PEEPING DUST

Finally!!  Temperatures have dropped and we've been opening up our windows to enjoy the cool breeze only nature does so well.  Our air conditioners (and wallets) sure needed this break.  Unfortunately, with open windows and bountiful breezes come outside dust and allergens.  The worst of it collects on our window screens, blinds and window sills. So let's get going and clean out those windows!!  

Start by dusting the window blinds, frame, sill, and screen with a dry dust cloth.  You can smear dust all over the place if you apply a damp cloth to your window surfaces before dusting.  This makes a big mess and totally not fun or easy cleanup for that matter.  Then, you'll want to use a mild soap detergent (Dawn dish soap) and water mixture with a microfiber towel to clean the screens.  With a different microfiber towel and fresh water plus soap clean window ledges and frames.  With a squeegee and a natural window cleaner with essential oils go ahead and wipe down glass.  The toughest part might be the blinds.  They are for me.  Close the blinds and gently wipe down slants with fresh water/soap mixture.  Be sure not to put too much pressure as they may come tumbling down.  A microfiber towel is essential in that it won't scratch any of the surfaces and uses minimal water to do the job.  THAT'S IT!  You're done.  Now on to the next window.  

CONGRATULATIONS HEDY RATNER & CAROL DOUGAL

S. Carol Dougal & Lari I. Diaz

On September 15th, 2011 I had the honor of being one of five panelists for  a WBDC's 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Women's Conference Panel Discussion.  There were about 70 women who attended the "Launching Your Own Business: From Dream to Reality" discussion.  You couldn't be in the room without feeling high levels of positive energy that formed from all of the excitement.  

 

Lari I. Diaz & Meg Herman

For those of you who may not be familiar with the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC), it is a not-for-profit organization that assists women who are looking to start or grow a business by offering them counseling, education, encouragement and support.  I have been fortunate enough to have met many wonderful women who have come together over a Wisdom, Wine, & Cheese Introduction and Networking Event as well as the JumpStart Series whom I still am in contact with. One of the most inspiring women at WBDC is Ms. Meg Herman, Director of Entrepreneurial Services.  Ms. Herman continues to encourage me to do more, to be more, and to lead by example.  I owe her a huge THANK YOU for giving me support when I needed it most. 

It is no great surprise that there was more than 2000 people (mostly women) at the WBDC's 25th Anniversary Luncheon celebrating all the hard work and passion that both Ms. Hedy Ratner and Ms. Carol Dougal have put into this amazing organization.  Speakers congratulating Ms. Ratner and Ms. Dougal were many including Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emmanual.  

Carol Dougal & Hedy Ratner

CONGRATULATIONS Ms. Hedy Ratner & Ms. Carol Dougal!!  The dedication you have placed in the Women's Business Development Center will never be duplicated or forgotten.  

FUN FACTS ABOUT TILLANDSIA'S

Since posting the article "My New Obsession", I've received several inquiries on Tillandsia's.  For this posting, I wanted to write a few fun facts on Tillandsia’s and how they differ from other plants.  I hope this answers many of your questions or curiosities.  ;)

• Tillandsia's are named after the Swedish physician - Elias Tillands.
• Tillandsia's are members of the Bromeliad family.
• They grow on anything, they hang from anything.  
• They grow upside down, right side up, or sideways.

• They grow on tree trunks, branches, shrubs, cacti, rocks, and cliff faces.
• They're root systems function to hold the plant stable, and not to absorb nutrients.
• There are over 550 different Tillandsia species.
• There are two major types of Tillandsia's:  those with hard leaves, and those with soft leaves.
• Some but few are fragrant.
•  It can take years for them to grow and mature.
• Sizes vary.  Some are about an inch in height while others grow over 40 inches tall.
• Flowers tend to be tubular and range in color from purple, blue, white, pink or yellow.
• Reproduction is by seeds or by offsets called "pups".
• A single plant could have many "pups".

If you would like more information on Tillandsia’s or would like to make a purchase, send me an email at ldiaz@sweepingdimensions.com.  

5 TIPS TO MAKE CLEANING EASIER DURING BACK TO SCHOOL

As much as I hate to admit it, September is here and its time for kids to start school. With the craziness of buying school supplies, meeting teachers, and working a regular job I thought it would be a good idea to share a few tips that may help keep you sane during this busy time.

