Thoughts on Being an Adult

Do you know what separates adults from children? Self-discipline. We don’t want to go to work, we don’t want to do our chores; and we don’t want to make unpleasant decisions, but we do all those things because we’re aware of the consequences which follow if we don’t.

 

 

 By Ilona Andrews, found in the short story “Of Swine and Roses” in the book Small Magics.

To Please or Not

I read the following and it resonated with me. Life is happier, healthier, and simpler if you do not over-think everyone and everything.

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The following is By Elizabeth Grace Saunders

If you base your actions on what you perceive as the worthiness or unworthiness of another, you will be in a state of constant judgment of others and struggle over your sense of obligation to them. However, if you choose to be kind, be thoughtful, and serve do so because you desire to be a kind, thoughtful, and service-oriented person, then you can accept and respect all others as worthy of your kindness.

 Most people don't wake up in the morning thinking, I really want to annoy everyone around me. Always assume people don't know that something really bothers you unless you've explicitly told them it's a problem. It's also essential to keep in mind that something that may be obvious or common sense to you, may not be clear to someone else. This could result from differences in age, experience, intellect, personality, or any number of factors. Also, you may have the ability to see when people are "faking" something, but many people don't have this emotional x-ray vision.

 You may think that you know why someone did what they did or what they meant by something. But until you actually ask them, you don't really know their motives. Maybe a lack of response to your greeting had more to do with the fact that they didn't sleep well the night before and were half asleep than that they simply wanted to ignore you. Assume people didn't intend to make you feel badly. Also remember that how you feel about an action has more to do with your current mental and emotional state than the action that happened.

 You may have some legitimate complaints about people's behavior but you want to avoid criticism—over generalizing that complaint to an indictment of their overall character—or contempt where you display disgust toward them. Both unfairly simplify the complexity of an individual (we all have times when we're not on our best behavior) and make it really difficult for you to feel like behaving in a positive manner toward the typecast party.

 If you start to feel resentful or frustrated, figure out what you need to do to take care of yourself: get some sleep, go on a run, watch a funny movie, talk with a friend, or do something else that you find refreshing. Filling yourself up emotionally will give you a greater capacity to give to others.

cleaning tips

These cleaning tips are from AT&T S. Rogers.

The whole article can be found here:
http://shine.yahoo.com/green/20-free-eco-friendly-ways-spring-clean-153000967.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CZTgHFRgzIAgw8hmolQ

Get some air moving in your house by opening all the windows and positioning a few fans in strategic places, like hallways and stairways.

Nothing gets glass windows and mirrors quite to a streak-free, so-transparent-it's-dangerous shine like newspaper. You won't have problems with smeared text because most newspapers are now printed with water-based inks. The paper leaves behind virtually zero lint. Just spray the glass with a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar, rub the glass with a dry cloth and then go over the surface with a piece of newspaper. 

Those scratchy towels that are no longer fit for post-shower use could provide you with a dozen or more new, totally free cleaning rags. Just cut them up.

Get rid of garlic, fish and other strong smells using half a cut lemon or some fresh-squeezed lemon juice. To freshen indoor air, simmer lemon peel on the stovetop, adding water as needed. 

If you've got stale coffee grounds, or have a bag that's no longer good for brewing, place a bowl of them in the fridge for a day or so. You can use the same trick to deodorize virtually anything by placing the object in a plastic bag along with a container of coffee grounds.


Use a half-and-half solution of white vinegar and water to clean virtually any type of flooring other than porous stones like slate and granite. You can up the cleaning power for unwaxed wood floors, tile or linoleum by mixing 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 water with 3 drops of dish washing liquid.

 The citric acid in lemon juice can loosen even the crustiest food residue that gets splattered all over microwave interiors. Place lemon wedges in a small bowl of water and nuke them for two to three minutes. Let it sit without opening the door for about ten minutes, then wipe out the inside. If you still have any odors or nightmarish globs of unidentifiable gunk left behind, use a paste of baking soda and water to scrub them right out.

