Birds of Prey Giant Slalom

Sunday morning, 8:00am and Paul is on the course checking out the best spot to catch some sequence shots.

Little bit of a rough start on the day. We have had our boot bag plugged in at the press center. Each day the power has been blown. Not until today did we put it together. AP (associated press) guy asked me if I had my curling iron and hair dryer plugged in as well. Haha!

Beautiful day! Sun again today. Running two Giant Slaloms today, 9:45 and 11:45. The times are added together for the winner. We are hoping the USA has a better day.

Tried every day to make contact with Sports Illustrated and no return calls or emails. Jimmy Colton, is he real or a fictional character that is used for emails. Oh well. Made some great contacts with the press last night.

We are watching Alex Leever a forerunner from the USA as well as Will Gregorak, #50. Both are local kids from the Vail area. A forerunner is a like a cupbearer, checking out the course and the conditions. If they crash, there are changes made to the course. They are looking for uneven spots, weather conditions, shade and blind spots as well as fencing and possible crash spots. Safety of the athletes is the number one priority.

#13 Daniel Albrecht, Switzerland is the comeback kid. He suffered an injury that had him in an induced coma 20 months ago. He finished #17 in the first run and #21 in the second run. He has so much determination, nothing will stop him at this point. He was a crowd favorite. Everyone likes to see an underdog make it back.

The athletes fans bring paper, helmets, footballs, whatever to have them sign. Paul and I got Ted Ligety's signature on one Ted's promotional posters. I stood in line with all the kids.

#5 Ted Ligety came in first with a time of 1:16:14. Bode Miller, , Warner Nickerson and Tim Jitloff as well finished in the top 30, the first run. Only the top 30 will run the 2nd Giant Slalom.

The second run has first place running last and last place running first. The later you are in the race, the more information there is about the track. So Ted Ligety will run last.

You can feel the suspense in the crowd as the 30 racers begin. Bode Miller has a tough second run as well as the other USA ski team. Now we are the Ted Ligety and he does it with a beautiful second race.

A great day for USA team, Ted finishes first at Beaver Creek for the men in the Giant Slalom and Lindsey Vonn in Canada finished first in the Super-G.

Birds of Prey World Cup Super-G

Saturday morning, December 4,2010 in Beaver Creek, CO. A beautiful day with some light snow on the hill. The hill has been remarked from the downhill to the Super-G. Excitement is back from a disappointing day yesterday. Racers begin at 11am. Super-G starts at 11,940 elevation and finishes at 8,944.

The Super-G began with a native america group praying for the racers safety as well as the crowd and care for Mother Earth.

There was a large crowd in hand for the Super-G. The USA fans were in force and ready to greet their athletes.

The hill is ready and beautiful. The track is fast. Georg Streitberger from Austria, 1:17:18 took the race followed by Adrien Theaux, France, 1:17:29 and Didier Cuche from Switzerland, 1:17:31.

First USA racer across the line was Steven Nyman, 1:18:88. Five USA, racers including Bode Miller and Ted Ligety did not cross the line, going out of bounds prior to the finish. Many of those going out of bounds lost it at the Screech Owl turn.

It was a tough day for the Americans at Beaver Creek as well as the Bobcats in Bozeman, Montana.

As well as the World Cup is the Bobcat playoff at 12:05pm in Bozeman, Montana. What happened? The Bobcats lost with a score 49-17 to North Dakota. Well, at least we beat the Grizzlies.

We watched the Women's Super-G on Universal Sports. Learned this online channel from the Austrians. Check out footage of Lindsey Vonn, saves a near crash and keeps second place. Great up to date and live coverage of sporting events. Costs about $30 per year.

Birds of Prey World Cup Training and Downhill

Beaver Creek, Co. Site of the Men's World Cup in the United States, http://www.bcworldcup.com/.

DAY 1---Tuesday, November 30, 2010. 20 degrees, no wind and the sun is shining. Absolutely beautiful. 18 countries represented as well as 79 racers. Carried skies, camera gear and computer up the hill, from parking lot to the press center. Wore myself out and then barfed. Well, not the best way to start a day. Amazing after a barf how good you feel. Onward with the day.

