Little Web Treasures

Friday Funnies - I'm Fine, How are You?

2012-02-17T05:30:00.000-05:00

I received this in an email and it just plain old made me laugh!

A Retro Pageant

2012-01-23T22:48:00.000-05:00

As I was searching for some information, I decided to try YouTube. I came across this video of the Mrs. Georgia 1968 Pageant. Apparently wearing a hat and being able to cook were requirements.

Also of important note... the women were only known by their husband's names and not their own. My how times have changed.

Starting a Fire With Your Cellphone

2012-01-22T16:43:00.001-05:00

What a cool trick.

Friday Funnies

2012-01-13T07:37:00.000-05:00

COMMON SENSE

2012-01-12T07:52:00.000-05:00

I don't know where this came from but I like it.

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so no one will fail and no one will receive an A.... (Substituting grades for dollars - something closer to home and more readily understood by all).

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

To their great surprise, ALL FAILED and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
It could not be any simpler than that.

Remember, there IS a test coming up: The 2012 elections.

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read and all applicable to this experiment:

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

HAPPY 2012!

2012-01-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

A little humor and wisdom to start off the new year.

.... and what about that diet?

The Christmas Story (adorably told by children)

2011-12-24T05:00:00.001-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Greatest Gift

2011-12-23T04:22:00.019-05:00

"The Greatest Gift" is a 1943 short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern which became the basis for the film It's a Wonderful Life.

It's a Wonderful Life (Colorized Version)

Link to It's a Wonderful Life (Original Version)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQoXV6oCzsQ

The Greatest Gift Coca-Cola ad.

The Greatest Gift Of All - Kenny and Dolly

But the truly Greatest Gift Ever is:

Birth of Jesus - Explanation for children

http://www.storyit.com/Bible/christmas1.htm

Christmas Shopping

2011-11-28T21:41:00.001-05:00

Tis the season ... and the rush is on. Black Friday, Cyber Monday; All the toy commercials. Some of us love it and some of us hate it, but most all of us do it. Are you a Wal-martian?

Veteran's Day

2011-11-10T09:21:00.001-05:00

Trying to Move Forward

2011-11-09T17:08:00.002-05:00

I have difficulty blogging these days. I don't seem to be able to think about anything but the loss of my husband. I go to work every day and I do the things that one does during the process of a day but I just don't seem to be moving forward. Everyone says it takes time, but it's been 3 weeks tomorrow since his funeral and I feel like I'm standing still. I can't believe the holidays are almost here. I feel like life is passing me by.

If there are any great bloggers out there with helpful advice, I'm all ears.

Also, I'm going to have to do something to earn extra income or get a second job. Is it possible to make decent money blogging? I'd love to hear how! Please feel free to comment or email me.

Friday Funnies

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Friday Funnies

2011-10-28T10:57:00.003-04:00

Friday Funnies

2011-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

I buried my husband today. He passed away October 16, 2011. It was a long 17 days to his death and another 4 long days since. He died the day before I was to have the make the big decision. He was being kept alive by machines. The thing everyone dreads. Most people who are faced with that decision have a person with no brain activity. I had a husband with a strong heart and a mind that understood and could answer questions when they back off the sedation. Thank God for his mercy to me and his decision to take him without any intervention from me.

A friend sent me a "sick sense of humor" cartoon when it was over. It was one of those things that you were so tired of crying that you just had to laugh kind of thing. Here's the cartoon she sent.

Difficult Times

2011-10-04T17:35:00.000-04:00

I have not abandoned my blog. My husband has been critically injured and is in ICU in an out-of-state hospital. I just won't be blogging for a while.

Friday Funnies

2011-09-30T01:15:00.005-04:00

Some people are like slinkies; not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

Freebee Friday

2011-09-22T23:42:00.003-04:00

Watch full episodes of Power Rangers Samurai on Nickelodeon HERE

Download a free episode of "Sid the Science Kid" from Amazon

here

Some good halloween project/craft ideas HERE

COUPONS The Common Sense With Money Blog offers a free downloadable couponing instructional HERE

Amazon offers an MP3 album of Traditional Hymns. Dowload the entire free album or scroll down on the page and listen to samples or download just the individual songs that you want HERE

