Anne Rondepierre

~ words of wisdom ~

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tuesday, february 9

Salty Paws

In the winter, especially after it snows, there's a good chance your dog's paws will be exposed to rock salt and chemical ice melters, which can be really dangerous. These elements can cause sores, infection and blistering, and you don't want your dog ingesting this stuff when he licks his paws. If you've got pets, consider using a pet safe ice melter on your own property, available at most pet stores.

There are other ways to pamper paws in winter months. Applying Vaseline before walks creates a great salt barrier. And after walks, wash your dog's paws in warm water to rinse away any chemicals.

monday, february 8

Super Monday

It's super Monday, and performance in the work place could be at an all time low. We found some expert advice advice for the boss...

After the big game, there's another commonly shared national event. The desire to take the day off. There's even a grass roots movement out there hoping to make it official. But for those of us who can't swing a sick day, there's work to be done.

Nearly 1.4 million adults said they planned to call in sick the day after the Super Bowl, according to a survey commissioned before last year’s game by a Massachusetts based workforce management firm. And for those who do show up, there's more work to do, and wasted time discussing the game or the night before.

Many employers end up taking it on the chin today as far as productivity is concerned. Some human-resources experts recommend that bosses take a realistic approach, rather than fight the tide and end up looking like the proverbial bad guy or gal. Some managers have found it helpful to set aside a designated Super chat, and some extra coffee for those who are picking up the slack today.

friday, february 5

Bless You!

We tend to get a kind praise and good wishes when we sneeze, yet coughing or blowing your nose is likely to get you a dirty look.

When someone sneezes, it's usually followed by a "Gesundheit!" Translation: to your health! Or the other favorite, "bless you!". Hindus may even shout "Live!" at you when you sneeze. So what's so great about sneezes? Well it all started thousands of years ago. The Romans would say "Jupiter preserve you" and the Greeks would wish each other long life. "God bless you" is attributed to Pope Gregory the Great who began using it during a bubonic plague epidemic in the sixth century.

The myths associated with sneezes go way back. Some believed it allowed your soul to escape through your nose, while others believed a sneeze would allow evil to enter. There was also the misconception that your heart would stop for a moment during a sneeze, and those well wishes were meant to welcome you back. Whatever the origin, enjoy it. A sneeze is probably the only bodily function that gets such a positive response.

thursday, february 4

Shocking Tips

If you're shocking your friends, your boss, even your cat, you could have a bad case of static electricity...

In the dead of winter, we sure can spark things up with static electricity. If you've been finding handshakes and door knobs to be shocking lately, there are some tricks to keeping static at bay.

In the home, a humidifier or steam vaporizer can make all the difference. Also, if you're not sensitive to fabric softener, put a tablespoon in a spray bottle of water and spritz your carpets and upholstered furniture.

Getting dressed? Go for the natural fabrics instead of synthetic. They produce less static, and won't stick to you as much. And don't forget the fabric softener.

Leather soled shoes produce less static than rubber. But watch your step, you could be giving up valuable traction.

wednesday, february 3

Saving Heat

Want to save 5% on you heating costs? Lock your windows!

It's been a cold winter and chances are you're getting socked with some pretty big heating bills. There are a few things you can do to save here and there that can really add up:

Lock your windows. It doesn't seem like much, but pushing each window deep into it's track creates a tighter seal and less heat seeps out.

Fans. It's true that ceiling fans on reverse mode can help push hot air down to where you need it, but keep in mind bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans have the opposite effect, use them sparingly.

Think humidity. Moist air feels warmer than dry, and by running a humidifier, you can actually drop your thermostat by three degrees and feel just as warm.

Move the furniture. To avoid spending money to heat the space under the sofa, be sure furniture is moved out from the wall a bit to let your heat circulate.

tuesday, february 2

Puppy Love

Does your dog love you? I've got a researchers explanation of pet emotions...

We love our pets. But do they love us back? Nobody will ever know for sure because it's almost impossible to ascribe human emotions to animals. But according to Stephen null, author of "If a Lion Could Talk", our dogs are excellent con-artists when it comes to emotion. For example, if you scold your dog, he cringes. But this is not because he regrets what he's done, it's a canine technique for deflecting aggression. The same can be said about the big tail wagging welcome we get from our dog when we get home. Chances are he's been bored and would like some positive attention, play, or food in return. Call it puppy love, most dogs, and dog owners wouldn't have it any other way.

monday, february 1

Wiper Vision

When is the last time you replaced your windshield wipers? If it's been over 6 months, you're probably due for a change. Consumer Reports tested 15 different models, and regardless of make, most of them started to degrade after about 6 months of regular use. Take a closer look, streaking, missed areas of wiping, or smearing of the water, instead of cleaning it, are typical signs of wear. Because our wipers' performance goes downhill gradually, we don't notice it until there's a drastic change. The good news is, Consumer Reports' study found that the least expensive replacements were among the top performers.

Words Of Wisdom