Jewelry Shopping

A Jewelry Shopper’s Checklist

(from  http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro02.shtm)

When you’re in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Compare quality, price and service. If you’re not familiar with reputable brick-and-mortar jewelers in your area, ask family members, friends or co-workers for recommendations. At the store:

• Ask about the refund and return policy before you buy.
• Check for the appropriate markings on metal jewelry.
• Ask whether the pearls are natural, cultured or imitation.
• Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created or imitation.
• Ask whether the gemstone has been treated, whether the change is permanent and whether special care is required.
• Make sure your sales receipt includes any information you relied on when making your purchase, like the gem’s weight or size. Some jewelers may give you a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

If you are planning to shop for jewelry online:

• Shop with companies you know or do some homework before you buy to make sure a company is legitimate. You might check a reputation by entering the outlet’s name and the word ‘complaints’ before giving them your business.
• Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant’s refund and return policies, before you buy.
• Look for a street address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help. Call the number to test. You may want to know if the seller is in another country.

Cell Phone

Cell phones carry a lot of information. The new breed of smart phones have our whole life's information in one place (calendar, contacts, social media sites, banks, mail, shopping, etc). Having our cell phone stolen or lost is a known hazard. Another hazard  is someone stealing the information off your phone as you pass by.
It seems that some phones have automatic access  and don't have to ask permission - the purpose is to tell you when you've missed a call or received a text message.

Read more at:
http://news.menshealth.com/your-phones-biggest-security-risk/2011/12/07/?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-MensHealth-_-Content-MHNews-_-PhoneSecurity

 Bottom line:
1. Close opened apps not in use
2. Encrypt sensitive data
3. Lock your phone
ex: The Perfect App Protector (android), Pic Lock (iphone)
4. Install antivirus
5. Beware of email scams asking you to click unknown links
6. Install a phone tracker
ex: Mobile Defense or Find My Phone
Gotya Face Trap takes a picture if the screen lock password is incorrect and emails it to you along with the phone's location

Body Mass Index

Your body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of your body fat that is based on your height and weight. Doctors use BMI, along with other health indicators, to assess an adult’s current health status and potential health risks.

 

Typically, people with higher BMIs have a greater likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea.  But many factors — including family history, eating habits and activity level — a influence your overall health.

BMI calculator results are grouped into the broad categories of underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese.

  

Read more about BMI and access BMI calculators: 

http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-05-2010/bmi_calculator.html?cmp=NLC-HLTH-CTRL-120111-HEALTHTOOL1-70

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Winter Skin Care

In general, your skin is driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. Winter conditions also tend to make many existing skin conditions worse.

1. Use an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently. 

The more oil a moisturizer contains the more effectively it protects against moisture loss. Moisturizers that come in ointment form contain the most oil because an ointment, by definition, consists of 80% oil and 20% water. This water-in-oil emulsion forms a protective layer on the skin and makes it more “moisturizing” than creams and lotions. Ointments are especially beneficial when humidity is low. Ointments should not be used on areas of the body that tend to get hot and sweaty. 

   
Not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "nonclogging" oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil.
  
You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.

Massage the face cream  gently into the dry areas of the face, always away from the direction in which lines tend to form. The up-and-away movement is best. Start at the base of the throat, end at the temples.


2. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they're exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.


3. Wear gloves when you go outside. The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking.



4. Use a moisturizing soap and shampoo.  
Many popular soaps and detergents strip lipids and water from your skin. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps are usually the most damaging, as are many shampoos that dry out your scalp. Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like the water hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin.


5. Use a body lotion, working in upward and outward movements. Don’t forget the feet and legs. Massage the feet, heels, elbows and any areas of the body that look or feel rough and dry


Read more at:
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/ten-winter-skin-care-tips
http://www.howy.org/health-fitness/winter-skin-care.html
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/winterizing_tips.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2009/jan-23b.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-skin/DS00560/DSECTION=causes

Online Security

Online Security- User Name and Password

Make up a user name. Don't use your real name. Most hacked accounts are by known acquaintances- use a made up character name such as MickyBlu2 or something you can remember fairly easily. If your name is Jane you could be Yane2.

