WD40

Before
you read to  the end, does anybody know what the main
ingredient of  WD 40 is?

WD-40.
Who  knew?

I had a neighbor who had
bought a new  pickup.
I got up very early
one Sunday morning and
saw that  someone had spray painted red all around
the  sides of this beige truck (for some unknown
reason).
I  went over, woke him up, and told
him the bad  news.
He was very upset and was
trying to  figure out what to do probably nothing
until Monday morning,
since nothing  was open.

Another
neighbor came  out and told him to get his WD-40 and
clean  it off.
It removed the unwanted
paint  beautifully and did not harm his paint
job that  was on the truck.
I’m
impressed!  WD-40 who knew?
‘Water
Displacement  #40′ The product began from a search for
a  rust preventative solvent and degreaser to
protect  missile parts.
WD-40 was created in
1953 by three  technicians at the San Diego
Rocket Chemical  Company.
Its name comes
from the  project that was to find a ‘water
displacement’ compound.
They  were
successful  with the fortieth formulation, thus
WD-40.
The  Convair Company bought it in bulk
to protect  their atlas missile
parts.

Ken  East (one of the
original  founders) says there is nothing in
WD-40 that  would hurt you.
When you read
the ‘shower  door’ part, try it.
It’s the
first thing  that has ever cleaned that spotty shower
door.
If  yours is plastic, it works just as
well as  glass.  It’s a miracle!
Then try
it on your  stove top … Viola!
It’s now
shinier than  it’s ever been. You’ll be
amazed.
Here  are some other
uses:

1.  Protects silver
from  tarnishing.

2. Removes  road
tar  and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and
lubricates  guitar strings.
4 Gives floors that
‘just-waxed’  sheen without making them slippery.
5
Keeps flies  off cows.
6. Restores and cleans
chalkboards.
7.  Removes lipstick stains.
8.
Loosens  stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry
chains.
10.  Removes stains from stainless steel
sinks.
11.  Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue
grill.
12.  Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots
from  oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from
clothing.
14.  Keeps glass shower
doors free
of water spots.
15.
Camouflages  scratches in ceramic and marble
floors.
16.  Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17.
Lubricates  noisy door hinges on  vehicles
and doors in  homes.
18. It removes black scuff
marks from  the kitchen floor!  Use WD-40 for
those nasty  tar and scuff marks on flooring. It
doesn’t seem  to harm the finish and you won’t have to
scrub
nearly  as hard to get them off. Just remember
to open some  windows if you have a lot of
marks.
19.  Bug guts will eat away the finish on
your car if  not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20.
Gives a  children’s playground gym slide a shine for a
super  fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift
and mower  deck lever for ease of handling
on riding  mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs
and swings of  squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks
in sticking  home windows and makes them easier
to open.
24.  Spraying an umbrella stem makes
it easier to  open and close…
25. Restores and
cleans padded  leather dashboards in vehicles, as
well as  vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans
roof racks on  vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops
squeaks in  electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel
sprockets on  tricycles, wagons, and bicycles
for easy  handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on
washers and  dryers and keeps them
running smoothly.
30.  Keeps rust from forming
on saws and  saw blades, and other tools.
31.
Removes  splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps
bathroom  mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates
prosthetic  limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony
(they hate  the smell).
35. Removes all traces of
duct  tape.
36… Folks even spray it on their arms,
hands, and  knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37.
Florida ‘s  favorite use is: ‘cleans and removes love bugs from  grills
and  bumpers.’
38. The favorite use in the state of
New York ,  WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from
the  elements.

• **39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a

little on  live bait or lures and you will be
catching the  big one in no time. Also, it’s  a
lot  cheaper than the chemical attractants that
are made for  just that purpose. Keep in mind
though, using  some chemical laced baits or lures
for  fishing are not allowed in some
states.
40.  Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the
sting away  immediately and stops the itch.
41.
WD-40 is  great for removing crayon from
walls. Spray  on the mark and wipe with a clean
rag.
42.  Also, if you’ve discovered that your
teenage  daughter has washed and dried a tube of
lipstick with  a load of laundry, saturate the
lipstick  spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The
lipstick is  gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the
distributor  cap, it would displace the moisture
and allow the  car to start.

