Your Guide to Choosing the Right Smartphone to Give

If you've noticed more smartphones and tablets on your holiday wish lists, you're not alone. A recent survey by Kelton Research found that 69 percent of people would like to receive something wireless as a holiday gift.

The report also found it's not always easy to shop for these kinds of gifts. In fact, 43 percent of people surveyed said they find shopping for technology items more confusing than assembling a child's toy with multiple parts.

To minimize the confusion around shopping for a wireless device, Ami Silverman, senior vice president of sales operations, T-Mobile USA, has a few tips for selecting the right smartphone and getting the most value for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

Smart Tips for Choosing a Smartphone
There are many options to choose from, and at first glance they might all seem the same. The key to picking the right one is to start by matching the phone's featured functions to what you know about the user. For example, here are some typical mobile users and the features which would be ideal for their devices:
Heavy texter/social networker - Consider phones with a physical QWERTY keyboard to enable quick connections with inner circles.
Gamer - Look for devices that have preloaded or easy access to premium games as well as large, high-definition screens, powerful processors (preferably a quad-core processor) and long lasting batteries.
Entertainment junkie - Keep an eye out for fast 4G smartphones with touch screens featuring large high-definition display for watching videos and enjoying online entertainment.
Worker bee - Seek phones that offer business-ready capabilities and the ability to accurately and quickly view and edit documents and share files fast.
Style maven - Choose touch screen phones that are thin, look sleek, and can be customized with a range of accessories, including stylish protective cases.
Photographer - Prioritize phones with high-resolution cameras and high storage capacity.

While these tips can point you in the right direction, it's best to talk to experts in the store. Explain the type of person you are buying for and how they'll be using the device. Knowledgeable sales associates have tools and resources so they can help you find exactly what you need

Reviews can also be helpful in finding the right phone. Check out independent reviews at www.consumerreports.org or www.cnet.com, and get user reviews at www.consumersearch.com.

10 Hot Trends in Kitchen Countertops

By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist

While granite and marble remain the most popular choices for kitchen countertops, young homemakers are opting for a surprising number of chic, new countertop choices.

“These trendy alternatives offer a clean, sleek, sometimes industrial look that suggests heavy duty cooking is going on here,” say designers at architectural firm Freshome.

The hottest countertop materials available today include:

Poured concrete – Stain resistant when sealed, they are relatively inexpensive and can be tinted to any color. Appearance improves with age, but while the concrete is heat-resistant, the sealer is not. It requires trivets under hot pots and cutting boards for chopping.

Butcher block - Elegant yet casual and environmentally friendly, butcher block requires monthly sealing and oiling to prevent drying or cracking. Its soft surfaces require cutting boards, but cleanup demands only mild dish detergent and a light cloth or sponge.

Reclaimed wood – Salvaged from older homes, reclaimed wood is attractive, sturdier than newer wood, and saves trees. It requires the same maintenance as butcher block.

Cork – Dense, sturdy and lightweight, cork is a sustainable option with sound-cutting properties. It is resistant to water and heat and has antibacterial properties.

Stainless steel – Elegant, sleek and classy looking, these counters are water, heat and germ resistant. Susceptible to dings and scratches, they show every fingerprint, but maintenance requires only washing and polishing.

Soapstone - A natural stone quarried like granite, soapstone is a softer surface that is sturdy but not impervious to dents and scratches, which may be sanded or oiled away. The color is naturally gray and darkens with age, offering a smooth, matte feel.

Recycled glass – Like reclaimed wood, this is a ‘greener’ choice, available in many beautiful colors and patterns. With a life expectancy of 50 years, it is easy to clean and care for. This option is a bit cheaper than granite.

Pewter – Offers a less clinical look than stainless steel, but is softer and susceptible to nicks and dents, although a hammered, antique look can mask damage. This muted, dark silvery color looks good in any kitchen.

Slate – A natural, fine-grained rock, slate is softer than granite but harder than marble. Resists bacteria and cleans with soap and water, but is not entirely heat-proof.

Quartz – An extremely scratch-resistant mineral, easy to care for and clean. Needs no sealing and has a long lifetime and more unique look than granite.

Determining the Best Social Media Positioning Strategies | PositionistView

Determining the Best Social Media Positioning Strategies | PositionistView

From Patch to Table: the Many Uses of a Pumpkin

(BPT) - While pumpkins are most often associated with holiday pies, don't underestimate this favorite of the squash and gourd family. Not only is the mighty pumpkin delicious, but it is also quite the multi-tasker.

