New things to do with Umbrellas!

I know you're probably not thinking umbrellas right now... but spring cleaning is coming soon (please say soon mother nature!).
So instead of throwing out old umbrellas, try using them for something new!

A Drying Rack

An old umbrella makes a handy drying rack. Just strip off the fabric and hang the fame upside down from your shower-curtain bar. Attach wet clothing with clothes pegs. Plus, your new drying rack folds up for storage.

Make Plant Stakes

Remove the umbrella’s ribs first, as they make excellent supports for top-heavy garden plants, such as peonies.

Cover Your Picnic Food

To keep flies from feasting on your picnic before you do, open an old umbrella and cut off the handle. Place the umbrella over the picnic dishes. It will shield your lunchtime treats from the sun, too.

Make an Instant Trellis

Remove the fabric from an old umbrella and insert the handle into the ground to support climbing vines, such as morning glories or sweet peas. The umbrella’s shape, covered with flowers, will look terrific in the garden.

Shield Your Seedlings

If you waited long enough before planting your seedlings outside and then a frost is unexpectedly predicted, you can use an old umbrella to save the seedlings. Open the umbrella, then cut off the handle. Place the umbrella over the seedlings to the frost off them.

Found on MSN

Belly Dancing!

I'm teaching Belly Dancing again! So pumped! Here's the details...

Beginner Belly Dancing for Women (12+)
Learn various belly dance movements and learn 2 full song routines.
Where: St. Patrick's Family Centre, 34 Providence St.
When: Mondays (starting January 31)
Time: 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: $90 for non-members, $45 for members

Mom and Me Shimmy!
A great way to spend time with your little lady! Any age is welcome as long as they won't be too distracting for you! Learn mini-routines to have fun with at home together!
Where: St. Patrick's Family Centre, 34 Providence St.
When: Saturdays (starting February 5)
Time: 10 - 11am
Cost: $90 for non-members, $45 for members (2 for the price of 1!)

A little background on myself...

When I was 17 and just heading into college (I know, 17, how much does that suck!), a friend of mine wanted to try out a belly dance class and wanted me to join her, I thought sure why not? I had heard it's a great work-out and I have always loved to dance. So we went and I fell in love!

After that I continued in my living room (mimicking youtube videos and dvds) and with friends until I moved to Moncton when I was 21. I then joined up with Studio Sephira and learned a heck of a lot more!

When I was 22 I moved to Fort St. John, BC and started to work for a cultural centre. There was a lot of childrens programs in the area, but not much offered to adults. So my boss asked if I'd teach belly dancing? So we put out the word and the response was tremendous! I remember my first class I was sooooo nervous, but about half way through I realized how much fun this was going to be. Making jokes and giggling with ladies while getting fit became one of my favorite things to do!

After about a year I moved to Saskatoon where I took hip-hop for 5 months, then moved to Ontario. (Take notes, I'm going to ask you where I lived first! LOL jk!)

I'm from a small community in Mid-Western Ontario, so I approached the township about teaching belly dancing again, and was signed up for 2 classes a night, 3 days a week, in different towns! Quite the work-out let me tell you! Baths became my best friend!

After a year I moved back to Moncton (all of the moving was based mostly on my career in radio) and someone mentioned that I should start teaching again. And since we announce stuff for the St. Patricks Family Centre, I thought I'd call them. And that's how it all came to be! This is me teaching in Fort St. John, BC!

Email Mistakes

Most of us rely on email as one of our primary communication tools. I prefer an email over a phone call at work because I like a written reminder.
But as with anything, the more we send, the more likely we are to screw up! Simple email mistakes can cost us a job, or even end a friendship.
So... with a new year upon us, let's set a goal to avoid email mistakes!
1. Enter the recipients address AFTER you've completed the email so it doesn't get sent before you're done!
2. Upload attachments first, then compose. I'm horrible for forgetting to attach stuff! Also, double check to make sure it's the RIGHT attachment, not a picture of yourself!
3. Don't send an email and then call right after to get their response. They'll answer at their convenience, that's the beauty of email!
4. Re-read the email before you send it! Maybe someone was talking while you were writing and you accidentally wrote what they were saying. Always proof-read before sending.
5. Don't waste peoples time by forwarding useless crap.
6. Don't add/leave your signature on emails to co-workers. It takes longer for them to load, and they already know who you are. Take a second to delete it if it automatically loads on every email you send.
7. Don't use LOL or BFF or U when writing a professional email. Take your time to correctly spell out words.
8. Some companies have an email policy, so if you type in 'job search' it will trip the system and let them know you're looking for another job. So be careful what you send from a work account!
9. The subject line should be your headline, to get your point across and make people open the email.
10. Lastly, if a mass email was sent to you and you only want to reply to the sender, remember not to hit reply all! This can get you in big trouble (depending on what you're replying)!

