Resuscitate Your CPR Knowledge

When was the last time you considered the importance of CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation? Recently I heard a story about a friend of my children who attempted to save a woman’s life. The boy is twelve years old and was staying at a friend’s house when he discovered his friend’s mom passed out on the floor. He bravely attempted CPR. Although, he was unable to save his friend’s mom, he was honored for his noble attempt and we are all reminded how important it is that both young and old receive a basic training in CPR. Many fire departments provide this training for free or at a very low cost and of course, you can always get training through the Red Cross. Consider enrolling your family members today. For more information on CPR, check out these links:

Wiki CPR
American Red Cross
You tube CPR Video

Open Mindedness Leads to Diverse Life

As my husband often says, “We blend”. My husband is a Chinese Filipino and I am a Caucasian mix of many European classics. We are quite the picture, however, with my light skin and bleached blond hair and his brown sugar skin and Asian characteristics.

I rarely notice people, who are uncomfortable when they see us together, but it does occasionally happen and sometimes their reactions are ridiculous. It often reminds me that I want to be more open minded and more accepting. I’m amazed that people today will openly stare at a mixed couple with oppressive stares hoping that their “opinion” will somehow matter. It brings me however, to today’s blog, which I hope is thought provoking. Do you consider yourself diverse and if so, why? What truly makes you diverse?

When I was a diversity officer in Human Resources, I took a training class many years ago. It was a life altering event for me and perhaps it will be inspiring for some of you. It started with a jar and some beads. Each color of bead represented a different race. We had red, for American Indians, black for African Americans, yellow for Asians, whites for Caucasian, green for all others. This is how the exercise worked if you would like to go through it mentally:

Put 9 beads in the jar (one for each category) for the color that represents the majority of the color of the people at work
At church
The school you went to as a child
The college you went to
In your neighborhood today
For your friends
People you dated
The people in your family
People in clubs you belong to (golf, tennis, rotary, etc.)

Now, if 10% of people at work are any other race, then put a bead in. Do the same for church, neighborhood, friendship circles, past dating, family, etc.

The point of the exercise is to see what color your beads are or how diverse your life is. Are the beads primarily one color? What does this tell you about how diverse your life is? What would you like to do differently? Do you make an effort to include people of different races in your life? How much control do you have over that? Many of us think that we are diverse, but how diverse are we? Most of my jar was white. I was surprised by this. I had friends of other colors, but the numbers were very small, not enough to add beads for the 10% in many cases. Part of it, truly was a function of where I lived and not really anything I felt I could help. But, I realized, when sitting in a crowded room, I didn’t seek out people who were different than me. I realized, I chose what University I went to, what work I employed myself at. It truly is a choice. I decided this was something I really wanted to change and I decided to change it.

Of course this exercise only looks at race, but you could look at age, people with illnesses, religion, politics, and all sorts of other things that differentiate us. The point however is very meaningful in helping us to look at our lives. When I went through this exercise I was very young and it made me look at the world differently. When my daughters were young, I bought dolls for them in different skin colors so that they were exposed right away to a world that was different. Would you intentionally buy Barbie dolls of another color to make sure your kids were exposed early on to the idea of accepting something different? To me, this seems natural. Of course it takes additional action steps beyond just buying a doll that is different, it takes exposing your children to people who are different.

Today, I am proud of the choices my children have made. For example, Ally, our oldest, volunteers for Miracle League (http://www.miracleleague.com/) and plays softball with disabled children so they can have the same experiences you and I have in playing a fun sport. She has also helped out in school with kids who were disabled. Madison, Lizzie and Ally have all been involved with programs to work with the elderly through the school system. Ally, Maddie, Lizzie and Emily have had various friends over the years of other cultures and nationalities, such as Japanese, Vietnamese, Indian, and Russian.

Today, I don’t think about the color of the beads in my jar, because diversity isn't just about color. I just keep an open mind and I know that my life will continue to grow and change and diversity will be inevitable. But, one thing is for sure, Ben and I will never blend!

What’s Your Line?

Understanding what constitutes good design is essential if your home decorating project is going to be successful. The purpose of spending time, thought, effort and money decorating your home is to make it attractive and functional. Comfort is easier to define. Good design is harder to achieve, but it is good design that pleases the eye and what ultimately evokes incredible feelings in people when they walk in a room. Line is the beginning of all design, because it establishes shape or form.