“Pumpkins are incredibly versatile. They can be used in virtually any application,” says Chef Joseph Brown, culinary chair at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Raleigh - Durham, a campus of South University. From sweet to savory, desserts to dinners, Brown and Chef Arthur Inzinga, culinary instructor at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, offer tips and ideas for making the most of your pumpkins.

Pumpkin can be added to a variety of dishes to provide textural elements as well as flavor. “When pumpkin is cooked down it is very similar to mashed potatoes, but more sweet and flavorful,” says Brown. “It brings a sweetness to the table, which is its most unique aspect.” He adds that anywhere a potato is being cut up and cooked, pumpkin would be a good addition and/or substitution.

Pureed pumpkin can be added to a variety of sauces and soups, and according to Inzinga, “pumpkin is used a lot in conjunction with pasta.” He recommends using it as a filling in gnocchi: “Typically, gnocchi is made with potato puree. You can substitute pumpkin puree.” Brown also notes it can be used as a filling for ravioli.

Adding the bold flavor of pumpkin to a variety of dishes can be achieved with some simple substitutions. Pumpkin chili can be created by augmenting some of the stock and tomato with pureed pumpkin. “This brings a richness to the chili. The pumpkin is going to be as much a textural component as it is a flavorful item,” says Brown. He also adds that pumpkin and tomato go together beautifully. This can be seen in autumn or pumpkin pizza, where the pumpkin becomes part of the sauce. Brown likes to top his pumpkin pizza with barbequed chicken. Inzinga recommends juicing some of the pumpkin pulp and using it as the cooking liquid for risotto or mixing equal parts pureed pumpkin to mashed potatoes. “It can be used as an ingredient in pancakes and waffles to replace some of the liquid and add flavor,” he says.

Pumpkin can also take center stage in dishes such as pumpkin-based bread puddings and ice creams and pumpkin butter. Inzinga says pumpkin butter is much like apple butter and can be created by adding pumpkin pie spices and cooking the pumpkin down until it is a spreadable consistency. He also recommends pumpkin/apple smoothies made with pureed pumpkin, apple juice and a bit of yogurt.
Enjoy the full flavor of the pumpkin by dicing and roasting with other root vegetables, sauteing it to bring out its natural flavors or even putting it on the grill. Brown says the slow heat of the grill brings out natural sugars, removes moisture and condenses the flavor.

Don't forget that the flesh isn't the only part of the pumpkin that can be used. The seeds can be roasted and used as a garnish on breads, muffins or on pumpkin soup; added to homemade granola; or pureed into sauces and pesto. According to Inzinga, the flower blossoms can be battered and fried or stuffed and baked. Both chefs even recommend using hollowed-out pumpkins as bowls and tureens for chili or soup.

“It's important for people to realize that when you go pumpkin picking, those pumpkins are grown for their size and shape, not necessarily flavor,” says Brown. The large pumpkins are less sweet. He says there are hundreds of varieties of pumpkins, and you can get more sweetness and flavor if you are more selective. He recommends allaboutpumpkins.com as a reference for the characteristics of different types of pumpkins.

Tips for roasting a pumpkin:
To roast a pumpkin, Brown recommends roasting it at 350 to 375 F for a medium-length roasting time. The flesh will brown a bit. For a more concentrated flavor, roast at 300 F for a longer period of time and bump the temperature up to 425 F for the last 15 to 20 minutes. Pumpkins are a lot like potatoes - you can tell if they are done by touch. They will get softer the longer they cook.

Financial Tip of the Week: How to Get More for Your Money

You know how it goes: pay day comes and you’re feeling good about your finances, but after your mortgage, college tuition payments, grocery bills and the occasional latte, you’re wondering where that money ran off to. It used to be that "middle class" meant "comfortable." Yet today, some are finding that lifestyle is slipping away as they struggle to maintain their standard of living.

Today, the best way to maintain the lifestyle you're accustomed to is to become smarter with the money you do have.

Here are four strategies to help you maximize your money:

Budget for your specific needs. When every dollar counts, you can't afford to let anything slip through the cracks. That's where a budget comes in. Creating one – and actually using it – can help you take control of your money. Start by keeping a spending journal so you can see where your money's going. Next, subtract your fixed monthly costs (i.e. mortgage or rent, car payment, utilities, savings, etc.) from your monthly income. The remaining money is what you have left for variable expenses, such as groceries, entertainment, gas, etc. How you divide this money is up to you – the only catch is you have to stay within your budget limits.

