I’ve been reading quite a bit on aromatherapy and have used a diffuser from Origins before that helps me ease my racing mind before bed. Not sure why Origins stopped carrying the diffuser, but you can get it on Amazon. I really liked the diffuser because it was compact, easy to use and there was no mess. I’d just pop it in my purse and whip it out anytime road rage hit, when I know I’ll get jitters or before bed when my mind is still ruminating from the day.

But, in all honesty, I need sensory therapy all 24 hours! I’m a stress case that’s also a worry wart, the worst kind. From the time I wake, my mind begins it’s never-ending cycles.

…What time is it? Is it too late for me to take my morning meds? What should I eat for breakfast before taking the meds? I should clean. Where should I start? Where’s the cat? Has she been fed? Maybe she’s puked again. I should definitely clean. I hope I get my magazines in the mail today. Did I pay my bills yet? I’ve got to check my bank account. Wait, I haven’t eaten anything yet or taken my meds, I should do that first. What’s that noise? Is it outside? I’ll go downstairs and check it out. I’ll take the trash out while I go down stairs. Remember to grab keys. Oh, I could get the CD from my car that I wanted to transfer to my phone and bring down those wipes I got for my dashboard too! I hope these cheap wipes don’t ruin my car. Did it rain this morning? I don’t want to go out with sandals on. I’m kind of craving those wontons again from that place. I wonder if they’re open yet. Should I just drive there or have them delivered? Wait, do I even have cash on me? I should go to the bank. CVS is right next door, I can go pick up my new prescriptions too. I still need  to return that book I got from the library a few days ago…

So now you have a glimpse into oh, about the first 30 seconds of my mornings, you can clearly understand why I need products to help me focus and calm down. I’ve talked to my doctors and they’ve just said to write things I need to remember down, then forget about it. If I need to later, I can refer back to the notes. Which is actually a good idea and I’ve been using this method quite often and it has helped me stop obsessing over things. But for that extra boost to ease my mind, I use aromatherapy. I’ve found there are many different companies that produce different products for aromatherapy.

Massages, diffusers, incense sticks, candles, all can be combined with a multitude of different scents and essential oils for what’s ailing you. Learn more about essential oils here. Or just a simple google search will bring a numerous pages of the different companies which usually have the benefits of each of the different oils/scents as well.

With my research, I felt that lavender would work best for me throughout the day. So I took a trip to Whole Foods and bought a few things for the home. Lavender Aura Cacia Essential Oil and a candle by tru malange in Evening Peace. I also purchased a USB aromatherapy oil burner from thinkgeek.com a couple weeks ago that I use with the oil. It’s great and since I’m always on the computer, it’s right next to me all the time!

For on the go, I got Dr. Bronner’s organic lavender hand sanitizing spray and Bach’s Rescue Remedy drops. I found out Rescue Remedy from Whole Living magazine that I subscribe to and wanted to give it a shot.

I’ll let you know how it works in a later post!

So I’ve only posted 1 entry for July and felt the need to give stillinbed.com the same love I’ve been giving to Good, Bad and Ugly with Lupus.

Upon signing in here today, I noticed there were a bunch of comments on my trypophobia post. It seems like I only managed to reply to 1 of the comments sometime last year. For that, I’m truly sorry. I’ve reply back to the 37 other comments individually and feel a sense of accomplishment and relief in doing so. I hope all is forgiven and those who commented will continue to read my future updates.

New happenings:

1. I’ve started a personal journal. You know, the kind I write stuff I can’t share with the world. This all of course, in the name of personal growth and self-enlightenment. Keeping this journal has been a goal of mine for a long time, but I just wasn’t disciplined enough to start one and be consistent with it, until now. This was all brought on by a movie I saw over the weekend, Any Human Heart — which originally was a book written by William Boyd with the same title. I fell in love with the story and inspiration was sparked, then putting pen to paper began!
2. I found time to clean my closet and organize my shoes to donate to the Women’s Rights Information Center, which their “Career Closet” (helps low-income job seekers shop for outfits and accessories) is run by Past & Present Boutique.
3. Upon visiting my dentist for a checkup, apparently I have 2 cavities. This may not be a shocking revelation as “more than 90% of adults over the age of 40 have had tooth decay in their adult teeth,”  and “over 19% of children ages 2-19 have untreated cavities.” It’s a fairly common, I guess. But I have never had a cavity in my baby teeth or adult teeth. I think the dentist is mistaken, I’d like a second opinion, really.

