Did you know that the U.S. State Department started the foreign student exchange program in the early 60′s as a way to improve diplomacy between the United States and the rest of the globe we share? Students who have had the chance to live with an American family are far more likely to go to bat for our image abroad than those who have never traveled here. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet foreign exchange students at my high school and always thought it would be an amazing adventure to live abroad. Although I have have been blessed with traveling around the globe, I have never taken the opportunity to live outside our borders. What an opportunity to be able to bring that experience to your own household.   By hosting a foreign student, you will not only be helping our country, but also our world.

One of the first things I advise a potential host family to do is check the credentials of the exchange organization you are considering working with. I have found Aspect Foundation to be a top notch group that is deeply in the safety and support of the foreign high school students who bravely commit a year of their lives to living in America as well as being there for the families who graciously open their doors to these guests.

I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about this life enhancing opportunity at karen@karenloucks.com and invite you to visit our national website at www.aspectfoundation.org  Cheers!

1. A ponytail may look cute, however, it is an easy thing for the perpetrator to grab. This applies to long hair too. Women with short hair are less likely to be targets. Tuck your hair under a hat or into your collar when in a situation that may be sketchy.
2. The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who’s clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors to cut clothing.
3. Always be aware of your surroundings.If you are on your cell phone, you are probably distracted and not as aware of your surroundings. Stop talking and start paying attention. Take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don’t dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel little silly at the time, but you’d feel much worse if the guy really was trouble
4. The number one place women are abducted from or attacked is the grocery store parking lot. Why? They are distracted. What woman hasn’t found herself looking for keys in that big black hole of a purse? Put your keys in your hand before leaving the store. If you have a panic button on your fob, be prepared to use it! It’s better to have a false alarm, then no alarm at all. Number two location is office parking lots/garages and number three is public restrooms. Be aware and be prepared.
5. As soon as you get into your car, LOCK YOUR DOORS! Do not sit there balancing your checkbook or calling your friend to share your latest sale find. You are a sitting duck. Start your car and get out of the parking lot towards a place safe.
6. People carrying umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands are much less likely to be attacked. Despite what we have been taught, keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon.
7. If you feel that someone is following you, stop, look them in the face and ask them a question. It will catch them off guard, plus they will know that you have now had the chance to identify them.
8. If they are coming toward you, put your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay Back. Most rapists say they will leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she was willing to fight back.  If you have pepper spray, keep it in a place you can easily access and (even if you don’t have it), yell “I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY!” Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
9. If someone asks for your wallet or purse, don’t hand it to them. THROW IT away from you. This will give you a chance to get away. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!
10. I personally recommend taking a martial arts class. Not only is it good exercise but it prepares you to be on guard at all times. It actually gives you a feeling of power versus feeling like a victim. Bonus for me was that I met my fabulous husband in the class.

In Working for Peanuts: The Project Linus Story, I wrote about how someone once gifted me the book: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s all Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. It was a beautifully appropriate present as I was finding I was allowing myself to get bogged down by the daily grind of running the nationally reknowed children’s charity Project Linus. Once I realized that most of the tedium of daily routine was small stuff, it was like a boulder was lifted from my shoulders. I was able to relax and be more productive.

It’s those little things in life that can drag one down to the point of uselessness. “What did she mean by that?” , “I’ll never get through all my emails”, “Why did that person take the parking space that I was waiting for?” That kind of thinking lays fertile ground for unhappiness. The following may sound brutally honest, however it is true none-the less- chances are, the other person wasn’t thinking about you at all. They were just getting on with their own hectic day and you happened to find yourself in the crosshairs. There was no ill-intent meant.

In my life’s experiences, I’ve even witnessed people who purposely put themselves into this position. It’s as if they wanted to become a target so they would have something to talk about. Perhaps it makes them feel important.

Whenever you find yourself in a stressful situation, ask yourself: Will this matter one year from now? This is a great tool to pull yourself out of the heart of an emotional matter and bring it back into perspective.

