will be made on the radio.)

Clubs need to make their own policy, but most clubs follow the Laurel County School

system. If you are in doubt whether the meeting is cancelled or not, please contact the

office (864-4167) for more information. All county closings will be posted on FACEBOOK.

Follow us on FACEBOOK at: Laurel County FCS.

Notice:

Hooks & Crooks December’s Date Change to

December 14th at 10 AM

Please note that the December meeting for Hooks & Crooks has been

changed from the 21st to the 14th. Meeting starts at 10:00 AM. (You are

welcome to stay for Cookbook Club which will begin at 11 AM!)

Notice:

Cookbook Club December 14th at 11 AM

Remember that our December meeting is our annual cookie

exchange. Bring 3 dozen cookies to exchange with other attendees.

Meeting starts at 11:00 AM. Not a member of the Cookbook Club yet? Bring some cookies and check it out!

not feel guilty about taking

time to breathe during the

holidays. You have to take

care of yourself before you

can take care of others.

Prevent injuries

Many common holiday

activities can cause injuries

that put a damper on the

holiday cheer. Watch young

ones and assist the elderly

who are at increased risk of

falls and other injuries during

this time. For holiday safety,

remember: stand on a step

stool or ladder instead of

furniture while putting up

decoration; ask for help;

sprinkle sand or salt on icy

patches; never drink and

drive; and be aware of

extreme weather conditions.

Most residential fires also

occur in winter; never leave

fireplaces, stoves or candles

unattended.

Have a joyous holiday and

hope that some of these tips

will keep you safe and healthy

well into the new year.

https://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday

https://www.mayoclinic.org/health-lifestyle/stress-management/in-

depth/stress/art-20047S44

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/

Nutrition/This-Holiday-Season-Eat-Mindful-Not-

Mindless_UCM_447030_Article.jsp#.WET4UVtSy70

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00367

Written by: Natalie Jones Edited by: Connee Wheeler Designed by: Rusty

Manseau Stock Images 123RF.com

It is common to pack on 5-10

pounds during the holiday

season, but there are ways

you can eat both healthy and

well! The holidays are a great

opportunity to enjoy time

with family and friends,

celebrate life, be grateful and

reflect on what is important.

They are also a time to

appreciate the gift of health.

Stay Active

Physical activity is just as

important during the holidays

as any other time of the year.

You should be active at least

four to five times a week for

30 minutes. Exercise will help

you deal with added stress

and give you energy for all you

need to accomplish this

holiday season. It will also

help you manage your weight

through the parties and

gatherings.

Make it a

family affair

and have

quality

bonding

time. Walk

around the neighborhood to

look at holiday decorations,

play a game of charades or

dance to your favorite holiday

music. It may be cold outside,

but winter offers different fun

like ice skating, sledding, or

snowball fights. All of which

are great ways to get moving.

Eat Well

With all the delicious foods

available, eating too much

may seem expected during

the holidays. However,

moderation is great mantra

for the holiday season. Have a

mindful approach towards

eating by controlling portions,

slowing down to enjoy your

meal and paying attention

while you eat. Make it a

priority

to eat

five or

more

fruits

and vegetables a day. With

balance and moderation, you

can enjoy the holidays the

healthy way.

Wash Your Hands Often

Colds and the flu are most

prevalent in the winter. One

of the easiest ways to prevent

getting sick or spreading

germs is keeping your hands

clean and urging others to do

the same. Hand washing

should take place before,

during, and after handling

food; after handling, petting or

giving a pet treats; before you

eat; and after you sneeze,

cough or blow your nose.

Wash your hands with soap

and water for at least 20

seconds.

Manage Stress

Holidays do not have to be

stressful. Be realistic, plan

ahead and take time for

yourself. Handling stress can

be done by getting adequate

amounts of sleep, committing

to fewer gatherings or setting

a budget for the holidays. Do

Happy and Healthy Holidays

Page 4 Laurel County Extension Homemaker

Judi Cissell O’Bryan

Laurel County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education

Page 5 December 2017

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7

Stop the Spread of Illness

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

LONDON, KY

PERMIT NO. 103

During the winter months, we tend to gather

together, especially during the holidays. This

is a great time to be with family and friends,

but it can also be a time when illnesses

spread quickly. Staying healthy is important,

especially if you do not want to miss out on

all of the fun. Below

are some ways you can

keep from spreading

illnesses among your

family and friends this

holiday season:

Wash your hands regularly. You should

wash your hands when you are

preparing food and before you eat; after

touching a pet or feeding a pet; after

coughing or sneezing; after going to the

restroom; and after touching garbage.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These are areas that have a mucous membrane. This is also the area where most illnesses get into the body. In fact, for illnesses that are respiratory in

nature, that is the only way those germs can get in.

Get a vaccine. It is not too late to get

the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can

prevent you from getting the flu. If you

do get sick, you are likely to have a

much milder response.

Steps to washing hands

It is always good to review how to best wash

hands.

First, wet your hands with water and put

a little soap on them.

Next, rub your hands together, forming

a good lather. Do not forget the back of

the hands, in-between your fingers and

under your nails.

You should do this for at least 20

seconds (or sing the “Happy Birthday”

song two times).

Rinse hands well.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or let

them air dry.

When should you use hand sanitizers?

There is no doubt that soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs that may be on your hands. But sometimes there is no soap and water available. Sanitizers can be an option, but remember that they do not get rid of all the germs that are on your hands. Also remember that sanitizers do not work as well if your hands are visibly dirty or they are greasy.

You do not want to be sick during the

holidays! Make sure

you wash your hands

regularly, try to keep

from touching your

eyes, nose and mouth

and make sure to get

your flu vaccine.

http: //www.henrythehand.com https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing

Written by: Nicole Peritore Edited by: Connee Wheeler Designed by: Rusty Manseau Stock Images:

123RF.com