Dear Friends:  Enclosed is the May, 2010 issue of our Newsletter.

 

A broken clock that is not working is right twice a day.  Many of us have our clocks working, just out of sync.  So, we work harder, do things faster, yet we are just out of step.  The secret is to match your step with your current goals.  Take the appropriate action, and one action at a time, move forward and now you are in step with time.  Abraham Lincoln said you blink and find that time has passed by.  I blinked twice; I have four grown children, seven grandchildren and will be 78 years young on May 12, 2010.  I am afraid to blink another time. 

 

I visited with a Dietician to help me let go of some weight.  I weighed 198 lbs and have the belly budge that makes one uncomfortable.  My Dietician took a paper plate and drew a line down the middle.  She then took a marker and divided the right half so that it had two portions.  In each quarter she emphasized portion control and told me I could have protein and carbohydrates no bigger than each of the quarter sizes.  The other half could be all the green vegetables I wanted, they are free foods.  She guaranteed me that this program would work.  My Dietician was right.  I let go of 10 lbs.  Over time I hope to eliminate the belly fat.

 

My granddaughter, Alana, is participating in the Renaissance Fair.  So, the entire family went to the fair.  All the people at the fair who were participating dressed in costumes appropriate to that time era. I was impressed by the belts worn by all.  Each belt had a mug, a knife, and assorted personal items.   Some of the belts fully loaded weighed over 20 lbs.    The lesson I learned from the visit to the fair was that people in that time had a sense of community.  They lived at a slower pace than we do.  They had many things to overcome daily.  It was very necessary to develop many skills. 

 

Would I trade my time in history for the time past?  No way.  I love a shower a day and all the modern conveniences.  I may get a belt and put 20 lbs. of tools, a mug, etc. for a weekend stroll, but I am happy to be where I am even with all of the challenges and problems I face today.

 

It’s been a busy month; we started in Park City, Utah. We cross-country skied on Easter Sunday. It was a perfect day, the weather, the snow, everything was extra special. What fun!

 

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day!  Our office will be closed Monday, May 31, 2010 to observe Memorial Day.

 

Love, Carl & Pat


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Inside This Issue

·        Can You Name These Countries?

·        How To Go Far In Life

·        De-clutter Your Psychic Space

·        Yes, You’re A Multilinguist!

·        What Is Armed Forces Day?

·        Want More Energy In Your Workday?

·        Computer Reality Warp

·        Thinking About A Trip?

 

Carl & Pat’s News

News To Help You Save Time And Money                                             May 2010

The Power Of A Mother’s Kiss

When American-born painter Benjamin West (1738-1820) was seven, he was put in charge of his infant niece while his mother and sister went for a walk.  As the baby lay in the cradle, Benjamin fanned flies away from her – and the baby laughed.  Grabbing paper and a pen, Benjamin set to work trying to capture the baby’s charms.   As he finished, his mother and sister returned.

 

Benjamin, caught off-guard, tried to hide his drawing so as not to upset his mother.  But instead, his suspicious behavior drew her attention.  "What have you been doing?" she asked.

 

Benjamin begged his mother not to be upset and handed her the paper.  She looked at it and said to her daughter, "I declare, he has made a likeness of Sally."  Then she smiled and gave Benjamin a kiss.

 

The following year a cousin sent a box of pencils, paints, and canvas.  Benjamin disappeared one morning with the supplies, forgetting all about school.  His mother, upset that he was neglecting his schooling, found him in the attic and was about to scold him when her eyes fell on the compositions he had created.  Instead of reprimanding him, she picked him up, covered him in kisses, and promised to explain to his father what had kept him from his studies.

 

Later, the famous artist was often heard to say, "It was my mother’s kisses that made me an artist."

 

Thank a mom on May 9 – Mother’s Day!

 

 

 

 

 

Can You Name These Countries?

Cover the answers below and see how many of these countries you can name.  Use the Mediterranean Sea as your landmark.

 

1.     Egypt

2.     Israel

3.     Lebanon

4.     Jordan

5.     Syria

6.     Iraq

7.     Iran

8.     Afghanistan

9.     Pakistan

10. Oman

11. Yemen

12. Saudi Arabia

How To Go Far In Life

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong.  Because someday in life you will have been all of these.

