Astronauts and Ballerinas

If we all really grew up to be astronauts and ballerinas - how much would we make?

A lot of little kids still dream about growing up to be astronauts and ballerinas - and Forbes Magazine has found the annual averages of some of those dream job salaries:

Astronaut: $85,000

Ballerina: $40,000

Pro Athlete: $72,000

Doctor: $153,000

Firefighter: $44,000

Lawyer: $118,000

Professional Actor: $50,000

Police Officer: $50,000

Professional Musician: $56,000

Author: $60,000

Afternoon Slump

If you're energy level decides to take a nap in the afternoon - we've got a few ways to wake it up...

The afternoon slump - it hits most of us around 3:00 in the afternoon. Sure, coffee or a brisk walk can help, but you can actually PREVENT it with some bright light. Increasing your exposure to light between the hours of noon and four can keep fatigue at bay. Natural light is the best, but you can simulate it with a good bright desk lamp. If you get in the habit of turning it on after lunch, it helps reset your body's internal clock. You can also get a quick boost by staring out a window for a full minute - even on a cloudy day.

Your Side of the Bed

In most marriages, each couple has a designated side of the bed. So who's most likely to be closest to the door?

In seven out of ten relationships the man takes the side of the bed closest to the door. It’s the natural protection side - dating all the way back through ancient cultures. According to Barbara Pease, author of "Body Language," if the woman sleeps closest to the door, there's a good chance she's the dominant one in the marriage.

And where sleeping positions are concerned, spooning is considered the most popular for couples. Nestling in matching fetal positions shows you're in sync with each other. But who's spooning who? The person on the outside of the spoon is usually more in charge in the relationship. If that person is farthest from the door - consider it a tie.

Buying Happiness

Think money can't buy happiness? Think again. We've got a few affordable ways it can certainly help...

So maybe money can't buy happiness in a big way - but in little ways, it can certainly cheer you up a bit. Here is a list of small splurges that might just do the trick:

• Hair. Nobody likes a bad hair day - it can affect your whole mood. An occasional splurge on some good hair products or a new cut and color can really perk things up.

• Underwear. If your wardrobe has taken a hit with the economy, consider splurging on some really nice underwear, or an accessory. You get that same good feeling of having something new at a fraction of the price.

• A good book. Whether it's a new best seller, or a find at a used book store, the escapism and pleasure a good book can hold is worth every penny.

Night Driving

Driving at night can be tricky – especially if you’re over 50! 

Driving at night poses extra challenges for all of us. Obviously, reduced visibility is a factor - and so is age. People over 50 generally need twice as much light to see what a 30 year old can. Alcohol is another big hazard - especially on weekend nights. The National Safety Council has a list of recommendations for night driving:

• Keeping your windows and all your lights clean really enhances visibility.

• Don't smoke when you drive at night. Nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.

• Reduce your speed and increase your following distance. Depth perception is diminished at night.

• You should always be able to stop inside the illuminated area of your headlights.

• If an oncoming car has its high beams on, shift your eyes to the right side of the road to avoid the glare.

Twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive, because your eyes are constantly changing to adapt to growing darkness - so start your night driving techniques as soon as the sun goes down. It's also a good idea to have your lights on BEFORE you need them to make you more visible to other drivers.

Hate the Phone?

Do you hate the phone? You're not alone. More people are hanging it up...

 

 

 

Have we come full circle with the way we communicate with each other? It seems cave men had the right idea, and the writing is on the wall, again. Talking on the phone had a good run. It has been the preferred method of communication since the 1960's, but more and more people are opting to hang it up. According to one Nielsen report, mobile phone calls are dropping, by choice, and more than a fifth of voice messages are never even listened to. So why don't people like the phone? It puts us on the spot, and it's not always interaction by choice, like written correspondence, which we can respond to at our leisure.

Air Freshener

The next time you use air freshener, remember you're not breathing in real ocean mist or fresh morning dew...

That rainforest mist, or clean summer day you're spraying around your house is anything but. The smiling lady on TV simultaneously spraying and deep breathing is actually getting a lung full of toxins, like those found in paint! Not only are they bad to breathe in, but there is new evidence showing some fragrances can even have an addictive effect on people.

Commercial air fresheners can also coat nasal passages with an oily film that can diminish our sense of smell. We're better off going with natural deodorizers such as simmering spices, or placing small dishes of baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice around the house which absorbs odors.

Dry Skin

Have you got dry skin? You might be misusing your moisturizer.

It turns out most of us have been using moisturizer all wrong! According to Dr. Barney Kenet, author of How to Wash Your Face, we are supposed to put moisturizer on when our skin is still damp. That way, the moisturizer is trapping in the moisture still on the skin. After you wash, just pat your skin dry, it shouldn't be soaking wet. Next, apply the moisturizer, let it soak in for a few minutes, then towel off the excess.

People with dry skin should get mild moisturizers that have no perfumes or alcohols. It should be thick and greasy in order to seal in the moisture the right way. To find the right one, put a blob on the palm of your hand. Flip your hand over, if it runs or drips, it's not thick enough for dry skin.

Picking Pumpkins

If you plan on picking pumpkins any time soon, plan the project first...