While we’re all somewhat aware of lines, have you ever considered how lines influence mood? You can set the theme of a room by your choice of lines. This is because the human eye involuntarily travels the length of a line, and different lines give different impressions. Here are some thoughts about lines to help you with your design projects:

Horizontal lines are restful. They create a feeling of relaxation and informality, perhaps because a horizontal position is associated with sleeping. Contemporary styles in furniture are often based on horizontal lines.

Vertical lines are formal. They create a feeling of strength and regularity, especially when repeated. They’re undoubtedly associated in our minds with an upright position, thus signifying alertness and conventionality. Think about many of the architectural forms with columns and the formal feeling they give off.

Circles and Squares are static. The eye recognizes these shapes at a glance. Stars and flowers patterns that fit into circles and squares are also static.

Rectangles and ovals give an impression of motion. This is because the eye involuntarily travels around them due to their less regular shape.

Controlled curved lines are happy and romantic and almost always have a lighthearted look. If you want a light and romantic look in your new room, use furniture designed around controlled curves.

Free form curves reflect the flowing lines of nature. These irregular forms are considered contemporary. Just as controlled curves have a fanciful effect, free-form curves create a casual, free and easy mood.

Diagonal lines usually create a disturbing element, unless supported by opposing diagonals or by verticals to give them strength. A variety of diagonal lines used together produce a very busy look, which is often unsettling.

So, next time you are designing, think about your use of lines and how they influence the feeling you want to evoke in the room.

Add a dog to your home

Consider adopting a sheltered animal. There are so many out there just like the 1,000 dachsunds that were just rescued from the puppy mill in West Virginia. One of our friends was fortunate enough to save one of these puppies from an ill fate. http://newsfeedresearcher.com/data/articles_b35/idb2008.08.26.04.04.29.html Many dogs are in need of your love and care, just like our cute little Sparky, a pure-bred Westie, who came from the pound at age 3 and a half. He is adorable. He is not only a living vacuum cleaner sucking up the little particles of food the kids drop all over the kitchen floor, he also makes a snuggly pal whenever we sit on the sofa. His soft white curly fur feels comforting and he has the cutest eyes that look up at us so innocently. We even taught him to walk on the treadmill when we ride the stationary bike or use the elliptical. He’ll hop on the treadmill’s belt and wait patiently while we program the time and speed just perfectly for him. He likes soccer too and it is the only time he ever barks, when he is chasing the ball. Of course no one likes to take him out for a walk or a poo, but they all love to be the one to cuddle with him. So, if your family would like to add another family member, consider adding a pet and consider adopting one because they have a little more love to give.

What to Do with a Blank Wall

Got a blank wall? Trying to figure out how to make this wall be a focal point in your room? Well, here are a few ideas that might inspire you:

• Chose a dramatic color to paint the wall – something different from your other three walls.
• Hang one dramatic piece of art so that the eye will be drawn to the wall helping it to take center stage in your room.
• Create a gallery wall of differing pictures, differing frame styles.
• Add a finish to the wall such as a Venetian Plaster to give it an old world feel.
• Paint your wall a dramatic color and use quarter round to create “frames” around artwork that’s hung on the wall.
• Select a dramatic tapestry – hang it on a decorative rod, complete with coordinating tassels.
• Hang display shelves at varying heights to display your unique collections.
• Wallpaper is back – so texture your wall with grasscloth, a silk, or a dimensional wallcovering.
• Artwork isn’t the only thing that will give a blank wall some pizzazz – how about displaying your antique plate collection.
• Murals – either hand painted or wallcovering murals will give your wall a new fresh – and hot look!
• Hang a mirror, wooden art, metal art or something other than a picture.
• Place a shallow console 12-14 inches deep with a floral arrangement against the wall.

Stand back and preview your new wall. Enjoy its beautiful new look!

Toe Buddies

When was the last time you just played? I mean like totally silly-play. It feels great to let go and do things that defy what we are supposed to or not supposed to do (within reason). This is a blog about a time when we made what we, affectionately call Toe Buddies.