Are Best Friends Bad?

Think back to when you were in grade school and you had that friend who ate lunch with you, encouraged you on the playground and stuck up for you with no questions asked. Clearly that friend has contributed to who you are today.

So I was a bit surprised to learn that a growing concern in Canadian classrooms is BFF's.

Some educators believe that twosomes can turn into groups and such cliques are often behind bullying because they can decide who's cool enough or not cool enough to join their crew.
Also, children who only have one friend spend recesses in their own little world and do not build relationships with other kids.

On the plus side, friendships do have there benefits. It teaches kids how to be intimate with someone who is not a family member, how to trust and give-and-take, and it’s a rehearsal for grown-up friendships and romantic relationships. While some may end and may be heartbreaking for kids, the experience of moving on is important too. They learn that some friends are replaceable and that the good ones stick.

So to make sure your child has healthy friendships, here's a few ways to approach the topic.

• Ask your child how their relationships are going and talk to them about what it means to be a good friend.

• Model healthy relationships with your own friends.

• If your child is becoming too insular with a BFF, consider signing them up for a drama class or soccer club where they’ll meet new people.

• If your child has joined a mean clique, talk to them about the behaviour you’re seeing from the group and encourage them to question it.

• Encourage your child to move on if a friendship has become dysfunctional.

• Don’t try to shield your child from heartbreak — they learn from it.

Found on MSN lifestyle

Getting Your Finances in Order for 2011!

Thanks to our Christmas generosity, one of the top New Year Resolutions is to pay off debt! Heck, who wouldn't love to live debt-free? Last year, Canadians surpassed the US when it comes to the average amount of household debt at just over 148%!

So what's the solution? Well, different strategies work for different people, so here's some steps experts recommend for dealing with debt!

Know your numbers. Know what you’re up against: make a list of debts including the outstanding balance, monthly payment, billing date and interest rate. Rank them according to how urgent it is to eliminate them.

Tackle “bad debts” first. While it’s necessary to make minimum payments on all debts, experts usually recommend targeting one or two debts for some extra attention — especially those with high interest rates. Once you’ve scratched your #1 debt off the list, pour the extra cash into the next item, and so forth.

Pay more often. This can help you save on interest chargess. Find out if you can arrange two monthly payments instead of one or how you can make extra payments through an automatic transfer.

Create (or tweak) your budget. Not sure where to start? Find tips here http://financialplan.about.com/od/budgetingyourmoney/ht/createbudget.htm plus google 'free household budget template' and get started!

Bring in extra cash. There’s only so much room to cut back the budget, so it’s often necessary to earn some extra cash. There are a variety of ways to do it — like getting a part-time job, turning a hobby into a side business or renting out a spare room. Even selling unwanted stuff can give your payments a boost.

Pay cash. Cash serves as a physical reminder to make us think twice before we spend. If you’d rather not get out the scissors, put your credit cards in your safety deposit box instead.

Consider cashing in investments. Not your retirement savings or emergency fund, but the low earning ones, that is — like GICs or money stashed away in saving accounts. Do the math: chances are you’re paying more interest on your debt than you’re earning.

Consolidate… with caution. There’s some controversy surrounding this step, but consolidating your debts to a lower interest plan can cut the amount of interest you’re paying. However, proceed with caution because there are many scams and fraudulent services out there and many people have lost hundreds of dollars for services that didn’t help. Do some background research on the company before signing on through government debt counseling websites.

Work with your creditors. While they’re under no legal obligation to do so, many creditors may work with you to make special arrangements like lowering interest rates or devising a better payment plan. This step may be an option if you don’t have too many creditors and you have a good history of making payments on time.

Attend to your emergency fund. It may seem counterintuitive, but this strategy stems the reliance on credit in a crisis. Setting aside money for emergencies is a good habit to get into rather than accruing more debt. How much is enough? A general rule of thumb is 3 to 6 months worth of expenses (depending on your circumstances), but even $1000 is a good start.

Plan ahead for major expenses. Aside from emergencies, we have some warning for major expenses like a child’s education, wedding, home upgrades or next year’s holiday spending. Instead of making payments after the fact, let interest work in your favour by paying yourself first. Set up automatic transfers to a savings account as soon as you can.

