Steve & Laura in the Morning

                       
STEVE:  Being a Dad is the most rewarding thing in the world, no doubt about it. Ozzie is 3 years old already! Time is flying! I was born and raised in the state and now call Maribel home with my wife of 13 years Lesley and the aforementioned son Ozzie. I've been with STAR 98 for almost 13 years - first as the midday host and now as the morning show host. My free time (not that I have much anymore) is spent surrounded by family and friends. I still love to play softball even though I am 37 now.  Boy, do I feel the age catching up with me on occasion. I love to go up north in the summer and am a big fan of all the Wisconsin sports teams.  Go Brewers!!  I'm thinking of becoming an ordained minister and will do the officiating for Laura and her man if they ever set a date.  Thanks for listening and feel free to drop me a line anytime at steve.davis@cumulus.com

 LAURA:  When it comes to shoes or shopping, I'm your girl!   I was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from Denison University (Granville,OH), and moved up to Wisconsin about 7 years ago.  I love a good Packer victory, but my heart will always belong to the Browns & the Buckeyes.  Like Steve, I'm a parent,too....except my little ones use a litterbox.   I adopted Hannah Baby & Mr. Paddington Fuzzybottoms from the Humane Society, and couldn't imagine life without them!   I never miss American Idol or Dancing with the Stars, and if I could get away with wearing leg warmers on a regular basis, I "totally" would!  If there is a great mystery novel out there, I've probably read it!   If you have a favorite recipe, I'd love to whip it up!    Despite what it looks like to the naked eye, I DO NOT have a shoe problem.   It's perfectly normal to have hundreds of pairs.  And if you ever come over to visit, don't be alarmed...just about everything I own is PINK!   And it's pretty exciting to now be engaged!   Adam popped the question in the sub-zero weather in Cleveland at the Browns game in December of 2010 in the "Dawg Pound", but we don't have a date set just yet.  Ok, to be fair: "I" haven't set a date.  He would do it tomorrow, but this planning stuff is too much for my indecisive mind to handle.  So stay tuned....
I'd love to hear from ya: laura.mckenna@cumulus.com


THE Q&A FOR S&L:

3 THINGS YOU CURRENTLY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:
STEVE:
1. Cell Phone
2. Pizza
3.  Baseball hat

LAURA:
1. Nutella
2. Ninja Blender
3. Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD
(to off-set all the Nutella)


BESIDES STAR98, WHAT'S THE BEST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD?
STEVE: Driving a truck for Coke.
LAURA:  Decorating cakes at DQ or working at the bank.


FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
STEVE: Monopoly
LAURA:  Encore


4 THINGS ABOUT YOU THAT SURPRISE PEOPLE
STEVE:
1. I have flown a plane.  "As a pilot myself..."
2. I am a sucker for Romantic Comedy movies.
3.  I'd rather watch Packer games from the comfort of my own living room than in the stadium.
4.  Each afternoon, I lay my clothes out for the next day.

LAURA: 
1. I can speak Chinese.   Ni hao!
2. I go crazy if my bed isn't made immediately after I wake up.
3. I HATE peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. And bananas.  It's a consistancy thing.
4.  In college, I won a "Name That Tune" game show in 1 note on the "country" category.


4  FAVORITE MOVIES?
STEVE:
1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. A Beautiful Mind
3. American Psycho
4. Elf (for a holiday film)

LAURA: 
1. The Breakfast Club
2. Legally Blonde
3. Primal Fear
4. The Secret of NIHM (for an animated flick)


FAVORITE MALE ACTOR & FEMALE ACTRESS?
STEVE:  Vince Vaughn & Alyssa Milano
LAURA:  Ryan Reynolds & Reese Witherspoon (with Sandra Bullock a close 2nd)


HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
STEVE:  We were high school sweethearts.  Lesley couldn't resist!
LAURA:  A fix up, sort of.  It's actually a long, fun story (go figure). But Adam's relative was the land-lord of a former co-worker and the rest is (a twisty & turny) history!