The Grave of Trahlyta - A Cherokee Indian Princess

2011-09-15T00:06:00.000-04:00

Trahlyta is the name of a princess of Cherokee legend. She lived in the North Georgia Mountains near Dahlonega. It is said that Trahlyta drank from a nearby Fountain of Youth and never grew old was of unimaginable beauty. A Cherokee warrior called Wahsega courted her, but Trahlyta rejected his attentions. This angered Wahsega and he kidnapped her. He kept her a prisoner in an unknown place away from her home in the mountains. Trahlyta grew more and more homesick but the warrior showed no concern and she grew weaker each day. Crying tears of pure gold as she lay dying, Trahlyta asked to be buried in the mountain paradise from which she had come. "Strangers, as they pass by, may drop a stone on my grave and they too shall be young and happy, as I once was." she said, "What they wish for shall be theirs."

The historical marker at her grave reads, "custom arose among the Indians and later the Whites to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune." Today there is a pile of stones standing at about five feet high. You'd be surprised at how many Georgia natives pass it by and never pay any attention to it. They don't even know it's there.

Trahlyta's "fountain of youth" is now known as Porter Springs, the site of her home is known as Cedar Mountain, and her final resting place is called Stonepile Gap. The magic springs, named Porter Springs, is 3/4 miles northeast of Trahlyta's grave.

Trahlyta's Grave Marker (This is what it actually says)

This site of stones marks the grave of a Cherokee princess, Trahlyta. According to legend, her tribe, living on Cedar Mountain, north of here, knew the secret of the magic springs of eternal youth from the Witch of Cedar Mountain.

Trahlyta, kidnapped by a rejected suitor, Wahsega, was taken far away and lost her beauty. As she was dying, Wahsega promised to bury her here near her home and the magic springs. Custom arose among the Indians and later the Whites to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune. The magic springs, now known as Porter Springs, lie 3/4 miles northeast of here.

Supposedly, on two different occasions, the Highway Department has attempted to move the grave during road construction. Both times at least one person died in an accident while moving the pile. The stone grave is still in the same place today that it always has been. Porter Springs, in the late 1800's and early 1900's, was site of a health spa. It is said that people came from all over the world to sit in and drink the water. The hotel burned down in the early 1900's, but the springs still run at the foot of the mountain.

I don't why the springs weren't named after her, but there is a Trahlyta Lake and a Trahlyta Falls.

Video of the Grave

The Legend in Story and Song

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-10T11:27:00.003-04:00

Ten Years Later

I don't think anyone old enough to understand what was happening on that horrible day will ever forget it in their lifetime. Sometimes, I want to forget and sometimes, I want to remember. Nevertheless, it happened and I pray it never happens again.

To commemerate that day a wonderful screensaver has been created. Be prepared... You will relive all the emotion all over again with sight and sound.

Ten years later, it is just as powerful to the humans senses.

View the still shots HERE

Download the screensaver HERE

I can vouch personally for its safety. I love the screensavers on this site and I have them all. I've never had a problem with them. I did, however, download them from their original site. Apparently, they are no longer downloadable from there.

Friday Freebees

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

Get a free Yankee candle through September 11, 2011 http://www.yankeecandle.com/assets/email/sep08b1g1/coupon_b1g1September.html

Join the My Cold Stone Club today and get TWO CREATIONS™ FOR THE PRICE OF ONE plus:

    Regular emails with exclusive member-only coupons and a sneak peek of new products and promotions
    A BUY ONE GET ONE CREATION coupon delivered to your email inbox for your birthday
    Opportunities to receive fantastic prizes throughout the year http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/mycsc/index.html

* * * * *

Here's an interesting site for receiving free stuff on a regular basis. I'm seriously thinking of trying this one out myself, starting with the free monthly paper towels. http://www.getitforfreeonline.com/

* * * * *

Sign up for the Extreme Couponing 101 Free Ebook and learn how to save money. http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/extreme-couponing-101-free-ebook/

* * * * *

Hurry to enter this American Doll Giveaway. Contest ends September 15, 2011. http://withlovetoshare.blogspot.com/2011/08/to-help-us-raise-money-toward-paying.html

Behind The Mask Project

2011-09-01T22:01:00.000-04:00

I'm a little late, I suppose, but I just recently found out about the Behind The Mask Project. I thought it was pretty cool, so I'm posting it just in case there any other "late comers" to see it like me.

