Saturday, December 18, 2010

It's not what you think!

I shouldn't, I really shouldn't, but...it's amazing what the camera picks up that the photographer is not aware of. If you can't read the caption, the woman is not naked, it's the other woman's arm. Look closely.



Cool products that allow for growth

I know the title sounds weird, but isn't it about time that we get products that we don't have to replace so quickly? Here are some cool products that are being designed. Check them out and let your creative juices flow. http://dornob.com/shape-changing-shoe-design-grows-as-your-feet-grow/ I love dornob designs, I am amazed with each newsletter and the ideas that people come up with.

I have to add this cool house design...amazing  http://dornob.com/rotating-eco-friendly-dome-home-spins-on-a-central-axis/

Friday, December 17, 2010

A Wonderful Rainy night

I really love the rain. It's so soothing! Tonight, I'm listening to the rain on the roof, sipping on a nice cup of tea and candles are flickering around the room. I'm listening to internet radio and just enjoying my evening. I'm learning about blogging as I'm doing mine. I've made a few mistakes, thank goodness for the "edit" feature.

Thank you and a big (((hug))) to my followers. I don't know how often you get notices about my new posts, so please forgive me for all the changes on my blog tonight...your e-mail is probably bombarded. I really appreciate your support and good thoughts as I'm figuring this all out. It's hard to put all my thoughts out there for all to read. In my head, I want to talk to each of you like you are in the same room with me. Sharing jokes, telling about products that I love and giving some tips on things that work for me. These days we all want to stretch a buck and times are very hard for many. If I can save you some money, throw a trick or two your way, make you smile, then I've done my job.

Tonight before you go to bed, please pray for those less fortunate and always be thankful for what you have. A little tip from me to you, when you have a bad day, try not to think about the bad things, start thinking of what you are grateful for. Big things or little things. I know it's really hard, but take a deep breath and think or write about what you are grateful for today. Can't think of anything??? How about this...Are you healthy? Do you have good friends? Do you have a job? Do you live in a safe place? Do you have food to eat, heat for your home, a comfortable bed to sleep in? Well these are a few things I thought of off the top of my head. Today, I'm thankful for my home and family and that I have a good sense of humor to get through it all. For me, just straining my brain to think of all the good things that I have blessed with usually gets me out of my funk. Try it! Make a game of it and the bad things just seem to melt away.

My new Skechers!

Do you have a problem standing on your feet all day? I sure did, especially on my heels. I've tried all kinds of shoes, but by the end of the day, I would be in tears, my feet hurt so bad. I ran into a lady that had some on and I asked her if she liked them. Not only did she like them, she loved the way they feel. She has a job where she is on her feet all day. No time to sit and take a break to rest your tootsies. I wasn't so sure but I went to a local store and tried them on. Wow! It's like walking on marshmallows. They seemed a little wobbly, but I found out that is what makes the shape-ups, shape you up. Huh? Yep, it takes muscles to stabilize you, so when you balance on them, they tone your muscles. Who couldn't use that! These are not your cheap tennies, but you get ultra comfortable shoes and a more toned body. Well, I did have to think about it for awhile and a kind relative bought them for me. They are so different! I couldn't wait to try them on and walk around. That was a bit of an experience. I've been sitting so long, my muscles were on vacation. They are really comfortable, but they take a bit to adjust to. (they even come with an instructon DVD). I took it really easy, about 20 minutes each day, no sore muscles. Each day I would get better balancing and then I started feeling the toning work.

I love them! Everyone should have a pair or two or three. The picture shows how they are designed and you can see that it is a different type of shoe. Finally, I have found a shoe that works for me.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Power of Being Nice

The Power of Being Nice: How to Conquer the World With Kindness

Principle #1
Positive impressions are like seeds.
Every time you smile at a messenger, laugh at a coworker's joke, thank an assistant, or treat a stranger with graciousness and respect, you throw off positive energy. That energy makes an impression on the other person that, in turn, is passed along to and imprinted on the myriad others he or she meets. Such imprints have a multiplier effect. And ultimately, those favorable impressions find their way back to you.
You may not ever be able to trace your good fortune back to a specific encounter, but it is a mathematical certainty that the power of nice lays the groundwork for many opportunities down the road. These positive impressions are like seeds.

Principle #2
You never know.
When we meet strangers on the street, we usually assume they aren't important to us. We often avoid contact with the woman sitting next to us on the train or maybe even race ahead to beat her to a cab as we exit the station. The thinking is, "She's just some woman who has nothing to do with my life. Getting the cab is more important than being nice to her."

