The art of the picnic.

Plan a romantic al fresco picnic for two, an intimate group of friends or the entire family. 

Picnics are special, affordable and a fun way to show you care.   They build wonderful memories. 

Create simple snacks, lunch, hors d’oeuvres or light dinners.  

The initial investment for the staples (picnic basket, blanket & accessories) can range from the very affordable to extravagant.  However, once you have the staples, your costs will be mainly for the food and drinks. 

Rule #1:  MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A BREEZE.  

Don’t over pack!  Remember it’s the quality of the time spent together, enhanced by elegant simplicity.  It is not the quantity of things you schlep.   

Location:  If you know of a great picnic spot, stick with it.   A new location can bring unwanted surprises, so if you’re selecting a new location, make sure to take a dry run.  

Your picnic area should be reasonably close to your auto.  Expect that you’ll need to return for one thing or another.

Check List: 

• Picnic blanket

• Picnic basket with accessories.   There are many lovely disposable accessories, including plates, cutlery, water glasses, wine glasses, napkins (make sure to pack plenty).   Try them, you’ll like them!    You don’t want to schlep unnecessary items back to wash at home.  You’ll want to relax after a lovely picnic.

• Small cooler (optional).

• CD (not too loud if there are others close by!)

• Food

• Drink 

• Candles for evening rendezvous!

Back up:  Check the weather conditions ahead of time.   In areas where the weather is unpredictable, have a back up location.   Indoor spots can be every bit as wonderful.

Picnics are supposed to be fun.  Once you master the romantic art of the picnic, you’ll be hooked!

Leave your worries behind and make beautiful memories. 

Check out Mrs. Figgins picnic food & drink ideas!

Table Manners

Proper Eating Styles

Regardless of the continent, the only proper way to cut and eat one’s food is to hold the knife and fork in a relaxed, natural manner…..never with clenched fists attacking or spearing the food!

 In the United States In it is perfectly acceptable to cut one’s food using the knife and fork as usual, and then transfer the fork to the right hand to then “spear” it before eating. 

In Continental Europe, this would however be considered most improper. 

 Food should only be transferred to the mouth with the fork in the left hand with the prongs still facing downwards.  This could cause a bit of a problem if the meal includes garden peas!

Meeting Life Somewhere In-Between!

Dear Mrs. Figgins:

 My nose and lip are pierced and I have a few tattoos, which I keep pretty much covered.  

My boss told me I need to remove my nose and lip ring.  He said it’s not personal and that the same rules apply to “any inappropriate business attire”.    

To make things worse, when I talked to the pastor of our church he agreed!   

Why can’t people at least hobble into this century and appreciate each of us for who we are and what is in our heart?   I don’t steal, cheat or judge others so why do I get judged! 

What am I missing?

Dear Missing:

The facts of life.

It’s not about whether you have a nose ring, a tattoo or a halo (to be fair: halos usually swing the vote).   

Unfortunately it’s about perception.   People that don’t know your heart, can only see the book cover at first glance. 

Think about what you want to accomplish in life.   Set the best example you can, with the compassion and understanding you seem to have and would like in return.  

While the outcome isn’t always what we hope,   good actions  calibrate the compass for our journey.

 Meet life in the middle, without giving up who you are.   If you can do this, you’re halfway there.

 Mrs. Figgins

Now that the 112th Congress has been sworn in, the big question is will Obamacare be repealed?  The American people are demanding its collapse.

It is possible that in the near future close to half the number of states in the nation will join Florida saying that a requirement that all individuals buy medical insurance oversteps constitutional limits on federal authority.

“Never before has the federal government required an individual to either buy government-approved insurance or pay a penalty.  And nowhere does the Constitution authorize Congress to regulate in this manner,” said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen in a statement about joining the lawsuit.

It’s the beginning of a long, yearlong process and the conservatives can win!   A sincere Thanks You to the Heritage Foundation for the following article on the possibility of repealing Obamacare!

Mrs Figgins

REPEAL!

Is Repeal Possible?

“The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers. At its core, this dispute is not simply about regulating the business of insurance or crafting a scheme of universal health insurance coverage it’s about an individual’s right to choose to participate. So wrote Judge Henry Hudson of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia yesterday in striking down Obamacares individual mandate. Specifically, Judge Hudson found that Section 1501 of the act, which forces all Americans to buy government approved health insurance policies, exceeds the Commerce Clause powers vested in Congress under Article 1.

