How to Survive Your Best Friend's Wedding
By Diane Vadino
Your best friend's wedding: Just because it's the happiest day of her life doesn't mean it has to be the happiest day of yours. Don't be disturbed if, mixed with all that genuine excitement, you feel just the subtlest, quietest tinges of, well, take your pick: jealousy? Loneliness? Anxiety?
When my best friend got married a few years ago, I experienced every one of those emotions—plus, let's see, depression, terror, and confusion. None of that meant I didn't love my best friend—I did, and I do; I just wasn't quite prepared to give up so much of her time and attention. (I forgive her other commitments; she forgives my neuroses and selfishness.)
Obviously there are loads of women who can handle their best friend's wedding without a smidgen of self-doubt or soul-searching. For the rest—and, I would argue, the majority—of us, there are a few ways to navigate these uncharted, rose petal-strewn waters.
Don't feel guilty
Few things dominate a conversation like plans for an upcoming wedding. If you're feeling like your hopes, dreams, anxieties and crushes—more or less the substance of your discussions for as long as you've known each other—will suddenly take second (or third, or fourth) place to wedding deejays and gift registries, you're probably right. The unfortunate truth: You will get less of her attention. You will be required to care, deeply and endlessly, about the shade and silhouette of the bridesmaids' dresses—which, inevitably, will suit none of the bridesmaids. And you will be asked to do all of this with a smile on your face. Of course, because you're her best friend, you're going to do it all—but don't beat yourself up if that smile is just the teensiest bit forced. A wedding is one of life's more demanding endeavors, and it's natural to feel a bit put out by unexpected responsibilities, especially as your best friend—your rock—is likely less emotionally available than ever before. It doesn't make you a love-hating, anti-wedding monster—just human.
Resist the urge to romanticize
Yes, weddings are wonderful, life-defining events—but a lot of hard work goes into making that fairy tale come true, even for just a few hours. There are two sides to that coin: Expect a certain level of stress and irritability on your best friend's behalf—perhaps in an amount that's inversely proportional to how much work she anticipated in the beginning. At the same time, don't wander into the same trap yourself: An expensively decorated reception hall is hardly a guarantee of a lifetime of happiness. She isn't buying a one-way ticket on the express train to bliss, while you loiter around Lonelyville: Marriages are work. And just because your best friend has decided that marriage is right for her, it's certainly not a one-size-fits-all cure for the occasional Friday night spent doing laundry.
Don't take it out on him—either of them
In a perfect world, you'll already feel like your best friend's fiancé is part of your extended family. If not, hopefully your issues with him are relatively superficial: Chances are, he's as in awe of the wedding machine as you are, which could, happily, find you in the unlikely similar position of keeping your best friend—and his fiancée—solidly grounded. The big question, of course, is how to handle reservations that go beyond garden-variety gripes: If you feel like he's in a position to deliver real pain, either physical or emotional, you owe it to your friend to suck it up and speak your mind. It might not be pretty, but there's more to being a best friend than splitting two halves of a BFF necklace.
Meanwhile, if you're seeing someone but not quite at the ring-shopping stage, resist the urge to start unfairly contrasting the two relationships. While a certain amount of self-aware stock-taking is good for the soul, the run-up to a wedding is an emotionally charged time, and it's unfair to everyone to start demanding—either of yourself or of him—proof that he's the one. Take advantage of him as a refuge, an island of calm. But don't catch wedding fever and then submit your man to an unexpected—and probably unfair—sizing-up.
If you're single ...
The world is your oyster. While marriage offers myriad benefits, so can the single life—the excitement and endless possibility of where life could take you next. A dear friend's wedding can stir up all kinds of submerged emotions—and, crucially, a sense that life is, indeed, moving forward, whether you're ready for it or not. There are few better times to honestly ask yourself if you're content to continue on your current path—and if not, how best to change it. Always dreamed of moving to Africa? Opening a restaurant? Buying an apartment? None of those require a life partner—and personally, I've consistently witnessed an amazing synergy: When even longtime single people pursue their most deeply held ambitions, their excitement and confidence is palpable—especially to potential paramours.
Enjoy it
Fingers crossed, your best friend is only going to get married once—and while it may feel like the world's gone all topsy-turvy, have faith that it'll straighten out soon enough. She deserves her time in the spotlight, even if you're looking forward to quieter days, when the topics of conversation can be, once more, evenly divided. Just remember: More likely than not, she'll get her chance to return the favor, after you've taken all possible opportunities to wring every last bit of fun out of pre-wedding life. As for my best friend, she'll be repeating her vows next month, and though it took a bit of practice (and several years' worth of perspective), I'll be there to support her—at last, with a completely genuine smile on my face.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Let your hair down
After a long hard day at work, you have to make time for yourself. Here are some great ways to pamper yourself and just let your hair down and relax.
Shortcuts for mom
Go Ahead -- Eat Out.
You have been working all day, either at home with your kids or at the office. At the end of the day, you are ready for someone else to step up and take care of you for a change. But instead of throwing yourself on the sofa with your feet up, reality sets in and you have to think about dinner. The simplest option, of course, is going out to eat or getting take-out. But for some reason after doing it habitually, we feel guilty, as if we are cheating, or doing something unhealthy. Here are some tips for enjoying restaurant food without the guilt.
• Drink a glass of water when you arrive at a restaurant. Sometimes people confuse thirst for hunger.
• Skip the soda and save your sugar intake for something really special (did anyone say chocolate?)
• Eat Smart. Did you know that while super-sized options save you money, they nearly double your fat and calories?
• Get your dressing on the side, so you can use what you need without drowning your food.
• Order appetizer portions instead of entrees. By controlling your portion size, you can prevent yourself from over eating. Or, if you order an entrée, ask for a “to-go” box and pack up half the meal before you start eating. Out of sight, out of mind.
• Remember – restaurant food tastes good for a reason…lots of butter and salt! With that in mind, consider avoiding cream sauces and gravies if you are watching your waist-line.
• Choose healthy carbs, such as whole grain bread, brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
• Your mama always told you to eat your veggies. Well, she’s right (of course).
• Look beyond the Kid’s Menu. Appetizers from the “regular menu” should have plenty of delicious options for kids that will expand their palates and help them to eat healthier.
• Your kids are watching what you eat. Be sure to set a good example.
If you are feeling guilty for eating out so much, give yourself a break. You are not alone. The average family eats out 29% of the time, where they spend 44% of their food budget. Cut yourself some slack. Go ahead and eat out, just make good choices.
Click here for more shortcuts!
You have been working all day, either at home with your kids or at the office. At the end of the day, you are ready for someone else to step up and take care of you for a change. But instead of throwing yourself on the sofa with your feet up, reality sets in and you have to think about dinner. The simplest option, of course, is going out to eat or getting take-out. But for some reason after doing it habitually, we feel guilty, as if we are cheating, or doing something unhealthy. Here are some tips for enjoying restaurant food without the guilt.
• Drink a glass of water when you arrive at a restaurant. Sometimes people confuse thirst for hunger.
• Skip the soda and save your sugar intake for something really special (did anyone say chocolate?)
• Eat Smart. Did you know that while super-sized options save you money, they nearly double your fat and calories?
• Get your dressing on the side, so you can use what you need without drowning your food.
• Order appetizer portions instead of entrees. By controlling your portion size, you can prevent yourself from over eating. Or, if you order an entrée, ask for a “to-go” box and pack up half the meal before you start eating. Out of sight, out of mind.
• Remember – restaurant food tastes good for a reason…lots of butter and salt! With that in mind, consider avoiding cream sauces and gravies if you are watching your waist-line.
• Choose healthy carbs, such as whole grain bread, brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
• Your mama always told you to eat your veggies. Well, she’s right (of course).
• Look beyond the Kid’s Menu. Appetizers from the “regular menu” should have plenty of delicious options for kids that will expand their palates and help them to eat healthier.
• Your kids are watching what you eat. Be sure to set a good example.
If you are feeling guilty for eating out so much, give yourself a break. You are not alone. The average family eats out 29% of the time, where they spend 44% of their food budget. Cut yourself some slack. Go ahead and eat out, just make good choices.
Click here for more shortcuts!
Best hair over 40
By Lois Joy Johnson
Over 40 Hair: The Long and the Short
The conventional wisdom for hair after 40 is that a well-mannered middle length works for everyone. We beg to differ. Your sexiest hair length may be a lot longer -- or shorter -- than you thought.
No matter how great you look, if you're over 40, your hair isn't what it used to be. Hormonal changes (especially at menopause), years of chemical processing and heat styling, even dieting and smoking, can contribute to skimpier volume, a receding hairline, broken wisps around the face, and a widening part. The gradual decline of estrogen slows hair growth; it also reduces production of collagen, so hair becomes drier and more brittle and loses shine. Gray hair -- whether you color it or not -- has a coarser texture.
You can fake healthier-looking hair in the short term -- and boost hair health in the long term -- with the right products and care. What you need now, no matter what your hair's length: low-sudsing, detergent-free shampoos that are loaded with humectants; rich, nourishing conditioners; protein-based masques; concentrated silicone or botanical serums to reduce frizz and add shine; non-drying mousses and styling sprays; creams to create a body-building base for blow-drying; light, leave-in conditioners for smoothness, silkiness, and manageability.
Short Hair Pros and Cons
Lena Kaptein, 42, cropped her bob in 1994 at the suggestion of a hairdresser friend who said she needed a more modern look. She instantly landed an Aveda campaign and has kept her short hair since. "My bob was too much work -- and all that teasing and hairspray are so not sexy. My son, my husband, and I have the same haircut -- we all wake up looking like Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Two minutes later, with a little molding paste, I look amazing."
Short Hair Suits You If...
Short hair can work for you if you have very delicate or very large features and a fairly firm jaw, a well-shaped head, and an elegant neck. The key is proportion. The secret, according to hair guru John Frieda, is the jawline: If the bottom tip of your chin is more than 2 1/2 inches lower than the bottom of your earlobe, short hair won't look good unless you increase the length at the nape.
Short Hair Pros
You never have to worry about your hair looking messy, rain wrecking your blow-out, or (if it's really short) hat-hair. It's easy to disguise regrowth by eliminating a part or running your hands through for a choppy, tousled effect. Because it's cut frequently, short hair tends to be very healthy, even with extreme color changes.
Short Hair Traps
A cut that's too shaved at the nape looks masculine. Highlights can look spotty if cut comes after color, and skinny, discreet ones don't work as well as chunky, bold streaks do. Virgin color on a super-edgy cut can be boring -- unless it's gray. But a vibrant hair hue can act as a permanent accessory on short hair, according to color pro Brad Johns. (If you go for a bright hair color, tone down your makeup for day.)
Short Haircuts
Nicky Kunz, 53, has always had short hair; it's been gray since she stopped coloring it at 32. "I have a small face, and my features would just get lost in long hair. Every two weeks I buzz it myself, since no one else gets it right. My hair is dry, so I use leave-in moisturizers."
The Best Short Haircuts
The Cap: Shortest of all, and cropped like an adolescent boy or a Marine, this works best for very textured, tight curls and very coarse, wiry hair. Well-defined brows help, as do strong bone structure and a big dose of charisma.
Choppy: On everyone's most edgy list of "things to try someday," the ultra-short shag has a kind of rock-band/French gamine appeal. It's not for the shy. But it is perfect for those with wispy, fine hair that just goes limp when bluntly bobbed; it also suits wavy hair that has built-in body. What's key is to vary the length of some sections for an irregular look. Piece-y cuts of about 2 to 3 inches all over can be tucked behind your ear, tousled for more texture, or combed flat for a more classic look.
Bangs: Full, shaggy bangs or long, graduated bangs that can be swept to the side give short cuts the illusion of long hair that's been pulled back. If you have thin, overplucked, skimpy, or misshapen brows, short hair with long bangs gives you the extra definition you're missing. Bangs can also hide a low, small forehead. Keep them jagged, not Campbell's-Soup-kid straight, for sex appeal.
Short Hair Care
If you do one thing, use your hands and styling creams or pomades to break up the layers for a tousled, frizz-free look. Try Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream ($14); Kerastase Paris Lumiere Nutri-Sculpt Finishing Cream ($29).
Hide your dark or gray roots with a color-intensifying mask or shampoo that blurs regrowth and stretches the time between salon appointments. Try Goldwell Color Glow Treatment Be Blonde ($14) and Colorective Bloody Mary Shampoo ($34). Shortcuts for short cuts: try a creamy all-in-one shampoo, body wash, and conditioner, like Sephora Triple Layer Cake Hair & Body Wash ($15). Thermasilk Moisture-Infusing 2-in-1 Shampoo Plus Conditioner ($14) is perfect for shorties who shampoo daily.
If you have chemically straightened or color-treated hair, use a conditioning cream like Alberto VO5 Sheer Hairdressing ($6) every day, and a rich mask like Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Mask ($34) once a week.
Long Hair Pros and Cons
Lisa Berkley, 46, a longhair "lifer," gave up straightening her naturally curly hair. "I'm more bohemian than sophisticated -- we live on a farm, and I'm in jeans and tees when I'm not working. My daughter, Isabelle, is 8 and a mini-me. We love our curls loose and wild. I even enhance the curls on top with a curling iron to exaggerate the look! I give my hair even more focus with beachy highlights that mimic what the sun does."
Long Hair Suits You If...
Long hair can work for you if your hair is healthy and your cut contemporary. Unless you have a hairdresser on call, aim for a length somewhere between collarbone and cleavage. "Long hair needs to be kept healthy with regular trims and conditioning, plus yearly updates to evaluate length and cut," says Mitch Barry, whose long-haired clients include Bernadette Peters and Christie Brinkley.
Long Hair Pros
You needn't wash and style it every day. Long hair is a showcase for color (it doesn't have to look natural anymore). Oh -- and men think it's sexy.
Long Hair Traps
Too long can look weird if the proportions are wrong -- e.g., if you're a petite five-footer with a Rapunzel mane. Too big a color change can spell disaster unless you're willing to devote major time and money to maintenance. Long-hair accessories need careful editing -- especially headbands, glittery barrettes, and froufrou clips, which are as silly as microminis on a grown-up.
Long Haircuts
Except for one "disastrous" bob during pregnancy, Donna Bunte, 47, has had long hair all her life. "It makes me feel young and feminine, and my husband just adores it. It's layered now -- more contemporary looking -- but I can still pull it back when I want to."
The Best Long Haircuts
Layers: Cutting long, face-framing pieces into your hair is equivalent to wearing the hot jeans that make your legs look longer and slimmer. Layers have a softening effect that flatters your features and jawline.
Parts: A side part adds sophistication. Center parts work only if you have deep, full bangs or stick-straight hair. A slightly messy, off-center part works for everyone, and helps camouflage roots.
Fringe: Not only are bangs a Botox alternative, they also add instant style, dressing the face even when hair is pulled back into a lazy chignon or ponytail.
For fine hair: Grow it no longer than shoulder- or collarbone-length, or it will look skimpy. Thickening products or volumizers will add body at the roots; a protein shampoo can help build bulk. Try Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray ($19).
Blown straight: Heat straightening is a hair-health hazard. Minimize damage with a deep 3-minute conditioner like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine ($4) twice a week.
Over 40 Hair: The Long and the Short
The conventional wisdom for hair after 40 is that a well-mannered middle length works for everyone. We beg to differ. Your sexiest hair length may be a lot longer -- or shorter -- than you thought.