Wikipedia defines the project as this:

As the single release officially announced, a music video for this song was also announced to be released worldwide.[21] On February 28, 2011, a project for this song's music video titled "Behind the Mask Project" was announced: "the Estate of Michael Jackson and Sony Music will provide everyone who likes music an opportunity to help create online a unique groundbreaking music video for the single 'Behind the Mask'." All the world can use a simple online tool to take part in making the music video since March 7, 2011.[28] On March 30, 2011, a 17-second video of what Sony Music had been doing with some of the thousands of submissions for the "Behind the Mask Project" was released.[29] On April 29, 2011, another video teaser for the project was released on michaeljackson.com, and it is announced that the final day to submit for the Behind the Mask Project is Tuesday May 3, 2011.[30] On June 6, 2011 was published the official trailer announcing when the final video would be published. On June 14, 2011 the official and final video was posted on the official Michael Jackson`s channel on YouTube, but only accessible on the King of Pop's page on social networking site Facebook.[31] A day after, the video was classified and is now more widely available. This video has become in the most international, multi-collaborative of all times.[citation needed] In the 1600 clips that compose it can be seen people from the Sahara to the main cities of the world, through the Taj Mahal and the Arctic Circle.[citation needed] The clip is currently[when?] under evaluation for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records as the music video with the largest audience of participants.

Read the entire article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_the_Mask_%28song%29

Visit the Behind The Mask Website at http://behindthemask.michaeljackson.com/

It looks like everybody had a good time doing. It's certainly fun to watch.

Head Lice

2011-08-28T10:15:00.001-04:00

The kids have all gone back to school and with that comes close contact with others bringing colds and parasites. Yep! September is Head Lice Prevention month.

We've already taken a hit with our first grader so her preschooler brother got it too. The buzz cut took care of his but hers is another story.

When my girls were little, they got it too. The oldest only once. That was my first experience. I was furious about bugs being on my child. I had no treatment for it and no experience with it. I don't recall me or my sisters ever getting it.

I washed her hair with Head & Shoulders shampoo, leaving it in fully thickly lathered for 10 minutes. I rinsed her hair and took the cat's flea comb and went through every single strand of hair. That got it all and she never had it again.

My second daughter got it from both school and day care. We used an over the counter shampoo that I cannot remember the name of, but I never see it anymore either. It's a shame because 1 treatment is all it took. Today's products aren't as good. I, personally, don't know anyone who had used RID and didn't have the lice come back.

We bought this from Walgreen's. The ratings are high and so are our hopes! I would have thought the chemicals in the pool would have killed them on my granddaughter but they didn't. They kill every other bug that gets in the pool.

For more information on head lice and treatment, go to www.headlice.org. Make sure you read all the FAQ.

Some very old-fashioned head lice treatments are:

1. To saturate your child's hair with kerosene and put the child in an empty tub for 10 minutes (a safe place). Then shampoo and comb out.

2. Saturate your hair with mayonnaise; cover the hair with plastic so the mayo doesn't "dry". Comb each strand of hair with a nit comb. Wash thoroughly. Today you can accomplish near the same with a thick coating of hair conditioner. This loosens the nits from the hair and enables you to more thoroughly comb them out.

3. I found this one on yahoo answers:

Homemade Head Lice Shampoo

2 tablespoons Tea Tree Oil

6 ounces Dawn Dish Liquid (Dawn ONLY)

2 ounces white vinegar

Mix the ingredients in a large squeeze bottle, such as an empty dish soap bottle. Use as regular shampoo, leave in hair for 5 minutes before rinsing. Use hair conditioner to detangle hair before combing with a lice-comb.

•Put on clean clothing after treatment.

•Comb dead and any live lice out of the hair.

•Use a Head Lice and nit Comb to remove nits and lice from the hair.

•Check and comb, and remove nits and lice from the hair every 2-3 days.

•Repeat the treatment within 7 to 10 days.

•Recheck for 2 to 3 weeks until all lice and nits are gone.

4. Essential Oil in a Carrier Oil

Essential oils effectively kill head lice, but they are very potent and should not be used undiluted on the skin or scalp. Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil such as olive oil. Two essential oils that work best for head lice are neem oil, which comes from the neem tree that grows in India, and tea tree oil, that comes from a tree native to Australia. Both are available at health food or natural food stores.