The White House and their leftist allies were quick to try and minimize this body blow to Obamacare, arguing that 14 previous court challenges have been dismissed by the courts. This desperate spin doesn’t even pass the laugh test. The 42-page decision is the first by a federal court this far along the litigation process and the first brought by a state (the case was filed by Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli). And soon Judge Roger Vinson of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida is expected to rule on an even larger challenge to Obamacare brought by 16 state attorneys general, four governors, two private citizens, and the National Federation of Independent Business.

In an early stage of that litigation, Judge Vinson wrote: The individual mandate applies across the board. People have no choice and there is no way to avoid it. Those who fall under the individual mandate either comply with it, or they are penalized. It is not based on an activity that they make the choice to undertake. Rather, it is based solely on citizenship and on being alive.

Judge Hudson used very similar reasoning in rejecting the Obama Administrations claim that since every individual in the United States will require health care at some point in their lifetime the federal government has the power to force Americans to buy health insurance now. Hudson writes: Of course, the same reasoning could apply to transportation, housing, or nutritional decisions. This broad definition of the economic activity subject to congressional regulation lacks logical limitation and is unsupported by Commerce Clause jurisprudence.

Judge Hudson then moved on to the Obama Administrations claim that the individual mandate was actually a tax that would therefore make it constitutional under the General Welfare Clause. Hudson wrote: This Courts analysis begins with the unequivocal denials by the Executive and Legislative branches that the [individual mandate] was a tax. It was only when the Administration found itself before a judge, not in front of voters, that the White House conveniently shifted its rationale. Judge Hudson saw through this deception, identified the individual mandate as the penalty it is, and rejected the Obama Administrations mandate-as-tax claim.

It was not a total victory for Cuccinelli, however. Judge Hudson rejected Virginias request to strike down the entire law. Despite claims by the President himself, and authors of the legislation like Senator Max Baucus (DMT), Judge Hudson found that the Section 1501 was severable from the rest of the law and voided only that section and directly-dependent provisions which make specific reference to 1501. Judge Vinson, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court will all be free to revisit this issue.

But whether or not courts will invalidate just Obamacares individual mandate is rapidly becoming irrelevant. Obamacare simply may not survive that long. It is already collapsing under its own financial and bureaucratic weight. Just last week, Congress voted to stop reductions in Medicare payments to doctors by raiding future revenues from Obamacares insurance subsidy program. Administration has to grant from Obamacares unworkable regulations grows each day.  Doctors are telling pollsters they will leave the medical profession in droves if Obamacare is implemented as planned by 2014. 

 And according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll Obamacare is now more unpopular than ever, with only 43 percent approving the law and 52 percent opposed.

Obamacare will be repealed. It is only a question of when.”

www.askmrsfiggins.com

Advice & opinion on everyday issues by Mrs Figgins with common sense & good old-fashioned-values!

???

Dear Mrs. Figgins,    

Recently my friend gave me a gift that I believe may have been stolen.  

It is very expensive and there is no way he could have afforded this.   No way.

I have always cherished our friendship and I am very troubled with this.  It could affect our friendship.

Please suggest how I can bring this subject up?

Jay,  New Mexico

Dear Jay,

Ask your friend how she or he came about obtaining the gift.  If the explanation doesn’t seem sincere or make sense, then it is appropriate to return it with an non-confrontational explanation.

You will feel better about yourself and will send an important message about honesty and values.

Mrs Figgins

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Advice & opinion on everyday issues by Mrs Figgins with common sense & good old-fashioned-values!

Signs

Dear Mrs Figgins, 

My Aunt June has always been very independent, been married twice, and has had no children.  She’s also quite well off. 

Recently she’s been acting odd and quite removed.  On several occasions has completely “forgotten” that we were picking her up for important family functions, including my Mom’s birthday party. 

I don’t believe Aunt June has ever had a drinking problem although she’s always enjoyed her toddies.

 One of the neighbors says she was out in the cold rain in “shorts” walking around the garden the other day.  And mentioned that there’s been a younger gentleman friend visiting her at all hours.    All this is June’s business of course but she’s 84 years old! 

What if this guy is taking advantage of her?   Do you think it’s possible she has Alzheimer’s? 

What can we do to help her if she’s in need? 

Scared Sarah 

Dear Sarah, 

You are correct to be worried, on all counts.

Contact the nearest Department of Social Services and express your concerns.   They will be able to guide you on what steps you should take to get for Aunt June.

Our sincere Thanks to the University of Southern California for the following information regarding the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mrs Figgins

usc.edu/memory

NOT A SENIOR MOMENT

Some change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses in memory.

People with Alzheimer’s experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning that are severe enough to have an impact on work, social activities and family life.

