Anne Rondepierre

~ words of wisdom ~

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something for everyone

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wednesday, december 2

Charlie Brown

He's 60, he's bald, but he doesn't look a day over... How old IS Charlie Brown supposed to be?

Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts gang, celebrates their 60th anniversary this season, and the shelves are stocked with Charlie, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Schroeder, looking better than ever. So how old are they supposed to be anyway? Charlie Brown stated in an early strip in 1950, that he was only four years old. Seven years later, another strip mentioned he was six years old. Fast forward to 1979, Charlie is quoted as being eight-and-a-half years old, and that's pretty much where he's stayed ever since. Linus started out as an infant, but aged to within a year or two of Charlie Brown, although he is clearly wise beyond his years.

Charlie Brown's age isn't the only thing that has changed slightly. That famed yellow and black shirt started out as red in the comic strip, blue on some merchandise, and finally yellow on the TV specials, which ultimately stuck on Charlie.

tuesday, december 1

Extended Warranty

This holiday season, shoppers are expected to spend big bucks on extended warranties for stuff like laptops, TVs and other electronics, and Consumer Reports says don't do it. They say for the consumer, extended warranties are notoriously bad deals because:

Some repairs are already covered by the standard manufacturer warranty that comes with the product.

Products seldom break within the extended-warranty window, which typically covers you for two to three years after purchase.

When electronics and appliances do break, the repairs, on average, cost about the same as an extended warranty.

In general, Consumer Reports have found that these warranties are just a bad deal overall for the customer. The only time they suggest you consider it is if you're buying a repair-prone brand, and you'll want to do a little research on those by checking product and customer reviews.

monday, november 30

Online Deadline

If you plan to do your Christmas shopping online, there is a deadline to get it on time. In order to avoid additional express shipping fees, plan on ordering by mid-December. Some of the biggest online retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Apple and Target suggest getting those orders in by the week of the 15th. And for the procrastinators, they all have the express shipping option available through the 22nd of December. But keep in mind, popular items sell fast, and if you need specific models, sizes or colors, he who hesitates may have to substitute for out of stock or backordered items.

friday, november 27

Crack A Smile

Is there a way to tell if someone is faking a smile? Yes! There are about 50 different types of the human smile. Experts can usually tell when it's a fake, and so can you. Here's what to look for. When a smile is real, there is a crinkle in the skin at the middle, outside corner of the eyes. If it's not there, the smile is probably fake. If a smile comes on rapidly, and spreads broadly across the face, and the cheeks are involved, it's usually the genuine thing.

Another smile to watch for is the closed lip smile, it can sometimes be a sign the person is suppressing words, trying not to comment. And a half smile, on one side of the face, can often indicate cynicism or sarcasm.

thursday, november 26

Turkey Talk

Turkeys may not have the smartest reputation, but they do have some redeeming qualities aside from taste. A wild turkey has excellent vision and hearing, and can run at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. And yes, they can even fly. They may not be breaking any distance records, but they've been clocked airborne at 50-55 miles per hour! Unfortunately turkeys are prone to some other hazards. Fields of them died from heart attacks when the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barriers.

As for drowning in the rain, that's not entirely true. For the most part, wild turkeys seem to do just fine. On the other hand, domesticated turkeys are prone to panic, and their first few days out in the elements can turn deadly.

wednesday, november 25

Eau de Moon

Wipe your boots! You're traipsing moon all over the capsule! And it smells like gun-powder. Of course, in their airtight suits, the moon walking astronauts couldn't smell it as they explored the surface, but moon dust is clingy stuff, and plenty of it was traipsed back into the cabin. They reported that moon dust feels like snow, smells like gun-powder, and doesn't taste too bad. The dust is made of silicon dioxide glass created by meteors slamming into the moon's surface, and also contains minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium.

tuesday, november 24

Out Of The Kitchen!

Ever notice everyone seems to want to be in the kitchen when you're entertaining? I've got some tricks to keep them out...

