What’s In A Name?

Posted on by Sandy

I caught this over on Tara Marie’s blog, and it was just way too fun not to bring to my Bond Grrrrls!  Go check her out to find out all her names — mine are here!

1. Rockstar Name (first pet & current car):
Candy Lexus
2. Gangsta Name (favorite ice cream flavor & favorite cookie):
Marsha Marsha Marshmellow Samoa
3. Fly Girl Name (first initial, first 4 letters of last name):
S-Shep
4. Detective Name (favorite color, favorite animal):
Green Dog (this is also Tara Marie’s)
5. Soap Opera Name (middle name & birthplace):
Jean Norfolk
6. Star Wars Name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 letters of first name):
She Sa
7. Superhero Name (“the,” 2nd favorite color, favorite drink):
The Brown Vesper

8. Nascar Name (grandfathers’ first names):
George Robinson (or Robinson George)
9. Witness Protection Program Name (mom & dad’s middle names):
Jean Edward
10. Weather Anchor Name (5th grade teacher & major city beginning with the same letter):
Sister (yeah, uh-oh, I know) Eleanor Elgin (yeah fine, I know, so what IS a major E city?)
11. Bond Girl Name (favorite season, favorite flower):
Autumn Rose  (Same as Tara Marie!)
12. Cartoon Name (favorite fruit, article of clothing you are wearing right now + “ie” or “y”):
Peach Yoga Pantsy…?
13. Hippy Name (what you ate for breakfast, favorite tree):
Yogurt’n’Granola (ok that is WAY too funny) Oak
14: Rockstar Tour Name (“the”+your favorite hobby, favorite weather element+”tour”):
The “Rolling” (yes, that would be a euphemism, grrls) Warm Wind Tour

The Story of Stuff, With Annie Leonard

Posted on by Sandy

As you’ve probably surmised, today is a day for me to post a bunch of stuff I have been holding onto. Here is another link, to The Story of Stuff, with Annie Leonard.  It’s 20 minutes long, but I think it’s a very good reminder… especially if you’re feeling a little down and want to cure that with “Retail Therapy”!

 I was particularly interested in some of the quotes about “planned obsolescence.” I also had to ruefully smile when Annie points out that, after 9/11, the President could have asked us to grieve, to be compassionate, to come together… instead, what he told us to do was Shop. (True!)

I’m not particularly political, but I do have a strong feeling that we’re getting to that Al-Gore-Nobel-Peace-Prize “point of no return” when it comes to our resources.  This should lead to a change in priorities… and to having a good, long look at our lifestyle. One of the things that Annie points out is that the two biggest leisure activities in the U.S. are watching TV, and shopping.  And if you’re watching TV, you’re getting exposed to commercials, which are basically telling you that “You Suck” (her words, not mine) and that you need to buy their products, to “Not Suck.”  So you go to work, or maybe work two jobs, to buy the Stuff that the advertisements say will make you Not Suck, and then you’re so exhausted when you get home, all you can do is watch TV… when tells you that You Suck (dot dot dot)

I was also very interested that the whole “planned obsolescence”/concentration on Consumerism thing started in the 1950s — which was the “peak” of our Happiness Graph as a society (it’s fallen since that time).  Gee, maybe because instead of using stuff until we’re done with it, having extra time to spend with our families, etc. we are being bombarded with advertising that says We Suck, news that says The World Sucks, and feeling that the only way for it all to be fixed is — surprise! — to buy more!

Have a look — I think it would be great to watch this with the kids, too, and be ready for some hard questions from THEM, about how YOUR household fits into this mix.

Dr. Jill Taylor video

Posted on by Sandy

I had a profound reaction to watching this video. It is 18-minutes, and is an astonishing glimpse into the magic and danger of left/right brain function. Dr. Jill Taylor is a neuro-anatomist who specialized in brains because her brother is schizophrenic.