Discoveries:

1. Pepper normally chases after the laser pointer light, like most other cats. She’s fine with but not with It’s actually pretty funny to see her happily playing and chasing the first dot, but as soon as I change the laser to the circle, she runs and hides!
2. Kind Bars. I received one in a BirchBox and fell in love! I was so happy to find them at Target. They’re delicious and nutritious! “Kind’s all natural whole nut & fruit bars put an end to hunger by delivering all-natural nutrients like fiber, protein, calcium and iron.” Perfect for my anti-eating days. A bar and a multivitamin usually do the trick for me!
3. You can take the girl out of Little Saigon, but you can’t take Little Saigon out of the girl!
• I was homesick for delicious Asian dishes like my mom’s home cooking and all that’s familiar to me in Orange County (I’ve lived there since I was 2!).  The closest thing we’ve got is run-of-the-mill Chinese take out and a Mitsuwa about 20 minutes away. But getting those authentic Vietnamese dishes were out of the question. So, I decided to cook my own! I made bò lúc lắc (literally “shaking beef” – seared beef with sautéed onions), bánh xèo, (literally “sizzling cake” – crepe entree typically with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts), thịt kho (caramelized, braised pork belly with hard boiled eggs served over rice), and bánh phồng tôm (shrimp/prawn chips flash fried). Sadly, none of the dishes tasted like my mom’s, but Jeff liked it!
4. Almond milk. I came across this simply because I had a coupon for it and didn’t want to pay full price for the lactose-free milk I normally get. So delicious and good for you too!
5.  Cavities are contagious! Thanks Jeff!

I found a hobby and it’s a pretty time consuming one. But one that at least let’s me be creative and create lupus awareness all at the same time! I know I should’ve have done this a long time ago, but I guess it just wasn’t right yet, until now.

Presenting: http://www.youtube.com/moxieosity

I’ve been quite busy with this new project and am sincerely happy that I’ve got supporters and subscribers.

This channel is dedicate to describing my 9.5 year journey with lupus — from unknown symptoms, diagnosis to stability.

Also, just for fun, some videos will be about the going-ons in my life and how to keep busy while unemployed. However, the focus of the channel is mainly to retell my experiences with this disease.

In 2 weeks, I have uploaded 5 videos — 3 of which detail my struggles with lupus, from beginning until now.

I’m newly inspired to share my stories with the youtube public. I’ve got a list of episode ideas lined up and am excited to film these brief glimpses of my life. Ideally, I’d like to put up 2 videos a week — 1 lupus focused and another fun focused.

There will be at least 1 new video every week, I promise.

Please stay tuned and subscribe!!!

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) gave me the rare opportunity to publicly share my personal story about Lupus in a national ad campaign in 2009 in hopes of creating awareness and helping others recognize early symptoms. I got word last week the the Lupus PSA Campaign will be renewed again for another year! That’s 3 years running!

2010 previous post

Super ecstatic to be apart of such a great cause in 2011! Watch for me on tv and on the radio! However, it looks as though the AdCouncil is no longer overseeing this campaign, but ads and website are still up!

Could I Have Lupus Official Site

Could I Have Lupus Television Commercial

On a related note, I was browsing online and came across the post I wrote for the LFA submission back in 2008.

From Soup to Nuts 07/13/2008 08:07:43

So it was only a few days ago that I got the info about participating in this blog, to find out that I only have a day before the deadline of the 14th to complete my entries. I’ll try my best to be detailed yet concise, kind of a contradiction – kind of like Lupus.

But before I dive into my symptoms, misdiagnosis, and eventual battle with Lupus I’ll get a bit of background on me first.

I’m 24 years old and have lived in Southern California when my parents and I moved from Milwaukee, WI when I was 2 years old. Since grade school, I was always an outgoing and happy kid. I had plenty of friends that I would ride bikes with after school, study with for exams, and hang out with during the summertime. We’d eventually go on to junior high, then high school, but managed to reconnect as if no time had past.

I was a great student throughout school, both in extra curricular activities and academically. I was very much involved in school activities. From junior high through high school, I was involved in girls’ volleyball, Spanish club, yearbook staff member, vocal ensemble, orchestra, Key club, talent shows, and our high school philanthropic club, Argos (school mascot) Against AIDS and Cancer.

But as was most teenagers, I began to slack off my senior year of high school. I guess it was a normal regression at the time for kids my age to care less about school. “Can’t wait to be done with school! No more 0 period classes, gross lunches, or parents dropping or picking me up from school!”

I had already taken my SAT tests, applied to colleges and was ready to coast for the last year of my high school career. Senior year started and I was excited and apprehensive. My boyfriend Daniel and I have been dating since sophomore year. He was a great guy, but had other ambitions that were not similar to mine after high school. We’d disagree then fight. All this began around the same time my symptoms first appeared.

The achy knuckles, shoulders and knees were mostly bearable, but very uncomfortable. There would be some days I couldn’t get out of bed and my parents attributed that to laziness or staying up too late the night before. They didn’t know or realize that fatigue was hitting me hard. I would be late for school or work other days because when I would eventually get out of bed, it would be a struggle for me to get my clothes without the help of my mom because of the painful joints.