Ted Ligety and Bode Miller are favorites for the USA. Training has been moved up from Wednesday to Tuesday, November 30, due to coming weather conditions. Training start at 12:30. Average speed coming down the hill is 94 mph.

After first day of training, Cuche from Switzerland is in the lead, 1:47:80. Bode Miller (USA) is at 1:48:91, Ted Ligety (USA) 1:52:54, Erik Guay (CAN) 1:48:72.

Racers range from born in 1989 with the oldest racer born in 1969.

Beaver Creek will host the 2015 Men and Women's World Alpine Ski Championship.

DAY 2----Wednesday is snowing, training day 2 is still on for 11am. Lower visability, less sun and snowing. We made it through 41 racers and then canceled the race. Inversions, warm on top of the mountain with snow and rain midway and by the time the racers get to the finish their goggles are frozen over.

Snow, snow and more snow. It is pebbled snow, icy snow and very dry. It is like walking on sand.

Bode Miller is the US favorite. Miller, 33, won three medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Miller last won on the Birds of Prey course in 2006.

Running on little sleep and lots of adrenaline. Sent a query to Vanity Fair Magazine as well as a photo to Sports Illustrated today.

DAY 3---Thursday morning is clear skies and warm. Warm is not a good condition as the course could become soft which makes for dangerous conditions.

Sun, sun , son, all day long. Put on the sunscreen today. Gorgeous. Very fun to play with camera and the sunlight. Catching sun rays and goggles with reflections.

ESPN is here and setting up cable everywhere. Watching some of the first footage to come over from their cameras. You can feel the excitement in the air today.

Young children and adults alike from the Beaver Creek community have come to see their favorite racer. Bode Miller is certainly their favorite.

Bode takes the time to talk with children, photos as requested and talks with the press. The cow bells will be ringing when he comes down the hill. The children yell, "BODE, BODE."

Grugger ends the third training with a time of 1:45:37. Bode Miller was fourth with a time of 1:45:60. Tomorrow will tell the story of the best downhill racer. Conditions are great for a wonderful day of racing. The course was fast today. Gravity is more a nuisance than a law when it comes to ski racing.

Press conference and captains meeting spoke of a fast course, unpredictable weather and a time to promote the ski world.

With Vail very close to Beaver Creek, fashion is a part of the atmosphere. Color, women, children, families and alike visit the trainings. Eddie Bauer fashioned the jackets for the event at Beaver Creek, very fun and festive.

The trainings as well as the race itself is free and open to the public. This is the only north america stop for the World Cup. After Beaver Creek the racers will go to Europe. Beaver Creek is the 2015 location for the men and women's World Cup Championships.

As well as watching the men in Beaver Creek we are keeping up to speed on the women in Lake Louise.

Following Tommy Ford, a young skier with great potential. He is an ambassador for Steadman Philippon Research Institute. The institute seeks to keep people physically active late into life with pioneering othopedic research and education. Check out their website: http://www.sprivail.org/. Racers know the importance of physical health and mental health. I like Aksel Lund Svindal's saying, "Elegance is an attitude".

DAY 4---Downhill competition today. Up at the hill at 7:30. Paul will run the course a couple of times and see where he wants to be for photos. I will be a the finish. Working with Austria, Associated Press and Getty in the press area today. Great people to work with. Most speak english as a second language.

11am came and went, windy on the top. Race delay until 12:30. Women's race at Lake Louise is at 12:30, so the Men must wait until 1:30. Now they are waiting until 2pm. Still very windy and now the short days and darkness at 4:30 will become a factor. Maybe the Men will do the downhill on Monday? Race is offically cancelled. There is a solemn and glum feeling on the hill, from the athletes to the spectators. The athletes safety is the number one concern. The volunteer's worked so hard and no race. They talk about having the stuffing knocked out of them. Thanks to all the volunteers for their hours and hours of hard work.

Bode Miller and Ted Legity came into the crowd to lift the spirits of their fans. They stop for autographs as well as photos. They talk with their fans, from the children to the adults, serious talk as well as fun and laughter.

It is the end of a long day. Paul and I are empty, wait all day, and then on race. Emotionally exhausting.

