99 in the shade
Jul 30, 2009

99 in the shade

By ·
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We had record-breaking temps of 102 here in Seattle yesterday. The previous record was set in 1994 at 100 at SeaTac International Airport, where our official Seattle area temp gage is located. My husband said, though, that yesterday when he was downtown where we live (about an hour North of Seattle), the temp thing on one of the buildings read 107!

WOW! That’s all I can say . . . just wow.

Well, that and . . . it was TOO DAMN HOT!

We had all the fans going, the curtains closed, windows open and lots of ice water! I am hoping today is cooler. Of course, at this point, even 95 would be cooler. Right now – at 10:30 am – it is a little cloudy but it’s 82. That’s just not normal. Usually it’s only 70-ish by this hour, if even that.

My poor little fella, The Short Dude, woke up with a bloody nose early this morning. He is just like his mommy – he doesn’t do well in heat. It’s a good thing The Teenager is over on the Coast camping with her friends family this week where it’s a little cooler. She gets heat stroke very easily and totally would not do well in 100 +/- temps.

Speaking of The Teenager – I talked to her last night on the phone for about 15 minutes. Now, you have to understand it’s RARE for this child to talk on the phone. She just doesn’t – she usually texts people. So she called me and we talked and at the end of our conversation I said “I love you, sweetie pie” and I was totally surprised when she said “I love you, too, mom.” It’s been so L O N G since I’ve heard those words from her and it just made my day!

So, a couple of tips to help you stay cool:

  • Wear lightweight clothing
  • Drink plenty of non-alocholic fluids and stay hydrated
  • Stay inside during the heat of the day if possible
  • Replace lost minerals and salts in the body (drink Gatorade/Powerade etc
  • Take cool showers or baths

    • I’ve also found that placing a damp, cool wash cloth on the back of my neck or stomach is helpful. Just get a wash cloth wet, wring it out a little (you just want it to be damp) and place it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.

    And recently I heard that you can take damp towels and hang them in open windows (just make sure the curtains are closed) and that helps cool things down. Of course, I suppose it probably works well only when there’s a breeze coming in.

    Please stay cool if you’re experiencing high heat in your area like we are here in Seattle. It’s important to keep an eye for heat stroke or heat exhaustion symptoms as well.

    Post any tips you have for keeping cool in the comments below. I’d love to hear them!

    In the arena,

    Use common sense. Schedule your outdoor activities to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and use a buddy system if necessary to keep watch on those at high risk. You can also cool off at the library or the mall if you don’t have air conditioning or fans to cool down. Keep an eye on kids and the elderly especially as well as those with high blood pressure. Call 911 immediately if you suspect someone has heat stroke!

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Mindset · Tagged: ,
    For the love of bikes
    Jul 28, 2009

    For the love of bikes

    By ·
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    Next to reading, writing and music, bike riding has been one of my favorite things in all the world. As a kid, I rode my bike everywhere. Even after I hurt myself in a bad bike accident (which required 2 surgeries on my elbow and wrist), I still rode it everywhere. And even after I got my drivers license, I still rode as often as possible.

    But then that changed 12 years ago when I seriously injured my back at work. I could no longer ride – it just hurt too much. Since then, I’ve only ridden occasionally. And this week we got all of our gear out of the shed, cleaned up all the bikes, and got everything adjusted so that we can start riding again. My back doctor says it might ultimately do me some good if I can get passed the initial pain.

    I hope she’s right because I really want to ride again. It’s probably the one form of exercise that would make sense for me at this juncture of my life. And probably the one sport I could really do with my family.

    But I can’t ride just any ol’ bike anymore – I need a recumbent, not only due to the back problems, but also because as I’ve gotten older, my arm and shoulder have continued to deteriorate. Recumbents, or ‘bents as they’re often called, are so expensive, we could practically buy a good, used car for our soon to be driving teenager. So a couple of weeks ago, the folks over at WizWheels who produce TerraTrike recumbent 3-wheelers (trikes), held a “Trade with Terra” campaign and I entered. I haven’t heard anything yet, but I am seriously hopeful that I can win.

    It would truly make my day. It would make my kids’ day. And you know, honestly, it would give me a chance at a new lease on life. With this high blood pressure thing going on and the weight I’ve gained in the past 12 years since I can’t be as physically active as I once was, this is about the only way I’ll get where I want to go with my health goals without further damaging my back or arm and shoulder.

    I’ve had my eye on a recumbent for a long time and a TerraTrike Cruiser is just the one I’d love! It’s a beautiful piece of machinery and the best thing – it actually comes in a size that will fit my short self.