Add one teaspoon of neem oil or tea tree oil to a cup of carrier oil and mix thoroughly. Coat the hair and scalp with the oil, cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and leave on for 2-3 hours. Then wash the hair with shampoo. While it is still wet, comb the hair thoroughly with a fine-toothed metal lice comb or flea comb to remove the nits and dead lice.

5. Vinegar and Listerine

Wet the hair thoroughly with white vinegar, cover with a shower cap, and leave on for 1-2 hours. Rinse with warm water, and then saturate the hair with Listerine mouth wash. Cover and leave on for an additional 1-2 hours. Then wash with shampoo and comb out with a lice comb. This treatment can be combined with the oil or mayonnaise treatments for particularly bad cases of head lice.

6. Lice are believed by some to be repelled by Coconut. You can try using a coconut scented shampoo.

*some of these remedies were found on associated content.

Waiting for the Sand Man

2011-08-24T00:03:00.000-04:00

My husband is out-of-town and this is the second night in a row the sand man has passed me by. So, I'm looking for a lullaby..... Blind Boys, please sing me to sleep!

Jigsaw Sunday

2011-08-21T21:21:00.001-04:00

School has started and summer is winding down. For my grandchildren, it is necessary to take life into a different direction other than playing in the park and swimming in the pool. If I don't, the winter months will be more difficult than they have to be. Heading off that cabin fever by introducing indoor activity is a necessity. At (almost) 4 and 6 1/2, jigsaw seemed the way to go (after an hour in the pool). Let's just make it a Spongebob Sunday!

Notice how the leaves are falling onto the deck. It's starting to look like fall and they can't wait for apple season and halloween and Thanksgiving!

The American Alligator by Mason Nieman

2011-08-14T19:08:00.003-04:00

I am very pleased to share this guest post with my readers. Mason Nieman is a young man who has a love for alligators and knows quite a lot about them. I am honored that he is willing to share his knowledge with us.

The photo below was recently taken of Mason with some of his gator friends. I understand that one or two took a smack to the nose to insure they kept their distance. Mason is obviously a courageous fellow. I sure wouldn't do it.

Mason is sharing the following with us:

The American alligator is a reptile that belongs to the group of reptiles known as crocodilians.

They eat a variety of things. While they are babies they eat mostly small insects, small fish, and small invertebrates.

As they get bigger they eat larger prey like turtles, birds, deer, snakes, even bears, panthers, and sometimes cows to even the occasional person.

They live in slow moving streams, creeks, wetlands, lakes, ponds, marshes and sometimes in the ocean and in canals and rivers and sometimes even in our backyards.

When they are babies, they are no more than a foot long but they grow bigger with the females reaching about 10 feet long and males anywhere from 14 to 20 feet long.

They rarely attack humans unless provoked or if a female is defending her nest. The everglades is probably the only place you will see alligators and crocodiles living together. They live in many states from Florida and Georgia to the Carolinas, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and sometimes in Mexico and South America. Alligators communicate in many ways. They hiss if they're irritated and bellow in the mating season to attract mates.

If you are to be attacked by an alligator, pray it doesn't have a good grip on you but here are ways to get out of an attack. If your arm is stuck inside its mouth, find the tongue and dislodge it if you can. It will take on water and should let go because it may drown or you can jab it in the eyes as hard as you can and it should let go.

White Alligators


Albino Gator with pink eyes

There are two types: albino and leucistic. The obvious way to tell them apart is the eye. The albinos have pink eyes while the leucistics have blue eyes. Another way is the the skin. Albinos have no pigment while leucistics do. Also, the leucistic animal is basically a regular american alligator with white skin and blue eyes and they are stronger than albinos.


leucistic white gator with blue eyes

Chinese Gator

The chinese alligator is the american alligator's cousin and as its name implies, although it only lives in china in the yangtze river. It grows only to 6 feet at most. They burrow in caves. American alligators will do this often when it gets too cold and they are also known as keeper of the wetlands because when it gets dry they make gator holes. Other animals benefit from them as well as the alligator. The american alligator can jump for every foot that it is long; so a 12 foot alligator can jump 12 feet out of the water.

Thank you, Mason, for sharing your pictures, knowledge and enthusiasm!

