SEPTEMBER, 2012
ARE YOU A NEW SIESTA MAGAZINE READER?
If so, then the message below if for you!
Since the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED newsmail began in January of 2006, it has grown in length and popularity, now reaching multiple states in the US as well as several European countries. As SPM strives to offer a fresh look with each issue, Siesta Magazine has moved all contents to this blogspot site, which was created back in the spring of 2009. For those subscribing to Siesta Magazine through standard e-mails, reminder e-mails for the Siesta Magazine link discontinued in 2010. All subscribers who wish to continue reading each issue may keep this website address in their favourites and refer to it on the first of each month.
www.siestamagazine.blogspot.com
SIESTA MAGAZINE
Thank you for understanding about STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED simplifying! It just proves that SPM practices what it preaches!
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~COVER ART~
"Con Ed Smoke Stack, UWS, NYC" -DeNitto ©2004
(Make sure to see photo of the month at the end of this issue!)
SPECIAL NOTE: With this new September 2012 issue, STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED pulls up the old 2009 issue with some editing to update it this year.
NEW INFORMATION ABOUT FOLLOWING STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED on FACEBOOK and TWITTER !!
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GREAT SPEAKING EVENTS AHEAD!
Visit STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED SPECIAL EVENTS for the latest announcements for the three most current speaking appearances for this month!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
+ THE BOOK CORNER
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
+ MOM TIME
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
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+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
{ Pictured: Ulysses resting from his little kitty journey. DeNitto © 2006 } A siesta /siːˈɛstə/, original Spanish pronunciation [ˈsjesta] is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some hot countries. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").At SPM the true definition is taken a bit further. If a nap is not possible, but there is enough time allowed for any other type of break, it is strongly encouraged to take advantage of that precious moment. As long as the mind and body can rest for a short period as often as possible during the work week, it can only enhance the quality of living.
Each month, learn more facts about SIESTAS and how you may benefit from taking them into your daily routine.
Below are SEPTEMBER's SIESTA FACTS:
Reaction time in a time of emergency can be improved by power naps!
In a time of urgency, would you feel rested enough to be able to deal with the stress and be able to make the right judgements on how to handle an emergency? A nap can certainly help in keeping well rested, increasing ability to react quickly and with accuracy. It will aid in decision making and confidence in performing well in crisis.
POWER NAP HELPS TO KEEP YOU ALERT!
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+ THE BOOK CORNER
This section offers ideas for books related to various subjects including organizing, designing, lifestyle improvements, humour, business, psychology and green living. During the year, the occasional novel or biography may also slip into an issue.
: BOOK RECOMMENDATION FOR SEPTEMBER :
TITLE: Organize for Disaster
AUTHOR: Judith Kolberg
COPYRIGHT: 2004, Second Printing-2007
ISBN: 978-0-9667970-4-6
This comprehensive guide covers disasters that could enter our lives at any given moment without warning, including inclement weather, chemical spills, wildfires, etc. It would be a great book to have on hand for both individuals and families as a reference to know what recommendations are best for preparing for the worst and being able to recover as quickly as possible.
ORGANIZE FOR DISASTER
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+ PICK OF THE MONTH
SPM SPECIAL PROGRAM
Contact STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED for this special speaking presentation to help the general public learn about ways to protect their possessions and even their lives.
SPM019- EMERGENCY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: As one of several programs introduced in 2008, this one deals with all strategies for becoming prepared for various emergencies, including medical illnesses or injuries, natural disasters, vehicle accidents, inclement weather, identity theft, etc. Learn what important items to keep stored in specially designated areas for such emergencies and what documents are most necessary to have in possession.
If you have a club or organization interested in having SPM appear for a free presentation with this particular program, contact SPM at stressedpressedmessed@gmail.com.
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+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
TITLE: The Storm Gourmet
AUTHOR: Daphne Nikolopoulos
COPYRIGHT: 2005
ISBN-13: 9781561643349
THE STORM GOURMET
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+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
ONLINE DOCUMENT MANAGMENT
Save time and frustration with electronic document retention with membership in DELPHI VIM program which can be accessed through a computer with a user name and password!
Developed through the Delphi Center for Organization in California, this program allows documents to be archived online and includes the following categories:
FAMILY
FINANCIAL
LEGAL
HOUSE
INSURANCE
MEDICAL
PERSONAL
Each of those categories then include several sub-categories to make a search for a specific document as simple and time saving as possible.