Plan ahead to avoid ATM fees. Avoiding this extra cost is as simple as planning ahead. Paying $3 here and there may not seem like a lot, but it adds up over time. "For example, paying $3 at a non-bank ATM, four times a month adds up to $144 each year.

Find a credit card that benefits you. Look for one that rewards you for the money you spend.

Save money on everything. With a bit of advance planning and research, you can save money on everything from groceries and gas to haircuts and entertainment. Many of these savings can be found online and through mobile apps. Follow your favorite businesses via social media to learn about exclusive discounts and sales. Mobile apps can help you find the lowest prices on gas and other items you use everyday.

Source: http://www.harrisbank.com

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Now

Simple Plumbing Cleaning Chore: Cleaning a Faucet Aerator

Plumbing is one home system that many dread having to deal with. One proactive step you can take to keep your plumbing clean is to take care of your faucet aerator. Now you might be thinking, “my what?!” Faucet aerators mix air with the water, minimizing splashing and reducing the amount of water used (and the energy required to heat hot water) without reducing the effectiveness of the water stream.


“An aerator contains a screen and a water reducer/aerator washer,” says to Bob Beall, a plumber in the Northeast Ohio and Southwest Pennsylvania region. “These little items have a habit of collecting bits of naturally occurring mineral sediment in the water.” “What becomes noticeable when the aerator becomes clogged is a reduced water flow at the spout (on both hot and cold) and/or a non-symmetrical spray coming from the spout,” according to Beall.

Below are Beall’s tips for cleaning your aerator.

No. 1. To remove the aerator from the faucet simply turn it counterclockwise. Drop it straight down so you don’t lose any internal parts, especially the thread-sealing gasket. The threads can be either inside or outside the cap. If the cap is stuck, you will need pliers to turn it.

BONUS TIP: Tape the jaws with electrical tape to minimize scratching.

No. 2 Look inside the center area for sand, silt, and other waterborne debris.

No. 3 Take the center section out to check for further debris, noting the order in which things come apart.

No. 4 Check for anything stuck in the screen.

No. 5 In the flow reducer, look in the tiny side holes and the center hole of the white button for debris.

Note that if do not put all the pieces back together properly, there will be a leak or the water flow will not be a smooth aerated flow.

Despite even the most experienced plumber’s intentions, it’s easy to let the parts of an aerator fall out when removing it. To prevent permanent loss of any parts, put the stopper in the sink drain before removing the aerator. If it is necessary to take the aerator away from the sink, to keep from losing parts, disassemble it over a bowl.



Source: Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Financial Tip of the Week - Improve Your Credit Score

Just like a top football, basketball or hockey player is drafted based on their stats, your credit score is used to determine your financial fitness.


Your credit score is the best way to define your ability to handle debt. It's based on several aspects of your financial picture and can help creditors determine if you're responsible with your money.


Improving your credit is one of the easiest ways to improve your overall financial scorecard. Doing so may help you get approved for loans and lower your interest rates and insurance premiums.

The following steps can help you improve your credit score:


Pay on time. Payment history is one of the most important factors used to calculate your credit score, so consistently paying on time is one of the easiest ways to boost your score. To help you pay on time, consider enrolling in an e-bill pay program that will make payments automatically on your behalf and guarantee they arrive on time.

Reduce debt-to-credit ratio. Focus on paying down the amount you owe on your credit cards so each one has an available credit of at least 50 percent. Doing so improves your debt-to-credit ratio and in turn will improve your credit score.

Use more than one type of credit. Your score is built around both revolving (ex. credit card) and installment (ex. mortgage loan) credit. Having both types in your credit history shows you can responsibly handle multiple kinds of credit, and in turn may improve your score.

Stick with the accounts you have. Opening new accounts means new inquiries on your credit report, which may lower your score. On the other hand, avoid closing accounts you already have, even if you don't use them that often. Doing so can negatively impact your debt-to-credit ratio and credit history – both of which are used to calculate your score.



Source: BMO Harris Bank

Home for Sale? Stage it Right for Autumn

Home for Sale? Stage it Right for Autumn




By Barbara Pronin


The transition from summer to fall means more than the beginning of football season and sending the kids back to school. For a homeowner wanting to sell a home, it means staging it right with fall in mind to make it more appealing to buyers.