Outdoor Creatures

2011-08-08T16:41:00.000-04:00

While camping near the ocean on the Alabama/Florida coast, we had some interesting encounters with nature.

Rattle snake a camper found underneath his RV


A blue crab a teenager captured off the boat docks

Does This Look Dark Blonde To You?

2011-08-03T00:07:00.001-04:00

What a mistake! It's no different than "light" brown! My husband hates it. I was advised to use baby shampoo to make it fade. I hope it works!

Summertime Ocean Treasures

2011-07-27T23:32:00.001-04:00

Two of my grandchildren are on vacation. They went to see the sea and swim in the ocean and play on the beach and to seek special treasures.

Searching for Treasure

The innocence and joy of childhood is a treasure in itself. I am so glad my little ones are experiencing the beauty and wonder that God has created for them to enjoy!

Celebrating the Find

They are obviously pleased with the haul and proud to show off their good fortune from the day's adventure and hard work!

(Kind of reminds you of "She sells sea shells down by the seashore". These days you'd get arrested for soliciting or not having a vendor's permit or a business license. Kind of like the kids selling lemonade and getting shut down.)

Kid's Hiking Sticks

2011-07-25T09:14:00.003-04:00

I have been contemplating making hiking sticks for my grandchildren 6 and 3 to use when we go camping. I'm torn between making them or buying them. Finding the right stick to make one from can be difficult sometimes, especially when you are looking for two.

I found someone else had made one HERE.

Then, I found THIS.

I really like the idea of the homemade whistle attached. We could still probably draw the ruler on it. I like that idea too. At this point, I'm undecided, but thought I'd share just in case anyone found it to be beneficial to them.

An American Celebration

2011-07-19T23:24:00.003-04:00

July is America's month. We celebrate our independence day every year on July 4th... Parties, Parades, Cookouts and Festivals.

To be an American is to be proud and to be free. We celebrate our pride and freedom and the many blessings that God has granted us.

For anyone who was born an American, or who have become an American or even those who are just visiting America or thinking of visiting, here are a few sites that offer fun, facts and history about our great country.

Watch free U.S. History Videos
Fun With History HERE

American History Fun Facts
History Fun Facts HERE

Check your American history knowledge with some fun quizzes.
Check out the links to the right to read or obtain The Bill Of Rights, The Declaration of Independence and The U.S. Constitution.
Fun Trivia HERE

Pearls of Wisdom

2011-07-18T23:02:00.000-04:00

Whoever wrote this should be ashamed (but it is funny)!

5 PEARLS OF WISDOM TO REMEMBER

1. Money cannot buy happiness but it’s more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than it is on a bicycle.

2. Forgive your enemy but remember the jerk’s name..

3. Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.

4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.

5. Alcohol does not solve any problem, but then neither does milk

Season Confusion

2011-07-14T09:32:00.001-04:00

I went to Dollar Tree yesterday to look at the summer pool items for kids and I was shocked! I looked at my phone to verify the date. Yep! It was July 13th. I understand a little Christmas in July to help cool things down and remind us that winter will come and the heat will subside and we have the holidays to look forward to, BUT ..... Halloween decorations and Thanksgiving decorations out for sale in July?

You know, I haven't even had my vacation yet! So, they were getting my vacation money! I just couldn't resist. I especially thought these little goblins were adorable. They will sit nicely on a shelf or mantle.

My grandchildren will think this one is funny stuck to window glass.

It's just all way too soon. It's the middle of the summer!

A Great Second Verse

2011-07-12T23:39:00.003-04:00

I was so impressed with this man's voice and with the words to the second verse that I just wanted to share it. (Not Herman Cain but Lewis Schaeffer).

Listening to the Bible

2011-07-07T06:45:00.011-04:00

I have been physically down for a little while now and not at my computer, so a little television and my mp3 player have been both my comfort and my pass time. I recently got a GoBible. It's more than your average cheapie mp3 player, but certainly a steal in comparison to an Ipod or a Zune. You can even listen to it on your car stereo.

You know, I haven't had it for very long and because of my injury, I've had time to really play with it. I love this thing! When I registered the product, I found that I could download a free audio book every month and there are other freebies you can get also. That surprised me. This player is 3 GB's so it has plenty of room for audio books and my favorite gospel music. I often listen to worship music as I contemplate the word that I just read/listened to.