One day, I was sitting in the living room on one end of the sofa, with our daughter Emily who was facing me on the other end. We each had our legs sprawled out along the length of the sofa and her legs were on top of mine. I got a bright idea and grabbed the fine-tipped marker sitting on the coffee table within my reach. Taking hold of her foot, with a devilish grin and smiling eyes, I uncapped my marker. She knew I was up to something and she liked it. Knowing that surely something interesting was about to happen, she openly engaged giving me full-reign of her limbs, with that sure sign of wide, anticipating eyes. I hesitated only long enough to know I had permission, and then took my marker and carefully drew one little happy face on her toe. I decided it looked lonely and needed a buddy. Therefore, I drew another little happy face. Then I filled up each toe with flowers and little designs. I said, “Look, Emily! You have toe buddies.”

She smiled. She loved her toe buddies and asked for more for her other foot. It wasn’t enough. What else could we draw? It was almost Christmas and she asked for a “Grinch” tattoo. I took a stab at drawing one on the bottom of her foot. Not only was she happy, but her other three sisters also started coveting the experience. They lined up on the sofas with their bare feet sticking out wanting their own versions of toe buddies and foot tattoos. I finished drawing Madison’s Nut Cracker and a Rudy, Rudolph for Lizzie, but could barely finish Ally’s tattoo because we both laughed incessantly due to her ticklishness and my inability to draw a single line without making her crack-up. Within a short time, the quietness of the house had evolved from hushed pen strokes to raucous laughing and eventually merry dancing as we stood up and brought our toe buddies and foot tattoos to life. It’s amazing how much fun we can have with a pen, our imaginations and our bodies. After that time, I always kept markers in my purse. Sometimes when we are at restaurants and have to wait for a long time, I pull out a marker and we embark on body art. It makes waiting much eaiser.

Note: Crayola makes a nice set of markers that is washable and non-toxic!

What’s for Dinner?

Do you hate that feeling of knowing it’s time for dinner and you don’t know what to fix? Do you have the ingredients you need to make dinner? Which family members will be home to eat? All these things can tug at your mind while trying to figure out what's for dinner. Here is a solution to take control of your busy life. You'll never again worry about serving up supper.

With a little commitment and about an hour and a half a week, you can pull together a calendar and a weekly menu. Other family members can then help contribute to make things go smoothly every evening with meal preparation. Here’s how to do it:

• Once a week check with family members to find out what activities they have going on. Load the activities into a calendar and post somewhere that everyone can see. It can be as simple as a Microsoft excel or word calendar or you can use http://www.cozi.com/ and upload all family calendars from outlook. It is helpful to include any activities that will impact family schedules.


• Based on the timing of events, plan what days the family can eat meals at home and what time of day it makes sense to eat. If activities end at 7:00 perhaps that is a good night for a crock pot meal that everyone can eat at 7:30.


• Next put a weekly menu together based on how much time is available to cook or eat out. Determine the grocery list based on the menu items. You may find that it make sense to eat out 1-2 nights a week, and the other nights you can cook at home. Without a plan, you may eat out more often because you are not prepared.


• For ongoing ease, create a list of foods the family likes to select from. You can go to recipe sites for ideas like http://www.bettycrocker.com/, http://www.campbellsoup.com/, http://www.kraftfoods.com/. You can make a list of main dishes, veggies, etc. from the websites and then choose from the food lists to create your weekly menus.

If you try this method, you'll never again worry about what to fix for dinner!

Selecting Color Based on Natural Light

Light definitely affects color – so consider checking colors you choose for your home in both daylight and artificial light before making a final decision. As a decorator, I often close the blinds or draperies and look at the color in the artificial lighting, then open the window treatments to consider the color in full lighting. Only then do you get a complete idea of how the color will work. I also encourage my clients to tape several swatches of the color on the wall in areas of shade and light to see how they will like the color both ways.

Your first consideration in selecting the appropriate lighting should be the natural light that comes in through your windows. If your home features larger windows, then you would have the option to choose a few bright dramatic shades as your ultimate color selections. And conversely, the smaller the windows are in your room, might lead you to choosing lighter color shades due to the lack of more natural lighting.

It is important that you remember to take into consideration the direction that the windows in your room face. Windows with a northern or eastern exposure ultimately mean the light in the room will be cool – so selecting a warmer color palette will give you a much friendlier room. Southern or western exposure provides your room with more direct sunlight, so, ultimately the light in these rooms will be warmer. Here bright colors will appear more intense, so you might consider utilizing a cooler color scheme to help your room become appear calm and relaxing. Good luck choosing your color based on the light available to you!