P. S. The
basic  ingredient is FISH  OIL

If you’re reading this, then it’s safe for me to assume you have an interest in kids diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), a disorder given to kids who are non-compliant and challenging in many ways.  According to Wikipedia, the definition of ODD is “a psychiatric category listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders>  where it is described as an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures which goes beyond the bounds of normal childhood behavior”.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppositional_defiance_disorder).  In addition, ODD is described as a disorder where kids actively act out in provocative ways in order to disrupt and annoy peers and adults.  It’s very clear that a child/adolescent with this diagnosis absolutely knows how to push your buttons in all ways, and you’re probably very tired and frustrated.

THERE IS HOPE

The causes of ODD aren’t completely known yet, but one thing experts agree on is that family relationships have a lot to do with the development of the disorder.  According to the surgeon general, “marital discord, disrupted child care with a succession of different caregivers, and inconsistent, unsupervised child-rearing may contribute to the condition”(http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter3/sec6.html#disruptive).  In addition, teachers and professionals who work with children in special education state, “The quality of the child’s family life in particular seems to be an important factor in the development of ODD”(http://www.spsk12.net/departments/specialed/odd.htm).

This is great news.  It is great news because relationships can change.  The quality of the child’s family can improve with specific interventions and your challenging, exhausting child can be helped without the use of dangerous and poorly tested medications.

HERE’S HOW

The surgeon general states, “parents may need to be taught to reinforce appropriate behaviors and not harshly punish transgressing ones, and encouraged to find ways to increase the strength of the emotional ties between parent and child”.  THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE NURTURED HEART APPROACH DOES!

THE NURTURED HEART APPROACH MEETS ODD

Relationship and energy are the key components to what makes a child diagnosed with ODD tick.  Here’s why.  What happens when your child is provoking and annoying you?  Chances are really good that you get angry.  Your blood starts to boil, your heart starts pounding, your face turns red, the veins in your neck protrude, and you’re probably yelling or getting ready to yell to make them stop.  Even as I write the sentence, I can feel the energy in it.  There is intense power, relationship, intimacy, and energy in your reaction, and for good reason.  Unfortunately, your child has learned, on a subconscious level, that this is the relationship they have with the world.  And so they seek this type of relationship with everyone in their lives, because despite the negativity of it, they are comfortable with it.

WHAT IF  you chose to change the way you reacted?  What if you chose to react with that much intensity, power, relationship, intimacy and energy when your child wasn’t provoking or annoying you?  This is how you reinforce appropriate behaviors as suggested above by the surgeon general.  And, the Nurtured Heart Approach is all about training you how to do this on a consistent basis, in your home, in 7 sessions.

You deserve to have a peaceful family.  You’re child deserves to learn how to relate to people in a kind and loving way that produces healthy and balanced relationships.  There is hope and it’s a close as a click or phone call away.  For more information on loving your challenging child please contact Karen Ellis at kellis@parentsinprogress.org.

Or call her at:  (503)946-6430

Creativity and sense of identity grow and often change as girls become young women during their teenage years.  This group will focus on art-making and discussion using themes such as young
women’s roles in local communities versus around the world, challenges for young women in school and family settings, goals for the future, relationship building, and the ongoing development of
creative self-expression.  A wide range of art materials will be provided.
Due to the nature of this group it is suggested that youth sign up for the entire series or they may not complete the entire process/goals of group!

Fridays from 4-5:30pm at the 100th Monkey Studio:
110 SE 16th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97214
(503)232-3457
Check out the website for further information:

www.the100monkeystudio.com

Dates:
April 3, 17
May 1, 15, 29

Cost: $15 per week

About the Group Leader:
Joanna Miller-Vogl is an artist, art therapist, and counselor in
Portland.  Some of her favorite art mediums are photography,
painting, and printmaking.  She received her BFA in Drawing in 2003
from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and her MA in Art
Therapy and Counseling from Marylhurst University in 2006.  Joanna
is currently registered as an intern with the Oregon Board of
Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, working toward her
LPC.  She has clinical experience working with the severely and
persistently mentally ill as a crisis counselor in Multnomah County
as well as experience with survivors of trauma and family violence.

www.parentsinprogress.org

It is very easy, especially in this economy to become trapped in the past or the future. And, although it’s good to learn from mistakes in the past and plan for the future, if we become too focused on those aspects, then we forget about the beauty of now. A great lesson our children and adolescents teach us is the beauty of the moment. From the spirited 8 year old who’s so attentive to the character in his video game to the dramatic 16 year old girl frustrated because her hair doesn’t look right. Both teach us the beauty of now.

