Author Archives: Laura

Saving on Utility Bills — take 10 minutes to reset the thermostat

The last two months’ gas bills were atrocious — almost 8 times higher than pre-heat months. I was shocked and appalled. So we re-set the thermostats to 2 degrees lower during the day and at night. Well, the bill just … Continue reading

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The Benefits of a Change of Venue

I am writing this from high atop a hotel restaurant/lounge near my house. I’m just a mile from home, but a world away, at least mentally. I wanted to work (writing, desk work, reading) but thought I’d like to get … Continue reading

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Aligning What You Do with What You Care About…

I just love it when Oprah and I are on the same page. Soon I’ll be a billionaire, too! And everyone will know me by my first name! Oprah talks about “alignment” in her “What I Know for Sure” column … Continue reading

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Quick workout can be just as good as slow…

This is straight from the January issue of Self magazine but I couldn’t find it online to link to. So I’ll practice my transcription skills I used on so many temp jobs… “Exercisers in a full-body strength program who did … Continue reading

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10-minute Perfect Breakfast

If there’s one thing I shouldn’t write about, it’s fine cuisine. But when I find something that’s easy to make, a hit with my kids, and a nearly perfect protein and fruit-delivery device, I have to share it. It should … Continue reading

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Tackle Your “Money Makeover” a Little at a Time

Carmen Wong Ulrich gives a great plan for getting a handle on your finances in this month’s Good Housekeeping. She calls it a “Two-hour Money Makeover” and God bless the person who can hunker down and take the 2 hours … Continue reading

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Mad Libs for Managing Time and Working Toward Goals…

Yes, it’s January but I’m not going to talk about dreaded resolutions. Instead I’ll offer an alternative, a “Daily Balance Sheet” of sorts — a simple gut check of what really matters to you, a moment to tap into your … Continue reading

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10 Minutes a Day to Appreciate Poetry

I’ve always wanted to be someone who understood poetry. I wanted to appreciate the beauty of the words, and the mood the poem evoked, not to mention it would represent that I was insightful, evolved, creative and generally bright. Instead, … Continue reading

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Mrs. D’s 5-minute Chocolate Cake — perfect holiday treat!

My mother’s friend, Patt, sent me this recipe for a yummy, easy, virtually cleanup-free cake. Christmas came early this year! This is one the kids can make in a flash. But you may want to stretch it out when you’re … Continue reading

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Saving Time with an Artificial Christmas Tree — Scrooge-like or sensible?

After having a fresh Christmas tree for my whole adult life, we finally went fake. I thought I would handle it with much emotion and go through the 7 steps of grieving — having had a fake tree as a … Continue reading

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