1. Make a checklist.  Starting with all of the things that you would like to see cleaned almost immediately.
2. Organize your cleaning supplies in a caddy.  Carry it with you as you travel from room to room.
3. Divide and conquer.  Kids are great helpers (well, sometimes a little bribery is needed) and can help picking up books, toys, xbox games.  They can help move small/light furniture in order to vacuum behind them.
4. Clean from top down.  Dust corners of rooms and work your way down to baseboards.  Dust, cobwebs, and dustbunnies settle downwards, so begin your cleaning by dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures.
5. Focus on one room at a time.  Taking each room a step at a time keeps you focused on the task at hand. 

Happy Cleaning!

MY NEW OBSESSION

Earlier this year I stumbled upon a unique type of plant that by their shear unique appearances caught my eye.  One of them I bought just because it looked like something you’d find on another planet. Tillandsia’s better know as air plants grow without soil or in typical plant containers and are easy to maintain – a huge plus in my book.  Tillandsia’s absorb moisture and nutrients from the air around them through their leaves and not through their roots, which they use as anchors. Why is this important?  We spend about 90% of our time indoors, and improving the quality of air we breathe should be a priority especially for allergy sufferers. Tillandsia’s help clean the air in our homes and offices.  They are one type of plant that function as efficient air detoxifiers removing toxins from the air.

In every room I have placed these plants in there is a tranquility that comes over me when I’m there.  Tillandsia’s with their unique shapes and colors offer a spa-like zen that I absolutely love.  Whether it’s the natural elements (wood, rocks, moss, seashells) I arrange them in or the fact that I relax when I’m home, I can’t get enough of them. They look sophisticated, exotic, and very non-traditional.  

If you would like more information on Tillandsia’s or would like to purchase, send me an email at ldiaz@sweepingdimensions.com.  

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - The New Pilot B2P

  

When my ingenious assistant, Liliana, gave me a gift – a Pilot B2P (Bottle 2 Pen) pen I was a bit glum wishing it were chocolates or a new Kate Spade bag.  A couple days later, I opened the package and started writing with my new B2P.  I love it!  It just glides on paper.  The stylish design had me looking at the packaging for information.  The B2P is the world’s first pen made of 89.9% recycled plastic water bottles.  The design looks like that of a water bottle even the label wrapping around the middle.  Since plastic is made from oil, using recycled plastic contributes to preserving our natural resources.   Totally winning me over as a now frequent buyer of the B2P.  On top of that, it is refillable using even less waste.  As for cost, I was surprised to see that they don’t cost any more than any other Pilot pen. For back to school or anytime during the year grab a stack in different colors.  You’ll not only find, as I did, that they not only write well you’re also helping our environment.  

IS YOUR “COMFORT ZONE” REALLY THAT COMFORTABLE?

Why is it that when we’re told to do something that will be beneficial to us, and accept it to be true, that oftentimes we choose to avoid it? The voice that only we can hear tells us that we’ll start… someday.  We’re told that by eating lighter portions of our favorite foods and exercising on a regular basis that we’ll lose weight, build stronger muscles and live longer. Countless books are written stating that our financial freedom depends on spending less and saving more.  So, I’m wondering, why are we not following the advice of others and eating healthier, exercising more or saving money?  The answer is simple: Being comfortable in our current lifestyle, and changing the aforementioned habits at a root level means changing our comfort zones and most of us are not ready to do just that.

 Why not?

Uncertainty.  Every day we face uncertainty, uncertainty to move forward because some level of fear of the unknown inhibits us from seeing the bigger picture.  We need to constantly remind ourselves that where we want to be and who we want to become is going to be our reality, so long as we work at making it so.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely hard work and requires a considerable amount of self-discipline but, isn’t that what’s great about creating your own self-fulfilling prophecy and doing the things you really want to do?  Ruben Gonzalez, author of The Courage To Succeed, wrote “every success you’ve ever had or will ever have is the product of your courage to act and the courage to endure.” 

Do you want to watch life go by sitting on the sidelines?  I don’t!  I wasn’t raised to believe that something is too good for me-with that mentality I’ll always find ways not to do my best or quit.  I was raised to reach for the stars, and I know I’ll attain them.  Like I said, it’s tough at times but I imagine what I want and I try to create the lifestyle that looks just like what I’ve imagined; even when it rides up against my current comfort zone. There are things that I want to accomplish and I have already made up my mind that I’m not settling for less.  Why would you?  I want to stay healthy and eat better (a constant challenge) so I get out of bed, caffeine deprived, and drive my sleepy self to the gym.  Not everyday, but I know my ultimate goal and I do what it takes to get it done. 

I wish you the greatest success and hope you look at life in a way that constantly challenges your comfort zone so you can achieve the greatness that life can provide.