Here are seven ways to bump up your home’s seasonal appeal:

Start with curb appeal – Keep the lawn free of falling leaves and debris and cut back dead or dying perennials. Replace them with fall blooms, like mums, and/or add a few fall blooms in pots to the front porch.

Add fall décor – Use neutral fall décor outside, such as pumpkins, leafy wreaths or small hay bales that appeal to adult sensibilities. But keep it to a tasteful minimum. The idea is to add a few homey touches but keep the focus on the home itself.

Use seasonal scents – Nothing conjures up warm memories more than the sweet, spicy scents of fall. Bring them to mind with a pot of simmering cider on the stove or the aroma of freshly baked bread or cookies. But try to keep it natural. Scented candles or aerosol sprays can irritate some buyers.

Make the kitchen sparkle – Keep it very clean and remove all cleaning supplies from view. Take the notes and photos off the refrigerator and keep the counters clear – except, perhaps, for an attractive cookbook and a bottle of wine or olive oil, or a handsome arrangement of fall produce in a pretty bowl or basket.

Let the light in – Keep drapes and blinds open during the day, and turn on the lights if your home is dark or the weather outside is gray.

Make the fireplace a focal point – Can you make it seem cozier with an armchair or rocking chair facing it, draped with a shawl or afghan? Will a few small pumpkins or gourds add a homey touch to the mantel? Can you rearrange the furniture to make the fireplace the focus of the room?

Set the dining room table – Using fall foliage and candles as a centerpiece, set the table with your best cloth, glassware and china – or dramatize a polished wood table with a showy bowl or basket full of autumn’s finest fruits and foliage.

6 Best Things to Buy in September

6 Best Things to Buy in September



By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist


The livin’ may be easy in ‘summertime,’ but bargain season typically begins to heat up in September as new models roll off the assembly lines and a holiday mindset kicks in.

If you’re in the market for household goods or travel, the personal finance advocates at Kiplinger Finance suggest September is the best time to shop for these bargains:

Holiday airfare – Experts say now is the time to search for buys in holiday airfare. You’ll likely get a better price and a better seat for holiday air travel now than you will if you wait much longer – and bear in mind the best air fares are usually offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Non-peak vacations – Look into a ‘shoulder season’ vacation, which offers some of the best buys on cruises, resort trips, vacation rentals and international airfare during the lull between peak vacation periods. Bonus: Pleasant weather and fewer crowds in many popular destinations.

New cars – Dealers are clearing inventory now to make room for the new models. Feel free to haggle a bit more for the best price possible on a new, end-of-year model of the vehicle of your choice.

Major appliances – As the new models come in, early fall will also yield the best prices on major appliances. In addition to searching out a buy on an end-of-year model, look for huge reductions on display appliances with minor dings or scratches.

Grills – As the weather cools down, so does demand, making fall the best time to replace your old grill. Look for good buys on models with extra features you may not have been able to afford last spring.

Landscaping plants – You’ll find the best buys on trees and shrubs in the fall, when nurseries want to sell off inventory to keep down greenhouse costs.

7 Steps to Start The School Year Strong, Safe and Sound

Looking to give kids a better start to their school year? A new list of seven steps can help your child start the year off strong, safe and sound.


1. Take a realistic look at your child’s emotional school-readiness.

Qualities like being more sensitive or less sensitive, more outgoing or more reserved, louder or quieter, are all normal and have both benefits and potential liabilities. The sooner children can learn to be in charge of their qualities, so that these are gifts instead of problems, the happier and more successful they will be.

2. Be clear about both safety and learning expectations.

Tell your child clearly, 'I expect you to feel respected and safe at school. And I expect you to act in safe and respectful ways towards others.' Be explicit about what this means, using specific examples relevant to your child.

3. Make a plan for potential problems.

Children can suddenly find themselves struggling with some academic subject or having emotional or social problems with someone in their circle of friends. Explore ways to make learning and interacting with friends easier. Sometimes children need major support, but often a little bit of help can make a huge difference.

4. Stay in touch with what is going on at school.

Many children are tired of school by the time they get home and don’t give much information when asked general questions like, “How was school today?" At the same time, most children like to share what’s going on in their lives if they are listened to without being lectured or having to hear negative comments about themselves, their school, or their friends.

5. Offer support to your child’s teachers and schools.

Teaching is a hard job and schools face many challenges. Supporting teachers and not taking them for granted is vital to helping kids have a good experience at school.