You work so hard to prepare the house for entertaining, and half the guests seem to end up in the kitchen! The reason they're in there is often because YOU are, and you are the one person everyone knows. The trick is to make everyone comfortable somewhere else when they arrive. Make sure you have time to sit down with them in the living room first and get them engaged with each other. Another reason they're in the kitchen is of course for food and drinks. Good smells are coming out from that kitchen and it's like nectar to bees. The only way to head them off at the pass is to make sure there are plenty of goodies where you want them to be, including drinks, ice and glasses so there's no reason for them to come into the kitchen.

And for those few you just can't seem to deter, hand them something, and ask them to deliver it and mingle a bit to help you out.

monday, november 23

Outlet Shopping

You find some friends, pick a day, pitch in for gas, and hit the road for outlet shopping. Why do most of the outlets seem to be in the middle of nowhere? First of all, the real estate is cheaper for them, but more importantly, the more effort it takes to go there, the more you're likely to buy. It's true you can find some great deals at the outlets, but let's face it, even if you don't find exactly what you're going for, you're not likely to come home empty handed after making a day of it.

The word outlet alone is often used to get your business. We tend to associate it with lower prices on big name quality brands, but there are many stores that actually produce lower quality merchandise specifically for their outlets.

friday, november 20

Holiday Traffic

A lot of us will have to deal with some holiday traffic next week, not just on the roads or at malls, but through the kitchen and around the table. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep things moving from room to room:

Halt cross traffic. Pull main seating forward to leave a space for guests to walk through without crossing in front of the TV or through a conversation.

Widen the lane. The path people take, especially when carrying food or drinks, should be two to three feet wide.

Parking seats. Add a few dining room or folding chairs between larger seating, creating a loose circle formation for better conversation. More than one conversation area is best, it will keep them out of the kitchen.

A few more reminders for safe travel through your home, remove any small rugs that tend to slip or bunch up, tuck any cords safely away, and position any candles you plan to light carefully.

thursday, november 19

Warm Your Heart

Having a nice hot cup of whatever can warm you up AND help your heart!As the air temperature drops, our beverage temperatures rise, and that can be a good thing. Research shows some of our favorite steamy beverages can actually reduce our risk of heart disease. Here's the menu:

Hot cocoa lowers blood pressure when you make it with dark cocoa. And the vitamin D in the milk enhances circulation.

Chai tea keeps cholesterol in check. The cinnamon, ginger and cloves are steeping with compounds that lower the bad and increase the good.

Warm apple cider is good for your arteries. The antioxidants help protect against heart attack and stroke.

wednesday, november 18

Worked Over

Most of us are worried we're not getting enough exercise, but how much is too much? About 30 to 60 minutes a day is considered healthy for most people. But for some, exercise can be downright addicting and dangerous. Exercise addiction can lead to injuries, exhaustion and even depression, and that workout can leave them feeling worked over. So how much is too much? If exercise starts taking over your life and you tend to organize your life around your workout, chances are you're overdoing it. Another warning sign is if you're left feeling exhausted or depleted after workouts instead of rejuvenated.

tuesday, november 17

Social Shopping

Social Shopping, it's the interactive aspect of shopping online that can save us time and money. It goes beyond online buying and there are different ways you can take advantage of it. Most of us can figure out how to use social sites for the basics, such as consumer product reviews or sharing the deals you find with friends and family. But there are some more extreme social shopping approaches such as Twitter wish lists, which can offer great deals in real time tweets, sometimes lasting only an hour or so. There's even group gifting from online retailers such as Best Buy, where you can put in a request for a high ticket item, and your real life friends can log on and pitch in for that gift. You can even have them notified via email or sites like Facebook.