Trent's iTorch

I have discovered that traveling with mobile devices is fraught with uncertainties:
 Will the battery last as long as I need the device? Where is an electrical outlet?

My recommendation: Get a charger for those times you are on the go and away from home.

I just bought Trent's iTorch. Here is the link on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/New-Trent-IMP52D-Thunderbolt-Blackberry/dp/B0013G8PTS

I absolutely love the small size and the fact that I can travel worry-free.

Pinterest

Have you heard about Pinterest?
It is "a content sharing service that allows members to "pin" images, videos and other objects to their pinboard".
There are no real directions and starting up is much easier if a friend introduces you and helps you set up your first "pinboard". 
Do you remember those days of cutting out magazine articles and saving them for later? That is what Pinterest reminds me of. I "pin" pictures to "boards" as reminders of what I what to buy, read, cook, diy projects to try, placesto go, and dreams I have.

For those who haven't tried it, or who tried then got frustrated and quit.....here is a basic help to kick start your pinning.
1. Join Pinterest at www.pinterest.com. You can also join through your Facebook account.
2. The top frame contains a "search" field on the left, the Pinterest Name in red in the middle, and your name on the right.
3. That is the main page you see when you first go on. It contains the images of people you follow.
For your first visit, the images are random. If you like one, you can click on the image, click on the red "pin". Then you decide what category or pinboard to place the image. You can crate boards immediately as you pin by clicking on "Board" and  typing in the name in the "Create New Board" and clicking on "Create".
4. You can also "like" images or comment on images - just know that others can see your likes and your comments.
5. If you do not want others to see what you have, you can create secret boards. But, part of the fun is sharing your finds with family and friends.
6. "Followers" are those who like what you find and so use you as a source for their pins. "Following" allows you to to see what others pin. The "search" field is another way for you to look for specific images.
7. There is a "Pin It" download you can get from the site that allows you to grab images from most web sites and pin.
8. If you click on your name, you will be able to navigate the site. Choices are:Your Pins, Your Boards, Add Pin, Settings, Help Center, Find Friends, Log Out.

That's the basics. Go explore and have fun!

Cost Basis

https://personal.vanguard.com/jumppage/costbasis/index.html


Cost basis is, generally, the price you paid for your shares. This includes adjustments such as reinvested dividends and capital gains, as well as any sales commissions or transaction fees.

Exercises on airplane

1) Neck Roll – Relax your shoulders and gently drop your ear to your shoulder. Once your head is comfortable positioned at your shoulder, gently roll your neck forward and back, maintaining each position for approximately five second. Repeat this motion ten times.

2) Shoulder Roll – Push your shoulders forward so you are partially hunched over, then roll your shoulders upward, then backward, then downward, in a gentle circular pattern.  Repeat this 10 to 15 times

3) Flex Forward – Firmly place both of your feet on the floor, legs directly against the seat. With your stomach held in, slowly bend forward and place your hands on your legs as far down as possible to reach, then walk your hands up the front of your leg, then back down toward your ankles. Hold your stretch for 20 seconds, and then slowly sit back up.

4) Ankle Swirls – Lift your feet up off the floor and trace an imaginary a circle with your toes. Simultaneously move one foot clockwise and your other foot counterclockwise. After five circles reverse the direction of the circles you are rotating your ankles.

5) Foot Pump – Place both your heels on the floor and point your feet towards the ceiling as high as you can without your ankles leaving the floor, then slowly bring your feet down. Once your feet are down place both of your feet flat on the floor, then left your heels up as high as you can, keeping the balls of your feet on the ground.  Hold each position for 30 seconds.

6) Knee Chest Stretch -  Bend your body at your hips slightly forward, clasp your hands firmly together around your knee, then pull it to your chest, and hold it for 20 seconds then slowly release your leg. Alternate legs and repeat 10 times.

From flyingwithfish