Your password is your most basic online security. A strong password includes numbers and letters in lower and upper case. Don't use a real word. Don't use your name, your child's name, or pet's name.Try to use a different password (or variation of it) for each account or internet site. You can have simple passwords (word with numbers)  for accounts that are not linked to finance or commerce, such as those for newspapers and magazines. More complex password contain symbols. Be sure to have completely unique passwords that are for banking and buying. Sometimes sites will indicate how weak or strong your password is. Be sure to get a "strong" password.

A non-real user name and non-word (or spelled incorrectly or spelled correctly with a capital letter in the middle) password help stop online identity theft. Your email and name could become compromised - for instance, Sony and others had their emails accounts hacked- but your user name for that site would still be unknown. Your online identity becomes separate. Your social media accounts remain untied to your user names. My Space, Facebook, and other socially divulging information, won't be used against you.

Basic Emergency Kit

From FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Hair

 From haircareguide.com

The dry and cold winter can be very damaging to your hair. Hair easily becomes dry during this time of year from the dry indoor heating and the dry cold weather outside. Proper preventative steps need to be taken during this seasons to ensure that your hair does not get damaged.
Winter Hair Care Tips
Wear a scarf, hat or cap to protect your hair from the cold and wind. Make sure that it's not so tight where it will restrict circulation in your scalp.
Use a conditioner daily.
Once you have your hair moist, lock in the moisture by running your hair through cold water; this will also give your hair an extra shine.
Don't go outside with your hair wet, you risk breakage. Your hair will freeze if it's cold enough outside and may break.
Limit your use of "hot" items on your hair such as a blow dryers and curling irons.
If you need to use a "hot" item use a leave in conditioner before using the item on your hair.
Avoid taking hot showers or washing your hair in hot water. Use warm or cool water instead, the heat can dry out and/or damage your hair and skin.
Hair products that have the word, "Replenish" on it is made to moisturize your hair.
Try using a dry shampoo if you need to wash out your hair. One dry shampoo you can use is baby powder, simply sprinkle some onto your hair and use a comb to comb it off.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a good time to count your blessings. Think about what you have. Be thankful and joyous that life has been good. The ups and the downs have all come together to make you who you are today. Be the best that you can be.
Be happy. Be fruitful. Live in each today. Regret not. Waste not. Do not spend time on the hurtful past. Embrace tomorrow, Live. Laugh. Love.

Finance

http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=deb35471-a7e2-404d-bce5-06299c36ad6a&ocid=vt_twmsnmon

Here are the highlights from that article:

Establish an emergency fund of at least three to six months of expenses. And don't delay; you should start building your emergency fund as soon as you get your first paycheck.

Set your overdraft limit to $0, and your debit card will not be allowed to overdraft your account. True, you could bounce a check. But if you are balancing your checkbook regularly, that shouldn't ever be a problem.

Being able to distinguish between wants and needs is directly tied to your ability to accept personal responsibility. All of us have only four or five primary needs. Those needs are food/water, clothing, shelter, transportation (for most of us), and health care. Everything else is a want.

What you save is the difference between how much you make and how much you spend. But it's tough to save anything if you don't know how much you can afford to save. That's why it's important to take a critical look at your expenses so you know exactly how much money you are spending.

If your tastes exceed your budget, ratchet them down a notch or three -- and stop making lame excuses.

Many people do understand the difference between a want and a need, but they have trouble saying no anyway. Being able to say no is a crucial skill in the world of personal finance. Those that can't will always have the most trouble keeping their personal finances on an even keel.

The bottom line: Spend less than you earn.

Interviewing

From:
http://mashable.com/2011/11/20/job-interview-tips/

Prepare five to seven questions, with the expectation that there will probably only be time to ask just three.
So, what types of questions should you ask? Consider a few of the following:

• Is there a work issue that keeps you up at night and, given what you know about my background, how do you think I could help?
“Here’s your opportunity to demonstrate a genuine interest in the day-to-day challenges your future manager is facing, Daniel explains. “By asking this question, the interviewer will start to envision you as an employee and will give you some initial thoughts on how you might help solve their most pressing problems.”
• What is the most gratifying aspect of the work you do for XYZ company? What’s your best advice to someone starting out at this company?
“Asking the interviewer about the most gratifying aspect of the work she or he does helps you better understand what drives them,” Daniel explains. “Drivers include things like making the best product on the market, helping others, making money, curing an illness or creating a hot, new technology, etc. Ask yourself how the interviewer’s drivers align with your own. The answer to the ‘best advice’ question yields valuable insights on what behaviors lead to a successful transition into the company. It gives you clues on what you can do to put your best forward in your potential new role vis-à-vis building new relationships, gaining product knowledge, and avoiding potential pitfalls.”
• Could you describe your ideal candidate for this job? Why are these qualities important to you?
“The ideal qualifications were probably outlined in the job posting,” says Daniel. “But many of these postings are not actually written by the hiring manager. Here’s your chance to directly ask the interviewer what he views as the most important qualities of the successful candidate and why.”
• I’m sure you have a number of goals you’d like to achieve in the coming year. Do you have a particular one that is top priority?

Other great questions may revolve around key drivers for employees, what characterizes top performers at the company and whether the interviewer would like to know anything more about the interviewee’s background, says Daniel.

Job Hunting

from:
http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/17/finding-a-job-in-your-own-backyard/?iid=HP_River


How do you look for a job in your own backyard? As with any other job search, the most effective approach is through in-person networking. If you don't know any locals, staffers at ExecuNet, a nationwide career network for senior managers, recommend starting with these five steps:
1. Search job boards by zip code. Many job sites, including CareerBuilder.com, Dice.com (for IT jobs), and RetirementJobs.com (for people over 50, whether "retired" or not), allow you to enter your target zip code and get a list of openings in the area. Even if nothing pops up right away that seems like a fit, this will give you a general idea of who's hiring near you.
2. Read regional business journals and community newspapers, with an eye toward identifying companies that seem to be growing (read: hiring). Staying on top of local news can often help you spot opportunities that aren't advertised anywhere.
3. Join the nearest Chamber of Commerce. These groups have a wealth of information about local businesses, often including contact information for key executives. Pinpoint a few that might interest you and develop a two-minute "elevator pitch" about what you could offer.
Then introduce yourself. "Target companies with needs that you can fill," says Mark Anderson, ExecuNet's president. "Analyze how your skills and experience could solve a specific problem or challenge they're facing."
4. Check out the directories in local office buildings. Those lists in the lobby showing suite numbers for different companies are a Who's Who of small-to-medium-sized employers and startups. Study each of their websites. Set up Google alerts to catch updates on their activities that might clue you in to actual or potential job openings.
5. Get to know headhunters in your field, if you don't already. "Recruiters often specialize in a particular function or a specific industry," Anderson points out. "They tend to look for candidates over wide geographical areas, and they may be trying to fill openings near you for big client companies that are based elsewhere."
A suggestion: If at all possible -- maybe on the weekends -- do try to get involved in a nearby community organization. Churches (or synagogues, or mosques), the local Red Cross, the YMCA or YWCA, the PTA, and many other kinds of groups often have lots going on, even in very small towns. They're great places to start getting to know your neighbors, including those who might know of job openings.

Sleep

Sleep Tips from the Mayo Clinic

Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off. Being consistent reinforces your body's sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.

Don't go to bed either hungry or stuffed and limit how much you drink before bed. Also avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol.

Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed.

Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Often, this means cool, dark and quiet.

Long daytime naps can interfere with nighttime sleep — especially if you're struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality at night. If you choose to nap during the day, limit yourself to about 10 to 30 minutes and make it during the mid-afternoon.

Regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to enjoy deeper sleep. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you might be too energized to fall asleep. If this seems to be an issue for you, exercise earlier in the day.

Feeling stressed? 
Before bed, jot down what's on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

You can read the article here:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep/HQ01387

Critical Thinking

It has occurred to me that with the influx of information on the world wide web and the deluge in news broadcasts in newspapers, magazine, on television and radio, on facebook, twitter and web blogs that we do not always apply the critical thinking skills we developed during our school years.

Critical thinking is hearing without prejudice, contemplating the who, why, and how ... and then coming to a decision.

It is "to be fair and open-minded while thinking carefully about what to do or what to believe. If you are a critical thinker, you will assess the reasons for and against doing something and then make your decision on the basis of a fair assessment, not on the basis of your emotions nor on what your astrology column says nor on whether the person giving you the reasons is looking you in the eye while sounding sincere."

