Ever notice how uplifted you feel after a hearty convulsing laugh?? It's amazing how something so natural and effortless as laughter, can make you feel good. And ever find yourself spontaneously laughing out loud because you've caught someone else's laughing bug? What a contagious and intoxicating effect laughter has.
Whether a giggle, chuckle, hoot or outright cackle, laughing makes you feel happier instantly - it boosts your spirit and usually spirits of those around you. Laughing can be good fun - it doesn't cost anything and is soooo easy to do. Go ahead and try it!
Have you had your laugh today?
16 down - 84 to go!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Canada and the U.S. I personally know of 4 women, all in their 40s when first diagnosed, whom have had and thankfully survived, breast cancer - that's 4 too many in my opinion. Sadly, 1 in 9 (1 in 8 in America) is expected to be diagnosed with this disease during her lifetime and scarier, 70% of those diagnosed will have had no risk factors. While the causes for breast cancer are largely unknown, seems that early detection has contributed to lower death rates since the mid 1990's in North America.
Stats source: Canadian Cancer Society / National Cancer Institute of Canada; U.S. Breast Cancer.Org
At my last doctor's visit, I decided that I wanted to have a more thorough breast exam as part of my screening and so today, I had my first mammography exam at the Credit Valley Hospital X-Ray and Ultrasound Clinic in Mississauga. The exam itself wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be and the staff were pleasant, professional and thoughtful. Results will arrive at my doctor's office in about a week's time where I expect to get the "all clear!"
Routine breast screening and early detection are key in fighting and surviving this disease. Regular self-examinations (see chart, inset, or go to Breast Cancer Society of Canada for printer-friendly version), clinical exams by your practitioner, and mammograms all help in reducing the number of women who die of breast cancer. In the province of Ontario, mammograms are recommended every 2 years for women over 50. However if you are between 40 and 49, you can speak to your doctor about early screening.
15 down; 85 to go
It was my birthday the other day and so for a special treat, I decided to fulfil my craving for a yummy cupcake. In waiting at the bakery counter to be served, my mind drifted back to an incident that took place at work a year or so ago.
For some sponteneous reason, I decided that I wanted to bake cupcakes for my colleauges at work; I think largely due to the fact that I was on a kick to master the art of homemade cream-cheese icing. In proclaiming my desires to a fellow co-worker, she decided she wanted to join in on the action and do the same. Fine by me as we had a pretty large team so the more cupcakes, the better!
The next day, I waltzed in with my bag of treats - vanilla and chocolate cupcakes that I had baked the night before then lathered in generous amounts of cream-cheese icing (which by the way, turned out 'ok' but not exactly to my desired specs). In discussing where to put out our treats, my fellow co-worker chose to advise me that her cupcakes weren't homemade but rather, store bought. Fine, whatever... a cupcake's a cupcake I thought, until she continued that she had scraped off the hard sugary "crap" and then re-iced them with the spreadable ready-made Duncan Hines stuff, AND THEN punctuated her story with, "Don't tell anyone though!"
Perhaps arming me with this information relieved her of a sense of guilt? but what was I supposed to do with it? I rationalized that store-bought-disguised-as-homemade cupcakes weren't going to kill anyone and after all, this was her deceipt not mine. And while I kept her dirty lil' secret all iced-up as she graciously accepted gratitude and compliments for her baking, I realized that anyone willing to lie to their fellow work mates about something as insignificant as cupcakes was sure enough to lie about anything.
A person's integrity goes a long way and while it takes years to build someone's trust, it only takes seconds to break it. Oh how true!
14 down - 86 to go!
Enjoy this popular commentary on 'Women over 40' from an iconic and opinionated broadcaster that we all know and love, Andy Rooney.
"As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:
A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn't care what you think.
If a woman over 40 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.
Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.
Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.
Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are being a jerk or if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.
For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”, here's an update for you: Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize its not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!"
So often we get distracted by the demands of everyday life that we've almost become programed to wait for the right time or for that special occasion - like a dinner party to crack open that special bottle of wine or bring out the pretty candles or expensive linens - to indulge and satiate our senses. Sometimes in fact, we don't even have time to indulge when the moment arrives.
Rather than waiting to celebrate a big event or for a special occasion or for the 'right time', why not just seize the moment today?
Why not bake those yummy Christmas cookies for a summer dinner party? Why not pluck flowers from your own garden and enjoy them in your home? Why not indulge in a steamy bubble bath with your partner (and whatever leads to afterward), in the middle of the afternoon? Why not make that phone call or have that conversation you've been nervously putting off?! Why not use those pretty delicate soaps someone gave you for a gift years ago?!?!
Go ahead! Seize the moment now - it's amazing how good you'll feel for 'doing' and 'living' today!
13 down - 87 to go!
Whether a giggle, chuckle, hoot or outright cackle, laughing makes you feel happier instantly - it boosts your spirit and usually spirits of those around you. Laughing can be good fun - it doesn't cost anything and is soooo easy to do. Go ahead and try it!
Routine breast screening and early detection are key in fighting and surviving this disease. Regular self-examinations (see chart, inset, or go to Breast Cancer Society of Canada for printer-friendly version), clinical exams by your practitioner, and mammograms all help in reducing the number of women who die of breast cancer. In the province of Ontario, mammograms are recommended every 2 years for women over 50. However if you are between 40 and 49, you can speak to your doctor about early screening. 
It was my birthday the other day and so for a special treat, I decided to fulfil my craving for a yummy cupcake. In waiting at the bakery counter to be served, my mind drifted back to an incident that took place at work a year or so ago.
