Life in Pajamas

Today's Distraction...The World's Oldest Dog

Should be working on my website but yes, I got a little distracted and found myself reading this sweet story all about Chanel, the World's Oldest Dog.  She's a dachshund living in Port Jefferson Station, New York and she is approaching her 21st Birthday. In dog years she's 140. She loves chicken, pasta and napping which sounds very similar to what I too like!   Sounds like she and her owner have been through a lot of life's ups and downs together.  A great story!  Now back to work...

Happy Birthday Barbie!

Well, today Barbie turns 50!  90% of American girls between three and ten own a Barbie so sounds like she is still alive and well.  Here are a few juicy "Barbie" facts according to today's London Telegraph

• More than 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in more than 150 countries
• Mattel claims three Barbies are sold every second
• In her 50 years on the planet, Barbie has enjoyed 108 different careers and had more than 40 pets
• Barbie is a strong single woman since she dumped Ken in 2004 after more than 40 years together!
• She has run for President three times

Today, Forbes Magazine is doing a "Barbie" feature with a collection of "Barbie Memories" by many readers. And talk about stylists....Barbie has 25 makeup artists and 21 hairdressers.  Interesting that in 1959 Barbie was introduced as both a blond and a brunette. I remember my first Barbie being a redhead and my Midge as a brunette with the most perfect "flip" hairstyle.  Not surprising, the brunette Barbie was not that popular and was soon relegated to a back shelf.  Following Barbie's Career Path reflected the times but pushed the button enough to show girls that they could dream big. That they could follow new paths beyond motherhood and break barriers.  In 1959, Barbie was a model.  In 1960, she became a fashion editor. She was a flight attendant in 1961and an astronaut in 1965. She went on to be a surgeon, an Olympic gold medalist, an aerobics instructor in the 70's and 80's and in 1989 became a UNICEF Ambassador. She has been in every branch of the military.  She became a celebrity chef in 2008 and today is an animal trainer at Sea World.  This girl can do it all!

Of course, one of the ever present "Barbie" controversies is her odd, unnatural 39-18-33 proportion.  I love the distorted human model who is given Barbie's proportions. 

Well, I for one...have always loved Barbie.  She and her pals gave me endless hours of fun.  She inspired me to want to be a flight attendant, to dream of being behind the wheel of a fabulous sports car.  She inspired me to love fashion. I never became a flight attendant but I did become other things.  The fact that I have days when I change my clothes two or three times, I can only blame Barbie.  How I would love to be in Sydney today gazing at the world's biggest Barbie birthday cake! Thank you Mattel, thank you Barbie and Happy 50th!

It's National Sleep Awareness Week...so What's Keeping You Up At Night?

Just off the wire from The National Sleep Foundation...

The National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America™ Poll finds that one-third of Americans are losing sleep over the state of the U.S. economy and other personal financial concerns, according to the National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America™ poll. The poll, which surveyed a random sample of 1,000 adults at least 18 years of age, also found that those in good health who are getting enough sleep are two times as likely to work efficiently, exercise or eat healthy as those in poor health. “It’s easy to understand why so many people are concerned over the economy and jobs, but sacrificing sleep is the wrong solution,” said David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “Sleep is essential for productivity and alertness and is a vital sign for one’s overall health.” As experts predict that the U.S. economic situation may get worse in 2009, the National Sleep Foundation encourages Americans to maintain good sleep, exercise and diet routines to help combat anxiety and improve health and productivity. People should speak with their doctor if they are experiencing sleep problems.  Read the full report here.

So What's Keeping you up at night?