You Heard It From Susan

Frugal vacations

2009-02-26T07:38:00.004-05:00

Vacations are very important to people. When the economy takes a downturn, vacations are one of the last things people want to give up. We all work so hard and we need time to get away and rejuvenate. The good thing about vacations is that they can be done very economically.

Here are a few ways I saved on our vacation this year:

I used my sky miles to save on airfare

I'm taking 1 bag because now you get charged for a second and its under 50 pounds (I hope)

We didn't get our rental car from the airport ..it saved us 50% (got it from a small town outside SF)

My sister is bringing a crock pot and cooking dinners in our room.

I've been saving a 50 dollar gas card for a long time...we'll use it on the trip.

We're staying in my mother-in-laws timeshare, taking advantage of a pull out bed ...so we have 4 to a room.

We bought our ski lift tickets on-line, in advance and saved 30 dollars per ticket

(My mom) grandma is watching the animals so i dont have to take them to be boarded.

We're getting a ride to and from the airport so no fee for long term parking.

Here are more tips for a frugal vacation.

I'll be back on the air on March 9th barring an avalanche!

Family tragedy

2009-02-26T06:08:00.002-05:00

(AP)
Police: Miami piano teacher kills kids, wife, self

Pablo Amador was a "regular dad" who made music with his children and shared his gift teaching kids to play piano, a man known for a friendly wave and lending a hand to jump-start a car. And those who knew him say they can't understand why he apparently shot and killed his two daughters, wife and then himself.

TV satellite trucks surrounded the gray-trimmed, white ranch home Wednesday as authorities carried out the family, whom police identified as Pablo Josue Amador, 53; his 45-year-old wife, Maria; and their youngest daughters, Prescilla and Rosa, 14 and 13.
A teenage son escaped the shootings uninjured, calling 911 at 5:58 a.m. as he fled the home, police said. Those who saw him regularly along the quiet, modest street of homes could only wonder what happened.

In response to the outpouring of sympathy from the community for the Amador family, the University of Miami has established a fund to assist Bea and her brother, Javier. Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund should send a check payable to:

The University of Miami,
PO Box 248073
Coral Gables, FL 33124.

Please include on the checks that funds are for the benefit of the Amador Family.

Recession survival

2009-02-25T08:39:00.005-05:00

President Barack Obama has been describing the U.S. economy in dire terms, but his first speech to Congress was a message of hope. He says solutions are within America's grasp as long as people pull together.

This morning we asked you where you would cut back first? Some said cable, technology, eating out, car-pooling and conservation.

Here are a few more ways to be frugal during a recession.

Amazing race casting

2009-02-25T08:28:00.001-05:00

WHAT:

Here's an opportunity to take the first step towards competing on one of television's most exciting reality series. CBS4 and Mardis Gras Casino are sponsoring an open casting call for "The Amazing Race," the highly-rated CBS reality series that pits two person teams - friends, couples or relatives -- against one another as they race through exotic locations around the world.

WHERE:

Mardis Gras Casino831 N. Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, FL 33009

WHEN:

Saturday, March 14,2009, 10 AM - 2 PM

HOW:

* CBS4 photographers will be on hand to shoot audition video and submit application packages for each team that applies.* Each candidate/team member must audition and team members must audition together. In addition, each person must fill out a complete application. The Amazing Race applications and eligibility requirements can be found on CBS.com.

* Each team of two should plan to speak for two minutes at the most. There is no minimum time amount for a submission. Contact for the public: Deborah Lile, 305-514-4104 or log on: check out http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/

Soap up on germs

2009-02-24T08:29:00.002-05:00

Today we talked about the germiest places in your life. Don't become too germophobic but here are the top 12 germiest places:

1. The kitchen sink

2. Airplane bathrooms

3. A load of wet laundry

4. Public drinking fountains

5. Shopping cart handles

6. ATM buttons

7. Your handbag

8. Playgrounds

9. Mat and machines at health clubs

10. Your bathtub

11. Your office phone

12. The hotel-room remote control

Click here to find out why and how to reduce the risk!!

Oscar night

2009-02-23T08:48:00.003-05:00

I stayed up for about half of the show last night and was pleasantly surprised. It was much more entertaining than in years past. There were winners and losers on the red carpet too.

Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner at the 81st annual Academy Awards last night, scooping up many of the ceremony's top honors, including best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay and best cinematography. Winning eight awards in all, the rags-to-riches love story was the clear front-runner of the star-studded event, held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. Slumdog, which had 10 nominations, also scored best original song, best score, best film editing and best sound mixing.
Leading nominee The Curious Case of Benjamin Button entered the evening with 13 nominations. It picked up a three technical awards, including best makeup, best art direction and best visual effects.
The most heartbreaking moment of the night came when the late Heath Ledger was announced as the best supporting actor winner for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight. Many of the audience members -- some of whom knew Ledger personally -- got emotional when his family walked up to the stage to accept the honor on behalf of Ledger's little girl, Matilda.
And as expected, Kate Winslet took home her first-ever Oscar for her role as a former Nazi camp guard in The Reader. Looks like the sixth time was a charm for the British actress. She beat out record-breaking 15-time nominee Meryl Streep, who has won two Oscars throughout her own career.
Sean Penn won the best actor trophy for his starring role in Milk. He faced some competition from Mickey Rourke, who won last month's Golden Globes for his role in The Wrestler.
Penelope Cruz won the best supporting actress prize for her part in Woody Allen's comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Host Hugh Jackman turned the evening into a musical affair by performing several song and dance numbers.

BEST DRESSED
Marisa Tomei: The best of the best. The one-strapped, white, pleated gown was divine. While we took in many of the beautiful dresses, said wow, and moved on, we wanted to look at Tomei all night. The many intricate pleats looked like they were pieced together just to compliment her frame, which they did to perfection. She's 44-years-old??
Freida Pinto: Pinto's single sheer-sleeved, beaded, blue gown stood out on the red carpet and seemed reminiscent of her Indian heritage. Although we were expecting something a little more dramatic (i.e. bigger and puffier), the unique, form-fitting ensemble could only have flattered the most beautiful of women, which Pinto proved she is.
Miley Cyrus: Minus the belt, Miley's princess-style petaled and beaded gown was striking. It is every girl's fantasy dress. Love it or hate it, there's probably not a female in the world who would pass up the opportunity to try it on and gaze at herself in the mirror.
Jennifer Aniston: The actress wisely saved her best look of the year for her first post-divorce event with Brangelina. A cute braid and subtly waved hair accentuated an unusually soft look for the actress, who has had a habit of making her solid, toned body the stand-out feature of her red carpet looks. Coincidence or not, the flowing hair and strapless, beaded white gown immediately reminded us of her 2004 Emmy appearance, which she made on the arm of ex-husband Brad Pitt.
Natalie Portman: She wasn't the only star dressed in pink (Alicia Keys wisely chose the color as well), but she did it best. The corset-like bodice and simple, flowing skirt were mere accessories to her striking beauty, which needed no dramatic jewelry or hairstyle to shine.
Halle Berry: The surprise presenter looked amazing. She could not have looked any more stunning if she'd tried. It's only a shame we couldn't have admired her for longer on the red carpet.
WORST DRESSED:
Whoopi Goldberg: Leopard print. Blousey, ill-fitting leopard print. No. No. No.
Sarah Jessica Parker: Her "barely mint" gown looked like a cheap wedding dress. And belts don't go with wedding dresses. Not to mention, mousy brown locks do not suit the Sex and the City star -- and the flat top, puffed bottom 'do didn't help salvage the complete look, which failed.
Sophia Loren: The 74-year-old looked like a crazy old grandmother who picked out her ruffled, yellow frock from a costume trunk. She appeared to have applied her heavy makeup -- and bronzer -- with the same disillusioned hand.
Heidi Klum: Red carpet hosts described the model's gown as evoking origami, and we agree that it did indeed look like someone folded material, albeit aimlessly, and molded it around her body. Her harshly-parted hair looked greasy and her subtle makeup ended up making her look tired and washed out. A rare miss for one of fashion's finest.

Are you late again?

2009-02-20T09:19:00.004-05:00

Are you always on time or are you always running late? About 20% of us run late. But what can you do about it?

Check out this article I found. It has some helpful tips.

Have a ‘chronically late’ personality?
If you know why you’re always tardy, you can take steps to be on time
By Dr. Gail Saltz
TODAYShow.com contributor

It doesn’t matter what’s your appointment, you’re always late. Always. You’re late for business meetings, your kid’s play, dinner with your new in-laws … everything. As the saying goes, you could even be late for your own funeral.
Sure, your chronic tardiness bothers you, but it probably infuriates others who are constantly wasting their time waiting for you. Ever wonder what this is all about? Do you genuinely want to be on time and make your life happier and less stressful?Before you can change your behavior, you have to understand why you are chronically late. Much like procrastinators, people have different reasons for being tardy.

Here are some of the main personality traits of so-called “late-niks”:

Risk-takers: These people are addicted to the thrill of leaving for their appointed destination only when they absolutely must. They don’t mind taking the risk of being late, because they don’t want to risk being early and waiting for others. This may be because deep-down they fear feeling rejected, if they wind up waiting for others.
Freedom-makers: Those who felt trapped by authority as children often grow up to be “late-niks,” who use lateness to feel free. Their intense wish not to be controlled by others may be at the root of their lateness. Or they may have a rebellious nature that essentially tells others: “You will not tell me how to run my life and when I have to be somewhere.”
Organization-slackers: Another reason someone may be late is poor organizational skills. They have difficulty planning out a realistic schedule and calculating how long each of their tasks will take and how long it will take them to get to their appointments on time. These people generally have poor organizational skills, though they may be very intelligent.
Trouble-avoiders: These people, unconsciously or even consciously, wish to avoid the people they are supposed to meet or the place where they are going. This may be the reason for their lateness. In these situations, lateness may be a form of passive-aggressive behavior. Since they’re angry that they must go to an appointment, they make others wait for them. These late-niks may not even be aware of their anger.

If you want to stop being chronically late, the most important thing to do is to decide you really want to start being on time. Then, you have to figure out which “late-nik” personality you have. Understanding the underlying reasons why you are late, will give you a shot at changing your behavior.

Dr. Gail Saltz's bottom line: Punctuality demonstrates a sense of responsibility. Being on time will impress others and make them feel valued.

To hug or not to hug

2009-02-19T09:01:00.002-05:00

Today we talked about hugging. Are you a hugger and do you hug in the workplace? Does your company encourage it? I'm a big hugger but I can usually tell if someone is open to a hug or I'll ask first. But word is...it may take the place of a good ole fashioned handshake.

Time magazine reflects in this week's issue that the hug is in many situations beginning to replace the handshake. Saying that the hug is gaining ground in not only social situations, but in the workplace too -- even on first meetings -- Time cites some possible explanations. Mental health professionals have chalked it up to a range of things, including increasing population density, community spirit among the "millennials" generation, and 9/11 bringing the country together.

There's also some who point to pop culture influence, such as The Sopranos showing tough guys hugging, or the male stars of HBO's Entourage talking about "hugging it out." Time notes that the workplace hug can be a little tricky -- you don't want to cross the line that could make it seem inappropriate. And it's important that both people be on the same page, to avoid a hand slamming into someone else's stomach -- or someplace more delicate -- if a handshaker goes to greet a hugger.

The magazine describes three types of common hugs:

The Full Frontal Hug -- Total front body contact with a firm squeeze. This is used for parents, children and good friends.
The A**-Out Hug -- These are those hugs when nothing touches below the shoulders. Time says this is used for the office and bad dates.
The Hip-Hop Hug -- Shake with the right hand and hug with the left, giving two slaps on the back. Also called the Man Hug and the Hetero Hug

Men need to know

2009-02-18T08:24:00.002-05:00

This morning we asked you what was most attractive about your sweetheart...most of you said sense of humor, eyes and a good heart.

But here are 5 things men should know about women.

While there is no playbook for how to snag and keep a good woman, science has accumulated some helpful tips toward a successful romantic life designed to last well beyond Valentine's Day.

Offer money, love and dependability
Gals want looks and smarts. While you men can't control those two characteristics much, take heart: Money and character are also important to women. A study in December of more than 1,000 undergraduate students revealed women's top mate characteristics were mutual attraction and love, dependable character, and emotional stability.
Quality time counts, too.
A survey of more than 5,000 U.S. couples published in the journal Social Forces in 2006 suggested women are happiest in their marriages when men show a high level of emotional engagement: expressing positive emotions; being attentive to their wives' needs; and setting aside time for activities focused specifically on the relationship.

Practice saying 'thank you'
When it comes to a committed relationship, spats about money and household chores top the list of sources for marital rancor. And research has shown women take on the lion's share of laundry and such.
Listen up, guys: One simple way to keep a lady happy even while buried beneath chores is to say "thank you."
Results from a study of both married couples and college students living with roommates revealed that people who felt appreciated by their partners had less resentment over lopsided house labor. Those who felt appreciated also showed higher satisfaction with their relationships compared with other study participants.

Don't be jealous
The Brad Pitts of the world may be good for your relationship. Psychologists have found that after meeting an available, attractive guy, women are more likely to work to strengthen their current relationships. The study, published last year in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, ran lab-based experiments of more than 700 college men and women.
In one experiment, women either met a single guy who flirted with them or an unavailable man who ignored them. Women who met the single guy were about 18 percent more likely to say they'd forgive their significant others for lying about the reason for canceling a date or other irritating behavior.
In a similar situation, men who met a hot, single woman were about 12 percent less likely than other men to forgive partners' annoying behavior.

