My Future Travels

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

CloudHQ makes data transfer lightening fast.

CloudHQ makes data transfer lightening fast.

Ok, so maybe not lightening fast but definitely easier than trying to transfer a file at a time. I transferred 5GB of data in just a few min using CloudHQ from my Dropbox account to my Amazon Cloud account.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Stretching Myself

When I was young I would stand against the wall at parties and watch the other kids laugh and play.  One evening after my friend Krystal’s 6th birthday party my mother told me that the other mom’s had commented to her about me seeming so quiet.  My mom informed me if I wasn’t careful I might actually even came across as though I thought I was better than everyone else.  I was dumb-founded, how could anyone think that?  I was just shy! Well, I certainly didn’t want people to think I was stuck-up so I decided to acknowledge my fear and change.

From then on when I went to parties I made sure I engaged other people and if someone was alone I went over and talked to them.

Over the next 30 plus years I have tried my best to continue to do just that –to stretch myself by forcing myself to leave that wall, get out of the house, and go live life.
Many people live quiet ordinary lives because they fear doing things by themselves. 
I know people who believe going to a movie alone is weird; when I lived in Bakersfield I remember one movie cashier actually saying “just one” in that “are you serious” voice when I asked to buy a ticket.  Of course sarcastic me turned around looked behind me turned back and said “yes just one”.

There is going to a restaurant by yourself; to hear my friends talk you would think this is only for the eccentric.  The first time I went to a restaurant by myself I was 16 years old.  I remember going to a little hamburger place called Chubby’s.  Now this place is only slightly above fast-food but it was still a little scary for me.  I sat down and started browsing the menu.  What I found uncomfortable wasn’t the fact I was by myself though. It was the fact many patrons were watching me.  I mean literally just staring at me.  Now I like to make people laugh but being the source of their sympathy I didn’t like at all.  However I didn’t let it stop me; though I did bring interesting books with me from then on to bury myself in.

If by now, your friends don’t already think you are crazy try telling them you are going on vacation by yourself.  Not a vacation to San Diego to see Shamoo (which after watching the movie Blackfish would make me sad anyway) however; a vacation to Egypt or Thailand. When you come home and show them pictures of you riding an elephant or a Thai sunset, then they too will wish they had gone with you. 

However, that picture of you drinking the snake whiskey in Laos, maybe don't share that one just yet.

As you can see, my mother’s counsel about how people can perceive shyness, lead me to a life of stretching myself and not letting fear hold me back. And to think all she wanted me to do - was play with the other 6 year olds. 

#DoYouIndie!

Monday, June 29, 2015

Safe Pet Care on the 3rd and 4th of July

Those of you with creative children please make some posters to put up at local fireworks venues.

BRING PETS INSIDE WHEN FIREWORKS ARE EXPECTED.
Please read and share with any neighbors who have their animals housed outside even part of the time.
The time around 4th of July is when the most dogs and cats come into any shelter. I’ve seen it, I’ve lived it. Often there is a painful, violent and sometimes deadly outcome.

And we are all too busy and multi-tasking.
Bring any animal inside please. Ideally the house, an inside room like an interior bathroom, play some music/play a video, crate them if necessary. I have a few crates available now and if you contact our site I will try to loan you one of mine or secure one for you.
If they are used to being outside please try to dog or cat proof the room. If it’s a bathroom remove the towels, tp, check for any glass bottles of toiletries, etc. Laundry or bedroom, remove anything loose, breakables, create a nest and block any windows. Remove any cleaners, detergents from the animal’s space. If you put them in the garage be sure plant food and fertilizer are not easy access…again, block windows, they WILL climb to a window to escape.

Some calming ideas:

1. Shirts: you don’t have to spend money for the Thunder shirt or the Kong shirt if you don’t want to or you have multiple animals. Simply doing some sort of figure 8 Ace bandage type wraps around the dog, under tummy, around shoulders gives a swaddling effect. This can also be accomplished by putting on a cotton t-shirt with or without sleeves, not the stretchy kind somewhat tightly on the dog. It will loosen up. The dog’s body is in a sort of tube swaddling garment. This is an idea from Tellington TTouch and what the certified instructor who volunteers at our local shelters teaches. Check the website for videos, examples of shelter dogs and others.

2. Benadryl: For Dogs/Not CATS! I am not a vet but Benadryl is usually safe for most dogs. Consult your vet for proper dosage. Dogs in general can use anything human for first aid….cats cannot. They have to have special feline drugs because their livers are different.

Always: Be sure you animal is microchipped or has current ID on the collar. If you are visiting from out of town or plan to take your dog with you do a temporary ID with your cell phone/local phone number if the permanent one is different always. Secure well to the collar.
BBQ/Picnic safety: bones, onions, garlic, grapes, currants, raisins, avocado, citrus oil, gum, dark chocolate(esp), macadamia nuts, alcohol, tasty used bamboo skewers or aluminum foil used for grilling can harm dogs.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Wine -vs- Diet

This weekend we had a small dinner party and I was able to still stick to my diet. I admit watching others drink wine wasn't the easiest thing for me to see while drinking water. I kept reminding myself about how great I will look and feel if I just stick to it. And reminding myself... And reminding myself again...

Friday, June 5, 2015

The Meltdown Challenge

My coach asked me if I wanted to join this online Meltdown Challenge. Any of you that know me know I am super motivated by competition. Even competition against myself which is all this really is. You weigh in before the 14th of the month by sending a picture of your scale readout in (don't worry it's kept private) and then you try to either maintain your weight or lose 4% by the end of the month. You get points for this, but you also get points for logging your daily exercise and food. The best part is you get points for reading very short snippets or watching videos about health. It only takes a couple minutes a day and it is a constant reminder on why you need to get and stay healthy. If anyone want to join me it's not to late to join this month. Just go to Join Me and you will be on my team so we can encourage each other. it's ~$20 to join but if you stick with it and get your points everyday you should get most if not all of your money back.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Medifast Diet

I started the Medifast diet 2 weeks ago. So far I'm down 10 lbs and other than my sweet tooth that I constantly battle I feel like I'm doing a good job. It helps that my loving husband is doing it along with me and that I have a supportive coach. My goal is to get down to my high school weight and I have another 60 lbs to go to hit that. I readied myself for the challenge by getting rid of all junk food and food that we can't eat right now in the house and making a place on our shelves for the Medifast food. We gave all our rice, pasta, etc away to some very happy neighbors.
Here is my before picture.