Sleepless in ....................................

Here's a wake up call if there ever was one.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns Americans don't get enough sleep, putting them at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity, depression and just about every other medical condition in the book.


The lack of shut-eye is also hobbling our ability to concentrate.  And it's upping our risk of nodding off at the wheel, the CDC cautions.


Sleep deprived.  Health experts say most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night.  But most people say they don't get it.


The CDC surveyed 75,000 people in 12 states.  Over 35% said they get less than seven hours of sleep a night.


Around 38% of those surveyed reported dozing off during the day.  And nearly 5% said they fell asleep while driving at some point during the previous month.  Driving while drowsy is blamed for an estimated 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries every year in the U.S.


Among the top reasons cited for lack of sleep?  SNORING.  About 48% of respondents said snoring kept them awake.  Stress was another big complaint.


Often tired during the day?  Check with your doctor to rule out underlying problems like sleep apnea, a disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while snoozing.


Toss and turn at night?  Following are some tips from the National Sleep Foundation for better ZZZZZZZs:

• maintain regular bed and wake times
• stick to a regular bedtime routine
• create a quiet, dark sleep environment
• finish eating at least two hours before bedtime
• exercise regularly
• avoid caffeine within eight hours of bedtime

Sleep Tight!!!

Birthstones & Jewelry

January - Garnet: stability, devotion
February - Amethyst: stability, intuition peace
March - Aquamarine:  courage, preparedness
April - Diamond: courage,healing, spirituality
May - Emerald:  love, sensitivity, loyalty
June - Pearl:  purity, faith, sincerity
July - Ruby:  spiritual wisdom, wealth, love
August - Peridot: healing, understanding
September - Sapphire:  beauty, prosperity, intuition
October - Opal:  hope, health, wealth
November - Citrine: optimism, joy
December - Turquoise: cleansing, protection, valor

AVERAGE JEWELRY LENGTHS


Bracelet - 7 inches
Anklet - 9 inches
Choker - 16 inches
Princess length - 18 inches
Matinee length - 24 inches
Opera length - 32 inches
Rope or lariat - 48 inches

Gemstone Lore

Agates - balance, inspiration, perceptiveness
Amazonite - success, joy, harmony
Amber - purification, spirituality, cleansing
Aventurine - independence, leadership, motivation
Bloodstone - intense healing, renewal, strength
Carnelian - precision, action, stimulation
Coral - diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization
Fluorite - order, discernment, concentration
Hematite - order, insight, regeneration
Howlite - awareness, patience, observation
Jade  - fortune, longevity, accomplishment
Jasper - insight, awareness, protection
Lapis Lazuli - knowledge, wisdom, perfection
Moonstone - introspection, reflection, tenderness
Mother of Pearl - mental clarity, adaptability, co-operation
Obsidian - deflecting negativity, protection, healing
Onyx - self control, decision making, intuition
Rose Quartz - love, calming, gentleness
Smoky Quartz - clearing the mind, co-operation, grounding
Tiger Eye - optimism, peacefulness, clarity
Topaz - true love, trust, success
Tourmaline - energizing, soul-searching, releasing

The Iron Lady

Dave and I went this past Tuesday to see the movie  "The Iron Lady" starring Meryl Streep.  It is about the life of Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of England.

Meryl was superb.  Do see it if you can.

Story line was wishy washy in places but the acting was worth the visit.

February

February is American Heart Month


February 2 - Groundhog Day
February 4 - Thank a Mailman Day
February 5 - Super Bowl XLVI
February 8 - Kite Flying Day
February 11 - Make a Friend Day
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 20 - President's Day
February 22 - National Margarita Day
February 29 - Leap Year

January 2012

January 1 - New Year's Day
January 4 - Trivia Day
January 5 - National Bird Day
January 15 - National Hat Day
January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19 - National Popcorn Day
January 23 - Chinese New Year
January 25 - Opposite Day

Shoes and Knee Pain

Knee trouble?  You might want to stick to flat, flexible walking shoes.  The reason? They may help reduce stress on your joints and keep pain in check, a study has found.


Previous studies have shown that going barefoot reduces stress on the knees. So researchers at Rush Medical Center in Chicago decided to explore whether different kinds of shoes might affect knees differently.


STRESS TEST: They studied the force of "load" on the arthritic knees of 31 men and women wearing four different kinds of shoes: clogs, athletic shoes with stability features (designed to prevent feet from rolling inward), sneakers with flexible soles and flip-flops.


