SueWorks

The Plooo

Mom, the only trained health professional in my immediate family, has always referred to bad colds and such as the "plooo."  It makes it seem less scary that way.  But you just have to wonder what is going to happen. 

There are no more pigs in Egypt, whose government today ordered the slaughter of 300,000 pigs as a protective measure.  Others are stressing that it's now a human flu virus, H1N1, and that I'm not going to get it from a pork chop. 

Makes you wonder.

Stimulus Response v. True Learning

I'm preparing dinner.  Buster is not leaning up to see the stove top but is watching the gently humming microwave.  He knows where most dinners come from.

Happy Friday!

You see the strangest things on Friday, and any other day too!

Today I saw a women leave a restroom stall, after flushing, grab some hand sanitizer and exit the restroom.  And people wonder why I use a paper towel to open the bathroom door.  Don't you just love the people who use a paper towel door handle and then drop the used towel on the floor.  It's so mixed in thinking. 

I also saw a man sneeze into his hands then pick up the thongs in a cafeteria.  I'm glad I wasn't hankering for a slice of toast bread.

On my way to work there was a small car whose driver could not get the hang of an automatic shift.  I tried to see if this was a man or woman so I won't go there but at each stop light, the little car would shudder and come to life as the light changed.  Ten cars would pass and the silver vehicle would move forward.  I was behind the car until I managed to get away.  I suppose experiences like that one have contributed to my inability to master the stick shift.  Thank goodness I never had to drive a stick in San Francisco, like on Lombard St.

What is Today?

Is this a diet day or a shoe day?   On the diet front, I decided to have a caffeinated coffee drink for breakfast.  I realized that I don't like Starbucks caffeine.  Live and learn, so I had a muffin and now I'm eating an apple.

For shoes, should I get a pair of high heeled wedge sandals?  Courtesy of www.zappos.com.

 

The next shoe is $108.80 on sale!  OMG!

Who Shall I Be Today?

I'm considering having a theme-of-the-day for my blog.  I don't have enough interest in or knowledge of any one engaging topic to write only about that one thing, so it seems to make sense to have a topic per day -- a day of the week feature, like newspapers and other media outlets. 

Should Monday be the-write-about-the-writing-of-a-blog day?  Monday could also be about the indignities of not being independently wealthy and forced labor (even though you get a salary, wage and so-so working conditions.) 

Friday could be about the family, since generally I spend more time with my family over the weekend.

Sunday is about sleeping late.

Saturday would be about how to avoid housework.

For balance, Wednesday would have be focused on how to appear busy at work while trying to keep up with deadlines on less than exciting projects.

On Tuesday I should attend to trying to be happy, about everything.  You have to try at least. 

Should Thursday be about eating better and exercising too?  It would be too cliche to do that on Monday.

Other topics could be politics (don't want to even go there), fashion (everyone have style, some are less attractive than others though), or shoes - I love, love, love shoes!  Please, if you work in shoes, men's, women's, horse's - let me know how you got into it.  How practical would it be for me to start up shoemaking as a hobby?  We all need shoes, most people have two feet, I love shoes. 

I could first learn to repair my own shoes and move on from there.  Pkin, what do you think?  The workstation you set up for yourself in the patio, is there room for my steel foot-shaped racky-thing that I'm going to need, and a little hammer, and then a pool of lye to prepare my own leather (ok, maybe that will be next year's addition to the hobby/business.)  Would this be bad for my hands? 

Maybe another, and less challenging, topic is nail and cuticle care.  I can do that in the living room, techically.

See, the possibilities are endless for hobbies, work, and blog topics!

Warriors, Yes - Cream Puffs, No

I'm really not looking forward to delicate pastries from the new bakery in town.

Easter

Why is it called Easter?  It's no wonder Jews do not like Christians; no matter where the sun and moon are the Last Supper is always Thursday.  I love Easter, not as much as Thanksgiving, but I do love my score-old basket.  This year I have special treats to put into it, and Boo's too.  Another reason Jews don't like Christians, instead of celebrating death and resurrection, we get into the treats!

Do you know where I can find a great cheesecake, for not a long of money, and not in my kitchen?

Awesome

 

I know there is a typo, but isn't he a cutie!  I friend sent this to me today.  It made me smile from ear to ear.

Habits are Hard to Break

This week the LA Times wrote about how hard it is to break habits; it's hard but not impossible and there will be slip ups.  After two days of happiness and positiveness I'm back to my old petty habits.  I'm wearing brown pants that are too tight but match the heels of my red shoes.  I feel like the faux wood-toned heels clash with black trousers.  If that just the most silly thing you've ever heard!?!

Are people seeing my squished behind or my coordinated heels!?! Just the heel!

For a few years I've been enjoying Dr. Zimmerman's tips.  I haven't made my way to one of his workshops, though they sound quite interesting.  On Tuesdays he shares tips for making a better life and a better work life.  The tip for April 7 was especially motivating, and I highly recommend you sign up for your own tips.  Please go his site to sign up for a weekly newsletter and more, and to read other tips, go to http://www.drzimmerman.com.  Below are 36 items that if you do them, you'll be in a better physical, emotional and spiritual place.

"TIPS FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE ... no matter what is happening in the world"

**Up Your Attitude

1. Remember ... no one is in charge of your happiness except you.

2. Remind yourself that even though life isn't fair ... it's still good.

3. When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself, "Today I am thankful for ________________ ."

4. Don't take your feelings too seriously. Act as if you're enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic.

5. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up ... with a smile.

5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, or troubling things you cannot control.

6. Focus on all the good around you ... at this very moment.

7. Each night, as you go to bed, tell yourself, "Today I accomplished _______________ ."


**Live Your Life On Purpose

8. When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement, 'My purpose for this day is _______________ ."

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Write down your goals. You'll always accomplish more.


**Keep Things In Perspective

11. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

12. Before you panic with every problem that comes your way, ask yourself, "In five years, will this matter?

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present or mess up your future.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. When you are feeling down, start counting your blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class ...but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

17. Time heals almost everything. So give TIME some time.

18. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.


**Build Your Relationships

19. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

20. Call your family often.

21. Agree to disagree once in a while. You don't have to win every argument.

22. Make at least three people smile every day.

23. Forgive often. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

24. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

25. Refrain from judgment. You have no idea what is going on in somebody else's life.


**Have More Fun

26. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books than you did last year.

27. Clear the clutter. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

28. Smile more and laugh more. It puts energy back in your batteries.

29. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.

30. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Burn those candles, use the fancy china, and wear your nicest things. Every day is special.


**Take Care Of Yourself

31. Take a walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

32. Always make time for exercise.

33. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper.

34. Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows, and get more sleep.

35. Eat more foods that grow on plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

36. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, and walnuts.


Action:

Circle three tips that you will focus on this week, and then consciously follow those tips for the next seven days. Let them become a habit in your life.