A Wise Christmas

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

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

Track Santa

Follow Santa's path with the help of NORAD.

Merry Christmas!!

Groovy gift wrap

Miami Herald

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naughty or nice

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


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

And for Jeff.

Jeff Martin

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

Dr. Dulay holiday party

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

More Dulay pics

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

Re-gifting

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

Here are some more tips:

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

When is Re-Gifting Acceptable?

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

Rules for Re-Gifting

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

Wacky jobs

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

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

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

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

Miss Susan,

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

Wacky ways to make $$$

15 Crazy Ways People Make Money in Today’s Economy


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

Click here for the rest of the wacky ideas.

Cold or flu?

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

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

Do you have a nasty bug?

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

Check out this article to learn the difference.

Stay connected

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

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

Holidays and divorce

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tip toe around tipping

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

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

From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine

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

Job well done!

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

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

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

Holiday cards

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

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

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

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

Happy Holiday!

Classic toys

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

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

My favorite toy

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

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

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid?

Holiday shopping safety

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

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

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

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

Hey twinkle toes!

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

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

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

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

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

How do you shop?

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


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