Brawl of the Wild

9:20am, Interstate 90 from Deer Lodge to Missoula was two lanes of vehicles heading to Missoula. Vehicles with Bobcat signage as well as Grizzly flags fly through the wind and snow on their way to Missoula.

12:05 pm, November 20, 2010, is the beginning of a 110 year old rivalry. The 11th ranked University of Montana Grizzlies played the 8th-ranked Montana State Bobcats. 26,000 plus fans attended the bitterly cold game. Hand and toe warmers littered the stadium.

University of Montana has been called the “Most scenic campus in America”, by the Rolling Stone Magazine. The Museum of the Rockies affiliated with Montana State University houses the largest collection of dinosaur remains in the United States. Both universities boost great achievements. They bring value, education and research to the state of Montana.

Both schools have athletic departments that are involved in their community. Part of athletics is teamwork and through this teamwork the athletes are involved in food drives, blood drives, and fundraising as well as elementary school programs. Young boys and girls look to athletes to be a hero, someone they can emulate. Justin, age 10, says he met several of the football players from Montana State University that have come to his school and assisted in their reading program. Justin wants to be a football player for Green Bay when he grows up, first of all with the Bobcats, of course, he says.

We often are inclined to focus on how talented or gifted an athlete maybe. Sometimes that’s true. Athletics involves hard work, dedication, commitment, and a sense of pride in yourself and your teammates. The long hours an athlete puts in are the building blocks for a successful future not only in athletics, but more importantly in life.

Families get together around the MSU – UM football game. Jessie and her brother, Daniel drove over from Bozeman on the day of the game, while their parents Darren and Marie, drove over from Spokane, Washington. “We would not miss this game for anything”, says Jessie. “We take vacation for this game”, says Daniel.

With childhood obesity at an all time high, many people are quick to blame video games. Food intake, eating non-healthy foods and larger portions as well contribute to weight gain. Shelby, age 10, says she used to be bigger than she is now, lost some weight and learned to eat good food. She wants to be a cheerleader when she goes to University of Montana to be a doctor. Shelby says, I don’t want to be a big doctor.” The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (www.fitness.gov) has been around since Dwight D Eisenhower in the 1950’s. The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) mission is to engage, educate and empower all Americans across the lifespan to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition.

Half time involves exiting the stadium catching a warm beverage, warming hands and feet as well as young boys and girls throwing the football and sliding in the snow. All the young boys and girls say they want to be football players and cheerleaders when they go to school.

Fans travel from New York as well as California to attend this game. Father and son arrive at the game, 10 years straight. Whether living in Idaho, California or New York this duo has never missed the Cat-Griz rivalry. Painted faces, costumes, bare chest young men and girls with pompoms twirling in the wind and snow are in the stands. Emotions are high, each school wanting this victory. Only one team will win and represent the state of Montana.

University students from each school have been busy the week prior to the game with activities surrounding the greatest game in college football in Montana. Parades, bon fires and pep rallies are just a part of the activities that bring this game to the kick off.

Being an athlete involves being coachable, dedication to practice, competitive, desire to do your best, working on weaknesses and through adversities, as well as characteristics of being a champion.

The cheerleaders and the school mascots bring the crowd to their feet with their spirit and energy. Clarice, age 6, says she is going to be a cheerleader for the Grizzlies and play basketball for the Bobcats. Brent, age 8, says he is going to play football for the Grizzlies. Brent says, “I eat what my mom tells me to eat and I try to go bed when she asks me.”

“Teamwork is part of my family”, says Destiny, age 15. Our parents make us settle our own disputes and take part in chores and duties around the home. “It makes me feel important and a part of a great team”, she says.

Red cheeks, running noses, cold hands and feet, fans excited and fans in tears sum up the end of the game. With the score, MSU 21 – UM 16, the 110th meeting of these two teams comes to an end. Fans exit the stadium quickly looking to find a warm spot. The wind blew through the stadium with snow fluttering around. 17 degrees and a 20 mile an hour wind made for a very chilly day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Pamela D Bussi was born and raised in northern Montana along the hi-line. Writing, blogging and photography are her passions. Pamela is predominately a non-fiction writer with topics related to health, wellness and lifestyle. She resides with her husband and son in Bozeman, Montana. She is a graduate from the New York Institute of Photography. She is a contributing author to Montana Healthy Living Magazine as well as the Examiner, Power Women Magazine, Seed and Ezine. Check out more information at: www.pamelabussi.com.

