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| Unique Visitors: 11 |
| Total Unique Visitors: 272829 |
| Visitors Out: 924 |
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| MOVING!! |
| 2007-10-19 15:08:00 |
Hi everyone, Just a quick and IMPORTANT note that I am making the switch to Wordpress. It's a slow process as I'm not as computer savvy as I'd like. So, there are some features that I'm trying to translate over to the new page. Also, expect a lot of cosmetic changes for the good, but at first it may not be as tricked out as I'd like, mainly due to my slow-moving, flattened learning curve. So, if you are already typing in www.ladybugandco.com, you will be directly forwarded to Wordpress. However, if you type in www.ladybugandco.blogspot.com, you will still come here. Thanks for following along...
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| Links for 2007-10-17 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-18 07:00:00 |
The True Nature Of Inspiration
Inspirational quotes about what else? Inspiration. Enjoy!
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| Health Tip #4: 7 Tips on How to Dig Yourself out of an Emotional Pothole |
| 2007-10-17 20:35:00 |
Speaking from experience, tough things rarely happen in isolation. I find that I am tested with not one challenge, but several at the same time. Much can be learned from these periods of time, so I'd like to share with you what I've gathered.1. Go by feel.Do what feels good. Not what feels good at the time and will create sadness or guilt later, like swallowing an entire chocolate cake or watching 10 back-to-back movies. If you are honest with yourself, you'll know what I mean as this is different for everyone. And, avoid what feels bad. Perhaps you bump into a person in the grocery store. By their mere conversation, you get "down" and feel uncomfortable by their questions. Perhaps you are not ready to talk about matters, and feel negativity emanating from them. Perhaps you can't even figure out why, but you begin to feel better as you walk away from this person. Perhaps walking through a store brings back sad reminders. Avoid the store until you can handle it.2. Good can come out of bad.Spending the whole summer watching my grandfather slip downwards was a horrible, sad experience. But, during this time, family and friends came by to spend time with our family. My aunt and uncle stayed in the bedroom across the way like two peas in a pod, and we were brought back to times from all of our childhoods. And we recalled funny memories of my grandfather. So, the sad time brought us together. Sometimes the good is less tangible. Look for it because it is there.3. It gets easier.If you are choosing a path that is hard (i.e., changing a secure but stressful job, leaving a bad marriage) or the change is not one by choice (i.e., getting sick, getting fired), just know that as acutely painful as this time is, it will get better. Time has a weird way of healing, if you are open to the change that will come. Dig up a time in your past that was difficult. Are you still feeling that pain? Perhaps yes, but I bet you that it has dulled somewhat. Perhaps you lost someone you love. You may never forget the sadness of the loss, but you are able to get through your days or can smile instead of cry when thinking of this loved one. This is progress.4. Get help if you need it.Especially if you aren't used to asking for help and consider yourself tough enough, ask for help. You may not pay attention to your needs and push through rough times, but everyone has a breaking point. If you find yourself unable to eat or eating everything in sight, are staying in bed for days on end, and are crying for weeks, this is a sign you need help. It is normal to feel sad when times get rough, but if you find that your sadness is causing the rest of your life to come crashing down, there is no shame in getting a hand. Perhaps you just need a hug or a phone call. But you might need even more than this. Go make an appointment with a doctor or therapist to talk about what is going on.5. Don't talk about anything you're not ready to talk about.Often when people ask you questions, inappropriate, nosy ones or even simple ones with no evil intent, you can feel that you are obligated to answer. Perhaps you want to avoid uncomfortable silences or not insult your asking party. Well, newsflash, just because they are asking does not mean you have to answer. Especially if answering would upset you and force you to go down an emotional road you are not ready to travel. They are invading YOUR space, and it is your job to actively protect your own boundaries. There will always be rude, nosy people in the world. That you can't stop. But what you can do is to protect your privacy. How do you do this?Well, once you look at invasions of your space as the aggressive action and not something you must comply with because you are supposed to...it will be far easier. The more control you have over your life, and the earlier you figure out that you can make changes, the happier you will be. Then, you can either just say nothing and change the topic. ("yikes, I just remembered. I have an emergency appointment with my proctologist!" OR "You just reminded me. I think I left the iron on! Gotta go!")You could return with an equally invasive question. "So, how's your weight loss going?" "Did you know your husband pinched my behind last year at the Christmas party?" Here is the possible expression of Nibby Nora. You can do the old reject and deflect. Bernice Busybody: "So, I hear you dropped out of school. Are you going back to school anytime soon?" You: "That reminds me...I was thinking of asking you about your schooling. What did you study?" Following up with a question about the other person probably will flatter as well...And finally, you can just say, "I appreciate you asking about my welfare, but I am actually not sure."5. Hang out with supportive people.I find it interesting how people spend tons of time complaining about their so-called friends, only to continually make plans with them. Or they are irritated with their ugly wardrobe, but are not saving money or buying bargains. Perhaps people like to complain, or they just feel powerless over their lives. Think about what you are getting out of the complaining. Are people running to your aid? Does the attention feel good? Or are you too lazy to do anything and it's habit complaining? Whatever it is, it's not worth it. And, examine your life. They say an unexamined life is not worth living. I don't know if I'd go that far, but it's hard to make changes if you don't spend the time to look at what is going wrong. That includes what you are doing too, as it's easier to change yourself than others. If you are know or live with someone who drives you mad, or needs help, you can only set a good example and make gentle reminders. But you will look like father time from the mere stress before this person chooses to see themselves in the mirror. In the meantime, do what you need to do, and you might inspire them along the way. So, it is truly YOUR choice and well within your power to make your life happier. And one of the most important things you can do is to select supportive, positive people in your life. And there is no better way to find out than in hard times. The cream floats to the top.6. Do healthy things.The last thing in the world you might want to do is to get out of bed. But if you stay in bed all day, you know you will only feel worse. Ok, maybe you can do it a day or two, but eventually, you might create new problems, like getting canned from your job and now you have more to be depressed about. You may have no interest in going to the movies or listening to music. And maybe the first few times you go out with friends feels awful. But after a while, you will feel the positive effects. That goes for exercise, reaching out to friends and family, cooking a meal for yourself. Do the actions first and the feelings will follow later.7. Do for others.As odd as this sounds, doing good for other people is actually one of the MOST therapeutic ways of picking yourself up. Think about it. You feel like crap because you are spending all day thinking about your own problems. It's like having a gerbil on crack running on a neverending little wheel. It gets old and you are going no where. Jump off the train to nowhere and start helping someone else out. Or write a card to some older relative you have who lives alone. Take someone out to dinner who rarely goes out. Whatever it is, you are not focusing on yourself, you are taking a break from figuring out your own things, and you are getting positive feelings from doing a good deed.
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| Links for 2007-10-16 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-17 07:00:00 |
Running Apparel Tip #4: More Awesome Buys at Target!
Corey of "See Corey Run" reviews more C9 by Champion running apparel items from Target. So check out her article to read about some of Target's best offerings for men & women. If you like quality workout wear at a nice price, Target's got some of the best values around.....
Run 1, Week 4 (BOHR): Back to Warm Weather Runs Again! Yea!
Yet another installment in the saga of Corey's journey to fitness & marathon-running.
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| Links for 2007-10-14 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-15 07:00:00 |
All Slimmed Down & Nothing To Wear!
Excellent, insightful post regarding the changes (inside and out) that occur upon weight loss.