    TerraTrike Cruiser

    Isn’t it cool? I can so picture myself riding it around the neighborhood and down the trail with my kids . . .

    So, TerraTrike, if you’re listening – I would be so grateful and happy if you choose me. Thanks!

    In the arena,

    Do you have a recumbent trike? Wanna trade one with me? I’d be happy to trade my graphic design and/or copywriting skills for one. You can contact me through the contact page.

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Health & Fitness, Personal · Tagged: ,
    6 unimportant things that make me happy
    Jul 27, 2009

    6 unimportant things that make me happy

    By ·
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    I do not often participate in memes (and likewise, I rarely do the email forward thing) but this one is fun and since the sun is shining today, it’s supposed to be a beautiful week and I feel happy, I decided to do this one.

    Jo-Lynne (from Musings of a Housewife) posted this at her site and asked anyone who wanted to do it to write a post on their site and link back to her post.

    So here ya go . . .

    Six Unimportant Things That Make Me Happy

      1. Sunshine! I love it when it’s sunny. It doesn’t have to be hot – in fact, I don’t really like heat. Just some good ol’ sunshine is enough for me. And right about 75 degrees with a cool breeze is perfect.
      2. Bike riding. This has been one of my favorite pastimes since I was a kid. I rode my bike EVERYWHERE I possibly could, literally spending hours and hours outside traveling all over my neighborhood as well as all over town.
      3. Hot bubble baths. Which I rarely have time for anymore. But I love them, hot bubble baths. Hmm . . . maybe that means it’s time to get a hot tub to put outside. Yeah, that’d be fun . . .
      4. Reading. Some days, I could spend the entire day doing nothing else, just curled up with a good book or two. Or twelve. I wish I could hibernate all winter in a library and do nothing but read.
      5. Music. Often, all it takes to make me happy is good music. I have the radio or iTunes or something playing 24/7. I listen to nearly every kind of music there is (with the exception of rap) but my favorites are jazz, classic rock and worship. My favorite artists are David Lanz, Keiko Matsui, Mindi Abair, Wayman Tisdale, Moby, Enya, Ottmar Leitbert, Celtic Woman, Rush, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode, Boston, Journey, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Michael W. Smith, Petra, Passion Worship Band, Third Day and Switchfoot among others. I also totally love Kelly Clarkson (that girl can sing anything!). And lately I really like The Veronicas, OneRepublic, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga to name a few.
      6. Coffee. I love coffee. Have since I was a teen. My parents both are self-proclaimed “coffee-holics” and I’m sure I must be one too. My dad (who passed away in ’99) ALWAYS had a coffee cup in his hand. Always. I kid you not. Didn’t matter what the weather was, he had his coffee. I used to drink mine black just like both of them but since I had my gal bladder taken out in 2001, I can longer tolerate the acidity without cream in it. I really hate the cream but I like coffee too much to not drink it.

    And there you have it. 6 unimportant things that make me happy. I was going to put friends on this list but since I consider my friends a very important part of my life, that just didn’t fit. I love it when my friends just pop in to say hi, whether that’s online, on the phone, via text or email or actually showing up on my doorstep. I am blessed to have them in my life.

    Play along if you wish. I’d love to read your fun lists! Drop me a note in the comments with a link to your post if you put one up.

    In the arena,

    Yes, yes I do have a love affair with vintage volkswagen’s. I just love them. Especially busses and double cabs and single cabs . . . even things. They’re so cute!

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: ,
    Around the web July 27, 2009
    Jul 27, 2009

    Around the web July 27, 2009

    By ·
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    It’s been a long while since I’ve done an Around the Web post and I keep meaning to do one but never seem to get there. So here it is!

    These are places I’ve been on the web this past week that grabbed my attention for one reason or another and I just want to share them with you. Check them out if you can.

    Sarah Stanley Inspired – Sarah talks about health, fitness, social media and being happy among other things. She has tons of great info on her site and on her blog.

    Owning Pink – “A Gutsy Guide to Getting Your Mojo Back” as the tagline says. It’s a site by Lissa Rankin who is a gynecologist, artist, author, mom . . . and it’s a great site! All about learning to own your life, your self, your body. She found me on twitter and I’m glad she did. I’ve had fun perusing her site. She also has a network on ning that is just fabulous.

    My Wife Quit Her Job – Yes, that really is the name of the site. And I haven’t had time to check all of it out yet but so far, I like what I see. It’s about a woman who became a stay at home after the birth of her first child. They needed a way to replace her income and they found one. Not only is it about how to work online but it’s great inspiration for other women and families who are looking to do the same type of thing. The site is by husband/wife team, Steve and Jennifer. They were able to replace Jennifer’s annual salary with a six figure income from their endeavor in just ONE YEAR.