– George Washington Carver

De-clutter Your Psychic Space

Your office and attic aren’t the only places in need of periodic cleaning and organizing.

 

The stuff you carry around in your head – and heart – does more than take up mental space; it can stop you from being content.  Here are some ways you can de-clutter your insides:

 

Winner of Drawing!

Congratulations to David Vitela a Pomeroy Ave. resident, he is the winner of a gift certificate to Applebee’s Restaurant for $15.00 for the April drawing!

 

Rent that is paid early or on the first is put into a monthly drawing!

Let go of grudges.  Why carry a grudge to the grave?  Put the past behind you.  Try writing a letter to the person you’re angry with.  You don’t have to send it, but just putting the incident down in black and white (or pastel-colored ink, if that’s your style) can help you get past it.

 

Unload burdensome friends.  Take an honest look at the people in your life.  Break ties with those who don’t support you, or who are incompatible with your values and goals.

 

Put the gavel away.  Being judgmental only closes you off from learning something from others.  Don’t judge too quickly; listen first.

 

Be willing to be wrong.  Don’t be afraid to make the occasional mistake.  When you do, acknowledge it.  You can waste a lot of energy trying to keep up the façade that you’re always right (or perfect).

Yes, You’re A
Multilinguist!

You speak other languages though you may not realize it.  Check out these foreign terms that are quite common to us:

 

May Quiz Question

In what year did humans make their first flight over the English Channel?

 

Call in, fax or e-mail the correct answer by the 10th to be put into a drawing for a gift certificate for $15.00 to Applebee’s Restaurant.

·       ad hoc (Latin):  impromptu, spur-of-the-moment.

 

·       aficionado (Spanish):  a fan or enthusiast.

 

·       alma mater (Latin):  literally, "nourishing mother," applied by students to former schools.

Scientists Say Birds Use Tools, Too

Humans and apes aren’t the only creatures that use tools. Now scientists at Cambridge University have observed that crows can use pebbles to get what they want. In an experiment, crows were shown a plastic tube six inches tall with a worm floating in some water at the bottom. The birds, unable to reach the worm on their own, quickly began dropping nearby stones into the tube, raising the water level until the worm came up into range of their beaks. One small stone for a crow, one giant leap for birdkind?  

 

 

 

 

·       angst (German):  dread and anxiety.

 

·       carte blanche (French):  unrestricted authority or freedom.

 

·       et cetera (Latin):  "and the rest."

 

·       mea culpa (Latin):  literally, "I am to blame," an expression of responsibility or guilt.

 

·       pro bono (Latin):  without charge; free service.

 

·       quid pro quo (Latin):  an equal exchange of one good or service for another.

 

·       verboten (German):  forbidden, prohibited.

 

·       versus (Latin):  against.

Another Reason To Brush

     Doctors now theorize that brushing your teeth regularly may help prevent heart attacks. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease. Scientists have found that people with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease.

 

 

What Is
Armed Forces Day?

Armed Forces Day is a day to recognize, honor, and thank the men and women in all branches of the service who are protecting our country and our freedom.  Observations may include parades; fireworks; air shows; open houses at military bases; collecting items for and mailing care packages to overseas military personnel; and something as simple as giving blood.

 

Over 30 countries observe this event; this year in the U.S. Armed Forces Day is May 15, and Canadian Forces Day is June 6.

Want More Energy In Your Workday?

Maintaining your energy level all day can be a challenge.  Don’t ignore physical or mental fatigue, but don’t surrender to it, either.  Try these tactics for recharging:

 

Move around.  Take a walk, even if it’s just a quick stroll around your office several times throughout the day.  Getting your blood flowing speeds delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your body.

 

Take a deep breath.  Several, actually.  Sit up straight to open your chest cavity and get more oxygen into your lungs.  Here’s an exercise:  Breathe out through your mouth completely.  Then inhale through your nose for four seconds.  Hold it in for seven seconds, and then exhale for a count of eight seconds.  Do this four times to refresh yourself.

 

Drink sufficient fluids.  Water, like air, delivers oxygen throughout your body.  If you’re dehydrated, you’ll feel tired.  Drink plenty of water or a low-calorie sports drink.

 

Get outside.  Sunshine and fresh air can have a rejuvenating effect, along with the exercise benefits of taking a short walk.