Leave aggression on the field
Women may dig guys roughing it up in a hockey game or other athletic competition. But when it comes to long-term romance, ladies would rather if their mates left such power punches on the ice (or other field), according to a study published in the December 2008 issue of the journal Personal Relationships.
Jeffrey Snyder, a doctoral candidate and evolutionary anthropologist at UCLA, and his colleagues found that women preferred men who relied on prestige, or certain skills and accomplishments, to get to the top, as opposed to men who used subtle aggressive behaviors to reach a powerful position — say, in a fraternity.
But don't women go for "bad guys?" Not when it comes to long-term relationships. If that aggressive man isn't flexible in his behavior, the result could be a domineering bully for a partner.
"If you have one individual that every time they disagree they get coercive and insist that their perspective is best, that their decision is final, and they're going to get their way, that compromises the ability of individuals in a relationship to coordinate," Snyder told LiveScience. "Basically what I'm talking about is inviting a jerk into your household."

Watch her heart
Chocolates may be one way to a woman's heart on Valentine's Day, but true love is more than a box of chocolates. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and studies have found women, being generally so bighearted, are more likely to than men to discount their own risk of heart disease. Your job, men: Make sure your sweetie gets regular checkups and takes care of herself.
"Women must get serious about heart disease and take control of their heart health, starting at an early age," said Elizabeth Nabel, director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "Younger women need to take steps now, like eating a healthy diet and being physically active, to help prevent heart disease later."

Divot pooped out

2009-02-17T09:08:00.003-05:00

The end of a very busy Valentines weekend for us and Divot.

Divot does the Keys

2009-02-17T09:04:00.001-05:00

Our new puppy "Divot" had a wonderful time in the Keys.

Valentine makegood

2009-02-17T08:17:00.004-05:00

I had a lovely Valentines Day with Howard. We spent it in the Keys, there was roses, cards and bling!

Jeff Martin had a romantic one too. He was with a mystery woman in New York. I WANT DETAILS, JEFF!!!

But if you messed up and forgot you may be in the doghouse. Here is some help to get back in her good graces.

Don't try to redo Valentine's Day

This is crucial to getting forgiveness. Your sweetheart probably would have happily accepted most generic Valentine’s Day gifts on the actual day, but a heart-shaped box of chocolates that you bought at half-price at the drugstore the day after isn’t going to cut it now. It’s lame and will only remind her of your initial screwup. Your mission now is to totally knock her socks off with a well thought-out and unique surprise.

Is there a posh eatery she’s been dying to go to? You're more likely to get a reservation on a Sunday evening anyway, and it will make an otherwise ordinary night special.

Has it been a while since the two of you spent some time alone? Plan a weekend getaway at a cute bed and breakfast or quiet beach resort.Low on cash? It’s all about the personal touches in your plan, not how much cash you drop.

Can’t afford a fancy dinner out? Try making up for a bad Valentine's Day by cooking her an elegant meal at your place.

Not able to swing a mini-vacation at the moment? Think up some activity outside of your routine you’d both enjoy, like taking a day trip to a vineyard or going paint-balling.

Have a backup make-up plan
You have to prepare yourself for rejection when it comes to your make-up plan. She wants the compensation from you but she might be too stubborn to forgive and forget your original offense, so you have to be ready with a plan B. It’s all about being accommodating now.If she refuses any of your initial ideas, try a backup plan that doesn’t require her participation at all.

Have a surprise lunch from her favorite restaurant delivered to her at work with a handwritten note from you. Schedule a massage for her and have the spa deliver the news to confirm it to her.

The element of surprise coupled with thoughtfulness that proves you’re thinking only about her happiness should be enough to melt even the iciest of shoulders.Valentine’s Day may be a little corny, but at its core it celebrates love and gives you the opportunity to show your girlfriend just how much you appreciate her. To make up for a bad Valentine's Day, all you need is a solid recovery plan and she'll be swooning. Just don’t forget it again next year -- then you’re on your own.

Date night

2009-02-11T09:36:00.002-05:00

This morning you reminisced about your first date with your sweetheart.

Howard and I saw the movie "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby " but it was the kiss over apple pie that I'll never forget.

It's important to keep that flame burning. Here are some great date night ideas.

Wake up on time-pill

2009-02-10T08:12:00.002-05:00

If you're like one of the millions of Americans who dread the sound of your alarm clock in the morning, then you're probably going to enjoy this story. A new pill has been introduced called "The Wake-Up Pill," designed to help you start your day naturally by waking up on time.

I just hook up the IV to the coffeemaker. But Jeff Martin says he bounces out of bed bright and chipper. Annoying isn't he!?

How's your high note?

2009-02-10T05:38:00.002-05:00

Mariah Carey fans and your sweethearts can now celebrate Valentine's Day with something special.

You can sing your own version of a Carey ballad and send it to your near and dear in the form of a Valentine's Day e-card. The promotion is in support of the recent release of Mariah Carey: The Ballads.
Go to MyMariahBallad.com to sing your own version of "'Dreamlover," 'Vision Of Love," or "Hero," and add a personal message with the e-card. Versions featuring Carey's original vocals are also available.

Keep the flame burning

2009-02-09T08:29:00.004-05:00

Don't wait till the 14th to rekindle your love. Here are a few things you can try with your sweetheart.

Leave Notes (in Unusual Places) Perhaps life has become so busy that you feel like your schedule rarely coincides with that of your partner or kids. How about leaving them a note somewhere unexpected? You’ve probably all heard of kids having little notes from their mom’s in their lunch bags – that’s one place to start, but how about a note by the kettle, in the fridge, on the pillow, on the computer screen...? This can become a bit of a game as you compete to leave a note in the most unusual places!

Hug Someone Physical gestures mean a huge amount, and a hug can be just what a loved one needs to put a big smile on their face. Whether it’s snuggling up on the sofa with your partner or giving your kids a goodnight hug, being held and warmed by another person is a perfect way to feel loved.
Write A Poem A time-honored way to say “I love you” is to write a poem. You don’t have to be Shakespeare – look for sincere, original ways to tell someone that you love them. Try not to fall back on hackneyed phrases about their beautiful blue eyes or their rosy red lips; write about something that’s meaningful to you, perhaps that dimple on their chin, or the way they laugh at your jokes.
Give An Unexpected Gift I’m sure you give your loved ones gifts on their birthday, at Christmas, and on special occasions like Valentine’s day. But how about bringing a gift completely at random? An unexpected present is a moment of pure joy for the recipient and the giver, and it needn’t be anything expensive. A few of their favorite chocolates, a small bunch of flowers, a book which you know they’ll enjoy ... for a few dollars, you have the perfect way to say “I love you”.
Do The Chores (Without Being Asked) For many people, another extremely welcomed gift is someone else doing the chores! If it’s your partner who usually cleans the kitchen, why not do it and surprise him/her? If you normally have to be nagged to vacuum, get it done without being asked. Finding little ways to make someone else’s day smoother lets them know how much they mean to you.
Hold Hands Like hugging, holding hands is something that we often neglect to do when a relationship becomes cozy and familiar. Try taking your partner’s hand when walking down the street, or hold their hands across a table in a restaurant. Being in contact physically helps you feel closer emotionally. This is especially important if you need to talk through a difficult issue or problem. Holding hands can also be a visible demonstration of support if your partner is upset or feeling down.
Make A Special Meal If Friday nights usually mean ordering takeout, why not offer to cook for a change? Make a special meal for your partner (you don’t need an excuse for this – it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s day or an anniversary!) Include their favorite foods, take a few minutes to set the table, to light candles and put music on, and your usual forgettable evening slumped on the sofa can become a night to remember...
Dress Up In the early stages of a relationship, you probably made the effort to look your best. Of course it’s nice to get to the point where you can lounge around in your jammies or your over sized, hole-ridden t-shirt... but occasionally getting dressed up can rekindle that early excitement in the relationship. Why not go out to a “swankier” restaurant than usual (it doesn’t have to be much more expensive), or just get dressed up in your party clothes for a special meal for two at home?
Give a Foot/Shoulder Rub Modern life is stressful and many of us have aches and pains caused by tense muscles. A shoulder rub, back rub or foot rub is a wonderful way to tell your partner “I love you”. It demonstrates that their physical well being and comfort is important to you, and it’s also a great way to reinforce physical and emotional closeness.
Listen to Them It’s easy to talk over people or to tune out most of what they’re saying whilst reading the newspaper or chatting online with friends. Listen actively to your partner – when they want to talk, put down what you’re doing, and focus all your attention on them. Listen for what they don’t say; unvoiced concerns or worries, or hints at what they’d really like. Nod and make eye-contact to show that you’re paying attention.

Click here for more.

Divot and "Pinky"

2009-02-09T05:45:00.005-05:00

She's growing up so fast. Jeff Martin and his daughters came by to meet the little princess and they brought her a gift that she dearly loves to chew. We call it "Pinky".....by the way the yellow stuffed duck that quacks all the time is named Jeff Martin. Divot really likes to bite it's butt. LOL

Risking I-95

2009-02-06T07:48:00.001-05:00

Today we talked about our daily risks...everything from extreme sports to eating raw cookie dough. But everyone agrees that the biggest daily risk is drving on I-95. Especially since they installed the new entrance ramp signals.

FDOT has activated the new Ramp Signals along Northbound I-95 entrance ramps between NW 62nd St and NW 167th St.

These Ramp Signals are designed to restrict the flow of traffic onto I-95 during peak travel hours and during incidents that cause an impact to traffic. Ramp Signals should be treated as if they were Traffic Lights, and FHP will have additional Troopers on hand for vehicle enforcement.

According to FHP, failure to stop for these red lights can produce fines of up to $180 and 3 points on the license. FDOT has stated that these signals will not cause traffic to back up on the ramp, and will significantly help congestion during rush hour periods.

Co-rumination

2009-02-05T08:14:00.002-05:00

When I need to vent or get something off my chest...I go to my husband, mom, sister and sometimes my co-worker...but Jeff has a very short attention span. When it comes to teen girls sharing their problems...there may be a problem.

Most teenage girls love to talk to their friends. And talk. And talk.

Recently female friendship and girl talk, particularly among adolescents, has drawn growing interest from psychologists and researchers examining the question of how much talking is too much talking. Some studies have found that excessive talking about problems can contribute to emotional difficulties, including anxiety and depression.
The term researchers use is “co-rumination” to describe frequently or obsessively discussing the same problem.

Virtual bubble wrap

2009-02-04T08:03:00.002-05:00

What makes you happiest at the end of a long hard workday? You said spending time with your dog, a hot bath, a glass of wine and cooking dinner.

For me ...it's virtual bubble wrap. Try it! Careful, it's addictive. Be sure to hit the "manic mode."

A BIG Valentine

2009-02-03T07:37:00.003-05:00

Valentines check list:

Sweetheart, mom and dad, brother and sister, ....and boss? What do you get your boss for Valentines day? Here is suggestion and it only weighs 1000 pounds.

This Valentine's Day, adopt a real manatee for someone you care about. Funds from the Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program go toward efforts to help protect endangered manatees and their habitat. Unlike other animal adoption programs, the manatees in our adoption programs are real, living manatees with known histories. You even have the opportunity of seeing your adopted manatee at one of three locations in Florida!

Super commercials

2009-02-02T06:02:00.002-05:00

What was your favorite ad during the Super Bowl? The guy who got hit by a bus? There was also an electrocution, a golf club to the head, and a low level executive who gets thrown out of a fourth story window.

I think my favorite was the Clydesdale that fetched a really big stick.

Check out all the ads.

Susan is a teapot!

2009-02-02T05:01:00.003-05:00

The Cardinals lost...barely. Final score 27 to 23. So upholding my end of the bet with Jeff Martin, here I am doing the "teapot" dance and singing "Im a little teapot."

I'm a little teapot, short and stout

Here is my handle, here is my spout

When I get all steamed up, hear me shout

Just tip me over and pour me out!

I'm a clever teapot, yes it's true

Here's an example of what I can do

I can change my handle to my spout

Just tip me over and pour me out

C'mon, didn't you really want to see Jeff in a dress though??

More pictures of Divot

2009-02-02T04:53:00.002-05:00

How do you get a puppy to sleep in a crate. Divot is NOT a fan. Here are more pictures of Divot over the weekend.

Our new puppy

2009-02-01T09:47:00.002-05:00

Howard and I just brought home our new little girl.

She is a Basenji, we named her "Divot" and the first night was quite a tale. I didn't know a puppy could poop that much...and the smell! OMG! We just love her though and we welcome her to her new home.

Football 101

2009-01-30T08:16:00.005-05:00

Ladies, you're sitting there on the sofa next to your husband trying to watch a football game...everyone jumps up and screams and you have no idea what just happened. Watching the Super Bowl is an intense way to spend an evening once you figure out what's going on. Here is a site that may help you understand it a little.

Go Cardinals!

Remember if the Cardinals win you'll see Jeff Martin in the dress of my choice!

Be a Cardinals fan

2009-01-29T07:43:00.004-05:00

I got this note from a listener this morning and if you don't know who to root for on Super Bowl Sunday, then just read this.

Hi Susan, I am an avid listener of 101.5! Hope you can open this! Please read the email from the beginning. I was overwhelmed just to think a man would be interested in a woman with a problem child. Wait till you read who the man is!!! Thanks Stella

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.
He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."
She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.
So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has hisCardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person.

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. Makes it hard not to root for the Cardinals today...doesn't it?

Great dips!

2009-01-29T05:44:00.006-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday is quite the event. Whether you watch for the game, the commercials or the half-time show...it's the great American pig-out!

