Are You a DOG Person or a CAT Person?

A friend and I were having a conversation yesterday and she asked, "Would you consider yourself more of a dog person or cat person?" I replied I like both. She explained she was not asking which I liked better, but what personality traits are similar to mine.

According to her, the canine person is considered an extrovert, loyal, kind, faithful, social, down-to-earth, and a good collaborator. A feline person is considered more subtle, introvert, mysterious, independent, and contemplative.

Again I replied, a little of both. She was not thrilled with that answer, and wanted a black and white response. So I conceded to stating I am a dog person. I really hate stereotypes, so many cliché ridden definitions of people, who in reality are all quite different, but my response satisfied her interest. The only reason I came to that conclusion was I have six dogs and only one cat. I don't think she would have been satisfied with my answer had she known how it was concluded, however I was in no mood to get all philosophic. I just wanted to eat my yogurt.

Later that day, the question started to nag me. Not so much which animal was I more like, but what would I consider my personality traits? Loyal, independent, goofy, nurturing, positive, extrovert....yep, I think I am more like a chimpanzee.  

Now the question is what animal are you?

How to Make Your Monday Suck Less

Ask anyone what day of the week they hate most, most are going to respond "Monday".  I used to love Garfield cartoons with "I hate Mondays".  Couldn't have said it better myself.  I never looked forward to starting the new work week, so much so, I even hated Sunday nights. I would lie in bed, anxiously wanting to hurry up and fall sleep so I could battle my Monday blues head on. Of course, my brain would keep going and going, typical female problem, and I couldn't get it to settle down long enough so I could fall asleep. I would then wake up 10 minutes before the alarm went off, frustrated I did not get the 8 hours I intended. Happy Monday!

When you first wake up, take in a big deep breath and exhale slowly.  I don't know why this works, but it always seems to help get the oxygen pumping and ready for actions.

Think positive. You don't have to throw on a fake smile. However if you find your thoughts taking a negative route, make a u-turn. I am becoming a firm believer in if you think good things, good things will happen.

Set the coffee the night before. God bless my machine for that option. I can go right downstairs and pour a cup of heaven to get my energy flowing.

Listen to upbeat music. Music with a good beat can get you moving.

Take a lukewarm/cool shower. I always shower before bed. I can't stand getting into my pj's without bathing first. In the morning, I jump in just quick enough to wake myself up. Freezing cold water can send you into a shock, but a nice lukewarm shower is enough to wash the sleep away and give you a quick pick me up.

Don't miss breakfast. Your body needs fuel. If you skip it, your body will start slowing down by mid-morning. Eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Avoid the sugar and carbs. Coming down from a sugar high is like falling face first from a 10 story building.

Take a walk. If you can get away from your desk, even 10 minutes, go outside and get a breath of fresh air. Walk around the block or do a quick jaunt up and down stairs. Get the blood flowing and you will feel better.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You know that annoying coworker who thinks he knows everything or the one who laughs at his own tasteless jokes? Brush it off. In the grand scheme of things, they don't matter.  

Be prepared. On Fridays, I write a "to do" list for Monday. That way, I don't have to think too hard in the morning trying to recount the activities of the previous week. I have a plan laid out for my Monday arrival.

Do something you love. Maybe Mondays suck because your job is not your ideal career. When we love what we do, we look forward to every day.

Play hooky. Hey, we all do some time. If you have the vacation days, why not take a day for yourself. I like Tuesday better anyway.

Help! How to Remove My Wedding Bands

Maybe it is karma, but I can't get my wedding rings off. I swear they are trying to tell me, "Don't do it! You will lose me!" because they know I can be dippy at times. However, I got a paper cut the other day just at the spot where my ring finger meets my hand, and the sucker just won't go away. I hate paper cuts. I would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than get another paper cut. I would rather listen to my mother nag me about having her grandchild before she dies than get another paper cut...well maybe not that drastic, but you get the picture. I have to deal with this stinking paper cut.

I have been getting loads of advice. One was using dental floss to bind my finger. All I can imagine are the sweet little Chinese girls getting their pretty little feet bound, only to one day find them deformed and broken. So wrong!  

Another suggestion was to put Windex on my finger and slowly rotate it off.  I am guessing it may have to do with the ammonia or some sort of solvent. Do I really want chemicals on my hand? I don't even use those chemicals in my house. Plus, I can already hear myself scream "SOB" when that liquid hits my paper cut (that stupid, stupid paper cut!).

A third suggestion was dishwasher detergent. This one sounds the most appealing and will be the first I try when I get home. I doubt it will hurt, and my hands will smell nice and be oh so clean.

So, my question is, anyone else have a bright idea? Something tells me my endeavors tonight are not going to go so well....

Photographing Children

I realized I blog quite often, but rarely discuss the thing I love most - photography.

This weekend I have a photoshoot for a first birthday party that includes 100 people. Yes, it is like a wedding and certainly more for the sake of the adults. Because I know the person throwing the party, I would not expect anything less and know it will be a fantastic affair. I say, party on!