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| Tag...you're it! |
| 2007-10-13 17:20:00 |
I was tagged by Diane of Much of a Muchness. A visually stunning blog. Do check it out. I am to tell you 7 honest things about myself. So, here goes1. I am in a major life transition now. I've made a break in my personal life, moved from London (sadly) to the US, and have a new lease on life. 2. I am a Gemini and thus am obsessed with many things at once, both of the right and left brain. 3. I am very impressed and cattle-prodded-on by my sister's amazing intent and success of getting in shape at See Corey Run. I truly believe she will run a marathon. 4. I normally love to cook, but am on a long hiatus as I was burned out while living my life in London. I am slowly sifting through recipes and the passion is sparking...5. My first love is writing, and I fear I may tinker around before putting together my first book (a main dream of mine). 6. I am a closet shy person, even though pushing myself into completely uncomfortable situations (living in Manhattan, London, new jobs, new challenges) has moved me to conquer some of these fears. 7. I think kindness and good manners with wit are underrated and wish more would say please, thank you and show the courtesy I witnessed and enjoyed while living in London. There you have it. Now for the lucky 7 I will tag. Here goes: See Corey RunLadies in the RedBecause I Must BlogDizzi LizziSuburban OblivionRunning in WelliesCranberry Corner
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| YIPPEE! Another AWARD!! |
| 2007-10-13 16:30:00 |
I have received an award from Corey Irwin at Music Unbound, a fantastic blog all about music without any borders, distinctions or necessary connections. Highly recommend. The award...drumroll please...is of the Best Kept Secret Award. I am so pleased and hope to become less of a secret and more of a known by the fabulous distinction. "We all have a Best Kept Secret blogger or two we visit regularly — a blogger with great style and wit and warmth who hasn’t been discovered yet. Here’s our chance with this award to say, ‘Wow. Check out this blogger!’"To not hold the joy/accolades too long, I would like to pass along the award to a group of other great bloggers, who if not already receiving fame and fortune, SHOULD. Much of a MuchnessCrazy Aunt PurlEavesdrop Writer BlogEmma SometimesPassionate About BakingTwisted SisterLittle Cotton RabbitsPetite AnglaiseTwas Brillig
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| Links for 2007-10-12 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-13 07:00:00 |
Clothing Tip #3: Undies, Take 2
What to do when your favorite items are discontinued?! We all have had this experience. Missladybug discusses her favorite kind of BarelyThere undies, which were recently discontinued, & launches her own plan of attack to find said undies, or their nearest possible "replacement." Witness underwear madness & mayhem, spiced with a sense of humor.
Lean vs. Muscular Bodies: Kenyan Marathoners vs. US Sprinters
One runner looks at varied topics relating to diet, running & body image. Discussed here are the dietary practices of Kenyan marathoners, the sprinter body build, body-building & its effect on running, and how to feel good about your own body type.
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| Beauty Tip #4: Cowabunga, a suncreen I actually will use |
| 2007-10-13 01:12:00 |
Oddly, as I am living in the Northeast and just getting used to the onset of fall, I have just come across the most delightful discovery...the perfect sunscreen for one's countenance. I am a writer/editor, so I am always finding odd words that come to mind, so by countenance, I mean your gorgeous face. I was off for a walk (yes, for those have read my post about walking, I do follow my own advice!) and realized that the rays were pelting down on my pale skin. As I am acutely aware of the ozone thinning and the need to protect oneself, I went searching for an appropriate cream to slather on. As I'm home, my very hip mother showed me a new product she picked up. So, hence, my latest fab discovery: Glymed Plus Cell Science Proto-Age Protection Cream 30+. Geez, could this be any longer. So, on to the product. I have immense lurking guilt about not wearing sunscreen. From billboards, commercials, and magazines, and the evil, pore-obsessed, confidence-crushing makeup ladies, I am acutely aware that I should be applying SPF on my face all the way down to my big toes. Because clothing does not completely protect either. I am not extreme and due to laziness as well, I have settled for face coverage. I've tried other brands, and I always end up stopping to use sunscreen due to excessive heaviness, or an overwhelming scent, or grease-production. And, I've tried all sorts of applications: cream, gel, liquid and spray. And I have also tried very inexpensive to expensive types too. Even the dermatologist recommended types I've ended up chucking. This product is basically scent-free, except for the basic cream-type scent I noticed. (I just opened the container and took a big whiff and now have a white nose.) Also, the cream is a thicker cream, but you need far less for coverage. It also doubles as a moisturizer as well, so you can shave off that part of your routine. The cream blends into my skin, giving me an even rosy glow to my skin, but after hours of wear, I don't smell it, notice it, or have any excessive oiliness or irritation. And there is no sticky residue either. I am a believer. Now for the medical aspect of this product. The days of tanning on the beach for hours are long gone. The suns rays are even more powerful, especially in portions of the world with increased ozone depletion, like Australia. However, the rest of the world is not safe either, as there is a generalized increase of SPF rays passing through our atmosphere and making contact with your delicate cheeks, eyelids and shoulders. This product is great as the protection is 30+, however you must apply especially if you are sweating, playing sports, or especially swimming. UVA and UVB protection is important, as both lead to skin damage. UVA is particularly dangerous as it causes damage to your DNA within skin cells, increasing the risk of melanoma. From my clinical experience, melanoma is a frightening disease. While working in a specialized cancer center, oncologists were particularly impressed with melanoma's ability to defeat conventional medicine. A doctor may eradicate a seemingly simple skin lesion for it to return a year later affecting multiple internal organs. I witnessed a particularly sad case in this hospital. Wrinkles and sunspots are no treat, but melanoma can end your life. So, please cover up. So, a few important things. This product is perfect for now. Buy it. But, as a new better ingredient (accepted in Europe first when was living in London), has just been approved by the FDA, look for ecamsule or Mexoryl (brand name) in sunscreens. It might not be out there yet, but it, along with zinc oxide and avobenzone are apparently the best active ingredients out there for full UVA/UVB coverage. But titanium dioxide is still great, providing good coverage for both UVA and UVB, but reportedly doesn't cover the entire UVA spectrum. Another important note. I hate being duped, so know that the company has downsized the product size, but kept the price the same. It's now 1.6 oz instead of 2oz. So, look online, perhaps on Ebay, for a 2oz size. If it's 1.6oz, look for a lower cost. So, to finish... DO put sunscreen on your face in the morning and reapply several times a day if you can. DO reapply more times if you are sweaty or working out or swimming. DO NOT lay on the beach/at the pool at prime sun times, 12pm to 3pm. If you must, sit under an umbrella or put on a hat. DO cover your little ones with hats and sunscreen. DO make a yearly appointment with a dermatologist to do a skin check. I'm a BIG HUGE fan of prevention rather than treatment.PRODUCT: Glymed Plus Cell Science Proto-Age Protection Cream 30+PROS: doubles as a moisturizer, 30+ SPF, active ingredient is titanium dioxide (good sun protection), light smell, non-greasy, blends into skin, high quality productCONS: price (retail $65)WHERE FIND: Try EBAY, and free shipping here: ARIVANOTE: look for new products out there in future with Mexoryl as active ingredient. Probably best sun protection out there now
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| Links for 2007-10-10 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-11 07:00:00 |
Another 1.2 Pounds Lost!
The saga of "See Corey Run" continues, as Corey chronicles journey to marathon-training, fitness, better nutrition, & weight-loss. In this episode, she ponders her quick weight loss over the past 5 days & struggles to make sense of her loss of appetite.