Here are some of your favorite party dips:

Jeff C. - "I like the old classic, dried onion soup mixed in sour cream to make french onion dip"

My family calls it football dip because I usually made it on Sunday for football.

You will need
2 cans of refried beans
1 jar of Picante salsa (mild, medium or hot to preference)
1 medium tub of sour cream
Shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese

Mix two cans of refried beans with one jar of Picante salsa. Layer the mixture into a microwave safe casserole dish as follows: bean mix, sour cream and then cheese. I usually make two layers. Microwave on high for about 3-5 minutes, turn dish and microwave again until cheese has melted. Serve with corn or tortilla chips. Can be refrigerated and reheated at will.

Marnie

Hi Susan

The only one I have is Sausage Dip from the Gator Cookbook which you have tried. It is always a hit!.

Hugs,

Mom

2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 c. mayonnaise
1 tsp. garlic salt
Mix together. Spread in 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Bake 25 minutes until hot at 350 degrees.
I like to serve with scoop chips..Mindy

I'm a vegetarian.. here is a fav of mine
Black Beans con Queso Bean Dip.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 large onion. finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups of milk
2 packages (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
2 15 ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 4.5 ounce can chopped green chiles
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
Tortilla chips, corn chips or crackers
Preparation:
Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat; add onion and sautee 8 minutes. Add garlic and sautee 2 minutes or until onion is tender.
Stir in flour until smooth; cook mixture, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese, stirring constantly over low heat until cheese melts.
Stir in black beans and remaining ingredients, gently stirring until mixture is thoroughly heated. Serve warm with chips or crackers. –Amanda

I LIKE TO TAKE A BOWL FILL IT WITH FRITOS. AND THEN GET A SECOND BOWL AND FILL IT WITH GIN. SOMETIMES I GET FANCY AND USE A LADEL. THIS WAY EVEN IF MY TEAM LOSES, I STILL WIN. I WIN BIG TIME.

D

In the interest of helping, considering I don't really cook and don't do Super Bowl parties.. I can offer this simple word.. hummus. I love it and it doesn't have any dairy. It's basically just mashed chick peas or garbanza beans, but I don't mash 'em. No I get this at the store.

Gayle

Hi Susan,

I do have a favorite, and it's a very big hit. I never have any left when I make this for a party.

WARM & CREAMY BACON DIP
1 (16 oz) container Sour Cream
1 (3 oz) jar of Bacon Bits
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz) package softened cream cheese

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In an ovenproof bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover. Heat 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm, however this is okay at room temperature, and serve with your favorite chips or veggies.

Talk to you soon.

Cheryl

pound shredded Mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can artichoke hearts - (8 1/2 oz), drained, chopped
Minced onions, to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 cup scallions sliced thin
1 bar cream cheese, softened

Directions:
Mix ingredients together. Bake in lightly buttered 3 1/2-quart crockpot on HIGH for about 1 hour. Serve with crackers. – Alex

Susan, I know it sounds icky but this is by far one of the best dips I've ever tasted and so easy to make.....goes best with plain ol potato chips or those new york bagel garlic chips....

Henrietta's Famous Clam Dip (Henrietta is my mom)

1 CAN OF CLAMS, 1 SMALL PACKAGE OF PHILLY CREAM CHEESE, A-1 STEAK SAUCE AND LEMON JUICE. Pour clams and juice over cream cheese, smash together with a fork add a dollop of a-one (really) and a dash of lemon juice to taste. UN-believable...

Cheers, D.

Ok don’t laugh……you know I don’t cook. The Publix Spinach artichoke dip is awesome!! All you have to do is open it !! Tara

Jeff Martins dip:

Fat-Free Refried Bean Dip Ingredients
1 cn (29-oz) fat-free refried
1 ts Garlic powder (or to taste)
1 cn (4-oz) chopped mild
1 1/4 c Grated fat-free Cheddar
1/2 c Minced green onion
Low-fat tortilla chips
1/2 c Thick & chunky salsa
Instructions for Fat-Free Refried Bean DipDate: Tue, 5 Mar 1996 12:12:03 -0500 From: TexGQ24@aol.com Combine refried beans, peppers, onion, salsa, garlic and 1 cup cheese. Spoon into 1 quart baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350xF 30 minutes. Serve with chips and salsa.

Susie,
1 Can of Hormel Chili Beans with Tabasco sauce ½ a bar of Philidelphia Cream Cheese (fat or non-fat) ¼ bar of velveeta cheese-microwave....Bag of Tostitos. Go Cardinals! JEFF you are done. Sucker’s bet - Willie

Family bonds

2009-01-28T08:34:00.006-05:00

Do you have a highly-happy family?

What's your secret to bring everyone together? When I was a kid, our family made lots of trips to the lake in Missouri, Friday nights at the driving range and the stock car races. I cherish those memories. If you need some ideas to bring your family closer together. Just click here.

Boss buddy

2009-01-27T05:35:00.004-05:00

Are you buddies with your boss? Just how close is your relationship? That's the question we asked you this morning and I was surprised to hear most of you said you have a really good friendship with your boss outside of work.

Quiz: Rate Your Relationship With the Boss

By Dale Kurow, Career Expert

Does dealing with your boss cause knots in your stomach? Is it a skill you've never mastered?
Do your co-workers seem to have an easy time of asking for, and getting, what they want? Do you hesitate to approach your boss for what you want because you're unsure of his/her reaction?Your boss determines much of your happiness at work, if not all of your satisfaction. Wouldn't it be helpful to know how strong your relationship is with your boss? Then you'd be able to pinpoint the areas you need to strengthen.

This quiz will help you rate your relationship with your boss.

Gong Hei Fard Choy

2009-01-26T08:18:00.003-05:00

....Means Happy New Year!

It's the Chinese New Year! This morning we took lots of calls about what part of the Chinese culture you enjoy most. You said the food, the martial arts, proverbs, fine silks and so much more.

But I think the highlight of the morning is when we received a call from a man working in Beijing and listening to LITE FM on the Internet. He talked about the lion dance as part of a lot of festivities and how the fireworks are still going off. I'd love to visit Beijing someday.

The Oscars

2009-01-25T17:49:00.002-05:00

Brad Pitts movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is up for 13 Academy Awards. It tells the tall tale of an infant who is born as an old man—tiny but suffering all the infirmities of an 80-year-old—who lives his life in reverse, becoming younger with each passing year until he achieves real infancy at the end of his life.

If you could go back to a certain age? What would it be and why?

I think I'd go back before I baked myself in the sun for hours and slather on some sunscreen.

A few ways to stay young:

1. Change your perception of time. Don't be in a hurry.

2. Get restful sleep.

3. Eat fresh, nutritious food.

4. Take at least two multivitamins with minerals every day.

5. Practice a mind body technique such as yoga or tai chi.

6. Exercise regularly.

7. Don't put toxins in your life, including toxic food, toxicemotions, toxic relationships, and avoid toxic environments or toxic relationships.

8. Have a flexible attitude to minor hassles.

9. Look at so-called problems as opportunities.

10. Nurture loving relationships.11. Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children.

Curbing PDA's

2009-01-22T07:56:00.003-05:00

When it comes to public displays of affection, how much is too much? All I can say is, beaches are for building sandcastles, backseats are for groceries and PDA's are electronic devices!

Convincing a partner to be more or less affectionate in public isn't easy, but it can be done.

Check out the following strategies:

Open up: Talk to your partner about what makes you uncomfortable about PDA. Ask what they can handle (a hug, a kiss on the cheek, an arm around the waist, a hand on the knee, etc.) and don't go beyond those limits.
Compromise: Bring a 'touchy-feely' partner down to your level, or a 'hands-off' one up by coming up with less obvious ways to be affectionate in front of others, such as holding hands under the table, sharing a look, or blowing a kiss across a room.
Get playful at home: Tickle, wrestle, kiss and be spontaneous when you're alone. It just may carry over to the outside world.

Inauguration events

2009-01-20T07:04:00.004-05:00

(cbs4.com)

South Floridians who couldn't make the trip to Washington D.C. to witness the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama have plenty of local inauguration events to attend.

Miami Presidential Inauguration Celebration and Live Simulcast

Tuesday, Jan 20, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Call: (305) 949-6722 or go to: http://www.arshtcenter.org/

Broward Presidential Inauguration Celebration

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 10:00 a.m. African-American Research Library & Cultural Center 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Call: (954) 625-2810 or go to: www.broward.org/library

Deerfield Beach Inauguration Luncheon & Live Broadcast Presented by First Baptist Piney Grove

Tuesday, January 20, 11:00 a.m. Hilton Deerfield Beach 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach Call: (954) 735-1500 or go to: http://www.pineygroveevents.com/

Downtown Miami Inauguration Simulcast

Tuesday, January 20, 10:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts To request seats, send an email to http://cbs4.com/local/info@gusmancenter.org(two seats per request) or go to: http://www.gusmancenter.org/

Inauguration Party For President-elect Obama Hosted by the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade County

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 8:00 p.m. Rusty Pelican 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne Call: (305) 781-9177 or go to: http://www.miami.therustypelican.com./

Hail To The Organizer In ChiefHosted by Human Services Coalition

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 11:00 a.m. Churchill's 5501 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Call: (305) 576-5001 ext. 16 or go to: http://www.hscdade.org/

If you get laid off

2009-01-15T09:43:00.002-05:00

The unemployment rate spiked to 7.2% in December and if you are part of that statistic then you may be wondering what to do next.

6 Steps to Take the Moment You Are Unemployed

By Laura Dawn Lewis

(couplescompany.com)

Step 1: Call Your State's Unemployment Office
Don't feel guilty about this. You and your employer have been paying into this fund your entire working life. You've earned the money you are going to receive through your own hard work. This is the very first thing you want to do the second you are terminated. Call your state's unemployment office. Most states begin the benefit period from the day you call, not the day you were let go. You will not get paid for the first week of unemployment in most states (although in some they count the day you call as the 1st week--let go Friday, call, become eligible the following Monday. ) It will take 3-4 weeks to get your first check, longer if you were fired because they must do an investigation. In most cases you will still receive compensation even if you were fired. The exceptions are termination for misconduct (lying, cheating, abusive language etc...) or criminal acts.

Step 2: Plan for the Best but be Prepared for the Worst
Make list of your liquid assets including stocks, bonds, 401K, IRA's, credit lines, savings, and pawnable items like CD's, VHS or DVD movies, electronics, jewelry and other items of value. Depending on your savings situation and monthly expenses, you may need to liquidate these to survive. If it appears you may need to access these assets, move any high risk stocks into to lower risk stocks or cash them out and put them in a savings account for this period. The last thing you need to happen now is watch your saving drop 98% with stock market (as many tech workers have seen). You can always switch the funds back once you are working again.
You will have the option of rolling over your 401K or cashing it out. Most financial advisors will tell you to roll it over. If you have to make a choice between being homeless without food or rolling over your 401K, use it to survive. If it is not essential to your ability to survive, roll it over. Cashing out a portion or all of your retirement is a last resort and should only be used if you do not have any other choice

Step 3: Make an Honest List of your Current Liabilities and Payments.
What can you cut? What cannot be avoided. If you have to miss payments, choose bills that will not directly effect your ability to survive like department store credit cards, health clubs and membership dues. To find a job you need a phone, electricity and roof. Your Internet connection is also critical. Car insurance is very unforgiving and you need a way to get to your interviews.
In a crisis situation, most credit card companies and automotive lenders will allow you to skip a payment or two, if you ask. You generally will still have to pay the interest and any late charges on the account so this may or may not help you. Utilities are less forgiving. In most cases your cable will be shut off at 20-days past due. Phone companies and the electric company can go as far as 45-days past due before you lose service. Car Insurance will cancel within 10-days of being past due. If you are a renter and can't pay your rent, it generally takes 60-days for the manager to legally have you removed from the premises although they will give you a 72-hour eviction notice if you are more than 3 days late.

Step 4: Prepay As Much as Possible
Since you've just lost your job, you've got the most money you'll have until you receive your first new paycheck. Pay as many critical bills as far in advance as possible like Insurance, phone and electricity. You'll be glad you did this when the other bills start rolling in. Stock up on essentials like toilet paper, shampoo, frozen and canned foods and pet food.

Step 5: Moving into Survival Mode
The average person is currently taking 4 months to find a new job. Plan on taking six months. This means you are going to need to adjust your lifestyle and move into survival mode. The first place to save is unneeded luxuries like maid service, gardeners, and even add-on convenience services like caller ID, call waiting, premium cable channels and pagers. The second best way to save money is on your food budget.

Step 6: Health
Most insurance companies will not allow you to do more than one month's worth of prescriptions at a time. Sometimes your doctor can request multiple months if you are to be out of the country for an extended stay. If you depend upon medicine for your health, get as many months as possible before your prescription card expires. That $10 a month prescription could turn into a $120 a month requirement you can't afford right now.

J.P. Taravella High School Band

2009-01-15T05:55:00.003-05:00

They are marching to Washington DC for the Presidential Inaugural Parade on January 20th.

We were treated to a performance yesterday at Whole Foods Market in Coral Springs while we raised money to help them get there. In one hour we raised $2,283 to help these talented kids have the experience of a lifetime.

Thank you to everyone who made a donation.

Our new puppy

2009-01-14T05:48:00.004-05:00

Howard and I are getting a new puppy.

You may remember my Dalmatian "Geddy" I was privileged to have her in my life for 15 wonderful years but she passed away just over a year ago. I've missed her so much. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about her...she was so much a part of my life.