No matter how great you look, if you're over 40, your hair isn't what it used to be. Hormonal changes (especially at menopause), years of chemical processing and heat styling, even dieting and smoking, can contribute to skimpier volume, a receding hairline, broken wisps around the face, and a widening part. The gradual decline of estrogen slows hair growth; it also reduces production of collagen, so hair becomes drier and more brittle and loses shine. Gray hair -- whether you color it or not -- has a coarser texture.
You can fake healthier-looking hair in the short term -- and boost hair health in the long term -- with the right products and care. What you need now, no matter what your hair's length: low-sudsing, detergent-free shampoos that are loaded with humectants; rich, nourishing conditioners; protein-based masques; concentrated silicone or botanical serums to reduce frizz and add shine; non-drying mousses and styling sprays; creams to create a body-building base for blow-drying; light, leave-in conditioners for smoothness, silkiness, and manageability.
Short Hair Pros and Cons
Lena Kaptein, 42, cropped her bob in 1994 at the suggestion of a hairdresser friend who said she needed a more modern look. She instantly landed an Aveda campaign and has kept her short hair since. "My bob was too much work -- and all that teasing and hairspray are so not sexy. My son, my husband, and I have the same haircut -- we all wake up looking like Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Two minutes later, with a little molding paste, I look amazing."
Short Hair Suits You If...
Short hair can work for you if you have very delicate or very large features and a fairly firm jaw, a well-shaped head, and an elegant neck. The key is proportion. The secret, according to hair guru John Frieda, is the jawline: If the bottom tip of your chin is more than 2 1/2 inches lower than the bottom of your earlobe, short hair won't look good unless you increase the length at the nape.
Short Hair Pros
You never have to worry about your hair looking messy, rain wrecking your blow-out, or (if it's really short) hat-hair. It's easy to disguise regrowth by eliminating a part or running your hands through for a choppy, tousled effect. Because it's cut frequently, short hair tends to be very healthy, even with extreme color changes.
Short Hair Traps
A cut that's too shaved at the nape looks masculine. Highlights can look spotty if cut comes after color, and skinny, discreet ones don't work as well as chunky, bold streaks do. Virgin color on a super-edgy cut can be boring -- unless it's gray. But a vibrant hair hue can act as a permanent accessory on short hair, according to color pro Brad Johns. (If you go for a bright hair color, tone down your makeup for day.)
Short Haircuts
Nicky Kunz, 53, has always had short hair; it's been gray since she stopped coloring it at 32. "I have a small face, and my features would just get lost in long hair. Every two weeks I buzz it myself, since no one else gets it right. My hair is dry, so I use leave-in moisturizers."
The Best Short Haircuts
The Cap: Shortest of all, and cropped like an adolescent boy or a Marine, this works best for very textured, tight curls and very coarse, wiry hair. Well-defined brows help, as do strong bone structure and a big dose of charisma.
Choppy: On everyone's most edgy list of "things to try someday," the ultra-short shag has a kind of rock-band/French gamine appeal. It's not for the shy. But it is perfect for those with wispy, fine hair that just goes limp when bluntly bobbed; it also suits wavy hair that has built-in body. What's key is to vary the length of some sections for an irregular look. Piece-y cuts of about 2 to 3 inches all over can be tucked behind your ear, tousled for more texture, or combed flat for a more classic look.
Bangs: Full, shaggy bangs or long, graduated bangs that can be swept to the side give short cuts the illusion of long hair that's been pulled back. If you have thin, overplucked, skimpy, or misshapen brows, short hair with long bangs gives you the extra definition you're missing. Bangs can also hide a low, small forehead. Keep them jagged, not Campbell's-Soup-kid straight, for sex appeal.
Short Hair Care
If you do one thing, use your hands and styling creams or pomades to break up the layers for a tousled, frizz-free look. Try Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shaping Cream ($14); Kerastase Paris Lumiere Nutri-Sculpt Finishing Cream ($29).
Hide your dark or gray roots with a color-intensifying mask or shampoo that blurs regrowth and stretches the time between salon appointments. Try Goldwell Color Glow Treatment Be Blonde ($14) and Colorective Bloody Mary Shampoo ($34). Shortcuts for short cuts: try a creamy all-in-one shampoo, body wash, and conditioner, like Sephora Triple Layer Cake Hair & Body Wash ($15). Thermasilk Moisture-Infusing 2-in-1 Shampoo Plus Conditioner ($14) is perfect for shorties who shampoo daily.
If you have chemically straightened or color-treated hair, use a conditioning cream like Alberto VO5 Sheer Hairdressing ($6) every day, and a rich mask like Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Mask ($34) once a week.
Long Hair Pros and Cons
Lisa Berkley, 46, a longhair "lifer," gave up straightening her naturally curly hair. "I'm more bohemian than sophisticated -- we live on a farm, and I'm in jeans and tees when I'm not working. My daughter, Isabelle, is 8 and a mini-me. We love our curls loose and wild. I even enhance the curls on top with a curling iron to exaggerate the look! I give my hair even more focus with beachy highlights that mimic what the sun does."
Long Hair Suits You If...
Long hair can work for you if your hair is healthy and your cut contemporary. Unless you have a hairdresser on call, aim for a length somewhere between collarbone and cleavage. "Long hair needs to be kept healthy with regular trims and conditioning, plus yearly updates to evaluate length and cut," says Mitch Barry, whose long-haired clients include Bernadette Peters and Christie Brinkley.
Long Hair Pros
You needn't wash and style it every day. Long hair is a showcase for color (it doesn't have to look natural anymore). Oh -- and men think it's sexy.
Long Hair Traps
Too long can look weird if the proportions are wrong -- e.g., if you're a petite five-footer with a Rapunzel mane. Too big a color change can spell disaster unless you're willing to devote major time and money to maintenance. Long-hair accessories need careful editing -- especially headbands, glittery barrettes, and froufrou clips, which are as silly as microminis on a grown-up.
Long Haircuts
Except for one "disastrous" bob during pregnancy, Donna Bunte, 47, has had long hair all her life. "It makes me feel young and feminine, and my husband just adores it. It's layered now -- more contemporary looking -- but I can still pull it back when I want to."
The Best Long Haircuts
Layers: Cutting long, face-framing pieces into your hair is equivalent to wearing the hot jeans that make your legs look longer and slimmer. Layers have a softening effect that flatters your features and jawline.
Parts: A side part adds sophistication. Center parts work only if you have deep, full bangs or stick-straight hair. A slightly messy, off-center part works for everyone, and helps camouflage roots.
Fringe: Not only are bangs a Botox alternative, they also add instant style, dressing the face even when hair is pulled back into a lazy chignon or ponytail.
For fine hair: Grow it no longer than shoulder- or collarbone-length, or it will look skimpy. Thickening products or volumizers will add body at the roots; a protein shampoo can help build bulk. Try Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray ($19).
Blown straight: Heat straightening is a hair-health hazard. Minimize damage with a deep 3-minute conditioner like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine ($4) twice a week.
Monday, April 14, 2008
No stress taxes
People like to quip that the only two givens in life are death and taxes, and it goes without saying that stress is a big part of both. This is understandable, at least as far as taxes are concerned.
Fortunately, taxes don’t have to be a major source of stress. (Really!) Here are some steps you can take to minimize tax stress for now and the future:
Know What You’re Doing
If you understand the process, doing your taxes is much easier. There are even some online resources that can help make the whole process much easier.
Start Early
Don’t save doing your taxes until the last minute. That only multiplies the stress you’ll feel! Set yourself a deadline for getting things done that’s at least a week or two earlier than your actual deadline. Even if you’re using a C.P.A., try having your portion of the work prepared before your C.P.A. needs it. The sooner you get it done, the less time you spend with the thought of taxes occupying your mind.
Take Baby Steps
If your tax situation is complicated, it might be best to break up the job into smaller parts, and tackle a little bit each night over the course of a week rather than taking up a whole chunk of a weekend day. So, unless you’re the type who needs some serious pressure to stay motivated to reach a goal, I recommend that you set a schedule for yourself and work for either a set amount of time or tackle a specific part of the job each night until it’s done.
Make It Fun
You don’t need to be working in a ‘library’ environment; you can set a fun mood in your workspace and the job may be more enjoyable. Put on some nice music, put out some candles, prepare some snacks, and just do it. You’ll still be doing taxes, but it can be a more sensual, relaxed experience.
Reward Yourself:
Once you’ve completed what you need to do for your taxes, reward yourself for a job well done by doing something you enjoy, or trying something new.
.
Professional Help
Unless your tax situation is very simple, you might want to reduce the stress of taxes by using a C.P.A. to prepare your taxes. While this doesn’t completely eliminate the work you need to do, it does reduce stress by minimizing your workload, and it’s reassuring to have someone who knows exactly what they’re doing in charge of the process. Depending on your situation, the expense of going with a C.P.A. may be offset or completely eclipsed by the money you save in deductions they can recommend and you may have missed.
Minimizing Next Year’s Stress:
If you maintain an organized system for keeping track of your tax records as they accrue throughout the year, you can make next year’s tax preparation process much easier. You may even experience less stress throughout the year knowing how much easier you’ll be making things for yourself.
Fortunately, taxes don’t have to be a major source of stress. (Really!) Here are some steps you can take to minimize tax stress for now and the future:
Know What You’re Doing
If you understand the process, doing your taxes is much easier. There are even some online resources that can help make the whole process much easier.
Start Early
Don’t save doing your taxes until the last minute. That only multiplies the stress you’ll feel! Set yourself a deadline for getting things done that’s at least a week or two earlier than your actual deadline. Even if you’re using a C.P.A., try having your portion of the work prepared before your C.P.A. needs it. The sooner you get it done, the less time you spend with the thought of taxes occupying your mind.
Take Baby Steps
If your tax situation is complicated, it might be best to break up the job into smaller parts, and tackle a little bit each night over the course of a week rather than taking up a whole chunk of a weekend day. So, unless you’re the type who needs some serious pressure to stay motivated to reach a goal, I recommend that you set a schedule for yourself and work for either a set amount of time or tackle a specific part of the job each night until it’s done.
Make It Fun
You don’t need to be working in a ‘library’ environment; you can set a fun mood in your workspace and the job may be more enjoyable. Put on some nice music, put out some candles, prepare some snacks, and just do it. You’ll still be doing taxes, but it can be a more sensual, relaxed experience.
Reward Yourself:
Once you’ve completed what you need to do for your taxes, reward yourself for a job well done by doing something you enjoy, or trying something new.
.
Professional Help
Unless your tax situation is very simple, you might want to reduce the stress of taxes by using a C.P.A. to prepare your taxes. While this doesn’t completely eliminate the work you need to do, it does reduce stress by minimizing your workload, and it’s reassuring to have someone who knows exactly what they’re doing in charge of the process. Depending on your situation, the expense of going with a C.P.A. may be offset or completely eclipsed by the money you save in deductions they can recommend and you may have missed.
Minimizing Next Year’s Stress:
If you maintain an organized system for keeping track of your tax records as they accrue throughout the year, you can make next year’s tax preparation process much easier. You may even experience less stress throughout the year knowing how much easier you’ll be making things for yourself.
Get your extension
April 15 Filing Deadline Approaching; Filing Extension, Last-Minute Reminders Available
April 15 is the deadline for filing a federal tax return. But not everybody can meet that deadline. If you need more time to get your paperwork in, make sure you file a Form 4868, Automatic Extension of Time to File, with the IRS by the April 15 deadline and you'll get an automatic six-month extension of time to file. The extension gives you until Oct. 15 to file the tax return.
Remember, a delay in filing your tax return will also delay your receipt of your economic stimulus payment, if you qualify to receive one, since payments are based on the tax return.
Note that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You should pay any taxes you owe by April 15; otherwise, the outstanding tax balance will accrue interest and possibly penalties, increasing the total amount you will owe. If you can't pay the full amount that you owe by April 15, pay as much as you can to minimize the interest and penalty charges.
With the deadline approaching, our last-minute reminders may be helpful.
And visit 1040 Central, your one-stop shop for all your tax information needs.
April 15 is the deadline for filing a federal tax return. But not everybody can meet that deadline. If you need more time to get your paperwork in, make sure you file a Form 4868, Automatic Extension of Time to File, with the IRS by the April 15 deadline and you'll get an automatic six-month extension of time to file. The extension gives you until Oct. 15 to file the tax return.
Remember, a delay in filing your tax return will also delay your receipt of your economic stimulus payment, if you qualify to receive one, since payments are based on the tax return.
Note that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You should pay any taxes you owe by April 15; otherwise, the outstanding tax balance will accrue interest and possibly penalties, increasing the total amount you will owe. If you can't pay the full amount that you owe by April 15, pay as much as you can to minimize the interest and penalty charges.
With the deadline approaching, our last-minute reminders may be helpful.
And visit 1040 Central, your one-stop shop for all your tax information needs.
Tax Facts
Tax Cheaters
Thirteen percent of Americans believe cheating on income taxes is acceptable, down from 17% in
2003 according to an IRS survey. Who do you know that cheats on taxes?
1. A friend (53%) 3. A co-worker (15%)
2. A family member (25%)
__________________________________
Have You Filed Your Taxes Yet?
You have until midnight tomorrow night to file your income tax return for 2007, but according to a TD
Ameritrade survey, only 11% of Americans wait until the last day to do their taxes. The survey found
that the more Americans earn, the earlier they file. When we file our taxes:
· 40% file their taxes in March or early April.
· 25% file “right away.”
· 17% file in February.
· 11% file on April 15th.
· 7% file after the April 15th deadline.
Thirteen percent of Americans believe cheating on income taxes is acceptable, down from 17% in
2003 according to an IRS survey. Who do you know that cheats on taxes?
1. A friend (53%) 3. A co-worker (15%)
2. A family member (25%)
__________________________________
Have You Filed Your Taxes Yet?
You have until midnight tomorrow night to file your income tax return for 2007, but according to a TD
Ameritrade survey, only 11% of Americans wait until the last day to do their taxes. The survey found
that the more Americans earn, the earlier they file. When we file our taxes:
· 40% file their taxes in March or early April.
· 25% file “right away.”
· 17% file in February.
· 11% file on April 15th.
· 7% file after the April 15th deadline.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wine event
Join me as I host the 13th Annual Bank of America Wine and Culinary Celebration
April 11, 2008
The 13th Annual Bank of America Wine and Culinary Celebration will take place at the Museum of Discovery and Science on April 11, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event will feature a progressive sequence of wine and food pairings, each bound to delight, educate and entertain guests. Over 30 of South Florida’s top restaurants and chefs will be represented, as well as wines from wineries around the world, courtesy of Southern Wine and Spirits.
The event will also showcase a silent auction. VIP admission at 6 p.m. is $150 and includes a VIP martini reception, wine tasting seminars, plus VIP access to the Grand Tasting. General admission at 7:30 p.m. is $85. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 954.713.0954. To purchase tickets on-line, please visit www.mods.org.
April 11, 2008
The 13th Annual Bank of America Wine and Culinary Celebration will take place at the Museum of Discovery and Science on April 11, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event will feature a progressive sequence of wine and food pairings, each bound to delight, educate and entertain guests. Over 30 of South Florida’s top restaurants and chefs will be represented, as well as wines from wineries around the world, courtesy of Southern Wine and Spirits.