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| Clothing Tip #3: Undies, Take 2 |
| 2007-10-11 00:14:00 |
I hate when this happens. You find a product you adore and it becomes toast. Discontinued, no longer felt worthy of production. Alas, one of my previous posts, referring to the glorious Barely There undies, model # 2370 has become part of that stack of items never to be found again. So, in my infinite insanity spawned by my fear of never finding the perfect pair again, I emailed the company. I have PLENTY to do in my day, but I took a small hiatus to reach out to the Undie gods. It is nice to know that you can fearlessly mourn something as seemingly silly as this to someone. So, here's the response: --------Dear Ms. Cooper,Thank you for contacting BARELYTHERE. We are always delighted when Consumers take time out of their schedule to share their comments and welcome the opportunity to address inquiries regarding our products. We regret our company is no longer manufacturing the item you referred to. Consumer response to this particular item did not justify its continued sale. Please try style 2113.Ms. Cooper, we appreciate you taking the time to contact us. If we can be of future assistance, you may reach us at 1-800-225-4872, our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm (EST) or on the Internet at www.barelythere.com.Sincerely,Carolyn WilliamsConsumer Care Specialist-----Such a rational response to my mad concerning email. This investigation was brought on by Anonymous, who posted a comment distressed that she could not find 2307 (which I think meant 2370). So, the search ensued. If you are watching, Anonymous, I am sad to say that the undies are no more. You must settle for going to the discount piles and hoping and praying for another siting or to move on to other models, specifically model number #2113 as recommended above. Another possible try is model #2007 or #2355. Good luck to you.Here are photos of the alternative undies: from top to bottom are 2007, 2113, 2355
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| Links for 2007-10-08 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-09 07:00:00 |
Exercise Psych. Tip: How to Deal With People Getting Used To the "New You"
How to cope with commentary surrounding your weight loss, to ensure that you stay sane & stay on track with your fitness & weight-loss goals. Learn how to buffer yourself & deal positively & effectively with other people's comments.
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| Links for 2007-10-06 [Digg] |
| 2007-10-07 07:00:00 |
Just Couldn't Wait To Share The Good News!
The continuation in the saga of "See Corey Run." Follow Corey on her journey to marathon running, weight loss, & total fitness nirvana. ;-)
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| Links for 2007-09-29 [Digg] |
| 2007-09-30 07:00:00 |
Day 1: Gallery Show Opening
Fabulous showing of jewelry in well-known Pittsburgh art gallery.
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| Links for 2007-09-28 [Digg] |
| 2007-09-29 07:00:00 |
Stop Elder Abuse
An important article about preventing elder abuse in nursing facilities and hospitals.
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| Links for 2007-09-27 [Digg] |
| 2007-09-28 07:00:00 |
Nutrition Tip #4: How to Eat Healthfully & Feel Satisfied
Get tips on how to make nice with your personal "food demons." This article chronicles one person's inner journey to finding balance, moderation, & peace of mind when dealing with the psychology behind the complex relationships between food & family.
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| Stop Elder Abuse |
| 2007-09-28 04:50:00 |
Due to my recent constant care of my grandfather, I have spent many days, hours, weeks, in nursing homes, hospitals, in the company of aides, doctors, and nurses. Many thoughts have come to mind. As a young, strong, aware individual, you often have the independence, awareness and physical strength to avoid, fight or just be aware when you being mistreated. Even if you choose not to fight back, you could. One of the most deplorable features of abuse is that cowardly individuals who inherently feel inadequate, gain power and strength from lording over easy targets (i.e., children, subordinates, elderly, animals). In the case of the elderly, those who have either been abused, or for whatever reason, have evil within and a need to belittle those in need, choose to verbally or physically maltreat someone of advanced age. If you step into a nursing home, you will see elderly men and women of all levels of health. There are individuals of fine physical shape, with failing mental facilities and those with a sharp mind and a failing physique. Some have neither their mind or bodies intact. I witnessed many kind, warm souls working in these environs, who clearly had their heart in their job. And I have also seen those who were less gentle. I am also aware that abuse is often done behind closed doors. Fortunately, my grandfather often was aware and reported when he was treated well and less so. In one particular incident on a hospital ward, he described a young female aide who was particularly rough with him, and even told him to "shut up" loudly. We were horrified, and sought to find out who this was, in order to prevent further actions like this towards my grandfather and others. So, what I'd like to state is that it is everyone's role to care for those without a voice. Not only because you may one day be weakened and vulnerable and may be at risk, but because you are not weak. You can see, hear and walk and talk and because of this, it is your role to speak up. Words and actions do immense good. Perhaps you aren't organizing a march on the nation's capital, but you make a anonymous phone call to the head of the hospital, reporting bad behavior. Or you witness an elderly man struggling with a door. Go and help. You will be glad you did and you will have added a bit of joy to their day. And if you see abuse of any kind towards an elderly person, stand up and fight back. Often the aggression and cruelty is a scary exterior hiding a weak coward inside. And, if you have grandparents in a nursing facility, take care to protect them and care for them. There is no other choice.
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| Come one, Come all... |
| 2007-09-27 05:55:00 |
I am back from my hiatus and continue to reflect and be deeply saddened by the loss of my grandfather, however I feel it is necessary to push on with my blogging. I'd like to continue with my format, providing tips of all sorts in various categories, however I invite reader participation as well. As I am a medical doctor with psychiatry training, I'd enjoy posting the occasional Q and A. If you have a question regarding your medical health, are curious as to how to solve a difficult relationship problem, work crisis, or are at a crossroads, I'd like to help. In order to maintain anonymity, I would ask you email me your question, and I will post the answer without identification. You will know who you are, and others can hopefully learn as well.
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| Links for 2007-09-25 [Digg] |
| 2007-09-26 07:00:00 |
Run 1, Week 1 (BOHR): A Sad Goodbye & The Start of A New Running Program
A touching tribute to a family track star who passed away recently & information about the program, "Becoming a One Hour Runner."
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| Links for 2007-09-24 [Digg] |
| 2007-09-25 07:00:00 |
Yes, Finally Some Foodie Content Again!!!!!!
Yes, she is back! More hilarious content and delicious food idea from the Corey.
Run 3, Week 9 (CT5K): Not An End, But A Beginning!
Corey's inspiring "getting-into-shape" saga continues...
Fine Feathered Fish Connoisseur
Amazing little video of a penguin who likes to food shop.
How to Deal With Weight Gain
Best ways to combat weight fears and issues.
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| On a Sad Note... |
| 2007-09-24 04:45:00 |
I apologize for the delay in posts to this blog. My beloved grandfather, who I adore, cherish and love so dearly, and have been so lucky to know and who has inspired me to always try to do better, be kinder, and to live honestly, has passed away at noon today. I am so saddened with this loss. I can't believe that someone who brightened the world with his humor, his drive, his support and love could be no more. Please be patient with me as I will take some time away from blogging, to return, I hope soon to bringing new ways to brighten your lives.
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| Links for 2007-09-18 [Digg] |
| 2007-09-19 07:00:00 |
Walking: The Underrated Stress Destroyer
Daily unwinding from stress with humor/wisdom for all.
