WichiTalk

My husband and I are pirate people. We had a pirate-themedHalloween party a couple of years ago. (That’s me in the photo as a pirate at a trick-or-treat tailgate event last year. My husband unfortunately went as a ’60s guy.) 

I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I even made an impulse buy on a dog pirate costume on clearance. (This is Lilly, one of my goldens.)

We’re looking forward to the July 7th release of the second Johnny Depp "Pirates" movie, "Dead Man’s Chest." I know others are, too. At a local restaurant last night, there was a little boy sitting near us wearing a pirate bandanna complete with faux beaded dreadlocks. Businesses are cashing in on the buzz, too. Did you hear about the Volvo tie-in? According to the Associated Press, "there’s a worldwide treasure hunt for a hidden custom $82,000 XC90 V8 to
promote the SUV and Disney’s soon-to-be-released" movie. Shiver me timbers, matey, I’m not making this up.

Are you a pirate fan or foe?

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

It certainly shouldn’t generate as much buzz as Demi Moore’s nude pregnant magazine cover shot, but Britney Spears is the latest celebrity to pull a similar stunt.

She appears on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar magazine, as well as in an inside photo spread. Here’s how the Associated Press put it: Spears, who is sitting, cups her breasts with her
hands and crosses her legs while showing her protruding belly and
smiling for the camera of lensman Alexi Lubomirski.

The photo is artfully done, but here’s the question that begs to be asked: Isn’t this the same girl who cried on "Dateline" recently, asking for people to respect her privacy? Things don’t seem so private anymore …

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

A report from the surgeon general yesterday announced that nonsmokers are harmed when they breath secondhand smoke. Those who don’t want to inhale someone else’s smoke can eat at smoke-free restaurants, stay away from smoky bars, etc. But the real challenge, perhaps, comes from those who don’t want to breath secondhand smoke but live with a smoker.

Speaking from experience, it can be a touchy topic. I’ve been in households before in which smoking was limited to outside or the garage. Other homes don’t have boundaries.  Love the person but hate their cigarettes? Want the opportunity to smoke in your own household but have family who object? Whether you’re the smoker or nonsmoker, how does your family deal with smoking at home?

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

Last year for a couple of months, I logged every carb I consumed. It was a nutritional numeral I had never before paid any attention to. And it wasn’t until I did this that I realized just how much sugar I was consuming in things I didn’t think to have carbs. Ketchups, low-fat salad dressings, sauces and fruit juice were laden with carbs. I lost several pounds and am now a more savvy shopper and a smarter eater.

What’s your diner diary experience? Have you identified a nasty habit you didn’t know you had, lost weight or flopped in your endeavor to keep a food journal? Tell your story and share tips here.

Posted by Lori O’Toole Buselt

There’s more than one reason for me to look forward to a trip to the salon. I absolutely love getting my hair washed and cut by someone. It’s one of the best ways to relax. But I also enjoy catching up with my stylist and telling her what’s been going on since my last appointment.

Sure, there are times when I prefer closing my eyes and enjoying a little bit of quiet time. But when I need some advice, or just feel like chatting about little stuff, my stylist has an open ear and plenty of feedback to offer.

Are you friends with your stylist? Do you look forward to your hair appointment so you can catch up with each other, or do you hang out away from the salon? Tell us about it!

Posted by Missy Good