What is the Best Way to Avoid the Heat? Toilet Paper?

There are many people who truly enjoy the heat.....I'm not one of them.  I start dreading summer in early spring and then become thankful for every day that is NOT hot. But, this year, those days were short-lived as we have had record breaking temperatures (in the North West) along with a drought.  There is no green left in this rain forest.  It is brown. No rain for months.

My complaint is not just founded on how ill I feel when the temperature is over 72 degrees but mostly on the threat of wild fires.  When there are wild fires in the desert, it is completely different than when they are in the rain forest.  One spark can trigger devastation for huge areas as we are so heavily treed.  My daughter's home is surrounded by acres of trees and the property behind her recently succumbed to a fire.  There are over 125 fires raping these forests right now.  

Did I mention that when you live in the rain forest few homes, and most businesses do NOT have air conditioning -- so there is no escape.  Looks like my grandbaby has the right idea -- no clothes!

On a humorous side, here is why I hate  dislike abhor can't tolerate summer......CLICK here for 10 Reasons To Skip Summer.

Outside of working like crazy meeting writing deadlines this month and interviewing incredible guests on my show, I did get some quality time with the grandbabies.

Mini Boss and company

My daughter asked that I travel to the city and babysit William and Aubrie in a hotel while she attended a celebration of life event for her friend's mom.  It was a hoot helping Rochelle and her girlfriends get ready for the 1980's event which included music from that era and dancing.  

There isn't much to do in a hotel located downtown in a large city, so I had the kids (5 years and 1 year) run races down the hall of the hotel.  So many giggles and thank goodness no one was in sight.  




This was the first time my granddaughter was away from her parents for the night.  We weren't sure how it would go, but she didn't ask for her mom once.

  

It is evident from the moment these kids wake up in the morning to the time they go to bed, that they adore each other.  William is kind, caring, gentle, thoughtful and helpful.  At FIVE years old, he will drop his toys and run to his sister's aid if she needs it -- without being asked.

He is respectful to his parents and polite with all adults.  He will grow up knowing HOW to treat a girl and she will grow up knowing HOW girls should be treated.

I knew William loved taking care of his sister but to see it in action, almost made me cry.  I read them a bedtime story and Aubrie intently watched her brother listening to the story, waiting for his reactions to it (one of Beatrix Potter's series I saved from my kids' collection.)

When the story was over, William said, "Don't worry, Gramma, I know what songs Aubrie likes. I will sing her to sleep."  She was out cold in a matter of minutes.  This sweet "Mini Boss."

I have the greatest respect for this mom and dad in raising their children and could not be prouder of them or my grand babies.  

Someone stole my clothes!!

I can't believe that this "queen of organization" left her clothes hanging in the hotel's closet. Even worse I didn't realize they were missing until this morning when I wanted to put on one of the outfits.  I called the hotel and they said: "Sorry, no clothes were found and the next guest must have taken your clothes with them."  

I have two questions:  1)  Isn't housekeeping supposed to look in the closet when they prepare the room for the next guest? 
2)  Repeat of number one.

Lesson learned:  I'll never do that again.

Our precious Star

Star is one of our rescues, a long-haired mini Dachshund.  We have had her and her mate for two years.  Star was a show dog.  Both she and Gunner were severely abused. Consequently,  she is still very shy and tries so hard to please.  To see her relax like this is very unusual......I don't think she likes the hot temperatures either.

Do Most People Expect a Calm Before the Storm?

We have all heard the idiom There is always a calm before the storm.

Think about that for a moment.  What it suggests is that if things are going a bit too smoothly or calmly, WATCH OUT.... The storm is about to emerge.  Many of us have experienced that, especially those of us who seem to go through periods in our lives when everything seems to be going wrong - one thing after the other.

Many of us have heard this expression our whole lives and consequently have expected the negative scenario to happen.

When things are going too well, someone might say, "Just waiting for the storm to hit -- it always does!"  And...sure enough, if we wait long enough, everything goes south. 

  

When You Stand on a Soapbox - What are You Shouting?

If I am going to stand on a soapbox and scream..... nine times out of ten it would be about animal abuse.  If I had the time and the means I would drive around town and look for dogs that have been left in hot cars so that I could rescue them. 