Shrink Your Belly and Decrease Diabetes Risk

This is a great article--certainly worth reading

By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Belt-tightening is smart when the economy tanks -- but it's even smarter if you want to avoid diabetes. A new study underlines what we YOU Docs have been saying for years: Waist size is more important than weight. And in this case, size does matter:

Smaller is better. Turns out big waists are a critical reason why twice as many older adults in the U.S. have diabetes than in England. American men's waists are 1.5 inches larger than Brits'; women's are 2 inches bigger. Fat is a lot like real estate: It's all about location, location, location.

Belly fat is dangerous because if those gooey globules are collecting round your middle, you can bet they're also causing inflammation in your liver, blood vessels and immune system. That puts you at higher risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, too. But you can get rid of those love handles. (Trust us, your lover will find lots more interesting body parts to grab onto.)

1. Scrap your scale: You're better off keeping a tape measure handy and measuring your middle instead.
2. Know your goal: Women, aim for a 32.5-inch waistline; 37 max. Men, shoot for 35 inches, and keep it below 40. Any bigger and health problems increase greatly.
3. Try these moves: Walk 30 minutes a day, and do exercises that strengthen your abdomen, legs and upper body -- they'll shrink your waist, too.
4. Eat all day: Yep, that's right. Research shows that people who eat six small meals throughout the day (versus two or three big meals) have smaller waists.

Thanks Docs for a great article.

Sexuality In The Second Half Of Life

Sexual health is healthy at any age. It is an indication of a healthy relationship. Though movies and television might tell you that sex is only for the young, they are wrong. The need for intimacy is ageless. Sex changes as you age. Joints just do not move like they used to and gravity has taken its course on the body.

To maintain a satisfying sex life, talk with your partner, communication is the key to a happy and content sex life. Set aside time to be sensual and sexual together. Share your thoughts about lovemaking; tell your partner what you want from him or her.

Many articles speak of men loosing their sex drive as they age and enter their 50’s. Do not believe what the women’s magazines spout. Sex in your 50’s can be magical and certainly without the concerns of youth, such as pregnancy.

As a woman approach menopause, estrogen production decreases. As a result, most women have less natural vaginal lubrication, which can affect sexual pleasure. There are over the counter products that certainly can assist in the pain of penetration.

As we age, illness and medications can inhibit sexual response. Illnesses that involve the cardiovascular system, high blood pressure, diabetes, hormonal problems, depression or anxiety — and the medications used to treat these conditions — can pose potential sexual health concerns.

High blood pressure, for instance, can affect your ability to become aroused, as can certain medications used to treat high blood pressure.

Do not let embarrassment keep you from asking your doctor for help — sexuality and aging do not need to be something that embarrassing. Sexuality and aging are a beautiful process that we need to embrace.

People of all ages must be vigilant about practicing safe sex. Sexually transmitted disease is on the rise in the aging population. With the divorce rate what it is, marriages are taking place later in life.

Many books and magazines talk about sexuality in the second half of life. Sex is not just for the young, it is for people of all ages. Sex at 90 is going to be fun and terrific.

Pamela D Bussi was born and raised in northern Montana along the hi-line. Writing, web design and photography are her passions. Pamela is predominately a non-fiction writer with topics related to health, wellness and lifestyle. She resides with her husband in Bozeman, Montana. She is currently studying with the New York Institute of Photography. She is a contributing author to Montana Healthy Living Magazine as well as a photojournalist for the Examiner at examiner.com, Ezine.com, Seed.com and Power Women Magazine. Check out more information at: www.pamelabussi.com.

Growing up or Growing old

What will it be? Grow up or Grow old?

What does growing up mean? For many it is becoming more responsible, becoming a part of society, becoming an upstanding member of a community.

