Yesterday we went to a fund-raising bike-a-thon in Ohio, between Columbus and Cincinnati. It was a great event. We got to meet people, they had a live band, ice cream truck, free Vitamin Water, except for the heat it was a perfect day. The heat did keep away a lot of folks especially since heat is not a friend to suffers of MS. AS a result we fell short of our goal to raise money so we are offering our t-shirts online to be able to hopefully reach more people and achieve our goal.

Go to Orange is the new Pink to purchase your t-shirt today.

What is MS?
It’s an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) can range from relatively benign to somewhat disabling to devastating, as communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted. Many investigators believe MS to be an autoimmune disease — one in which the body, through its immune system, launches a defensive attack against its own tissues. In the case of MS, it is the nerve-insulating myelin that comes under assault. Such assaults may be linked to an unknown environmental trigger, perhaps a virus.
Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing. In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis. Most people with MS also exhibit paresthesias, transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling, or “pins and needles” sensations. Some may also experience pain. Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss. Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are frequently overlooked. Depression is another common feature of MS.
There aren’t currently any cures but raising awareness is important for funding and working toward a cure. If you want to help spread the word check out out Orange is the new Pink merchandise.

Also here is a blog written by someone with MS and it’s a fun read and informational. Travis.

I don’t cook very often. Just ask my kids. In fact the other night I brought home a rotisserie chicken from the store and excitedly told my kids “hey, look I cooked dinner.” Yes, I admit that was a term used loosely but I meant I wasn’t going through some sort of drive through. However, my 8 year-old son replied “Mom, the store cooked this, not you.” He did quickly follow that comment up with “but it’s still good’” the kids not dumb. But it made me think. About how often we equate food, home cooked food usually, with positive emotions. A friend of mine thinks fondly of his moms corned beef and lasagna. Those are the foods that bring back the warm childhood memories for him. For his brother, corned beef and chicken tetrazzini brings back those fond memories. Interesting how two brothers very close in age can have the same and different triggers for the same memories. Now my mother wasn’t that great of a cook. My fond food memories are of Banquet fried chicken and instant mashed potatoes, Idaho spud of course.

What’s your comfort food?

Laina

My friend thinks reading the Drudge report is fun where as I prefer Entertainment news. But to show I do know a little about world events and care somewhat I thought I would talk about something serious for a change. In my life as a college professor I teach classes about leadership. One of the best leaders of all times is Hitler. I’m sorry, but being purely objective as it relates to leadership accomplishments it’s true (incidentally, Alexander the Great is the best military leader of all time).
There is an article that discuss how Hitler may have had Jewish bloodlines so he was even more of a hypocrite than we thought. See …

Adolf Hitler may have been descended from both Jews and Africans, DNA tests are indicating, the Daily Mail reported.

As disgusting as Hitler was it is amazing that he was able to accomplish so much when he didn’t posses many of the characteristics that he promoted as THE way and THE ONLY way. Interesting.
Laina

I was having an Electric Company flashback today (doesn’t that show how old I am)“>Electric Company

I thought I would help us all have an educational moment with my blog post. So since we all should probably brush up on our Spanish, the way the immigrant issue is, so today’s word is NEGOCIOS which is Spanish for business.

It’s the beginning of the week so we should all take a moment and decide what the plan of action will be for the week to be highly successful in whatever it is we do for a living.

My goals are to finish the Chiczofrenia book, get caught up on a bunch of administrative work and work on a marketing plan.

What are yours?
Laina

Does 1 + 1 = 2?  In math it does but not always in personal relationships. When I went to write this post today I had relationships on the brain. Relationships of any kind are hard. It requires work and communication. It’s not always as simple as a math equation. So why do we do it? Because as humans we like, we need, relationships.  We need that connection with other people.

It makes me think as a child at vacation bible school and the song about Noah’s Ark. Everything was 2 by 2, which in context makes perfect sense. But it’s not easy.