I can't imagine my world without a dog in it. So Howard and I decided to get a Basenji. Here are the latest pictures and we chose a female and we are naming her "Divot." I'll post more pictures of her after we get to bring her home next month. She is about 6 weeks old in this picture.

Aren't they cute?

You've won...now what.

2009-01-13T07:48:00.003-05:00

Do you play the lottery? Have you ever won? If so, after you jump up and down, scream and hug everyone in site, there are a few things you should do.

(MSN Money)

Keep that ticket safe. Sockman says people do funny things with their tickets, such as keeping it in a baggie in the freezer, in a sock under the mattress, in a money-belt around their waist day and night, or most practical of all, in a safe deposit box.

Think about your job. A winning ticket is a grand thing, but it doesn't really count until you've got the cash. For now, consider just taking a little sick time or vacation, without explaining why, if possible. You're going to be very busy becoming a millionaire. You probably will quit eventually. Sockman says most winners do, even though at their original interview about a quarter claim they'll keep working. He explains, "They can't imagine how much money they've won. It's a life-changing event."

Find people you can trust. "The most important financial decision to make initially is who's going to be accountant, financial adviser and lawyer," says Hartigan. "And I don't think they should be the same person." If you don't have all of these people in your Rolodex currently -- and how many of us do? -- "talk to other people who use these kinds of services. Referral is the best way," Hartigan suggests. If none of your friends or family can recommend a particular professional, Hartigan recommends going to a major accounting firm, a major brokerage and a large law firm. "Ask what they'll do for you." Garrison agrees with Hartigan's advice and adds, "References are mandatory."

Decide on a lump sum or payments. This decision depends on what you want to do with your money and advice from your team of advisers. The lump sum will equal less than the total of the payments over however many years. "With the lump sum invested properly, you'll probably have more at the end," says Hartigan. "If you're a person who really can't control your spending, annual might be better." In Florida, the recent trend shows 75% of winners take the lump sum, says Sockman.

Arrange for a special account at the bank. You can't just deposit millions into your plain ol' checking account. And they don't really give you a paper check with a lot of zeroes. They give you the money by a wire transfer to your pre-arranged special account, says Sockman.

Change your phone number. Now that you're richer than your wildest dreams, everyone's going to want to reach out and touch you, and that will be a nightmare. So get a new unlisted telephone number.

What's in your wallet?

2009-01-12T07:45:00.002-05:00

How many credit cards are in your wallet? The average person has from 5 to 10. I carry 11. I think it's time to cut back a little. Here is a good way to start.

Curing a Credit Card Hangover

By ELISABETH LEAMY

Do you have a New Year's hangover?

Not the kind you get from sipping champagne on New Year's Eve. I'm talking about a credit card hangover from all that holiday shopping. I got my first credit card hangover in college. I was like many students -- a company issued me a credit card even though I had no job and no way of paying. I quickly racked up about $2,500 in debt. My parents bailed me out. I racked up another $5,000 in debt. This time I dug myself out, dollar by dollar. What an achievement! I can't tell you how good it feels to be free of credit card debt.

Here are some strategies to help you liberate yourself too:

Cut up all your credit cards
Are you feeling the withdrawal symptoms yet? Credit cards give us a sense of possibility that we just don't have with cash. They allowed me to live beyond my means for years. But I paid for it. Just as an alcoholic can't drink a drop without relapsing, a credit card junkie shouldn't have any credit cards. Zero. Zilch.
When safe, use a debit card instead of a credit card
You may argue that in this high-tech age, it's impossible to conduct business without a credit card. True, you can't pay cash when you shop online and hardly anybody uses personal checks anymore. But your argument falls flat in the face of debit cards. A debit card allows you all the convenience of a credit card, with all the limits of your own bank balance. It's an excellent substitute. (Be careful using a debit card online though -- a great subject for another column.)
Keep just one card and freeze it!
If you believe you must have a credit card on hand in case of an emergency, I've got a creative suggestion for you. Cut up all but one credit card. Then take the lone survivor and drop it in a Tupperware container full of water. Pop the container in the freezer and put your credit card spending on ice! That way you'll have to think about it for several hours if you want to use the card. You're unlikely to thaw this consumer culture ice sculpture to make an impulse buy. But if you have a true emergency, it will be there for you.
Impose a spending freeze
My financial planner boyfriend (now husband!) put me on a spending freeze back in my debtor days. I wasn't allowed to spend money on anything non-essential. For me, that meant no new clothes, no home decorating and no dinners out. Not using your cards anymore really is the first step in paying them off. Most people who are in a credit card crunch charge their cards to the limit, pay the minimum each month, then spend right up to the limit again until they get their next bill.
Send payments more than once a month
After you stop spending, you need to start paying. Here's how I did it. I didn't make much money in my credit card debt days. I lived paycheck to paycheck. When my credit card bill came, sometimes I didn't have much money to send in, so I sent what I could. At other times of the month, I occasionally had extra money. In the old days, of course, I would have spent it! Instead, I began sending money to my credit card company even when I didn't have a bill due. I pre-addressed and stamped several envelopes so I had them ready. Anytime I had extra money in my checking account, I popped it in an envelope and kissed it goodbye.
Use your savings account to pay off your credit card debt
Your savings account is another source. Sound sacrilegious? I get into this argument with people all the time. I know lots of smart people who have a savings account and credit card debt. It's ludicrous! I know, I know, you feel it's important to save for emergencies. Trust me, credit card debt is an emergency. But here's my less flippant explanation. If your savings account yields 3 percent interest and your credit card charges 19 percent interest, you can instantly "make" a 16 percent "profit" by using your savings account to pay off your credit card debt. That would be an impressive gain in the stock market! Then, instead of pulling out your credit card to make impulse buys, you could fall back on it in emergencies -- a much sounder use.
Beware of debt consolidation loans
You could also look for a debt consolidation loan, but don't count on it. Reputable banks don't make debt consolidation loans to people with no collateral. Crooked lenders may offer you a consolidation loan, but you'll probably find that the interest rate is actually higher than what you're paying on your credit cards. They'll try to trick you by offering you a lower monthly payment than what you currently pay, but the loan will last so long that you end up paying far more money than you should have.
If you own a house, you may be able to take out a home equity loan to pay off your credit cards. This option sounds great because you can then write off the interest you pay. But beware! Home equity loans come with closing costs, which just add to your debt. And there's a real risk here. Think of it this way: If you miss a payment on a credit card, you just lose your good credit rating. If you miss a mortgage payment, you could lose the roof over your head.

Diet pitfalls

2009-01-09T08:44:00.003-05:00

You've mustered your resolve, and this time you're sure: You're going to stay on your diet no matter what!
But a few weeks or a few months later, you find yourself weakening. A nibble here, a nosh there, and before you know it, your healthy eating plan is history.
If this has happened to you, there's no need to beat yourself up. In fact, says psychologist and weight loss expert Warren Huberman, PhD, it's more common than not for dieters to derail.

Here are some tips to stay on track.

Happy hour

2009-01-08T07:24:00.003-05:00

After work to you hang out with co-workers for "happy hour" or are you to busy or dog tired to do anything else?

A recent CareerBuilder.com survey offers a snapshot of our happy hour habits. Here's what it found out about our post-work festivities:

• One in five workers attends happy hour festivities with co-workers at least once a month.
• Eighty-two percent go to bond with co-workers, while 11 percent go specifically for quality time with the boss.
• Fifteen percent of the attendees were all about the office gossip.
• Men and women were equally likely to attend.
• Workers ages 25 to 34 had the highest attendance across all age groups.
The survey revealed a number of incidents and events where a worker's happy hour experience went from smooth sailing to crash and burn.
• Sixteen percent of those who responded said that they talked negatively or inappropriately about a co-worker or manager.
• Ten percent said they shared a secret or confidence about a co-worker.
• Eight percent kissed one of their co-workers, and another 8 percent admitted that they drank too much and acted unprofessionally.
• A surprising 5 percent breached a confidence or secret about the company.
• And 4 percent of workers admitted, with regret, that they sang karaoke.

Pack-rat?

2009-01-06T08:28:00.005-05:00

Is this your room?

What part of your home has the most clutter? The garge, your bedroom a closet? It seems to overcome clutter...it's all in your mind. For tips to manage your clutter just click here.

Make it look like this!

Holiday debt

2009-01-05T09:43:00.001-05:00

Do you have a pain in your wallet or a nauseous feeling in your checking account? Then you must have a Holiday Debt Hangover.

(msnbc)

If you, like so many of us, put the bulk of your spending on a credit card, the first thing you must do is decide to make getting out of debt a priority. If you’re still using that card and you’re carrying a balance, you have not made it a priority. Take the following steps to rid yourself of this holiday hangover as soon as possible.
Use debit cards and cash until you have eliminated your credit card debt. It will keep you more in touch with your spending.
Don’t pay penalties. Make sure you pay at least the minimum on every card each month on time.
Pay at least the minimum using one of two strategies: Pay off the card with the highest interest first. You’ll pay less in the long run. Or, pay off the card with the lowest balance first. It’s very satisfying to pay off a debt in full. It can be a great motivator.

Also, do yourself a favor and join a Christmas or holiday saving club. The extra savings will take a lot of the stress out of holiday spending next year!

Don't be starstruck

2009-01-02T05:46:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had a "brush with fame?" I went to high school with Brad Pitt, I even acted in a school play with him. But he wasn't famous then...so I don't know if that really counts. Have you ever had a brush with fame? Has a celebrity unexpectedly come into your life? How did you react?

1. Remember these people are just people who chose to be in a profession for which they had a passion. This profession put them in the limelight, but they do have a right to some privacy. We do not need a play by play of their every day lives. We wouldn't want people sticking their noses in every aspect of our lives. So shouldn't we show the celebrities the same respect?

2. Remember these people put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else. They are human and as humans they're going to mess up once in a while. Do we really need to read about every mistake a celebrity makes? Would we want any of our most embarrassing moments captured on film and shared with the whole world? I don't think any one would find it funny to be the punch line in some late night talk show host's joke.

3. Remember your manners. If you see a celebrity in a restaurant, eating dinner with their family, leave them alone. For one thing, it's rude to interrupt someone while they're eating dinner. There is no need to go running up to them, jumping up and down, and begging for autographs. Do you like to be interrupted when your spending time with your family?

4. Remember the old adage, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This is probably the single most important thing. It ties into all the other steps. The simple fact is that we often don't think about our actions when we see a celebrity. If we were to stop and think about it, we probably wouldn't act as foolish when we do see one.

Celebrities made a choice to follow a dream. To some extent, they did ask for the publicity that comes with the fame. But do we really need to know every detail of Anna Nicole Smith's death? Do we really need to know that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are adopting another baby? People adopt kids nearly every day, yet they're not glorified in the press.

The bottom line is that we should always show the celebrities the same respect that we would show anyone else. Just because they're famous doesn't give us the right to stick our noses in every aspect of their lives. And instead of focusing on the stupid mistakes they do, look for some of the good things they do. Most importantly, give them some privacy. At the end of the day, they really are just like us.

Auld Lang Syne lyrics

2008-12-31T05:33:00.002-05:00

Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old times since?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !

And surely I’ll buy mine !

And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,and picked the daisies fine ;But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,from morning sun till dine† ;But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend ! And give us a hand o’ thine ! And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

A special guest

2008-12-30T07:09:00.007-05:00

Meet one of our favorite listeners, Ariana.

You'll hear her dishing an opinion and putting Jeff in his place every now and then on 101.5 LITE FM.

A few words from our special guest:

This is SO cool. For the first time I'm actually on LIVE radio. I'm living like a Rock star now!!! This is the time of my life. I would like to thank Susan and Jeff for having me here and to help me to beleive in my dreams. I would like to thank my friends and family that are listening to me on the radio. Especially my aunt and uncle that are in Frankfurt,Germany. Last but not least, my mom and dad! Today is their 24th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniverary!!!!

Have a lite day from Ariana at 101.5 LITE FM!!

Bye!!:)

Facing Facebook

2008-12-29T08:39:00.001-05:00

It's taken me over a year but I finally caved and went on Facebook.

Since Friday I've connected with 34 friends, many of them from my old high school, Kickapoo. I even asked my old school mate Brad Pitt to be a "friend" but I havent heard from him yet.

You do need to take precautions and be careful of social networking websites. Here are some good tips to keep in mind.

A Wise Christmas

2008-12-26T05:15:00.003-05:00

Santa was very nice to us this year! Howard was thrilled with his Guitar Hero. Here he is...doing his best on Pat Benatar's "Hit me with your best shot" He hit his chords 89% of the time...way to go Howie!!

Here is my new purse. I love the smell of leather. Now I must go shopping to show it off. Whoo hoo!

Track Santa

2008-12-24T07:12:00.002-05:00

Follow Santa's path with the help of NORAD.

Merry Christmas!!

Groovy gift wrap

2008-12-23T07:59:00.004-05:00

Miami Herald

Why waste time and resources wrapping a present, when the wrapping can become the present? This holiday season, make the wrapping just as meaningful as the gift inside.

• Your cup runneth over: Instead of the traditional stocking, why not take your venti caramel frappuccino plastic cup -- destined for the trash heap -- rinse it out and fill it with toys? Or candy? Or both. Bonus points for the gift-giver who throws in a shiny crazy straw.

• Be green bags: In case you didn't get the recyclable memo, going green is in. A plethora of eco-conscious products are hitting the shelves, like the BeGreen Pod and the RuMe bag. Both are trendy, reusable totes that can be tucked into a ball, folded into the shape of a cell phone or stuffed into a glove box in your car. ''It is a gift bag that keeps on giving,'' says Jae Lee, co-founder of the Denver-based RuMe. For every BeGreen Pod that's sold, a tree will be planted.
BeGreen Pods retail for $12.95; www.begreennow.com RuMe Bags are available in standard tote or mini size; sold individually or in sets of three, $8.95-$28.50; http://www.rumebags.com/.