I couldn’t take it anymore and didn’t understand what was happening. I tried remedying it myself by sleeping earlier, eating healthier and attempted to live a less stressful life. I’d take time out of each day to reflect and meditate. Daniel and I eventually broke up because we felt that the stress we were causing each might be a factor in my declining health. But nothing worked. I finally went to the doctor to check out these symptoms after my hair began falling out in clumps.

The achy joints were uncomfortable, the fatigue was manageable, but that hair loss scared me and was serious enough for my parents to take me seriously and realize that I was just being lazy all this time. There was something wrong and we were going to learn it the hard way.

We’d go to different doctors that basically all said the same thing, “Its stress.” They said stress causes your body to react differently and that’s the reason for the symptoms.

It wasn’t too much longer after we sought the advice of the doctors that I began to lose weight rapidly. I wasn’t able to keep any food in my body. With in a month’s time I had lost 35 lbs. I remember it vividly. My mom had to take in my winter formal dress because I had lost so much weight, she had to replace the lace up back with hooks otherwise the dress would slip right off my now tiny frame.

“Are you taking diet pills or drugs? Tell me the truth,” my parents would ask me. It was heartbreaking because they weren’t sure if something had changed in my happy life to make start using drugs. I assured them I wasn’t doing any drugs and that I was just as scared as they were about what was going on with my body.

My doctors were no help. Gave me prescriptions that were supposed to relax my muscles and stress balls to work out my achy joints. But that was about it.

June 2001 was my graduation. Summer came and went. The symptoms never ceased. I guess I just learned to live with them.

It was Fall now and I began my first semester at Cal State Fullerton. It was an exciting time. Drove myself to school, choose my own classes and times, no assigned classroom seating – so much independence! It was those little things in life that made me happy.

It was December now and this month would be a milestone month for me. It would be my 18^th birthday and I was rounding out my finals for school. The symptoms were still lingering, but I guess I had enough going on in my life not to focus too much on the joints and fatigue.

It’s January and a visit to the emergency room showed I had severe pneumonia. It was winter and I was work late nights at a local bookstore along with studying late for finals. That combination with my prior symptoms was too much for me to handle.

I had a 105 degree temp which prompted the doctors to keep a close eye on me. The nurses and staff weren’t able to tell my parents what to expect from here except that I’d be kept in the hospital for observation since the pneumonia medicine was given to me high doses to alleviate the fever and coughing.

Everything from here is what my mom told had happened.

My parents had left for the night and promised to be back tomorrow morning. I had slipped into a coma later that night and wasn’t discovered until the next morning when a nurse had tried to wake me to draw blood. My parents arrived and thought I was still sleeping as well. The nurse came back and asked it I was a heavy sleeper and if they could wake me up so she could draw blood for tests. My mom had tried to wake me up, but soon noticed there was something wrong.

Apparently I had a stroke and slipped into a coma the night before. I finally woke up the next day to find the right side of my body completely paralyzed. My arm, my leg, my face – nothing was working.

With my parents hope, the help of the hospital staff and my courage to overcome – I slowly relearned to walk, talk, write, feed myself, and use my motor skills again.

It was Lupus, this disease I never heard of before. Was it contagious? Was it hereditary? How did I get it? I was just as confused as my parents but we listened intently to the doctors explanations and suggestions for a healthy normal life.

I was finally well enough to be released from the hospital with the doctor’s blessings.

It was only a month later I had my second stroke. This time it was more damaging and my motor functions I had just relearned were gone once again. Luckily the stroke affected the same area of my brain, instead of another area that would have debilitated another area of my body.

This time is was more serious. My mom quit her job to help me with physical therapy and watch over me once I was released from the hospital. I had to cancel my second semester of classes and would be taking off school for the rest of the year.

I felt bad for my mom, trying to stay strong for me. I knew inside she felt a sense of guilt, even though there really wasn’t anything she could do to prevent this. I guess she felt that all she could do now was to help me through this tough time and only empathize with me along the way. My dad tried to be strong too, but it was just as difficult for him seeing his only daughter go through something so heartbreaking especially at the beginning of her adult life.

Today, my 18-pills-a-day days, weekly MRIs, CAT Scans, blood tests, hospital stays are over for now. I’ve been stable and I’ve recovered from my strokes and regained about 95% use of the affected areas. I currently take multivitamins after stopping Plaquenil about 3 months ago.

It has been 6 ½ years since my diagnosis. New friends I make would never guess I had 2 strokes or even know about my condition and what I’ve gone through until I tell them. But I make an effort creating awareness about Lupus and how much it has affected my life in positive and negative ways. This experience has taught me and made me realize how strong I am. That my parents determination to help me through this is a unconditional love that comes from deep inside their hearts. I’ve had my ups and my downs, but I’m a fighter that will keep fighting until there’s a cure.

I look forward to the future and can’t wait to see whats in store for me. I’ll continue spreading the word, if not to one day find a cure, at least give solace to those recently diagnosed and are unaware of this elusive disease.