But how do you know that? This woman could be the sister of your boss. Or a real estate agent who knows of a home in your dream neighborhood. Or the head of a foundation that could give your fledgling charity the backing it desperately needs. The bottom line is, this woman is important to many people. You have to treat everyone you meet as if they are the most important person in the world-- because they are. If not to you, then to someone; and if not today, then perhaps tomorrow.

Principle #3
People change.
One common mistake people make is assuming that you only have to be nice to your peers and their superiors. There's no need to be nice to an assistant or receptionist, much less a security guard or a cleaning person. After all, they can't do anything for you--they have no power.

That may or may not be true--now. But you have no idea who might become quite important to you ten, twenty, or thirty years from now.


Principle #4
Nice must be automatic.
A friend recently told us the story of three consulting companies vying for a very large contract. One was summarily dropped, even though the firm did a terrific presentation.

Why? they wondered. It turned out that when the prospective client arrived at the airport, an executive from one of the consulting firms neglected to help with her bags. He lost the contract right there. She was miffed at his rudeness and lack of manners, and decided that she didn't want to do business with them. Here their team had worked day and night to give the client a knockout presentation, and the entire account was lost over a suitcase.

The negligent executive certainly knew the client was a VIP. So why didn't he pick up the bag? Simple: He wasn't skilled in the art of being nice. If it had been part of the way he treated everyone, the oversight never would have occurred. Picking up the bag for the client would have been second nature, instead of a once-in-a-while gesture granted only to clients and bosses and other important people. He would have understood that such small gestures and actions can have an enormous impact.

Principle #5
Negative impressions are like germs.
Just as positive actions are like seeds, rude gestures and remarks are like germs--you may not see the impact they have on you for a while, but they are there, silently infecting you and everyone around you.

Not spreading germs means being extremely conscientious about your environment and the people around you. Because even a simple misunderstanding can create a negative impression.

Principle #6
You will know.
Even if you never see a person you have treated badly again, even if no one sees or knows of your rudeness or bad behavior, you will know. It will be in your mind and heart when you walk into a meeting and try to convince the people in the room that they should put their faith in you. Because you won't believe in yourself, you could jeopardize the outcome of a meeting or relationship.

The power of nice is not about running around manically smiling and doing everyone's bidding, all the while calculating what you'll get in return. It's not about being phony or manipulative. It's about valuing niceness--in yourself and in others--the same way you respect intelligence, beauty, or talent. Niceness is a powerful force. In fact, it can literally save your life.


EXERCISE YOUR NICENESS MUSCLES
Every day for the next week, do five nice things that have no immediate payoff for you. Say thank you to others. Ask those you meet about their lives. Does your cleaning woman have grandchildren? Donate money to charity. Compliment a stranger.

The point of this is not to imagine that the cabdriver you are generously tipping will someday run a major corporation. It is to simply get into the habit of being nice--and rediscover how good that makes you feel.

BE A "BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR"
Most of us don't mean to be inconsiderate. We're just so busy starring in our own movie that we forget that everyone else is starring in theirs. That's why it's extremely important to see yourself as others do--as the supporting actor in their movie. So do an inventory of all the people in your life, and ask yourself what kind of character you'd play in their movie. Are you the loving, doting grown daughter or the distracted, absentee one? The sweet, supportive boyfriend or the needy, selfish one? The office troubleshooter or the drama queen? For each relationship, write down five ways that you can make your "character" more sympathetic.

MODEL YOURSELF AFTER THE KIND OF PERSON YOU ADMIRE
Do you admire people who do volunteer work? Who reach out to family members and make plans to do things together? Who admire and mentor others at work? Who ask about and remember the details of the lives of clients and colleagues? Complete this statement: If I were a better person, I would . . .

Try to model your behavior on that of the person you would like to be.


Adapted from a book by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval

Visit this blog for some real uplifting stories.

http://thepowerofnice.com/index.php?/nice_blog/

Start the day with something funny!

This is an oldie, but a goodie....

And then the fight started...

When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her someplace expensive....
So, I took her to a gas station..... And then the fight started....
************
My wife and I are watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed. I turned to her and said, 'Do you want to have sex?'
'No,' she answered.
I then said, 'Is that your final answer?'
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying 'Yes.'
So I said, 'Then I'd like to phone a friend.'
And then the fight started....
************
After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security.
The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's license to verify my age.
I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home.
I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later
The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt'.
So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.
She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me' And she processed my Social Security application.
When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office.She said, 'You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten Disability, too'
And then the fight started.....