• Fabric gift wrap: If you can't keep your hands off the gift wrap, at least get the re-usable kind. Fwrap is a gift wrap made of fabric that comes in three sizes. Small fits CDs; medium is perfect for books and DVDs; and large is a 9-by-11 ½-inch rectangle. The Ecospun fiber wraps come in a variety of colors and styles, including crimson red or evergreen for the holidays. A new line, Petals, is more decorative, with little flower clasps to seal the deal. Prices range from $8 for a small Fwrap to $30 for a set of three; http://www.fwraps.com/.

• Word up: We all know that newspapers are taking a beating from the Internet. But the printed page is still good for some things, like wrapping fish. And presents. For the chef in your life, what could be better than a cookbook wrapped in the pages of a newspaper's food section? Forgo the bow, and spruce the gift up with tubes of spices.
Pick up The Miami Herald's Food section Thursdays for 35 cents in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

• Bean bags: Ahhh, what could be better than waking up to the smell of coffee brewing? A pound of coffee beans may not sound like the best gift idea, but package it in a ReJAVAnate bag and now you're in business. The coffee roaster bags are made of burlap and would otherwise be tossed in a landfill. They are sold plain or with a grower's logo. Or they can be printed with a logo in soy-based ink. The bags come in large and medium, $7-$8.50; http://www.rejavanate.com/.

• A Bean of a different color: Why stop with coffee? This holiday season, LL Bean is offering ''Breakfast in a Bag,'' with a 16-ounce buttermilk pancake mix, 8.5-ounce Grade A dark amber Main maple syrup, 8.5 ounces of Maine blueberry preserves and a 1.08-ounce package of Log Cabin Blend coffee. The goodies come packaged in a canvas tote with an embroidered tree.
By catalog, $55; http://www.llbean.com/ code: KL53490.

• Remember when: For a truly personal wrap job, print out snapshots from a favorite trip, family celebration or holiday and use the paper to cover your gifts.

Naughty or nice

2008-12-22T06:54:00.003-05:00

Are you on the naughty or nice list? Just click here and type in your name to find out. Here is what Santa said about me.

Susan Wise
Nice, with a few exceptions. Needs to be nice to everyone not just friends. Could try a little harder when things are tough. Good sense of humor. Made list last year. Needs to be good all December.

And for Jeff.

Jeff Martin

Nice, but has naughty lapses. High marks in the good deeds department. Better than average manners. Hopefully, thoughtfulness will continue to be as good as last month. Neatness needs improvement!

Dr. Dulay holiday party

2008-12-22T05:05:00.004-05:00

Everyone had fun last night at Dr. Dulay's (my dentist) holiday party. Here are a few pictures of Dr. Dulay and her wonderful staff. Howard and I were honored to be included in this festive event.

More Dulay pics

2008-12-22T04:57:00.001-05:00

Here are some more of Dr. Dulay's wonderful staff.

Re-gifting

2008-12-19T07:41:00.004-05:00

Do you give gifts with past lives? Would you mind being the recipiant of a re-gift? Jeff gave me a half-eaten pie last year...let this be an example of what NOT to give.

Here are some more tips:

Re-gifting is quite acceptable, after all it's merely recycling something you have no need of and could be thoroughly enjoyed by someone else. However, there are some rules to re-gift by to make sure that the 're-giftee' is pleased with the gift. When should you re-gift or not even consider this gift-giving strategy? The answer lies in the gift itself - what it is, and what you can do to ensure it's a great gift.

When is Re-Gifting Acceptable?

We often receive gifts that we have absolutely no need for or we already have such an item or appliance, and keeping a double would serve no purpose. This often occurs with wedding gifts where the happy couple receives a number of similar or duplicate kitchen appliances, or at Christmas when festive gifts or ornaments are received. You may have received an unwanted gift for a birthday or anytime for that matter. When it comes to personal items such as clothing, health care items and such, re-gifting should not even be considered. But I would rather see appliances, kitchenware and home decor items passed on to someone else to enjoy, rather then see these unwanted gifts be delegated to the basement or garage for years (even decades), from lack of need or want.

Rules for Re-Gifting

Keep the gift in its original packaging. This is a must! And make sure all the parts/accessories including the instruction brochure or manual are in the box.
Protect the gift and packaging from breakage and deterioration while it is being stored. Bag it to seal out dust and prevent fading from the sun.
Never re-gift something broken, used, has a part missing or doesn't work.
Never re-gift just to save money. The motive should always be to give a gift that will be enjoyed. Saving money in the end is just a bonus of re-gifting.
Never re-gift to the person who gave it to you. If there is any possibility you may forget who gave it, add a temporary removable tag to remind you.
Never re-gift something personal.
Never re-gift an item that is out of style. It's best not to store it too long. Appliances can and do go out of style over time. You wouldn't want to re-gift an older appliance when two 'improved' models are now on the market.
Give a gift that suits the receiver or that they'd love to get. This simple gift-giving rule applies even more so with re-gifting. Consider how it will be received. You wouldn't re-gift a blender to someone who hates to cook and bake, nor would you give a rustic country home decor item to someone with a contemporary styling. Other Options for Those Unwanted Gifts
If you find it hard to re-gift, it won't feel like you're re-gifting if you simply pass it on to someone who will enjoy it - not as a gift, but just because you know they can make use of it.
Donate it to a charitable organization for their penny-auction table, or to an appliance receiving center where it can be sold to support a cause.
Donate it to a homeless shelter, food bank or crisis center, where it can be passed on to a family who needs it. What a joy for that family to receive a new item instead of a used one.
New appliances, gadgets or kitchenware make great shower prizes.

Wacky jobs

2008-12-18T08:02:00.003-05:00

What is the craziest thing you've done to make money?

Jeff admitted to wearing a pink tutu and dancing around a cruise ship. ( I think he actually liked it)

Way back in the early 1980's I did a character for a TV station in Odessa, Texas. Her name was Tinsel and she did movie reviews. The wig, squeeky voice and wacky outfits helped me pay my rent in the early days of my radio career. I have the videos but they are just too embarrassing to show.

LITE FM listener, Lance sent me a note about a wacky job he had:

Miss Susan,

This picture was taken in 1979 when our ship was going through a major storm in the N Atlantic. On the picture with the full view of the ship, the arrow is the location in which I was tied to the rail to take the shot as the ship entered into a approx. 50 foot wave. Lessons of the day was. Under normal circumstances you try and hold your breath as long as you can. In circumstances like this, you hold it as long as you have to. Lesson #2, Slamming into a 50 foot wave WILL leave you with 2 broken ribs. Lance

Wacky ways to make $$$

2008-12-18T07:33:00.002-05:00

15 Crazy Ways People Make Money in Today’s Economy

In today’s economy, it can be pretty tough to make money anywhere, but some intrepid folks are earning money hand over fist online and they’re doing it in some crazy ways. There’s a lot that can be learned from these people, especially if you’re sitting on your own idea but think it’s too out there. As these people illustrate, there’s no end to the insanity when it comes to making money online!
1 . Virtual Farming - Nearly half a million people in China are making money by playing a game, earning gold and selling it to other players with too much time on their hands and a credit card burning in their pocket! The phenomenon that is World of Warcraft, a massively multi-player online role playing game, has spawned some of the most creative ideas for making money. The game’s currency is gold, but a lot of players don’t want to take the time to earn it themselves. So, these people in China, and all over the world, spend their days playing the game, making gold and selling it in the game for actual cash.
2. Doggles - If there is one thing dogs don’t need, it’s a pair of goggles, but this idea, which got its start online, has made millions of dollars and real stores have opened up all over the world. They took their original idea, of UV protective doggles and continued expanding their product line to include vests, other eyewear and even jewelry. People will spend countless dollars on their pets and this site more than proves it can pay off big time if you have a pet related product or idea.
3. The Million Dollar Homepage - This is probably the most iconic of all the crazy ideas that have ever been born. This guy decided to set up a site and sell one million pixels for $1 a piece. He got a huge amount of publicity and ended up making his million dollars. He has since gone on to other money making projects.
4. WhateverLife - This teenage girl who had a flair for the creative set up a site to offer layouts for MySpace and free tutorials. The idea took off and she now gets around 7 million visitors to her website every month. She’s managed to land some major advertising contracts and has received offers to buy her site that have exceeded $1.5 million.
5. MyYearbook - Two teens had a simple idea; why not create an online yearbook for people? The idea turned into a social networking site and they’ve been able to raise more than $4 million in venture capital. The company now has 45 employees, 3 million members and some heavy duty advertisers.

Click here for the rest of the wacky ideas.

Cold or flu?

2008-12-17T07:19:00.005-05:00

I was feeling a little under the weather the past few days! Yes, a little green around the gills.

The aches, sneezing, stuffy head, runny nose....a lovely cold.

Do you have a nasty bug?

Do you know if it's a cold or the flu?

Check out this article to learn the difference.

Stay connected

2008-12-16T07:18:00.003-05:00

Another way to stay connected during the holidays is with your computer. Check out this site where you can see and talk to each other for free.

I had a caller from Ft. Lauderdale set up her 78 year old mom with it in Connecticut so they can talk and see each other every day. It sounds pretty user-friendly.

Holidays and divorce

2008-12-16T07:04:00.000-05:00

Having divorced parents can be particularly hard for children during the holidays.

So "you want your gift to your child to be one of cooperative parents," says Edward Teyber, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at California State University, San Bernardino, and author of Helping Children Cope With Divorce. To protect your child from conflict, he suggests these strategies:

Talk to your ex about how much to spend on gifts and who'll buy what.

Be accommodating with your schedules. For instance, your child can have a holiday breakfast with one parent and a special dinner with the other.

Establish your own tradition if you don't have your child during the holidays.

Let your child know she doesn't have to choose between you and your ex: "I know your mom misses you. It's okay to call and tell her you miss her too."

Tip toe around tipping

2008-12-15T07:59:00.002-05:00

Mail carriers, housekeepers, teachers, hairdresser, pet groomers,...'tis the time of year to say thank you with a holiday tip. If you're not sure what is appropriate then check out this helpful tip list:

What you need to know about holiday tipping. Whom to tip and end-of-year gifts that are appropriate.

From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine

1. Give a gift, not a handout. Of all the holiday traditions, none is as confusing as tipping. Who gets a tip? How much? Etiquette expert Peggy Post, the spokeswoman for the Emily Post Institute, offers this advice: A caddy or a babysitter, say, who has delivered outstanding service throughout the year, worked for you consistently and is someone you've come to rely on deserves recognition. Few service providers will meet that profile, but give a gift to anyone who does. The most convenient gifts are cash, checks and gift cards that can be redeemed at local stores. (For end-of-year amounts that are appropriate for various professions, you can find a tipping tip sheet at kiplinger.com/links/tipping.)
2. Be extravagant with your praise. If giving cash doesn't appeal to you, it's okay to offer your gratitude. "You don't have to write an epistle," says Post. "Writing one word -- thanks -- is enough." For the exceptional person who provided service above and beyond the call of duty at some point during the year, the best gift may be to send a glowing letter to his or her supervisor and share a copy of the letter with the person.
3. No envelopes, please. The U.S. Postal Service forbids cash gifts. If you want to reward a mail carrier who really hasn't been deterred by snow, rain, heat or gloom of night, a book of Starbucks coupons or a box of chocolates worth $20 or less would be okay. FedEx directs its couriers not to accept cash tips but permits tokens of appreciation worth $25 or less. UPS has no formal policy on tipping; its drivers may accept a tip or a holiday gift.
4. What would Santa do? End-of-year gifts are customary in many workplaces for receptionists and personal assistants. Protocol consultant Rosanne Thomas recommends that you avoid gifts that touch the body, such as clothes, perfume and cologne, because they may be too intimate. Gift cards and movie passes are acceptable -- but cash is a no-no.
5. Those bunny slippers may not fit. Don't overestimate your ability to pick a truly appropriate gift, says Mark Brenner, author of Tipping for Success. He offers the following strategy: "Ask co-workers for advice on possible gift ideas, especially items that might relate to a person's hobby."
6. A lump of coal could backfire. You may be tempted to withhold a holiday tip to express your dissatisfaction with the service you're receiving. But the person you stiff may not understand that you're saying service is inadequate. "If you want better service, don't see the inside," says etiquette expert Thomas Blaikie. "Speak up." And if you're not comfortable confronting the person, talk to a supervisor instead.
7. You're not Daddy Warbucks. When you dine out during the holidays, you may feel social pressure to tip 20% -- or even more. Don't give in. The customary gratuity is 15% of a bill's subtotal before sales tax, say etiquette experts. But don't be stingy, either. Waiters depend on your tips to earn a living, and taxes, health insurance and tipping pools that include bussers and bartenders may reduce the total amount your waiter ultimately pockets.

Job well done!

2008-12-12T09:05:00.004-05:00

There are many tough jobs during the holiday season but today most people that called me said Mail Carriers had the toughest job during the holidays. So, hats off to you! Thank you for a job well done through rain, sleet, and dead of night. Oh and your neighbors ferocious dog.

While mail carriers are normally paid well, they do have to work in all weather conditions. They are exposed everyday to the dangers of other drivers on the road, dogs and other animals. While you have 2 days off a week, mail is delivered on Saturday so you won't be getting many weekends off. Being a mail carrier is a tough job, depending on the route, you may need to carry a heavy mail bag and walk quite a distance in a day. But that is good exercise, right!