What does growing old mean? It is about aging, skin changes, body changes, as well as hair color and clothing. Getting older happens; mostly it is out of our hands. You can look younger, but the insides know the truth and eventually we all are only on this earth for stated period.

So back to growing up and some thoughts. Growing up is about balance between the heart and head, accepting responsibility for actions and making decisions daily. Maturing takes place in decisions, judgment and reactions to life. Confidence takes place and self-assurance, as well as the ability to laugh at life and yourself. Take risks, allow embarrassing, scary or frustrating events to take place and be alert to stepping to far. Embrace others, find love, discover passions and dreams, be empathetic to others, do not follow others and their footsteps of life as though they will turn out the same for yourself. Embrace others and have the capacity to feel loss and be vulnerable.

Cherish quiet moments in life as well as exciting out of the norm events of life. Look forward in life and not backwards. Do not let life pass by because of complacency, ruts, comfort, fear or financial ruin.

Accept and like yourself. Enjoy who you are as well as strengths and weaknesses. Focus more on strengths more than weaknesses. Know values and morals that mean something in life.

Explore, examine, investigate and live life. Take charge of life, life life rather than simply existing. Take risks and try something new today. Have conversation with someone new today.

Inflammation

Inflammation is an expression of your body’s protective mechanism meeting a challenge in your body. Inflammation has been found to be associated with atherosclerotic heart disease, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease, asthma, diabetic complications, obesity, osteoporosis, gastric cancer and osteoarthritis.

So what simple changes in our lifestyle can we make to reduce the risks of inflammation? This article explains the characteristics of inflammation, the role of genetics plays in your health, the causes of inflammation and what we can do about it!

Inflammation can be characterized by: redness, swollen joint that are warm to the touch, joint pain, and joint stiffness.

Inflammation may also be associated with general “flu-like" symptoms, fever, chills, fatigue/loss of energy, headaches, loss of appetite, mild depression, and muscle stiffness.

Inflammation of the heart may cause shortness of breath or leg swelling, the small tubes that transport air to the lungs may cause an asthma attack, kidneys may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure, and the large intestine may cause cramps and diarrhea.

Pain may not be a primary symptom of the inflammatory disease.

Individuals with certain IL-1 variations appear to develop some chronic disease earlier than those without the variations. The IL-1 gene can now be tested for and results can alert someone to the possibility of early onset to associated risks of inflammation.

Individuals who test positive on the IL-1 Genetic Test have probably inherited a lifelong tendency to accelerate the effects of "bad" cholesterol, which may result in an increased risk for heart attack at a younger age.Knowing your IL-1 genetic predisposition can help you develop a health plan that will help address your risk for cardiovascular disease.The IL-1 gene test can identify an individual's predisposition to over expression of inflammation and increased risk for cardiovascular disease and acute cardiac events. Gene testing is done through saliva testing.

The IL-1 genotypes can be affected through lifestyle changes, exercise, and diet.
Junk foods, high-fat meats, sugar and fast foods will increase inflammation in your body. Processed meats such as lunch meats, hot dogs and sausages contain chemicals such as nitrites that are associated with increased inflammation and chronic disease.

On the other hand, omega-3 fats exert anti-inflammatory effects. The best omega-3 sources are fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring and tuna as well as fish-oil supplements. Other omega-3 contributors include ground flax, flaxseed oil, walnuts and, to a limited degree, green leafy vegetables. Dietary monounsaturated fats (olive oil and canola oil) also dampen inflammation.
A diet full of colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains supply an array of antioxidants. These antioxidant-rich carbohydrates reduce free radicals that may contribute to chronic inflammation.

Begin to eliminate high sugar foods such as sodas, soft drinks, pastries, pre-sweetened cereals and candy from your diet. Begin to look at a good daily vitamin regimen as well as increasing the greens in your diet, omega-3 rich foods, as well as fruits and whole grains.

Planning meals and snacks rather than the spur of the moment eating will create a healthy eating regimen. So what can simple changes in our life style can we make to reduce the risks of inflammation?

Female Entrepreneurs

Female entrepreneurs are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the nation today, according to the US Census, and represent a business-to-business market sector with an increasing need for products and services.