FAVORITE DESSERT?
STEVE:   Hot Fudge Sundae!  But it has to have a cherry and NO NUTS!!!
LAURA:  Ooey Gooey Caramel Pie from O'Charley's


FAVORITE APPETIZER TO ORDER AT A RESTAURANT?
STEVE:  Mozzarella Sticks
LAURA:  Spinach Artichoke Dip or Bloomin' Onions


FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD?
STEVE:  Fruity Pebbles or Count Chocula
LAURA:  I feel so adult-like compared to Steve's breakfast choice, haha!!  I'd say Pumpkin Pancakes.  Yummmmm!  Or oatmeal with a bunch of fruit and nuts mixed in.


HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT?
STEVE:  Vikings!  Denmark, baby!
LAURA:  Bears!  The Leetonia Bears (in Ohio).  And my senior year, I won the try-out to be the bear at the football games.  Yeah, that's right, we had to try out!


FAVORITE QUOTES?
STEVE: 
"It is what it is."  Just kidding.  I hate that one.
"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." -Jim Valvano (coach and sportscaster)
LAURA: 
"One shoe can change your life.  Just ask Cinderella." -unknown
"Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed." - Elle Woods, Legally Blonde
"In thinking, keep to the simple.  In conflict, be fair and generous.  In governing, don't try to control.  In work, do what you enjoy.  In family life, be completely present." -Lao Tzu
"Sometimes you have to be apart from people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less.  Sometimes you love them more." -Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song
"If things don't turn out the way you hoped, just remember, you made memories.  And when you look back, you can laugh.  Or cry.  But I recommend the laughter." -me
 

Want to see Steve & Laura's pictures?   Click here!

Here are some simple, but powerful things you can do to improve the quality of your marriage:

• Touch each other often -- Have a good connection around non-sexual, physical touching, such as hand holding and kissing hello and goodbye.

• Say I love you to one another -- It's a small gesture that can keep your connection alive.

• Compliment your partner in front of other people -- Not only does it help your partner feel a deep sense of attachment to you, it's also good modeling for your kids.

• Have regular weekly dates -- Getting away from the madness of family "business" is rejuvenating and helps keep a balance between your relationship with each other and your relationship with the kids.

If you want to ramp up the romance on Valentine's Day, you may want to consider adding these foods to the menu. Since ancient times, people have believed that these foods get you in the mood ...
Oysters
Asparagus
Almonds
Avocado
Chocolate
Figs
Bananas
Basil
Garlic
Vanilla

Parents wanting to give their children a leg up in the workforce can start early by giving them a simple name like Michael, Tom, Jane or Mary, new research suggests.

A study by professors at the University of Melbourne and New York University revealed that people with simple, easy-to-pronounce names were more likely to be favored for a promotion at work.

The effect is not due merely to the length of a name or how foreign-sounding or unusual it is, but rather how easy it is to pronounce.

While President Obama may beg to differ, the research also found that political candidates with easy-to-pronounce names were more likely to win a race.

He studied the difference between chronic heel wearers, women who have worn heels for 40 hours a week for at least 2 years, and non-heel wearers. His research concluded that the heel wearers' feet, calves, muscles and tendons were severely damaged -- causing them to walk less efficiently even when wearing flats. As these women age they will be more susceptible to muscle and joint injuries as well as foot ailments.

FINDING THAT LONG LAST FRIEND FROM A FLIGHT

 4 WAYS TO FEEL YOUNGER

If you're starting to feel old, check out this list from Health.com.  According to them, if you do the four things on this list you'll actually FEEL a lot younger than you are.

#1.)  Go to Bed Earlier.  Obviously, more sleep equals more energy.  But you have to make it a habit.  Getting eight hours of sleep doesn't make a huge difference if you go right back to getting SIX hours the next night.  And since you probably can't wake up any later than you already do, going to bed earlier is the only way to make sure you're always rested.  After six straight weeks of getting eight hours a night, you'll have more energy, and the dark circles under your eyes will start to fade.

#2.)  When You Exercise, Focus More on Your Lower Body and Your Core.  Men in particular tend to concentrate on upper-body workouts, which are fine.  But if you're feeling old, try doing more lower-body exercises like squats, lunges, calf-raises, or just plain old running.  Stronger legs and a stronger core will make you feel lighter on your feet.

#3.)  Break Out of Your Routine.  Even if you eat right and exercise every day, you'll start feeling old if you don't mix things up a little.  According to Caroline Adams Miller, author of the book "Creating Your Best Life", quote, "The brain craves novelty.  To feel younger, you have to stimulate it with new associations and new things."   And those things can be small, like getting your morning cup of coffee from a different place than usual, or trying a new route to work.

