Transitions With Jean - Columns

“Is it good for me?” A while back, my hubby and I were watching a TV show called “The Voice”. One of the stars was Alicia Keys, and she was bantering with Blake Sheldon, one of the other stars; (think of him like the annoying big brother that likes to pester...

January. Brrrr. Here we are in the month of ice, of cold temperatures, short days with little sunshine, with wind-chill factors, and joy. Yes, I said joy!Wouldn’t you like to get joy in your life? I discovered how to do that when I recently visited a kindergarten...

It is the holiday season; a time for laughter, for visiting, for reminiscing. If you haven’t seen Mom and Dad for a while, it is also a time for observing. You might intend to fly in on a whirlwind trip, plan all kinds of activities with them, take them out to a show...

There is no place like home. It is the reason we all get together over the holidays. Can you smell the traditional foods? Whether it is turkey and sage dressing, pumpkin pie, fried potato pancakes, Christmas cookies or stollen,… can you smell it now?Just thinking...

Dear Jean, you had a beautiful ballad many years ago about a mom making a move. My family needs to hear it now that we are going through this. Can you print it again? Absolutely. Here you go. It goes to the tune of On Top of Old Smokey. On top of my table, all covered...

Here is a follow-up to the last column and some feedback from readers: Dear Jean, I’ve always enjoyed your column but today when you were telling minimalist kids to take their parents’ stuff as a favor to the parents, I had to disagree with your advice. I only want my...

Do you need a little help understanding your parents? Sometimes, you just can’t figure them out. They hold on to everything they possess and just won’t let go. All their stuff is special to them, and they want you to want it. You don’t. In addition, they simply won’t...

One of the pleasures of my job is being able to speak at different gatherings about making the transition from the big family home. I enjoy it when folks share their ideas, hesitations, challenges, and solutions. I love hearing their stories. This is the time of the...

Summer is moving season. Today, you get advice from the most experienced mover around – me! Many of you know of my senior business. At Long’s Senior Transitions, we help folks make a change from their family home into their simplified new home, whether it is...

Have you fallen in your house? It can be a scary thing. There can be broken bones, bruises, or if you are lucky, just a bruised ego. But even the mildest of falls can still have long-term effects; it may cause you to become fearful of falling again. When that happens,...