    Timothy Sykes – Now, I’m not big into stocks and stuff like that, but I do study them from time to time. so today I ran across this website about “short selling penny stocks” which sounds pretty interesting. Again, I have not had time yet to go through the entire website but I wanted to share it with you because this is information that may be useful to people in light of the “recession.”

    So, I actually have a few more but I’m going to save them for next week. ;-) Enjoy these ones and please do share any sites you’ve come across lately that you liked or found especially useful.

    In the arena,

    The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark. ~ Barbara Hall, Northern Exposure, Rosebud, 1993

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Around the Web, Work ·
    My “GTD” hacks part 2 . . . aka Review: Grocery IQ
    Jul 25, 2009

    My “GTD” hacks part 2 . . . aka Review: Grocery IQ

    By ·

    A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my “system” for productivity and it has quickly become my most popular post on this blog to date. It literally TRIPLED my traffic.

    But anyway . . . that’s not really wanted to share with you. ;-) What I actually want to write about is that one of the programs I use on my iPod Touch called Grocery IQ just had a major overhaul and it knocked my socks off! This app simply ROCKS! I liked it well enough before the revamp but now, it’s legions better, if that’s even possible.

    Before, you could sort the store by aisles, add new aisles, delete aisles, keep lists of favorite items, show a history of past purchases and of course, check off things as you put them in your cart.

    What’s better than that?

    Well, the new app allows you to create lists by STORE! Which is so cool for those of us who shop at more than one store. Now, I am not one of those crazy people who clip coupons and shop 10 different places but I do buy certain items at certain stores because the others don’t carry them.

    For example, I can only buy RAW local milk at the Food Co-Op because they’re the only ones who carry it. I can only buy the brand of Hemp Milk I like at one store and I can only buy the brand of non-dairy ice cream we buy at yet another store. So, the ability to not only arrange the list by aisle but also by store, is fabulous.

    And the other new thing that makes it legions better than before is the ability to move your checked off items to the “checkout” without having to discard the whole list. This was annoying before because I didn’t ever get a true reading of my shopping “history” since sometimes I would buy 10 things at one store and not go shopping at the next store for a week. Plus, you couldn’t make different lists for different stores. So, it was all on one list.

    This was annoying for 2 reasons – first, because not all stores have their aisles arranged the same so I’d be scrolling through the list all the time and invariably miss something. And second, because once I checked something off, it just sorta disappeared. If I wanted to add those things to my history, I couldn’t do that until everything on the list had been checked off. If you shop at only one store, that’s probably not a biggie. But since I don’t, it ended up confusing at times.

    With the new app, I can make lists for each store, check the things off as I add them to my cart and then when I get to the checkout, I can hit “checkout” on the app and it adds those items to the history. Oh and you know what else? You can also add the price of the item to it’s details page so you know how much you’re spending and can compare prices at different stores! How cool is that??

    Grocery IQ App

    I LOVE it! It’s fabulous.

    Seriously. Get an iPod so you can have Grocery IQ. ;-)

    Oh and PS – that’s not a pic of my actual list – it’s a screen grab of the app’s listing in the iTunes store.

    In the arena,

    If you regularly shop at 10 different stores and clip coupons to get all the stuff on your list, don’t worry – I don’t really think you’re crazy. No. I just think maybe you’re a little OCD than me. ;-)

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Ideas, Work · Tagged: , ,
    SeaFair 2009 Schedule
    Jul 24, 2009

    SeaFair 2009 Schedule

    By ·
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    If you’re in the Seattle area, there’s plenty to do this weekend with the SeaFair 2009 activities getting under way. Check out what’s happening:


    SEAFAIR 2009

    SEAFAIR Torchlight Parade & Run
    July 25, 2009
    Stake out a spot along Seattle’s downtown parade route to get your fill of SEAFAIR royalty, marching bands, dance teams, and military units. An 8K Torchlight Run precedes the parade; participate in the race and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to run in front of 300,000 fans. Awards go to the fastest runners and wheelchair racers, and to the most creatively costumed runners. This Saturday evening parade starts at Seattle Center and moves south down 4th Avenue to Qwest Field. You can reserve a comfortable parade view in the form of bleacher seats or grandstand seats, available for a fee through Ticketmaster.

    SEAFAIR Hydroplane Races
    Jul 31 – Aug 2, 2009
    The unlimited hydroplane races on Lake Washington are among the most thrilling of Seattle’s summer events. Held near the shores of Stan Sayres Memorial Park, the racing and associated events cover three days. Park guests can take advantage of food and beverages booths, general admission seating, a pit tour, a hospitality area, and the log boom for boaters.