So which ones were easiest on the knees?  Much to researchers' surprise, flip-flips and flexible flats took the prize, according to the study published online in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.


According to the study, clogs and stability shoes resulted in a 15% higher load on knees than going barefoot or wearing flexible flat walking shoes (like sneakers) or flip-flops.


SURPRISE RESULTS  "The shoes that we intuitively recommend to our patients and thought might be best - stability shoes and clogs - were associated with the highest load", lead study author Najia Shakoor said in a news release.  "We think it's the flatness and the flexibility that may provide the benefit."


Flip-flop wearing teens will no doubt love the findings.  But researchers warn that most people, especially older folks, should steer clear of flip-flops.  As balance declines, the popular beach footwear can increase the risk of falling.

American Red Cross Volunteer

This past week has been a busy week for my Red Cross volunteering: December 23 at Whetstone Library; December 27 at Mt. Carmel West and December 28 at AMC Lennox.  I'm taking a break until the end of January.

Special Olympics Scarf Project

For the World Games in February 2009, the initial call for Delft blue and white scarves was sent out.  Scarves were received from 50 states and 12 countries.  Not only did the athletes go home with the special gift but also communities were transformed and the sea of blue and white spoke an overwhelming message of warmth, welcome and inclusion.


The handmade scarf has since become an unprecedented symbol of unity for an often-neglected population.  The intellectually disabled, life can be very isolated, with individual differences sometimes being more obvious than the many similarities among us all.  The simplicity of bringing everyone together, wrapped in a common handmade bond, provides an ever-lasting reminder of equality, sharing, and togetherness.


Through the Special Olympics Scarf Project, a common yarn is woven through the lives touched by Special Olympics, and key attributes fundamental to the mission of Special Olympics such as empowerment, unity, and joy are represented.  Growing the project to the national level has been possible in thanks to a partnership with Red Heart Yarns, U.S. national sponsor of Special Olympics and exclusive yarn company of the Special Olympics USA Scarf Project.


Special Olympics is an inclusive movement to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, and it also provides them with free health screenings, lifelong friendships, and leadership opportunities to ultimately educate and empower them to pursue viable jobs in our communities and be active  members of our society.


The Special Olympics USA Scarf Project provides a unique way for people to show their support for Special Olympics.  Each handmade scarf donated is a symbol of unity, support, compassion, and empowerment.  The athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family.


The official colors for the 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf projects are:

• Red Heart Super Saver - 387 Soft Navy
• Red Heart Super Saver - 319 Cherry Red
• Red Heart Soft - 4004 Navy
• Red Heart Soft - 9925 Really Red

Both a red and a navy blue should be incorporated into your scarf design.  Scarves should be between 54 and 60 inches long including any fringe or embellishments and approximately 6 inches wide.  Any pattern is welcome, and creativity is encouraged!

Visit www.Scarves For Special Olympics. org

GERM ALERT: Beware of Shopping Carts

Next time you go to the supermarket you may want to wear gloves and swaddle the kids in protective gear.  Or, at least, bring some disinfectant wipes--or use the ones in store dispensers--to clean cart handles.  Turns out shopping carts are teeming with germs, according to a recent study.


Researchers swabbed shopping cart handles for bacteria in four states.  Their somewhat unsettling findings:  72% of the 85 carts examined had traces of fecal bacteria.  The researchers took a closer look at samples from 36 carts.  They found that 50% of them were contaminated with E. coli.


"That's more than you find in a supermarket's restroom", said lead study author Charles Gerba, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona.  The reason?  Shopping carts aren't routinely scrubbed like restrooms!


SOURCE :  Gerba said the bacteria likely stem from raw foods, bird or other animal feces (while carts are outside) and contaminated hands.


And carts aren't the only bacteria magnets at the supermarket.  You know those reusable shopping bags designed to save the environment?  You might want to wash yours -- immediately!  Gerba said tests showed reusable bags that aren't washed regularly also contain a lot of germs.


SO GO GREEN -- BUT GO CLEAN, TOO!!!!!

Cosmetic Clues

When you look into the mirror to wash your face or put on mascara, do you notice anything new -- a funky red patch or a bump that hasn't healed?  When you blow-dry your hair, does it seem to be thinning on top?  Sometimes monitoring your looks can help you monitor your health.  Do you need to make an appointment with your Doctor?