I am completing a podcast interview with Eve Abbott, the Organizer Extraordinaire from ABrainNewWayToWork.com. She sent me this link after our interview, and it really is amazing. Do set out enough time to watch it. It starts a bit slowly, but you will be totally glued to the screen at the end, waiting to hear “what happened next.”

 — Solitaire

This is the description from the hosting website:

This is an absolute must-watch. Set aside 18 minutes and prepare to be floored. Consensus among TED’sters is that this may be the most memorable and important TED Talk ever. It was certainly the most talked-about presentation among those at TED2008. Enjoy and share with others. And let Jill’s experience inspire, motivate, and change the way you look at life.  http://www.microclesia.com/?p=320   I guarantee you will be rewarded by investing 18 minutes on this video of Dr. Jill Taylor presenting at the TED conference.

The next set of Bond Girl Personal Development Cards!

Posted on by Sandy

Hey grrrls!

Did you enjoy the Valentine’s Day cards that we did? Here is a link to the next set in the series. We plan to ultimately have a boxed set of all the cards for sale. But these are free for you to print out (instructions are on the printout). I’m very excited by these!

BTW, do NOT FORGET that we have our first fEmpowerment Coaching Teleseminar on Monday the 17th, at 7:00 PST. If you did not receive the information, email me at doubleohsandy[at]yahoo[com], or call and leave a message for me at +1 (206) 350-3537 and I will send you the dial-in information. If you are reading this after the 17th, the seminar will be recorded, so I can send you a CD if you like, after the fact.

To enjoy the card, click this link, below!

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We’ve Got Pictures! One Grrl’s Decluttering Before and After

Posted on by Sandy

Hey grrrls!

 I am REALLY excited to post this! I just received “before and after” photographs from a Bond Grrl who read my book, and took Chapter 1 to heart!  This is the sort of thing that TOTALLY keeps me going! Any of ya’ll out there reading the blog, or listening to the podcasts, that want to call or send these sorts of “testimonials,” please please do.  It just makes my day, week, month!  Send to doubleohsandy[at]yahoo[dot]com (has to be written that was so nasty spammers don’t steal the address) or call me at 206.350.3537.

 SO, here is ABG (Anonymous Bond Grrl)’s “before” photo.  Note that you can see the bed (behind the pile of stuff) and the lamp (in the right corner of the photo).  ABG said that she had been just piling up stuff for years in a not-so-big house — and she was inspired to dig “out from under.”  So take a look at what she was dealing with….
SD Bedroom Before Photo

AND, here is ABG’s after!

SD After photo Bedroom

I know, “Get Out!” huh? How jazzed am I? Love to make a difference!

To all Moms out there!

Posted on by Sandy

Sent to me by one of my Baby Bond Grrrls — love this — the bottom (that “send this to everyone you know”) even made me laugh because of the REASON you should send it on — so I kept it in.  Enjoy! (PS: I bolded my favorite part 🙂 )

POSITION: Mother, Mom , Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma Mami, Mamita,Mammy, Mamacita 

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility. 

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play y our cards right.

Forward this on to all the Moms you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, and let them know they are appreciated. Plus, being a mother, I’m too tired to type everyone’s name

Do you know Glam?

Posted on by Sandy

I just read a super article on Getting to Know your Goddess Within on Glam.  It sure sounds like unleashing your inner Bond Girl — perhaps we’re unleashing our Bond Goddesses? 🙂

 You can read about this on the link above, but the gist of it is:

1.  Get to know yourself inside.  As they state (who does THIS sound like? 🙂 ), it’s great to do spa visits and the link, but if you work on your inside first, that “inner glow” can’t leave you.

2.  Write it Down.  See, it’s not just me who suggests that Journal 🙂 As they state, if you write it down, you’re “locking in” thankfulness for the awesome Goddess Grrl that is You!

3.  Discover Yourself. I like this section — it states that you really need to understand what your Goddess is like at her Core.  To me, this is like naming your Bond Girl. Who is she? How can you bring her out?  Once you have her Named, you can ask yourself “What would [her name] do in this situation?” It allows you to slowly integrate that Inner Grrl into your “real” life, and incorporate her until you don’t even have to ask what “She” would do in a situation any more — because that’s just how you act!