The event will also showcase a silent auction. VIP admission at 6 p.m. is $150 and includes a VIP martini reception, wine tasting seminars, plus VIP access to the Grand Tasting. General admission at 7:30 p.m. is $85. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 954.713.0954. To purchase tickets on-line, please visit www.mods.org.
Your best job
What was your favorite summer job when you were a kid?
I loved working at the snack bar in the roller skating rink in Springfield, Missouri. "Hot dog and a coke? No problem"
Jeff Martin was a magician. I'll bet there was a lot of hocus pocus from Mr. Potter.
I loved working at the snack bar in the roller skating rink in Springfield, Missouri. "Hot dog and a coke? No problem"
Jeff Martin was a magician. I'll bet there was a lot of hocus pocus from Mr. Potter.
New show for Oz
Oprah Winfrey's latest syndication project is the man dubbed by some as "America's Doctor."
According to Broadcasting and Cable, Winfrey's Harpo Productions is developing a show for Dr. Mehmet Oz, with a projected launch date of fall 2009. The format of the show is still undecided at this point. Dr. Oz, vice chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University and director of the Cardiovascular Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital, is a regular guest on both Oprah's syndicated daytime TV show and her satellite radio show. The 47-year-old physician also hosts the Discovery Health program Second Opinion with Dr. Oz, and has co-written best-selling books like You: An Owner's Manual.
Harpo Productions has already created successful shows for Dr. Phil McGraw and Rachael Ray, with a Kirstie Alley-hosted program also in the works. In addition, Harpo and cable network Discovery Health are teaming to re-launch the latter as OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network in 2009.
According to Broadcasting and Cable, Winfrey's Harpo Productions is developing a show for Dr. Mehmet Oz, with a projected launch date of fall 2009. The format of the show is still undecided at this point. Dr. Oz, vice chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University and director of the Cardiovascular Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital, is a regular guest on both Oprah's syndicated daytime TV show and her satellite radio show. The 47-year-old physician also hosts the Discovery Health program Second Opinion with Dr. Oz, and has co-written best-selling books like You: An Owner's Manual.
Harpo Productions has already created successful shows for Dr. Phil McGraw and Rachael Ray, with a Kirstie Alley-hosted program also in the works. In addition, Harpo and cable network Discovery Health are teaming to re-launch the latter as OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network in 2009.
Teens and jobs
Hey, teens, if you want to get a job this summer, you’d better start looking NOW!
A recent study by SnagaJob.com found that _half_ the hiring managers don’t have the budget to hire seasonal workers this year. 76% of those who _will_ hire seasonal workers, plan to fill the jobs by May.
With all the recent job cuts, more **adults** are applying for jobs that teens normally fill and they’re more likely to be hired. Companies see adults as being more responsible than teens, and know they won’t quit when school starts. So, how can _you_ land a summer job?
Here are a few job-hunting tips, courtesy of MSNBC:
* First, try job boards that specialize in summer work for teens.
Like TeenJobSection.com, JobDoggy.com, and GrooveJob.com.
* Another job hunting tip: Spend most of your time networking. Why?
Because 90% of job openings are never advertised. So, let everyone
know you’re looking for a job. Including your teachers, adult
friends of the family, and the parents of your friends. Don’t
forget to inform your contacts on sites like FaceBook.
* Also, consider working in a resort town or national park. Fewer
foreign student visas are being issued, which means fewer foreign
workers will apply for seasonal jobs.
* Another job hunt tip: Dress for success. Even if you’re applying
at an amusement park where everyone wears shorts, wear business
attire to the interview.
* Keep a positive attitude. Most hiring manager say that enthusiasm
and a willingness to learn are the biggest factors in determining
who gets hired and who doesn’t.
A recent study by SnagaJob.com found that _half_ the hiring managers don’t have the budget to hire seasonal workers this year. 76% of those who _will_ hire seasonal workers, plan to fill the jobs by May.
With all the recent job cuts, more **adults** are applying for jobs that teens normally fill and they’re more likely to be hired. Companies see adults as being more responsible than teens, and know they won’t quit when school starts. So, how can _you_ land a summer job?
Here are a few job-hunting tips, courtesy of MSNBC:
* First, try job boards that specialize in summer work for teens.
Like TeenJobSection.com, JobDoggy.com, and GrooveJob.com.
* Another job hunting tip: Spend most of your time networking. Why?
Because 90% of job openings are never advertised. So, let everyone
know you’re looking for a job. Including your teachers, adult
friends of the family, and the parents of your friends. Don’t
forget to inform your contacts on sites like FaceBook.
* Also, consider working in a resort town or national park. Fewer
foreign student visas are being issued, which means fewer foreign
workers will apply for seasonal jobs.
* Another job hunt tip: Dress for success. Even if you’re applying
at an amusement park where everyone wears shorts, wear business
attire to the interview.
* Keep a positive attitude. Most hiring manager say that enthusiasm
and a willingness to learn are the biggest factors in determining
who gets hired and who doesn’t.
Know these numbers
Here are some great numbers to remember, when it comes to your health!
The first health number: **2. **That’s the number of shot glasses’ worth of sunscreen you should slather on before heading outside. So says dermatologist Dr. Perry Robins. Studies show that repeated burns put you at serious risk for skin cancer, so you’ve gotta protect yourself! Also, wait //at least//30 minutes after applying your sunscreen before you go outside, to allow the active ingredients time to absorb into your skin.
Keeping with our "2" theme, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every
**2 hours**.
The next health number: **70. **As in, 70 degrees is the perfect bedroom temperature for getting maximum sleep. Why 70 degrees?Well, in order to trigger the production of sleep-inducing brain chemicals, your core body temperature needs to drop slightly at night. It usually drops by at least a degree from the temperature it is during waking hours. If your bedroom is too warm, you’ll keep waking up because your body will think it’s morning. So the Yale Center for Sleep Medicine says no matter what time of year it is, your bedroom should stay at the same temperature to ensure a restful night – and the ideal temperature is 70 degrees.
And one more health number: **500. **That’s the number of calories you’ll need to burn each day in order to lose **one pound **in a week.
Think trimming 500 calories a day is going to be too hard? Then know
this: If you take your dog for a 15-minute walk in the morning, skip your can of soda at lunch, and play 30 minutes of basketball with your buddies when you get home, you’re pretty much there.
The first health number: **2. **That’s the number of shot glasses’ worth of sunscreen you should slather on before heading outside. So says dermatologist Dr. Perry Robins. Studies show that repeated burns put you at serious risk for skin cancer, so you’ve gotta protect yourself! Also, wait //at least//30 minutes after applying your sunscreen before you go outside, to allow the active ingredients time to absorb into your skin.
Keeping with our "2" theme, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every
**2 hours**.
The next health number: **70. **As in, 70 degrees is the perfect bedroom temperature for getting maximum sleep. Why 70 degrees?Well, in order to trigger the production of sleep-inducing brain chemicals, your core body temperature needs to drop slightly at night. It usually drops by at least a degree from the temperature it is during waking hours. If your bedroom is too warm, you’ll keep waking up because your body will think it’s morning. So the Yale Center for Sleep Medicine says no matter what time of year it is, your bedroom should stay at the same temperature to ensure a restful night – and the ideal temperature is 70 degrees.
And one more health number: **500. **That’s the number of calories you’ll need to burn each day in order to lose **one pound **in a week.
Think trimming 500 calories a day is going to be too hard? Then know
this: If you take your dog for a 15-minute walk in the morning, skip your can of soda at lunch, and play 30 minutes of basketball with your buddies when you get home, you’re pretty much there.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Survive the dump
TIMELINE: HOW TO DEAL WITH BEING DUMPED
(Match.com)
One minute post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Violent tantrums, bursting into tears, acting dazed.
A better way to deal: Focus on yourself, notice your breathing, and attempt to slow things down in your body. Once you're calm, extract yourself from your now ex (ouch) so you can be alone -- or with friends -- to process the info.
One hour post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Trying to make yourself feel better -- eating three pints of Ben & Jerry's, drowning your sorrows in bourbon, going on a shopping spree, or calling your ex very late at night to make that "one last" point.
A better way to deal: Doing things to soothe your spirit is healthy, as long as you don't pick something that will make you feel worse afterwards. Positive choices include talking to a close friend who will just listen or going to the gym. The endorphins you get after a workout (or even a long walk) can help counterbalance waves of sadness.
One day post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Being impulsive! You feel the sudden urge to call an ex, ask out 50 people online, get a tattoo, or cut off all your hair.
A better way to deal: Recognize the tendency to do something impulsive, but don't act on it. No one likes to be rejected, but getting a Mohawk isn't going to help.
Three days post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Crawling in a hole, never leaving your bed, listening to "your song" on repeat.
A better way to deal: Focus on getting rest, eating well and taking care of yourself, because you've had part of you ripped out of your life. Sticking to a routine that helps you stay occupied is smart.
One week post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Dialing your ex, logging into his or her email, obsessively checking your phone for messages, looking to see if his/her profile is reposted online.
A better way to deal: Resist picking apart all the reasons your ex gave you for the breakup and thinking you can work your way back into his or her life if you just change that one little thing. It really helps to say, 'I'm going to grow from this no matter what.'
Two weeks post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Clinging to reminders of what it was like to be a couple, reminiscing about the bliss of being in a relationship, thinking you'll never love again.
A better way to deal: This is the time to start clearing out "ex" reminders. Put photos away, delete your emails, rearrange your bedroom so you don't relive memories when you look at things, etc.
One month post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Trying to forget that this misery-making person was ever in your life. Who needs 'em?
A better way to deal: Before you forget about your ex entirely, take a little time (now that you have some distance) to think more about him or her. Not to win him or her back, but to make some sense of the relationship and avoid repeating its mistakes.
(Match.com)
One minute post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Violent tantrums, bursting into tears, acting dazed.
A better way to deal: Focus on yourself, notice your breathing, and attempt to slow things down in your body. Once you're calm, extract yourself from your now ex (ouch) so you can be alone -- or with friends -- to process the info.
One hour post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Trying to make yourself feel better -- eating three pints of Ben & Jerry's, drowning your sorrows in bourbon, going on a shopping spree, or calling your ex very late at night to make that "one last" point.
A better way to deal: Doing things to soothe your spirit is healthy, as long as you don't pick something that will make you feel worse afterwards. Positive choices include talking to a close friend who will just listen or going to the gym. The endorphins you get after a workout (or even a long walk) can help counterbalance waves of sadness.
One day post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Being impulsive! You feel the sudden urge to call an ex, ask out 50 people online, get a tattoo, or cut off all your hair.
A better way to deal: Recognize the tendency to do something impulsive, but don't act on it. No one likes to be rejected, but getting a Mohawk isn't going to help.
Three days post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Crawling in a hole, never leaving your bed, listening to "your song" on repeat.
A better way to deal: Focus on getting rest, eating well and taking care of yourself, because you've had part of you ripped out of your life. Sticking to a routine that helps you stay occupied is smart.
One week post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Dialing your ex, logging into his or her email, obsessively checking your phone for messages, looking to see if his/her profile is reposted online.
A better way to deal: Resist picking apart all the reasons your ex gave you for the breakup and thinking you can work your way back into his or her life if you just change that one little thing. It really helps to say, 'I'm going to grow from this no matter what.'
Two weeks post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Clinging to reminders of what it was like to be a couple, reminiscing about the bliss of being in a relationship, thinking you'll never love again.
A better way to deal: This is the time to start clearing out "ex" reminders. Put photos away, delete your emails, rearrange your bedroom so you don't relive memories when you look at things, etc.
One month post-breakup
What you'll feel like doing: Trying to forget that this misery-making person was ever in your life. Who needs 'em?
A better way to deal: Before you forget about your ex entirely, take a little time (now that you have some distance) to think more about him or her. Not to win him or her back, but to make some sense of the relationship and avoid repeating its mistakes.
The cost of tears
THE HIGH COST OF CRYING AT WORK
(Women's Health)
You get... Kleenex, Visine, and makeup remover Because... You'll need these products to mop up the water show you just put on. You pay... $15
You get... No promotion Because... If stress caused your tears, the boss may not think you can handle more responsibility. Forget the 10 percent raise. You pay... $6,716
You get... A trip to the cardiologist Because... Built-up emotional stress can result in higher blood pressure and cholesterol, which ups your risk of heart disease. You pay... $60
You get... Cell phone bill Because... Minutes of sobbing to your boyfriend, mother, and best friend from the parking lot will add up. Darn those peak hours. You pay... $100
You get... i-Tunes Because... Just in case another crying bout strikes, you'll need something to muffle the sobs coming from your office. You pay... $50
You get... Cardio Kickboxing Class Because... Punching and kicking will help you take out your frustrations and put you back in control. You pay... $18
You get... One-year gold membership to vault.com Because... After losing out on a big promotion, the best job advice may be to get a new one. You pay... $72
TOTAL: $7,031
(Women's Health)
You get... Kleenex, Visine, and makeup remover Because... You'll need these products to mop up the water show you just put on. You pay... $15
You get... No promotion Because... If stress caused your tears, the boss may not think you can handle more responsibility. Forget the 10 percent raise. You pay... $6,716
You get... A trip to the cardiologist Because... Built-up emotional stress can result in higher blood pressure and cholesterol, which ups your risk of heart disease. You pay... $60
You get... Cell phone bill Because... Minutes of sobbing to your boyfriend, mother, and best friend from the parking lot will add up. Darn those peak hours. You pay... $100
You get... i-Tunes Because... Just in case another crying bout strikes, you'll need something to muffle the sobs coming from your office. You pay... $50
You get... Cardio Kickboxing Class Because... Punching and kicking will help you take out your frustrations and put you back in control. You pay... $18
You get... One-year gold membership to vault.com Because... After losing out on a big promotion, the best job advice may be to get a new one. You pay... $72
TOTAL: $7,031
Primary colors and more
The Crayola 64 Box is turning the big 5-0 and Crayola is changing things up. Wild Watermelon is
now Awesome. That’s just one of the name changes of eight colors in the Crayola 64 box that was
announced yesterday at the Toys R Us in Times Square in New York City. More than 20,000 kids
picked the names in an online poll. The old names followed by the new names:
Laser Lemon – Super Happy
Turquoise Blue – Happy Ever After
Wild Tangerine – Fun In The Sun
Hot Magenta – Famous
Screamin’ Green – Giving Tree
Orchid – Best Friends
Beaver – Bear Hug
Wild Watermelon – Awesome
Some Crayola 64 Box fun facts:
· The Crayola 64 Box made its debut in 1958 on the “Captain Kangaroo Show.”
· More than 200 million Crayola 64 Boxes have been sold over the last 50 years. The 12.8 billion
crayons inside would circle the earth 24 times.
· An original 64 Box was added to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 1998,
the same year it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.· The most popular color inside the Crayola 64 Box is blue.
now Awesome. That’s just one of the name changes of eight colors in the Crayola 64 box that was
announced yesterday at the Toys R Us in Times Square in New York City. More than 20,000 kids
picked the names in an online poll. The old names followed by the new names:
Laser Lemon – Super Happy
Turquoise Blue – Happy Ever After
Wild Tangerine – Fun In The Sun
Hot Magenta – Famous
Screamin’ Green – Giving Tree
Orchid – Best Friends
Beaver – Bear Hug
Wild Watermelon – Awesome
Some Crayola 64 Box fun facts:
· The Crayola 64 Box made its debut in 1958 on the “Captain Kangaroo Show.”
· More than 200 million Crayola 64 Boxes have been sold over the last 50 years. The 12.8 billion
crayons inside would circle the earth 24 times.