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| Health Tip #3: Walking, the under-rated Stress Buster |
| 2007-09-18 20:46:00 |
Being a closet type-A minus my whole life, I honestly have felt I'm doing nothing unless I've achieved my maximum potential. Whether this involves getting the grade, writing a thank you note of Pulitzer quality, or hitting the gym, I used to be a tightly wound spring. Obviously, as you can imagine, I was a stressed out little bugger before I saw the light. This mentality is not sustainable, and will only cause bags under the eyeballs and anxiety, neither or which are inviting qualities. So, as I am one to always seek development and better ways of doing everything, I actively worked on taking it down a notch, at any chance I could get. Being a stressed out nut is not your identity...it is a temporary state of being you must battle tooth and nail. I simply get annoyed at individuals who just complain or submit to their exposed nerves. One should think, how can I better this situation and be happier? Unfortunately, not everyone is self-aware, and sometimes people may not realize they are getting some benefit by complaining. Not that sharing problems and discussing is unhealthy...it is necessary. But harping like a seal for months is not OK. This is the point that I start thinking this person might be getting some gain from this behavior. Even negative attention (i.e., pity, villagers running away screaming) is appealing to some. But, my mantra is that it is your responsibility to make your life better. You can ask for help, but you must not settle for less.This is your friend, and the bear represents how you are feeling inside.Perhaps you have a friend who calls for a daily one-way dumping on your shoulder/ears. You then go and fester about this or in turn to bitch to someone else. This is only allowable for a time-limited stage, when it is your responsibility to bite the bullet and figure out a strategy to make this situation better. Whether it's going for a walk with this friend and gently stating that you really need a good friend too, and you wish you could talk to her about your problems. Or suggesting that she start working towards positive resolutions. And if she balks or you decide to end the friendship to focus on other people, that is your choice as well. Reassessment of your current happiness quotient is a must. But it is something you must schedule in. There are some activities that are FANTASTIC for jogging the mind, releasing stress, and forcing yourself to redefine your life. One in particular, is walking. I suggest a daily walk with either a healthy (of mind) friend or on your own, preferably during daylight hours. After dinner is a good time. During the day, there is very little space you can get for your mind to rest, to process the day's events, or to reflect on changes that need to occur. An extremely underrated form of activity, I often felt walking was a waste of time because I was not breaking a sweat. You will not only feel relaxed, and get in better shape, but you will have a better relationship with either a good friend or yourself. If you'd like an amazing workout for other times, follow the Couch to 5K workout at See Corey Run. The workout is a convenient , downloadable pod-cast. See the link on the left-hand sidebar. So slap on those sneaks, and get your buns out the door.SOLUTION: Daily walks alone or with a friendPROS: stress release, quiet time to think or time to talk with a friend, renewed emotional energy, in better shape, getting vitamin D from the sun (no more pasty complexion), working out issues, being outside/in natureCONS: noneFor kicks, I've included this ADORABLE video of a baby seal. About 1:30 into the video is absolutely hilarious. As I'm a HUGE animal fan, and think we have the duty to support the helpless who do not have a voice (animals, the elderly, children), click HERE to show your support to the World Wildlife Fund. You can sign up for a pittance, they'll give you a cute gift, a calendar too, and you will help keep endangered species alive.
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| Beauty Tip #2: The Frizz Wars...Part I |
| 2007-09-16 23:34:00 |
A "before" photo of an unfortunate red-headBefore I knew (or cared) how to handle my luxurious waves aka undulating frizz, I was in ignorant bliss. I went from Shirley Temple ringlets as a child (after my early bald-as-a-bowling-ball phase) to the wild lioness mane of my early teen years. Thankfully due to the intervention of my beauty savvy Mom and Aunt, who worked in tandem to pacify my many follicles' reactive temper, I became quite a young goddess, if I may say so myself. ;) Part of this intervention involved curling irons, conditioning treatments, and a cornucopia of barrettes. ;) When the Bumble & Bumble salon burst open their doors in Manhattan's swanky hood, in buzzed many savage beasts of mangy manes who surprisingly had human DNA. I was probably run over by this herd, but learned of this curl-tempering cure in time. Ouidad, a shop which many worship as a shrine, proved too shellac-ing for me, but Bumble & Bumble's Leave-In Conditioner worked like a miracle worker. It held and shaped the curl, but allowed my hair to move like human hair. Some typical AFTER photos (one is of my FAV Madonna):PLEASE avoid the following look:While still wet, I would massage in this white gold, coating from scalp to split end. My preference is always to do this in the shower, such that I can walk out with hair ready to dry/go. The technique I'd recommend is taking sections of hair, coating with a quarter size amount of Bumble, then combing with fingers spread, holding the hair. When getting to the ends, grab hold of the hair section, and shake lightly, to free the curl from it's cage. Even though I personally didn't like Ouidad products, after a visit to the salon which set me back $300 (yikes!), I did leave with one fantastic method: the Rake and Shake. Visit this link for a quick, helpful visual. CLICK HERE. I just use Bumble and Bumble on the hair instead of their products, and use their technique.After all the hair is coated, I try to let my hair air-dry without much manipulation, to minimize heat damage, and to allow the curls to set. I'd recommend testing different amounts on your hair, as for mine, which has fine, blond consistency, but is naturally ringlet-y, a moderate amount works just fine. This amount is clear to me, as I've been using this product for over 10 years. I can't give an exact amount, but what works for one, is not so hot for another. You just get a sense after a bit. The absolutely lovely thing about this product, is that it rarely gets that horrid crunchy, wet-all-day look that has people guessing if you just jumped out of the shower or if you've never jumped in or out of a shower. If you truly slather it on like my Dad puts cream cheese on his bagel aka in HEAPS, your do will probably do the wet or "greased" look. Often, you can put your hand underneath your hair and break apart these shellac-ed sections, unlike other products that permanently mold your hair like Vanna White in her glorious Oscar-worthy debut as a Greek statue in Goddess of Love.Other perks are the deep conditioning you get all day long, which is often necessary for curly, naturally dry hair. The bottle states you can wash out the product, but as I've walked into the actual Bumble & Bumble salon, the experts say you can also leave it in. PRODUCT: Bumble & Bumble Leave-In ConditionerWHERE BUY: you can go straight to the source or a participating salon, but I'd recommend searching on Ebay for a heavy discount. Do a google search for discount sites as well. Compare and buy. Check out their site as it's pretty helpful too. Especially if you have another hair type.PROS: tames curls into beautiful, calm hair; holds curl add day; frizz is gone; very light, inoffensive scent; easy to wash off hair/hands without heavy goo-quotient; doesn't mold hair into greasy, wet look; provides nutrients and conditioning all day long; salon and products very successful (celeb clientele) so product will be around for years to come; only product have used for 10+ years that actually works.CONS: can be expensive if do not find on ebay or discount site; may not work on straight hair--unsure, but still try; may be trial and error period as all curls differ; also must accompany regular haircuts to keep hair healthy for maximum benefit.
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| Rockin' Girl Award!! |
| 2007-09-15 01:00:00 |
From the blogarific blogster Corey Irwin from Cook. Eat. Drink. Blog., I have been gifted this fabulous honor of Rockin' Girl Award. This most auspicious honor is thrilling, mostly due to the fact that it was given by Corey. Her blog is fantastically well written and entertaining. I'd highly recommend checking out her other blog as well, See Corey Run. Once again, Ladybug Tea CoThank you! Thank you! I'm also thrilled to pass this award on to the following fabulous blogging ladies: Corey of Cook.Eat.Drink.Blog. and See Corey RunJamie of Suburban Queen BlogNessa of MumblingsBarby of MehLisa Seale Cruz of ShopaliciousLady Banana of Lady BananaDiane of Much of a Muchness
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| Bodacious Blog Award! |
| 2007-09-14 06:19:00 |
I am thrilled to be deemed/awarded the exciting BODACIOUS BLOG award by the fabulous JOolian of just jOolian!! He has kindly plugged my site on his AB FAB site, which is a MUST VISIT at: just JOolian. An artiste by day and a blogger by night, follow his amusing musings... I'd like to pass the torch to the following delightful blogs! Feel free to keep the love flowin' by passing this award onto other sites you adore. Fish Without Bicycle HereJulian at just jOolian ~ hippocampus hi-jinxTom Coffee at Spilling Coffee with Humorist Tom CoffeeJenn at Mommy Needs CoffeeCorey (my sis) at See Corey Run and Cook.Eat.Drink.Blog.Dawn & Ann at Twisted Sister...Totally Pissed Off!Kiwipulse at KiwipulseChristyZ at Christy's Coffee BreakFat Triathlete at The Fat TriathleteMark at ProBloggers MatrixPabloPabla at Blogsreview.netJim at Tips for New Bloggers (So incredibly helpful when first started!)AnEnglishMum at An English MumI highly recommend checking out ALL of these blogs!!
