How To Handle a Know-It-All

Know-It-All - a person who believes they have an accurate comprehension of a topic or situation when in reality, they’re knowledge isn’t worth a plug nickel or rather limited. 

Hello people! Know anyone like that … someone who won't let you get a word in edgewise, monopolizes the conversation or always correcting you?  Man, these people are exhausting and annoying!  They always know what’s right, always preoccupied with numero uno, can do it better and in most instances, no matter how many correct ways there is to doing something … you got it … their way is bet-ter.

So what do you do … tell them, “Will you shut the hell up!” Perhaps walk away and leave them talking to themselves or slap a strip of masking tape over their mouth.  Tempting solutions yes but, here’s a few more diplomatic approaches.

1. Cut them off with a passive BUT, “Okay I see why you might think that, but, this is how I see it.  You’re still acknowledging their input while politely expressing yours. 

2. Stay cool.  These types of individuals are really difficult to shut down because they have massive egos and will argue their point until they’re blue in the face.  Never say to them, “You’re wrong,” or remark “I’ve heard just about enough of this bull.”  Try countering with, “Well on the Today show, Dr. Oz indicated,” or “This is what I know to be true/heard.”

3. Exit with a closing.  My favorite shut down, “I guess at this point we just have to agree to disagree, my friend.”

4. It is what it is.  Internalizing that it’s not worth getting your dander up and simply letting it go is healthier for you.  You also have the choice not to listen and participate knowing you’ll never see eye-to-eye.  They can’t help who they are.  It’s genetic so, why bother.  

Are Coke & Pepsi a Danger To Us?

If it isn’t one thing, it’s another.  When I read the first announcement via MSN news, I dug a little further and it really burns my butt that big name companies can play with our lives all for the love of profit and sales.  What about the agencies that are suppose to regulate them and be our eyes and ears out there? I mean really … who the hell are we suppose to trust?   Years ago I learned Coke could remove rust from chrome and make an old copper penny look like new.  I’m not a Coke or Pepsi lover and really glad I stayed away from it all these years.  Here’s what different sources are saying.

Coke and Pepsi are making some changes to their formula to avoid having their cans slapped with a cancer warning label. The companies directed their suppliers to reduce the level of the chemical 4-methylimidazole, which is a component of the caramel coloring and can be found in trace amounts in the soda. The change comes following a California law that demands drinks with a certain level of carcinogens display a warning, and while scientists say there are no immediate health concerns associated with the product, the two companies are changing the way they make their coloring to comply. Fortunately, the drinks will still be packed with all the sugar and empty calories you can handle.

4-methylimidazole has been one of the listed ingredients of Coke and Pepsi for as long as most people can remember but, if the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI, has its way, caramel color will no longer be used to make colas.

Citing studies that link several types of cancer to a chemical in caramel coloring, the head of the CSPI says jeopardizing people's health simply to give colas their familiar brown hue is just not acceptable.  "There are 310 million Americans and we're saying that about 15-thousand of us will develop cancer as a result of the caramel coloring," said Michael Jacobson, CSPI's executive director.

In response, the American Beverage Association issued a statement questioning the science of the studies cited by the CSPI. The statement reads, in part, "This is nothing more than CSPI scare tactics, and their claims are outrageous. CSPI fraudulently claims to be operating in the interest of the public's health when it is clear its only motivation is to scare the American people."

You be the judge and please decide/choose wisely what's best for you and your family.

Fools On The Hill

Life is a tale told by an idiot – full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
– William Shakespeare

Jerrol LeBaron might be that idiot.

In this modern day David vs. Goliath, filmmaker Jed Rigney follows Jerrol LeBaron as he sets out on a journey to make our politicians do the jobs they were hired to do.  It's ludicrous and shocking how our legislative leaders sign bills without EVER reading the legislation.  Tis' time to stop the madness and hold our leaders responsible, stop voting them in as lifetime residents and do the job we pay them to do.

Faced with out-of-touch politicians and a broken political process, can one man really make a difference?

To buy and view the movie http://foolsonthehillmovie.com/643-2/ 

Spring Is Comin' ~ Time To Organize

Most of us grew up in homes when April arrived, like clockwork mom would yell, “We’ve got spring cleaning to do!”  Dad’s task would consist of sweeping out the garage and clearing out the utility shed, fixing whatever lawn furniture needed sprucing up.  Snow shovels were hung out of the way and the blades on the lawn mower were sharpened.  Somehow cleaning out our closets was a must while mom relined all the kitchen cupboards with brand new contact paper.  Light, airy curtains would replace all the heavier ones, and every window in the house would be opened wide to let the fresh air in.

It’s amazing how we hibernate like bears during the winter accumulating unnecessary items and simply letting some chores fall to the wayside.  But the minute that fresh air and warm sunshine embraces us, we want to escape outdoors and not tied down with household tasks.  Here are some tips to ponder.  

     The key isn't tossing away most of your stuff and hiding the rest away in containers you really don’t want, it's realizing you need to change bad habits with good ones that will stop creating the mess in the first place.  

     It’s all about the space -  knowing what activities take place in each room will dictate what items need to stay or should get tossed.

Clutter galore

      Is storage needed?  Clutter is created due to lack of space and can be fixed easily with built-in shelves, drawers, cabinets, an armoire, baskets and bins, perhaps an ottoman with storage or a coffee table with drawers.

      Does the furniture suit the room?  When we shop for furniture, it isn’t hard to fall in love with an entire floor display.   Too many pieces can create the feeling of clutter in a room.  Think about rearranging or relocating/moving pieces elsewhere.

5    The magic word is sort ~ keep it if used regularly, donate/sellit if it’s no longer used, a duplicate and could be benefited by someone else, store it cause it’s sentimental or used during another season but taking up unnecessary space now, trash/recycle it if you even have to question its importance, can’t remember when you last used it or why you have it in the first place.

      Don’t procrastinate.  It’s those little things we put off every day that pile up to a big mess.  If it only takes a few moments of your time, address it right there and then.  The task doesn’t have to be perfect.  All you need to do is start the process and attempt to do your best.

With Heels You're Sexy & You It

What woman doesn't simply adore heels?  Spring is just around the corner ladies and it is a season that always leaves me gasping and pining for some of the most lust-worthy slingbacks and platforms imaginable.  Now that fashion week has come and gone, like me you're probably a little "faint of heart" the latest couture styles seen on the runways are way, way, way too extravagant.  I have to agree that as much as they are gorgeous, top designers can run any where from $500 ~ $1,000. 

We've done a little research and put together a few samples of what the top name designers have in store this upcoming season for those of you who may argue, however,"Money may not be able to buy you love, but it sure can buy you some sassy, sexy heels!"

Alexander McQueen

Jimmy Choo

Valentino

Valentino

Yves Saint Laurent

AND for those of us who want the same gorgeous look of couture but at a price that won't make our purses ignite into a fireball, check out Shoe Dazzle where you can  ... Join the first and foremost online styling service--$39.95 per item!