· An original 64 Box was added to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in 1998,
the same year it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.· The most popular color inside the Crayola 64 Box is blue.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Save Starbucks
You know better than anyone else what you want from Starbucks. So tell them. What’s your Starbucks Idea? Revolutionary or simple—they want to hear it. Share your ideas, tell them what you think of other people’s ideas and join the discussion.
So pour yourself a cup of ...uh...coffee and check out the site.
So pour yourself a cup of ...uh...coffee and check out the site.
Is white okay
Before Queen Victoria set the trend with a white wedding gown in 1840, most brides wore their best dress—in any color—on their wedding day. In the years following Victoria ’s and Albert’s royal wedding, white came to symbolize purity—a tradition that prompted heated debate over whether encore brides could wear white.
In today’s fashion world, the answer is a resounding “yes”! Regarded as a symbol of joy instead of virginity; white is a perfect color for dresses for a second wedding. Pastels and ivory are also popular color choices for your second wedding dress.
In today’s fashion world, the answer is a resounding “yes”! Regarded as a symbol of joy instead of virginity; white is a perfect color for dresses for a second wedding. Pastels and ivory are also popular color choices for your second wedding dress.
Wedding again
Second Wedding Etiquette Advice and Help for Second Marriages
Not that long ago, popular thought dictated that second weddings should not be elaborate, formal or extravagant; rather, one should aim for smaller, quieter and more intimate. Today, however, more than 30 percent of today’s weddings are encore weddings and decidedly more commonplace. The focus is on celebrating two people who have found each other, discovering love again and embarking on a new beginning. In truth, celebrations can be as elaborate or as intimate as we desire, without fearing social stigma.
Not that long ago, popular thought dictated that second weddings should not be elaborate, formal or extravagant; rather, one should aim for smaller, quieter and more intimate. Today, however, more than 30 percent of today’s weddings are encore weddings and decidedly more commonplace. The focus is on celebrating two people who have found each other, discovering love again and embarking on a new beginning. In truth, celebrations can be as elaborate or as intimate as we desire, without fearing social stigma.
I do take 2
WED-nesday's focus is on "I do take 2"
Do you think you'll ever walk down the isle again?
Do you think you'll ever walk down the isle again?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Prom and circumstance
How are today's high school prom's differnet than when you went to the dance?
Keep kids safe!
On prom night, you'll want your teen to have as much fun as possible. You'll also want them to be as safe as possible. From hiring a driver to having post-prom chaperones, these five ideas will keep your teen protected and help contain your worrying so that everyone can have a fun and relaxing prom night.
Hire an All-Night Chauffeur
Driving at all hours of the night can be dangerous, especially on prom night with an increased number of teen drivers. Keep your child protected by hiring a limo for the whole evening. Yes, it will be costly, but you can't put a price on safety -- have other parents chip in. This will ensure that your teen won't be out on the roads all night, there will be a more experienced driver on hand to deal with problems, and they'll have a safe ride home and to other locations. Another key factor is drinking and driving. We all hope our kids don't drink, but it's better to be on the safe side. Most limo companies have teens sign a contract that they won't drink or do drugs. The driver is in no way a babysitter or in charge of what your teen does; however, you can instruct the driver that he/she is only to drive them to certain places and to call if they get out of hand or appear to be drinking. Also, stress that your teen can call you anytime and anywhere if there's a problem -- no questions asked.
Assign a Young Adult as Chaperone
Having a parent chaperone the post-prom party can be a buzz kill for teens. Give them a little freedom while still keeping a close eye by eliciting an older, responsible young adult to tag along. Older brothers and sisters are a great start, or try a responsible relative -- the teens will trust them, and the chaperones will allow the teens to have the right amount of fun without crossing the line. Get the group together before prom to set all the ground rules and consequences for breaking them.
Sign Up for the Post-Prom Party
Post-prom parties hosted by schools are becoming bigger and better every year with rocking bands, giveaways, activities, games, and more. Teens come armed with pillows and sleeping bags, and the school provides a night of entertainment (with chaperones) followed by a big breakfast in the morning. If your teen signs up for the post-prom party but doesn't show up, parents are notified immediately. Once a teen is inside, they're not allowed to leave (unless a parent gives the chaperone permission).
Get to Know Their Friends
Friends are very important to teens, so it's crucial to get to know their pals and their date. Have them over to your house for a pre-prom party, movie night, or dinner -- you can even extend the invite to the parents. The more parents you have looking out for your teen, the better. If your son or daughter is hanging out with someone you don't approve of, talk about it with them and explain your concerns in a civil way. You may not be able to prevent them from hanging out together at prom, but you'll feel better once you set boundaries for your own teen.
Set Some Ground Rules
You may not want to think of yourself as being overprotective, but when it comes to prom, the more questions you ask, the less surprises you'll have to face. Before prom, make sure you talk to your son or daughter about drugs, alcohol, sex, and the consequences. Set check-in call times and get a copy of the itinerary for prom night so you know where they'll be at all times. It also doesn't hurt to team up with other parents to keep an eye on each other's teens, especially if they're attending a post-prom party at a friend's house.
Keep kids safe!
On prom night, you'll want your teen to have as much fun as possible. You'll also want them to be as safe as possible. From hiring a driver to having post-prom chaperones, these five ideas will keep your teen protected and help contain your worrying so that everyone can have a fun and relaxing prom night.
Hire an All-Night Chauffeur
Driving at all hours of the night can be dangerous, especially on prom night with an increased number of teen drivers. Keep your child protected by hiring a limo for the whole evening. Yes, it will be costly, but you can't put a price on safety -- have other parents chip in. This will ensure that your teen won't be out on the roads all night, there will be a more experienced driver on hand to deal with problems, and they'll have a safe ride home and to other locations. Another key factor is drinking and driving. We all hope our kids don't drink, but it's better to be on the safe side. Most limo companies have teens sign a contract that they won't drink or do drugs. The driver is in no way a babysitter or in charge of what your teen does; however, you can instruct the driver that he/she is only to drive them to certain places and to call if they get out of hand or appear to be drinking. Also, stress that your teen can call you anytime and anywhere if there's a problem -- no questions asked.
Assign a Young Adult as Chaperone
Having a parent chaperone the post-prom party can be a buzz kill for teens. Give them a little freedom while still keeping a close eye by eliciting an older, responsible young adult to tag along. Older brothers and sisters are a great start, or try a responsible relative -- the teens will trust them, and the chaperones will allow the teens to have the right amount of fun without crossing the line. Get the group together before prom to set all the ground rules and consequences for breaking them.
Sign Up for the Post-Prom Party
Post-prom parties hosted by schools are becoming bigger and better every year with rocking bands, giveaways, activities, games, and more. Teens come armed with pillows and sleeping bags, and the school provides a night of entertainment (with chaperones) followed by a big breakfast in the morning. If your teen signs up for the post-prom party but doesn't show up, parents are notified immediately. Once a teen is inside, they're not allowed to leave (unless a parent gives the chaperone permission).
Get to Know Their Friends
Friends are very important to teens, so it's crucial to get to know their pals and their date. Have them over to your house for a pre-prom party, movie night, or dinner -- you can even extend the invite to the parents. The more parents you have looking out for your teen, the better. If your son or daughter is hanging out with someone you don't approve of, talk about it with them and explain your concerns in a civil way. You may not be able to prevent them from hanging out together at prom, but you'll feel better once you set boundaries for your own teen.
Set Some Ground Rules
You may not want to think of yourself as being overprotective, but when it comes to prom, the more questions you ask, the less surprises you'll have to face. Before prom, make sure you talk to your son or daughter about drugs, alcohol, sex, and the consequences. Set check-in call times and get a copy of the itinerary for prom night so you know where they'll be at all times. It also doesn't hurt to team up with other parents to keep an eye on each other's teens, especially if they're attending a post-prom party at a friend's house.
Proms over the top
Today's Proms are More Like Practice Weddings
Gone are the days when a high school prom meant a home-made dress, a corsage, and a car borrowed from somebody’s dad. Today’s proms are more like practice weddings – multiple-event extravaganzas designed to spread the fun out as long as possible. According to USA Today, the average couple spends about $1-thousand bucks on the prom. And the hair, clothes, and spray tans are just the beginning.
There are also pre-dance parades, and steak “rehearsal” dinners the night before. As well as fancy rides, like a horse and carriage, limousine, or even a helicopter. Then, students strut their stuff down an Oscar-worthy red carpet before a cheering, picture-taking audience that includes friends, neighbors and parents. Then, after the band has packed up and gone, there’s after-hours entertainment, like hypnotists, lounge acts, and celebrity impersonators. Followed by “after-after” parties, like all-night bowling, followed by an after-prom breakfast. And most of the time, local businesses sponsor the after-parties. Why? To keep kids out of trouble. They figure if every kid’s invited to all the “cool parties,” they’ll be less likely to throw their own rowdy, hotel-suite soirees. Here are a few prom-related events from around the country:
In Palmyra, New Jersey, students attended a free roller skating and soccer party until 4:00 a.m., before heading home with prizes.
At Big Horn High School in Wyoming, students have a pre-prom “grand march”. Basically, a parade where students are presented to the town, along with biographical tidbits like whether they used teeth whitening strips to prepare for the party.
And in Gates Mill, Ohio, the planning for complicated after-prom celebrations starts at the beginning of the school year. A recent extravaganza included a dance at the Cleveland Browns Stadium, dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, and prizes like TVs and tickets to Browns games.
Gone are the days when a high school prom meant a home-made dress, a corsage, and a car borrowed from somebody’s dad. Today’s proms are more like practice weddings – multiple-event extravaganzas designed to spread the fun out as long as possible. According to USA Today, the average couple spends about $1-thousand bucks on the prom. And the hair, clothes, and spray tans are just the beginning.
There are also pre-dance parades, and steak “rehearsal” dinners the night before. As well as fancy rides, like a horse and carriage, limousine, or even a helicopter. Then, students strut their stuff down an Oscar-worthy red carpet before a cheering, picture-taking audience that includes friends, neighbors and parents. Then, after the band has packed up and gone, there’s after-hours entertainment, like hypnotists, lounge acts, and celebrity impersonators. Followed by “after-after” parties, like all-night bowling, followed by an after-prom breakfast. And most of the time, local businesses sponsor the after-parties. Why? To keep kids out of trouble. They figure if every kid’s invited to all the “cool parties,” they’ll be less likely to throw their own rowdy, hotel-suite soirees. Here are a few prom-related events from around the country:
In Palmyra, New Jersey, students attended a free roller skating and soccer party until 4:00 a.m., before heading home with prizes.
At Big Horn High School in Wyoming, students have a pre-prom “grand march”. Basically, a parade where students are presented to the town, along with biographical tidbits like whether they used teeth whitening strips to prepare for the party.
And in Gates Mill, Ohio, the planning for complicated after-prom celebrations starts at the beginning of the school year. A recent extravaganza included a dance at the Cleveland Browns Stadium, dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, and prizes like TVs and tickets to Browns games.
Alterna-prom
It's Prom Season
And all across North America, happy, well-dressed kids are spilling out of limos and buses on their way to an end-of-the-year dance. Of course, not every school sanctions proms – often because of safety concerns. During prom weekend in 2004, nearly half of the traffic deaths among 15 to 20-year-olds involved alcohol. So, groups have started offering alternatives called “Alterna-Proms.” That way kids can still kick up their heels and celebrate, but in a safer, more-controlled environment. Here are some recent end-of-the-year events we read about in Family Circle magazine:
The Senior-Senior Prom in Portland, Oregon. It brought together members of the senior class and elderly local citizens for a night of dancing, mutual understanding, and shattered stereotypes.
No Prom for Darfur. Kids in Cape Cod, Massachusetts used the money they would’ve spent on a prom – between $600 and $1,000 dollars per couple – and donated it to fight genocide in the Sudan in Africa. They had a 3 hour dance, and set up tables so students could write letters and sign anti-genocide petitions.
The Prim Prom in San Ramon, California. Put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it promised modest attire, proper etiquette, music with clean lyrics and no suggestive “freak” dancing that’s becoming popular with kids.
In San Antonio, Texas, the Two Worlds Prom added Muslim culture to the school dance. Boys and girls partied in the same space but separately. Traditional foods were served. And at one point, the evening’s celebrations were halted for prayers.
Finally, one school held a traditional prom that was actually very different for them. For the first time in history, Turner County High School in Georgia had their first non-segregated, school-sponsored prom - instead of separate parties outside of school for black and white students, they all danced together at their own school in harmony.
And all across North America, happy, well-dressed kids are spilling out of limos and buses on their way to an end-of-the-year dance. Of course, not every school sanctions proms – often because of safety concerns. During prom weekend in 2004, nearly half of the traffic deaths among 15 to 20-year-olds involved alcohol. So, groups have started offering alternatives called “Alterna-Proms.” That way kids can still kick up their heels and celebrate, but in a safer, more-controlled environment. Here are some recent end-of-the-year events we read about in Family Circle magazine:
The Senior-Senior Prom in Portland, Oregon. It brought together members of the senior class and elderly local citizens for a night of dancing, mutual understanding, and shattered stereotypes.
No Prom for Darfur. Kids in Cape Cod, Massachusetts used the money they would’ve spent on a prom – between $600 and $1,000 dollars per couple – and donated it to fight genocide in the Sudan in Africa. They had a 3 hour dance, and set up tables so students could write letters and sign anti-genocide petitions.
The Prim Prom in San Ramon, California. Put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it promised modest attire, proper etiquette, music with clean lyrics and no suggestive “freak” dancing that’s becoming popular with kids.
In San Antonio, Texas, the Two Worlds Prom added Muslim culture to the school dance. Boys and girls partied in the same space but separately. Traditional foods were served. And at one point, the evening’s celebrations were halted for prayers.
Finally, one school held a traditional prom that was actually very different for them. For the first time in history, Turner County High School in Georgia had their first non-segregated, school-sponsored prom - instead of separate parties outside of school for black and white students, they all danced together at their own school in harmony.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Jonesing for Jones
The new Indiana Jones movie doesn't open until Memorial weekend but if you're jonesing for Indy items now, you can order action figures, hats, statues and all kinds of other stuff. Indianajonesshop.com is open for business.
Put FUN in reFUNd
10 funny tips for spending your tax refund
More than half of Americans say they'll put their tax refunds into savings, and the rest say they'll pay off debt, do home improvements or give it to charity.
How Americans actually use their tax refunds -- shows this breakdown: 34% will spend it on "the newest model of iPod. Every year. Forever."
Another 20% will go for pay-per-view wrestling, 19% for Hannah Montana concert tickets, 9% for "personalized celebrity recording for answering machine," and it just gets worse from there.
What are some ways to use that refund that aren't so ridiculous? The funniest personal-finance blogger on the Internet has some advice for you.
We'll start with No. 10. "For the eternally single folks out there who, through no fault of their own (*cough* incredible unattractiveness *cough*), have not found the right person for them, I have just two words: Russian brides," he writes.
No. 9 is filling the pantry. "Cereal 10 for $10? Buy 100 boxes! Steak for $2 a pound? Buy the cow! You'll save money as well as time you won't have to spend looking for deals on those items for a while."
Improve your health is No. 6. "For example, if you sleep on a bed of straw, upgrade to a decent mattress," he advises.
No. 5 is getting some culture. "Grab yourself some tickets to a Broadway show, a symphony, or something else entertaining and sophisticated.