***************

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, grabbed the dog, and slipped quietly into the garage.
I hooked up the boat up to the truck, and proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad all day.
I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed.
I cuddled up to my wife's back, now with a different anticipation, and whispered, 'The weather out there is terrible.'
My loving wife of 10 years replied, 'Can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?'
And that's how the fight started ...
**************

My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table. My wife asked, 'Do you know her?'
'Yes,' I sighed, 'she's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since.'
My God!' says my wife, 'Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?'
And then the fight started.....

********************

I rear-ended a car this morning. So, there we were alongside the road and slowly the other driver got out of his car.
You know how sometimes you just get soooo stressed and Little things just seem funny?
Yeah, well I couldn't believe it.... He was a DWARF!!!
He stormed over to my car, looked up at me, and shouted, 'I AM NOT HAPPY! !!'
So, I looked down at him and said, 'Well, then which one are you?'
And then the fight started.....

************************

I took my wife to a restaurant. The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.
"I'll have the strip steak, medium rare, please.'
He said, 'Aren't you worried about the mad cow?'
'Nah, she can order for herself.'
And then the fight started....

**************************
A woman is standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.
She is not happy with what she sees and says to her husband,
'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.'
The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's darn near perfect.'
And then the fight started.....

Follow up to the "I'm Hungry" post

Okay, I have another weakness and it's.....wait for it......BBQ. I don't know anyone that doesn't love it. If you are from the south, then I know you love it. Well, a couple of days ago, I read a post about BBQ and they had a video of this guy making beef brisket on the grill. Oh My! Talk about mouth watering! Check it out on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0PYZL8lMrA&feature=channel Do yourself a favor and check out the BBQ Pit Boys other old time recipes. Can anyone say BBQ Christmas Ham?

I'm HUNGRY!

I'm a hamburger eater, I mean, I REALLY am. Some people just love pizza, not me. I love burgers, all kinds, but tonight I'm thinking of chocolate. Yes, I am an addict and proud to admit it. And it's the season, so I'm thinking, hmmmm....Christmas...chocolate covered cherries, yes....yum. My all time favorite has got to be Brach's, but I haven't seen them in stores for years! But wait...I found a link...what? They're baaaack! The sticky sweet bliss of Brach's Chocolate Covered Cherries. If you are fien, I mean fan of CCC here's a link that will make all your Christmas candy dreams come true. http://www.candyfavorites.com/Brach-s-Villa-Cherries-pr-1838.html There are other old favorites at the site. I'm sure you'll thank me later, then we will talk about weightloss. But tonight...it's heaven!

A little about me

I am really interested in alternative healing. Do you know of someone that was helped from using some form of alternative healing? Tell me your story. Also check out http://curezone.com/ and http://earthclinic.com/   For some interesting reading, check out "oil pulling" and "the water cure". Do you have supplements that you swear by? An exercise program to loose or gain weight? Anti-aging tips or tricks? Good websites on alternative healing? Anything that you would like to share that would help someone else?
 
 
 

 

Fun times!!

It's nice to be able to put my thoughts down, get some feedback and just have fun. Feel free to comment, join me in my rants or disagree. This is a place to learn and share.