Keep records. True, it won’t help pay down your debt faster — but keep track of your efforts just in case there’s a dispute or error. If you need to seek help from a credit counsellor or consider more serious steps (like a consumer proposal or declaring bankruptcy), you’ll have the documentation you need at hand.

One last word of advice: do what makes sense for you.

Found on Yahoo Finance

The Rachel hair-cut

There was a time in the mid 1990s when women barraged their hair salons with photos of Jennifer Aniston to copy her haircut.

The layered cut was given the name "The Rachel" for Aniston's character, named Rachel Green, on the "Friends" television series. She wore the style on the show's first and second season.

One person who was not a fan of "The Rachel," however, was Aniston herself.

Aniston, now 41, tells the February issue of Allure magazine it was not her best look.

"How do I say this? I think it was the ugliest haircut I've ever seen," she says. "What I really want to know is, how did that thing have legs?"

Aniston's longtime hairstylist Chris McMillan came up with "The Rachel." He still works with her today.

Found on Allure.com!

Tips for staying healthy this cold season!

According to a recent Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, Canadians are taking an ever-increasing number of sick days each year, leading to decreased productivity and scheduling difficulty -- which means an overall hassle for employers. During any given week in 1999, for example, about 6 percent of all full-time employees were absent at least one day; by 2009, that figure had risen to 8.2 percent.

So what's causing this spike in absenteeism?

According to the survey, it's due to a number of factors, including an aging workforce and high stress-levels at work, both factors which make workers more susceptible to illness. Additionally, the number of families with both parents in the workforce continues to increase, meaning that parents must take off work to care for their sick children.

With flu season upon us, here are five expert tips on how to keep yourself -- and those around you -- healthy this year.

1. Work out: A recent study in the British Medical Journal showed that people who exercise five days per week or more have 41% fewer sick days than those who exercise 1 day per week or less. The most fit participants in the study who did develop an illness had 34% less severity of symptoms than those who were the least fit.

2. Eat right: Instead of reaching for the candy bowl - grab a piece of fruit instead. The vitamins, minerals and water content all contribute to immune system health. Sugar has been linked to a decrease in healthy bacteria in the stomach, which can make you more susceptible to illness.

3. Get off your ... : If you sit at a desk all day, it's vital to stand up every 45 minutes and walk around. There is a direct correlation between prolonged sitting and creating disease. Use this time to do what you have to do anyway. Go to the bathroom or drop off a message. It doesn't matter, just get up.

4. Keep your hands and workspace clean: Washing your hands is key to staying healthy at work, especially during the winter when co-workers are more likely to come into the office with a cold. Wash your hands with warm water for 15 seconds every time you use the bathroom, take public transportation, handle money or sneeze, and before you eat or prepare food. Keep a hand sanitizer on your desk to use regularly.

Additionally, be sure to clean your workspace at least once a week. Wipe down your phone, cell phone, keyboard and other often-used items that others may have touched.

While a clean desk may help prevent you from getting sick, though, a neat one won't necessarily do the same. Studies show that the more cluttered with papers your desk is, the less likely it is to make you sick. Bacteria doesn't stick to papers that are being moved around, but sticks well to open surfaces.

5. Get enough "R & R": Stress is known to weaken the immune system, so if you're stressed out at work, be sure to prioritize rest and relaxation during your work week.

Additionally, take "me-time" during the week. Engage in one slow activity a day -- a slow walk, lingering dinner conversation, or long bath and do at least one thing you profoundly enjoy every day that is unrelated to your work activity.

Found on MSN Careers

Humming is good for you!

Crank up the tunes and hum along, here's why!

During humming, the gas exchange between the nasal passages and the sinuses is 98 percent, almost a complete exchange. During normal exhalation, without humming, the gas exchange rate is only 4 percent.

Poor gas exchange and poor circulation in the sinus cavities create a good environment for bacterial growth. Researchers suggest that daily humming could help reduce the incidence of sinusitis and upper respiratory infections.

Top 10 Friendship Deal Breakers

Number 10... Wrecking Your Stuff!

Remember back in school when you had friends (or friends of friends) who would steal your CDs? Sure, most people have grown out of that, but there are still adults out there who won't treat your things with respect. Most damage to property can be forgiven with time -- especially if they make it right and replace it! But if they constantly borrow something and bring it back saying it was “like that when they borrowed it” then you might just want to break off the friendship!

Number 9... Taking You Down With Them

This one should be obvious. Anyone who engages in self-destructive behavior and pulls you into it against your will is not a friend. A good friend will have your back if you get jumped; a bad friend is the one picking the fight.

