Non-Consumer Mish-Mash — CPR, Nate Berkus and Registering to Vote

by Katy on October 16, 2012 · 13 comments

It’s time again for Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that.

The Real Hero is the AED

This last Sunday started out in an unassuming manner.  My husband coaches our younger son’s soccer team, so we bundled up and drove the mini-van out for the 8:30 A.M. game. It wasn’t raining and wasn’t actually that cold, so the parents were pretty content. There were no serious injuries, and I commented to another mother that it’s handy to have the coach (my husband) be a paramedic.

My son scored a goal and got a chance to show off his mad cartwheeling skillz.

A good day.

But my husband who recently began playing soccer for a 40-and-over league had a game that afternoon, which he went to on his own. No big deal, right?

Wrong, a huge big deal!

Why? Because a player on the opposing team collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during halftime. And while my paramedic husband and a doctor-player began CPR, others ran into the nearby school and amazingly were able to locate an Automated External Defibrillator. (AED.) My husband, who frequently defibrillates patients was able to shock the player back into a normal heart rhythm, which saved his life. However, AED’s are designed to be used by anyone of any skill level. And when you get your CPR certification, you learn how easy they are to operate.

CPR is well and good, but it only buys time until a defibrillator is available.

The player is now just fine, and as of last night was in the hospital undergoing treatment and observation.

I think I’ll go to next week’s game.

Click HERE to read the newspaper article.

Click HERE to find a CPR class in your area.

 

Best Decorating Tip Ever!

I like Nate Berkus. Not only does he rock the vintage Hugh Grant floppy hair, but he’s funny and down to earth. (Seriously guys, his hair is awesome!) Granted, I’ve never actually watched his talk show, but only because I believe that sitting down to watch daytime TV is a slippery slope of slothitude. 

So when Sunday’s Parade Magazine featured an interview with him, I set it aside to read. And sure enough, it did not disappoint, as it featured this quote:

“No. 1 tip for improving home decor: ‘Clean your house, people. It costs nothing! You can’t have a beautifully designed space if you can’t see the furniture and surfaces in your home.’ “

Gotta love it, it’s so true!  A clean and decluttered home looks a million times better than a cluttered home. (And is easy on the pocketbook.) And since I spent a couple of hours yesterday cleaning and decluttering casa Wolk-Stanley, it’s resonating rather nicely with me. My house is clean and decluttered, and is looking mighty fine. Mind you, not Hugh Grant/Nate Berkus fine, but fine nonetheless.

Register to Vote

Today is the very last day that Oregonians can register to vote for the upcoming presidential election. And as much as I make it a rule to stay away from political discussion on the blog, I am breaking that rule.

Voting is an inalienable American right, and is one of the most important community actions you can practice. People in other countries protest under dangerous conditions for the opportunity to vote, and all we Americans have to do is stroll down to a local community center to exercise this right.

Click HERE to register to vote in Oregon.

Click HERE to register for other states.

And please note that I will delete any and all rude political discussion in the comments section.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

Elspeth @ paper armour October 16, 2012 at 10:54 am

Thank you thank you thank you. I’m with you on staying out of political conversations, but voter’s rights transcend party lines and loyalties. I’m so happy to see you including a shout out for voter registration. 🙂

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Dianna October 16, 2012 at 11:14 am

So happy the man is okay. Thank goodness for the AED and people having the thought to look for one. Although AED’s are becoming more readily available, I hope to see them at many more places. My girls play softball and I have seen them at only a couple ballparks.

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Anna October 16, 2012 at 11:36 am

Wise and thoughtful post. Thank you!

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dusty October 16, 2012 at 12:51 pm

I also read the article about Nate in Parade this weekend. I used to watch his show all the time but it’s off the air now. I really enjoyed it. He is absolutely right, cleaning your house is a great place to start. Lots of people walk into my house and tell me how clean it is, well I try to keep it organized and since it’s not cluttered, it looks even cleaner. I know people don’t want to work all week and then clean on their day off and I don’t either so I do different things throughout the week so I’m not stuck on the weekend doing all the housework. I’d like to say that my hubby helps out but usually it’s me. I do work at home so I’m here all day so that makes a difference as well.

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Linda in Indiana October 16, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Thank also for urging people to vote! I have worked the polls on a few occasions and was appalled to see what a small percentage took advantage of The Privilege To Vote!!! If you don’t use it, we may lose it!
Also like Nate…not a bit hard on the eyes and has fantastic ideas for all budgets. And, yes, a clean house is always much more appealing. But, don’t obsess about it as you may make your guests feel unwelcome and uncomfortable.

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marie October 16, 2012 at 1:34 pm

Thankfully, Your husband knew about the AED, and he is too a hero!

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Katy October 16, 2012 at 10:36 pm

I agree, he’s my special hero. 🙂

Katy

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greenstrivings October 16, 2012 at 10:04 pm

I’m so glad the player was saved! Two weeks ago a friend experienced sudden cardiac arrest. His wife was right there and called 911, and the ambulance came very quickly. Despite this his survival was uncertain for the next five days or so — then he turned the corner. He has a long way to go, but we are so thankful he survived.

This was the kick in the pants I needed to get my CPR/AED certification.

And re: voting: yes, I’m with you 100%. It astounds me that, in a world where millions of people suffer under unjust governments and don’t have the right to vote, there are people able to vote who just don’t. And I urge everyone to research their local election issues, because that’s where decisions are made that affect your quality of life (want to keep chickens in the backyard? hang your laundry out to dry? make sure your city councilmembers think that’s important too!). Sorry, preaching to the choir here, I know. *steps off soapbox*

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Sheila Smith October 17, 2012 at 5:26 am

Thanks to your husband for his skills with the AED and CPR. I’m sure he has made a very greatful new friend.
Political – Please Vote. Had a brother in law who complained about every guy in office and every bill that was passed. Turns out he had NEVER voted. So I explained he had no right to complain as he took no measures to help us fix anything. Sometimes we don’t know how fortunate we are to be allowed this privilege. Thanks for the reminder.

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Jen October 17, 2012 at 7:48 am

I agree wholeheartedly on the voting issue. I was raised that if you don’t vote, you can’t bitch about the results! Two recent local elections in our small town were decided by less than 30 votes. And STILL I hear people say that their vote doesn’t matter!

Good reminder on CPR–we have been meaning to have a class at work for our employees. Time to call and get it scheduled for January.

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Judy October 17, 2012 at 8:25 am

I LOVE Nate Berkus! Wish he’d come and decorate my space.
Glad your husband and the AED were there for that player.
Yes, we all need to VOTE! Totally agree with you.

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Alina October 17, 2012 at 9:14 am

Thank you so much for including the reminder to register to vote in your post yesterday.

(I’m the voter reg volunteer who fawned over you on Saturday. Sorry if I was a little hyper — there were donuts at our volunteer training. I was running on the toxic combination of exclusively caffeine and sugar. 🙂

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Katy October 17, 2012 at 9:25 am

I knew you’d hunt me down if I didn’t make good on my promise!

Katy

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