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/d/dowdenb/4/ct-def/def-of-ct.htm

Yet, "Critical thinking varies according to the motivation underlying it. When grounded in selfish motives, it is often manifested in the skillful manipulation of ideas in service of one’s own, or one's groups’, vested interest. As such it is typically intellectually flawed, however pragmatically successful it might be."
http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766

Think about it....how often do we really stop and think?
Most times we absorb. The information comes pouring into our brains unfettered and unanalyzed, merely taking up space, waiting to be remembered at some later date.

Sweet Search

http://www.sweetsearch.com/


SweetSearch is A Search Engine for Students. It searches only credible Web sites approved by Internet research experts.

We all need to learn to be discriminating and learn to access the credibility online information. 


“The big thing in assessing search results is authorship—who put it there and why have they put it there?"

Read this article for more information:
(also on the twitter wall)

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/11/st_thompson_searchresults/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Bloglines

Workout

Here is a short workout. Easy and fun that you can do at your desk (sort of) at work or home. Includes videos.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/health/workout-at-work/

Driving - Hazards

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/idt_hand_emerg.htm#hazards

Water on the Road - If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, slow down gradually–do not apply the brakes. 

Slippery Road -

• Wet road–go five–ten miles slower.
• Packed snow–reduce your speed by half.
• Ice–slow to a crawl.

Some road surfaces are more slippery than others when wet and usually have warning signs. Here are some clues to help you spot slippery roads:

• On cold, wet days, shade from trees or buildings can hide spots of ice. These areas freeze first and dry out last.
• Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road does. They can hide spots of ice.
• If it starts to rain on a hot day, the pavement can be very slippery for the first several minutes. Heat causes oil in the asphalt to come to the surface. The oil makes the road slippery until the rain washes the oil off the surface of the road.

If you start to skid: Ease off the gas pedal, Stop braking, and Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid.

If you cannot control your vehicle on a slippery surface, try to find something to stop the skid. Try to get a wheel on dry pavement or on the shoulder of the road. You may have to edge slowly into a snow bank or some bushes to stop the vehicle.

Braking too hard at a high rate of speed can lock the wheels. The vehicle will skid no matter which way the steering wheel is turned. Take your foot off the brake to unlock the wheels. Then straighten the front wheels as the vehicle begins to straighten out. Slow the vehicle gradually until you are at a safe speed to continue driving.

If your accelerator becomes stuck you should:

1. Shift to neutral.
2. Apply the brakes.
3. Keep your eyes on the road.
4. Look for an alternate route away from traffic or look for a way out.
5. Warn other drivers by honking and flashing your emergency lights.
6. Try to drive the car safely off the road.
7. Stop and turn off the ignition.
   (WARNING: Turning the ignition off while the vehicle is moving locks the steering wheel of some vehicles and you will not have control of the steering.)

Never turn your vehicle’s ignition to the "lock" position while it is still in motion, or the steering will lock and you will lose control of your vehicle.

Be Safe Online

From:

http://lifehacker.com/5858197/how-to-protect-yourself-from-online-fraud

 

Even though viruses and trojans don't make headlines as often as they used to doesn't mean you can get away without some anti-malware software installed on your system. Once installed, it's equally important to keep it up to date. Out of date antivirus and anti-malware suites are effectively useless. Besides, with options like Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows and ClamXAV for Mac out there that are free, light on system resources, and both scan and update in the background without your help, there's no reason not to have something installed.

Use Strong, Secure Passwords, and Different Ones On Different Sites
Good password management is a topic we've covered several times but if you're still using the same password on multiple sites or you're still using a dictionary word or your dog's name as your password, there's no time like now to make the change to a strong password that uses letters, numbers, caps, and special characters if possible. Still, even though you have a good strong password it's worthless if you use it on multiple sites and one of them is compromised.

Internet skepticism will serve you well. When someone asks you for something that just doesn't seem right, set it aside until you can clear up why they need the information.
If you get an message promising something—anything from a multi-million dollar cut from a foreign prince's international investments to a discount code to your favorite online retailer just for filling out a survey—learn to second-guess the offers and promotions you see on the internet and double-check their sources. Often a quick Google search for the sender or the general gist of the message with the word "scam" at the end will reveal what's really going on.

