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<title><![CDATA[SRL Lifestyles Family Columnists]]></title>
<link>http://www2.statesville.com/content/list/lifestyles/family/columnists/</link>
<description><![CDATA[SRL Lifestyles Family Columnists]]></description>
<language>en</language>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[What's the Wii know anyway?]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/whats-wii-know-anyway/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/whats-wii-know-anyway/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[My friends have been bitten by the Wii bug, and they convinced me to give it a try the other day.
Six of the grown-ups volunteered to climb on the Wii Fit board in their kids' rec room and find out our "Wii age." ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Sometimes, being bored can be a good thing]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/sometimes-being-bored-can-be-good-thing/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/sometimes-being-bored-can-be-good-thing/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Men, in general, would rather go to the dentist than go shopping with their wife. The reason this is true is related to the difference in philosophies about shopping between the genders. To men, shopping is pure and simple. You need shoes; you go buy a pair — just like the ones you are now wearing, same color. The only reason men go shopping is because the old shoes are falling apart.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[End of excitement gives way to post-holiday blues]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/end-excitement-gives-way-post-holiday-blues/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/08/end-excitement-gives-way-post-holiday-blues/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[The holiday season came to a halt at 7:30 on Christmas morning. There was no catastrophic event, just the opening of the final present, leaving my living room buried in shreds of wrapping paper that just 45 minutes prior had covered the gifts beneath the tree. "Home and Garden" would have been proud of my Currier and Ives ambience. They just needed to be here at sunrise to see it.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Three's a crowd at night]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/02/threes-crowd-night/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/02/threes-crowd-night/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[I woke up this morning to the thrashing of a 4-year-old octopus.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Your expression can speak volumes]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/02/your-expression-can-speak-volumes/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2009/jan/02/your-expression-can-speak-volumes/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[One of the great human dilemmas is the reality that others can see us better than we can see ourselves. This makes being married a real challenge. Husbands can see things wives can't see. Wives can see things husbands can't see. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Dad still hanging on to one pre-children tradition]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/31/dad-still-hanging-one-pre-children-tradition/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/31/dad-still-hanging-one-pre-children-tradition/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Whew! Christmas is over, the wrapping paper is recycled, school is almost back in session, the first post-Christmas credit card statement hasn't yet arrived and I am still basking in the bliss of gifts well-chosen. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Not even Santa's magic can ward off flu]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/24/not-even-santas-magic-can-ward-flu/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/24/not-even-santas-magic-can-ward-flu/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[It figures in the year of less pay checks and more expensive everything, Santa would get sick. Santa: The man, the myth, the legend — down and out with the stomach flu. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Waiting for the day my child breaks my heart]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/18/waiting-day-my-child-breaks-my-heart/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/18/waiting-day-my-child-breaks-my-heart/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[As Christmas gets closer, our children's metabolism is cranking up even higher, and they are pinging off the walls even more than usual. That's fun to watch, most of the time. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[A really long engagement]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/18/really-long-engagement/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/18/really-long-engagement/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Save the date: In 2028, there's going to be a wedding. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Seven symptoms of depression]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/18/seven-symptoms-depression/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/18/seven-symptoms-depression/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Last week's article focused on the effect of depression on a marriage relationship. Today, we will cover the symptoms of depression and how they play out in a marriage. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Depression can have major impact on marriage]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/12/depression-can-have-major-impact-marriage/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/12/depression-can-have-major-impact-marriage/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Nothing plays havoc with a marriage relationship like the depression of one spouse. It can be a gradual impact or it can be a sudden broadside of a marriage that was fun and fulfilling for both partners. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:59:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Magic of Santa defies all doubts]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/12/magic-santa-defies-all-doubts/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/12/magic-santa-defies-all-doubts/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Every year, my son, Josh, tries to set Santa up. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:52:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[What happens when family traditions collide]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/10/what-happens-when-family-traditions-collide/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/10/what-happens-when-family-traditions-collide/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Practically the only holiday tradition my husband and I share from our childhood is celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25, and even that's not an absolute. Forget "The Polar Express." Our holiday story is "The Polar Opposites."]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Stockings aren't hung by the chimney just yet]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/04/stockings-arent-hung-chimney-just-yet/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/04/stockings-arent-hung-chimney-just-yet/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Every year, as I take down the pumpkin decorations from the front porch, I have the same dream — a stress-free Christmas.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Parents, you can't put a price tag on true success]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/04/parents-you-cant-put-price-tag-true-success/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/dec/04/parents-you-cant-put-price-tag-true-success/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Recently, I read about a couple whose son was unable to earn a position as a starting quarterback on his high school football team. Heaven forbid! ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Conflicts can be 'head vs. heart']]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/conflicts-can-be-head-vs-heart/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/conflicts-can-be-head-vs-heart/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Do you sometimes think your spouse is overly sensitive, wears their feelings on their sleeve, avoids conflict and is overly accommodating? If so, there is a good chance you are married to a spouse who is a Feeling Type Personality Partner (FTPP). ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[From family to free outings: What I'm thankful for]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/family-free-outings-what-im-thankful/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/family-free-outings-what-im-thankful/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Perhaps you've heard of the Thanksgiving Day tradition that involves everyone gathered at the dinner table sharing what they're thankful for. ]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Actually, I need a little less peace and quiet]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/actually-i-need-little-less-peace-and-quiet/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/27/actually-i-need-little-less-peace-and-quiet/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Every afternoon, around 4:30, I find myself wishing for a little peace and quiet. Just 15 minutes without someone asking for a snack or telling on their brother.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Size, strength aren't everything in self-defense]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/20/size-strength-arent-everything-self-defense/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/20/size-strength-arent-everything-self-defense/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[Growing up in New Orleans, a city known for its crime as well as its good food, I was always on the alert.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Lack of conformity makes for magical night]]></title>

<link><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/19/lack-conformity-makes-magical-night/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></link>


<guid><![CDATA[http://www2.statesville.com/content/2008/nov/19/lack-conformity-makes-magical-night/lifestyles-relationships_special_occasions-parenting/]]></guid>

<description><![CDATA[My children, bless their hearts, can make me intensely angry sometimes. But they most often make me intensely happy, particularly when they do such unintentionally funny things. No wonder Art Linkletter's shows were so popular.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST]]></pubDate>
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