 

 

Quotes

The word "aerobics" came about when the gym instructors got together and said, "If we’re going to charge $10 an hour, we can’t call it ‘jumping up and down"

--Rita Rudner

 

"We learn something every day and lots of times it’s that what we learned the day before was wrong."

--Bill Vaughn

Learn something new.  Spend a few minutes with a book or on the Internet researching a subject that’s of interest to you.  You’ll stimulate your mind and make new mental connections.

See An
Interesting Home?

No need to wonder about the price.  No need to call a high-pressure sales agent who will just make you feel obligated.  My computers can send you the information quickly and easily for any house, listed or sold, anywhere in town.

Just ask me!  It’s all part of my free, no-obligation
HomeFinder Service.

Leave the address on my voicemail, anytime, 24 hours a day, and I’ll fax, mail or email all the information on that listing.

Computer
Reality Warp

Many of us can’t imagine life without computers.  And many of us can’t imagine using computers in real life vs. what we see on our movie screens.  In the movies…

 

·       A writer can type out a sentence the length of a Shakespearean soliloquy without once hitting the space bar.

 

·       Anyone can infect a computer with a crippling virus simply by entering the words DOWNLOAD VIRUS on a keyboard.

 

·       Good guys and bad guys alike can infiltrate any computer in the world.  Even when it’s turned off.

 

·       A hacker can guess any password in two or three attempts.

 

·       The most complex operation, involving massive amounts of data, can be accomplished in three seconds or less.

 

·       Every laptop in the world has real-time video phone capabilities and the performance of a Cray supercomputer.

 

·       Destroying the monitor prevents the entire computer from functioning.

 

·       The hero can immediately use any computer he or she finds, no matter how specialized or advanced.

 

·       The hero always finds the important email right away – it’s always at the top of the inbox, and no one ever has to wade through spam.

Thinking About A Trip?

If you’re considering a vacation that includes travel to a foreign country, here are some tips to help you stay safe, have fun – and even save a few shekels:

 

Before you depart, do some research.  That way you’ll know what typical weather patterns to expect and what kind of clothes to pack.  You’ll also want to read up on the exchange rate and learn a few local phrases.

 

Develop at least a general itinerary of what you want to see and do.  Don’t waste your precious time in Paris trying to choose between the Eiffel Tower and the Left Bank – decide before you arrive.

Be ready to learn.  For example, not every culture is a smiling culture.  Not every culture runs on a tight, linear schedule.  And some cultures have dress codes that should be respected.

 

Pack lightly.  You’ll have less to lose if something goes wrong, and less to drag from place to place.  When it comes to your wardrobe, choose a color and get pieces that are simple and coordinated – shorts, slacks, shirts and jacket.

 

Buy the most comfortable shoes possible that look good (or at least OK) with the clothes you bring.  Shoes that might be comfortable for running errands at home might not cut it when you’re standing in line for hours in Florence, Italy, to see Michelangelo’s David.

 

Realize before you leave that your trip is not going to be perfect.  Prepare mentally for delays and mishaps.  Try to look at it all as just part of your adventure.  Chances are when you get home and tell the tale of your journey, some of the annoying things will turn into funny stories that you’ll cherish for life.

 

Avoid restaurant chains.  Ask around to find out where the locals eat and give their suggestions a try.  The food will be better and you’ll probably spend less.

 

Consider yourself a mini-ambassador.  That means remembering that you are the foreigner and showing good manners while traveling.  If you do something rude or out of line, it reflects badly on you and your country.

 

April Quiz Answer

 

Question:  What is another name for an apiarist?

Answer:  Beekeeper.

Source:  merriam-webster.com

 

Congratulations to Taylor Hotchkiss. She has won a gift certificate for $15.00 to Applebee’s Restaurant. Call in, fax or e-mail by the 10th to be put into a drawing!

 

Be sure to include your name, address & phone

 

 

Bring a small flashlight and keep it by your bed at night.  You’re already in unfamiliar surroundings; you don’t want to be "in the dark" in the event of a power loss.

 

Leave your expensive jewelry at home, and travel with only one or two credit cards.  Carry your credit card information separately in case you have to report the cards lost or stolen.

 

Always be aware of your surroundings.  If you don’t feel safe, get out of the location or situation.

 

Learn more from the experts at www.tsa.gov, www.catsa.gc.ca, www.alltraveltips.com, and 1000tips4trips.com.