Entrepreneurs have an undeniable passion for their businesses. Women create businesses that meet their needs for time freedom, building, part-time/flexible hours as well as businesses that they can manage in her available time, leaving flexibility to care for children and their home.

Some female entrepreneurs never intended to start a business. Instead, they may have found themselves starting because of a layoff, offered an unappealing relocation, or getting tired of corporate politics and deciding to “hang out their own shingle”.

Female entrepreneurs have a unique talent or skill that other people begin asking for, so a part-time business begins and many times results in a full-time business. Women have a strong professional background and a high level of expertise in their industries, as well as strong relational skills. Their expertise and personal connections contribute directly to their independent success.

Women see business opportunities in everyday life, which gives them a good idea of what consumers might want. As many as 8 out of 10 businesses launched by women offer products and services for consumers, not businesses, also because they find the consumer market more accessible.Although some female entrepreneurs downplay their gender, their mothering role is an asset to their business as well as relating to other female entrepreneurs and business owners.

What Women Want To Know Expo is coming to Bozeman on October 30th at the MSU Fieldhouse. Entrepreneurs and business owners alike will be sharing their talents. The expo posts the following interesting statistics:

* Women control over 80% of retail sales in the US
* Buy 65% of all new cars and influence 80% of all vehicle purchases
* Purchase 82% of groceries
* Account for 81% of retail purchases
* Account for 81% of all products and services
* Manager or own 1/3 of all businesses
* Purchase 80% of all health care
* Influence 80% of all luxury and family travel
* Spend over 2 Billion Dollars on personal care products
* Purchase 80% of wine
* Purchase 50% or better in traditional male categories such as automobiles
* Comprise more than 52% of all online users
* Represent 47% of the nation's workforce
* Comprise 50% of all business travelers
* Control 62% of all wealth

What causes consumers to use products, visit website, or read blogs? Offer a unique customer service experience. People are willing to pay a little more for great service.

Provide a fun, outrageous, moving experience, http://www.janeoutofthebox.com/. Offer free product trials. Network together, http://www.teamwomeninc.com/. Obtain resources and information, http://www.audible.com/.

Women mentors are invaluable to a business. Get together with other female entrepreneurial and learn from one another. Get out of your box.

See everyone at the Women’s Expo. Get ready to have fun, learn and be exposed to female entrepreneurs around the area, http://www.whatwomenwanttoknowexpo.com/.

Pamela Bussi is a writer, health and wellness advocate as well as photographer. She is a contributing author and photojournalist with The Examiner, Ezine and Power Women Magazine. Check out more information at: http://www.health4montana.com.

Transition of Seasons

Summers are wonderful, short and filled with activities. Fall is coming and is a time of harvest and preparation for a change of season. Fall can as well be a time for quiet introspection concerning what was accomplished, not accomplished and the path ahead. As children return to school, the leaves begin to change color and fall from the branches we say goodbye to summer.

The excitement and energy of summer can bring a frenzy of activity leaving us feeling without a moment to stop and breathe. Summers can be stressful due to the shortness and desire to accomplish home projects, family travels and outdoor activities. With the onset of fall, we can practice gathering and grounding our energies as our schedules will be more planned and have some semblance of routine.

The cooler days of fall bring with them a tendency toward cold and flu season. To build your immune system get plenty of rest, fluids and nourish yourself with whole foods and exercise whenever possible. Summers seem to have an abundance of outdoor activities, while fall season seems to have more preparation for the winter months and this may mean less exercise.

As the sunny days fade away and the days become shorter, many people notice a change in their moods. To counteract the effects of less sunlight be sure catch some sunlight each day. The days may be getting shorter; however, there are still plenty of nice days for taking a walk in the sun or sitting in the sun for 15-20 minutes. Nights are getting cooler; time outside in the crisp fall air is as well a healthy time to grab some outside air and exercise.