There are several things I do to prep for shoots, and I thought I would share that info and a bit for getting the best photos from your kids.

Check out your environment. Indoors or out, home or school, park or backyard.

What is there for the child to do? Kids photography better when they are doing something. They also have a better temperament if you keep them occupied. If you can keep their hands occupied, even better. Then they don't end up in place that are not so nice in a picture, such as up the nose or down the pants!

Forget the smile. If a smile shows, let it come naturally. Often the forced "say cheese" smile make a kid look phony or even worse, possessed.

Dress the child in colors that will compliment the background and his or her skins. If for example, you are shooting the park in bright daylight, greens and yellows are not a good pick. If your child is pale, stick with lighter blues, greens, peaches or pinks, instead of harsh orange or yellow or anything neon or bright.

Get close and fill the frame.  I often see  photos a taken from too  far away, which adds a ton of empty space and poor quality of the image.

Get on their level. Instead to taking all photos standing or sitting, get on your knees or, even better, on your floor. Find their eye level and you will see a significant improvement in your photos.

Sneak attack. Kids who know they are getting their photo take either act like hams or run away. If you sneak up on them, you may get a more natural image, and if anything, at least the quick thrill of surprise.

Be aware of the time of day. Have the kids been fed? Taken a nap? Most kids love a routine. Mess with it, and you may not have a happy camper willing to cooperate.

Have patience. Even professionals don't always get the perfect shot right away. Kids are so unpredictable at times, it may take several shots before you have one you love.

Let the kid see how the camera works. Let him use the camera, with your assistance of course! The more a child is involved in the process, the more cooperation you will get.

Hire a professional. Documenting a child's life is so important. Everyone once in awhile, it is a good investment to get professional photos (and I am not talking about the chain/retail photography studios you find in the mall that line of children like cattle....ewww).

My Kindle Addiction

Disclaimer: This is not a review of the Kindle device. Obviously from the title, I love mine, can't live without mine, and encourage everyone to buy it and worship it as I have.

When Amazon.com first came out with the Kindle reading device, I was a bit skeptical. First, the sticker shock. I would go over again and again in my head, "gee, for that price I could buy over 50 books!" Second, the build. The first Kindle was far from sleek in comparison to the latest. It did not appear to be terribly ergonomic with its boxy build. I pondered if I could hold the device comfortably in bed, on a train, or sitting poolside while being served by a hot Latin pool boy? Ok, so the latter was wishful thinking....Third, what's the point? I like books. I like the smell of printed paper, the crack of a new binding, the little corners I fold to keep my place (don't knock me - I know it's a bad habit!). For me, it was not just reading a story; it was a complete sensory experience. I love to read. I read most days and it is certainly one of my favorite past times.

I started reading on my Kindle every night before bed, as I usually did with regular books. Reading always helps me fall asleep, and I usually spend 15-30 minutes before bedtime enthralled in a good book. But I soon noticed my 30 minutes turned into an hour and that hour turned into two. Before two weeks were over, I was spending at minimum two to three hours reading at night.

It did not stop there. Oh the convenience of throwing my Kindle into my bag! I started carrying it everywhere and every day. How wonderful it was to wait at the dentist and have a book to read instead of a fashion magazine with a gorgeous airbrushed celebrity on the front who I disgust for being so beautiful, especially so early in the morning. I read waiting in line at the grocery store and even at the gas pump. My Kindle became my best friend, my sidearm, my must have accessory. I was more worried about getting the Kindle in my bag than making sure I had on mascara!

I was now downloading books in the past I had no interest in purchasing. I downloaded biographies, self help books, even classics I had not read since my college years. I began enjoying Poe, Austen, and Bronte again, and at little cost! Who doesn't love a good bargain?! As soon as I finished one book, I could download another in less than 5 minutes and pick up reading again before withdrawal started to set in. Didn't matter where I was I could feed my need for instant words.

I have three different colored jackets for my Kindle and matching book lights for each. I charge it every night, even though not necessary, and have completely cleared that area of my nightstand, no candles, no glasses of water, not even a clock, so nothing will harm my Kindle. My husband remarked he is not surprised I have not bought it a little bed and blanket so it will be comfortable at night, all tucked away nice and warm while recharging its energy. Lucky for him, I find sarcasm a turn on.

My ultimate Kindle amusement, one I have never revealed until now, is being able to read a mindless love story with little plot and carnal passion without anyone seeing a trashy cover with a half naked helpless women being whisked away by a hot bodied, scruffy faced pirate. If asked what was I reading, I would simply reply, "oh, just Thoreau" or "Machiavelli". I mean really, no one has to know when I am reading smut, now do they?!

So here I am, typing this story, realizing I have just missed my lunchtime reading. It is a worse feeling than forgetting to put on my watch in the morning or wondering did I leave the iron on. My purse, lying on the floor next to me, is calling to me to open it up, take out my Kindle, and get lost in another story of another world in another time. How can I resist? er Text Here