Another great part of this program is that there is control as to who can have access to the records. If medical information is needed by a doctor, access can be granted. If one parent is away on business and one is at work and for some reason not be reached in at time of urgency, a babysitter or school can access medical or insurance records. If there is a financial advisor or accountant who needs a specific statement to cross reference for taxes, access can be granted. It's all a matter of trust and granting access to the program.
DELPHI VIM VIDEO
DELPHI VIM
**NOTE: This does not mean throw away all original hard copy documents or supporting documents. Have a professional assist you in knowing what and how long certain documents are expected to be retained and what documents can be shredded or recycled after a certain length of time.
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+ MOM TIME
FORWARD: A note from SPM MOM...
During the early 1990's, as a mother raising two children through their first years, I now learn of many new products that are thrilling to me, even with my empty nest. I often find myself wishing that some of them were available 26 years ago. Below are neat links and ideas to products or educational items currently on today's market for parents to explore for their children-- babies through college students!
Having children understand the importance of having skills and knowledge in preparing for disaster or common emergencies is quite helpful. Great sites that parents and teachers can visit for more information on how to teach children awareness and preparedness are listed below:
FEMA FOR KIDS
RED CROSS
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+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH
Perhaps being prepared for a disaster could somehow be compared to that of the first signs of a toothache. No one would wish for a toothache to reach a point of utter agony where expensive surgery is needed with a painful recovery to follow. Likewise, no one would want to not be prepared for an emergency and find that there may have been a way to prevent it altogether or to, at the very least, lessen the impact it may leave.
Unfortunately, when most people hear the words "disaster preparedness", their first, (and sometimes only,) thought is preparing for the possible onset of a powerful hurricane. While preparing for a known hurricane in close proximity is certainly highly recommended, it is only one of over 35 possible "disasters" that everyone should be aware of as possibilities, depending on where and how they live.
Over thirty-five disaster possibilities???
Yes! Though there is no need to panic, there are over 35 named disasters throughout the world, both natural and manmade. Of course, not everyone is going to have the same list of disasters to consider. Certainly, if someone does not live near a volcano, then it can be marked off of that person's personal list. The same goes for hurricanes or blizzards if it is clearly not something that ever happens where a person chooses to live. However, there are still so many other possiblities of events that can pass as disasters, even down to a simple thunderstorm, extreme heat or cold, a chemical spill accident or cyber attack.
So what else is on the list?
For a full list of disaster possiblities, the following events have been compiled from several disaster awareness and relief organizations, such as The Red Cross, FEMA and DHS. Siesta Magazine has thoughtfully organized them into categories in order to give better attention to many of the less common possibilities.
- civil disorder
arson
looting
rioting
- cyber attacks
computer crashes
computer hacking
computer viruses
identity theft
- drought
- economic
recession
depression
- environmental & human or animial life hazards
chemical leak or spill
industrial (such as a mining catastrophy)
nuclear power plant accident
oil spill
extreme air pollution
technological production (such as a cancer causing substance being used to produce various items)
- extreme temperatures
excessive heat
bitter freeze
- fires
accidental
arson
wild
- floods
dam failure
flash
overflow (such as river)
excessive rainfall
- health & medicine
disease outbreak/epidemic/pandemic/plague
food or water contamination
famine
- plate tectonics
earthquake
tsunami
volcano
- power outage/blackout
- slides and sinkholes
avalanche
landslide
mudslide
sinkhole
- storms
blizzard
dust or sand
hurricane/typhoon/cyclone/tropical storm
ice
lightning
tornado
thunderstorm
- structural failures
bridges
buildings
roads
seawalls
- terrorism
agro
bio (in regards to antrax, for example)
cyber
eco
hijacking or kidnapping
narco
nuclear
piracy
state (as in conducted by governments)
suicide (in regards to car bombing, for example)
- transportation failures or accidents
automobile
aviation
railway
space
maritime
- war
Needless to say, not everyone needs to worry about many of the possible disasters as listed above, however, that is not to say, for example, that September 11th, 2001 did not occur. No one in New York City ever would have guessed that such a horrific event could ever happen to the city's Twin Towers. In just this past year, there have been two aircraft crashes in the Hudson River and one aircraft scare of a low flying plane over the Statue of Liberty, in which crowds became nervous enough to cause mild panic in Lower Manhattan. Those who were present in Manhattan, in Virginia and Pennsylvania on 9/11/01 will never forget and will forever be mindful of such events actually occurring and want to make considerations as to what could be done to prevent future attacks as well as how to better deal with any such aftermath of disaster, whether it be natural or manmade. The same goes for Katrina or Hugo victims, who shall also never forget the urgency and devastation caused by those powerful storms.