How do you create, and then even more importantly, keep that connection? We are all so busy it can be hard to cultivate relationships like we need to.

Laina

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Thursday, August 12
3 – 6 pm
Covered
1201 Lagoon Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
http://www.shopcovered.com/index.php
**Covered is offering 15% off of your store purchase if you buy a book!

Friday, August 13
3 – 6 pm
Bluebird Boutique
3909 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424-1203
(952) 746-8675
http://www.bluebirdboutique.com/

Saturday, August 14
4 – 6 pm
Buffalo Exchange
2727 S. Lyndale Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 871-9115
http://www.buffaloexchange.com/
**Buffalo Exchange is offering $5 off of your store purchase if you buy a book!

For my new book, CHICZOFRENIA – crazy is an art form, I am in need of two things. From all you guys out there I would like to know your favorite thing about women. Please nothing sexual, this is more about the inside not boobs and butts. Then from everyone I would love to know your favorite line from a song.

Thanks for your help!

Laina

CHICZOFRENIC.com

Why? Not because I didn’t want to but because I read an article in one of my writing magazines that said don’t spend time writing on your blog when you were trying to work on your book. I took that advice since for the last two weeks I have been very productive in completing the rough draft of Chiczofrenia and as of today the first draft is done. Yahoo!!!!

Now my next focus is catching up on my book reviews. I have so many wonderful books I can’t wait to dive in to! I am so lucky.

Laina

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Today started out as a great day until I walked out of an appointment and back to my car to find a parking ticket waiting for me. Now normally that might not be a big deal but as it was I had 3 minutes left on the meter. So did the cop assume I wouldn’t be back in time and took the chance of giving me a ticket hoping I would never know? Does it really matter what he thought as he gave me a ticket that was completely unjust. The police station happened to be across the street and so I went over there to let them know the situation and was pretty much told too bad. You can’t prove it. Now I admire our law enforcement. I sure know I wouldn’t want their job and I know in many instances they don’t get the respect they deserve. However, when something happens like it did today, it makes me really lose faith in those that are put in positions to make us a lawful society. Does the county really need my $10 so bad they are reduced to giving out tickets on false grounds?

Very disappointing Noblesville.

Laina

Lot’s going on and I love it. Staying busy keeps me out of trouble. Somewhat. As I count down the weeks until the kids go back to school, only three, I feel that soon summer will be over and I will really have to get back to work. Not that I have slacked off…much. But I haven’t networked or done a lot of the business generating activities I need to do. I felt that this year I deserved some time off and have taken it without feeling at all guilty (ok maybe just a little). However, there is so much going on I really need to get off this summer break.

So what is happening you ask? Even if you aren’t asking I’m going to tell you. I have been the Indianapolis Small Business Examiner for over a year. For those of you unfamiliar, the Examiner is an online magazine of sorts that is nationwide and centric to local communities as well. Well I also just became the Indianapolis Women’s Fashion Examiner. While this may seem odd, as they are different worlds, it is great for me because it combines two things I love. Business and fashion.

There will be a second printing of Stilettos & Scoundrels happening by the end of August and I have blog tours and other marketing events scheduled.

My next book Chiczofrenia – Being Fabulous is a Skill is almost done and ready to send to the editor and soon after will be the following up to Stilettos & Scoundrels.

Look for details coming the first week of August on some contests and promotions surrounding these activities.

Another thing I am going to be starting on this blog is book reviews. I get asked often about my opinion on this book or that, and to be honest I do on occasion give my enthusiastic opinion even when one isn’t wanted.

I spend at least a couple more days a week in a bookstore and I don’t think I ever leave without buying something. I like all genres and while I see the value of eBooks I just can’t help but loving the smell and feel of paper. You can’t get that old, musty paper smell from a eReader.

So if you wish to have your book reviewed please contact me at laina@lainaturner.com and you will just have to send me a print copy or  PDF copy.

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