EXCESSIVE SWEATING


It's probably just.....that you sweat more than other people.  It's called hyperhidrosis, which makes you sweat up to four times the amount needed to regulate body temperature.  3% of people have it and women report it more than men do.


But it could be.....an overactive thyroid.  Grave's disease, the number one cause of hyperthyroidism, most often affects women under 40.  In addition to sweating and thinning hear, symptoms include losing weight when you're not trying to, bulging eyes, anxiety, rapid heartbeat and intolerance to heat.


THINNING HAIR


It's probably just.....stress, genetics or hormonal changes.  


But it could be.....low thyroid.  Your thyroid gland helps regulate your metabolism and can become underactive or overactive.  In either case you may have gradual hair loss.


PATCHY DRY SKIN


It's probably just.....a natural part of aging.  Your oil glands get smaller as you get older, which leads to drier skin.  Sun damage and decreased cell renewal also contribute to it, as does being dehydrated.  Medications for high blood pressure, antihistamines and retinoid therapies for acne and antiaging can also make it worse.  Try shorter, cooler showers and trade in harsh bar soap for a mild, creamy cleanser.  Afterward, apply a skin cream that contains a humectant like glycerin.  Drinking more water may help too.


But it could be.....psoriasis.  When skin cells grow too quickly and your body doesn't shed them normally, the cells pile up and form thick, scaly patches, often on your arms and legs, scalp, palms and soles of your feet.  Genetics and an overactive immune system may both play a role.


A RED FACE


It's probably just.....rosacea.  Common in fair-skinned women between 30 and 50, rosacea is an inflammatory condition in which blood vessels dilate easily, making skin look red and flushed.  Acne-like bumps often appear on the cheeks, chin and nose.  Self-treating often backfires......see your doctor for the proper moisturizer.


But it could be......lupus.  Caused by an overproduction of antibodies, this autoimmune disease affects about 1.3 million U.S. women.  It may cause a distinctive red rash on the face in the shape of a butterfly.  Other symptoms include fever, pain, fatigue and problems with your heart.


INCREASED FACIAL HAIR


It's probably just.....perimenopause.   As you age and your estrogen levels ebb, the relative rise in testosterone that thins your hair may also lead to hair where you don't want it.


But it could be.....polycystic ovarian syndrome.  PCOS, an imbalance of your sex hormones, can cause excessive facial hair growth, thinning hair, acne, ovarian cysts and weight gain (particularly around your stomach), we well as infertility, diabetes and heart disease if left untreated.

A STUBBORN PIMPLE


It's probably just.....adult acne.  Even if you left your teenage problem skin behind years ago, you can develop acne now.  When estrogen and your skin's protective oil barrier decrease with age, bacteria can penetrate more easily and cause breakouts.  


But it could be.....skin cancer.   A pimple that looks waxy, pearly, persists for weeks, doesn't seem to heal completely or bleeds occasionally could be a basal cell carcinoma.  


DO NOT SELF-DIAGNOSE OR TRY YOUR OWN FORM OF TREATMENT.  IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS, SEE YOUR DOCTOR.

Holiday Choir Concert

Dave and I went to our church's Holiday Choir Concert yesterday afternoon at 4.  The Worship Center was packed by patrons of all ages, who had a great time.


The songs were:


Brass Section - Canzona per sonare No. 2 by Giovanni Gabrieli


Combined Choirs - December 'Round the World by John Jacobson/Roger Emerson


Peace Pals (young children) - La Pinata; Happy New Year by John Jacobson/Roger Emerson


Congregation - Angels We Have Heard on High


Rising Voices (teens) - Yuletide Memories arr. Gary Parks; Light a Little Candle by Mae Huff; Secrets of Snow by Amy Bernon; The Tree by Peggy Lee


Congregation - The First Nowell


Spirit of Life Choir (selected adults) - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by P. Tchaikovsky arr. Jeff Funk; Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind by John Rutter; You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Albert Hague (Dr. Seuss) arr. Jeff Funk; How Many Christmases by Jim Papoulis


Congregation - Deck the Halls


Combined Choirs - The 12 Daze of Christmas arr. Tony McDonald (our church's Director of Music)


Intermission


Chalice Choir (full adult choir) - Gloria by the Welsh composer Karl Jenkins  (if you haven't heard this presentation do try, I found it to be a modern composition in the theme of Handel's Messiah). Brandon Moss is our Choir Director and we had a selection of musicians from the congregation.