I'm on a roll...uses for WD-40

I always keep WD-40 around the house, it just something you have to have. I have been getting e-mails with uses for this and that. Really helpful info. Here is a small list of what you can do with WD-40
  • Cure Mange. While spraying a dog with WD-40 gets rid of parasitic mites, according to USA Today, the WD-40 Company, feeling that the potential misuse of the product is too great, refuses to condone using WD-40 to cure mange on animals.
  • Prevent squirrels from climbing into a birdhouse. Spray WD-40 on the metal pole or wires.
  • Remove a ring stuck on a finger. Several medical journals claim that WD-40 is the perfect cure for a toe stuck in the bathtub faucet, a finger stuck in soda bottle, or a ring stuck on a finger.
  • Remove chewing gum, crayon, tar, and Silly Putty from most surfaces. Spray on WD-40, wait, and wipe.
  • Clean decorative snow from windows. Spray windows with WD-40 before spraying with artificial snow so the decorative spray will wipe off easier.
  • Prevent dead insects from sticking to your car. Spray WD-40 on the hood and grill so you can wipe bugs off easily without damaging the finish.
  • Make hangers glide over a clothes rod. Spray WD-40 on the clothes rod so hangers can be pushed back and forth easily.
  • Clean clogged spray paint can nozzles. Remove the nozzles from the spray paint can and the WD-40 can, place the nozzle from the spray paint can on the WD-40 can, give it a couple of quick squirts, and replace both nozzles.
  • Remove oil spots from driveways. Spray with WD-40, wait, then blot. The mineral spirits and other petroleum distillates in WD 40 work as a curing agent.
  • Thread electrical wire through conduits. Spray WD-40 on the electrical wire to help it glide through winding conduits.
  • Prevent grass clippings from clogging up a lawn mower. Spray WD-40 on the underside of lawn mower housing and blade before cutting the grass.
  • Clean sap from gardening equipment. Spray with WD-40, wait, and wipe clean.
  • Prevent mud and clay build-up on bicycles. Spray the bicycle with a thin coat of WD-40.
  • Remove baked-on food from a cookie pan. Spray WD-40 on cookie pan and wipe clean. Then wash with soap and water.
  • Remove dirt and grime from barbecue grills. Remove the grill from the barbecue, spray with WD-40, wait, and wipe clean. Then wash with soap and water.
  • Remove chewing gum from the bottom of a shoe or sneaker. Spray on WD-40, wait, and pull the gum free.
  • Keep dogs, maggots, and flies out of trash cans. Coat the trash cans with a thin layer of WD-40.
  • Take squeaks out of new shoes. Spray WD-40 into the leather and shine.
  • Remove grease stains from linen. Spray WD-40 directly to the stain, rub it in, let is soak for a few minutes, then wash through a regular cycle.
  • Take squeaks out of a box spring mattress. Remove the fabric covering the bottom of the box spring mattress (by simply removing the staples), and spray the springs with WD-40. Staple the fabric covering back in place with a staple gun.
  • Polish wood furniture. Spray WD-40 on a cloth and wipe.
  • Clean crayon from a blackboard. Spray WD-40 on the crayon marks, let soak for 10 minutes, then blot clean with a cloth.
  • Free a tongue stuck to frozen metal in winter. Spray WD-40 on the metal around the tongue.
These were taken from a book "Joey Green's Cleaning" Magic. This book is just plain fun. You will find so many different uses on products that you use. Check out his other books
for tips and tricks.

You just have to love those cucumbers

This was sent to me by e-mail from a friend. Yes, I was a bit curious, but these things I never knew and you might not either. Take a read.

  1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need  every day, just one cucumber contains  Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin  B5, Vitamin  B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium,  Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus,  Potassium and Zinc.
  2. Feeling tired  in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda  and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good  source of B  Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can  provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for  hours.
  3. Tired of your bathroom mirror  fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a  cucumber slice along the mirror, it will  eliminate the fog and provide a soothing,  spa-like fragrance.
  4. Are grubs and  slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few  slices in a small pie tin and
    your garden  will be free of pests all season long. The  chemicals in the cucumber react with the  aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to  humans but drive garden pests crazy and make  them flee the area.   
  5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove  cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try  rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your  problem area for a few minutes, the  photochemical in the cucumber cause the collagen  in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer  layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite.  Works great on wrinkles too!!!
  6. Want  to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a  few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake  up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers  contain enough sugar, B vitamins and  electrolytes to replenish essential  nutrients the body lost,
    keeping  everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a  hangover and headache!
  7. Looking to  fight off that afternoon or evening snacking  binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries  and often used by European trappers, traders and  explores for quick meals to thwart off  starvation.
  8. Have an important meeting  or job interview and you realize that you don’t  have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a  freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its  chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine  that not only looks great but also repels  water.
  9. Out of WD 40 and  need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber  slice and rub it along the problematic hinge,  and voila, the squeak is gone!
  10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage,  facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire  cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water,  the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber  with react with the boiling water and be  released in the steam, creating a soothing,  relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce  stress in new mothers and college students  during final exams.
  11. Just finish a  business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or  mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to  the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30  seconds to eliminate bad  breath, the photochemical will kill the  bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing  bad breath.
  12. Looking for a ‘green’ way  to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?  Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the  surface you want to clean, not only will it  remove years of tarnish and bring back the  shine, but it won’t leave streaks and won’t harm  you fingers or fingernails while you  clean.      
  13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside  of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the  pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!
Now, I'm off to try a few of these tips. If you know any others, please comment.

Time for Sharing

Hello! I'm Toto and I'm new to blogging, so bear with me please. What I would like to accomplish with my blog is to share info about things that work for me. These may be products, tips or just things that make me feel good. If you have things that you really like, please let me know. Let's share our knowledge and make things better for everyone. So...it begins....