You can easily download a free recorded version of the Bible from any number of websites and thank God for them. The word of God should be accessible to all. You cannot, however, get versions on devices that are this easy to use and this dramatic to listen to.

You can choose the book, the chapter and the verse you want to hear and even repeat it if you need to. No fast forwarding to search through looking for a certain scripture the way you have to on free versions. You can also book mark and start where you left off the next time you turn it on. If you accidentally leave it on pause or with the menu up, it will automatically turn off. I love that feature because I have a cell phone and children around and I get distracted a lot!

I'm very impressed with all the extras that come with this player. It has a holiday and events index and a story index of the well-known Bible stories. Just as many hard print Bibles do, it also has a Bible-in-a year plan.

Now, I wish I had gotten the Word of Promise version. It's a full-on audio drama with actual well-known actors and actresses. The KJV that I have is wonderful, though. It is much more gripping than any free versions I have listened to. It is read by Alexander Scourby. Although he died in 1985, his work obviously lives on. According to Wikipedia, Scourby was the first person to record the King James Bible on long play records in the 1950s. He originally narrated the Old and New Testament of the King James Version for the American Foundation for the Blind and it took over four years to complete, finishing in 1953.

The velvet bag that comes with it is beautiful, but I really need something I can clip on so I don't have to hold it in my hand or put it in a pocket. Also, I have small ears and can't wear the standard ear buds that come with it. When you have that problem, you also have a volume problem because the buds don't go far enough into the ear. Both issues are relatively easy to solve. I got a neoprene phone case, with clip, at the Dollar Tree (my favorite store) and a $3.95 pair of soft, "in ear" bud tips from MicroCenter and I'm good to go.

All-in-all, I must say I did good when I got this little toy. It's packed with features and monthly freebies that go on and on, long after the purchase. The site offers great support in itself and emails are answered quickly. I don't know about you but that sure goes a long way with me. I'd recommend this little gem to anyone and would be proud to give or receive it as a gift.

Check out GoBible for yourself at gobible.com

Strange Things In My Back Yard

2011-07-05T23:07:00.004-04:00

This is not my husband's pet ant eater living on the cherry tree. It is an old, thick wisteria vine that we cut at the base of the tree years ago and now it's drying up and pulling away from the tree. Pretty weird, huh?

This is not a green snake. It is a green bean that came from my garden...a very long green bean.

Freebee Friday

2011-07-01T12:08:00.001-04:00

Kick off your 4th of July Weeked with a little Christmas in July with a free MP3 at Amazon.

The Bell Medley - Classic Christmas Singers

Download CHRISTMAS MP3

After that, you can get a full sampler album for Free!

Ryko: Flash Of Light Sampler (MP3 Download)
by Various Artists (entire album)

I listened to all the samples from the artists on this album and it's actually pretty good! Some of it is great mood music.

ALBUM

Distracted by Wynonna

2011-06-28T22:37:00.002-04:00

I have been nursing a back injury and haven't been able to sit at my computer to make blog posts. I finally get around to it and I get distracted by a GodVine video. . . A very emotional performance by Wynonna Judd. It's actually an old video but it's new to me.

There's always something very kind of "insecure" about her, but I love her voice.

Luckily I could get the code from YouTube and share the video.

Ironically, that's not the only thing I got distracted by. I saw this this George Bush T-shirt and thought I'd die laughing.

Yes. I'm definitely feeling better. You know what they say about laughter being good medicine.

You can actually order the shirt Here at Cafe Press

What a great Christmas gift for a democrat!

Rodents and Rabies

2011-06-22T21:27:00.000-04:00

We had a possum in our yard during the daytime, which is a little unusual. The next morning, it was still there. My husband said he was concerned about its behavior and for me to keep the Grandkids inside the house. I watched it through the window and it acted like it had something caught in its throat or like it had a sore throat or something. It kept sort of hacking and its tongue would hang out. Then it would act normal, except that it would let you walk right up to it. Most of the possums around will slowly walk the backyard fence right away from you if you walk towards it.

We finally decided to call animal control since we didn't know if it had rabies or some other sickness that the county should know about for public safety reasons. About 40 minutes later, they came. The possum was dead. They bagged it and took it with them. I asked if they would check for rabies and I was surprised at the answer. I was told that o'possums are rodents and unlike racoons, rodents don't carry rabies. They said the possum most likely died of distemper. NOW WE KNOW!!!