It has been 9 years since my diagnosis.

If that were just the question, NEW YORK definitely, right? Apparently they’ve got the best everything, no? Well, I hate to burst your bubble but the question’s a little more involved that just that.

With the new year came a new situation. My contract with CNBC was up in December and I knew I had to start looking for more jobs again. Fun! Well, not really. During my hunt, which I figured would be last awhile since the job market isn’t back to it’s promised “full swing,” I decided to file for unemployment benefits. Usually this issues an cringe from me just because of the paper work and the government personnel involved. But this time there was an added component.

While working at CNBC in New Jersey, I was under contract with a temp agency, AppleOne, out of New York. When it came time to file for the benefits I wasn’t sure what state I should file with or if I was even eligible as a temporary contractor. Each time I filed before I was a full-time employee at a company where my paycheck and my place of employment were in the same state. Which was not the case this time.

AppleOne gave me zero direction on how to successfully accomplish filing for benefits. I guess they thought I’d just wait it out until they had an assignment for me. Anyways, of course, I was on my own and had to do much digging to find answers to my tricky situation.

At first I figured I’d just file anyway in both states and if I get rejected, hey at least I gave it a shot. But then I thought, maybe this method might hold up my application in which ever state since I’ve filed for both. This could end up being a bad idea. Instead I went the better route and actually found some answers to my key questions. After combing government websites I found a couple links that suggested  since I was paying state tax to NJ, then I’m to file in NJ. Makes sense, right? But I wanted to be sure so I took a trip down to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in Hackensack. Hopefully they’d be able to help me fill in any gaps or shed light on anything I’ve overlooked as well.

Government buildings are notorious for inaccurate or confusing directional signage. I ended up pulling into the courthouse parking lot after circling the LWD building after navigating it’s one way streets for over 10 minutes. “Hi, I’m looking for parking for building on 60 State Street?” I ask the guy in the gated booth. “60 State Street?” he reiterated. “Yes, I’m looking for parking,” I repeated. He rubbed his chin and looked deep in thought. He then told me to park in the visitors space (in the courthouse lot) and get out of my car to follow him. Now, this seemed like a potentially bad idea, I know. But even with his strange mannerisms, I feel that he sincerely wanted to help me. We walked all the way down to the other side of the lot and that’s where he stopped. “Walk up until you see 2 doors, now you’re out of the lot. Keep going and 60 State Street building is on the corner. When you come back, come back the same way, not the way you came with your car,” he instructed. Strange, but I wanted to get my questions answers by LWD and get out of there quickly.

There must have been over 300 hundred people waiting to get assisted and a few more waiting outside on their cell phones. I was not prepared from this kind of welcoming and felt extremely taken aback. It was a dose of reality I wasn’t thinking of when I made my way to the offices this morning. Seriously, that many people were out of work or had questions like me? It was 10:30am, they should be at work! I’m sure they were thinking (wishing) the same thing, too.

I made my way through the meandering lines of people, who probably were unsure as I was, where to go to get what they needed to get done or have their questions answered. I decided to stand in the info line. At least this way I’ll get some direction of who I needed to talk to or even where to stand!

Thankfully it was on a matter of minutes I waited in line. It moved rather quickly and I was so grateful for that! Now, I was next in line and was prepared for whatever attitude (good or bad) and answer I was given. I knew this was probably a very unique question that wasn’t asked everyday — so I prepared myself to be answered with an “I don’t know.” As I walked up to the info desk I was digging out my last paystub and my id.

“Hi, good morning. I have a question I was unable to find a direct answer on either the NJ or NY websites,” I said. I further explained the situation and at first she said I was to file in NY. I thought, ok at least I have the NY info at home, this shouldn’t be a problem. She then proceeded to give me a slip of paper with an 800# on it and pointed me in the direction of bays of phones. “Call this number and file over the phone,” she said in a monotone voice. “Can I do this over the phone at home? It looks busy over there,” I asked. She then took the paper out of my hand and gave me another and stated there were computers in the room over there that I can use to file for NJ.

Ok, I’m confused now. I thought my question was already answered, file in NY. But after asking her if I can use my sterilized (I didn’t say that) home phone, now I’m supposed to file in NJ?! She saw the confused look on my face and felt like she needed to explain. “You pay taxes in NJ?” “Yes, state taxes are to NJ,” I answered, while pointing to that portion on the paystub. “Then you file in NJ — over there,” pointing to the crowded computer room.

I could already hear heavy sighs from the people behind me, so I took the paper and thanked her for her time. I didn’t even bother to ask her if I could complete the NJ application online from home. I looked at the second instruction sheet she gave me and found an empty computer to log on to. Looks like I didn’t have all of my employer information handy, which would mean I’d had to do it from home anyways. I folded the slip of paper up and tucked it in my bag and left.