Some of the other tough jobs during the holidays that deserve mention. Our men and women serving in the military and away from home, the folks that clean up the stores we mess up, grocery stores, Mall Santa, retail sales, gift wrappers, bell ringers, firemen and police. Thank you all for keeping our holiday LITE and refreshing.

Holiday cards

2008-12-11T09:46:00.002-05:00

Every year I go to Target or Wal-mart and buy some holiday cards with the best intentions of sending them out and every year I get too busy to do it. Do you send out holiday cards?

Are they fancy? Maybe with a family photo or a poem? Here are a few idea's to create a fun holiday card.

If you wanna send me a card and Jeff some coal here is our address:

101.5 LITE FM
20450 NW 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33169

Happy Holiday!

Classic toys

2008-12-10T08:38:00.002-05:00

What was your favorite toy? Hot wheels, Frisbee, Easy-Bake-Oven, a Yo-Yo, Westy Besty?

A recent suryvey says Barbies and board games are back on top of holiday wish lists. Seems those classic toys never go out of style. Here is a great website that will take you back to your childhood.

My favorite toy

2008-12-10T08:13:00.003-05:00

This very pretty ballerina is Mattel's popular Dancerina, who was introduced in 1968. She stands 24 inches tall and is a battery operated dancing doll. I believe this size only came in a blond version. She does lovely pirouettes when the knob inside her plastic crown is pushed or pulled. She turns in either direction and can also dance in place on her tip-toes.

I asked for it from my parents for Christmas and I remember the one and only time I snooped for gifts...it was that year. I found my Dancerina under my parents bed. I was so riddled with guilt that I had snooped...I told on myself. To this day I can't look at this doll without feeling a bit guilty.

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?

Holiday shopping safety

2008-12-09T08:18:00.003-05:00

I'm sure you heard that I sprained my wrist on Sunday while I was holiday shopping. Heavy Bags!!!

This uncomfortable situation made me do a little research and I found out that its more common to have injuries while you shop during the holiday season than any other time of the year.

As a result of my investigation, I found some useful tips that I hope help with your holiday shopping.

And if you want to know your shopping style, check out this quiz.... Let me know how it comes out.

Hey twinkle toes!

2008-12-09T06:32:00.002-05:00

In life as in dance:Grace glides on blistered feet.
~ Alice Abrams

All week we are giving away tickets to see the Miami City Ballet's "The Nutcracker"...which got me thinking about my early years as a ballerina. I was 5 years old my instructor was Mrs. Good and I loved this part of my life. The pink tights, dancing around and the big recital. We performed "Little Miss Muffet" I remember I got to be the spider that sat down beside her. I felt like a star!!

But I was not aware that Jeff Martin donned a tutu as well. I have the picture to prove it.

He's the one on the far right with the blonde wig and mustache. Nice.

Did you ever take ballet lessons and did you enjoy it?

How do you shop?

2008-12-09T06:28:00.002-05:00

What is your shopping style? I did some holiday shopping last weekend and my poor husband became a coat tree... Howard ended up holding my purse, bags and coat while I went searching for the next gift on my list. It's a good thing he's very understanding and patient.

Immediate shopper - this kind of shopper looks at something, likes it, finds the price and buys it. This shopper does not think why and how that product is better to others, nor cares to compare any prices. I like it, so I buy it. Shopkeepers love this shopper.
Thoughtful Shopper - This shopper looks at a product, and thinks about it. Why should i buy it? Should I buy it? How will I use it? Will it be useful? Am I making a mistake buying it? Or should I buy it? What about the cost? This shopper will think about everything and then take a considered decision.
Confused Shopper - This shopper is confused. Does not know why he/she entered the shop at all? Why and what to buy? What will be the use? What about this? How about that? The shopper is confused about the whole shopping and is a big headache for the stores.
I Will Buy It Later - This buyer is a unique specimen. He/she will look at all the products. Discuss about few thoroughly and compare the prices. Will decide about what is to be bought and then suddenly walk out saying - I will buy it later.

The holiday bulge

2008-12-08T09:34:00.000-05:00

Don't become a holiday blimp: with parties, work, and family events, calories can add up faster than snowflakes in a blizzard at this time of year.

Here's how to splurge without ending up shaped like frostyElizabeth M. Ward
HOLIDAY MEALS
* Be a discriminating diner. Scan the table for one or two foods you must have. Instead of gorging, take small portions--the first few bites are the best anyway. Fill the remaining space on your plate with lean meats, plain vegetables, and grains.
* Keep your mind off food. Instead of going for seconds, volunteer to do the dishes or clear the table.
* Bag it. Take all those spare cookies and treats your hosts ply you with to work the following day so you don't have unneeded temptation around your house.
PARTIES
* Never arrive hungry. Regular meals and snacks throughout the day will blunt your appetite and allow you to resist overdoing it on the festive treats.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
* Protein load. Foods like fish, seafood, chicken, and lean beef keep you fuller longer, so you eat less sugary junk.
* When you're done eating, avoid more mindless munching by parking yourself far from candy dishes and cookie platters.
EVERY DAY
* Don't deny yourself. If you're lusting after sugar cookies or eggnog, indulge. Just keep the portions as small as possible, so you limit the damage.
* Monitor yourself. Record everything you eat and how much you exercise. Studies show keeping tabs on excess pounds makes it easier to lose them.

By Elizabeth M. Ward, M.S., R.D.

Songs to make you skinny

2008-12-08T08:11:00.004-05:00

This is a 23 pound turkey! This is Jeff Martin!

Jeff Martin just lost 23 pounds...that's amazing! Especially during the holiday season. He did it with Quick Weight Loss but I wonder if a little music might help.

Can a song help you drop the pounds?

I was a little apprehensive but then I listened to "Skinny Jeans" and a song called "The Incredible Shrinking Woman."

The songs are snappy and made me feel like dancing which could burn a few calories. This is really funny...take a listen.

Candy Cane Parade pics

2008-12-08T05:48:00.003-05:00

We had sooo much fun Saturday night at the Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade. Here are a few pictures from our night. I'll have more to come so you can see Jeff Martin's peppermint tights.

Don't get scammed

2008-12-05T08:15:00.002-05:00

Most people think the holiday shopping season is about the big crowds and big bargains. But there's one more seasonal hallmark that doesn't always get its fair share of publicity - big holiday crimes.

I was recently scammed out of 30 dollars while on my honeymoon. But during the holidays when people really need money they are more likely to fall for a scam. My grandma used to say a fool and her money is soon parted. Don't be fooled...if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

Here are a few scam warnings.

Goofy gift ideas

2008-12-05T05:43:00.001-05:00

Short of gift ideas for that person who really does have everything?

Web site Stupid.com, which claims finding a truly stupid gift is an art form, on Tuesday unveiled its second annual list of the top 10 "stupidest" holiday gifts for 2008.
"2008 might have been a bad year for the economy, but it was a great year for stupidity," said Stupid.com's founder Gary Apple. "Weird products seemed to come out of the woodwork this year. There was almost too much stupidity to choose from!"

1. Screaming Chicken, The World's Most Annoying Toy:
This rubber chicken doesn't squeak or squawk. It screams.
2. Wealth Redistribution 2008 Holiday Ornament:
This tree ornament announces that the ornament that used to be there has been removed and given to someone who needs it more. The Redistribution Holiday Ornament will let everyone know you're spreading the wealth whether you want to or not.
3. Mini Guitar Hero:
This miniature version of that mega-hit game is barely 6-inches long but you can still rock out to songs by Queen, Cheap Trick, Nirvana, and The Police.
4. Potty Putter:
Why waste time on the toilet, when you can use it to get ready for the fairway? Potty Putter contains everything you need for an exciting round of golf without leaving your seat including a putting green for around the toilet, mini putter, flag stick and two golf balls.
5. Wasabi Flavored Gumballs:
These potent little green confections offer an intense explosion of wasabi. Strangely, the gum is actually delicious.
6. Men's Underwear Repair Kit:
In this troubled economy, don't throw away your old underwear but repair it with the Men's Underwear Repair Kit. This handy, inexpensive kit provides everything you need to get your unsightly undershorts back into presentable shape.
7. Obama "Yes We Can" Opener:
Every election spawns some interesting products, but this has to be one of the stupidest. To Obama fans, the "Yes, We Can" opener, seizing on his campaign refrain, could be a treasure.
8. "How To Tie A Tie" Tie:
Still struggle with your tie? This stylish tie has simple knot-tying instructions printed right on the front. Just follow the six step-by-step diagrams and you'll look as dashing as George Clooney in seconds.
9. 2009 Dog Poop Calendar:
Each month features a spectacular landscape or breathtaking tableau, but somewhere in every shot there's a pile of dog poop. Distasteful? You bet it is, but the contrast between the beautiful photography and dog poop is remarkable.
10. Pole Dancer Alarm Clock:
When the alarm goes off, dance music plays and disco lights flash. At the same time, a buxom blonde dancer gyrates around a pole under the spinning disco ball.

Don't miss the parade!

2008-12-04T08:30:00.002-05:00

Don't miss the annual City Of Hollywood Candy Cane Parade and your chance to see Jeff Martin in his peppermint tights!

Holiday Office Party!

2008-12-04T08:13:00.001-05:00

Remember if you're lucky enough to have a holiday office party, make sure you don't dance on anything other than the floor!

We're having a party...smaller yes...but at least were having one. What about you?

If you plan to go to your office holiday party here's a few things to keep in mind.

Beauty products

2008-12-03T08:39:00.004-05:00

What's in your bathroom drawer, medicine cabinet and shower? shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, eye-makeup remover, mascara, face lotion, lip balm, blush, deodorant, bronzer, eyeliner, nail polish, hair brushes, flat iron, curling iron, crimping iron...the list goes on and on.

A survey by The Environmental Working Group found that the average woman uses 12 personal care products per day. It just show how high-maintenance the modern gal has become and the value we place on physical beauty and appearance.

Check out the 7 things men will never get about beauty.

Beat the Holiday Stress

2008-12-02T08:19:00.002-05:00

‘Tis the season to be jolly... not stressed out!

If the shopping, wrapping gifts, gaining weight, party planning, decorating, cooking, in-laws, going to the office holiday party, working on the holiday, the traffic, finding a parking space at the mall, cleaning the house, travel, and the list go on and on start to stress you.... Don’t panic, here are some tips that could help you have a very jolly season!

And if you need more help, check here.

Make a gift

2008-12-01T08:15:00.003-05:00

Nothing captures the spirit of the holidays like a unique gift that's been made with care and love. Here are some great homemade gift ideas.

While price comparison shopping, shopping sales and pruning your gift list are viable ways to save some money on gifts, there are additional creative ways to save. There's nothing wrong with spending money if you have it, but it's silly to overspend and charge yourself into a deep hole. Regardless what you do or how much you spend, wasted money is still wasted money.
Practical gifts are the way to go this year.

Here's a few gift ideas that won't break the bank.

Meals: Have a potluck. It can still be a formal meal, but don't be afraid to ask for help. When someone asks if they can bring anything, take them up on that offer. You can skip alcoholic beverages this year and opt for mocktails instead. Cut your work and food budget in half.

Coupons: Make and print coupons that offer your time such as a dessert a month, lawn mowing, babysitting, etc.

New rules: Can request to create a new family rule that only the children receive gifts. This can cut back on gift exchanges for all of the adults. If that's not possible, try one group gift per family instead of individual gifts for every member in each family.

Work related gifts: Some of us know the pressure of the manager's decision to have the team ordepartment exchange gifts. It's often awkward. Encourage the team to do a dollar store swap, donate to charity with a food drive or care packages for our soldiers or a potluck. It doesn't have to cost much per person.

Topics to avoid

2008-11-25T08:22:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving is a special ocassion that gather all (or almost all) the family members at the dinning table.

Here are some topics that you should avoid and tips to make this festivity something to remember.

Super side dishes

2008-11-24T09:17:00.000-05:00

Make your Thanksgiving feast memorable with spectacular side dishes. The hardest part about these recipes will be figuring out which ones to make.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reuse plastic bags

2008-11-21T08:42:00.001-05:00

For Pet Lovers:
1. Instead of buying special bags to clean up behind your dog, use used plastic grocery bags.
2. Use them to scoop the cat’s litter box.
3. Donate bags to your local animal shelter.
4. Donate bags to your local dog park – there is usually a dispenser there for those who forgot to bring their own.
For the Crafty:
5. Cut the bags into loops and knot them together into plastic “yarn.” This can be used to make braided rugs, weave baskets, and crochet bigger, stronger bags that will last. Some people even use plastic yarn to crochet sun hats. Knitting works too. It’s washable, but air dry only.
6. Stuff Halloween dummies with plastic bags instead of straw, using straw just around the cuffs.
7. Protect your surfaces with plastic bags when doing messy crafts.
8. Fuse bags into plastic fabric to sew with. Instructions for this are popping up all over the internet.
Around the House:
9. Line paint trays with plastic bags before pouring the paint in, and cleanup becomes a breeze.
10. Make a draft blocker: Sew a tube of recycled fabric and stuff it with the plastic bags, then sew up the ends. Placed at the bottoms of drafty doors it will cut down on the heating bills, saving even more energy.
11. Use plastic bags as packing material instead of Styrofoam packing peanuts. It reuses bags and prevents the production of more Styrofoam.
12. Rather than using rope or plastic zip ties, loop together as many bags as needed to make plastic rope.
In the Kitchen:
13. Wrap homemade bread in a clean plastic grocery bag. It will stay fresher but still be able to breathe.
14. Use them to pack lunches.
15. Use a plastic bag as a cutting board when cutting up particularly messy items, like meat, or to collect vegetable shavings.
16. Use a clean bag as a non-stick surface for rolling out dough.
Out of the House:
17. Keep a small stash of bags in the truck of the car – they are great for all kinds of emergencies.
18. Use plastic grocery bags as camping trip garbage bags.
19. Pick up bags you see at the park or in the street and use them to collect any garbage and recyclable litter.
20. Keep a few in the diaper bag – these can be very handy when confronted with a very messy diaper, or when the mess has spread to baby’s clothes, to protect the rest of the bag’s contents.
21. Donate them to your child’s daycare center.
22. When traveling, wrap a plastic bag around your toiletry bag to prevent any spills from spreading.
23. Tie a couple over your feet and keep your shoes clean when you have to walk through a muddy area.
24. Donate them to the local library – many use them for sending home big stacks of books with patrons who did not bring their own bag.
25. Donate them to your local thrift store.
Reduce the Number of Plastic Bags You Get:
26. Bring the plastic bags you already have to the store to reuse them.
27. Bring your own cloth or crocheted plastic bags to the store.
28. Go through the self-checkout so you can add more items to each bag than checkers normally do.
29. When buying just one or two items, just throw them in your purse or briefcase, or carry them to the car bag-less.
And Lastly:
30. Support companies that use recycled plastic, from handmade African crafts to designer chairs to composite decking.