Disaster preparedness is not only about major disasters, as it can certainly include something as personal as an emergency situation of an automobile accident where there may be vehicle damage and physical injury or, heaven forbid, fatality. Individuals and families should have emergency contact information with them at all times. This can be in hard copy format in a glove box, a wallet or purse, as well as programmed into a cell phone as "ICE", which cleverly abbreviates "In Case of Emergency". The code "ICE" allows anyone who is offering aid to find that number in the phone and dial it for immediate contact with family, friend or neighbor.
For information about how this idea originated back in 2005, click on the link below.
ICE YOUR PHONE
What to do and not to do in case of an emergency...
+ Think about what would need to be done "now" when in a calm and rational mood, enhancing throught processes to make the appropriate decisions and to develop the right plans ahead of time.
- Do not put off plans. Do not procrastinate and be faced with panic mode, where decisions are made too hastily and therefore, your life and assets are at greater risk.
+ Create an escape plan now, in case of fire, storm, etc. which will ensure that you and those living or working with you are able to understand, remember and be physically capable of quick departure from a building.
- Do not wait until there is a threat to announce what that escape plan is. Waiting too long holds the possibility of creating panic and possible chaos, which can lessen the chances of a successful escape.
+ Collect items for emergency at home and at work. Put together a basic emergency kit, (as prompted on the various website links below,) which can be stored in a designated spot for easy access. Check food items regularly for expiration dates.
- Don't wait until the last minute to collect and store these items. Don't have the emergency kit spread around the space. Don't have items with low shelf life, which may be harmful for consumption. Do not over purchase, as this will only waste money and food.
+ Learn survival skills now.
- Do not attempt to practice certain survival techniques without knowing exactly what you are doing, as lack of skills and knowledge could cause further harm. Call for assistance.
+ Organize your records now. Have all of your records up to date and in a safe and easily accessible spot. It's best to have most important documents in a grab-and-go box. Know exactly where your proof of identity records, all insurance papers, financial statements, medical records and personal documents are so that you are able to transport them with you in a moment of unexpected escape.
- Do not wait to organize your paperwork. You are surely to forget important papers in time of panic. You are more likely to leave something behind that may be very necessary, such as proof of identity or medical information which could prove to be life saving.
+ Keep a hard copy list of contacts of family, friends, neighbors, relief organizations and various services in case you are away from home or stuck in a area where you are not allowed to come and go freely.
- Do not only have contacts in your cell phone or computer, as you may not have the power or a working satellite with which to make that contact. Hopefully, if there is a professional there to assist you, the hard copy may be used with special communication devices in attempt to make possible contact with those listed.
As the Red Cross states on their website: "Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed."
It's not that difficult to make arrangements over a period of "average" time when there is little or no threat of anything happening out of the ordinary. There is no sense in becoming bogged down in preparations all at once when simple strategies can be methodically planned and discussed over time. It does not take much time at all to discuss a physical plan of escape from a building. It does not take days upon days to collect items for an emergency kit. It does not take hours to determine where the best place for that kit should be. It does not take much time to simply be informed and to stay alert about possible disasters. What takes a little time is paper management, which can be a lot easier with assistance from a professional who deals with paperwork on a regular basis.
Think about what how you would want to recover from a possible disaster and keep that idea in mind. Prepare your loved ones and all assets to the best of your ability in hopes of a recovery as painless as possible. Don't obssess about what is beyond your control, remembering that you can only do what you can do- as a human. There will always be situations completely beyond our control in the end. But, it certainly does not hurt to be well prepared for whatever we can control or at least, recover from more easily.
For curiousity, here are some links to historic moments of disaster in America.
DISASTERS IN AMERICAN HISTORY
TEN WORST DISASTERS
DISASTER QUIZZES
:PREPAREDNESS WEBSITES:
READY
CERT
RED CROSS
Our nearest location is 2101 Pershing Ctr, West Point, NY
845.446.1090
FEMA
HOW THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZERS ARE INVOLVED
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+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Plan ahead or find trouble on the doorstep.
--Confucius
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+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
"Con Ed: Power for the City" ~ NYC - DeNitto © 2004