The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a checklist of common symptoms to help distinguish the difference between possible warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and normal age-related memory changes.

There is no clear-cut line between normal changes and warning signs. It is always a good idea to check with a doctor if a person’s level of function seems to be changing. The Alzheimer’s Association believes that it is critical for people diagnosed with dementia and their families to receive information, care and support as early as possible.

Ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.

What’s normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People with dementia often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks, such as losing track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game.

What’s normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

3. Problems with language. People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. For example, instead of toothbrush, asking for “that thing for my mouth.”

What’s normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

4. Disorientation to time and place. People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhood, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.

What’s normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.

5. Poor or decreased judgment. Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment, such as giving away large sums of money to telemarketers.

What’s normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.

6. Problems with abstract thinking. People with Alzheimer’s may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, such as forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used.

What’s normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

7. Misplacing things. People with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

What’s normal? Misplacing items such as keys or a wallet temporarily.

8. Changes in mood. People with Alzheimer’s may show rapid mood swings, from calm to tears to anger, for no apparent reason.

What’s normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

9. Changes in personality. The personalities of people with dementia can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.

What’s normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.

10. Loss of initiative. People with Alzheimer’s disease may become passive, sitting for hours in front of the television, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.

What’s normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations. 

www.askmrsfiggins.com

Advice & opinion on everyday issues by Mrs Figgins with common sense & good old-fashioned-values!

Below is an interesting article which I’d like to share with you.   It was published in 2003.

The tenets of lower tax rate hold ever strong.

 Many Thanks to the Heritage Foundation for allowing us to share the text below.  

Mrs Figgins

 

Leadership

The Historical Lessons of Lower Tax Rates

Published on August 13, 2003 by Daniel Mitchell, Ph.D.

There is a distinct pattern throughout American history: When tax rates are reduced, the economy’s growth rate improves and living standards increase. Good tax policy has a number of interesting side effects. For instance, history tells us that tax revenues grow and “rich” taxpayers pay more tax when marginal tax rates are slashed. This means lower income citizens bear a lower share of the tax burden – a consequence that should lead class-warfare politicians to support lower tax rates.

Conversely, periods of higher tax rates are associated with sub par economic performance and stagnant tax revenues. In other words, when politicians attempt to “soak the rich,” the rest of us take a bath. Examining the three major United States episodes of tax rate reductions can prove useful lessons.

1) Lower tax rates do not mean less tax revenue.

The tax cuts of the 1920s
Tax rates were slashed dramatically during the 1920s, dropping from over 70 percent to less than 25 percent. What happened? Personal income tax revenues increased substantially during the 1920s, despite the reduction in rates. Revenues rose from $719 million in 1921 to $1164 million in 1928, an increase of more than 61 percent.

According to then-Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon:

The history of taxation shows that taxes which are inherently excessive are not paid. The high rates inevitably put pressure upon the taxpayer to withdraw his capital from productive business and invest it in tax-exempt securities or to find other lawful methods of avoiding the realization of taxable income. The result is that the sources of taxation are drying up; wealth is failing to carry its share of the tax burden; and capital is being diverted into channels which yield neither revenue to the Government nor profit to the people.

The Kennedy tax cuts
President Hoover dramatically increased tax rates in the 1930s and President Roosevelt compounded the damage by pushing marginal tax rates to more than 90 percent. Recognizing that high tax rates were hindering the economy, President Kennedy proposed across-the-board tax rate reductions that reduced the top tax rate from more than 90 percent down to 70 percent. What happened? Tax revenues climbed from $94 billion in 1961 to $153 billion in 1968, an increase of 62 percent (33 percent after adjusting for inflation).

According to President John F. Kennedy:

Our true choice is not between tax reduction, on the one hand, and the avoidance of large Federal deficits on the other. It is increasingly clear that no matter what party is in power, so long as our national security needs keep rising, an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenues to balance our budget just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits… In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now.

The Reagan tax cuts
Thanks to “bracket creep,” the inflation of the 1970s pushed millions of taxpayers into higher tax brackets even though their inflation-adjusted incomes were not rising. To help offset this tax increase and also to improve incentives to work, save, and invest, President Reagan proposed sweeping tax rate reductions during the 1980s. What happened? Total tax revenues climbed by 99.4 percent during the 1980s, and the results are even more impressive when looking at what happened to personal income tax revenues. Once the economy received an unambiguous tax cut in January 1983, income tax revenues climbed dramatically, increasing by more than 54 percent by 1989 (28 percent after adjusting for inflation).