Alyssa Goodman, a professor of astronomy at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is quoted as saying, ” The thing that’s grand about spending your time thinking about the universe is that it makes you feel insignificant. I don’t mean that in a bad way. If you understand that we’ve now discovered entire solar systems that contain planets similar to Earth, and that those are just the ones we know about, since most of the stars we’ve looked at are within about 300 light-years of Earth and the distance to the center of our galaxy is nearly 100 times that—then you realize that the laundry you’ve left undone and the dumb thing you said yesterday are about as significant as slime mold. ”

So the next time you find yourself with an elevated blood pressure or unable to sleep because you feel you have been slighted or daily life is getting you bogged down, just remember two simple words- Slime Mold. If nothing else, it should bring a giggle to your heart. Remember, worrying will NEVER change the outcome.

Karen Loucks Rinedollar  Creator of Project Linus, The Linus Effect and Author of Working for Peanuts: The Project Linus Story

Like the presidential candidates, Karen will also be presenting this week at D.U. – with slightly less fanfare and without road closures.  As the presidential candidates focus on breaking each other down, Karen will be working on building up her audience and making America, and our world, a better place- without raising taxes!

Obama and Romney have consistently used their presidential platforms to pledge promises of how they will bring the United States back to its glory days of productivity and respect in the world. However  these promises are falling on increasingly deaf ears,  especially of the undecided voters, as the candidates are not devulging clear plans on how they will accomplish such deeds.

Karen, on the other hand, will be presenting The Linus Effect- Five Steps to Making a Difference. This talk contains concise strategies that anyone can implement without infringing on the pocketbooks and wallets of citizens. Attendees will leave her presentation feeling positively impowered versus the dazed and confused aftermath of the presidential debates.

Hear Karen’s motivational message at the Daniels School of Business, Friday October 5th, at 1pm in room 310. Daniels is located on the corner of University & Evans Ave. From I-25, take the University exit (#205) and head south on University. It is located on the right side of the street after crossing Evans Ave (3rd stop light). Parking can be a challenge so it’s recommended you arrive early and try sidestreets Josephine or Columbine (just east of University).

Admission tickets and security clearances are not required. If you have further questions, please contact info@thelinuseffect.com or 303-478-6652.

For those unable to attend Friday’s D.U. talk, Karen will be leading a National Make a Difference Day project on Saturday, October 27 from 9-12 noon. It will be held at the Parker Chamber of Commerce. This will include blanket making activities as well as a one mile leisure fun/fundraising walk benefiting the seriously ill and traumatized children served through Project Linus. More info may be found at www.workingforpeanuts.org/project-linus-denver

With Nadia, the iron curtain went back up. Zola Bud was a barefoot running African (Caucasian at that!) who made American darling Mary Decker crash and cry, swimmer Shirley Babashoff was cheated gold by steroided East Germans in the water, Katarina Witt skated circles around her competitors with the timeless gorgeousness of Grace Kelly, gymnast Mary Lou Retton blinded us with her elite skills and dazzling smile and Lindsey Vonn looked like a super model yet tore up the slopes with the rath of an ferocious tiger. The list of amazing, noteworthy female athletes goes on.

Fast forward to London 2012. Enter Missy Franklin. At 6’1″, Missy could be mistaken for any number of elite female athletes- basketball, rower, volleyball- but no- Missy is a swimmer. That is as big understatement as saying the world is having a financial blip. In a world where Divas- male and female- are a frequent occurance, Missy is our breath of fresh air. She has an attitude with altitude. Above all the sniping, above all the attention getting dramatics. Having a few decades added to my teenhood, I should be done with my athletic “crushes” yet I’ll make an exception for Missy. Here’s what I love about her.

1.Missy is from Colorado. What swimmer is from Colorado? And has the fortitude to stay here. When I was competing, the big dream was to be sent to Mission Viejo, California. Texas has also become a big state for training in swimming yet Missy chooses to stay at Mile High where she was born and raised. Sure the altitude gives her a natural blood doping advantage however she remains in Colorado because this is where her friends are. At a time our state is being pummeled with negative attention from wildfires and the Aurora shooting, Missy brings hope and light to us.

Regis Jesuit High School

2. Missy attends Regis Jesuit High School. Both my stepkids graduated from that school- just about 7 miles down the road. Although I’m not Catholic, I do believe in investing in the best education your money can buy. In my opinion, that’s Regis. It’s a caring community of teachers, clergy and families that participate in a full education. Because parents have had a pay a pretty penny to have their children attend, they take a personal interest in making sure that investment isn’t squandered. Teachers can focus on what they do best, teaching versus trying to manage the disciplinary problems. The school instills service above self so develops a community minded graduate. Missy is an honor student who wants to swim with her teammates and bring honor to a higher power. I believe this is what also allows her to stay humble.