Taking heed to the parking attendants directions, I simply walked back to the lot the way I came. There was no hassle and I was in an out in seconds. I took $2 out to tip as I approached the gate. “No, no you’re nice lady, no need,” he said. I gave him a sincere smile and thanked him again and I was homeward bound.

Now it was time to tackle the NJ unemployment website, which really wasn’t that involved to be honest. I had to fill out the necessary info, click submit and was done in less than 10 minutes! Now, its all about the wait and see.

The best ways to compromise, clear the air, and fight fair.

by Eric Messinger

(Repost from Real Simple)

Yankees and Red Sox. Red states and blue states. Your seven-year-old and your nine-year-old. Humans, it seems, are wired for disagreements. These conflicts can be angry, awkward messes, or they can be civil exchanges of viewpoints that lead to better decisions at work and closer relationships at home. What makes the difference is usually not the issue at hand but how it is handled. Here, then, are the rules of engagement, followed by tips on how to speak your mind (to almost anyone). No bench-clearing brawls, no threats of secession, no backseat turf wars involved.

The Rules of Engagement
Keep these in mind at your next impasse; they might help you avoid an unproductive argument.

1. Pick your battles. “You do not have to address every injustice or irritation that comes along,” says Harriet Lerner, author of The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships. “But it is a mistake to stay silent when an issue matters and the cost of silence is feeling bitter, resentful, or disconnected.”

2. Understand the stakes. Even if you think that you know the other person’s issues, it can’t hurt to pose a direct question. Ask “ ‘What’s your real concern here?’ ” says Rebecca Zucker, co-founder of Next Step Partners, an executive-coaching and leadership-development firm in San Francisco. “Often she’s not really voicing it.”

3. Wait until you’re calm. When emotions run high, disagreements can turn personal, and that’s rarely productive. Recognize when emotions are charged, and don’t have the conversation until you have a cool head.

4. Be respectful. If someone thinks you’re listening thoughtfully, she is more likely to respond in kind. An empathetic phrase, such as “I understand how you feel,” can go a long way.

5. Speak for yourself. Rather than criticizing the other person, stick to expressing your own feelings and actions (“I felt hurt when…” or “I’m concerned because…”). “It’s honest and authentic when you say how you truly view a situation,” says Jennell Evans, co-founder of the Washington, D.C.–based consulting firm Strategic Interactions.

6. Don’t interrogate. Try not to go on a lawyerlike attack with a litany of yes-or-no questions. This tack is aggressive, puts the other person on the defensive, and can belittle her, Zucker says.

7. State the facts. If you have them, use them. Facts give opinions and feelings a lot more credibility. It also helps that “they aren’t personal or emotional,” so they can help make your disagreement constructive, Zucker says. Just make sure you really do have the facts. At the very least, you should be able to name your source.

8. Speak to common interests. Keep the common goal and good in mind. Remember: If an argument turns nasty, nobody wins. Tell the person how much she means to you and how much you value her opinion.

9. Aim to clear the air rather than win. In many instances, the disagreement will end in détente. Don’t try to win the argument; it’s more important to focus on understanding why the other person thinks differently than you do.

10. Consider compromise. It doesn’t get you exactly what you want, but it can be an effective way for people to overcome a disagreement and move forward. Remember: A compromise doesn’t have to be equal to be acceptable. However, it is important for you to understand what you’re both giving up and to be comfortable with that equation. “You don’t have to feel happy about a compromise, but you have to feel you can live with it,” says Robin Hoberman-Becker, a mediator and divorce lawyer in Chicago.

Just some randomness for the day…

52 Uses For Rubber Bands

Well, I thought I’d do a little digging. Myscha listed 8 great ones already. I have my own uses of course, and they represent a good chunk of the following list. But I wanted to know how other people use them. I was genuinely surprised at some of the responses I got.

So here then are 52 uses for rubber bands, ranging from the tiny one that hardly fits over a marker pen, to the giant one that you swear could double as a timing belt.

1. A hair tie. Something I still remember from my days in the mosh pits. In college, when money was tight, I didn’t want to blow money on hair ties. A simple rubber band does the trick, but it can take a few hairs with it as you pull it out.

2. A diversion. So, you want someone to look the other way, maybe so you can sneak out, hide a present or just pull a prank. Fire a rubber band across the room and aim for something that will amplify the sound as it hits. As your victim turns to look, move and strike.

3. An eraser. Hey, it’s made of rubber after all. Grab a few rubber bands and create a small rubber band ball. With enough rubber bands, you’ll have something sturdy that can erase pencil just as well as your standard eraser.

4. A sports-glasses holder. If any of you have to wear eyeglasses but play sports, you’ll know how annoying it is to have your glasses fall off, especially as the action heats up. Simply cut a rubber band in half and attach each end to each arm. If you have made it tight enough, the glasses will cling nicely to your head without pinching. When the game is over, just cut it off and throw away.