According to then-U.S. Representative Jack Kemp (R-NY), one of the chief architects of the Reagan tax cuts:

At some point, additional taxes so discourage the activity being taxed, such as working or investing, that they yield less revenue rather than more. There are, after all, two rates that yield the same amount of revenue: high tax rates on low production, or low rates on high production.

2) The rich pay more when incentives to hide income are reduced.

The tax cuts of the 1920s
The share of the tax burden paid by the rich rose dramatically as tax rates were reduced. The share of the tax burden borne by the rich (those making $50,000 and up in those days) climbed from 44.2 percent in 1921 to 78.4 percent in 1928.

The Kennedy tax cuts
Just as happened in the 1920s, the share of the income tax burden borne by the rich increased following the tax cuts. Tax collections from those making over $50,000 per year climbed by 57 percent between 1963 and 1966, while tax collections from those earning below $50,000 rose 11 percent. As a result, the rich saw their portion of the income tax burden climb from 11.6 percent to 15.1 percent.

The Reagan tax cuts
The share of income taxes paid by the top 10 percent of earners jumped significantly, climbing from 48.0 percent in 1981 to 57.2 percent in 1988. The top 1 percent saw their share of the income tax bill climb even more dramatically, from 17.6 percent in 1981 to 27.5 percent in 1988.

Harmful Spending & Complexity
Lower tax rates are important, but they are not the only critical issue. Both the level of government spending and where that money goes are very important. And even when looking only at tax policy, tax rates are just one piece of the puzzle. If certain types of income are subject to multiple layers of tax, as occurs in the current system, that problem cannot be solved by low rates. Similarly, a tax system with needless levels of complexity will impose heavy costs on the productive sector of the economy.

This WebMemo is excerpted from the author’s, Daniel J. Mitchell’s, Backgrounder, The Historical Lessons of Lower Tax Rates, published JulWebMemo #327y 19, 1996. 

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Advice & opinion on everyday issues by Mrs Figgins with common sense & good old-fashioned-values!

A True Winner!

Editorial Review:

Winners Never Cheat 

 by Jon M. Huntsman

In his book Winners Never Cheat, Mr. Huntsman shares the principled he has followed throughout his lifetime, and how business can return to the days when your word was your bond, a handshake was sacred, and swarms of lawyers weren’t needed to back it up.

About the Author:

Jon M. Huntsman is the chairman and founder of Huntsman Corp., the world’s largest privately held chemical company. 

He built a world-class business from nothing and went to Forbes’ list of America’s wealthiest people.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

 Author royalties from this book go to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation

 “The way Jon conducts his business and lives his life will not only inspire you to be a better person, citizen, and entrepreneur, it also will give you hope that the good guys don’t finish last.”    Glenn Beck 

“Jon Huntsman is a different breed. He believes business is a creative endeavor, similar to a theater production, wherein integrity must be the central character.”  Larry King, CNN 

“Jon Huntsman’s own life and personal values lend credence to his words. He walks his ethical talk.”  Neil Cavuto, Fox News  

“This book could put me out of business. Nobody would be happier about it than me.”  Wayne Reaud, Trial Attorney

The nationwide bestseller–fully updated for today’s tough times and worldwide financial crises “Everyone does it.” Everyone cheats. Cuts corners. Tells lies. Maybe it was different once. Not today. If you want to succeed in this economic climate, you simply have to make compromises.  Right?  Wrong. You can succeed at the highest levels, without sacrificing the principles that make life worth living. The proof? You’re holding it.  

Jon M. Huntsman built a $12 billion company from scratch, the old-fashioned way: with integrity. There were short-term costs and difficult decisions. There were tough times. Times just like today. But ultimately, leading with integrity wasn’t just personally right for Huntsman, it also proved to be the best business strategy. 

In Winners Never Cheat, Huntsman tells you how he did it, and how you can, too. This book is about remembering why you work, and why you were chosen to lead. It’s about finding the bravery to act on what you know is right, no matter what you’re up against. 

It’s about winning. The right way. 

Think about the kind of person you want to do business with. Then, be that person–and use this book to get you there.”

Simply Wonderful!

www.askmrsfiggins.com

Advice & opinion on everyday issues by Mrs Figgins with common sense & good old-fashioned-values!

Exercise Helps!

Dear Mrs Figgins,

He’s a bus driver so he sits most of the day. I worry about his health.  He has high blood pressure.  I do everything I can to help him.  He is a stubborn as they come. 

I cook dinner every night and fix his lunch box every morning.  I know he cheats with the candy bars.

To make matters worse he doesn’t do a stitch of exercise and is against medication.  Sometimes I think that if his brain was put in a nat’s butt, it would for sure fly backwards!   I got such a level of  frustration.