If you have a spirited child or adolescent, this is a priceless, golden piece of information. In order to fully love and appreciate your child, it is vital to remain in the moment where they are. Take a second to really see your child, in the moment, right where they are. If you’re reading this and your child is asleep, go look at them. Study their peaceful expression as they’re sleeping comfortably. Take in the beauty of your sleeping child. Listen to the quiet around you…what do you notice, right now?

If your child is playing a video game or watching tv, in this moment, go watch her. Spend 30 seconds (or longer) just studying herr face, his concentration, her body language. And then take another 5 seconds to actively recognize what he’s doing, in this moment. “I see you’re really concentrating on your video game right now, Billy. You’re showing great self control and staying very focused on your success”. Let the recognition and words hang in the air, and allow yourself to fully appreciate the being you’ve created and loved over the years. Then, and this is really important, while in this moment, pat yourself on the back for being such a loving, nurturing, and brilliant parent. Your son or daughter is very lucky to have you in his/her life!!

Visit Parents in Progress for more information on The Nurtured Heart Approach and Parent Coaching.

To your greatness~
Karen

To your greatness!!!

Karen

www.parentsinprogress.org

Kids don’t come with instruction manuals.  How many times have we heard that?  It’s true they don’t, but because we’re all part of this human experience, we do have some ideas on how to raise our children.

If you’re reading this, I can safely assume that you have an intense child or adolescent in your life.  Yet, you are at a loss on how to parent this child and more importantly, how to connect with them.  You are desperate and eager to learn a new way of relating to your intense child that won’t make you feel like a failure.  You are in the right place.

Take for example Billy*.   Billy was an 11 year old boy who was very intense.  When he was told “no” he would fly into fits of anger and rage.  He would tear up his room and threaten to hit his siblings.  He would scream, slam doors, and kick walls.  In general, his behavior was out of control.

At school, Billy continued to struggle.  He had difficulty sitting still during classes, he had few friends, and he would often get into fights.  His parents had been to so many school meetings regarding Billy’s behaviors and after every well intentioned intervention, Billy was finally moved to an alternative school.

Billy’s parents were at their wits end.  They had read at least 100 parenting books, and although there would be some success in the very beginning, it never lasted more than a couple of weeks.  Billy was also in therapy for his “anger issues”, but nothing was getting better.  As Billy was getting older and bigger, his mom was beginning to fear his rages and his parents were beginning the search for residential treatment.  Then they came to this workshop.

In the first night, they learned a why Billy continued to get into trouble.  They learned why the other parenting techniques didn’t work and most importantly that they were successful parents despite Billy’s behaviors.  They also learned a new approach to use with Billy over the first week to see if they noticed a difference.  By the second week of class they were hooked and Billy began his transformation.

Billy’s parents learned different techniques and approaches that supported what they learned in the first day, and as they used the techniques, they reported a significant change in Billy.   At the end of the workshop, Billy’s transition was so compelling that his parents decided not to send him to residential.  Billy is now successfully enrolled in regular high school and is planning on going to college.

By teaching the Nurtured Heart Approach, developed by Howard Glasser in the mid 1990′s, you will learn why your child can be so challenging, how to manage their intense behaviors, and how to build a strong and trusting relationship with them.  You will also learn that you are a successful parent, and once you have the right tools, your success will come shining through via your child’s appropriate behaviors.  Like for Billy and his family, this workshop will change your life and the life of your child.

*Billy’s name was changed to keep his confidentiality.

Go to the Parents in Progress website to sign up for this amazing workshop today!

What makes someone inspiring?  Is it the way they speak, the words they use, or the feeling behind it?

On Martin Luther King Jr day and the eve of the inauguration of the first African American president, it’s hard not to feel inspired.  I am inspired for our children’s futures and here’s why.

My son is 12 years old and is doing a great job at developing ideas and opinions of the world he lives in.  It definitely is not the same world I lived in 26 years ago.  As he goes through his day enveloped in the moments of laughter, drama, and texting with his friends, he is not completely conscious of how the world will change tomorrow.  And, I am so filled with hope for the future of America.  I am raising a son in a time when the United States of America has shifted into a completely new era that he’ll be a significant part of as he grows older.

To him, having an African American president is no different then having a white president.  He asks me, “what’s the big deal?”  And then it occurs to me.  As I prepare a great lecture in my mind about racism and how people have been judged on the color of their skin for as long as I can remember and how wrong it is, that he does not live in a world like that.  He has friends of many colors and spiritual backgrounds and he appreciates them for who they are.   Their skin color and belief systems don’t even register in his mind as something to be considered.  His 12 year old wisdom deeply inspires me.