No. 1 is probably the best: "Save it anyway, dingus."
More than half of Americans say they'll put their tax refunds into savings, and the rest say they'll pay off debt, do home improvements or give it to charity.
How Americans actually use their tax refunds -- shows this breakdown: 34% will spend it on "the newest model of iPod. Every year. Forever."
Another 20% will go for pay-per-view wrestling, 19% for Hannah Montana concert tickets, 9% for "personalized celebrity recording for answering machine," and it just gets worse from there.
What are some ways to use that refund that aren't so ridiculous? The funniest personal-finance blogger on the Internet has some advice for you.
We'll start with No. 10. "For the eternally single folks out there who, through no fault of their own (*cough* incredible unattractiveness *cough*), have not found the right person for them, I have just two words: Russian brides," he writes.
No. 9 is filling the pantry. "Cereal 10 for $10? Buy 100 boxes! Steak for $2 a pound? Buy the cow! You'll save money as well as time you won't have to spend looking for deals on those items for a while."
Improve your health is No. 6. "For example, if you sleep on a bed of straw, upgrade to a decent mattress," he advises.
No. 5 is getting some culture. "Grab yourself some tickets to a Broadway show, a symphony, or something else entertaining and sophisticated.
No. 1 is probably the best: "Save it anyway, dingus."
Who's got the remote
Tech Battle Of The Sexes
Women are outracing men in adopting some technology, especially gadgets and services that offer scheduling convenience, according to a survey for Solutions Research Group. More women are streaming shows from TV network sites – 15% compared with 11% of men. Women also use their digital video recorders, like TiVo, more often than men, about 9.3 times a week vs . 8.3 times. DVRowning women with kids watch 56% of their TV after it has been recorded, vs. 42% for men.
Men still dominate many tech categories, including video downloading and console gaming. But about as many women as men are playing PC games, as well as networking socially and shopping online.
Women are outracing men in adopting some technology, especially gadgets and services that offer scheduling convenience, according to a survey for Solutions Research Group. More women are streaming shows from TV network sites – 15% compared with 11% of men. Women also use their digital video recorders, like TiVo, more often than men, about 9.3 times a week vs . 8.3 times. DVRowning women with kids watch 56% of their TV after it has been recorded, vs. 42% for men.
Men still dominate many tech categories, including video downloading and console gaming. But about as many women as men are playing PC games, as well as networking socially and shopping online.
The passing of a legend
President George W. Bush led tributes to Charlton Heston yesterday after the Hollywood icon died at his home in Beverly Hills on Saturday. He was 84. Heston revealed in 2002 he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Bush hailed Heston as “one of the most successful actors in movie history and a strong advocate for liberty.” In addition to appearing in many movies, including “The Ten Commandments,” Heston also ran the National Rifle Association.
What do you remember most about Charlton Heston?
What do you remember most about Charlton Heston?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Marriage smarts
Does marriage make you smarter?
Prevention explains how to strengthen your relationship and your mind
By Thomas Crook, Ph.D.
Prevention
I dedicated a recent book (The Memory Advantage) to my wife, Kay, writing: "I knew when I met her that she would be unforgettable." One of the reasons Kay made such an impact on me is that she is devoted to the pursuit of knowledge — about everything from movie blockbusters and interior design to 18th-century epic poetry and primitive art.
Each day, Kay makes a point of learning new information and passing much of it on to me in the evening. For example, she recently read a book called The Intellectual Devotional (published by Rodale, which also publishes Prevention), from which we both learned the origin of John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," the history of the Lascaux cave paintings in France, and more. I, too, share with Kay much of what I learn every day, and after years of doing this, we've become each other's best teacher.
From my perspective as a neuroscientist, this is ironic because the changes that occur in the brain during the early stages of love are not conducive to intellectual pursuits. The feeling of euphoria, the sometimes obsessive desire to be with your beloved … all make concentration on anything else almost impossible.
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have actually observed the effects of love on the brain. When people in the early stages of infatuation are shown photos of their sweethearts and told to think about them, areas of the brain rich in the chemical dopamine are activated. Dopamine produces very powerful pleasurable sensations. Cocaine and amphetamine, for example, produce their effects by spurring the release of dopamine.
As relationships mature, however, those areas are less responsive to the mere sight of one's lover. To be successful, the relationship must evolve from dopamine-driven euphoria to a more mindful cultivation of love and respect. Flowers and candlelight dinners help, but so do exploring and experiencing the world together. In fact, one area of the brain that "lights up" in these later stages of love is the cortex, the same place where information is stored and rational decisions are made.
New information builds fresh neural networks at any age.
Here are some ways to strengthen your marriage (and get smarter in the process):
Take dancing lessons. The combined physical and mental challenge is a great brain workout.
Watch movies and discuss the plot and characters. Research shows that men and women use different areas of the brain when viewing films, resulting in different perspectives and insights.
Throw a party for a diverse group and then debrief each other the next day. Areas of the brain involved in learning and memory can be stimulated by social interaction, and you may be surprised at how differently the two of you interpret the evening's party politics.
Learn a language together. Gradually incorporate new words and phrases into your conversations. Or sign up for Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day." It's a free service that delivers the definition and origin of a new word via e-mail each day.
Take on a home project to learn each other's skills. There is no reason a wife can't rewire a lamp or, speaking from experience, a husband can't learn about wall colors other than white.
At the very least, learning new skills together gives you and your spouse something to talk about other than the kids and work.
Prevention explains how to strengthen your relationship and your mind
By Thomas Crook, Ph.D.
Prevention
I dedicated a recent book (The Memory Advantage) to my wife, Kay, writing: "I knew when I met her that she would be unforgettable." One of the reasons Kay made such an impact on me is that she is devoted to the pursuit of knowledge — about everything from movie blockbusters and interior design to 18th-century epic poetry and primitive art.
Each day, Kay makes a point of learning new information and passing much of it on to me in the evening. For example, she recently read a book called The Intellectual Devotional (published by Rodale, which also publishes Prevention), from which we both learned the origin of John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," the history of the Lascaux cave paintings in France, and more. I, too, share with Kay much of what I learn every day, and after years of doing this, we've become each other's best teacher.
From my perspective as a neuroscientist, this is ironic because the changes that occur in the brain during the early stages of love are not conducive to intellectual pursuits. The feeling of euphoria, the sometimes obsessive desire to be with your beloved … all make concentration on anything else almost impossible.
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have actually observed the effects of love on the brain. When people in the early stages of infatuation are shown photos of their sweethearts and told to think about them, areas of the brain rich in the chemical dopamine are activated. Dopamine produces very powerful pleasurable sensations. Cocaine and amphetamine, for example, produce their effects by spurring the release of dopamine.
As relationships mature, however, those areas are less responsive to the mere sight of one's lover. To be successful, the relationship must evolve from dopamine-driven euphoria to a more mindful cultivation of love and respect. Flowers and candlelight dinners help, but so do exploring and experiencing the world together. In fact, one area of the brain that "lights up" in these later stages of love is the cortex, the same place where information is stored and rational decisions are made.
New information builds fresh neural networks at any age.
Here are some ways to strengthen your marriage (and get smarter in the process):
Take dancing lessons. The combined physical and mental challenge is a great brain workout.
Watch movies and discuss the plot and characters. Research shows that men and women use different areas of the brain when viewing films, resulting in different perspectives and insights.
Throw a party for a diverse group and then debrief each other the next day. Areas of the brain involved in learning and memory can be stimulated by social interaction, and you may be surprised at how differently the two of you interpret the evening's party politics.
Learn a language together. Gradually incorporate new words and phrases into your conversations. Or sign up for Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day." It's a free service that delivers the definition and origin of a new word via e-mail each day.
Take on a home project to learn each other's skills. There is no reason a wife can't rewire a lamp or, speaking from experience, a husband can't learn about wall colors other than white.
At the very least, learning new skills together gives you and your spouse something to talk about other than the kids and work.
Kids spending habits
Allowance breakdown: How kids are spending
America's youth will command more than $21 billion in pocket money by 2010, according to one study. Here's how they're dropping their cash.
Fo some kids the biggest part of their weekly allowance is spent on food -- fast food. Movies are a close second. But after that, money goes to ring tones, music and videos; then clothes and shoes.
A 2004 study conducted by TNS, an international market research firm, found that 79% of boys from ages 10 to 14 spend their money on games, compared with 42% of girls -- who prefer to buy CDs, books and clothes.
Gender differences aside, U.S. kids spend the biggest chunk of change on entertainment and technology: American kids spend most of their money on games (63% of all U.S. kids), clothes (31%) and CDs (27%), according to the TNS report.
There is help to teach your kids to save money.
America's youth will command more than $21 billion in pocket money by 2010, according to one study. Here's how they're dropping their cash.
Fo some kids the biggest part of their weekly allowance is spent on food -- fast food. Movies are a close second. But after that, money goes to ring tones, music and videos; then clothes and shoes.
A 2004 study conducted by TNS, an international market research firm, found that 79% of boys from ages 10 to 14 spend their money on games, compared with 42% of girls -- who prefer to buy CDs, books and clothes.
Gender differences aside, U.S. kids spend the biggest chunk of change on entertainment and technology: American kids spend most of their money on games (63% of all U.S. kids), clothes (31%) and CDs (27%), according to the TNS report.
There is help to teach your kids to save money.
Save money
With the possiblility of a recession you can make some smart budget cuts at home and save money. I found this at the doughroller.net website.
75 Painless Money-Saving Tips:
Combine your cable, internet and telephone service. Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill.
Slow down your internet service. I went to the slower internet service option with my cable company and saved $15 per month. And I haven’t noticed a difference when surfing the Net.
Send away for and follow up on rebates. After you buy a product with a rebate, send in the form that day. Then mark your calendar to remind yourself to follow up with the rebate company if the check hasn’t show up.
Buy a refurbished Mac: I’ve written about this before because it is a great way to buy not only computers, but iPods and iPhones as well. You can check out the details here.
Convert to a gas water heater. They are more efficient and will save you money in the long run.
Request a reduction in the interest rate for your home equity line of credit. I did and my mortgage company agreed to reduce the rate by more than 0.50%.
Request a reduction in the interest rate on your credit cards. As with home equity loans, credit card companies sometimes are willing to reduce the interest rate. It can’t hurt to ask.
Refinance you mortgage. If you can reduce your interest rate by one percent or more, it is often beneficial to refinance. This is particularly true for those with high rates due to less than stellar credit scores. If your score has improved, you may qualify for a better rate. I would start by asking your current mortgage lender about lower rates.
Get rid of Private Mortgage Insurance. If your down payment was less than 20%, you are probably paying PMI. Once you have a 20% cushion through reducing your debt and home appreciation (yes, prices do go up from time to time), contact your mortgage company to start the process of removing the PMI.
Get your books from the library. I love books and read every day. While I buy some of the books I read, most come from the library. Simply put, it’s hard to beat free.
Get the rest on their website.
75 Painless Money-Saving Tips:
Combine your cable, internet and telephone service. Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill.
Slow down your internet service. I went to the slower internet service option with my cable company and saved $15 per month. And I haven’t noticed a difference when surfing the Net.
Send away for and follow up on rebates. After you buy a product with a rebate, send in the form that day. Then mark your calendar to remind yourself to follow up with the rebate company if the check hasn’t show up.
Buy a refurbished Mac: I’ve written about this before because it is a great way to buy not only computers, but iPods and iPhones as well. You can check out the details here.
Convert to a gas water heater. They are more efficient and will save you money in the long run.
Request a reduction in the interest rate for your home equity line of credit. I did and my mortgage company agreed to reduce the rate by more than 0.50%.
Request a reduction in the interest rate on your credit cards. As with home equity loans, credit card companies sometimes are willing to reduce the interest rate. It can’t hurt to ask.
Refinance you mortgage. If you can reduce your interest rate by one percent or more, it is often beneficial to refinance. This is particularly true for those with high rates due to less than stellar credit scores. If your score has improved, you may qualify for a better rate. I would start by asking your current mortgage lender about lower rates.
Get rid of Private Mortgage Insurance. If your down payment was less than 20%, you are probably paying PMI. Once you have a 20% cushion through reducing your debt and home appreciation (yes, prices do go up from time to time), contact your mortgage company to start the process of removing the PMI.
Get your books from the library. I love books and read every day. While I buy some of the books I read, most come from the library. Simply put, it’s hard to beat free.
Get the rest on their website.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Alcohol abuse
Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol:
Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
Does your drinking worry your family?
Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?
For more tips and help.
Alcohol and Women
Women are more vulnerable than men to many of the medical consequences of alcohol use. Alcoholic women develop cirrhosis, damage of the heart muscle (i.e., cardiomyopathy), and nerves (i.e., peripheral neuropathy) after fewer years of heavy drinking than alcoholic men.
Women develop organ damage faster, and at lower levels of alcohol consumption then men. This is because a woman’s body generally has less water than a man’s causing their blood alcohol content to reach higher level, faster.
Alcohol use may affect female reproductive. Adolescent girls who consume even moderate amounts of alcohol may experience disrupted growth and puberty. Heavy drinking in adult women can disrupt normal menstrual cycling and reproductive functions. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can cause women to suffer from infertility, increased risk for spontaneous abortion, and impaired fetal growth and development
Women overall drink less than men but are more likely to experience adverse consequences including damage to the heart muscle, liver, and brain, trauma resulting from auto crashes, interpersonal violence, and death.The progression of alcoholism appears to be faster in women than in men.
If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol:
Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
Does your drinking worry your family?
Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?
Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?
For more tips and help.
Alcohol and Women
Women are more vulnerable than men to many of the medical consequences of alcohol use. Alcoholic women develop cirrhosis, damage of the heart muscle (i.e., cardiomyopathy), and nerves (i.e., peripheral neuropathy) after fewer years of heavy drinking than alcoholic men.
Women develop organ damage faster, and at lower levels of alcohol consumption then men. This is because a woman’s body generally has less water than a man’s causing their blood alcohol content to reach higher level, faster.
Alcohol use may affect female reproductive. Adolescent girls who consume even moderate amounts of alcohol may experience disrupted growth and puberty. Heavy drinking in adult women can disrupt normal menstrual cycling and reproductive functions. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can cause women to suffer from infertility, increased risk for spontaneous abortion, and impaired fetal growth and development
Women overall drink less than men but are more likely to experience adverse consequences including damage to the heart muscle, liver, and brain, trauma resulting from auto crashes, interpersonal violence, and death.The progression of alcoholism appears to be faster in women than in men.
Alcohol tips for teens
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol
Slang--Booze, Sauce, Brews, Brewskis, Hooch, Hard Stuff, Juice
Alcohol affects your brain. Drinking alcohol leads to a loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even blackouts.
Alcohol affects your body. Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
Alcohol affects your self-control. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers your inhibitions, and impairs your judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving when you shouldn’t, or having unprotected sex.
Alcohol can kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol at one time or very rapidly can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma or even death. Driving and drinking also can be deadly. In 2003, 31 percent of drivers age 15 to 20 who died in traffic accidents had been drinking alcohol.
Alcohol can hurt you--even if you're not the one drinking. If you're around people who are drinking, you have an increased risk of being seriously injured, involved in car crashes, or affected by violence. At the very least, you may have to deal with people who are sick, out of control, or unable to take care of themselves.
Know the law. It is illegal to buy or possess alcohol if you are under age 21.