6. Prepare your children to set boundaries and to advocate for themselves.

In an ideal world, people would always be kind to each other rather than being mean to each other. However, even people who really care about each other annoy and bother each other sometimes. Rehearsing how to handle specific problems will help to increase confidence, reduce anxiety, and build competence.

7. Advocate for your children when things go wrong.

Remember that, as parents, our job is to make sure that our children are in places that are emotionally and physically safe and with people who are creating a supportive, effective learning environment. If something goes wrong, be prepared to advocate in a respectful, powerful way for your child.



Source: Kidpower.org

Top Tips to Master Your Grill

Tips for Successful Tailgating

With the kick-off to the football season here, tailgating season is upon us. Fans across the country are preparing their checklists and equipment for the pre-game festivities, for what is sure to be the best tailgating season yet.

And, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), when it comes to tailgating, this season North Americans are more likely to tailgate at professional football games (27 percent) than any other type of event, such as outdoor concerts (19 percent) and college football games (15 percent). So, fire-up the portable grill, smoker or fryer, grab all the essentials for a finger-licking good time, and assemble your team to help get this year's tailgating season off to a winning start.

"What better way to kick-off game day than bringing together friends and family for a tailgate? From the rookie to the pro tailgater, everyone should always start with a game plan and the right equipment and tools," says Leslie Wheeler, HPBA Communications Director. "A portable grill, smoker or fryer is a must for a successful tailgate, and coming to the stadium prepared with all the essentials will ensure a touchdown every time."

Starting your tailgating season off right sets the right tone for the rest of the season. Follow these tips to get started.

Know the Rules: Know the tailgating rules for your stadium before game day. Are grills, smokers and fryers allowed? What time do the parking lot gates open for tailgaters?

Morning Practice: Create a tailgate checklist so you won't forget your gear, including food, drinks, grill, smoker or fryer, grilling accessories, chairs, table, cooler and paper goods.

Equipment Check: You can't play the game without the ball, and you can't cook without the grill, smoker or fryer. Make sure your 'equipment' works properly before getting to the stadium. You'll also want to bring your favorite outdoor cooking accessories, like tongs, and plenty of paper goods for serving.

Be a Team Player: Score big with your friends by bringing a variety of food to throw on the grill, smoker or fryer, and drinks and water, so that there's something for everyone, including kids, vegetarians and those who may just want a snack.

Pre-Game Prep: Prep and marinate meat ahead of time and keep on ice during transportation to ensure freshness (and safety). Arrive early to start up the grill so that it's fired-up by the time other tailgaters arrive.

Go the Extra Yard: You've got the grill and the food, but don't forget about tailgating entertainment, like an iPod, MP3 player or other device for parking lot music, generator to power a TV for pre-game coverage, or even a football, frisbee or cornhole set for activities to play before the game starts.

Clean-Up Blitz: Before heading into the stadium, make sure the grill is completely extinguished, coals are cooled and disposed, and you've cleaned up your tailgating area. Many stadiums provide metal trash cans to place used charcoal. However, if you are tailgating at a stadium that does not, it is always a good idea to bring your own small metal can to place cooled coals.

Practice Makes Perfect: After you and your guests deemed the tailgate a success and the game is over, go home and 'review the tapes'. Did the new marinade you used work? Do you have enough charcoal, propane, etc. for next week's tailgate? Take what you learn from each tailgate and apply it to the next to be the champion of the tailgating season.

Source: www.hpba.org

Own It! Be Brilliant!

We have had the opportunity to hear Simon T. Bailey and converse with him.  He is a "Brilliant" man with incredible communication skills.  We hope you enjoy this recent post.

Own It!

by Simon T. Bailey


The Gallup Organization states that there are approximately 100 million full-time workers in the United States. 28% of this workforce is engaged, 53% is not engaged, and 19% is actively disengaged. Jim Clifton, author of The Coming Jobs War and Chairman of Gallup, says, "The 53% of not engaged workers are just there, killing time with little or no concern about customers, productivity, profitability, waste, safety, mission and purpose of teams, or developing customers. They're essentially checked out."

Do you know people who aren't engaged, not to mention actively disengaged? I do, and it's draining when you have someone on your team who is more negative than an undeveloped piece of film.