5. An eyeglasses safety strap. Same as above, only make it much longer. Now, if you have to remove your reading glasses, your new safety strap will let them hang neatly on your chest until you need them again.

6. A poster scroll. Perhaps the most obvious use, but still worth mentioning. Simple slip a rubber band over a rolled up poster to keep it rolled up. BUT, not too tight. It will leave indentations that will run the full length of the poster if the rubber band is too small.

7. A handle grip. Easy enough. Just wrap several wide rubber bands around the end of a pole to create a comfortable grip. I used this method to make a hiking stick more comfortable.

8. A mafia wallet. Well, not just the mafia, but a lot of wiseguys don’t like to carry wallets. Instead, they use a money clip or in some cases a rubber band. Wrap it around your stash of Benjamin Franklins. Or, if you want to contain your ID as well, put the cash between your driver’s license and credit cards, and then wrap the bands around that.

9. A humble reminder. Just put a small rubber band over your little finger (not too tight mind you) to act as a reminder for something important. That’s if your smart phone is a piece of junk that has no calendar.

10. A candle dewobbler. Is your lovely candle wobbling in the candle holder? Just put a rubber band around the base and it will fit nice and snug.

11. A glove softener. We’ve all done it, or at least, most young baseball players have done it. A brand new glove is stiff, so after beating it with a mallet and rubbing in shaving cream, wrap a big rubber band around it. Then let it sit.

12. A mail storage system. Hammer two parallel rows of nails in the side of a cabinet or the back of a door, and stretch rubber bands between them to hold mail. You can also stretch bands over a piece of plywood for a cheaper version of the French ribbon board.

13. An overbite cure. I’m skeptical on this one. But apparently, when stretched between opposite ends of the upper and lower jaw, over a period of time, the force of a rubber band can correct a minor overbite.

14. A remote control saver. Wrap a big rubber band around the top and bottom of a remote. It will protect it from a fall, and it will stop it scratching up the coffee table.

15. An Easter-egg decorator. Just wrap rubber bands in different directions around the eggs before dunking them in egg dye. Cool patterns will appear.

16. A cheap ruler. For this one, use a bigger rubber band, stretch it out and run your pencil along it. Simple, but certainly not perfect.

17. A liquid economizer. Wasting precious soap, detergent or lotion? Wrap a rubber band tightly around the neck of the dispensing pump to limit how each “squirt.”

18. An electrical insulator. Make wires safer in an instant. First, turn of the power, then wrap a rubber band or two around any exposed wire to protect yourself. This is a temporary measure obviously.

19. A finger exerciser. If your fingers are in need of some stretching or rehab, this is a cheap way to work them out. First, bunch all of your fingers together and place them through the center of a rubber band, one with a lot of tension. Next, spread your fingers and let them contract.Now, repeat.

20. A flower arranger. For simple organization of your blooms, use a rubber band to keep flower heads together. Cut the stems to just above the height of the vase for best effect.

21. A lid gripper. Don’t pay one cent for those expensive lid grips you see advertised on late night TV. Instead, wrap a thick rubber band around the rim of a jar lid and then twist.

22. A shirt loosener. Is your top button a bit tight? Don’t pay for expensive adjustments. Put a small rubber band through the buttonhole, then loop the ends over the button.

23. A bed slat securer. Got a few loose slats under the mattress? Just wrap a few rubber bands around the ends to make them more secure.

24. A caster tightener. We all know that furniture leg casters can take some punishment and become loose over time. To tighten them up, wrap rubber bands around the stem and reinsert.

25. A wine marker. Wrap a different colored rubber band around the stem of each glass the next time you have a dinner party or gathering. No more mixed-up drinks.

26. A Koosh ball. Take a whole bunch of rubber bands, and them hold them together with one very strong rubber band. Now cut through the ends of the rubber bands and you have a homemade Koosh Ball. Really cheap and fun.

27. A liquid marker. If your garage is anything like mine, it’s filled with all kinds of containers, most of them holding something like paint, turpentine, cleaning fluids and more. But which ones are full, and which ones are ready to replaced? You can use rubber bands around the outside of the cans as guides, and move them down the can as you use more.

28. A paintbrush scraper. Speaking of paint, I usually wipe the excess from my brush on the inside rim of the can. But this leads to paint leaking into the rim, splattering you with paint when you hammer the lid back on. To avoid this, wrap a rubber band around the can from top to bottom, going across the middle of the can opening. Now you can just tap the brush against the rubber band and the excess paint will fall back into the can. Nice and neat.

29. A universal object gatherer. So, so obvious but how can I not mention it. From pencils and pens to index cards and office supplies, a rubber band is invaluable in keeping objects tied together.

30. A sliced apple keeper. Odd but true, if you slice an apple into wedges and then put them all back together, a rubber band wrapped around the apple will hold it all together and stop the wedges from yellowing or drying out. Much better for the environment than using sandwich bags.