3. Missy is a swimmer. I was a swimmer and can relate to the cerebral nature of the sport. So many hours breathing chlorine, early practises, insatiable hunger after practise, sitting on hard metal benches waiting for your next race, frozen hair in the winter, dry skin and hair, all for what? Comraderie, the feeling of knifing through water, faster times, the win. I soooo get it! Who pays attention to swimming when it isn’t an Olympic year? Yet now, it is a golden ticket. Even her parents have to sit 30 rows up and higher in the stands during her events.

4. Missy is a backstroker. This is my favorite stroke and it thrills me to see her windmill her way through the water. This is the only sport you can win by going backwards! The hours she has had to spend looking at the lines on the pools ceilings are all too familiar. She is fortunate that the sport has evolved to allow you to flip over to your stomach for the turn. It used to be sit and spin. Backstrokers are also the lead on the relay so we never have anyone else to blame if we get behind. It’s all on us to get the lead early on. A secret about backstrokers is they can rarely swim breaststroke well and vice versa.

5. Missy is tall. At 6’1″ she can see head and shoulders above most- male and female. When I was young, my mother told me that I would be tall and to be proud of my height. At a mere 5’8 1/2″, I am a relative shrinky dink in her world yet I get the mantel of responsibility she wears. You can never blend in the crowd. I feel her pain as she tries on women’s pants to try to find ones long enough. My inseam is a 33″ and yet you would think that it was 40″. Highwaters are such a frequent option that I finally started to wear dresses and skirts out of default.And finding a boyfriend tall enough may be a challenge. Many taller guys seem to go for the petite girls. But being an elite athlete, this will give her good access to basketball and volleyball players as well as rowers, swimmers and other non vertically challenged body types. I advise shopping at Nordstrom for quality shoes and pants to fit those elongated limbs as well as buying clothes in countries that have taller population like Germany and Holland.

6. Missy has a great relationship with her parents. I read that it took 25 years for her parents to conceive her so this wunderkind is a treasured child. They have been there every step of the way for her in her swimming career. When she showed early promise in the sport, they nurtured it versus lamenting the missed vacations and hours spent on hard benches in a damp, humid pool environment. They have gifted her with one of the most important things a person can have, a strong foundation.

7. Missy has a beautiful smile and isn’t afraid to use it. While many other competitors prefer to wear the iron mask of a toughness, Missy seems to be enjoying herself at any given moment. Although a very attractive girl, Missy doesn’t spend a lot of time posing in front the camera. Most pictures you will see of her are candid and naturally capture the glow that radiates from within.

8. Missy has focus. Here is a girl who one moment may be laughing it up and sharing a joke with her competition. Yet when it’s gametime, she is able to flip the switch and get to business. She doesn’t appear to be rattled by all the attention that has been put on her and just takes one race at a time. Watching her qualify for the 200 meter freestyle, jump out of the pool then go warmdown before her gold medal winning performance in less than 20 minutes was like watching a master. She barely seemed out of breath from her first race and she seemed light hearted before the second. As Michael Phelps said, “My swimming speaks for itself.” So does Missy’s.

9. Missy wants to have fun. That doesn’t mean going out and partying with her friends, or getting tattooed up. She seems to embrace each moment as it is given to her and doesn’t take things out of context. Granted, I’ve never been around her during a typical teenage drama time like a bad hair day or pimple outbreak, but somehow I can imagine she is able to take these things into perspective. She seems light years more mature than her age.

10. Missy is American! How great is it to have such a superstar from our country. Missy is such a breath of fresh air. Here’s to someone who won’t shrug off the responsibility of being a role model. She has a lot to teach those her own age, fellow athletes and the rest of us. Whether she wins more medals or not, she has already shown herself to be a champion in the human race of life. Go Missy Go!  

Project Linus got its first opportunity to assist with a large sized emergency in April 1999. As the hometown of Project Linus, we had been able to assist other chapters while they dealt with the aftermath of hurricanes, tornadoes and other such events. Now, here was such an event, in our own backyard.