Brush up on The Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on protecting yourself from identity theft, and take a look at the federal government's tips for avoiding internet fraud at USA.gov. If it's too late or your identity is stolen anyway, both sites also have guidelines for reporting identity theft and recovering from it.

Sleep

How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?

Answer

from Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D.

The amount of sleep you need depends on various factors — especially your age. Consider these general guidelines for different age groups:

Age group	Recommended amount of sleep
Infants	14 to 15 hours
Toddlers	12 to 14 hours
School-age children	10 to 11 hours
Adults	7 to 9 hours

In addition to age, other factors may affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example: aging, pregnancy, previous sleep deprivation, and sleep quality.

Read more at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/AN01487/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Sleep&utm_campaign=GPS

Credit Scores

From msn money


The most popular credit score is the FICO score.
Fair Isaac explains exactly what factors influence your credit score.

• Payment history (35%) – This is your track record of paying back what you borrowed. Accounts in collection, late payments, and bankruptcy are bad; paying on time for a long period is good.
• Amounts owed (30%) – This is based on the total amounts you owe, and the ratio of what you're allowed to borrow to what you currently owe, called your "utilization ratio." Maxing out your credit hurts it; keeping a lot of unused credit available helps it. Ideally, you want to keep your utilization ratio below 30 percent. So if you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit, you'd want to keep your balance below $300.
• Length of credit history (15%) – This considers the length of time each credit account has been open, and when each account was last updated with payment or usage info. As you might imagine, the longer your history, the better. This is why if you're going to cancel a credit card, all things being equal, ditch the newest and keep the oldest.
• New credit (10%) – This includes recent inquiries and requests for credit. Regularly applying for new credit cards or other loans will cost you.
• Types of credit used (10%) – There's all kinds of credit out there, from revolving (credit cards) to installment (car and home loans.) Fair Isaac likes you to be well-rounded and sample them all. In short, diversity helps.

Read more:
http://money.msn.com/credit-rating/article.aspx?post=cde9cea7-d05b-4dee-988e-0a27629c57ae&ocid=vt_twmsnmon

Food

From http://www.stilltasty.com

When stored properly, these everyday items will last for years, even after they’ve been opened. And they’ll lose very little of their original quality as time passes. 

  

  

1.     HONEY 

Honey may change color or crystallize over time.

Keep it fresh: Store in a cool area and keep tightly closed. Revive crystallized honey by placing the opened jar in warm water and stirring until dissolved.

 

      2.     RICE

White, wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life, when kept free from contaminants. The exception: brown rice.

Keep it fresh: Store in a cool, dry area. Once opened, place rice in a sealed airtight container or place original package in a resealable heavy-duty freezer bag. For added protection, store rice in the refrigerator or freezer.

 

      3.     SUGAR

White, brown or powdered — sugar never spoils because it doesn’t support bacterial growth. The real challenge is to prevent it from becoming rock-hard.

Keep it fresh: Keep sugar in a cool, dry area. To prevent sugar from hardening after opening, place it in an airtight container or cover the original package in a heavy-duty plastic bag and seal tightly.

 

      4.     HARD LIQUOR

Distilled spirits —vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, tequila and the like — don’t spoil, even after opening. The taste and aroma may fade gradually.  

Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dark area, away from direct heat or sunlight. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use.

 

 

5.     MAPLE SYRUP

Pure maple syrup not only makes your pancakes special, it adds tremendous flavor to a whole range of dishes. Best of all, it keeps forever in the freezer.

 

Keep it fresh: Refrigerate after opening. For long-term storage, freeze maple syrup in airtight plastic containers.

 

      6.     PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

Yes, it’s more expensive than its imitation counterpart. But pure vanilla extract keeps forever, so you’ll never have to waste a drop.

 

Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dark cupboard and keep tightly closed when not in use.

 

     7.     DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR

A reliable standby in everything from marinades to salad dressings, distilled white vinegar will remain virtually unchanged as the years pass by. 

Keep it fresh: Store vinegar a cool, dark area and keep tightly capped after each use.