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| Organizational Tip #3: Procrastination Nation |
| 2007-09-08 21:09:00 |
Anyone with mostly human DNA and a beating heart has experienced the joys and woes of procrastination. Why do we clean the entire bathroom ceiling to toilet when a paper is due? When you are dreading prep for a job interview? Suddenly, you have an emergent 5 course meal to plan. We've all been there. So, I will include the psychology lurking behind this, and a few steps to push on through. 1. Fear of failure/perfectionism: Especially if you have a reputation of success, the bar is set high. Your mother, your buddies, the tollbooth lady, whoever you know or have bored with your life story, know you can achieve amazing things. Disappointing these people is scary, so often instead of completing a task, you have an unfinished novel, a partially baked cake, or a half painted Monet look-a-like in your den aka scary junk room. By avoiding completion, you effectively don't disappoint. Solution: Your imagination or nightly dream world may run wild with potential conversations or scenarios with people you don't want to disappoint. These play-acted scenes may include people screaming in horror. There are two things to understand. Most people are so wrapped up in their own lives (i.e., failures/successes/romances/digestive woes) that they barely notice what is going on in front of their little beaks. Little Chimichanga here certainly wouldn't notice your foibles.And second, by taking chances, you will gain respect and admiration, because most of those people you know also suffer from fear of failure as well. You will end up inspiring those around you with your strength. And aren't you always curious to know what happens at the end of a story? Well, those that love you want to know what happens next in your life. 2. Pain avoidance can be fun: Spending hours blogging (lol), painting your fingernails, toenails, and walls, or playing X-Box until arthritis sets in, are all completely engaging, fun activities. That's the point. They distract to such a degree, that you can forget all your plans, your problems, your hopes and dreams. Is that a good thing? No. Do you want on your gravestone "here lies Bob who achieved 5 billion points in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider?" No, I didn't think so. Your nerd friends who also haven't bathed or achieved much in the last 10 years might build a shrine for you, but no one else will. So, get a game plan together so that you can take breaks, but spend most of your time working on your life goals. 3. Hard work is hard: Yes, it sounds dumb. But, that's what it is. Not easy. In addition to pain avoidance, this point also includes the fact that completing a difficult task may require long hours of concentration. Your mind might wander, your rear may hurt, your head might explode, but sometimes this is what it takes to get hard work done. Solution: Get a good chair, make sure your desk, monitor, keyboard are all at a healthy height/position, have energizing snacks available. Make your work environment friendly and comfortable. Maybe add a house plant or a nice photo too. Warn others in the house that you will need quiet for this time every night and also tell others what you are doing to keep yourself honest. Next, take your goal and split it up into little bits on a list. Make your dream a reality by making it less dream and more practical reality by turning "get a graduate degree" goal into "make phone call to dean to get transcript, call Professor Schmuckinsky for a recommendation" and others. Then put a due date next to each of these. Be realistic. Set aside 30 minutes a night or morning, depending on your day job, to focus. The first night, set a timer for 10 minutes. Work for 10 minutes on this task. Then you can blow off the next 20. The next night, add 5 more minutes, again keeping yourself on track with your trusty timer. Each night, add 5 minutes until you are at 30. If you want to push this longer, go right ahead. And make a big X over what you have accomplished and tack it up on a board in front of you so you can witness your progress. I'd recommend taking breaks every 30 minutes, of about 5 minutes to feed your brain with a snack, to do something mindless, to recharge your energies. Also, try to avoid an all or none attitude. If you mess up one night, you are not a failure. Do not just chuck the whole plan. Keep plugging away. Rome wasn't built in a day. If you'd like to write in with comments regarding your goals and your progress, I'd love to hear them.
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| Health Tip #2: A large melon and other overnight successes |
| 2007-09-05 17:31:00 |
Recently, I was informed that my extremely precocious, bright and bossy little male cousin, all of age 4 (going on 40) had quite a discovery. He is fascinated with the world, which is so inspiring. He loves to watch and learn, and his latest interest is in gardening. And in this pursuit of the green, he is following around my multi-talented, hilarious aunt like a heat-seeking missile. To little Noah, she is the all-knowing Yoda. Again, kids are great. So, as he is quite persistent, to the point that his Dad and Mom (my 1st cousins) are now willing to hand over anything from a 300 pound chocolate bar to the keys to their car, they go to all lengths to find ways of satisfying his intellectual hunger...NOW. The latest story involves Noah and my aunt planting watermelon seeds. To the delight of Noah, a honeydew appeared just 3 weeks later on an anemic stalk in its glorious form. This ruse, aided and abetted by a late night supergluing stunt, would not work perhaps in a year or two, but at this stage, Noah was amazed and satisfied with the wonders of nature. He did wonder why the melon was not a watermelon, but he was so happy with the discovery, he failed to pursue this lead. So, this story began to jog my mind and the following resulted. Literally, I began to think about jogging and a life turnaround of fast and amazing proportions. My sister, the glorious cyberpenguin, aka Corey Irwin, has a blog which I am not only plugging because I am impressed by her writing style, but by her amazing focus and conviction to turn around her life, one week at a time. She has made a clear promise to get in shape and be healthy, and has been following an interval training program religiously, increasing in energy and pride as the weeks wear on. I have not only seen a remarkable physical change in her appearance, even though she was always lovely in appearance to begin with, but in her happiness, and well-being, which is truly the longterm benefit of turnarounds. While this has not taken 3 weeks, it has taken only months. So, to all of those couch potatoes out there, witness and behold her blog and follow her amazing progress. I have also witnessed the great effects personally of interval training. It isn't a long-standing frustrating unending run, but relatively short bursts of energy that not only is good for your waistline but is more effective in heart health as well. See Corey RunAlso, accompanying this site is her cooking blog, Cook. Eat. Drink. Blog. which includes a healthy diet with humor to accompany the workouts. Cook. Eat. Drink. Blog.And her latest tea company as well. I will vouch for the tea...FABULOUS. CLICKAnd one last bit, she is also the artiste behind Ferlanti Couture (Ferlanti Couture) and Wildfire Designs (Wildfire Designs). See: Blog. She has a showing at the Sirani gallery in Pittsburgh, PA, which also shows fine art of the calibre of Monet. Not to miss. If you can't physically be there, check out her designs on the following sites. Here are a few of her beautiful designs. Wearing these, you will be noticed.
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| Kitchen Tip #2: Be the Shiznit of the Hiznit (I have no idea what this means, but it sounds cool) |
| 2007-09-03 22:39:00 |
To take a breather from the advice giving aka bossing everyone around, I will foray into the world of household recommendations. As today is Labor Day, many will be out grilling a variety of delicacies on their outdoor BBQ. For some, it will be Porky the Pig on a spit; other more health-conscious friends will be julienning some zucchini, eggplant and other veggies, slopping on some marinade and roasting to absolute culinary perfection. A most abhorrent task is scraping the grill post-BBQ. For those who forgo the task, or run from the room with a sudden urgent to-do when others are buzz sawing the grease from the rungs (you know who you are), this may lure you back to the task. So, here goes... drum roll please..... The beautific creation is Reynolds Non-Stick Grill Foil. I am not recommending this product lightly. After grilling baked potato halves and salmon (marinaded in a ginger sesame concoction) atop these sheets, I can attest to their fabulousness. These nonstick sheets are sturdy, have holes to allow for uniform heat and blackening. And cleanup is nil. Into the bin they go. Product: Reynolds Release Non-Stick Grill Foil PROS: extra heavy duty preventing the much-feared tasty bit drop into the flames of hell, perforated for even cooking/blackening and fat drainage thus healthier cooking, non-stick so easy food removal and no need for chemically-overridden greasy non-stick cooking sprays, no grill clean-upCONS: Won't have excuse for post-grill-cleaning spousal/partner/friend guilt session, which has its enjoyments (i.e., prolonged guilting leading to unending expectation of gifts)WHERE: any grocery storeInspiration: A tune to grill by.