Get the facts. One drink can make you fail a breath test. In some States, people under age 21 can lose their driver's license, be subject to a heavy fine, or have their car permanently taken away.
Stay informed. "Binge" drinking means having five or more drinks on one occasion. Studies show that more than 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem developed symptoms--such as binge drinking--by age 19.2
Know the risks. Alcohol is a drug. Mixing it with any other drug can be extremely dangerous. Alcohol and acetaminophen--a common ingredient in OTC pain and fever reducers--can damage your liver. Alcohol mixed with other drugs can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting, heart problems, and difficulty breathing.3 Mixing alcohol and drugs also can lead to coma and death.
Keep your edge. Alcohol is a depressant, or downer, because it reduces brain activity. If you are depressed before you start drinking, alcohol can make you feel worse.
Look around you. Most teens aren't drinking alcohol. Research shows that 71 percent of people 12-20 haven't had a drink in the past month.4
How can you tell if a friend has a drinking problem? Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol:
Getting drunk on a regular basis
Lying about how much alcohol he or she is using
Believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun
Having frequent hangovers
Feeling run-down, depressed, or even suicidal
Having "blackouts"--forgetting what he or she did while drinking
What can you do to help someone who has a drinking problem? Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help. For information and referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686.
Slang--Booze, Sauce, Brews, Brewskis, Hooch, Hard Stuff, Juice
Alcohol affects your brain. Drinking alcohol leads to a loss of coordination, poor judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, and even blackouts.
Alcohol affects your body. Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
Alcohol affects your self-control. Alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers your inhibitions, and impairs your judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, such as driving when you shouldn’t, or having unprotected sex.
Alcohol can kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol at one time or very rapidly can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma or even death. Driving and drinking also can be deadly. In 2003, 31 percent of drivers age 15 to 20 who died in traffic accidents had been drinking alcohol.
Alcohol can hurt you--even if you're not the one drinking. If you're around people who are drinking, you have an increased risk of being seriously injured, involved in car crashes, or affected by violence. At the very least, you may have to deal with people who are sick, out of control, or unable to take care of themselves.
Know the law. It is illegal to buy or possess alcohol if you are under age 21.
Get the facts. One drink can make you fail a breath test. In some States, people under age 21 can lose their driver's license, be subject to a heavy fine, or have their car permanently taken away.
Stay informed. "Binge" drinking means having five or more drinks on one occasion. Studies show that more than 35 percent of adults with an alcohol problem developed symptoms--such as binge drinking--by age 19.2
Know the risks. Alcohol is a drug. Mixing it with any other drug can be extremely dangerous. Alcohol and acetaminophen--a common ingredient in OTC pain and fever reducers--can damage your liver. Alcohol mixed with other drugs can cause nausea, vomiting, fainting, heart problems, and difficulty breathing.3 Mixing alcohol and drugs also can lead to coma and death.
Keep your edge. Alcohol is a depressant, or downer, because it reduces brain activity. If you are depressed before you start drinking, alcohol can make you feel worse.
Look around you. Most teens aren't drinking alcohol. Research shows that 71 percent of people 12-20 haven't had a drink in the past month.4
How can you tell if a friend has a drinking problem? Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol:
Getting drunk on a regular basis
Lying about how much alcohol he or she is using
Believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun
Having frequent hangovers
Feeling run-down, depressed, or even suicidal
Having "blackouts"--forgetting what he or she did while drinking
What can you do to help someone who has a drinking problem? Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help. For information and referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 800-729-6686.
Tax tips
Did you get a tax refund this year? Congrats! However, don’t be surprised if you get audited, too! Why? Because the IRS has revived a program where it audits returns at random whether it appears you did anything wrong or not. They’re hoping it’ll help close the $290 billion gap between the taxes owed and those actually paid. A similar program provided a big windfall for the government a few years back.
Audits found taxpayers claiming dependents with names like Fluffy, but once the IRS required Social Security Numbers for all dependents, the number of children claimed on tax returns dropped by 7 million. There are also red flags that’ll earn your tax return a closer look. Here are a few, courtesy of Rodale Publications:
* The home office deduction is always a red flag because a home
office can be deducted only if you use the space for nothing
else. In other words, a guest room that doubles as an office
doesn’t count!
* Another audit trigger: An unlikely ratio between your income and
deductions. Of course, nobody outside the IRS knows exactly what
ratio raises a red flag, but it’ll raise eyebrows if, say, you
earned $60,000, and claim you donated $10,000 to charity. So if
you end up getting audited, here’s how to cope:
o First, know that you’re not alone. The IRS sends out over 7
million notices for math mistakes with bills for
recalculated tax plus interest. Your best bet it to pay
up, or provide documents or receipts that will validate your
deduction.
o The next audit tip: Pay up immediately. When you owe the
IRS, they assess penalties every day on your tax and
interest. Those penalties can reach 25%. For example, if you
owe $1,000 bucks, it could rise to $1,250.
o File an appeal. A government study found that 41% of
taxpayers who went to the IRS Appeals Division won at least
a partial reduction in the amount of money they owed.
If you’re wondering when your tax refund will actually arrive, you can track your refund’s progress on the website www.IRS.gov.
Audits found taxpayers claiming dependents with names like Fluffy, but once the IRS required Social Security Numbers for all dependents, the number of children claimed on tax returns dropped by 7 million. There are also red flags that’ll earn your tax return a closer look. Here are a few, courtesy of Rodale Publications:
* The home office deduction is always a red flag because a home
office can be deducted only if you use the space for nothing
else. In other words, a guest room that doubles as an office
doesn’t count!
* Another audit trigger: An unlikely ratio between your income and
deductions. Of course, nobody outside the IRS knows exactly what
ratio raises a red flag, but it’ll raise eyebrows if, say, you
earned $60,000, and claim you donated $10,000 to charity. So if
you end up getting audited, here’s how to cope:
o First, know that you’re not alone. The IRS sends out over 7
million notices for math mistakes with bills for
recalculated tax plus interest. Your best bet it to pay
up, or provide documents or receipts that will validate your
deduction.
o The next audit tip: Pay up immediately. When you owe the
IRS, they assess penalties every day on your tax and
interest. Those penalties can reach 25%. For example, if you
owe $1,000 bucks, it could rise to $1,250.
o File an appeal. A government study found that 41% of
taxpayers who went to the IRS Appeals Division won at least
a partial reduction in the amount of money they owed.
If you’re wondering when your tax refund will actually arrive, you can track your refund’s progress on the website www.IRS.gov.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Toasting the couple
Cheers! Making The Perfect Wedding Toast
(Michael Kabel)
Making a toast is not like making a speech, where you have an extended amount of time to get your point across. Instead, the toast is like an elegant little summary of your feelings for the bride or groom (or both.)
Your strongest advantage when making a toast is that, unlike a speech or presentation, you don't have to win the crowd over to your side. They already share your feelings about the new couple. Instead, think of the toast as a way to inscribe your own simple but lovely words onto the already-lovely evening of the rehearsal dinner or reception.
The best toasts are pretty but don't take a lot of time and energy getting their point across. They're not necessarily funny, either. Don't try to write a script. Ever heard someone read from a script verbatim off the page? It sounds bizarre, doesn't it, almost like a robot. "We... are... proud... to... celebrate... this wedding."
You don't want to come across stiff or over-rehearsed. Quite the opposite, you want to come across like you're on the verge of getting swept away by emotion. Write down a few ideas you'd like to say in the toast, but don't write everything out. Keep the list in your head and don't think about whether it sounds "official" or not.
Practice your toast as if telling a story to the audience. Imagine yourself telling someone a story. How would you arrange the details? How would the story make sense in your mind as you related it? The best toasts begin with a short, brief story and then expand into the salutation, or wish for a happy future. As you prepare your toast, think about what details are appropriate and which ones are visual enough to keep your audience's attention. Don't get cute, and don't try to be funny.
There's a temptation to try to charm the crowd by adding sentimental details or wowing them with a funny joke or good-natured ribbing. Unless you're a professional comedian, don't bother with either tactic. If something is funny, the audience will sense that. Don't try to force humor, and don't get sappy when the bride and groom already feel on the spot.
Don't look like the Statue of Liberty. Don't hold your glass up the whole time you're speaking. Instead, call for attention by tapping your water glass with a spoon or fork. Near the end of your toast, hold the glass up. You don't have to chug a lug, either: a few sips is sufficient. If the audience applauds - and they well might - don't take a bow or do anything ostentatious. Just nod and say thanks as you sit down.
(Michael Kabel)
Making a toast is not like making a speech, where you have an extended amount of time to get your point across. Instead, the toast is like an elegant little summary of your feelings for the bride or groom (or both.)
Your strongest advantage when making a toast is that, unlike a speech or presentation, you don't have to win the crowd over to your side. They already share your feelings about the new couple. Instead, think of the toast as a way to inscribe your own simple but lovely words onto the already-lovely evening of the rehearsal dinner or reception.
The best toasts are pretty but don't take a lot of time and energy getting their point across. They're not necessarily funny, either. Don't try to write a script. Ever heard someone read from a script verbatim off the page? It sounds bizarre, doesn't it, almost like a robot. "We... are... proud... to... celebrate... this wedding."
You don't want to come across stiff or over-rehearsed. Quite the opposite, you want to come across like you're on the verge of getting swept away by emotion. Write down a few ideas you'd like to say in the toast, but don't write everything out. Keep the list in your head and don't think about whether it sounds "official" or not.
Practice your toast as if telling a story to the audience. Imagine yourself telling someone a story. How would you arrange the details? How would the story make sense in your mind as you related it? The best toasts begin with a short, brief story and then expand into the salutation, or wish for a happy future. As you prepare your toast, think about what details are appropriate and which ones are visual enough to keep your audience's attention. Don't get cute, and don't try to be funny.
There's a temptation to try to charm the crowd by adding sentimental details or wowing them with a funny joke or good-natured ribbing. Unless you're a professional comedian, don't bother with either tactic. If something is funny, the audience will sense that. Don't try to force humor, and don't get sappy when the bride and groom already feel on the spot.
Don't look like the Statue of Liberty. Don't hold your glass up the whole time you're speaking. Instead, call for attention by tapping your water glass with a spoon or fork. Near the end of your toast, hold the glass up. You don't have to chug a lug, either: a few sips is sufficient. If the audience applauds - and they well might - don't take a bow or do anything ostentatious. Just nod and say thanks as you sit down.
Kick butts
Kids across America will rally against tobacco today as they join thousands of young people
nationwide for the 13th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Hundreds of events are planned across the nation.
Kids across Florida will rally against tobacco today as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 13th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Hundreds of events are planned across the nation.
This year, Kick Butts Day is raising awareness about continued tobacco marketing and sales to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on these harmful practices by passing legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products.
Ten years after the 1998 state tobacco settlement, a new poll conducted for Kick Butts Day 2008 finds that kids still feel targeted by tobacco advertising and still find it easy to buy tobacco products.
nationwide for the 13th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Hundreds of events are planned across the nation.
Kids across Florida will rally against tobacco today as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 13th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Hundreds of events are planned across the nation.
This year, Kick Butts Day is raising awareness about continued tobacco marketing and sales to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on these harmful practices by passing legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products.
Ten years after the 1998 state tobacco settlement, a new poll conducted for Kick Butts Day 2008 finds that kids still feel targeted by tobacco advertising and still find it easy to buy tobacco products.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A fool and her money...
If you can’t account for every dollar you spend, take solace in knowing you’re not the only one. Nearly half of all Americans say they lose track of about $2,340 per year, according to a study by Visa, Inc. The money simply “disappears,” and they’re not really sure where it’s gone, the study’s authors say.
Nearly half of Americans report spending about $120 in cash per week—and losing track of $45 of it. Men under 35 are the biggest “mystery spenders,” reporting that they lose track of $3,078 per year, or an average of $59 per week—mostly during a night out. Women fared a little better, reporting losing track of $2,709 per year, or $52 a week—mostly while out shopping.
It’s not surprising that consumers would lose track of some cash spending, but the Visa spokespeople were taken aback at how much. They said the lesson to remember is that a dollar here, a dollar there adds up. Seven percent of the survey participants reported losing track of up to $100 per week. Of those who reported their “mystery spending” was out of control, 59 percent said using their debit cards rather than cash helps them keep track of their money.
The nationwide survey of 2,036 U.S. adults found that 48 percent of Americans suffer from this “mystery spending.” Here’s a breakdown of when the money usually “disappears”:
58% while on a night on the town
55% while grocery shopping
50% while out with the kids
40% while shopping during a sale
33% while shopping with friends
Nearly half of Americans report spending about $120 in cash per week—and losing track of $45 of it. Men under 35 are the biggest “mystery spenders,” reporting that they lose track of $3,078 per year, or an average of $59 per week—mostly during a night out. Women fared a little better, reporting losing track of $2,709 per year, or $52 a week—mostly while out shopping.
It’s not surprising that consumers would lose track of some cash spending, but the Visa spokespeople were taken aback at how much. They said the lesson to remember is that a dollar here, a dollar there adds up. Seven percent of the survey participants reported losing track of up to $100 per week. Of those who reported their “mystery spending” was out of control, 59 percent said using their debit cards rather than cash helps them keep track of their money.
The nationwide survey of 2,036 U.S. adults found that 48 percent of Americans suffer from this “mystery spending.” Here’s a breakdown of when the money usually “disappears”:
58% while on a night on the town
55% while grocery shopping
50% while out with the kids
40% while shopping during a sale
33% while shopping with friends
Pricey pets
Americans like to pamper their pets. We take them on trips, buy them presents for special occasions, and prepare macrobiotic meals for them. Manufacturers of high-end human products are starting to take note and get in on the action with designer pet product lines—dog shampoo made by Paul Mitchell, for instance. And Americans are buying. It’s no secret: We spare no expense in keeping our best friends happy.
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63 percent of America’s households have pets; that’s 71.1 million homes. That number has grown from 56 percent in 1988. As a matter of fact, the United States currently has more than 88 million pet cats, 74 million pet dogs, and more than 150 million pet fish.
Final numbers aren’t yet available, but pet-related spending for 2007 was projected to be $40.8 billion. Here’s the probable breakdown:
$16.1 billion on food
$9.9 billion on supplies/over-the-counter medicines
$9.8 billion on veterinary care
$2.9 billion on grooming and boarding
$2.1 billion on purchasing the pets
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63 percent of America’s households have pets; that’s 71.1 million homes. That number has grown from 56 percent in 1988. As a matter of fact, the United States currently has more than 88 million pet cats, 74 million pet dogs, and more than 150 million pet fish.
Final numbers aren’t yet available, but pet-related spending for 2007 was projected to be $40.8 billion. Here’s the probable breakdown:
$16.1 billion on food
$9.9 billion on supplies/over-the-counter medicines
$9.8 billion on veterinary care
$2.9 billion on grooming and boarding
$2.1 billion on purchasing the pets
April fools
Want to surprise the whole family? Try one of these 10 terrific pranks, like the ol' favorites Unexpected Dandruff, Bedtime Switcheroo, or the Big Spill.