 

      8.     CORNSTARCH

A must-have for thickening sauces, gravies, and puddings. Cornstarch will keep indefinitely if it's kept dry and free from contaminants.

 

Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dry area; keep package tightly closed between uses.

 

 

      9.     SALT

From the basic table variety to fancier versions like kosher and sea, salt is a flavor enhancer that never spoils or goes stale.

 

Keep it fresh: Store in cool, dry area.

 

What to do in a car accident

From dmv.ca.gov

If you are involved in a vehicle collision—STOP. If you don’t stop, you may be convicted of “hit and run” and could be severely punished. Someone could be injured and need your help. You must show your driver license, registration card, evidence of financial responsibility, and current address to the other driver or persons involved, or to any peace officer. Evidence of financial responsibility is usually an insurance company name and a policy number. If you do not have it, you will receive a citation and a $250 fine.
You or your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative must do the following:

• Move your vehicle off the street or highway. If you do not move your vehicle or have it removed from the street or highway, any peace officer or authorized personnel may have your vehicle removed and impounded. (CVC §§22651 and 22651.05)
• Pull over to the side of the road and stop if you kill or injure an animal. Try to find the owner. If you can’t find the owner, call the nearest humane society or call the police or CHP. Do not try to move an injured animal. Never leave an injured animal to die.
• Try to find the owner if you hit a parked vehicle or other property. Identify yourself before you leave. If you can’t find the owner, leave a note with your name and address (and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle you are driving) in the vehicle or securely attached to it. Report the accident without delay to the city police or, in unincorporated areas, to the CHP.
• Report the accident to the police or CHP within 24 hours of the accident if someone is killed or injured.
• Report the accident to the DMV within 10 days, if there is more than $750 in damage to the property of any person, or anyone is injured (no matter how slightly) or killed.

Water and You

From mayoclinic.com

Generally if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or light yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate.
To ward off dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. It's also a good idea to:

• Drink a glass of water or other calorie-free or low-calorie beverage with each meal and between each meal.
• Drink water before, during and after exercise.

Read more at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Donations

Seven tips to reduce unwanted mail solicitations from charities-
http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/seventips.html


charitywatch.org recommendations:
1. Don't give to a charity you know nothing about.

2. Don't give cash.

3. Tax exempt doesn't necessarily mean tax deductible.

4. For all tax-deductible contributions of $250 or more, the IRS requires that you obtain a receipt from the charity.

5. Ask how much of your donation goes for general administration and fund-raising expenses and how much is left for the program services you want to support.
Note: A 60% program percentage typically indicates a “satisfactory” or “C range” rating. Most highly efficient charities are able to spend 75% or more on programs.

6.Do not be pressured into contributing.

7. Do not be enticed by emotional appeals.

Serratus Anterior excercise

This muscle, located on the side of your chest along your ribs, attaches to and allows you to rotate your shoulder blade (a.k.a. scapula). It plays a vital role when you raise your shoulder to flex your arm and move it away from your body.

Test it: Do a pushup without wearing a shirt and have someone look at your back during the move. If you have a winged scapula, your shoulder blade will stick out; this means your serratus is weak. A strong one suctions your scapula in during the movement, eliminating the winged look.

Improve it: Standard pushups strengthen the muscle, but doing pushup variations is the quickest way to correct a weakness. Use a power rack to perform incline pushups on a barbell. Start with your body at the lowest incline that doesn't allow your shoulders to wing—which means placing the bar relatively high. Perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions. As you become stronger and learn to control your scapular motion, work your way down the rack until you're doing regular pushups with perfect body alignment.


From Men's Health Magazine

Mom's Note: It looks as if you can do this exercise using a counter (like the bathroom sink counter top).

Psoas exercise-prevent back pain

The psoas (so-az) muscle runs through your hips to connect the lower portion of your back to the top of your thigh. It's one of your body's main back stabilizers and hip flexors (the muscles that line your hips and allow you to bring your knees toward your chest). If you sit all day, the psoas becomes rounded like a banana; then, when you stand up, the psoas pulls on your back, making you more prone to pain and lower-back injury. "A weak psoas also means you'll end up with assorted knee issues, because other secondary hip flexors take over and cause pain," Robertson says.

