Santa is doing exciting new things this year. Maranda and Where You Live discover the fun and magic behind Santa’s special swim event at the Holland Aquatic Center. Come out and join the fun on December 10, 2011 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Underwater pictures with Santa, holiday games and prizes! And from 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. Float in movie, “The Search for Santa Paws” (rated G) $5 per person, $5 per raft or bring your own.

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Behind the scenes of Civic Theater’s Wizard of Oz.

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The GR Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is here!

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This week is Thanksgiving!  I love this holiday-of course the turkey and mashed potatoes are wonderful, but way more important is the fact that we can slow down and really appreciate all the blessings in our lives.   Family, friends, faith, freedom, shelter, education, employment…the list goes on and on.  We truly have so much to celebrate.  Take time to encourage your children to pause for a moment of thanksgiving.  Something we started when our kids were little was a thankgiving journal.  Each year we pull it out and everyone who joins us for Thanksgiving dinner writes what they are most thankful for.  Over the years we have gathered quite an interesting list.! For instance one year my 13 year old nephew simply wrote “food” and at that point in his life-that really was the most important thing to him!  It’s also great to look back at the things my grandparents wrote.  They are no longer with us and it’s a joy to be able to look at their handwritting and read their words.   This truly is a special time of year-I encourage you to pause and celebrate all the things you have to be thankful for “Where You Live!”

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Maranda finds out the latest in holiday decorating from Bronner’s.

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Maranda visits Zak’s Candy Haus in Frankenmuth.

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Thanksgiving week is upon is—many travel plans, feasts to savor, some time off from work to enjoy—these are all good things! I am wondering what comes up for you when you think about spending time with family this Thanksgiving—happiness and excitement? Anxiety and dread? Somewhere in between? For many, spending time with family brings to the surface the realities of the challenges relationships can face. I know that this isn’t the most joyous subject to talk about as we are approaching a holiday where we give thanks and express our gratitude. However, it is the truth for a lot of people: relationships can be hard and tight quarters and lots of family members in one space can magnify some of the difficulties.

So, here are some tips of encouragement for you as you enter this week with your family members who might be challenging to spend time around…

• Recognize what is within your control: YOU! Reminding yourself of what is in and out of your control is important so you don’t expend all of your energy trying to change someone else’s behavior. If you are frustrated, take some space. If you are irritated that you are providing a full turkey dinner for a party of 20, request that others each bring a dish. Realizing what you are in control of empowers you and helps you spend your energy in the most useful way.

• Put some structure into all the downtime. What are your plans after the big dinner? For some families, this is time to sit around for many hours, and is often when irritations with each other can surface. Maybe difficult topics of conversation happen or a family member’s habits or patterns begin to take over the time together. Putting a simple structure in place can keep things moving and reduce frustrations that can happen with idle space. For example: after the big dinner, taking a walk together, playing group games or board games, or watching a movie can be ways to engage time well.

• Realize that all emotions are fair game. As people, we experience a broad range of emotions and just because we are getting together with family does not mean we can temporarily get rid of the uncomfortable ones. Going into time with family realizing that you are probably going to experience some negative emotions helps you be prepared and also can help you in having a game plan with how you’ll respond to these emotions. For example, instead of having a full conversation about the political differences between you and your uncle, perhaps you recognize when anxiety about this is surfacing and choose to politely excuse yourself from the conversation. Awareness of your emotions and owning your own responses to these emotions is one of the keys to healthier more satisfying relationships.

For more information on behavioral health issues, or to seek assistance, go to http://www.pinerest.org

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Maranda visits Mid-Michigan’s largest water park and discovers what there is to do at Zender’s. Come out for a family vacation that you will remember forever.

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Maranda takes us into the world’s largest Christmas store. There is so much to see and so much to shop for that you can find anything for anyone here. Come along with Where You Live and discover more.

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Maranda takes viewers on a journey through Zender’s restaurant tasting some delectable treats and their famous fried chicken.

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