Perfect Family Pranks
The Big Spill Tickle funny bones with a phony tipped-over coffee cup
Call Mr. Lyon Dial up phone fun with this wild twist on a classic gag
Faked Potato These dud spuds make a great side dish at dinnertime
Fun on the Fly Sew things up with a gag that'll leave them in stitches
Garden Fungus Plant an antic to declare there's a prankster among 'em
Heavy Metal Try a trick guaranteed to stop people in their tracks
Unexpected Dandruff Fake them out with foolery that's a bit on the flaky side
Model Parent Trick your kids with a man-sized mannequin
Time Warp Play this prank on your family for a time they'll never forget
Kitchen Sink Surprise Rig up a ruse that's just drenched in humor
Bedtime Switcheroo Surprise your kids with a slight change of scenery
Perfect Family Pranks
The Big Spill Tickle funny bones with a phony tipped-over coffee cup
Call Mr. Lyon Dial up phone fun with this wild twist on a classic gag
Faked Potato These dud spuds make a great side dish at dinnertime
Fun on the Fly Sew things up with a gag that'll leave them in stitches
Garden Fungus Plant an antic to declare there's a prankster among 'em
Heavy Metal Try a trick guaranteed to stop people in their tracks
Unexpected Dandruff Fake them out with foolery that's a bit on the flaky side
Model Parent Trick your kids with a man-sized mannequin
Time Warp Play this prank on your family for a time they'll never forget
Kitchen Sink Surprise Rig up a ruse that's just drenched in humor
Bedtime Switcheroo Surprise your kids with a slight change of scenery
Monday, March 31, 2008
Go Green
Earth Month Events
Saturday, April 5 from 4 to 10 p.m.
Global Groove: Green Around the Globe
An eco-diversity event
Free celebration of global diversity and the environment at ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood.
Music, dance, theatre, kids’ activities.
Information about recycling, electric cars and xeriscaping.
City of Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 1, Hollywood
954-921-3404
Saturday & Sunday, April 19th & 20th
Get Your Green On!
Museum of Discovery and Science
Recycling Info, including the "Re-Use-It Art Corner" - creating art from recycled items
How to plant an Organic Garden
Organic baking, Organic pizza
Earth-Friendly Demonstrations
April 20th
Green Apple Festival - America's Largest Earth Day Celebration
Bicentennial Park, Miami
Miami is one of only 8 cities nationwide selected to host a free weekend of music and environmental events.
Live concerts, speakers, family fun
April 26th
Green Living Expo
Stranahan Park, Fort Lauderdale (Broward Blvd. & Andrews Ave.
Learn how to go green, with fun, interactive activities for the whole family.
954-828-4743
Saturday, April 5 from 4 to 10 p.m.
Global Groove: Green Around the Globe
An eco-diversity event
Free celebration of global diversity and the environment at ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood.
Music, dance, theatre, kids’ activities.
Information about recycling, electric cars and xeriscaping.
City of Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 1, Hollywood
954-921-3404
Saturday & Sunday, April 19th & 20th
Get Your Green On!
Museum of Discovery and Science
Recycling Info, including the "Re-Use-It Art Corner" - creating art from recycled items
How to plant an Organic Garden
Organic baking, Organic pizza
Earth-Friendly Demonstrations
April 20th
Green Apple Festival - America's Largest Earth Day Celebration
Bicentennial Park, Miami
Miami is one of only 8 cities nationwide selected to host a free weekend of music and environmental events.
Live concerts, speakers, family fun
April 26th
Green Living Expo
Stranahan Park, Fort Lauderdale (Broward Blvd. & Andrews Ave.
Learn how to go green, with fun, interactive activities for the whole family.
954-828-4743
Kids Choice Awards
It was the best of both worlds at Saturday's Kids Choice Awards for Miley Cyrus, who took home trophies for favorite female singer and TV actress and rocked the show with a spirited performance of her hit song, "GNO -- Girls Night Out."
Find out the rest of the winners and who got slimed!
Find out the rest of the winners and who got slimed!
Fight fair
HOW TO FIGHT FAIR IN A RELATIONSHIP
(Match.com)
(Match.com)
Avoid Sweeping generalizations: "You're impossible" and "You always do such-and-such" might feel good to utter, but they're unproductive and imprecise. Find specific words to express your feelings and use examples instead of blanket statements.
Don't think about a last word: At some point of maturity, hanging up on someone is no longer satisfying. In lieu of getting in a final venomous word before slamming the receiver (pushing the END button is much less fun), simply state: "I'm getting off the phone before either of us says anything we might regret."
Avoid ancient history & soft spots: The dragging out of taboo and sensitive topics is a low blow no-no, as is aiming for soft spots, those incendiary trigger points that cause immediate upset. Fair fighters avoid sensitive personal data, epithets cast at other family members, unrelated health issues, and hurtful grand pronouncements ("And you wonder why your father walked out on you and your mom.").
Profanity & protocol: Although cussin' is never nice, it can be a middle-ground pressure valve to let off steam if you're hit with a low blow. The lesser of two evils, it's better to unleash a four-letter expletive than to throw the skillet through the plasma TV or respond with something hurtful. But remember: Certain rank curse words -- said with vigor and aimed directly at your would-be sweetie -- are considered unforgivable. You know the ones we mean.
Timing: Be sensitive to when you start an argument. Try not to ambush your partner, and don't bring up certain issues over dinner, during a major fun time, right before bed, and never when drunk. And when the fight's underway, don't hog the mic; give your mate equal floor time to express grievances.
Fake it. In public, make sure all is well... or at least seems well. Keep your upset a private matter, not fodder for passers-by. Besides, why fight in a restaurant when you can wait a while and enjoy the delicious, uncomfortable-at-any-speed, in-the-car fight?
Laughing matter. Though not a substitute for real answers, well-placed humor in the middle of a tiff can break the pall. Perk up your frowning mate with the only kind of punch sanctioned in fair fighting... a punch line.
Yahoo for ladies
Yahoo Inc is introducing a new media site focused on women's daily lives, the latest in a string of sites that include ones for gadget enthusiasts and food lovers, the company said on Sunday.
The Sunnyvale, California-based company said the new site, called "Shine", offers nine categories ranging from Fashion & Beauty to Parenting. The site is aimed at roughly 40 million women between the ages of 25 and 54 and aims to make Yahoo more relevant to this demographic, which is highly appealing to brand advertisers.
Yahoo has hired an editorial team to publish original stories on a daily basis as well as to select user blog posts to feature prominently on the site. Shine also offers items from existing Yahoo sites covering food, astrology and health.
Yahoo Shine is located at shine.yahoo.com/
The Sunnyvale, California-based company said the new site, called "Shine", offers nine categories ranging from Fashion & Beauty to Parenting. The site is aimed at roughly 40 million women between the ages of 25 and 54 and aims to make Yahoo more relevant to this demographic, which is highly appealing to brand advertisers.
Yahoo has hired an editorial team to publish original stories on a daily basis as well as to select user blog posts to feature prominently on the site. Shine also offers items from existing Yahoo sites covering food, astrology and health.
Yahoo Shine is located at shine.yahoo.com/
Friday, March 28, 2008
Precious Princess!
SAY HI TO PRINCESS KILANY
Kilany is 7 years old. In addition to modeling and bellydancing, she's also an 'A' student who took First Place in her school's Spelling Bee last week!
Kilany's mom & dad are very proud of her. They'll all celebrate by joining LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes". Congratulations to all the Precious Princesses. Don't miss the awe inspiring princesses at the American Airlines Arena through this Sunday, and at BankAtlantic Center next week, April 3-6.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
More cooking disasters
Yes, we're focused on cooking this week, since Susan and Jeff will be participating in a cook-off Sunday at the Miami Spring Home Design and Remodeling Show.
Jeff admits to getting a little carried away with the grill and scorching his eyebrows.
I melted my can-opener when I put it down on a burner with the stove on.
Let us know if you've done something that's not already included in Susan's Survey.
Ellen
Jeff admits to getting a little carried away with the grill and scorching his eyebrows.
I melted my can-opener when I put it down on a burner with the stove on.
Let us know if you've done something that's not already included in Susan's Survey.
Ellen
Coping with nerves
On Susan's Survey, we learned that the most prevalent nervous habit is avoiding looking someone in the eyes. Some people tap their feet, others play with their hair, and there are those who crack their knuckles.
Here are some techniques to put those habits to rest, at least during key times, like during an interview or on a date.
Can't look someone in the eye? Practice at home in front of your mirror, pretending that you're the other person. Challenge yourself to look into your own eyes for at least 1 minute, increasing the time gradually. You can also try leaning slightly forward toward the person you're trying to converse with. Your body language will demonstrate your interest, and by physically moving yourself forward, it will be harder to look away.
Foot tapper? Cross your feet at the ankles.
Finger tapper? Put your hands in your pockets. Likewise for knuckle-crackers. Also effective if you catch yourself playing with your hair. Or you can put your up in a bun - then there's nothing to play with.
Other tips to cope with nerves:
Wear clothes that make you feel and look good, to boost your confidence.
For a job interview, be familiar with the job description, and how your skills match what the company is looking for.
For a date, prepare some conversation starters in advance. Ask open-ended questions so your date can talk and reveal his own personality. Be yourself - you're most charming and interesting when you're not trying to be something you're not.
Here are some techniques to put those habits to rest, at least during key times, like during an interview or on a date.
Can't look someone in the eye? Practice at home in front of your mirror, pretending that you're the other person. Challenge yourself to look into your own eyes for at least 1 minute, increasing the time gradually. You can also try leaning slightly forward toward the person you're trying to converse with. Your body language will demonstrate your interest, and by physically moving yourself forward, it will be harder to look away.
Foot tapper? Cross your feet at the ankles.
Finger tapper? Put your hands in your pockets. Likewise for knuckle-crackers. Also effective if you catch yourself playing with your hair. Or you can put your up in a bun - then there's nothing to play with.
Other tips to cope with nerves:
Wear clothes that make you feel and look good, to boost your confidence.
For a job interview, be familiar with the job description, and how your skills match what the company is looking for.
For a date, prepare some conversation starters in advance. Ask open-ended questions so your date can talk and reveal his own personality. Be yourself - you're most charming and interesting when you're not trying to be something you're not.
Precious Princess!
Introducting Princess Tiffany
Meet 3-year old Tiffany from Lauderhill. She asks her mom to take her to Disney every day.
Tiffany and mom, Barbara, will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes". Congratulations to all the Precious Princesses. Don't miss the awe inspiring princesses at the American Airlines Arena through this Sunday, and at BankAtlantic Center next week, April 3-6.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Player or Good Guy?
HOW TO TELL IF HE'S A PLAYER (MSN.com)
He's bold. He doesn't approach women with the same nerves or awkwardness of a normal guy. He'll walk up confidently, with a big smile and great eye contact. This doesn't mean you should look for the opposite -- a stuttering wreck -- but be wary of a guy who acts completely bulletproof.
He declares his feelings right away. Players employ a "fast come-on," making sweeping statements of affection from the word go. These declarations can feel very welcome, especially if you've been in a string of relationships that lacked such intimacy. Just remember that true closeness takes time, and it's normal for a guy to be more guarded about his emotions.
He always plans romantic dates. Dating for the player is kind of a performance art. And he's going to be good at it. Nice guys can be romantic, too, but life with them won't always feel like a John Cusack movie.
He has lots of acquaintances, no close friends. The player tends to be a lone wolf. That doesn't mean he lacks for drinking buddies. The same way he charms women, he can charm lots of people in his life. The key is that, in friendship as in romance, his affections run broad but not deep.
He's a thrill seeker. A guy who spends his spare time looking for a rush -- fast driving, bungee jumping, kite-boarding, heli-skiing -- should give you pause. This type craves the high that comes from conquering a difficult challenge, and that goes for his relationship goals as well. Once he's "conquered" you, your allure may quickly fade.
...AND FIVE SIGNS HE'S JUST A NICE, UPSTANDING GUY
He's goofy. The sincere suitor is not suave. He doesn't always say the right thing. It may sound weird to go into a date hoping for a pratfall, but it's not a bad thing.
He remembers personal details and events. It's the most basic way to show someone you care -- by learning about his or her life and interests. Players can't be bothered with this. Trifling as it sounds, if a guy remembers to bring over your favorite ice cream or shows up at your pal's birthday party, he might just be a keeper.
He treats his mama right. Generally speaking, a loving family begets a loving person, and the opposite is also true. The wounded outcast who is betrayed by his parents makes a hot lead in a soap opera, but not the best boyfriend. Try the good-hearted guy who flies home for his mom's birthday instead.
He can mingle. The sincere guy doesn't mind being in a room with people who are more accomplished than he is. Conversely, the player wants to be in situations that will glorify only himself, especially around his woman. He doesn't want to listen to another man's interesting story. A loving guy, on the other hand, can mix with others even when he's not the star of the show, and actually enjoys learning things from them.
He says, "I love you." As fawning as a player's affections are, there's still something sacred about the L-bomb. A guy who says those three magic words may very well mean them.
Precious Princess
Introducting Princess Briyanah
Briyanah is 2 years old, and her mommy, Martine, is very proud!
They'll join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes. Congratulations to all the Precious Princesses. Don't miss the awe inspiring princesses when Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes at the American Airlines Arena March 26-30 and BankAtlantic Center April 3-6.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Omelet advice
Good Morning Susan-
Here is my recipe for the most delicious omelette:
3 Idaho Potatoes (leave skins on)
6 Eggs
Mayonnaise
Pecorino Romano Cheese (grated)
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Canola Oil
The best way to do the potatoes is to microwave them. Pierce the potatoes, put in microwave for 5-6 minutes. Remove from microwave. Cut potatoes in half (lengthwise) Slice in thick slices (approx. 1/4 inch thick). Put oil in skillet, preferable non-stick (enough to coat bottom), turn stove on medium. Put potatoes in skillet, season with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder & Onion Powder; or you can use Seasoned Salt & Garlic Powder. Cook until lightly brown.
Beat eggs and add 1/4-1/3 cup Pecorino Romano Cheese, 1/3 cup (I never measure anything) Mayonnaise, Beat together. Pour Egg mixture in skillet. (Cook on Medium Low). I always cover the skillet with a lid. Turn omelette over and cook other side. If you'd like you can top this with American Cheese slices, I prefer Boar's Head brand. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!
Buon Appetite,
Arta Impliazzo
Here is my recipe for the most delicious omelette:
3 Idaho Potatoes (leave skins on)
6 Eggs
Mayonnaise
Pecorino Romano Cheese (grated)
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Canola Oil
The best way to do the potatoes is to microwave them. Pierce the potatoes, put in microwave for 5-6 minutes. Remove from microwave. Cut potatoes in half (lengthwise) Slice in thick slices (approx. 1/4 inch thick). Put oil in skillet, preferable non-stick (enough to coat bottom), turn stove on medium. Put potatoes in skillet, season with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder & Onion Powder; or you can use Seasoned Salt & Garlic Powder. Cook until lightly brown.
Beat eggs and add 1/4-1/3 cup Pecorino Romano Cheese, 1/3 cup (I never measure anything) Mayonnaise, Beat together. Pour Egg mixture in skillet. (Cook on Medium Low). I always cover the skillet with a lid. Turn omelette over and cook other side. If you'd like you can top this with American Cheese slices, I prefer Boar's Head brand. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!
Buon Appetite,
Arta Impliazzo
Leftover eggs
Okay. Easter is over. A good time was had by all. There were chocolates and grand style feasting, and of course, Easter Eggs. Lots and lots of Easter Eggs. So many Easter Eggs. Never have you and your family turned out such masterpieces of Easter art. You just couldn't stop!
But what are you left with after the bunny goes home? A couple of extra pounds from all the chocolate, a pile of brightly colored egg shells and lots and lots of hard boiled eggs.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH ALL THOSE EGGS?