Test it: Lie on your back and pull one knee to your chest. Keep your other leg straight. If the psoas is of normal length, your straight leg will rest on the floor. If your leg sits above the floor, your psoas is either stiff or shortened, says Bill Hartman, C.S.C.S., a strength coach based in Indianapolis.

Improve it: The only way to strengthen a weak psoas is by bringing your knee above 90 degrees. Sit with your knees bent on a low box or bench (6 to 10 inches high) (3). Maintaining good posture and keeping your abs tight, use your hips to raise one bent knee slightly higher than your hips. If you lean forward or backward, you're not performing the exercise correctly. Hold for 5 seconds, and return to the starting position. Complete 3 sets of 5 repetitions per leg. Also, to help release some of the pressure you may feel, use your thumb to press on your hip flexor; it'll be on your side and a little lower than your belly button. 





Read more: http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/powerful_small_muscles/Psoas.php#ixzz1cxUGhyCP

Health

From discovery.com

You don't have to swim in polluted waters to get sick from floating microorganisms, found a new study. Simply canoeing or rowing on the surface may be enough to slightly increase your risk of intestinal distress.

Read more at:
http://news.discovery.com/earth/polluted-waters-111104.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Buying a Stock

Types of stock orders: market order, limit order, stop order

from schwab.com

A market order is an order to buy or sell a stock at the best available price. Keep in mind that a market order guarantees execution but does not guarantee a particular price.

A limit order is an order to buy or sell a stock at a specified price or better. It guarantees a price but doesn't guarantee execution. A limit order might make sense if:

• You're buying and want a lower price, because a limit order allows you to specify a price below the current market price.
• You're selling and want a higher price, because a limit order allows you to specify a price above the current market price.

A stop order is an order to buy or sell once the price of a stock reaches a specified price. It's often referred to as a "stop-loss" order. In this context, the stop order to sell is triggered when the specified price is reached and becomes a market order executed on the next trade.
However, a stop order may be used as a buy order as well. In this case, the trader identifies a specific price that will trigger a purchase of the stock, in essence "stopping" the stock from getting away. This type of order may be useful to a trader trying to identify a point at which a stock's price trend changes from down to up.

Sunscreens

FDA has new labeling requirements on sunscreens to take effect by summer 2012.
Maximum SPF will be 50+.


From fda.gov

Spending time in the sun increases a person's risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.To reduce these risks, consumers should regularly use a Broad Spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher in combination with other protective measures such as:

• Limiting time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 2 PM when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Wearing clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun (long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats) when possible.
• Using a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
• Reapplying sunscreen, even if it is labeled as water resistant, at least every 2 hours. (Water resistant sunscreens should be reapplied more often after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the label.)

Consumers should also be aware that no sunscreens are "waterproof" because all sunscreens eventually wash off. Sunscreens can only be labeled as "water resistant" if they are tested according to the required SPF test procedure. Sunscreens labeled "water resistant" sunscreens will also be required to state whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes when swimming or sweating, and all sunscreens will be required to provide directions on when to reapply.
 

Computer Maintenance

From Ellen Davis-

General Computer Maintenance Tips:

• Keep all of your working files in one folder. The My Documents folder is offered by Windows expressly for this purpose. The benefits of keeping all your files in one place are multiple. One, you know where all your files are, two, it's easy to back them all up at once, and three, your machine will run faster.
• Don't put your personal files on the root of the C: drive. If you store a large number of files in the root folder, you could corrupt your disk file table which could lead to a "NTLDR is missing" error message when you boot the computer. Very bad. If you have personal files on the C: drive now, move them to the My Documents folder.
• Uninstall programs that you are not using. But don’t just delete the program. Remove it correctly so you won’t cause Windows errors. Go to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Find the program you want to remove in the list, and click the Remove button.
• If you download a zip file and expand it, delete the original zip file when you are done.
• Store your hardware drivers and purchased software installer files off your hard drive. A flash drive works great for this purpose.
• If you aren’t already using one, get a good surge protector and plug your computer and peripherals into it. If you live in an area with bad lightening storms, unplug you computer and peripherals during the storm.
• Practice safe computing. Don't accept software or downloads for which you didn’t ask. Delete any suspicious email without opening it. And even if the email came from your best friend, don't open any email attachments with the following extensions: * .exe, .com, .vbs, .bat, .mdb, .reg, and .js 

Read more at:
http://www.sensible-computer-help.com/computer-maintenance-tips.html

Reflection and Consideration

Contemplative thinking is over-whelmed by the actions of day to day living. Rushing here and there and doing prevents reflection and consideration. Acting first and thinking  (or regretting) later is more pervasive. Slow down. Breath deeply. Live more fully in each moment.