Before you pick that perfect pumpkin, make sure it's perfect for the project you're planning. For instance, if you plan on carving it, and might be using a stencil, you'll want a medium sized, round, smooth pumpkin. Most carving stencils are designed for those, and if you choose one that's too big or too small, the design might be out of proportion. Pumpkins with a bumpy skin or rough patches can be hard to trace on. Ripe pumpkins are the easiest to carve. To find out if it's ripe, give it a thump or a knock with your hand. The more hollow the pumpkin sounds, the more ripe it is.

If you find the perfect pumpkin, but the stem is missing or breaks off, don't despair. A few toothpicks work as a great anchor to reattach it for show.

Sneak Eating

Are you a sneak eater?

A lot of people are, here are some of the symptoms:

• Rearranging items such as cookies in a box, so it looks like none have been taken.

• Hiding wrappers or packaging at the bottom of the garbage.

• Hiding food at work or at home.

• Indulging by eating out, alone, where nobody will see.

Pamela Peeke, author of Fit to Live, has some suggestions on how to stomp out sneak eating. She says learning to savor food BEFORE sneaking it is the first step. If you're tempted to sneak, remind yourself that savoring each bite will slow you down, and you'll feel much more satisfied with less guilt. Be honest with yourself and keep a journal of when and what you eat. Sneak eating is often associated with underlying issues, so don't rule out seeking professional help in order to change the behavior.

Can't Decide? Flip a Coin!

Need to decide?  

Flip a coin, really.  

If you need to make a decision, big or small, consider the old coin toss.  Here's why it really helps.  First of all, it forces us to narrow the options down to two.  Secondly, the moment that coin rears it's head or tail, you'll have a gut reaction.  Be ready to acknowledge that.  

If you don't like the result of your toss, and find yourself going for two-outa-three, that's usually your best answer right there, or an indication that you're just not ready to make that decision yet.

Source:  Dr. Van Harreveld, University of Amsterdam

Best Friend Lineup

How many friends do you need?  Five. 

Sure, you've got that one best friend, but that person just can't do it all.  According to Karen Neuburger, author of The Secret Language of Girlfriends, you need these five people in your friend brigade:

The old friend.  That person who knew you then, and knows you now.  Even if that's not your closest friend, they have a unique perspective of you.

The secret keeper.  Not every friend is qualified for this coveted title, choose wisely.

The navigator.  We all need a friend who's good at getting things done, and always comes prepared, unless of course that's you.

The glass half full friend.  Optimism and a positive outlook can be infectious, and most of us could use a dose of that from time to time.

The Party Pal.  Let's face it, some people are just more fun when it comes to socializing, and bring out the best in us without upstaging or putting a damper on things.

Spooking the Dog

Halloween can be REALLY scary, for your dog!

Halloween stuff is popping up everywhere, and it could scare the heck out of your dog!  Here are a few things to consider:

If you're planning a costume party, consider NOT inviting your dog.  A houseful of people can be stressful alone for a dog, but strangers in unusual clothes, or with their faces covered, can really freak your dog out.

If you're tempted to buy that adorable dog costume on display, think carefully.  If your dog is used to, and doesn't mind wearing clothes, that's one thing.  But a lot of dogs REALLY don't like it.  Try out a bandana on the dog, or even a simple T-shirt to see how they react before you bother with a costume.

Chef's Beef

Would you want your guests to rearrange your furniture? Neither does that restaurant!

In the culinary world, the customer is NOT always right. After all, there are other customers to take into account. Executive Chef Ron Eyester, owner of Rosebud Restaurant in Atlanta lets us in on what eats at him:

Moving the furniture around. The restaurant has gone to great lengths to keep traffic flowing for customers and staff. Leave it that way, or ask for help.

Your birthday. You don't get a serenade and a free pair of socks at Old Navy when you shop on your birthday, don't expect a big celebration or free desert. 

If you're late for a flight, you miss it. If you're late for your reservation, consider that table departed.

If you have to negotiate through the hostess, you're not REALLY friends with the owner, so don't expect the VIP treatment. 

When you do call for a reservation, skip the OTHER conversation. Have a time in mind, and be ready to take or leave the closest thing. Debating it with the person you'll be eating with while the restaurant waits for you to decide drives them nuts.

Cross These OFF the Grocery List

For your next trip to the grocery store, we've got some stuff to cross OFF the list....

Most people spend a little more on certain foods for convenience, but Reader's Digest has a list of rip-off items that are really easy to make yourself. Here's what NOT to buy:

Gourmet frozen vegetables. Opt for the less expensive plain variety and add your own butter and herbs.

Iced tea mixes are a rip-off. It's much cheaper, and really easy to make your own. Tea bags are inexpensive and you can flavor and sweeten them any way you like.

Frozen fruit bars. They usually cost about $2 per bar! You're better off splurging on one of those 99 cent plastic ice-pop molds. Fill them with your favorite juice, or mashed up fruit combos.

Rice entrees or side-dish mixes are also a waste of money. Most of them just consist of rice, and herbs and spices you probably already have in your pantry.

Energy or protein bars usually have as many calories as a regular candy bar, at three times the price! You're better off with a handful of nuts.

Spice mixes and rubs. Check the ingredients, the first one is probably salt, followed by vague herbs and spices. It's super easy to make your own, and costs a lot less.

Trail mix costs about $10 a pound! You can buy the ingredients you like and toss them together for a fraction of the cost.