I got the picture from the animal control website because it looks just like that big ole possum in our yard. I only took video of its behavior.

A Truly Creepy Tale from Drabblecast "Scales"

2011-06-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

An audio drama that is definitely unique in its creepiness.

Scales by Samantha Henderson

One day when a surge of dying summer heat roiled through the waterways, spoiling my fishing, I punted home to find Mama running down the grassy swell towards my docking-place. Hope died in her face when she saw my punt empty and I knew then what had happened...

LISTEN to "Scales"

Author's note: I HATE SNAKES (and mosquitos)

Want To See Something Creepy?

2011-06-14T22:43:00.006-04:00

Somebody tell me the truth. Is this real?

RC COLA MOON PIE FESTIVAL

2011-06-10T22:54:00.003-04:00

You think I'm kidding, don't you? There really is such a thing! It's an annual event in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. An event they are proud of. They have a craft fair, a 10 mile run, a parade and even an RC King & Moonpie Queen Coronation.

Visit the Moon Pie Festival site HERE

Schedule of Events HERE

Want to try your hand at making moon pies at home? Get a recipe HERE

Wanted Posters (Make Your Own)

2011-06-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Make your own wanted poster HERE

Getting Rid of Ants and Gnats

2011-06-07T09:51:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again. Pesty little ants and gnats everywhere!

Getting Rid of Ants

Terro is essentially borax mixed with sugar water. You can buy a small bottle for about five bucks at your local hardware store or supermarket. When your home is invaded by ants, you take a business card and sprinkle it with drops of Terro. You place the business card near whatever it is the ants are devouring, and then you wait. It may take a day. It may take two. And during that time, the ants will swarm all over the area (keep adding more Terro!), but gradually they’ll carry this sticky sweet poison back to their nest, and the entire colony will perish like some freakish doomsday cult. It’s delightful.

(I don't remember the source of this information)

Getting rid of Gnats (advice from Yahoo answers)

If you don't want gnats around, you have to cut off their food supply. This means fruits and vegetables have to go in the refrigerator or a bin the bugs can't penetrate. Make sure house plants stay damp, but not wet, and they must have the proper drainage. Gnats just love over-watered house plants. Empty trashcans regularly and don't allow rotting food to sit in the house. Make sure all trash receptacles and sink drains are cleaned thoroughly, and don't have any old rancid food stuck to them. Never let dirty dishes stand in the sink.

Your best recourse is chemicals. The supermarket and hardware stores have several flying insect spray options for you to choose from. Just about any one of these will take care of your gnat problem. Be sure to check the back of the label to make certain it isn't harmful to pets. If your home is experiencing an all-out infestation, you may need to look into a fogging product. This will require you to seal off cabinets and anywhere else food and eating implements are stored. Be sure to take the pets and leave the house for the day.

You can also get rid of gnats by using products found around the home. Since they are attracted to the scent of vinegar, fill a jar with vinegar and poke holes in the lid. The gnats will climb into the jar, but they won't be able to climb out. For those that remain in the house, try putting vegetable oil around your kitchen sink drain. Gnats finding themselves coated in the oil will be unable to breed. If you're not interested in potentially clogging your drain with vegetable oil, pouring a cup of ammonia down your kitchen sink is said to get rid of any flies hovering around that area. Let it sit for a couple of hours before using the sink again.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_rid_of_gnats#ixzz1Ob2BKGoD

AUDIO CLASSICS

2011-06-03T08:43:00.001-04:00

Boris Karloff Narrates Rip Van Winkle

Joel Chandler Harris - "Why Brother Bear Has No Tail" (From "Nights With Uncle Remus")

Listen HERE

What You Read On Blogs

2011-06-01T23:23:00.000-04:00

I have been checking out other blogs recently just to see what other people do, say and write about. I am very concerned about the content that can be accessed by just clicking next. Sometimes you get a warning and you get asked if you want to proceed, but not always. A child that knows how to click can see things they shouldn't see, whether they can read or not.

I was also terribly concerned about the language and the anger on some of the younger people's blogs. We live in a time when teens have it better than ever, but they think they have it so bad. There's so much anger and profanity. How did we get here?