I became curious to find out how companies could significantly increase engagement in their workforces. I started by reflecting on my seven years at the Happiest Place in the World-Walt Disney World Resort®-and then on my work with over 1,000 organizations over the last ten years. And that's when it clicked: When I worked at Disney, they sent all cast members to two days of indoctrination at Disney University, and that's where I learned how to create a magic moment. That's where I drank the magic potion, sniffed the pixie dust, and got the microchip planted in my head. I was so engaged at Disney that my wife said to me she personally thought Walt Disney himself had come back from the dead and hired me. Engagement, as I describe it, is brilliance (insight, potential, talent) being released; it's when one experiences The Vujá dé Moment. Engagement happens when an employee has not seen the future and so decides to create it.

Achieving real engagement-seizing the reins and actively creating the future-will only happen when people at work and in business take ownership of their productivity. Think about owning a home: This has, for many decades, been the heart of the American Dream. Being able to own real estate was and is a source of pride and fulfillment. Paying the mortgage on time and in full demonstrates trust and credibility to the lending institution. Over time, as the principal and interest are paid down, there is a transfer of ownership from the lender to the borrower.

However, in business you, the worker, are rewarded for your contribution to a place of business over a number of years of service. Though you may never own the company, you do own how you choose to show up and positively impact the company. I believe that those businesses that want to stay relevant and cause America to remain the number one superpower in the world must instill an ownership mindset in the percentage of the workforce that is disengaged.

Here's a cornucopia of ideas that will assist you in owning your future:

Financial Intelligence - If you are to thrive in the "New Normal," you've got to learn the financials. How does the company make money? What are the margins in the business? When leadership says its goal is to "cut expenses," what does that mean and how does it impact what shows up in your paycheck?

Unleash Brilliance - Gallup Organization asked 5,000 people in 18 industries, "How productive are you?" Let's assume the goal is 100% productivity in a given 40 - 60 hour work week; what do you think the answer to the Gallup Organization question was? 32%! That's right! The people asked estimated that they were only being productive at a 32% capacity. Why? According to Gallup, people said, "The organization doesn't know what I can offer" and "I don't think I am valued" or "I am not appreciated."

The fact is, if you want to maximize your value, you have to stop waiting for the organization to do something for you. Get up off of your blessed assurance and make something happen. Find a project that no one else will touch, and go for it. Ask your leader what you can take off of his plate. Cross-train in another department. Teach others what you have learned so you can make room inside yourself to learn even more.

Be a Hybrid - Recently I was speaking with a colleague who had grown up in the audit side of the Fortune 500 company she worked for and possessed a deep knowledge of the accounting side of her business. Now she has made a switch to the marketing side of the house and was recently promoted to Account Manager, responsible for a multi-million dollar client. I asked her, "How did that happen?" She said that she was able to leverage both the right brain and left brain aspects of her experience to influence internal and external customers.

Every day is another opportunity for you to own what you do. If you don't, then someone else will.

Simon's Sidebar...

The Vujá dé Moment - Shift from Average to Brilliant is now available on Kindle.

Click here to download it today - http://ow.ly/b1wfi


Be Brilliant,

Simon T. Bailey

Brilliance Institute

Stay Social:

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

Stroke has a new indicator They say if you forward this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along? Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue.


STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters..... S. T. R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away..) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough..

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, S.T.R.  Read and
Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.  Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(I.e. Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this post forwards it to ten people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Will you?

(Source unknown)

Are Americans Too Optimistic About Housing Recovery?

Are Americans Too Optimistic About Housing Recovery?

What Renters Are Willing to Sacrifice for a Home

What Renters Are Willing to Sacrifice for a Home

Sellers to Buyers: Stop With the Lowball Offers!

Sellers to Buyers: Stop With the Lowball Offers!

Here We Grow Again

This is a great day in the life of Cutler Real Estate as we announce the opening of our newest office serving the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky real estate market. Our operating partners, Joe Price, Don Johnson and Holly Maloney have years of real estate experience and with the proven Cutler systems, they are able to offer a full service experience to buyers and sellers as well as boundless opportunities for their Realtors.


The address of the office is; 6460 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45247. They can be reached at 513-429-4290

REAL Trends March Video Housing Market Report | Real Trends

REAL Trends March Video Housing Market Report | Real Trends

The Feds and Congress Have Screwed Up the Housing Market | Real Trends

The Feds and Congress Have Screwed Up the Housing Market | Real Trends

Housing Affordability Soars to Record High

How wonderful to finally see some positive news about housing.  If you are wondering if now is a good time to buy a house, read this post and make your own decision.

Housing Affordability Soars to Record High