31. A bag sealer. Keep chips, cereal and other bagged produce fresh by folding the top of the bag over and then wrapping a rubber band around the whole thing.

32. A folder sealer. Manila folders with loose folders inside could use something to keep all those papers from getting out. No problem. Wrap a rubber band around the length and width and they’ll go nowhere.

33. A wire sorter. Especially useful if you have a large collection of wires under your computer, keep them organized by wrapping the excess with rubber bands. Color codes rubber bands can also help identify the different wires.

34. A toddler lock. Young kids love to explore in those cabinets under the sink, and everywhere else. Stretch strong rubber bands tightly between cabinet knobs to lock them in place.

35. A broom reviver. If the broom’s bristles are looking worn, tighten them up by wrapping thick rubber bands halfway up the bristles.

36. A toilet paper saver. My cat just loves unraveling the toilet paper. And then shredding it. To avoid this, wrap a rubber band around the end of roll of toilet paper. Can be annoying to remove each time, but if you find wasted paper more annoying, try this.

37. A last resort glue. Seriously, this is last resort. But if you need an adhesive in a hurry and can’t get to a store, melt a rubber band onto the object you want to stick. It works! It’s not super glue, but it’s a good temporary fix.

38. A bottle holder. Shampoos and lotions can be slippery in the bathroom. Wrap a large rubber band around each bottle and you’ll never have a problem keeping your grip. This also works on any other bottle in any room of the house, and is very useful for people who have trouble gripping, especially those with arthritis.

39. A spoon saver. How often have you seen the spoon fall into the soup or mixing bowl? Just wrap a rubber band around the upper part of the spoon’s handle, right above the point where the spoon touches the rim of the bowl. No more slipping and sliding.

40. A quick tagging system. Are some batteries older than others? Are some pens more reliable, or do they belong to different members of the family. Color-coded rubber bands can help you sort them all out quickly and easily.

41. A pencil grip. Wrap many rubber bands around the base of the pencil, or pen, where you like to hold it. Now it’s much more comfortable, and less slippy.

42. A slingshot. You know how to make it work, I won’t spell it out. But for catapulting a small object from one side of the room to the other, a rubber band is ideal.

43. A quick splint. If you need to strap in injured finger, use a rubber band, or bands, to firmly attach a stick or strong piece of card to the injury.

44. A lid securer. Again, another obvious but great use. If the lid is loose and past its prime, keep it in place with a strong rubber band.

45. A cord shortener. Don’t trip over long electrical cords. Simply wrap a rubber band around the excess to shorten them.

46. A work of art. Anyone remember string pictures? This is the rubber band “ghetto” version, but it’s quick and easy. Just by using a pegboard and rubber bands you can create cool shapes and patterns, and it’s cheap, too.

47. A wax catcher. Wrap a large rubber band around a candle and it will stop the wax from dripping onto the table.

48. A cutting board anchor. If the board is sliding on the counter surface, wrap a rubber band around each end. Now, it will hold steady as you cut.

49. A rubber thimble. If you have to count or shuffle a lot of papers, a few rubber bands wrapped around the tips of your fingers will make the job a lot easier. Again, not too tight.

50. A stress reliever. Make a ball from lots of rubber bands. You can squeeze them when you’re feeling stressed, and it’s cheaper than an off-the-shelf ball.

51. A leak fixer. A very temporary measure, but a strong, fat rubber band can be wrapped around a pipe or hose to slow the leak.

52. A tie dye tool. How many hippies out there remember this? Tightly wrap rubber bands around your clothing item, in several places, and then place into the dyes. Nice.

Eight days into the month and our bills are paid (except one) through August.

There’s a certain amount of responsibility we must consider regarding our purchases when living on our own. Especially since we’re a one income household (until I hear back from some recruiters, keep your fingers crossed!) and because of this we’ve got to be smart about what we spend. Although we each have our share of splurge worthy items (for me – sephora trips, for him – camera accessories), we’ve managed to not only stay afloat without assistance, but we’ve saved five figures worth (with decimal) for our wedding budget!

I’ve always been a conscious shopper — looking for deals and such. But remembering back a few years ago, there were so many things I could have done differently to save even more. I’ve made out ok, but there’s always room for improvement.

So fast forward to 2010 and I’m a savings-savvy, bargain-hunting, price comparing, coupon-clipping frugalista! Seriously, it pays off and you’ll see what 50¢ here 75¢ there  adds up to. And if you don’t mind the spam box of occasional junk mail (but also bears great discounts/coupons), sign up online for the stores you frequent and/ or register for free store loyalty discount cards. Not sure how these work, but there have been plenty of times that I’ve made out like a bandit just by swiping these loyalty cards. There are also sites devoted to great deals where you can grab a promo code (for online purchases, of course) or print out store coupons. There are even sites where other coupon lovers swap out one deal for another! The possibility of saving a buck or two is endless, you’ve just got to do your homework.