Help, I can't sleep!

Having trouble falling asleep? Did you know there are ten types of insomnia? Read about the different types of insomnia to find out which kind might be keeping you awake at night.

General insomnia – has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early.

Stress– usually short term. When the stress goes away so does the insomnia.
Behavior – based on children not going to bed on time because a parent has not enforced a bedtime for the child. When made to go to bed, the children learn to fall to sleep.
Lifelong insomnia – a lifelong disorder from infancy. It cannot be explained but could be the result of other sleep disorders, medication, psychiatric disorders, stress, medical problems or other behavioral issues.
Drug or substance – related to taking something that stimulates or affects the body’s ability to sleep.
Medical condition – another medical condition is causing the person to have trouble falling asleep, wake up after asleep, worry about poor sleep or have an inability to go back to sleep.

Mental disorder – a mental health disorder is linked to the insomnia but they are separate issues.
Severe – little or no sleep for days with no clear evidence as to why.
Excessive worrying – sleep deprivation due to excessive worry about an inability to sleep. May be caused over insomnia around a life event that compounds and becomes worse. At bedtime angst and anxiety sets in.

Unspecified - Specific cause unclear.

It is important to know that insomnia is usually not a problem unless you feel tired during the day. Usually insomnia lasts only for a few days or weeks or until the situation that causes the insomnia resolves itself. Here are some other considerations to help you feel better about insomnia resolving itself:

• As we age, insomnia is more prevalent. About age 60 it increases.
• Anxiety and depression cause insomnia.
• Many medications contribute to an inability to sleep.
• A variety of other diseases can contribute to insomnia.
• Alcohol, tobacco and caffeine also increase sleep problems.

So, rest assured, that a good night’s sleep may be possible with the passing of time or some small adjustments in your routine.

Soccer Tailgate

“It was fun hanging out after the game,” one of the girls said to another after our first soccer game tonight. They were munching on fresh sandwiches, fruit, veggies and chips sitting in a cluster of about fifteen kids. The blanket I brought was sitting on the ground empty, while the kids were sprawled out on the grass, using soccer balls for armrests, headrests and holding up their knees. We tried something different tonight since we had an evening game and families were busy running from one event to another. With a team of twenty and many families having several kids, it just made sense to try a soccer tailgate right on the sideline. The craving fans not only watched the game, but also enjoyed a sumptuous array of snacks along the sideline while sitting in their favorite lawn chairs. To make your tailgate successful, consider the following tips:

• Create a simple list of things to bring
• Buy as many things as possible when you are busy (it’s not about being Betty Crocker!)
• Bring a small table that can easily pop up to hold food
• Bring blankets for kids to sit on and roll around on
• Keep paper or Styrofoam products like plates, napkins, utensils and cups in a basket that you can keep packed every week and just pick it up to take along
• Keep it simple with bread, sandwich meat, veggie trays, fruit, chips, cookies
• Enjoy the opportunity to eat, drink and hang with other parents

It’s truly about making life simple for families and creating memories that your children will forever cherish. And if that doesn’t work, maybe it will distract the other team!

Eating Ethiopian Style

Recently, we ate Ethiopian food. We thought it might be fun to try something new with the kids. My husband, Ben and I, love everything spicy. We did not take into consideration that the childrens' bellies might not handle the food well. Our reservations at the Blue Nile had us sitting at the woven basket style tables giving us a more authentic feel. The kids liked the empenada appetizer and ate the coriander chutney sauce, even though it was green and defied their ideas about eating all green foods like broccoli and salad. They sampled various meats with names too difficult to pronounce, scooping them up with their bubbled flat bread, meat juices dripping down their hands and staining their fingernails with spicy scents. Silverware is not provided, so everything is eaten by hand using the flat bread as an eating tool. Near the end of the meal, all the girls shuffled to the singular bathroom simultaneously complaining of burning bellies. Apparently Ethiopian food produces results on the digestive system that McDonalds and Wendy's does not. We thought a quick trip to Denise's ice cream might ease the digestive woes with flavors like 'salty caramel' and 'chai tea' or 'rice pudding', but not so. At the end of the night, we tucked one daughter into bed with a sad face and belly-ache, realizing that not all food adventures work with children. Our friends Geoff and Karen, however, agree with us that Ethiopian food was still a big hit.