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| Organizational Tip #2: 5 Ways to Disconnect and Refresh |
| 2007-09-03 03:05:00 |
Instant gratification has become a part of our world. The faster the better. I used to sit tapping my fingers aggressively, huffing and puffing waiting for my dial-up connection to load a page. Now, along with lightening speed internet speeds, comes an expectation for our brain waves to keep up the pace. And this means returning 100+ emails a day, keeping up with technology, participating in 20 internet communities. And I'm not even including the outside-of-the-internet life we all (hopefully) enjoy. This would involve cooking and eating, maintaining relationships, a career (unless blogging is yours), paying bills, etc etc etc. This pace somehow seems normal. So, what I profess are 5 tips to decompress from this manic life we lead. The bonus is you will return to your work refreshed and energized and with a brain that actually works. 1. Stop and look and listen. When signs of exhaustion set in, it is often too late. Your brain is already fried and perhaps you are reading and re-reading the same email or find yourself missing entire sections of a friend's story. There are multiple signs of overload. It may be a headache. For another, falling face first into your keyboard. Pay attention to yourself and the signs of exhaustion. Rushing to a finish line is only valuable if you remember the ride and you have a clue where you are rushing. So, just stop and evaluate how you are feeling.Stop, Look and Listen by MC Lyte:2. Schedule breaks into your day. As nerdy as this might sound, set alarms for mini-siestas each hour you are working. Let's say you sit down to write correspondences and/or to do work at 9am. Set the alarm for 20 minutes and stop when the buzzer sounds. Use a kitchen timer, preferably a digital one as the noise might drive you mad, defeating the purpose of this whole exercise. Another tool is a desktop widget that allows for different alarm settings. One such tool is the Simple Timer Gadget 1.0, downloaded for free at: These are noiseless and can be used if you are in an office environment.Get up from your desk and take a break. Set a buzzer for when the break should end, say 10 minutes later. So your day may look like this. 1pm Set timer for 20 minutes; FOCUS AND WORK1:20pm Set timer for 10 minutes; BREAK1:30pm Set timer for 20 minutes; FOCUS AND WORK1:50pm Set timer for 10 minutes; BREAKContinue as appropriate. You'll be amazed how much your focus will improve, how much more you accomplish, and how much your morale and motivation improves.This is somewhat like mental interval training. Your brain works for a spurt, you have a goal, thus improving motivation as an end is in sight. Ding, the alarm sounds and you are on break. Perhaps it is 10 minutes of talking on the phone, reading a fun article, or throwing in a load of laundry. The important detail is that you are removing yourself from the same focus and as a result, you are better conditioned to do work when you return. 3. Nosh regularly. The next piece of advice is to feed the engine that is your brain. Perhaps you feel that sitting and doing work does not require as much fuel as running a marathon. Well, you are right, except for the fact that your brain still burns calories. By eating healthy snacks throughout your day, especially during those solid work phases, you are maintaining your sugar levels and energy for that boulder on your shoulders. Vegetables, fruit, a wedge of low-fat cheese, a few crackers are some of the snack ideas I'd recommend. Do not indulge in high-fat, greasy foods as you are providing more bulk for your behind than your noggin. If you wait too long, you might overeat and eat too fast: Preferably, you'll have a healthy snack like one of these two fellows:4. Walk around the block. On one of your 10 minute breaks, get your rear in gear and out of a sitting position. Get your blood flowing. I'd especially recommend opening the front door and walking around the block. A change of scenery and some blood flow will improve your mood, your coloring and will freshen your perspective upon return to the desk. 5. Lastly, reward yourself for your hard work. Plan something fun for the evening. Have a scheduled manicure or massage. Have a Netflix DVD waiting. All work and no play makes for a dull life.
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| Saving Money Tip #1: Ebay on Steroids |
| 2007-08-25 20:08:00 |
I am no tightwad, however I am a firm believer in smart spending for your mental health.Here's the scenario:You are in a massive hurry to the airport as you set your alarm for PM instead of AM. You are jetting off to the Seychelles for a much-needed weeklong decompression session. You wake up in a fright. Your hair is a wild mix of Roseanne Roseannadanna and Billy Idol and still deciding whether or not your vivid dream of eating everything in the fridge was a nightmare or a reality (also a nightmare). Just to refresh your memory:Option one: Schlep your large bags like a hunchback hippo into the murky, sweaty subway for a hair-raising journey of scarcely populated cars and sidelong glances at your fabulous newly refurbished hair-do, perhaps? Yes, cheap...but worth your sanity? Also, you may or may not make your flight. Here's the potential cast of characters sitting cheek-to-cheek with you on the underground:Option two: Hail a cab and spend $40. Give a generous tip because you are going to ask him to drive on two wheels to get there. So, after arriving with time to spare, you have saved yourself a hernia, and have not been held at gunpoint in the dank unbelly of the city. Obviously, next time you should screw your head on right and set your alarm BEFORE you dab on the greasy eye makeup remover and are temporarily blinded, but what's done is done and your sanity is worth more than a few extra dollars.So, in the vein of quicker, easier ways to live your life, I have yet another discovery that came my way. I am an obsessed fan of Ebay and have purchased designer duds for nil, and beauty products galore. And books for school and presents for friends. It's a wonderful place to get a deal and always fun to meet the UPS man with all of your brown boxes! To take it up a notch, there's a fabulous site, aptly named Fat Fingers (http://www.fatfingers.com/). I love it!! Think of it. How many misspellings have you seen on ebay?? A gadzillion? I work as a clinical editor, so I am constantly cringing. Whether you spot them or not, just know there are in the words of Fat Fingers: "Thousands of items on eBay listed with descriptions containing spelling mistakes.These items often expire with no bids on them as no-one can find them.Type in a keyword below and click the Find button.Then click the link and uncover those hidden gems..." So, do as they have told, and click away. You will link directly to Ebay and the search now will include all the potential bad spellings too for a far better deal for you!! Have a blast!PROS: larger array of deals shown, you find the deals others don't find, less bidding on these items, so lower buy price, save money!!, may find hard-to-find items, options to install search box on blog/website, Firefox and Internet Explorer browsersCONS: small amount of time to install search bar on browserWEBSITE: www.fatfingers.comBlast from the past:
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| Health Tip #1: Seven Tips to Maintain Your Sanity in Times of Stress |
| 2007-08-16 07:09:00 |
When it rains, it pours. I'm not a big supporter of cliches, like the "pot calling the kettle black" and such. Seriously, what the heck does that mean? But, sometimes these little annoying words can really just fit. I like to piece together sound bites to enrich and simplify your life, but also to bring laughter. Today's piece is a bit more serious as stress from difficult life events is no giddy matter. And as hardship is often oddly twinned with other difficulties, coping skills must be bolstered. So, here are my top 7 tips for getting through it all.1. Look for joy in little things: It may seem silly to enjoy the warmth of a cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning or the smell of fresh sheets, but happiness isn't about large chunks of money or the largest house on the block. It is simply a string of moments and simple joys. If you don't appreciate and notice these tiny bits of fun, they will pass you by. And if you are a cranky monkey, or unimpressed unless huge successes happen, life will be dull. Especially in times of stress and difficulty, these itty bitty things will gather weight and all together can outweigh the nastiness.2. Surround yourself with people who love you: Unless you are a leper or have banished all people from your life due to extreme rudeness or bad behavior, you most likely have at least one person in this world who cares about you. This would be the person(s) who would call you after 48 hours of non-communication, suspecting you have fallen in the bathtub and can't get up. These people who love you get great joy when you share your woes, not because