Things to recycle

2008-11-21T08:15:00.001-05:00

Garbage. Americans produce more and more of it every year, when we need to be producing less. Even the most waste-conscious among us can feel overwhelmed by the amount of household waste that goes beyond what municipal recyclers and compost bins can handle. That’s why our editors spent the summer of 2007 investigating the state of waste management in our country, putting this list togther for you, explaining how we can get serious about the three R’s – reducing, reusing, and recycling — and divert more waste away from landfills.

1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.
2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.
3. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.
5. Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women’s business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.
6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.
7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won’t be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.
8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.
9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.
10. Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.
11. Foam packing: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html
12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.
13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.
14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.
15. Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.
16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.
17. “Technotrash”: Project KOPEG offers an e-waste recycling program that can help you raise funds for your organization. Use Project KOPEG to recycle iPods, MP3 players, cell phones and chargers, digital cameras, PDAs, palm pilots, and more. Also, easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk’s Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.
18. Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.
19. Toothbrushes and razors: Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.
20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.
21. Stuff you just can’t recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.

Happy viewing

2008-11-20T08:24:00.001-05:00

Unhappy folks watch more TV, happy ones read:

CTV.ca News Staff

Unhappy people spend more time watching television than their content counterparts, who are more likely to spend their spare time reading and socializing, a new study says.
In a study of nearly 30,000 adults, sociologists from the University of Maryland found that people who describe themselves as unhappy watch 20 per cent more television than those who consider themselves to be very happy.
The research also showed that self-described happy people are more socially active, attend church more often, are more likely to vote and more frequently read newspapers.
The study included data from previous research that measured how people use their time, as well as information from surveys that asked respondents how happy they feel and how much time they spend doing a number of different tasks.
The data also suggested that watching television may boost viewers' happiness in the moment but does little to improve their feelings over the long term.
"TV doesn't really seem to satisfy people over the long haul the way that social involvement or reading a newspaper does," study co-author John P. Robinson, a University of Maryland sociologist, said in a statement. "It's more passive and may provide escape - especially when the news is as depressing as the economy itself. The data suggest to us that the TV habit may offer short-run pleasure at the expense of long-term malaise."
The researchers published their findings in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.
The data from time-use surveys suggests that if the ongoing worldwide financial crisis continues to worsen and people lose their jobs, television viewing may increase.
The findings showed a correlation between having more available free time and watching more television.
And it seems unhappy people have far more free time on their hands.
Fifty-one per cent said they were more likely to have unwanted extra time to fill, compared to only 19 per cent of happy people.
The researchers said that their data showed that television viewing proved an easy way for unhappy folks to fill their spare time.
Television doesn't require that a viewer dress up, leave the house, plan ahead, spend extra money or seek company, the researchers said.
When those factors are combined with the instant gratification that TV offers, it is easy to understand why television is so attractive, the researchers said.
"Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure but long-term misery and regret," study co-author Steven Martin, also a University of Maryland sociologist, said in a statement. "People most vulnerable to addiction tend to be socially or personally disadvantaged. For this kind of person, TV can become a kind of opiate in a way. It's habitual, and tuning in can be an easy way of tuning out."

Bullying: kids, adults, online!!!

2008-11-18T08:12:00.003-05:00

Everybody knows what a "Bully" is, but did you know that the "Bullying" behavior has gone beyond the limits of the schools?

Nowadays you can see this kind of situations in the workplace and even on the web.

If you want to know more about it, you can check here:

Bullies on the schools: the old story that everybody knows.
Bullies on the workplace: the old story but in a grown up environment.
Bullies on the web: the new media could not be the exception.

I hope these links help you to solve the problem!... And remember the violence is not the answer.

Is gaming a problem?

2008-11-12T08:07:00.001-05:00

Concern is spreading among parents and mental-health professionals that the exploding popularity of computer and video games has a deeper dark side than simple couch-potatohood.

How can parents know when a lot is too much? Media experts are quick to point out that computer and video games are not inherently bad for kids; indeed, most players find a balance, says David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis: "They play their video games; they do their homework; they keep up with their responsibilities and have other interests. No problem."
But when the other areas of a child's life begin to suffer, parents may have cause to take corrective action.

See if you or your child has any of the symptoms of video game addiciton.

Veterans Day

2008-11-11T09:02:00.006-05:00

On this Veteran Day, lets honor those who bravely served our country. Below you will find some activities that will be held in South Florida:

Wilton Manors ceremony, 11 a.m. at Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Call 954-390-2130.
Acupuncture clinic, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Collins Community Center, 3900 NE Third Ave., Oakland Park. Free treatment session for veterans. The clinic requests $20 donations for treatments to raise money for other veterans' clinics. Call 954-630-4500.
Plantation ceremony, 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale West Drive. Participants will include Mayor Rae Carol Armstrong, a police honor guard, high school singers, entertainer Al Matos and other performers. Call 954-452-2510.
Coral Springs ceremony, 10:30 a.m. at Veterans Park, 8601 Royal Palm Blvd. Includes speeches by veterans, 21-gun salute and placing wreaths. Call 954-345-2200.
The American Soldier, 3-5 p.m. at Presidential Place, 3880 S. Circle Drive, Hollywood. Lecture by Korean War veteran John Hone. Call 954-894-0059.
Hollywood ceremony, 11 a.m. at Hollywood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6301 Taft St. Call 954-989-1550.
Salute to Veterans, 8 a.m. parade begins at Tamarac City Hall, 7525 NW 88th Ave., 10 a.m. service at Veterans Park, 7825 Southgate Blvd. Call 954-597-3620.
Thomas P. Johnson American Legion Post 222 ceremony, 11 a.m. at Collins Park flagpole, 4001 NE Fifth Ave., Oakland Park. Call 954-776-5373.
Coconut Creek ceremony, 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 3500 Lyons Road. Activities include a rifle salute, Police Department Honor Guard, national anthem and presentation of the colors. Call 954-956-1580.
Pembroke Pines ceremony, noon at Fletcher Park, 7900 Johnson St. Call 954-435-6525.
The Moving Wall, will be at Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., near the Flagler Street entrance. There will be a Parade from Bayside to the Moving Wall at 2 p.m. The Closing ceremonies start at 5:30 p.m. No admission fee.

Also, it is important to show your children the importance of this day, here is a fun and educational Veteran's Day site for your children.

And finally, if you want to send a free printed postcard to a friend or relative that is part of the US military stationed overseas, you can do it here.

Get in the spirit

2008-11-07T08:18:00.001-05:00

Start planning your holiday party.
Start making your holiday mailing list.
Browse stores that are decorated with hints of the holiday.
Start Christmas shopping.
Think about what you have instead of what you do not have. be appreciative and grateful for your bed, roof over your head and food in your mouth.
Go to Manhattan and check out all the window displays by Sacks, Macy's and lord and taylor! Wonderful eye candy!
Start shopping for your holiday duds.
Shop around and scope the places where parties are happening. Grab a freind or two and attend!

Just get along.

2008-11-06T09:41:00.002-05:00

Here are essential steps to constructively resolve conflicts at work. The steps can be applied to any kind of conflict between co-workers.

1: Realize that conflicts are inevitable at work
Show me a workplace without conflict and I’ll show you a workplace where no one gives a damn. Whenever people are engaged, committed and fired up, conflict and disagreement is bound to happen. This doesn’t mean you have to revel in conflict or create trouble just for the hell of it, but it does mean that when conflict happens it’s not the end of the world. Quite the contrary, it can even be the beginning of an interesting learning process. The very best and most efficient workplaces are not the ones without conflicts but those who handle conflicts constructively.
Particularly when a workplace is changing and new ideas are being dreamt up and implemented, conflict is inevitable. There can be no business change without conflict. The trick is to make sure that you also have no conflict without change, because that is the truly dangerous thing: Conflicts that go on for years with all parties refusing to budge.
The fact that you have a conflict at work does not reflect badly on you - it mostly means that you care enough to disagree strongly. That’s a good thing provided that you do something about the conflict instead of just letting it go on forever.

2: Handle conflict sooner rather than later
This is the single most important tip to successfully resolve conflicts: Do it now! It’s very tempting to wait for a conflict to blow over by itself, but it rarely does - in most cases it only gets worse with time. I refer you to this delightful cartoon by Claire Bretecher for an example.
90% of conflicts at work do not come from something that was said, but from something that wasn’t said! It’s tempting to try and smooth things over and pretend everything is normal. Don’t. That’s the most common reason why conflicts at work escalate: Nobody does anything. Everyone’s waiting for the other guy to pull himself together and “just admit he’s wrong, dammit”. It may be unpleasant to tackle the issue here and now but believe me, it gets even more unpleasant after the conflict has stewed for a good long while.

3: Ask!
In the early stages of a conflict the most powerful tool to resolve it is simple: Ask! If somebody has done something that made you angry, if you don’t understand somebody’s viewpoint, if you don’t understand their actions - ask!
Do it nicely. “Say, I was wondering why you did ‘X’ yesterday” or “I’ve noticed that you often do ‘Y’. Why is that?” are good examples. “Why the hell do you always have to ‘Z’!” is less constructive :o)
Sometimes there’s a perfectly good reason why that person does what he does, and a potential conflict evaporates right there. Also: Never assume that people do what they do to annoy you or spite you. People typically have a good reason to do the things they do, even the things that really get on your nerves. Never assume bad faith on anyone else’s part. Instead: Ask!

For the rest of them just click here.

Election Day!!!!

2008-11-04T09:09:00.005-05:00

Today is a special day, a day we can express ourselves but we must respect each other too. Here are some things to keep in mind when you go to the polls today.

VOTING MYTHS (MSN.com)

Myth: I will be turned away from the polls if I wear an Obama or McCain shirt.
NOT TRUE. You can't be turned away from the polls, but you may be asked to cover the parts of your clothing that are advertising your candidate. Certain states -- such as California, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New York -- restrict anything that can be considered campaign material within 50 to 150 feet of voting sites. If you've got questions, contact your state election official to find out the exact rules in your state, or, just be sure to bring an extra shirt or sweater for when you place your vote.

Myth: If something goes wrong -- I'm not on the voter rolls, forgot my ID, recently moved -- I can't vote.
NOT TRUE. You may need to take an oath affirming you're a citizen, and that you live where you say you do. But keep in mind that the burden of proof is on the person making the challenge, not you. If your right to vote is being challenged for any reason, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) to get immediate legal advice. You can also request a provisional ballot from poll officials.

Myth: If I registered to vote through ACORN, my registration is not valid.
NOT TRUE: While some ACORN voter registrations are being investigated, if you provided accurate information, your registration is valid. In case you encounter problems, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or be sure to request a provisional ballot.

Myth: Absentee ballots don't count and are only used as tie-breakers.
NOT TRUE: Like provisional ballots, absentee ballots count as a regular vote in every state.

Myth: If you register to vote under your school address, you will be dropped from your parents' health insurance or lose financial aid.
NOT TRUE: In a recent Time Magazine report, officials in Montgomery, Virginia; Greenville, South Carolina; and El Paso, Colorado told students that their health care and financial aid would be in jeopardy if they were to cast a vote. There was just one problem with these warnings: They were entirely untrue. Time reports, "[A]ccording to youth-voter advocates and the IRS... these dire warnings were incorrect."

On the other hand, if you want to have a last minute election party, please read the following tips that will help you to have a great time:

ELECTION PARTY ETIQUETTE (iVillage.com)

The Guest List: If you feel your friends can all handle it as adults, however, go ahead and invite people on both sides of the aisle. However, as host, you are responsible for your guests being comfortable. If things start to get heated or uncomfortable, it's your job to step in and diffuse the situation.
Food and Decor: If all of your guests support the same candidate, feel free to have some fun with themed decorations, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. However, if you have Democrats and Republicans coming -- then yes, it needs to be fair and balanced. In other words, if you're serving an Obama-tini, you should also have a McCain margarita.
Talking Politics:

Before you speak, know the company you're in. Never, never assume you know someone's politics, unless they've explicitly expressed that to you.
Stick to the facts. Arguing a point is different than making it personal. "'How can you support a guy like that?'That's judgmental.
Have an exit strategy. To get yourself out of a sticky situation, have a few lines ready: "I think we'll have to agree to disagree," or "I'd rather not talk about it, if that's okay." Stay calm until the tension passes.
Think about why you're having the conversation. What's your goal? Trying to change someone's mind election night after they've cast their vote, you might be barking up the wrong tree.