4. Trust your Intuition, and give Thanks for where you are.  Enough said 🙂

5.  Be True to Yourself — and Treat your Body like a Temple.  As the article says, as women get older, they seem to care less what “other people think.” I am finding that myself. Today, concentrate on what you’re feeling inside — and whether your actions are really coming from your core, values, etc. — or whether these actions are in response to what some other person “might think.”  As I’ve talked about in the book, time to get rid of the “shoulds” in your life, and be true to your passion!

Go check out the article — it was a great validation of our work here!

View From The Bay — makeup brushes

Posted on by Sandy

We have a show here in San Francisco called View From The Bay.  I love it — it comes on after Oprah, and it’s a great, local, can-do show that gives you all sorts of great little tricks, cooking tips, and the like.  Spencer and Janelle  (I get to call them by their first names because they are in MY living room, right? 🙂 ) are really super hosts. I love Janelle especially — she will pretty much do anything, and always has a smile on her face.

 I’m a little behind in episodes, but this past weekend, I tried to catch up on VFTB and Oprah. VFTB had an episode on cleaning out your makeup brushes. Their makeup/fashion host, Audrey Mansfield, shows you how to clean your makeup brushes — and to Janelle’s horror, has grabbed a few of Janelle’s makeup brushes, and has Janelle clean them on camera.  Janelle asserts that she cleans them “every week,” but Audrey asserts that everyone should really do this every DAY.

 HELL-OO……I had NO IDEA that I should be cleaning out my makeup brushes.  And I’m a “bacteria fanatic” (I’m constantly throwing my sponges, etc. into the dishwasher, using and washing tons of towels to keep things clean, etc.) — and it NEVER occurred to me to clean my makeup brushes.  As I watched Janelle’s water turn a not-so-pretty shade of brown, I slinked off to the bathroom, sudsed up a bowl, and started cleaning MY brushes.  (As you can see from the clip, they actually have a very easy method that you can use — just put a little shampoo into a bowl and swish them around and spread the brush out with your fingers to get the makeup out). Oh…my…LORD!  Ick ick ick! I turned the water TOTALLY dark brown, started over, brown again…started over…

 Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!!!!  So I’m sharin’ this with you, Bond Grrls — maybe ya’ll all knew this already and it was just me, but if not, CLEAN your MAKEUP brushes!  They are full of dead skin, bacteria, and just i-i-ick.  I have a new routine now — thanks to View From The Bay.

But… I kinda wish I hadn’t known.  GEE, and I was wondering why I get clogged pores?!

Podcast 8: Spring has Sprung! Sweep out the Old, Bring in New Life-Affirming Rituals!

Posted on by Sandy

This podcast is about this wonderful period from Winter-to-Spring. It’s a great time to look at your life, and see what is going to need a little… you guessed it!… Spring Cleaning.

I also received some Listener Feedback on our Listener Feedback line — I love it! Please call, keep me company! 🙂 This was from Clementine (her Bond Grrrrl name) on the Yankee portion of the East Coast somewhere. Her Mom has a GREAT method of sorting through all the bits of personal “stuff” that we all gather each year, and Clementine shared. Kudos to her and to her Mom, a Bond Grrrrrrrrrl family!

Finally, I talk a bit about bringing Ritual into your life this year. Rituals are so wonderful, and they are very much a part of the human culture. It could be thanking your teeth as you brush them, a Grace at every meal that you really pay attention to, or something of your own. If you have your own Rituals or make up one that you love, please share!

xoxoxo Solitaire

P.S.: So now, my James has to figure out how to post the Podcast. It seems highly likely (as, since you can see, we are on a new server and “such” now) that it’s not going to be pretty. I better go and shake a martini or three! 🙂

If you have comments on this episode, call the Listener Comment Voicemail at +1 (206) 350-3537, e-mail doubleohsandy [at] yahoo [dot] com or leave a comment below.

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