Like all the seemingly pointless exercises we have had to endure since childhood- fire drills, duck and covers, airplane air mask explanations- our training came in handy when the chips were down. We were able to draw on our experience and jump into action. A three day community quilting bee was quickly coordinated whose results are still felt to this day, 13 years later. Each of the 1600 students who attended Columbine were presented with a Project Linus blanket along with many teacher’s families. It is still a common occurance when I’m giving a talk about Project Linus and Making a Difference for someone in the audience to share their Columbine blanket story.

We learned many helpful lessons through that event. Most of all, how much people want to help. With a little guidance, they are more than happy to make it happen. Hundreds of pairs of helping hands- men, women & children- assisted with the making of the blankets. Stores and companies stepped forward with an endless supply of energy sustaining food.

Like all things in life, when you give to others, you can’t help but receive in return. It seems to be the nature of the Universe. Repeatedly, participants of this event came up to thank Project Linus for creating an event that they could tangibly work out their grief. By being able to put hands to work, they were able to assist with both the Columbine student’s as well as their own grieving process.

Because of lessons learned from Columbine, we are going to have another emergency quilting bee. This time it will start a 3 hour event on Sunday, July 22nd from 1-4pm. We are still securing a location however you can start preparing. We are asking that people bring 1 1/2 to 2 yards pieces of new,  polar fleece. Most of the blankets will be going to teens so more mature themed fabrics are preferred. You will also need to bring sharp sewing shears as regular paper scissors don’t cut this fabric well as result in extra time and sore hands. Sewing shears actually will cut like a knife through butter.

If you have connections to a large meeting room- community center, church or library, please drop us a line asap

karen@workingforpeanuts.org as we would like to cement details of this event to help our community heal, again. For those who are more inclined, we need assistance defraying costs. A tax free monetary donation can be sent to Project Linus Denver Chapter, 20450 Oakbrook Lane, Parker, CO. 80138

by Lisa Schulz

How did you get started writing your book? Or what inspired your book?I was inspired to write this book as Project Linus was nearing its 15^thanniversary. As the founder, I knew I would be the best person to enlighten the world to how this successful effort got started. Knowing that we had delivered almost 4 million security blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children worldwide, yet some people in my own town had never heard of it, made me feel like the time was right to get put a book together.What was the hardest part about completing your book?I think the hardest part was the editing. At one point, my husband said, “Just put the pen down. It’s done. You will never have a perfect version so just go with it.”

Did you learn any lessons in the book creation process, if so what where they?

Remember that the editor is like an attorney. As the clock ticks away, so do your profits.

Did you enlist support in getting your book done? If so, what kind of support?

My friend Tina Taylor, who is an award winning designer, created my cover. The cover was the most fun part of the whole process. I definitely recommend finding someone you know and trust. I also hired a writing coach, Andrea Costantine, and an editor.

What tips or advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Start with an outline. It helps simplify the process and certainly helps one get on the path to authorship especially when you don’t know where to begin.

If you self-published, what made you self-publish?

I had heard horror stories from people who were at the mercy of publishers and felt like they had sold their soul to get their book published. They lost the ability to control their own story, received very little/if any advance and still found themselves having market their book themselves. Now that self publishing has become a virtually painless process, it was the natural choice for me.

If you had to do your book all over again, would you?

Absolutely! I am currently attending Project Linus National Conference in Peoria, Illinois and can’t tell you how many coordinators have approached me with appreciation that finally the story had been written. They now understand the evolution of our charity and can also share it with others.

Are you writing or planning to write an additional book(s)?

Absolutely.

What else would you like to share about you or your book?

Working for Peanuts- The Project Linus Story is a perfect example of “The Power of One”. It is a motivational piece that illustrates how any one of us, if we follow our heart and mind to make a positive difference in their world, can absolutely achieve that goal. I thoroughly enjoy motivating others to spring into action through blanket bees, public speaking opportunities and now, my book!

How can people find out more about your book?

www.workingforpeanuts.org , karen@workingforpeanuts.org , http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=karen+loucks+rinedollar

Questions to Ask:

1.   Is the Officiant available the date and time that you plan to be married?

2.   Is the Officiant willing to travel to the site where you plan to be married?

3.   Does the Officiant feel comfortable performing a wedding that accurately reflects the religious or spiritual ideals that you and your fiancée share?