they are sick but because giving provides more than receiving. You are providing them with a special gift: the joy of feeling useful and close to you. Reach out. Trust me you will be glad. If you have burned bridges due to some stupid misunderstanding, suck up your pride and wave the white flag of surrender.3. Distract yourself: As much as it is important to deal with the raw pain of adjusting to a loss or change, it is also important NOT to continuously steep yourself in misery. You need a break from obsessing and complaining and talking about what is bothering you. Not only do your friends need a break, but talking about seemingly unsolvable situations can often fan frustration. And a break can result in a different kind of release. There is more than one way to solve problems or get through adversity, so going to a movie, exercising, playing music, cooking a meal, blogging your brains out...all help you cope. This break will allow you to see that the sky is not falling (gaining perspective), and as your brain is an amazing organ, it may generate fresh ideas when on a proverbial vacation.4. Laugh: While laughter may seem callous in a serious time, it is important not to forget this pleasure. You must remember that dealing with the issue at hand is necessary and sadness might be all around you, however watching a funny movie, reading a Far Side cartoon, or watching Elaine dance for the 101th time, will help you feel up, even if it is momentary. If you lost someone dear to death or separation, or have a tough boss who just fired you, or you have taken ill, laughter is the best medicine. Again with the cliches. But again, this holds true. The following is an example of what you need to be watching. This young fellow has a penchant for Olivia Newton John.5. Talk about the problem: While I suggest having momentary lapses of avoidance (if you can), dealing with the problem at hand is absolutely essential. Some like to write in journals, pouring out their heart to a fictitious reader. Others prefer to bend the ear of a loved one. Whatever is most comfortable. Try to get out your feelings without much order at first. Eventually you may get to the point where you feel you are going in circles. Where the venting stage seems almost depressing in itself, you should move to thoughts and ideas about action. Bounce your ideas off of good friends and family, but it is supremely important to ensure you are making your very OWN decision. Analyze your moves and your motivation. Are you trying to seek approval by making a decision? Does this friend truly have your best interest at heart? Hand in hand with this solution is also reading about your specific problem. This may involve a self-help site on the web or chatting online or in support groups in person or reading a poignant book. You will find your way.6. Avoid substances to "dull the pain": While drinking 10 cosmopolitans may seem like a good idea at the time, doing so to get over pain is not only damaging to all your internal organs and your belt buckle, but it does nothing to solve your problem. Differing from watching a movie and other distractions, this will dull your senses AND your judgement and you may end up making choices that will only complicate your life further. Perhaps you decide to "hook up" with that good-looking office mate who actually looks like Quasimodo in reality. Now you have an awkward work situation, a gossip train started and potentially VD. Perhaps you decide to get in a car and drive and you hurt someone. Now you complicate not only your life, but you have caused irreparable pain to another person, which is far greater than your problem. And, to boot, alcohol (specifically) is actually a depressant, so you will be digging yourself out of an emotional dungeon the next day or so. Just don't.7. Finally, forgive yourself: You are invariably carrying around a laundry list of should-have's, could-have's and would-have's. Regrets are only useful if you learn from your mistakes. Accept what you have done or not done, forgive yourself, and move on by making a concerted effort to do things differently next time. You can start today by fixing a problem that is actually fixable, by allowing yourself to move on, and to accept certain details that are actually out of your control. Take a reality check and focus on the good you have done, and then, where you are going starting this very moment.
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| Organizational Tip #1: Post-traumatic Martha Stewart-itis syndrome |
| 2007-08-10 22:28:00 |
So, who feels more stressed out AFTER reading Martha Stewart's mag? Maybe I have problems, but I find her small font and perfect home layouts and instructions for creating your own doily to be overwhelming. I just feel like an inadequate failure. And to boot, I can barely keep up with the millions of things I need to do involving daily life maintenance. I haven't even gotten to the beauty routine I apparently should be doing. Alas, I seek to share life tips that will not add more weight to your to-do lists, but will actually lessen your load. I am also struggling to juggle multiple responsibilities as many other ladies are these days. My first tip is not so much a tip as a change in mindset. As a female, we seek to please. When I get an email, I feel a compulsion not to offend the sender by waiting too long to write back. When the phone rings, I think, yikes, must get to it! When someone rings the door bell, I throw on whatever scraps are nearby and aim a slightly presentable appearance as not to scare away the villagers. When someone insults me, I USED to believe it, then think, how can I fix my hair, face, manner...you fill in the blank. What is wrong about all of this? I am considering everyone but myself. And why is SOMEONE ELSE'S opinion more valid than your own? Well, it's not. Who could possibly understand your needs better than YOU? And jumping to attention at every available opportunity is not only exhausting, but it is rude to YOURSELF. So, the bigger picture gain by stopping this horrid behavior is a sense of empowerment. Stop dropping everything and getting completely stressed out and abandoning your responsibilities and dreams. So, solution number 1 involves focusing on your own needs first. You are not selfish, you are not cruel, and lastly, being a martyr is boring. Relishing in telling for the 115th time how exhausted you are, and how you don't have time is also boring. What would be interesting is being rested, feeling in control of your destiny, and accomplishing some of your personal goals. So, anytime the phone rings, the doorbell dongs, the email comes buzzing in, first STOP. Second, take a deep breath. Third, say to yourself, will the world explode into a million pieces if I don't answer the phone? In the modern world, with caller ID, you will know if it's the Secretary of State ringing. Unless you are Jack Bauer, this is unlikely. Obviously, turning off the lights and your tunes and hiding in the closet when the doorbell rings reeks of weirdness, and perhaps the UPS man has arrived with tasty treats. You may need to answer the door, but if you don't feel like an hour-long chat with your blabby neighbor, cutting it short isn't rude...her disrespect of your schedule IS. Not that people are to be cut off rudely or socialization is unhealthy...but if you are focusing and working and accomplishing, these interruptions should be kept quick and you should schedule in fun time with friends. Log your phone messages, important emails to return on your calendar or To Do list for a specific time of day. Pick a specified time to devote full attention, much like a doctor's appointment. It is time limited, and whatever you don't finish in that time (I'd suggest 1 hour), is for the To-Do list for tomorrow. TAKING BACK YOUR LIFE AND TIME plan: Interruption occurs (doorbell, phone, email, dog humping your leg, etc.)1. STOP and take a breath2. Ask yourself, "is this absolutely necessary to attend to at this very second?"3. If the answer is no, which it should mostly be, then continue your work... If the answer is yes, you must divert attention, then do so, completing the task quickly and return to your previous activity.4. Make a list of phone calls, emails, visits, and schedule the most vital for a daily block of time. PROS: a sense of control, more work accomplished in less time, re-prioritizing YOU vs the rest of the world, less stress, fewer headachesCONS: your change of behavior may surprise and disappoint others who are used to having you jump when they call (after time and reinforcement, they will get used to the new you)FAB TIP: Toodledo has added great organizational joy to my life. You can add your To Do items, in addition to your schedule, which can all print into a little foldable list every day. Any item you must complete may be given a time of day and time limit as well. Just check out this awesome free tool. Click: Toodledo.com. Toodledo is an easy to use, web-based to-do list. Keeping track of all your tasks will help you avoid disorganization, stay motivated and be more productive. Check it out.