#4.)  Listen to an Album You Loved 20 Years Ago.  Researchers at Harvard University found that when they exposed people to movies, music, and memorabilia from their youth, they were happier and experienced fewer health issues.  Some of them even saw improvements in their vision and memory.

• THE EX WITH BENEFITS   He/she is someone you can't stand, but every once in awhile you happen to get together again.
• THE STALKER EX   Nowadays, thanks to social media, he/she has so many ways to keep tabs on you.  It used to be driving by your house at all hours or stopping by your local hangouts or workplace.  Now they can be more discreet--and even more intense.
• THE SAD EX   This ex has never really gotten over the break-up.  They may still have pictures of the two of you in their wallet or on their dresser.  The mere mention of your name brings on a flood of emotions--and tears.
• THE BITTER EX   This ex is intent on making your life miserable.  He/she is determined to make you feel their pain.
• THE ALOOF EX   He/she does not seem to realize that the relationship has ended.  You'll find this ex still showing up at your home and still making plans to get together.   Nothing about the relationship has changed for them, despite the fact that you want to check-out.
• THE EX WHO MOVED ON TOO QUICKLY   When it's been a day, and this ex has already latched on to someone new, you know they've moved on a little too fast.  This could be for a number of reasons:  a. They hate to be alone, b. They are trying to make you jealous, or c.  They were with this person waaaaay before your relationship ended.
• THE EX THAT THINKS YOU CAN STILL BE FRIENDS   You have plenty of friends, but this ex doesn't seem to understand that.  They still try to insert themselves into your life, into your circle of friends, and into your space when you'd much rather go your seperate ways.  Remaining friends usually just doesn't work.
• THE LOGICAL, APPEALS-TO-YOUR-BEST-INTERESTS EX    This ex is the rarest kind to find, but can be a diamond in the rough-patch of a relationship.  He/she agrees that you're just not compatible and that you both should go your separate ways.  Don't be surprised if you actually do remain friends with this type of ex. 

When you get to the dinner table with your friends or family, everyone puts their phone in a pile in the center of the table, face down.  As the phones buzz, beep, and ring througout the meal, no one's allowed to grab theirs to check on it.

Here's the catch:  
If someone can't resist the urge and grabs their phone, they lose!   They have to pick up the check, clear the table, do the dishes, etc.  You can make up the rules and guidelines to fit your situation!

The game was invented by a blogger from California.   The 20 year old named Stephie is getting credit for the game that is sweeping the nation.  She said, "The basic premise is to just get people open to the idea of staying active and attentive to one another."

Let us know if you play the game and the outcome!
Email:  Laura.McKenna@cumulus.com   (but wait until after dinner so that you don't lose the game)




 

10 RIDICULOUS LOVE SUPERSTITIONS

#1.)  Twist the stem of an apple while saying the names of the people you're interested in.  The name you're saying when the stem comes off is the one you'll marry.

#2.)  If someone sweeps over your feet while sweeping the floor, you'll be single the rest of your life.

#3.)  If a woman has hairy legs, she'll marry a rich man. (We told you these were ridiculous!)

#4.)  If a bride looks at herself in the mirror while wearing her veil before the wedding, the marriage will be unhappy.

#5.)  If a bride wants her husband to be faithful, she should sew a swan's feather into his pillow.

#6.)  If you get a knife as a present, it means your relationship will soon be severed.

#7.)  If you drop a pair of scissors, it means your lover's being unfaithful.

#8.)  When a woman burns bread or biscuits, it means her lover's mad at her.

#9.)  Think of your love interest when you have the hiccups.  If your hiccups stop, then they feel the same way about you.  If they don't, forget it. 

#10.)  We all know this one:  Pick the petals off a flower (usually a daisy) repeating the phrase, ''He loves me, he loves me not.''  The last remaining petal is your answer.

4 HABITS THAT IRRITATE YOUR BOSS
 

Most workers THINK they're great employees.  But you might be annoying your boss on a daily basis without even realizing it.  Here's a list from AskMen.com of the top four habits that irritate your boss.