The changing of the season provide a good time to repair, clean, or give away those items that we have put away for a season or so. The bikes will be giving way to skis and other less warm activities. Take time now to go through your warm weather clothes, reduce or eliminate some of your summer attire due to not being worn, too small, too large, out of style or just time to get rid of some summer items. Going from summer to fall is a good time to have the furnace serviced as well as change furnace filters. Check lamps and light fixtures for bulbs that need to be replaced. Gather those summer photos and organize them, as the holiday season will be approaching quicker than we usually realize. Now time to turn your focus to the home’s exterior, the exterior paint, any deck repairs, transplanting any garden plants to containers for protection from frost, patio furniture repairs as well as window washing before it gets to chilly.
Going from one season to the next may mean changing seasonal wreaths on the front door, decorative flags, center prices or seasonal accent colors in the home. Have fun transitioning from summer to fall. Watch the colors change and the reaping of the summer harvest in full swing.

Pamela D Bussi is a writer, heath and wellness advocate as well as photographer. She is a contributing author and photojournalist with the Examiner at examiner.com and Power Women Magazine. Check out more information at: http://www.health4montana.com.

30 Ways To Simply Life

Webster defines simplicity as a state of being, freedom from complexity, freedom from deceit, sincerity. Simplicity is living within your means. It is a state of being rather than a financial picture. Simplicity is looking at the big picture and not the little pebbles on the path.

Make a list of your top 5-10 important things. What is most important to you? What do you value most? What 5-10 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.

Evaluate your commitments. Look at everything going on in your life, from work to home to volunteering to kids’ activities to hobbies to side businesses to other projects. Think about which of these really gives you value, which ones you love doing.

Evaluate your time. How do you spend your day? What things do you do, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed? Make a list, and evaluate whether they are in line with your priorities. Eliminate the things that are not a priority, and focus on what is important.

Learn to say no. This is actually one of the key habits to simplify your life. Say “yes” to those things that are a part of your priorities and “no” to everything else.

Purge your stuff. If you can devote a weekend to purging the stuff you do not want or have not used, it feels seriously terrific. Purge and donate.

Simplify your wardrobe. Simplify your wardrobe by getting rid of anything you do not actually wear. Get rid of those pieces of clothing that do not fit, whether to small or to big. Try creating a minimal wardrobe by focusing on simple styles and a few solid colors that all match each other.

Create a simplicity or mission statement. What do you want your simple life to look like? Write it out. Put it in poetry, song or written form.

Limit your buying habits. If you need it, buy it. If you want it, wait. Buy those items that fit into your priorities.

Do what you love. Once you have freed up some time, be sure to spend that extra time doing things you love. Go back to your list of 5-10 important
things. Focus on your priorities and nothing else.

Spend time with people you love. Whether these people are a spouse, a partner, children, parents, other family, best friends, or whoever, find time to do things with them. Hike, walk, dinner, coffee or whatever your interests are together.

Spend time alone. Free up time for yourself — to spend in solitude. Alone time is wonderful The quiet time is necessary for finding out what’s important to you.

Eat slowly. Discover great taste of the food. Slow down to lose weight, improve digestion, and enjoy life more.

Create a system for house work. Instead of the burst of cleaning on your day off, begin to make a schedule for cleaning.

Establish routines. The key to keeping your life simple is to create simple routines. Make a list of daily, weekly, monthly routines. Discover order and an orderly flow of routines.

Learn to live frugally. Living frugally means buying less, wanting less. Desire those things that focus on priorities rather than on emotion.

Consider a smaller home. If you rid your home of stuff, you might find you do not need so much space. It will not only be less expensive, but easier to maintain, and greatly simplify your life. Downsizing is easier to maintain.

Create a simple dinner menu. Consider creating a weekly menu. Decide on a week’s worth of simple dinners, set a specific dinner for each night of the week, go grocery shopping for the ingredients. This will save money as well as time.

Exercise. Exercise helps burn off stress and makes you feel better. It’s great. Exercise can be fun and does not have to include a gym membership. Walking, hiking, biking, can be wonderful ways to exercise. Stretching before an activity will help.

Find inner simplicity. Being a spiritual person, but I have found that spending a little time with my inner self creates a peaceful simplicity rather than a chaotic confusion. This could be time praying or communing with God, or time spent meditating or journaling or getting to know yourself, or time spent in nature. Get to know you and your priorities.