Breaking up is hard to do

From loveisrespect.org

Ending an unhealthy or abusive relationship is not like ending a healthy one. Your abusive partner may not accept the break up or respect your boundaries. They may try to control you through guilt trips, threats or insults. It may be very difficult to have a peaceful or mutual breakup with an abusive partner. Just know that as long as YOU are ok with the decision, it’s ok if your partner is not. If you're thinking of ending your relationship, consider these tips:

• If you don’t feel safe, don’t break up in person. It may seem cruel to break up over the phone or by email but it may be the safest way.
• If you break up in person, do it in a public place. Have friends or your parents wait nearby. Try to take a cell phone with you.
• Don’t try to explain your reasons for ending the relationship more than once. There is nothing you can say that will make your ex happy.
• Let your friends and parents know you are ending your relationship, especially if you think your ex will come to your house or confront you when you're alone.
• If your ex does come to your house when you’re alone, don’t go to the door.
• Trust yourself. If you feel afraid, you probably have a good reason.

For help call 1-866-331-9474
This is sponsored by the National Dating Abuse Helpline and Break the Cycle.

Back up your computer

From lifehacker.com
Whitson Gordon


You never think losing your files will happen to you until it actually does, and you're caught without a backup. Backups are extremely easy to keep, so there's no reason not to have one. Here's how to set one up.Whether you accidentally delete a file or lose a bunch of your data to a hard drive crash, regularly backing up your machine is always a good idea. Both Windows and Mac OS X have great built-in backup utilities, so it only takes a few steps to get started. Here's what you need to do.

On Windows

1. Get a backup drive. This can be just about any USB external hard drive, and you can get them at most electronics stores. Try to get one that has twice as much space as your computer, so you have room for multiple backups and so you have room for all the data you might get in the future.
2. When you first plug it in, Windows will actually ask you if you want to use it as a backup. Tell it that you do. If you don't get this prompt, you can just go to the Start Menu, type "backup" in the search box, and hit Backup and Restore.
3. From there, click the "Set Up Backup" button. Pick the external drive you plugged in and hit Next. Windows' default settings are probably fine, so you can just hit Next and the next screen too.
4. On the last screen, hit "Save Settings and Run Backup". Windows will make its first backup of your drive, during which you don't want to turn off your computer. After that, it'll make regular backups in the background as you work—you don't need to deal with it again.

If you ever need to restore a file you lost, you can just go to the Start Menu, type in "backup", and go back to "Backup and Restore". You can hit the "Restore My Files" or "Restore Users Files" buttons to get those files back

Computer

From Infohq.com

Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down. The one exception to this rule is when your  computer  locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. As cutting the power can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you have to. Following this rule will prevent permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the drive disc, and it will prevent a host of Windows problems.
Whenever possible, recover from crashes by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again to reboot

Twitter and You

What is twitter? According to Twitter:
"Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest information about what you find interesting. Simply find the public streams you find most compelling and follow the conversations...you don’t have to tweet to enjoy Twitter."

In the interest of learning something new, I opened a Twitter account. It is an amazing "world" of information. I have discovered huge amounts of information being tweeted. Jobs are constantly being posted by companies like Disney, Pepsico, Bank of America, Microsoft, and the National Institute of Health. There is a wealth of information on finance, health, government programs (like take back Rx day) that are easily accessed by "following" on the twitter streams. I can see how it can become a time sink as one sifts through to find the nuggets that most appeal. On my blog, I will find them for you. The tweets that educate and inform will be retweeted and be available on my blog. Should you decide to leap into Twitter, please "follow" me. Happy Tweeting!

Zote laundry soap comes in white or pink bars. The best soap for taking out colored stains and brightening white clothes.

W-4 information

http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/kiptips/archives/how-to-fill-out-a-w4-form.html