Number 8... Always Trying to One-Up You

Everything you tell them about, they proceed to tell you about the time they did it -- only it was three times cooler. Sure, people are competitive, and it's fun swapping stories about crazy things you've done or seen, but their insistence on outdoing you at absolutely everything is going to wear you down. Find friends who will let you be the hero once in a while.

Number 7... Mooching

There are different types of mooching; like them needing you to drive everywhere and never chipping in for gas. Or you seem to always throw in more to cover the check than they do. Mooching isn't always about money, either: If you have cool perks to your job, who are the friends who always want the hookup? Friendship should be GIVE and take.

Number 6... Embarrassing You on Purpose

Whether it's sharing embarrassing stories you told them in confidence or having a laugh at your expense, you may find yourself cut down over and over by a certain friend. Friends are there to support you and help you be the best you can be, not to leave you feeling like crap.

Number 5... Blocking Your Pick-Up

A major source of endless fights among friends. If you're making progress with a someone, and they seem to be into you, it's a huge no-no for your buddy to get in the middle of things. There are plenty of fish in the sea, so there's no reason your friends should need to chase the same romantic opportunities as you.

Number 4... Back stabbing!

Whether it's going after a job they know you wanted or that cutie you've been flirting with, some “friends” will sell out your friendship as soon as your back is turned. These are the same people who will gladly tell others your private matters because they prefer gossiping to keeping confidences.

Number 3... ALWAYS Needing Money

Let's be clear here: There's nothing wrong with spreading your money around a bit if you can afford it. When you're out with friends and feeling fine, picking up the first round is a classy gesture. Likewise, if you have a friend who has a genuine need that you're able to help with, a loan can be a strong bond in that friendship. The key to this deal breaker is that word “always” in the title.

Number 2... Stealing YOUR Significant Other

If you've made it clear that you're seeing someone and have strong feelings for them, and one of your friends knowingly gets in the middle, they've violated that bond of trust and are not worth your time!

Number 1... Breaking Trust

If you look back over the list, most of the “deal breakers” come down to two core abuses: people who use you and people who do you harm. Breaking trust combines both of those behaviors into a friendship-destroying one-two combo. If you have friends who betray your trust in them, you should find better friends, because the ones you have are doing nothing but harm.

Found on Ask

I always thought I had a bit of Leo in me!

I was born on August 31, which used to mean I was a Virgo. Now apparently I'm a Leo! While I admit most of me is comprised of Virgo-isms... I am also a bit of a Leo. However, when I read this I was a bit taken aback, as all my life I've been a Virgo, and I feel sorry for all of those who have tattooed their signs on themselves! Lol, but this is the latest news...

A Minnesota astronomer confirms what many have suspected: Your horoscope is pretty much wrong! Earth's shifts on its axis over the past 3,000 years have changed the 12 zodiac signs. There's also a 13th sign, Ophiuchus, that's based on a constellation the ancient Babylonians threw out for symmetry thousands of years ago.

The ancient Babylonians based the zodiac on which constellation the sun appeared to be in when a person was born. Since then, the moon has exerted a gravitation pull on Earth, causing a "wobble" on its axis that has shifted the stars' alignment by about a month.

The shift isn't new, Kunkle says -- the zodiac world just hasn't taken the wobble into account.

Here's your NEW sign below:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11

Pisces: March 11-April 18

Aries: April 18-May 13

Taurus: May 13-June 21

Gemini: June 21-July 20

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16

Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23

Scorpio: Nov. 23-Nov. 29

Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20

How to unspoil your children

Who doesn't love to make their kids happy? Well, giving into their every want can lead to future problems! Spoiled children grow up to be the "I'm entitled" adult, which is no fun to be around! Plus, they never really feel satisfied (because they want more) which can lead to depression, low self-esteem and they don't know how to trust themselves.
94% of parents believe they over-spoil their kids! So how do you pamper them without over-spoiling them?
1. Force freedom on your kids. I know, it's hard to let go, but let them earn their own money! Or do their own laundry, or change their own tire!
2. Get them involved in charity work so they realize what's happening in the world, and that they can help to make a difference.
3. Give them your time when they need it not want it, so they realize the world doesn't evolve around them.
4. Emphasize your childs inside qualities... spoiled children base everything on what they own and how they look.

Fun ways to work out your brain!

With New Years resolutions being to get into shape, don't forget to work-out your brain! It’s important to challenge, stimulate and effectively exercise all five areas to stay mentally sharp as our brains age. Here are 5 fun daily brain exercises that can help you do this.