monday, november 16

Cheaper Turkey

If you're planning Thanksgiving, Consider buying your turkey now. Buying a frozen turkey costs less, and the sooner the better. Turkey prices rise the closer Thanksgiving gets, and a fresh bird will cost a lot more. Of course, if you want to splurge, go right ahead. After all, fresh turkey's are generally juicier. But if your keeping costs down, buy a frozen ORGANIC turkey. Conventional turkey's are usually injected with salt and starch. Keep your frozen turkey in the freezer, then transfer to the refrigerator a few days before Thanksgiving, so it has enough time to thaw properly.

friday, november 13

Dog Boarding

If you'll be boarding your dog over the holidays, start planning now, it could save you some last minute hassles. Sherry Boyer, owner of the Dog House boarding facility explains, it's best to get the vaccinations up to date at least a week before boarding your dog. Dogs occasionally show symptoms of canine cough or bordatella from the vaccine, and a boarder won't be able to tell the difference between shot-related symptoms and the real thing. You'll also want to have your papers in order, some boarders require proof of vaccinations upon arrival.

And don't forget the fleas. Most facilities require you treat your dog with a monthly flea preventive, you'll want to schedule that treatment just before your dog checks into the kennel.

thursday, november 12

Phone Book

The phone book. It seems eventually it will become obsolete. If you're already on board with that, you can stop the phone book from being delivered to your home, and you won't need it to look up the number. Just go online. Two websites that offer the opt out service are:

YellowPagesOptOut.com

YellowPagesGoesGreen.org

As for the old phone books you've already got, let your fingers do the ripping, here's what they're good for:

Window wipes. Phone book pages work great with a little vinegar and water.

Fire starters. In the fireplace, grill or wood stove.

Garden mulch. Shred them, a few pages at a time, they're biodegradable weed blockers.

Phone books can also be recycled, and there's a website for that too, go to Earth911.com and type in your zip code.

wednesday, november 11

Dream Speak

Considering how much of our lives we spend sleeping, wouldn't it be great if we could get even more pleasure out of it? There is a lot of advice out there on how to remember your dreams, but some people can even control them. Here's are some tips on how to try it:

Keeping records of dreams is the first step in convincing your brain they are important. Instead of writing them down in a sleepy state, consider voicing them into a hand held recorder on your night stand. Your cell phone might even have a voice memo feature.

Pay attention to what's on your mind as you fall asleep. Pick a theme. This will help prep your brain on where you'd like it to go.

Remind yourself to remember your dream, either by thinking it, or placing a visual reminder where you'll see it at bedtime.

It's common to wake up right at the best part of a dream. Another good trick is to set your alarm about an hour early, then go back to sleep. That second sleep stage is where we've got more power over influencing our dreams.

tuesday, november 10

2012

Are you ready for the year 2012? Chances are you've heard that's when it all ends, but according to NASA, it's just the beginning. They assure us that scientists have thoroughly studied the subject, and that nothing bad will happen. Here's how NASA explains the whole thing got started.

The Sumerians claimed the supposed planet Nibiru was headed towards earth and predicted impact for May 2003. When nothing happened, the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012. On top of that, many believed that the ancient Mayan calendar ends at the winter solstice in 2012, and the two fables were linked together.

It turns out the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist after December 31st 2012, but just as your calendar begins again on January 1st, another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar. So instead of preparing for the worst in 2012, start planning the celebration for January 1st, 2013.

monday, november 9

Chapped Lips

Do you have chapped lips? Skip the flavored lip balm, it can make matters worse. People most prone to getting chapped lips are those who lick their lips, and flavored lip balm just encourages that, even if you're not aware you're doing it. Cold, dry air, and wind are big factors, and it's a reflex to moisten our lips with a quick lick. The best prevention is to apply lip balm before we head out, and to reapply often in the elements. Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated also helps prevent chapping.

If it already hurts to crack a smile, Aloe Vera, cucumber and honey are good natural soothers, and you'll want to avoid any skin products containing alcohol. If chapping is severe, check with your doctor because persistent chapped lips could indicate an underlying problem or vitamin deficiency.

friday, november 6

Bread And Water

When you go out to eat, you could be paying a lot for the bread and water. There are some tricks certain restaurants use to increase their profits.