4.   Does the Officiant have a web site so you can learn more about them and their services?

5.   Is the Officiant willing to meet with you and your fiancée for a complimentary consultation?

6.   Does the Officiant have a set ceremony that they use for everyone or are they willing to work with you to orchestrate the ceremony of your choosing?

7.   What kind of background does the Officiant have in the wedding business?

8.   Is the wedding Officiant warm and helpful during your phone/email/in person questioning?

9.   Is the wedding Officiant able to provide references of past clients they have married?

10.  Finally- the price. Couples often make the mistake of making this their Priority One question. Remember, you often get what you pay for. An Officiant is the person who will be performing one of the most important events in your entire life. Do you want to trust that celebration to a bargain-basement, perhaps fly-by-night Officiant? This is the person who is going to be there to guide you through the ceremony. It’s normal to be nervous on your wedding day. The ability to provide leadership with tenderness is a valuable quality; one that should not be undervalued and one
that should be sought in your Officiant.  If the Officiant will give a rate over the phone (many won’t until after meeting you and hearing the details of the ceremony), make sure they clarify exactly what the price entails.

• Does the price include a rehearsal? Some couples want one, others don’t. It is not
  unreasonable for the Officiant to have additional charges for a rehearsal as
  they may have to turn down other ceremonies in order to accommodate your
  rehearsal and it usually takes more time to rehearse than the actual ceremony.
• Does the price include travel fees? Couples planning a nice intimate wedding in the mountains may be shocked when they hear the quote. Unless the Officiant lives in the
  location where you want to be married, a significant amount of travel time may
  be incurred. A drive from Denver to Beaver Creek can take six hours roundtrip- if
  traffic is flowing smoothly and the weather is pristine. So the short and sweet
  mountain wedding you are planning, may require an Officiant to be in the car
  for an extended period of time not including time for consultation, preparation
  and the actual ceremony. An Officiant may require lodging if the location is
  remote and ceremony in the early morning or later in the day.
• What is their cancellation policy? Remember, once you have booked with an Officiant, they
  will be turning down other offers for ceremonies for that date and time. It is normal practice to forfeit your down payment if you cancel the ceremony. Some Officiants may exchange for a different time and date if they are available- but not usually at the last minute.
• You will be doing yourself, your wedding and the Officiant an injustice by focusing on price as a starting point.

Waiting until the last minute is not a good plan to chose an Officiant. Like a fine restaurant, the best ones often book up early. If a couple has gotten engaged, even if the date or site are still in the undecided mode, it is not too early to start looking for the right Officiant for you!

Rev. Karen Loucks Rinedollar has performed over 100 ceremonies for couples from black tie affairs
to blue jean betrothals. She is available to answer any questions you may have about weddings and sample ceremonies are on her web site www.adoresamore.com.

I remember back in the 80′s when I first heard about Walmart. It sounded like such a cool concept. Cheap prices and everything made in the USA. I wonder what Sam Walton would have done if he had known that by the year 2000- besides food products, it would be almost impossible to find items made in the USA in his stores. Most are made in China. Now don’t get me wrong- you will find me in Walmart alongside the rest of the consumers that hold their noses and still shop there. It’s cheap and easy. I admit it- I’m a slave to a good bargain.

We flew back from Tampa on Frontier Airlines last week and I invested some time watching a special on Sam Walton. What an amazingly hard worker and yet this billionaire and one time richest man in the world, humbly drove his ole beater pick up truck until he could drive no more. He could have bought every Ferrari on a car lot, yet chose to stick to his old favorite. I’ll take old time values over nouveau riche flash any day!

And I have to say I applaud that ole Sam stood up to Labor. Having known people  whose parents owned stores, I’ve heard the terror stories. When unions want a piece of the action and are refused, mysteriously a rash of ill fates befall the store owners- family pets slaughtered, gas lines cut, death threats- remind me again how Unions are still legal in this country?

What advise would Sam give to the American people now. He was a farm kid raised during the Depression and was not the type to roll over and play dead. His kind aren’t finger pointers- like most of our politicians seem to be today. His breed look for the silver lining and find a way to work the market with a whole new strategy. He was a businessman and entrapreneur extraordinaire. It’s too bad he died in 1992. We could use some of his sage advise now.

I imagine that he and Ron Paul would have an interesting discussion together.