Tomorrow, January 20, 2009 signifies a time when Americans can truly move forward and, without forgetting the significance of the Civil Rights movement, begin to look forward, therefore changing their relationship with the past.  So, even though my son will never truly understand the significance of tomorrow’s inauguration because he (thankfully) lacks experience with racism, he does understand the shift in energy from fear to hope, which on a cellular and soul level inspires him.  This inspiration will carry him through the trials and tribulations of this new world that he lives in.

I hope everyone had a relaxing and safe holiday and that your kids are back to school with big smiles on!!! I know that a Nurtured Heart kid went back to school with bells on, armed with the knowledge that they can conquer the world!!

As a child counselor and adolescent therapist, I have met many parents who feel like they’ve failed as a parent. Temper tantrums, phone calls home from school, oppositional behaviors, and chaotic bedtimes are their norm and they’re completely exhausted. If you’re finding yourself in this state, take a moment to think about all of your accomplishments. If you’re reading this blog, then you’ve been doing some research on how to improve your relationship with your child/adolescent because you’re not satisfied with the state of things. That in itself takes courage, strength, insight, and commitment to yourself and your family.

You know how to turn on a computer and research for information . You live in Portland and you most likely have a job. You have a beautiful child who is so tuned into you, they’re able to access your many bells and whistles. You’re child most likely awakens every morning and goes to school, comes home from school, and eventually falls asleep so they can do it all over again the next day. You don’t live your life in constant crisis every moment, thank goodness!!! So, having recognized what’s NOT wrong in this moment, take a minute to breathe deeply and be thankful for the ablility to be by yourself reading about changing your life and the life of your family. If you need to, take two, three, or several deep breaths, but stay in this moment so you can reflect on the beauty of you as a loving parent and human being.

If you’d like more information on The Nurtured Heart Approach, or have an opinion about this blog, please contact Karen.

To your Greatness~
Karen

I moved to Portland last year because I knew what a great city it was, and I haven’t been disappointed yet. There are few cities that have people so compassionate, friendly, kind, and wonderful!!! So, in-home therapy is a way that I can give back to Portland, the city that welcomed me with open arms. And, there are some really great reasons why in-home services are so beneficial.

I specialize in working with children/adolescents presenting with very challenging behaviors. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you’ve had battles before where your child was refusing to go with you…to the doctor, to the store, to the dentist, and certainly not a therapist’s office. So, viola…why not bring the therapist to you? Plus, it’s very informative to me.

I get the honor and privilege of working with people in their most comfortable environment, their homes. I get to meet people on their terms and in their element. Also, I’ve found the families in Portland to be so gracious, kind, involved, and invested in their family and their child.

In addition, in-home therapy is especially productive for the challenging child!!! The state of Oregon’s mental health department, along with Multnomah County are actively pursuing in-home therapy programs for contracted agencies that work with children and familes. California has been using in-home therapy based programs as well as many states back east and mid-west. I’m happy to be one of a few private therapists who provide in-home therapy in the Portland area.

If you’d like more information, please contact Karen Ellis.

To your greatness~
Karen

It’s a system we all have to learn about and all have to manage in our adult lives.  We discover early on that we are defined by a number that determines our ability to buy things such as cars, homes, and big televisions.  So, why not teach our children accountability and a solid understanding of how to manage money?

In week Three of the Nurtured Heart Workshop, parents learn how to implement the credit system.  It’s a tool in the Nurtured Heart Approach that compliments weeks one and two, and is NOT the foundation of the approach.  Remember, the caramel center of the Nurtured Heart Approach is ENERGY and RELATIONSHIP at THE RIGHT TIME!!!!!  Therefore, the credit system just allows structure to how to provide energy and relationship when reviewing all of your child’s successes.

There are two components to the Credit System; ways to EARN credits and ways to SPEND credits.  During the workshop, parents bring their intense children to the class and develop a credit system that will support their current situation in their home.  Together, they determine the house rules, values, and responsibilities.  Then they develop a system for spending all the credits earned, and their child is in control of their destiny…leading to ACCOUNTABILITY!!!  It’s a beautiful way to tie everything together and it offers parents a forum to practice the Nurtured Heart Approach while connecting with their child.  Gotta love it!!!!

For more information, please feel free to contact Karen.

Here’s to a great New Year and to your continued brilliance~
Karen