If you've noticed you have to ASK for water, bread and even butter at some restaurants, there's a reason for that. Some of them will even charge you for it. Check out these surprising profits on things we take for granted:

Water - many restaurants hold back on the tap water hoping you'll be thirsty and order a cocktail or pricier beverage. Some push the bottled water with an average 192 percent markup in price.

Bread - in some eateries, not only do you have to request it, you could be charged a surprising $3 per basket. And unless you like it dry, butter could set you back another $2.

Soda - a glass costs the restaurant only about a dime, but to make matters worse, and profits more, some water it down.

Veggies - you'll see them a la carte more often these days. That portion of broccoli costs the restaurant about $1.50, but you'll shell out about $6 to enjoy it.

Lemon - they could be charging for that too soon. The markup on iced tea is huge, and in most cases, that 10 cent lemon wedge is costing the restaurant more than the beverage itself.

thursday, november 5

Retrosexual

Retrosexuals unite. They're all over the place, and you might be one too. It's the new term bestowed on Facebook users who are enjoying connecting with their old flames. With Facebook catching like wildfire among the 30 to 50 year old crowd, there's potential for a virtual blast from the past every time you log on. W. Keith Campbell, author of "The Narcissism Epidemic" explains, it's natural to wonder what he or she looks like after all these years, and what path their life has taken, and it's easier than ever to open that time capsule, be it like a gift from the past or a can of worms. It's sort of an ongoing high school reunion.

So even if you don't consider yourself part of the retrosexual revolution, chances are you've got a Facebook friend who is, and that high school crush they had on you is alive and well.

wednesday, november 4

World Series

Ok baseball fans, the season's almost over and it's a long way to April. Of course the Yankees have the most World Series victories under their belt with 26, but do you know who won the first World Series? In 1903 they were known as the Boston American Club. They played against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a best of 9 match, and won 5 games to 3, winning the last 4 in a row!

Of course we didn't have the luxury of watching the series from the comfort of our living rooms until 1947, so you would have needed a ticket to see Boston's victory back in 1903, and that would have set you back a whopping 50 cents! A far cry from the $1,000 average asking price for a New York game tonight or tomorrow.

tuesday, november 3

GPS Home

If you've got a GPS, don't save your home address in there, it's a literal map to your house. Consider this scenario. A couple is at a football game, their car is broken into, and the thieves take the GPS and the garage door opener. Not only do the crooks know they're not home, and approximately how much time they've got, but they also have directions to the house and easy access to get inside.

When programming your home address into your GPS, consider putting a nearby address like a store or gas station, or better yet, your local police department!

Source: marydesilva.wordpress.com

monday, november 2

Now What?

You found the perfect pumpkin, carved the perfect face, now what? Halloween is over, now what about the jack-o-lantern that's sure to be frowning soon? You may want to give it a proper burrial. That's right, pumpkins are great for your garden. You can bury the whole thing, or break it up into pieces. It's chock full of nutrients that your garden will love, and if you've carved it, there probably aren't any seeds that will be sprouting up in the spring.

For any whole pumpkins or gourds you've got displayed, and don't plan to eat, re,e,ber they're great for composting, andsmashing them can be half the fun!

sunday, november 1

Pace Yourself

If you can't help dipping into that leftover bowl of Halloween candy, you could be putting your immune system at risk. Bacteria and yeast in our blood stream feed on sugar, and too much candy can cause an imbalance and weaken it's fighting power. All those goodies can stress you out too, after the sugar high, there is a low, and that puts your stress hormones into overdrive trying to level you out.

If that's not enough incentive to keep that bowl of candy out of reach, get this: Too much sugar can stick to the proteins in our body, causing our tissues to lose elasticity, in our skin and internal organs. That means we're just enhancing the aging process!