Find a creative outlet for self-expression. Whether writing, poetry, painting, drawing, designing websites, dance, skateboarding, photography, etc. We have a need for self-expression, and finding a way to do that makes life much more fulfilling. Allow this to replace the busy-work.

Single-task. Multi-tasking is more complicated, stressful, and generally less productive. Focus on one task at a time and prioritize the tasks in relationship to your overall priorities.

Live life more deliberately. Do tasks slowly, with ease, paying full attention to what you are doing. Pay attention to your emotions and thoughts as you go about your day.

Create morning and evening routines. A great way to simplify your life is to create routines at the start and end of your day. Start your day out quiet and end it quiet. Have a morning and evening routine. Make a plan for your day.

Fill your day with simple pleasures. Make a list of your favorite simple pleasures, and sprinkle them throughout your day.

Create an easy-to-maintain yard. If you spend too much time on your yard, get some assistance or reduce your yard work. Make a simple yard, enjoy your yard rather than being a slave to your yard.

Simplify your budget. Make a budget monthly. Make your budget reflective of your priorities.

Leave space around things in your day. Do not stack appointments or errands throughout your day back-to-back. Leave a little space between things you need to do, so you will have room for contingencies. You will go through your day much more relaxed.

Lend a helping hand to others. Helping others will benefit in many ways. Volunteer in your community or assist friends. Make the commitments small and limited time.

Appreciate non-verbal forms of communication. Enjoy silence, hugs, touch, and the language of the eyes. Pay attention to communication. Enjoy time with others and give them attention and listen.

Say Thank You. Thanking is wonderful and uplifting both for you and the person being thanked.

Enjoy becoming simple and life around you. You will find life easier, less complex and much more rewarding.

Missoula Montana

Checking and checking for last minute airline tickets to Seattle, Portland, Minnesota, New York, San Francisco and nothing, absolutely nothing. Frequent flyer miles and no where to go. Ok, so not a problem. The state of Montana is large enough we can find something to do in our backyard. Hum, Missoula. Ok. let's go to Missoula.

Great little finds for the weekend in Missoula. Checked out a winery, Ten Spoons Winery on a Friday night. Absolutely quaint and perfect for a Friday evening. They are soon to be harvesting grapes. My favorite wine is the red wine, Flathead Cherries. It is a must stop in Missoula. Just off Rattlesnack drive, north of Missoula off Reserve street.

Saturday morning we found the farmers market, purchased some homemade chocolates for a friend that is watching our puppy dog. Great food, people all over the place, fruit and vegetables and crafts. Great pastires and of course coffee. A wonderful way to start out a Saturday morning.

Camera gear always in tow, we photographed the Grizzly football game. We had a great time, lots of action, great game, beautiful day and what could be better that the Grizzlies won. The stadium was packed and cheering fans could be heard for miles.

Sunday morning, a late breakfast and a the long route back home to Bozeman. We went through Hamilton, Dillon and Ennis. More photographs along the way with beautiful scenery.

Thanks Montana for another beautiful weekend.

Coffee, Conversation and Women

Women, coffee and conversation. Ah, what a pleasant combination. Talk, sip and laugh.

Sitting in the coffee shop in Bozeman, Montana looking out over the city to see the mountains. Fall is moving in rapidly and the colors are beautiful. The coffee shop is busy with business people, mothers with children women and young people studying.

Then add that one woman is a Mormon, one is a single artist and the third is an entrepreneurial photographer and Internet junky. All these women have one common thread, they have dreams, passions and a love for Christ.

Three hours of conversation pass with coffee down and a pastry eaten. Of course the Mormon did not have coffee, just water, not sure why that is important. Lots of dreams discussed, a passion for freedom, as well as time and money to give to others. Currently positions held by the women are a manager of a storage unit, stocking clerk at WalMart and manager at Lowe's. All employed, being paid well, great benefits, paid vacation as well as sick leave. All very well respected at their positions and yet a void. A void of creativity and desperation to give to others.

Hugs, kisses and prayers are stated as departing takes place. Two live in Montana and one in Utah. Technology keeps their relation alive on a daily basis.

Let's see what the next six months will bring. Stay tuned for more.