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| Beauty Tip #1: Glowing Shiny Skin |
| 2007-08-10 03:35:00 |
Like many out there, I have been blessed/cursed with oily skin. They say it prolongs one's youth, however in the same vein of finding positivity in bird poop on one's windshield or worse, on one's head, I am skeptical. (Expanding on the falling projectile topic...a very close hilariously accident-prone friend of mine had an unfortunate surprise when a squirrel tumbled and banged into her head, while on the way to work. Me, on the other hand, after 36 hours of solid doctoring work as a resident had a bird aim successfully for my head. On no other time in my life have I found such an obvious sign sent from above, both in the otherworldly sense and the actually sky. I felt pooped on after dealing with what seemed like 100 screaming patients and yes, I needed to have the point remade. Anyway, not to digress...) So, as a brilliant solution, I came upon Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser 6 fl oz (180 ml), seconded by a top beauty-mag, to relieve me of my ever-greasy complexion. It contains salicylic acid, as well, to treat the socially abhorent scourge, aka acne. The fabulousness is that this is hypoallergenic, oil free, non-pore-clogging, soap-free, and is in this fabulous foamy application. You push down on the pump and get a bubbly dollop, massage it onto your gorgeous face and after washing it off, your skin feels clean, and not overly dried out. Some gentler cleansers feel like cream and when you wash it off, you don't get that squeaky clean feeling, that I absolutely crave, much like the itch in my ears relieved (wrongly) by a Q-tip. So, after using for about a week, I noticed a huge difference in my skin. Of course, there are other factors to having good skin. The old adage, you are what you eat holds. If you are hogging down fries and a big tub of Kentucky Fried Chicken every night, don't expect your skin to glow and accuse your cleanser of laziness. Also, if you aren't working on decreasing your stress or aren't exercising or drinking water, your skin will reflect your lifestyle. So, treat yourself well, and you will feel good and your skin will reflect your good behavior.PRODUCT: Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser PROS: cool, foamy formulation, squeaky clean after feeling, clears up pimples, decreases grease quotient, inexpensive, readily available online and in drug stores, doesn't clog pores, good for sensitive skinCONS: may want to avoid if have very dry skin
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| Kitchen Tip #1: Now we're cooking... |
| 2007-08-07 06:17:00 |
Before I discovered the joys of cooking, I knew the pleasures of eating. Nothing was more blissful than watching my Mom whip up something fabulous. As I grew older, I began experimenting, unknowingly incorporating what my mother does. So, as a fledgling cook, I discovered a few things. Finding any recipe to fit scraps in the fridge is deadly. A few sweet potatoes should just be roasted or tossed if sprouting spindly legs. What was on the menu was Sweet Potato and Pumpkin cake. If I actually thought about it logically, I would have realized how revolting this would be. I baked it and baked it for what seemed an eternity... and it still was goopy. Fortunately after this disaster, I always stepped back from recipes to think, do I want to eat this? or would I reserve this delicacy for my worst enemy? So aside from understanding spices and letting one's creativity loose in the kitchen to make both disasters and then culinary miracles, was grasping how important good kitchen tools are. So, my latest discovery and recommendation for simplifying and beautifying your lives are the fabulous CalEbayphalon Contemporary pots and pans. I did a bit of research before putting this set on my wedding registry, but nothing prepared me for the absolute glee that would follow. You immediately become a better cook because you wipe away many pitfalls, such as burning food due to absentmindedness. These pots and pans have a substantial feel and a slick look. The surface heats evenly, and ingredients blend and cook to perfection. And if you get lost in an episode of Lost, your food not only does not burn, but it retains moisture. And with conveniently clear lids, you can see what your food is doing. Perhaps it's doing the merengue, but whatever it going on it's usually not involving becoming dry nastiness. Food never sticks due to the hard-anodized exterior and nonstick interior. The cleanup is quick and easy, with no staining or discoloration with time. You won't turn back. Toss those cheap pans in the trash bin and opt for a set, instead of individual purchases. The 8 or 10 piece sets have far more bang for the buck and if you're lucky, you can find an unopened set for much less on Ebay.PRODUCT: Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 8 or 10 piece set of pots and pans8 pc (Model JR8A), 10 pc (Model JR10A)Hard-anodized aluminum exterior, nonstick interior8 pc Set Includes:8" omelette pan10" omelette pan1.5 qt sauce pan w/cover2.5 qt sauce pan w/cover8 qt stock pot w/cover10 pc Set also has:3 qt sauté pan w/coverPROS: sturdy, attractive, clear lid to see food, food cooks evenly and does not burn, may use on stove top or inside oven up to 450 degrees, food doesn't try out, quick cleanup, good value, last FOREVER, long handles that stay cool, lifetime warranty,CONS: may be heavy for some, must clean by hand
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| Clothing Tip #2: The Perfect T |
| 2007-07-30 21:25:00 |
On my last excursion to the thriving metropolis of Gotham city, my free will drove me to the GAP. However, my find was surely fate. So, with so many other exciting stores around, I gave myself 5 minutes. Not a minute to waste on my precious journey. Digging thru the racks and their fabulous socially-conscious line RED, I moved on to the general sale area. One can get an eye put out by another shopper in line for bargains. So, I ralied on, nails at the ready. I grabbed an average looking gray sweatshirt-colored T (Short-sleeved jersey T, heather gray, online #444799, size S--I'm a 4/6 and it's just right). I didn't get too excited until I felt the material. OMG. Like butter. And I tried it on, and I was sold. But the love grew when I brought it home. In the hot sun, it breathed, hugged my curves in a flattering way without the unappealing RIDING UP in the back. And for the low-riding jean wearers, the T is the right length so those walking behind you can notice your bum without actually seeing it in its full glory when you bend down to tie your shoe laces. The sleeves are capped, which adds to the style. And, the extra special detail is that it does not shrink in the wash. I throw it in for a quick spin in the dryer to get the wrinkles out (there are hardly any to begin with), but it keeps its shape and size. I hate when you love a piece of clothing, and one wash, and it's fit for a Cabbage Patch. No fun in that. After discovering how great I feel in this T, I've worn it to bits and bought other colors online with great success. And, I already have 3 happy converts who have run out and ordered these. Go out and get it. You'll never look back. ITEM: GAP Short-sleeved jersey T, heather gray, online #444799PROS: silky soft, no dryer shrinkage, flattering length, shapes to body showing curves without showing every contour, cute cap sleeves, good price, breathes in heat, multiple cute color choicesCONS: not discovering this T until now (could be lounging in Tahiti on my previous T purchases over the last 10 years)WHERE: Click on the GAP AD on the left side of screenSPECIAL TIP: Coupon codes are a dream. You can use 2 codes which is very exciting. Use right away: KIDSBTS20 (20% OFF PURCHASE OF $75 OR MORE WHEN YOU USE YOUR GAP, BANANA REPUBLIC OR OLD NAVY CARD.) VALID JULY 10TH- AUGUST 5TH, 2007 and FREESHIP (FREE shipping with minumum order of $50). You will save a lot on an already good deal.IMPORTANT NOTE: Even though I do have ads on my site, I am NOT influenced by any tiny profit I make from your clicks. I would never promote anything I don't believe in. Those who know me would validate this. The focus of my posts are to simplify your life, to recommend true finds that will add joy to your life (as every little bit of fun matters) and to enlighten whenever I am hit with a truly helpful thought.
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| Clothing Tip #1: you'll never have a bad undie day again |
| 2007-07-27 06:17:00 |
My first post I'll start with the basics. Underwear. You all know how grabbing a bad pair at 6am can set a day off on the wrong track. Everything goes wrong. And all of us reformed thong-wearers (you know who you are) understand the price of sexiness...a sore bottom, a constant wedgie. Into the trash bin they go to be replaced with.....drum roll....BARELY THERE undies. I especially LOVE model number 2370. But I've gotten other pairs, and you cannot go wrong. These undies are divine, magical, fabulous. If I have a bad day, I can't blame my underwear. In fact, they are much like a lucky charm. They feel amazing, stretch, breathe, look way smaller than you are and then magically stretch into your form. So, take the path to redemption.ITEM: Barely There undiesWebsite: http://www.barelythere.com/ (can be found all over the net)PROS: no tags, soft, stretchy microfiber material, no pantylines, no painful thong ropeburnCONS: none
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| first... |
| 2007-07-25 07:20:00 |
This is a forum for ideas and recommendations of all sorts. As I am particularly obsessed with SIMPLIFICATION of our manic lives, my ideas will follow this theme. Tips and ideas will include the hottest products (i.e., shampoo, cleaning product, undies) to stock tips, websites, to how to flay a fish. Whatever I come across, I plan to share as often as possible. As a veritable visual sponge for good ideas, I first spot inviting colors, objects, sounds, and these translate hopefully into the brightest, best and most fabulous items for you. Often, my latest T-shirt find or organization tip is an instant must-have or do for my close pals and lucky random passer-by-er. So, hang on to your seats. Here we go.
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