#1.)  Not Showing Initiative OR Showing TOO MUCH Initiative.  You shouldn't wait to be told what to do, especially when it's slow.  And if you just mess around on Facebook until something comes in, it makes you look unmotivated.

#2.)  Making Excuses.  When you mess up, just admit it and try to learn from it.  Bosses hate it when you attempt to justify something you did wrong, even if you're telling the truth.

Obviously you have to EXPLAIN yourself.  Just don't try to shift the blame.  Explain what happened, take any steps you can to fix it, then move on. 

#3.)  Complaining.  Critiquing something about the company is okay . . . as long as you don't step on anyone's toes.  But a complaint is different.  Critiques are constructive.  Complaints aren't, which is why you should save them for happy hour.

#4.)  Asking Too Many Questions.  If you're new, you'll obviously need to ask more than usual.  But if it's a chronic problem, it makes you look like you can't do things by yourself , which means you probably won't get promoted.

Maybe you're just trying to be thorough, but companies generally value the people who are resourceful enough to figure things out on their own.

6 BREAKFAST FOODS THAT HELP FIGHT OFF A COLD
 

More people get sick this time of year than any other.  But eating the right things can help you stay healthy.  If you're a fitness nut, you might know this stuff.  But for the rest of us, here are six breakfast foods that help boost your immune system.

#1.)  Blueberries.  They have more antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable, and also have vitamin C.  They're good for breakfast because it's easy to put them on cereal, in yogurt, or in a shake.

#2.)  Pumpkin Seeds.  They're loaded with zinc, which is an ingredient in a lot of cold medicines, like Zicam nasal spray.   And no, Laura, you don't stick the seeds up your nose!  You eat them: they work well in cereal, yogurt, and oatmeal.

#3.)  Eggs.  You're probably already eating them.  And that's good because they have a good amount of selenium, which is essential for your immune system. If you HATE eggs, you can also get selenium in milk or cottage cheese.

#4.)  Papayas.  An average papaya has more than three times the amount of vitamin C you need in a day.  And they also have beta-carotene, which is another immune booster.

#5.)  Lemons.  Too much sugar can weaken your immune system.  So using lemon whenever you can is better.  Just don't put it in your coffee or tea if there's already milk in it.  The acid from the lemon will make the milk curdle.

#6.)  Kiwi.  They're loaded with vitamin E, and one kiwi has more vitamin C than an orange.  Plus, pound-for-pound they have almost as much potassium as bananas.  And the antioxidants in kiwis are good for your respiratory system.

THE MOST & LEAST STRESSFUL CAREERS

CareerCast.com released their annual list of the most and least-stressful jobs in the 2012 Job Stress Report.  

#1.)  Medical records technician:  Average income is $32,350.

#2.)  Jeweler:  $35,170.

#3.)  Hair stylist:  $22,760. 

#4.)  Dressmaker/tailor:  $26,560.

#5.)  Medical Lab Tech:  $36,280.

#6.)  Audiologist:  That's the person who gives hearing tests.  They make $66,660. 

#7.)  Precision Assembler:  They make electronics.  Average salary:  $31,250. 

#8.)  Dietitian:  $53,250.

#9.)  Furniture Upholsterer:  $29,960.

#10.)  Electrical Technician:  $56,040. 

The jobs with the MOST stress are:

#1.)  Enlisted military soldier:  Average income $35,580

#2.)  Firefighter:  $45,250

#3.)  Airline pilot:  $103,210

#4.)  Military general:  $196,300

#5.)  Police Officer:  $53,540

#6.)  Event Coordinator:  $45,260

#7.)  Public Relations Executive:  $91,810

#8.)  Senior Corporate Executive:  $165,830

#9.)  Photojournalist:  $40,000

#10.)  Taxi Driver:  $22,440

Here's a rundown of the jobs a homemaker does -- and how much those jobs would be worth on the open market:

Grand Total -- $96,261 per year

Steve said that he has Ozzie by himself for a few hours every afternoon and is constantly on the move doing things with him and rarely can get anything accomplished.   "Kudos to anyone who can do half of this stuff.  They are priceless."