We love coloring eggs as much as anyone. But we HATE wasting food. What follows is a list of ten fabulous things to make with leftover eggs.
Precious Princess Winner
Introducing Princess Stephany!
She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes. Congratulations to all the Precious Princesses. Don't miss the awe inspiring princesses when Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes at the American Airlines Arena March 26-30 and BankAtlantic Center April 3-6.
Look at that sweet face!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Youtube winners
And the results are in! Hundreds of thousands votes were cast during the week-long voting process, and 12 videos emerged victorious in their respective categories.
Check 'em out.
Check 'em out.
Precious Princess Winner
Introducing Princess Leah!
She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes. Congratulations to all the Precious Princesses. Don't miss the awe inspiring princesses when Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes at the American Airlines Arena March 26-30 and BankAtlantic Center April 3-6.
Love the hat, Leah!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Zoom-zoom
The Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show with more than 500 cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles on display at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
Car enthusiasts and potential buyers will have a chance through Sunday to check out the latest models from prestigious to proletarian, like the pair of 2008 smart cars pictured at right. Tickets to the show are $8 for adults and $2 for children 6-12.
The show is open from 1-11 p.m Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
Car enthusiasts and potential buyers will have a chance through Sunday to check out the latest models from prestigious to proletarian, like the pair of 2008 smart cars pictured at right. Tickets to the show are $8 for adults and $2 for children 6-12.
The show is open from 1-11 p.m Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
Eat this, not that
(cbs4)
We all know that fruits and veggies are healthy for us, but sometimes we just can't resisit the urge to gobble down a sicky treat from Cinnabon, a zesty Italian Sub sandwich or an over the top chocolate smoothie.
Unfortunately, some of the 20 worst foods in America are sme of our favorites according to the book "Eat This, Not That."
We all know that fruits and veggies are healthy for us, but sometimes we just can't resisit the urge to gobble down a sicky treat from Cinnabon, a zesty Italian Sub sandwich or an over the top chocolate smoothie.
Unfortunately, some of the 20 worst foods in America are sme of our favorites according to the book "Eat This, Not That."
Hop on over
Meet the Bunny, 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday March 22nd at Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary, 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie. $12 for ages 12 and older; $5.50 for ages 4-11. Call 954-473-2955.
Jungle Island is having an Easter Eggstravaganza on March 21st, 22nd and the 23rd. This event is free with regular park admission. There will be over 60,000 eggs to hunt for, including a few golden eggs that may get you a larger prize. There will be lots of other Easter activities, including visits from the Easter Bunny. You can go to an Easter Brunch for an additional free. You have to make reservations for the brunch and can do so by calling (305) 400-7203. Jungle Island is located at Jungle Island 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
The Easter Egg Hunt Celebration at the Miami Seaquarium. This event is so spectacular that they are holding it for three days this year on March 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Regular admission prices apply. There will be several Easter Egg Hunts and other Easter activities during the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM on those days. Miami Seaquarium is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Key Biscayne, FL 33149. For more information, call (305) 361-5705.
Bunny Train Ride, journey by Tri-Rail to Deerfield for breakfast and a photo with the Easter Bunny, 7-11 a.m. Saturday March 22nd from David Park Community Center, 108 N. 33rd Court, Hollywood. $16 adults; $14 children. Limit of two adults per child. Call 954-967-4236.
Jungle Island is having an Easter Eggstravaganza on March 21st, 22nd and the 23rd. This event is free with regular park admission. There will be over 60,000 eggs to hunt for, including a few golden eggs that may get you a larger prize. There will be lots of other Easter activities, including visits from the Easter Bunny. You can go to an Easter Brunch for an additional free. You have to make reservations for the brunch and can do so by calling (305) 400-7203. Jungle Island is located at Jungle Island 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
The Easter Egg Hunt Celebration at the Miami Seaquarium. This event is so spectacular that they are holding it for three days this year on March 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Regular admission prices apply. There will be several Easter Egg Hunts and other Easter activities during the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM on those days. Miami Seaquarium is located at 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway Key Biscayne, FL 33149. For more information, call (305) 361-5705.
Bunny Train Ride, journey by Tri-Rail to Deerfield for breakfast and a photo with the Easter Bunny, 7-11 a.m. Saturday March 22nd from David Park Community Center, 108 N. 33rd Court, Hollywood. $16 adults; $14 children. Limit of two adults per child. Call 954-967-4236.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Worth waiting for
/*Waiting:*/ we all hate it. We live in a “need it now” society, where, most of the time, we can get what we want almost immediately. From an answer via text message, to food via a drive-thru, to entertainment via the internet. There’s hardly anything we have to wait for nowadays, but here are a few things that are worth the wait. This list was compiled by the folks at Rodale Publishing and it’s a good one:
The first *waiting list to get on – the list for a failed guide dog.
*Training a dog is really hard, on you and your carpet. To avoid the headache, you can adopt a dog that’s already trained to be a guide dog.
Before a dog can lead the blind, they must complete 5 months of intensive training and testing that includes things like safely navigating busy streets. Dogs that are unable to pass those grueling standards are highly sought after by search and rescue agencies, therapist, and families. They may not be good guide dogs, but they make excellent pets. The wait is about one to three months, but can be up to four years! It’s worth it. Go to www.GuideDogs.com or www.SeeingEye.org.
The next waiting list to get on: *Napa Valley’s The French Laundry
Restaurant.* This has been named America’s best restaurant for so long and by so many critics, it’s ridiculous. It’s helmed by chef Thomas Keller and every day he creates two nine-course menus and no single ingredient is repeated throughout the meal. The restaurant only has 15 tables and has earned Michelin’s highest rating of 3 stars. Wanna eat there? The waiting list is two months. Go to www.FrenchLaundry.com.
Something else worth waiting for:
As a lot of folks hit their 40's and beyond, many dream of switching careers. Sometimes this is just a case of the grass always being greener on the other side, but sometimes it's more. It can be scary to make a career change and it can also take a lot of work.
Erin White reports in a 11/27/07 Wall St. Journal article, "Profession Changes Take Time but May Be Worth The Wait," that a major career shift can be a lot of work and may require going back to school and a lot of networking. A career changer will need stamina and persistence to successfully make this change.
She also reports that even small first steps towards a career change can make people happier. For example, switching departments and/or roles at one's current company or having a long term plan for that career change, can make people happier and more satisfied with their lives.
The first *waiting list to get on – the list for a failed guide dog.
*Training a dog is really hard, on you and your carpet. To avoid the headache, you can adopt a dog that’s already trained to be a guide dog.
Before a dog can lead the blind, they must complete 5 months of intensive training and testing that includes things like safely navigating busy streets. Dogs that are unable to pass those grueling standards are highly sought after by search and rescue agencies, therapist, and families. They may not be good guide dogs, but they make excellent pets. The wait is about one to three months, but can be up to four years! It’s worth it. Go to www.GuideDogs.com or www.SeeingEye.org.
The next waiting list to get on: *Napa Valley’s The French Laundry
Restaurant.* This has been named America’s best restaurant for so long and by so many critics, it’s ridiculous. It’s helmed by chef Thomas Keller and every day he creates two nine-course menus and no single ingredient is repeated throughout the meal. The restaurant only has 15 tables and has earned Michelin’s highest rating of 3 stars. Wanna eat there? The waiting list is two months. Go to www.FrenchLaundry.com.
Something else worth waiting for:
As a lot of folks hit their 40's and beyond, many dream of switching careers. Sometimes this is just a case of the grass always being greener on the other side, but sometimes it's more. It can be scary to make a career change and it can also take a lot of work.
Erin White reports in a 11/27/07 Wall St. Journal article, "Profession Changes Take Time but May Be Worth The Wait," that a major career shift can be a lot of work and may require going back to school and a lot of networking. A career changer will need stamina and persistence to successfully make this change.
She also reports that even small first steps towards a career change can make people happier. For example, switching departments and/or roles at one's current company or having a long term plan for that career change, can make people happier and more satisfied with their lives.
Tofu...try it
Just because it's good for you and beloved by vegetarians, there's no need for meat-eaters to steer clear of tofu.
Often relegated to the realm of vegetarian or alternative cuisines, tofu definitely has an image problem. But careful cooking and attention to its strong suits can create a great tofu makeover.
Soy What?
Tofu is just one of the many ways the ubiquitous soybean is processed. Soybeans are cooked and mashed, then processed in a fashion quite like cheese. The result is a versatile protein known for taking on many roles in the culinary world, along with the flavor of any surrounding sauce or marinade.
So don't say to-phoeey! Give it a try.
Often relegated to the realm of vegetarian or alternative cuisines, tofu definitely has an image problem. But careful cooking and attention to its strong suits can create a great tofu makeover.
Soy What?
Tofu is just one of the many ways the ubiquitous soybean is processed. Soybeans are cooked and mashed, then processed in a fashion quite like cheese. The result is a versatile protein known for taking on many roles in the culinary world, along with the flavor of any surrounding sauce or marinade.
So don't say to-phoeey! Give it a try.
Where's the beef
Today is the Great American Meatout!
On (or around) March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and two dozen other countries will host informative and educational Meatout events. Activities will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.
The occasion is The Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."
Learn more.
On (or around) March 20 — the first day of spring — thousands of caring people in all 50 US states and two dozen other countries will host informative and educational Meatout events. Activities will include colorful 'lifestivals,' street theater, lectures, public dinners, cooking demos, food samplings, leafleting, information tables called 'steakouts,' and a Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.
The occasion is The Great American Meatout, the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign. Every spring, thousands of Meatout supporters educate their communities and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to pledge to "kick the meat habit (at least for a day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains."
Learn more.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Top 10 wedding favors
1. Personalized Candy Bars - Buy flat candy bars (like a plain Hershey’s chocolate bar). Measure the wrapper on the bar and figure out where the section of the wrapper would be on the top of the chocolate bar. On the computer, create a design or special saying within the top area. Type in your names and wedding date as well. Print out the design and cut to fit if necessary and wrap the bar in its new cover. Use a glue stick to secure the ends along the back. This is a great unique gift, but may take quit a bit of legwork. Keep in mind that you were be very busy leading up to the wedding
2. Fortune Cookies - Buy fortune cookies at a local grocery store. Carefully remove the message with tweezers, then insert your own messages inside. Place 2 or 3 cookies on a circle of tulle and tie up with a colorful ribbon. This is nice touch. Plus, many favors go into a drawer at home. Something nice, cheap and edible always works!
3. Bookmarks - Create bookmarks with a graphic at the top or use your engagement picture. Type in a short poem and add your wedding date. You can pick up plain bookmarks at local craft stores and print them off on a color printer. This one will probably go over better with the female guests.
4. Seashells - Spend a day at the beach gathering interesting seashells. Decorate each one with ribbon and dried flowers. This is great for a theme wedding that is on the coast.
5. Message in a Bottle - Buy cheap bottles at a Dollar Store or craft store. Fill part way with confetti. Create a small, hand written scroll with a special message to your guests. Roll up and place in the bottle. This is another good option for a wedding favor based upon your theme. This one makes sense for a coastal wedding.
6. Gourmet Coffee Packs - Buy a special flavor of gourmet coffee. Place enough in small plastic bags to make one pot of coffee. Tie the end up with ribbon. Add a sprig of flowers and a gift tag. This is a great gift that folks can use. Always a nice option.
7. Deck of Cards - Have your photos imprinted on a plain deck of cards. This is good for a bit more of a lively crowd. We looked at this for our wedding, but decided to go with something more personal. Keep in mind that personalized gifts tend to get used less often then you might think.
8. Origami Figure - Pick up a book on origami (Chinese paper folding) at your local library and buy some beautiful origami paper from a local craft store in your wedding colors. Create a figure that reflects your wedding theme and give one to each of your guests. Ok, I saw this one online, and I gotta tell you this might make sense but only if it really meshed in with the theme of your wedding.
9. Liquors - Purchase those small bottles of sample liquors found near the checkout of most liquor stores. Tie a ribbon and message around the neck of the bottle. You can never go wrong with booze, especially if it is a lively crowd! A nice touch is to get the same type of liquor you had during your first drink together.
10. Tree Seedlings - You can purchase small tree seedlings from your local nursery. Tie a ribbon around the pot and include a message that asks your guests to plant their trees so they can grow, just as your love will grow. This tends to be a pretty popular one these days. I am personally not a big fan, nor can I see this fitting in any sort of wedding theme.
2. Fortune Cookies - Buy fortune cookies at a local grocery store. Carefully remove the message with tweezers, then insert your own messages inside. Place 2 or 3 cookies on a circle of tulle and tie up with a colorful ribbon. This is nice touch. Plus, many favors go into a drawer at home. Something nice, cheap and edible always works!
3. Bookmarks - Create bookmarks with a graphic at the top or use your engagement picture. Type in a short poem and add your wedding date. You can pick up plain bookmarks at local craft stores and print them off on a color printer. This one will probably go over better with the female guests.
4. Seashells - Spend a day at the beach gathering interesting seashells. Decorate each one with ribbon and dried flowers. This is great for a theme wedding that is on the coast.
5. Message in a Bottle - Buy cheap bottles at a Dollar Store or craft store. Fill part way with confetti. Create a small, hand written scroll with a special message to your guests. Roll up and place in the bottle. This is another good option for a wedding favor based upon your theme. This one makes sense for a coastal wedding.
6. Gourmet Coffee Packs - Buy a special flavor of gourmet coffee. Place enough in small plastic bags to make one pot of coffee. Tie the end up with ribbon. Add a sprig of flowers and a gift tag. This is a great gift that folks can use. Always a nice option.
7. Deck of Cards - Have your photos imprinted on a plain deck of cards. This is good for a bit more of a lively crowd. We looked at this for our wedding, but decided to go with something more personal. Keep in mind that personalized gifts tend to get used less often then you might think.
8. Origami Figure - Pick up a book on origami (Chinese paper folding) at your local library and buy some beautiful origami paper from a local craft store in your wedding colors. Create a figure that reflects your wedding theme and give one to each of your guests. Ok, I saw this one online, and I gotta tell you this might make sense but only if it really meshed in with the theme of your wedding.
9. Liquors - Purchase those small bottles of sample liquors found near the checkout of most liquor stores. Tie a ribbon and message around the neck of the bottle. You can never go wrong with booze, especially if it is a lively crowd! A nice touch is to get the same type of liquor you had during your first drink together.
10. Tree Seedlings - You can purchase small tree seedlings from your local nursery. Tie a ribbon around the pot and include a message that asks your guests to plant their trees so they can grow, just as your love will grow. This tends to be a pretty popular one these days. I am personally not a big fan, nor can I see this fitting in any sort of wedding theme.
Honeymoon registry
The Gift Registry Alternative!
Wedding Solutions offers the most popular and flexible Honeymoon Registry service. You will be able to easily add any aspect of your honeymoon to your registry. Guests can then purchase one or more items from your registry as wedding gifts.
The perfect honeymoon registry for the most romantic and memorable honeymoon.
Wedding Solutions offers the most popular and flexible Honeymoon Registry service. You will be able to easily add any aspect of your honeymoon to your registry. Guests can then purchase one or more items from your registry as wedding gifts.
The perfect honeymoon registry for the most romantic and memorable honeymoon.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Brain rules
Next time you're snoozing at work, tell your boss your noggin' needs a nap. Find out about the Nap Zone.
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