All were superb.


There was a reception afterward but we didn't stay.

Christmas Hints & Tips

• Because the German Christmas tree has its "roots" dug deep in pagan religions, New England Puritans refused to accept it until 1875.  Still, trees have always been used in religious services.  Early Druids for example, worshiped the oak.  And because fir trees were "evergreen", they became symbols of various gods.
• Did you know Santa Claus never traveled alone?  Besides eight (or nine) "miniature reindeer", dear ol' St. Nick used to visit the children with a character named Krampus.  Known also as Pelznickel, Rumpleklas, Klaubauf, Zwarte Pitt, Hans Muff and Black Peter.  Krampus was a shaggy little devil with horns who's main job was to pass out the switches and coal to the bad children Santa visited. He was also known as Knecht Ruprecht, who wore tattered robes and carried a sack to put the bad children in!  In Salzburg on December 5th, there are events called Krampus Runs where good children chase after "St. Nikolaus" and bad children get tossed in a sack carried by a masked man dressed as the devil.  As for us, we'll just stick to sitting on Santa's lap at Macy's.
• The term Christkindlein (meaning Christ Child) became "Americanized" into the name Kris Kringle
• There really was a St. Nicholas.  He was a bishop in Myra in Asia who died on December 6 (St. Nicholas Day) in 343 AD.  This bishop was a far cry from the Santa we know today whose legend got its start in 1822 with the famous Clement C. Moore poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas".  In the 1930s, artist Haddon Sundblom of the Coca-Cola Company gave us our modern visual interpretation of the "jolly old elf".
• Did you know you can track Santa's progress across the entire world on Christmas Eve?  The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been doing it since 1957.  It all started when a Colorado Springs newspaper ran the Operations Hotline phone number for the Continental Air Defense Command (NORAD's predecessor) as a "Santa Hotline".  Imagine the surprise on the military officers' faces when a bunch of children began calling asking about Santa's whereabouts.  The first call was answered by Col. Harry Shoup who quickly figured out what was happening and replied that he was tracking Santa's progress by radar.  The media picked up the story and by the next year, a tradition was born. Phone calls came pouring in.  NORAD's Santa Tracking hit the Internet in 1997.  It's live, it's incredible, and it even has video footage!  Simply go to the Web site for details:  www.norad.mil/NORADTracksSANTA.htm    Or you can call them at (719) 554-5816 for more information. This has to be one of the most incredible ways to spend a modern Christmas Eve with children--of any age.
• Santa Claus ought to know.  He has many names, among them:  in Austria, he is Chriskind; in Brazil, it is Papai Noel; in China, Dun Che Lao Ren; in Denmark, Julemanden; in Holland, he is called Sinterklaas (an early version of the now Americanized Santa Claus); in Sweden, the kindly gift-giver is called Jultomten; in Norway, Julenissen ; in Japan, Santa Kurousu; and Pere Noel in France.  In Italy, the gifts are delivered by, of all things, a witch known as La Befana.  Let's hear it for the Christmas witches.
• The Christmas tree dates back to a seventh century legend about a monk in Devonshire, England who used the triangle shape of the fir tree to represent the Holy Trinity.  By the twelfth century, the tree was being hung from the ceiling....upside down.
• Tinsel isn't exactly a new thing.  It dates back to around 1610 and was made originally of real silver.  In fact, it was still being made of silver well into the 20th century.  
• The first decorated Christmas tree was in Latvia in 1510. Martin Luther is said to have first put candles on the tree to depict the stars that were shining the night Christ was born.
• The son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright first introduced Lincoln Logs to the public in 1916.
• Glass ornaments in all shapes and sizes had been made in Germany for centuries, but weren't imported to the U.S. until around 1880.  They were sold in such stores as Woolworth's, Sears, and Montgomery Ward.  Americans first filed for patents on Christmas lights in 1882 and the metal hook for hanging ornaments in 1892.  By this time, trees had decidedly grown into floor models, replacing the now old-fashioned tabletop varieties.

World Travellers

Dave and I went to Asheville, NC for our vacation this year and just returned in the small hours of Saturday morning.  We are pooped!!!
Definitely did the tourist thing and I came home with some books and funky yarns.