• Baylie Brown, Houston auditions
• Hollie Cavanaugh, Houston
• Hallie Day, Pittsburgh
• sJen Hirsh, Houston
• Haley Johnson, Portland
• Skylar Laine, Houston
• Shannon Magrane, Charleston/Savannah
• Jessica Sanchez, San Diego
• Chelsea Sorell, Charleston/Savannah
• Elise Testone, Charleston/Savannah
• Erika Van Pelt, Pittsburgh
• Brielle Von Hugel, Charleston/Savannah

• Deandre Brackensick, San Diego
• Adam Brock, Pittsburgh
• Colton Dixon, Charleston/Savannah
• Creighton Fraker, Pittsburgh
• Eben Franckewitz, Pittsburgh
• Reed Grimm, Pittsburgh
• Heejun Han, Pittsburgh
• Joshua Ledet, Houston
• Chase Likens, Pittsburgh
• Phillip Phillips, Charleston/Savannah
• Jeremy Rosado, Charleston/Savannah
• Aaron Sanders, Pittsburgh

Many people have the same resolution: Get fit.

If you want to be the person in your circle who actually follows through on this resolution, stick by some of these handy tips and watch the pounds melt off:

• Get over your fear of being the fattest person at the gym: This is a silly reason to avoid the gym. There will be people there of all shapes and sizes trying to get fit for 2012, so join in and don't worry about what others think.

• Carve out the time: With work, kids, hobbies, boyfriends and a million other things, it's easy to tell yourself that there isn't enough time to work out. But it's important -- and important things deserve your time.

• Trade some cardio time for weights: Many fear that using some weight training will bulk them up so they look like the Incredible Hulk. But you'd have to use a ton of heavy weights (and possibly some steroids) to ever get close to that. So trade in some treadmill time for some weight training and burn that fat!

• Reward yourself: It takes about 21 repetitions for something to become a habit. So reward yourself when you hit lucky 21 by treating yourself to a new outfit, or new pair of running shoes, or some new songs for your workout playlist.

• EAT FRUITS & VEGGIES:  A recent survey found that senior citizens who ate a diet high in fruits & veggies when they were 30 years younger had lower risks of dementia.

• GET CULTURED: Participating in cultural activities and reading can also help.  Stay open-minded, curious, and creative with new ideas.

• TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH: It might seem random, but studies have shown people who have trouble with their teeth early in life were at a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease.

• GARLIC   Research suggests that eating a clove of garlic each day lowers your risk of bladder, colon, and stomach cancers.  It has also been proven to destroy  up to 89% of breast cancer cells on contact.
• CARROTS   Antioxidants from carrots, available in pill form of from the root veggie, are said to help fortify your body against cancer risk.
• BLACK PEPPER   A quarter-teaspoon of black pepper per day is believed to be enough to help destroy abnormal, potentially cancerous, cells.
• OREGANO   Just 1 teaspoon of dried oregano has as many antioxidants as 3 ounces of almonds, 1/2 cup of chopped asparagus, and 30 times more cell-protecting antioxidants than blueberries.  The main antioxidant in dried oregano has been shown to help fight the growth of bacteria.
  And POMEGRANITE JUICE!

• Hummer/Escalade/SUV: You're a thoughtless pig. Hopeless.

• Honda Civic -- You're practical, loving and smart. You're down to earth. A keeper.

• Minivan -- You're married, or recently divorced.

• BMW/Lexus/Infiniti -- You're either a real estate agent or have something to prove. You're also likely to cheat and frequent strip clubs.

• Pick-up truck -- You're an old-fashioned guy who treats the women in his life well.

• Toyota Prius -- You're smug and have a closet full of Birkenstock sandals.

• Subaru -- You're a rugged dude who loves skiing, boarding and biking.
   

• PEOPLE WITH BIG SMILES LIVE LONGER:  Researchers found that men who smile widely lived 4.9 years longer than those with average smiles--and 7 years than those who were not quick to smile at all.

• SMILES HAVE SUBLIMINAL POWERS:    People pick up on the smiles of other people so quickly that seeing a smiling face for just 4 milliseconds creates a mini emotional high.

• SMILES SPREAD THE LOVE:  When you smile at someone, they are likely to smile, and that person's smile reaches and average of two more people.

• REAL VS. FAKE: Real smiles and fake smiles are created by two separate brain commands, which means they really have nothing in common.  So, to spot a faker, check the eyes.  When someone is genuinely happy, their eyes crinkle and this reaction is something that they just can't fake.