Last week I wanted to take my pups to the park for a nice cool walk in the shade but the cement en route to the park was too hot for their little paws.  They were ready for their walk, giving me those puppy dog eyes and jumping around in circles so I decided to drive them to the park.  I had already backed out of the garage when I realized I forgot their water.  When I got back to the car my little mini-dachshund, Star had LOCKED me out.  In her excitement, she had jumped on the door locks.  

What would you do if you found out you are being poisoned?

What do you think it feels like to find out you have been conned or worse yet -poisoned?  Listed below are the first eight weeks in my series, World's Biggest Con Job. In this series, you will find answers to many of your questions about the vitamins you may be taking. If you don't have any questions, then it is time to ask some. 

Vitamins are supplements we take to make us feel better, look better and have a better sense of well being.  What most people do not realize is that they may be hurting themselves more than helping.  BUT, there are supplements available that are pure, unadulterated, unaltered and with LIVE enzymes to give you the most benefit.

In each one of the following articles, I explain what you need to look for when purchasing your supplements and not buy them because of the brand name or price. One of the largest vitamin companies on this planet (with a name that most people trust) is actually one of the worst.  They use the cheapest DEAD, synthetic ingredients possible to make the biggest buck.  They made a net profit of $48 BILLION last year.  That's NET!  Laughing all the way to the bank while the people taking their products are being lied to and even worse, getting sicker.  That article is in Week Eight below.

I am a registered symptomatologist and a certified health coach who has been steering people to optimum health for 35 years. I have cured myself of a wide variety of physical limitations ranging from chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, and uterine cancer. It doesn’t matter what you have to overcome specifically. It’s important to boost your immune system in order to heal current disease and prevent future disease.  A proactive attitude today will pay huge dividends tomorrow. 

Do You Know How to Sell Yourself or Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?

When someone says, "I can't sell anything" or "I can sell ice to the Eskimos" where do you fit between these two extremes? Were you born a salesperson or did you become one? Selling is based on common sense.

Some people believe that you must have a certain type of personality in order to sell something. Some people don't like to 'feel' as if they are being sold something. Sometimes we have the mindset that we will NOT buy and yet walk away with a purchase. Why? Were we intimidated into buying? Did the salesperson make us realize that we had a definite 'need' to make that particular purchase?

Every single day we either buy or sell something and, at times, without even realizing it. We buy and sell thoughts, ideas, objects, lies, or truths.    

Are You Sitting on the Fence?

Are you a black and white kind of person? All or nothing?  Or are you easily influenced and possibly can have your mind changed regarding your 'convictions?'

In many ways, I am black and white - all or nothing.  However, I have learned that being this way may not allow for change and one could become quite close-minded.  Take food for example. I love or hate.  Rarely is there a middle ground.  I enjoy cooking and will try new recipes but they must pass the love or hate test and I will not make them again if they fall into the 'like' category.   

I have strong principles regarding my ethics, morals and the way I treat people.  I work diligently at not judging others at face value but choose to look beneath the surface and find out why they may do or say things I do not necessarily agree with.  

When You Are All Dressed Up, POOP happens - Murphy's Law

There must be a Murphy's Law that says: "When you are dressed to the nines, that is when mishaps/mini disasters/poop happens."

My daughter, her two children, my husband and I had attended the Celebration of Life service for a dear friend of ours.  It was exceptionally hot outside and we were anxious to get home. My husband was in the rear seat of Rochelle's SUV facing our one-year-old granddaughter in her car seat.  Hubby was entertaining Brie and she was giggling and having a great time with Papa.  

"Why did you give her chocolate?"  Hubby shouted from the rear.

"What chocolate?  I didn't give her any chocolate.  William, did you give your sister some chocolate?

"MOM, it isn't chocolate.  It's POO!"

Brie had been cleaning out her diaper and handing the poo to Papa.  She thought it was a great game.  Papa.....not so much.  It was too late.  He had already taken some 'chocolate' from his granddaughter.

How Do You Survive a Broken Heart When You Lose a Child?

For those of us who have lost a child through death, the pain is like none other. Yet, there are many parents who have lost a child in another way.  Their grief and pain are no different and there is rarely any closure.






Losing a child through estrangement, there are no flowers or comfort given.  There is no service to help bring closure.  People do not rally around you and bring you meals to help you get through those days when getting out of bed and facing reality is more than you can bear. The parents are often good and loving parents who are tossed aside emotionally by their child for real or perceived shortcomings.  The child does not negotiate but merely leaves; often without an explanation.  The parents are left grieving this loss by themselves - a loss beyond any comprehension as to what happened.