Like every tourist that ever goes to Asheville, we spent a whole day at the Biltmore Estate.  The views of the Smoky Mountains are something else.....I could spend days just sitting on the patio and watching the mountains change!!!!

Saying Goodbye to a Famous Tree

An ancient oak tree that has shaded everyone from the Crusaders to the Millennials is the latest victim in the struggle between humans and nature. The Jordan News Agency reported in May 2011, that a developer in Samou, a north Jordan village, recklessly excavated underneath the 750-year old tree.  The digging decayed the oak's trunk and, despite efforts from the local agriculture department, the tree perished.  The venerable oak served as a resting place for more than seven centuries worth of Ottoman Empire travelers, soldiers and merchants, who took advantage of the 540 square feet of shade the arboreal relic cast each afternoon.

Lavender

Lavender is well known for its unique fragrance.  Its name is derived from the Latin word lavare, or, "to wash".  It was used throughout Europe during the 17th century to disguise unsavory household odors and textiles that were only washed twice a year.  The Greeks and Romans used it in their bath water, while years later ladies of refinement carried lavender sprigs tucked in their tussie mussies.  Lavender has also been used medicinally for hundreds of years.


Today lavender can be applied to treat sunburns and minor cuts and scrapes.  Cool compresses soaked in strong lavender tea promote healing for sunburns as well as other minor skin problems.  It is also known to counter insomnia and promote restful sleep.  A lavender-mint tea, for example, calms the senses and helps you relax.  Place a few drops of essential oil on the cooled light bulbs in your lamps.  When you turn on the lamps, the heat from the bulbs will warm the oil and disperse its scent throughout the room.


Lavender is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that grows quite easily on a hill or in a backyard with good soil and drainage.  You can also buy lavender in bulk from dried herb suppliers or by the scoopful at most health food stores.


A great way to keep your rooms and linens smelling fresh is linen water. The French use linen water to iron their sheets, spraying again just before laying a duvet over bed sheets.  Linen water can be made using any essential oil: lavender, sage, linden, rose hydrangea, orange blossom or by combining oils to come up with your own scent.


Lavender is used in the home for its sweet scent.  To preserve your own lavender, gather the plant for drying when the first bud on the flower stalk is starting to open.  Some varieties, such as Hidcote, remain tightly closed for some time, which allows you 7-10 days to do your harvesting.  Other species, like Croxton Wild, are completely open in a day or two, which often causes them to lose their blossoms in the drying process.


Be sure to cut your lavender stems just after the dew is off of them early in the morning.  If you wait unit later in the day, the plant will have lost its essential oil in the process of cooling down.


To dry lavender, bind 25-75 stems with a rubber band and hang in a warm, dry, dark spot for 4-5 weeks.  When completely dry, store in cardboard boxes or cloth bags.




LAVENDER LINEN WATER


1 tsp (100 drops) lavender essential oil
2 oz. denatured alcohol
10 oz distilled water
12 oz bottle with lid


Pour essential oil and alcohol into a bottle, close lid or cap, and shake to mix; add distilled water.  Mixture will become cloudy and eventually separate.  Shake well before each use.




GRASSE BATH SALTS


1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Epsom salts
1/2 cup fresh lavender, sage, rosemary
1/2 cup sea salt
5 drops lavender essential oil


Blend the above ingredients in a food processor or blender.  (You can substitute the essential oil for another, for example, geranium, orange blossom, or rose.)  Place 1/2 cup of blended salts in a cotton muslin bag and run under warm water when filling your tub.  You can also let your feet soak in the salts once the salts dissolve a bit.  The salts actually drain the aches from your muscles, while the soothing scents fill you with a sense of calm and well being.


HERBAL BATH BAGS


1/2 cup dried rosemary
1 cup dried lavender flowers
1 cup dried lemon balm
1 cup dried mint
1 cup dried rose petals


Blend the above ingredients in a food processor or blender or crush finely with a mortar and pestle.  Fill small cotton muslin bags and tie drawstring tightly.  Let bags steep in a hot bath--the water will be infused with the scent of a fresh garden.


HERBS DE PROVENCE MIXTURE


There are many different varieties of this wonderful dried herb blend.  The following recipe is from a dealer at the St. Antonin farmer's market, held every Sunday morning in the medieval village of St. Antonin de Noble Val, just an hour north of Toulouse, France.  Using Herbs de Provence is a great way to cook with the sweet herb of lavender.