The Results Are In: No gloating. Think about how you would want to be treated. Etiquette is based on treating people with respect, consideration and honesty, and now is the time to fall back on those principles

Avoid the flu

2008-11-03T07:09:00.003-05:00

Keeping the Germs Away

Flu season is October through early spring, and February is often the peak month. Chances are, when you're burrowed under the covers with a box of tissues by your bedside, you turn even greener with envy thinking of those people who seem to never get sick. Want to be one of them? We can't promise you'll never get hit with another cold or suffer another bout of the flu, but you can increase your odds of staying well with these strategies. If you do get sick, we've also included some tips for getting better faster.

While colds won't kill you, they can weaken your immune system to the point that other, more serious, germs can take hold in your body. Just think how many times your cold turned into bronchitis or a sinus infection. And given that the average American adult suffers two to three colds a year, that's a lot of opportunities for serious illness -- and just as many to prevent one!

There's even more incentive to prevent the flu: Every year in the United States about 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 die from the flu or its complications.

1. Wash your hands and wash them often. The Naval Health Research Center conducted a study of 40,000 recruits who were ordered to wash their hands five times a day. The recruits cut their incidence of respiratory illnesses by 45 percent.
2. Wash your hands twice every time you wash them. When Columbia University researchers looked for germs on volunteers' hands, they found one handwashing had little effect, even when using antibacterial soap. So wash twice if you're serious about fending off colds.
3. Use this hand-drying strategy in public restrooms. Studies find a shockingly large percentage of people fail to wash their hands after using a public restroom. And every single one of them touches the door handle on the way out. So after washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use another paper towel to dry your hands, then open the door with that paper towel as a barrier between you and the handle. It sounds nuts, but it's an actual recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to protect you from infectious diseases like cold and flu.
4. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Colds are typically passed not from coughing or kissing (although those are two modes of transmission) but from hand-to-hand or hand-to-object contact, since most cold viruses can live for hours on objects. You then put your hand in or near your mouth or nose, and voilà! You're sick. Carry hand sanitizer gel or sanitizing towelettes with you and you can clean your hands anytime, even if the closest water supply is 100 miles away. It works. One study of absenteeism due to infection in elementary schools found schools using the gel sanitizer had absentee rates from infection nearly 20 percent lower than those using other hand-cleaning methods.
5. Use your knuckle to rub your eyes. It's less likely to be contaminated with viruses than your fingertip. This is particularly important given that the eye provides a perfect entry point for germs, and the average person rubs his eyes or nose or scratches his face 20-50 times a day, notes Jordan Rubin, Ph.D., author of the book The Maker's Diet.

Get the rest from Readers Digest.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T08:59:00.004-04:00

Halloween Safety Tips
By The Children's Safety Zone

For Trick-or-Treaters
· Carry a flashlight
· Walk, don't run.
· Stay on Sidewalks
· Stay in familiar neighborhoods
· Don't cut across yards or driveways.
· Wear a watch you can read in the dark.
· Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
· Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
· Approach only houses that are lit.
· Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

Parents
· Make your child eat dinner before setting out.
· Children should carry quarters so they can call home.
· Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
· If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
· Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
· You should know where they're going.
· Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.

Homeowners
· Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
· Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
· If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
· Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.

And now the funny part, if you want to know your "inner monster" check this out.

I hope you have a safety and fun Halloween!

Politics at work

2008-10-30T06:59:00.002-04:00

Ten Tricks and Traps for Discussing Politics with Your Coworkers, Family, and Friends

By Debra Fine
selfgrowth.com

Typically, there are dozens of topics for "big conversations" at home and in the workplace. Now, there just seems to be one: the presidential elections. How can you participate in discussions about the candidates without risking your job, losing friends, or alienating your significant other? Here are 10 tricks and traps for discussing politics:

1. Know thyself. It may be okay for most people to talk politics, but take an honest look at yourself. Are your feelings so passionate that you'll let the conversation get out of control, and you'll lose your cool as soon as someone disagrees with you? If so, then steer the conversation in another
direction or leave the room.

2. Know others. Maybe you can keep your cool during a conversation about the presidential candidates, but judge whether those around you can do the same before you launch into a discussion with them. And remember:just because someone can have a polite conversation about gun control or religion doesn't necessarily mean that a "Barack vs. Hillary" debate will go well. When it comes to politics, choose your conversational partners carefully!

3. Agree to disagree. Your mission in life isn't to persuade everyone in your sphere to vote for your presidential candidate of choice - nor do youhave to come around to your conversational partner's point of view. Know when to end a conversation by agreeing to disagree.

4. Stay flexible. Your vote isn't cast in stone until it's - well, cast. One of the things that can come out of a conversation is that you might gain a different perspective, or you might learn something new. Stay open to that possibility.

5. Don't do all the talking. During a heated discussion, it helps to really listen to what your conversational partner is saying. That means giving the other person a fair chance to speak - and then really listening to what that person has to say.

6. Be polite. Just because you have strong political beliefs doesn't mean that you have to raise your voice or use harsh language. Keep it civilized, and that will be a cue for those around you to do the same.

7. Remember where you are. If you're in the office, at the dinner table, or at a cocktail party, bear that in mind - and don't start shouting as though you're in a football stadium. Keep your demeanor appropriate for your surroundings.

8. Detach yourself. You are not the individual for whom you're voting, so don't take criticism of your preferred candidate personally. If you're a Mitt Romney fan and your boss isn't, what's the big deal? Your boss isn't insulting you, so don't internalize his or her words.

9. Put it in perspective. You can still love your significant other, and you can still respect your coworkers and friends, even if they don't share your politics.

10. Smile! Maintain your sense of humor, and keep the atmosphere light. We're lucky enough to have an opportunity to participate in the political process, and that certainly is something to feel good about - regardless of your politics.

Keep these 10 tips in mind, and you'll come through the political
season with your relationships intact - even if the aspirations of your political candidate don't survive.

Work spouses

2008-10-29T08:17:00.003-04:00

7 Signs You Have a Work Spouse

Patrick Erwin, CareerBuilder.com writer

Do you have a "work spouse" at your workplace? A work spouse is a co-worker of the opposite sex with whom you have a close platonic relationship. In many ways, these relationships can mirror a real marriage.
A recent CareerBuilder.com survey revealed that one-in-ten workers (11 percent) felt that they had a work spouse. And though it's usually beneficial to have a close friend at work, 20 percent of the workers polled indicated their real-life spouse was jealous of their workplace counterpart.

Do you have a work spouse?

Here are seven clear signs you might have a work spouse:
1. You depend on a particular co-worker for office supplies, snacks and aspirin.
2. There are inside jokes that you and a specific co-worker share.
3. You can be bluntly honest with this person about his or her appearance, hygiene or hair (and vice versa). You're comfortable enough to point out that the other's hair is sticking up -- or that someone's fly is down.
4. When something eventful happens at work, this co-worker is the first person you seek out for a de-briefing.
5. At breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks, your closest co-worker knows what to order for you and how you like your coffee (and vice versa).
6. You and your co-worker can finish each other's sentences.
7. Someone in your office knows almost as much about your personal life as your best friend or real-life spouse does.

Pluses and minuses of a work-spouse relationship

There are great benefits to having a close relationship with a co-worker. Among the benefits of a work spouse:
· You have a friend who provides emotional support at work during challenging times. During times of stress at home or at work, you have a built-in support system.
· Work spouses often complement each other in terms of skills, abilities and their approaches to work. The two of you can make a very productive team.
· Having a trustworthy co-conspirator for those occasional workplace escapades (and juicy gossip) can be beneficial, and often acts as a way to release work-related stress.

The possible pitfalls of a work spouse may include:

· The relationship between you and your "spouse" might be misinterpreted by other co-workers as a clique. If others feel excluded, it may be a catalyst for personal or professional disagreements.
· If the relationship goes sour, it can have a negative impact on you, your "ex" and your team as a whole.
· If your real spouse becomes aware of their counterpart, it can create issues in your real-life marriage.

Managing the work spouse relationship

Here are some tips on how best to keep everyone, including your work spouse, happy on the job.
Keep the lines of communication open. Make sure that other co-workers are not feeling shut out by the perception that you and your work spouse are an exclusive clique of two. If you are working on a project together that also involves the team, be sure to reach out to everyone for feedback and suggestions.
Avoid crossing boundaries. It's great to have a support system and a close confidante, but be sure to set boundaries for how much to share with your office mate. More importantly, honor those boundaries. If the relationship becomes antagonistic or is too close for comfort, let your work spouse know you need a little space.
Lighten the mood. If your life at home and at work is filled with complications, bringing a co-worker into the middle of those issues may not be beneficial for you. You should aim to keep the mood light and happy with your work spouse. You'll look forward to enjoying gossip, taking breaks and being able to relax with a friend without any concerns or complications.

Men's fashion are "in" her

2008-10-28T08:52:00.004-04:00

Crisp tailored suits, neckties, baggy jeans and shorter-than-short haircuts are popping up on Hollywood's biggest female stars. Katie Holmes, torch-bearer of this season's loosefit boyfriend jeans fad, turned heads earlier this week when she left an Hermes party decked out in the investment banker fav -- a three-piece pinstripe navy suit. Mere days before, Victoria Beckham paired a Dior men's tie with a cutt-off tuxedo jacket and her own dVb wide-leg jeans. Big names, the New York Daily News reports, are slipping into suits and baggy jeans in an attemp to stand out from their hair extension-wearing, mini-dress and pumps peer. However, avoid going head-to-toe in drag, they caution. Instead, add femenine touches to the style to make it look good.

Afford the Holiday Season

2008-10-24T08:14:00.002-04:00

The Holidays are coming... so is the pressure of having the perfect gift. If you want to avoid the stress related to the season, check this page.

If you’re concern about money, find some advice for save during the holiday, from the gift buying to decorating and entertaining, even how to stay in touch with your friends and family.

Finally, if you want to make extra money, you can always apply for a seasonal job. Here is where to start.

Reduce unwanted catalogs

2008-10-23T07:52:00.001-04:00

Are you getting bombarded? You can take control of your mailbox.

Exercise Time

2008-10-22T08:46:00.006-04:00

Who doesn't want to be in good shape?... But you'll have to leave the couch and do a lot of exercise. From msnbc.com, here is the importance of doing exercise:

Live longer
A recent study on exercise and longevity found that people who were active on a regular basis lived longer than their couch-potato counterparts, and the more they exercised the longer they lived.

Make work more tolerable
A British study of about 200 workers at a university, computer company and life insurance firm found that people who took exercise breaks during the day said they felt more productive and more tolerant of job stress than when they didn't exercise.
Even half an hour was enough to do the trick, and the exercise didn't have to be strenuous.

Help out your heart
Another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirmed that exercise is heart-healthy — and that you don't have to run a marathon to derive benefit.
Even briskly walking for half an hour on three or four days a week improved cardiovascular health, according to the study of nearly 500 sedentary adults.

Defeat diabetes
Two-thirds of Americans with type 2 diabetes do not have their disease under control, which puts them at risk for early death, blindness and limb loss, according to research released this year.
Experts say most cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise. In people who already have type 2 diabetes, exercise can help lower blood sugar and prevent the disease from worsening.

Get rid of the hidden fat
OK, so this one is about weight and fat. But it's not the fat you can pinch; it's the deep, even more dangerous kind that accumulates around internal organs and contributes to diabetes, heart disease and other problems

How do you find the motivation to exercise? Here is the answer.

If you want to find a place to start your routine for a reasonable price, you can check out this special report from The Miami Herald.

Finally, if you have kids, it's important that they have healthy habits in their life, you can find more information in this link.

Go Vote!

2008-10-21T09:19:00.003-04:00

The Early Voting started yesterday, and you can find your voting info: when to vote, where, and what to bring.
If you live in Broward County, you can check your registration status and more information about the the upcoming elections, just click here.

Breast Cancer Awereness

2008-10-20T08:42:00.002-04:00

We are in the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, and I would like to share some information that could be helpful to you and the women in your family.
If you want to know the warning signs of breast cancer, please check here.
Also, through the years, there have been quite a few rumors and myths floating around about breast cancer, here is the list that dispels the rumors and myths of breast cancer.
Thank you very much for shearing your stories of success with us this morning, and if you need more information or if you didn't have the chance to share your story on air, you can check the LITE FM Pink Page.

Romantic Ideas

2008-10-17T09:01:00.002-04:00

I know many men who have a flair for romantic ideas, sweet gestures, and spontaneity at the drop of a hat, so it's not impossible to become a "romantic prince". The following are some simple romantic ideas that will help you impress your lady everyday:

1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Whisper to each other.
3. Cook for each other.
4. Walk in the rain.
5. Hold hands

If you want to read more about it you can check here.

But if you really want to surprise her (or him) you can also check the Michael Webb's "101 Romantic Ideas" and click download, it is free.

Cut back your spendings

2008-10-16T08:41:00.001-04:00

In a recently survey of more than 100 women about the financial concerns, the answers ran the gamut from affording groceries and other staples like gas to a wide variety of fears, such as: Losing what took so long to acquire, job loss, keeping my my businesses, making credit card payments, and a general fear for the country's future.

Here we give some tips to cut off your spending that will help you out. And if you are a newlywed; here are other suggestions that might be good for your new life.