    SEAFAIR Air Show
    Jul 31 – Aug 2, 2009
    When the Blue Angels take off from Boeing Field and fly in varying formations over Lake Washington, all eyes are glued to the sky. The SEAFAIR Air Show also features other military, vintage, and specialty aircraft, which can all be seen flying over South Lake Washington and the hydroplane race spectators.

    Other Events Around the Sound:
    Jul 22, 24-26 – IKEA Renton River Days (Liberty Park and other Renton parks)

    Jul 22 – Greenwood SEAFAIR Parade (Greenwood)

    Jul 24-26 – Tour de Terrace (Mountlake Terrace)

    Jul 24-26 – Silverdale Whaling Days (Silverdale)

    Jul 25-26 – Ballard SeafoodFest (NW Market St. – Ballard )

    Jul 26 – Hispanic SEAFAIR Organization Festival (Seattle Center)

    Jul 26 – Pista Sa Nayon (Seward Park Amphitheater)

    Jul 31 – Aug 1 – Magnolia Summer Festival and Parade (West Magnolia Play Field)

    Aug 1 – Lake City Summer Festival

    Aug 22 – Central Area Community Festival and Parade (Garfield Community Center)


    The SEAFAIR schedule of special events for 2009 includes the following:

    Jul 25 – Seafair Scholarship Program for Women

    Jul 25 – Torchlight Run (begins and ends near Qwest Field on Occidental Avenue)

    Jul 25 – SEAFAIR Torchlight Parade (Seattle Center to Qwest Field)

    Jul 29 – Aug 2 – SEAFAIR Fleet Arrival and Tours (Downtown Seattle Waterfront)

    Aug 1-3 – Chevrolet Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Race (Stan Sayres Memorial Park)

    Aug 1-3 – SEAFAIR Air Show – U.S. Navy Blue Angels (South Lake Washington)

    Aug 1 - Seafair Concert & Fireworks (Genessee Park)

    If you know of any other happenings around the Sound, please let me know. ;-)

    In the arena,

    Have a safe and happy SeaFair experience if you’re in Seattle this weekend!

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: , , ,
    Focus and changes
    Jul 24, 2009

    Focus and changes

    By ·
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    Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking on what direction I see this blog going. I’ve written a variety of things here – from business to design to music and politics to real estate and even recipes – and I’ve never claimed it to be of any one “genre” per se or about really anything in particular. It’s simply things from my life, both personal and business related. I see no division between the two.

    When I first began blogging way back in 2004 (wow! That’s been 5 YEARS!), someone told me I should have to 2 blogs and to separate my business life from my personal life. While I considered their advice, I decided ultimately not to follow it and I don’t regret that choice. For me, it was – and is – because I believe that there should be a human behind every business. I think it makes us better business managers if we are seen as a person and not simply as a business entity.

    But there are many things I have not shared here. Yes, I have hinted at things. Like my 11 year old son has autism. That I survived an abusive relationship. And how I have a kidney disease. But I have never really opened up about these things.

    So a few days ago, I began to really think about the fact that one of my missions on this earth is to help people. I know that one way I’ve been blessed to do that is by experiencing some not-so-cool things. I believe I am to be an advocate for people who need a shoulder, a hug, a friend. I believe I am to stand up for those who are pushed down.

    And now . . . I have another vision to fulfill that mission . . .

    I will be writing about and sharing my experiences about living with an autistic child and how we help him through his daily life. I will begin sharing about my past experiences living with an abusive man and how I risked my life to leave, to provide a better life for my family. I will begin sharing what it’s like to have a kidney disease that dictates many of my decisions as to what I cook, what my family eats and how I have managed to stay out of the hospital now for 9 years after having come within inches of death.

    It won’t be easy, baring my heart and soul like this. It may make me a target for the malicious, sometimes heartless cowards who hide behind their computer screens and shout insults at those of whom they are jealous.

    But if I can help even one person, one family, one friend, it will be worth it.

    In addition to that, of course, I will continue to write in my current “style” – that won’t change. I will write about what strikes my fancy and not be worried about “telling” you something too personal. I hope you get as much out of my writing as I do so please let me know what you think. Ask questions, make comments, be open, be real, be yourself!

    Her am I . . .

    In the arena,

    I am a flower quickly fading,
    Here today and gone tomorrow,
    A wave tossed in the ocean,
    A vapor in the wind.
    Still you hear me when I’m calling,
    Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,
    And you’ve told me who I am. ~ Who Am I? by Casting Crowns

    Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

    Filed Under: Life, Mindset, Personal · Tagged:
    Stop SOPA