My sister thinks that walking helps.  What can I do to get him moving?

Janice, MD

Dear Janice,            

I am not a doctor  however,  I do know it is very important that your husband check with his doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Diet and exercise are critical components in managing blood pressure.  

We’d like to express our appreciation to the Mayo Clinic for the following information.

Mrs Figgins

Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure

By Mayo Clinic staff

Having high blood pressure and not getting enough exercise are closely related.

Discover how small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference 

Your risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) increases with age, but getting some exercise can make a big difference. And if your blood pressure is already high, exercise can help you control it. Don’t think you’ve got to run a marathon or join a gym. Instead, start slow and work more physical activity into your daily routine.

How exercise can lower your blood pressure

How are high blood pressure and exercise connected? Regular physical activity makes your heart stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. If your heart can work less to pump, the force on your arteries decreases, lowering your blood pressure.

Becoming more active can lower your systolic blood pressure — the top number in a blood pressure reading — by an average of 5 to 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). That’s as good as some blood pressure medications. For some people, getting some exercise is enough to reduce the need for blood pressure medication.

If your blood pressure is at a desirable level — less than 120/80 mm Hg — exercise can keep it from rising as you age. Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight, another important way to control blood pressure.

But to keep your blood pressure low, you need to keep exercising. It takes about one to three months for regular exercise to have an impact on your blood pressure. The benefits last only as long as you continue to exercise.

How much exercise do you need?

Flexibility and strengthening exercises such as lifting weights are an important part of an overall fitness plan, but it takes aerobic activity to control high blood pressure. And you don’t need to spend hours in the gym every day to benefit. Simply adding moderate physical activities to your daily routine will help.

Any physical activity that increases your heart and breathing rates is considered aerobic exercise, including:

• Household chores, such as mowing the lawn, raking leaves or scrubbing the floor

• Active sports, such as basketball or tennis

• Climbing stairs

• Walking

• Jogging

• Bicycling

• Swimming

Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. If you can’t set aside that much time at once, remember that shorter bursts of activity count, too. You can break up your workout into three 10-minute sessions of aerobic exercise and get the same benefit as one 30-minute session.

Weight training and high blood pressure

Weight training can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. This increase can be dramatic – depending on how much weight you lift. But, weightlifting can also have long-term benefits to blood pressure that outweigh the risk of a temporary spike for most people.

If you have high blood pressure and want to include weight training in your fitness program, remember:

• Learn and use proper form when lifting to reduce the risk of injury.

• Don’t hold your breath. Holding your breath during exertion can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure. Instead, breathe easily and continuously during each lift.

• Lift lighter weights more times. Heavier weights require more strain, which can cause a greater increase in blood pressure. You can challenge your muscles with lighter weights by increasing the number of repetitions you do.

• Listen to your body. Stop your activity right away if you become severely out of breath or dizzy or if you experience chest pain or pressure.

If you’d like to try weight training exercises, make sure you have your doctor’s OK.

When you need your doctor’s OK

Sometimes it’s best to check with your doctor before you jump into an exercise program, especially if:

• You’re a man older than age 40 or a woman older than age 50

• You smoke

• You’re overweight or obese

• You have a chronic health condition, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol

• You’ve had a heart attack

• You have a family history of heart-related problems before age 55

• You feel pain in your chest or become dizzy with exertion

• You’re unsure if you’re in good health

If you take any medication regularly, ask your doctor if exercising will make it work differently or change its side effects — or if your medication will affect the way your body reacts to exercise.

Keep it safe

To reduce the risk of injury while exercising, start slowly. Remember to warm up before you exercise and cool down afterward. Build up the intensity of your workouts gradually.

Stop exercising and seek immediate medical care if you experience any warning signs during exercise, including:

• Chest pain or tightness

• Dizziness or faintness

• Pain in an arm or your jaw

• Severe shortness of breath

• An irregular heartbeat

• Excessive fatigue

Monitor your progress

The only way to detect high blood pressure is to keep track of your blood pressure readings. Have your blood pressure checked at each doctor’s visit, or use a home blood pressure monitor. If you already have high blood pressure, home monitoring can let you know if your fitness routine is helping to lower your blood pressure, and may make it so you don’t need to visit the doctor to have your blood pressure checked as often.

If you decide to monitor your blood pressure at home, you’ll get the most accurate readings if you check your blood pressure before you exercise, or at least one hour after exercising.

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Advice & opinion on everyday issues by Mrs Figgins with common sense & good old-fashioned-values!