Here’s an article with a concise list of the sites I use to wrangle my coupons:

http://www.wisebread.com/the-best-places-to-get-coupons-online

Happy shopping!

You’re Going to Get a Traffic Ticket Soon Click for link to article.

Ah, the budget crisis…

Fortunately, I fall into the same category as the author’s father-in-law. Not a single moving violation yet in my 10+ years of driving. But how much longer are we going to be safe from the inevitable traffic ticket? Especially since the economy is still “recovering” (stabilizing or still in the tubes, pick your perspective)?

I almost feel as though I’m jinxing myself by admitting I’ve never received a ticket. Well, that’s not necessarily true. There was that one incident with a Los Angeles meter maid, but that’s story’s for another time and besides, it was not a moving violation.

Most interesting about the article? The ticket “hauls.” I think its crossed everyone’s mind at least once that traffic officers have either a quota or goal they need to meet or exceed by the end of the week/month/quarter etc. But I’m sure if you ask any cop, none will admit to it.

Also, the speed “cushion” we all know and love? This has been reduced to about 2mph (the margin of error of the speed scanners). Offenses that used to warrant just a warning like a broken tail light, now ticketable. All in the name of “making streets a better place,” right?

I’m guilty of driving and texting, eating, coffee-sipping, makeup applying, ipod scanning and aggressive driving. It’s a wonder why I haven’t gotten pulled over yet. Maybe its my awesome behind the wheel skills while multitasking or I’ve been extremely lucky. I think its more of the latter. Please understand I’m not saying doing anything else but concentrating on the road while driving is ok, I am certainly not condoning it. These are my bad habits that I am try to curb.

One things for sure, after reading this article I know my spotless driving record maybe hanging the balance, multitasking or not.

Insomnia is my friend, well that what it thinks it is. It hangs around me every night and sometimes even until dawn. I would like it to go away asap. I want to get my slumber naturally (instead of popping Tylenol PMs) a full night’s rest and wake up refreshed, not groggy. I am guilty of not “reserving my bed for just sleeping.”

I read, play board games, clip coupons, blog (like right now), listen to music, watch vids on my netbook, etc. This is a habit I doubt I’ll break, but I guess if I want restful and re-energizing sleep, the bed must be for sleeping only. We’ll see how long this lasts…

Good Sleep Hygiene

Turning Off and Tuning Out: Practicing “Good Sleep Hygiene”

The following post by Dana Wood is an excerpt from her new book, Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together (even if you never had it in the first place!), published by Adams Media. I talk to women all the time who don’t get enough sleep. I’m certainly guilty of this bad habit too and hope Dana can knock some sense into us night owls. Sweet dreams!

It’s a weird phrase, but the basic habits of setting the stage for slumber are known together as “good sleep hygiene.” Here’s all the steps you should take (and stuff you should avoid) if you want to sleep like, well, a baby:

• Put a cork in it -You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: As good as booze is at knocking you out, it messes with your REM sleep. So consider steering clear, at least on school nights. And layoff the coffee after 4:00 P.M., too. That will give the caffeine time to wear off.
• Back away from the fridge -No big meals right before bed, although a light snack is fine. You don’t want your stomach going into digestion overdrive when you’re trying to doze off.
• Finish working out at least four hours before bed -Otherwise, there’s a chance you’ll get all hopped up and energized, and that’s no state of mind/body in which to sail off to Sleepy Town. Yoga might be okay, but why risk it?
• Spring for comfy bedding -You don’t need to spend a fortune (unless you want to), but at least splash out on high-quality sheets and a great pillow.
• Develop routines -Go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, do the same “wind-down” things in the same way, religiously. (See my night-night routine in “Worked for Me.”) Practicing the same routine nightly will help send sleep cues to your mind and body.
• Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cold -From the digital clock to street lamps, we underestimate all the light creeping into our bedrooms at night; I’ve actually taken to wearing a mask. If you sleep with a snorer, buy earplugs. And as for the chilly temperature, that’s what blankets are for.
• Reserve your bed for sleeping and sexing -This is a toughie, because who doesn’t have a flatscreen and a pile of books in their bedroom? At the very least, don’t drag your laptop or anything else work related in there. You want your mind and body to associate your bedroom with sleep, not every other activity known to (wo)man.
• Zap the nap -A midday snooze throws off your circadian rhythm, which makes it harder to fall asleep at night. If you’re completely exhausted, limit your nap to fifteen minutes. If you’re zonked out long enough to get through all the NREM and REM cycles, you’ll wake up anything but refreshed.
• Get up if it just ain’t happening -After about ten sleepless minutes, cut your losses, get out of bed, and head somewhere else in the house. Then do something boring and snoozeworthy, such as watching a rerun of a show you’ve already seen about ninety-five times. When you find yourself dozing off, head back to Sleep Central.