2 T lavender flowers
3 T oregano leaves
3 T savory leaves
3 T thyme leaves
1 tsp basil leaves
1 tsp rosemary leaves
1 tsp sage leaves


Combine and mix well.  Store mixture in a small airtight jar in a cool, dark location.  Makes about 3/4 cup.  Use for salad dressings and as a poultry, beef, or fish rub.

American Red Cross Volunteer

This past Tuesday, I was at Goodwill Industries in Grandview Heights.  What a superb facility.

Hints & Tips - Outside the House

KILL WEEDS WITH BOILING WATER

• Pour boiling water on weeds growing between pavers of a pathway.  Keep the kettle close to the ground to avoid splashing yourself -- or any nearby plants you want to keep.

TOPIARY TEMPLATE

• A morning of pruning by eye can turn into an afternoon of trying to balance lopsided shrubs.  With a tripod template as a guide, it is easier to trim plants into even, well-proportioned cones.  Tie three bamboo poles of appropriate height together at the top.  The feet of the poles can be spread or pulled closer to form a broader or taller cone.

KEEPING DIRT IN LINE

• Window boxes filled with vibrant flowers are a welcome sign of spring.  But when it rains, the soil in them often spatters, dirtying windows and sills.  To prevent the muddy splashes, spread river stones (available at garden centers) in a layer over the tops of the flower beds.  The stones will act as a barrier while keeping the soil moist for the blooming plants.

Hints & Tips - Inside the House

PITCHER GRIP

• Condensation on pitchers can leave unsightly drips and make pouring a slippery endeavor. A linen dish-towel bandanna will absorb the moisture. Fold the towel into a triangle, and turn folded edge over 2 inches to form a collar. Wrap the fabric tightly around the pitcher's rim, and anchor by knotting the ends around the handle.

TRAY PROTECTOR

• Simple mats cut from wallpaper remnants or sheets of decorative paper work magic on serving trays.  Drinks are less likely to slide around, the tray is protected, and snack time is brightened up by this unexpected bit of color and pattern.  Using scallop-edge scissors, cut the paper to fit the tray.  For trays in irregular shapes, place paper pattern side down; next, place tray on top of paper.  Trace tray's base onto paper.  Cut out with decorative shears.

CLEANING KIT

• For easier cleaning, fill a bucket with basics that need to be toted from room to room:  all-purpose and glass-cleaning sprays, a sponge, a toothbrush, a squeegee, a scrub brush, hopsacking, and terry-cloth towels in washcloth and hand-towel sizes.  Between tasks, hang rubber gloves over the rim to dry.

HERBAL REMEDY

• Sachets of aromatic herbs, such as the classic bouquet garni of thyme, parsley, and bay leaves, add flavor to simmering soups, stews, stocks, and braises.  But fishing these cheesecloth bundles out of the pot can be difficult.  The next time you use one of the herb packets, tie a length of butcher's twine to the sachet, and then tie the loose end to one of the pot's handles.  (Be sure the twine stays clear of the burner.)  When the time comes, the bouquet garni will be easy to retrieve and remove.

A LINE RUNS THROUGH IT

• Use this tailor's trick whenever you need to cut a straight line through a woven fabric such as cotton or linen.  Tease several threads loose at the point where you'll make the initial cut.  Then gently pull out the threads to create a trail of perfectly aligned holes in the fabric, which can then guide your shears.

QUESTION:  How do I loosen a stuck cap on a bottle?

• Try hot water or nail-polish remover.  That's right--leave your teeth out of it.  Instead, submerge the glue bottle in a glass of hot water for a few seconds.  If that doesn't work, use acetone nail-polish remover (which works best for superglue).  To apply, dip a cotton swab in the nail-polish remover and rub it generously around the tip of the bottle and under the cap.  Some remover might seep into the glue tip, so squeeze out a couple of drops of glue before you apply it.  
• To prevent a cap from getting stuck in the first place, hold the bottle upright for several seconds after using it so that the glue drains out of the dispensing tip.  Then wipe the tip with an all-purpose cleaner before replacing the cap.  Store the glue upright to avoid future sticky situations.

J. Edgar

Dave and I went to see the movie, J. Edgar.  Great acting by all the actors, lots of cameos by not-so-active actors and lots of information.  But vvveeerrryyy long, we enjoyed it but be prepared for it to drag at times.