Memory
Memory plays a crucial role in all cognitive activities, including reading, reasoning and mental calculation. To maintain a good memory, you need to train for it, which can be easier than you think.
Fun ways to boost your memory...
- Listen to music! Choose a song you don’t know and memorizing the lyrics
- Shower or get dressed in the dark
- Use your opposite hand to brush your teeth

Attention
Good attention enables you to maintain concentration despite noise and distractions and to focus on several activities at once.
Fun ways to boost your attention...
- Change your route to work
- Reorganize your desk
- Combining activities like listening to an audio book while jogging
- Do math in your head while driving

Language
Language activities will challenge our ability to recognize, remember and understand words.
Fun ways to boost your language...
- If you usually read the sports section, try reading a few in-depth business articles
- When you stumble across a word you don't know, look it up in the dictionary

Visual-Spatial
Analyzing visual information is necessary to be able to act within your environment.
Fun ways to boost your visiual-spatial...
- Walk into a room and pick out five items and their locations. When you exit the room, try to recall all five items and where they were located. Too easy? Wait two hours and try to remember those items and their locations.

Executive Function
Without even realizing it, you use your logic and reasoning skills on a daily basis to make decisions, build up hypotheses and consider the possible consequences of your actions.
Fun ways to boost your executive functioning...
- Play a video game
- Engage in a brief serious conversation with a friend
- Give advice to a friend about something
- Figure out new ways to do your work

Found on askmen.com

Wedding Trends for 2011

Don't be shy to 'borrow' some of these ideas!

1. Prohibition-Era Elegance
Thanks to the most stylish new show - Boardwalk Empire - thousands are opting for this style! Think dusty nude and lace dresses for your bridesmaids and wing-tip shoes for the guys. And it wouldn't feel like the Prohibition era without some wobbly pops! So serve up "moonshine" and Prohibition "bathtub gin" in your very own speakeasy bar, all while guests dance the night away to jazz (naturally!).

2. The Redefined Princess Wedding Dress
With a royal wedding around the corner, you can bet Kate Middleton's going to alter what princess style is all about. This time around, the new princess silhouette will be body-skimming with a bold train. Add statement-making headwear like tasteful tiaras and cathedral-length veils. And don't be afraid of sophisticated sequins and beading showing up on everything from the wedding dress to the floral arrangements and the wedding cake.

3. Sultry Ballerina-Style Weddings
From feathered headpieces and shredded fabrics to airy plumes and pale pinks paired with black, the look of the season is all about ambient romance thanks to Black Swan. Add some candles for more of a Phantom of the Opera feeling!

4. Ivy League-Chic Weddings
From Fair Isle sweaters to Vineyard Vines ties and Tommy Hilfiger blazers, preppy chic is back in a big way, and weddings aren't immune. Channel your inner Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl or Ali MacGraw from Love Story and incorporate Ivy League-chic details like plaids and stripes for the perfect remix of retro, preppy sensibility.

5. Exotic Indian Inspiration
With Katy Perry's Indian wedding and Eat, Pray, Love, India is definitely the "it" country for wedding inspiration. To get the look, choose a vibrant color palette like purples, reds and golds, lavish decor elements such as beading and rich drapery, and exotic, spicy dishes.

6. Wedding Man Caves
Blackjack tables, brandy bars, PlayStations and stogies. The man cave has officially moved from the home to the wedding, so create your own and don't be surprised if you see all the male wedding guests in the new "groom's corner" at the reception.

7. Prewedding PJ Parties
Before the wedding day, brides will be planning a night of pampering and bonding via JHS-style slumber parties, complete with matching pj's of course.

8. Food Truck Fun
Waffles, tacos and dumplings -- oh yes! If you have a hunger for gourmet food trucks, embrace it wholeheartedly by requesting makeshift sidewalk carts during the cocktail hour or food trucks for the wedding after-party.

9. Haute Desserts
Blame it on the popularity of Top Chef: Just Desserts, Amazing Cakes and Cake Boss, but cake bakers and pastry chefs are churning out incredible desserts and wedding cakes with gourmet flavors and haute style.

10. Video Guest Books
Building on the idea of wedding photo booths, take it up a notch and create a confessional-style video booth for your guests to say a few words about you to the camera. You could even dress up your iPad as a guest book as the newest way for guests to "write" you well wishes. Bonus? Postwedding, you can easily share your guest book online via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Vimeo.

11. Surprise Honeymoons
Ladies, butt out! Take a cue from Chelsea Clinton's wedding and leave it up to your groom to plan a surprise honeymoon.

Found on the Knot.com and MSN