Also, I was reading a recent entry on the Feedjit Blog that stated, "younger authors post more: negative content, swear words, angry content, discuss themselves and their own physical state more and post more sexual content and content about school.

More mature authors post more: articles (Words like ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’ referring to an item), prepositions (words like ‘to’, ‘the’ and ‘above’), social processes (words like ‘mate’, ‘talk’, ‘they’ and ‘child’) and they post more inclusive words (‘and’, ‘with’, ‘include’) and words referring to others. They also post more religious words and words indicating positive emotions."

There must be something we can do, but I wouldn't have a clue where to start. I don't think my children talked like that and I hope my granddchildren won't. They know now, at such a young age that certain words are "bad" words. They think "stupid" is a bad word. We have to work on the difference between "bad" words and "not nice" words.

Maybe we aren't praying for them enough or aren't praying for the right things. Maybe we should just pray about what we should do. What happens to future generations is our responsiblity today.

The Reason for Memorial Day

2011-05-30T01:10:00.001-04:00

We all know that Memorial Day marks the official start of summer and that it is a time for trip to the beach, family cookouts, major shopping with every sale under sun to find whatever you're looking for and, for many, a day off from work with pay.

Also, since 1911, Memorial day weekend is when the Indianapolis 500 is held.

The holiday actually was originally called Decoration Day, held to commemorate Union Soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War 1, it became a day to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.

So, while you are cooking out, shopping, playing in the water, etc., please take a moment to remember why we have the holiday. Remember that many soldiers have fought and died over many years, in many wars, to protect and keep us free.

Remembering T.J.

Friday Funnies - Aliens in My Bedroom - A True Story!

2011-05-27T06:32:00.021-04:00

Recently, my granddaughter came to wake me up during the night and told me there was an alien in her room! (I immediately thought about the time, when her mommy was a little girl, and sleeping in that very same bedroom, woke me up to tell me she had a purple monster with white polk-a-dots in her closet.)

I asked her where the alien was and she said she couldn't see him, so I asked how she knew he was in her room. She said "because he talked to me". I asked her what he said to her and she said he called her by name and told her to take off her panties. OMG! Can you just imagine what went through my mind! I totally panicked. Since nobody but me and my husband were in the house, I had no choice but to probe her little mind.

She said that was all he said to her and that his voice was outside her window, but he was far away. Okay, well, still. I just couldn't get past that underwear thing, even if it was just a dream. Something has to have happened to put that in her mind. Needless to say, she slept in our bed the rest of that night.

The next day, I told her Mom (my daughter) what had happened. We both knew that she would tell her kindergarten teacher about it and she would probably react the same way we did. So, my daughter decided the best thing to do would be to go ask the teacher if they had recently had a class conversation about aliens.

The teacher said that she most certainly was concerned about what my granddaughter had told her. Then she remembered that they had indeed talked about aliens, but it had been weeks ago! Not only had they talked about Aliens but they had read a book in class!

Can you even begin to imagine how relieved we were? Who comes up with this stuff to read to kindergarteners? Well, their names are Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. The name of the Book is, "Aliens Love Underwear". If you'd like to give your children or grandchildren nightmares, you can buy the book from Amazon.com.

Sweet dreams........

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T06:30:00.011-04:00

Dodge City in the Front Yard

2011-05-23T06:53:00.016-04:00

There are fans of old television series and then there are fans.

This western town is actually built in someone's yard; simply for his own enjoyment. Built little by little and by his own hands. Is this cool or what?

I love Gunsmoke too! One of my favorite episodes is May Blossom. Even in the face of such evil done to her, she has such a pleasant attitude. (This is just one of 5 parts)

Oh, and at the beginning of Part 4, check out Burt in this episode as the Blacksmith, Quint Asper. Mr. Reynolds was quite the heart throb back then.

Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Yikes, Zombies!

2011-05-20T10:08:00.009-04:00

I can't believe this is my third post on Zombies! It's really starting to get creepy when the CDC issues a Zombie Warning!

Social Media: Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse

The following was originally posted on CDC Public Health Matters Blog on May 16th, 2011 by Ali S. Khan.

There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That’s right, I said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you’ll be happy you read this.
Read the CDC Zombie Warning

To see a video on What To Do in A Zombie Attack and How To Survive a Zombie Holocaust CLICK HERE

Papers on zombies

Selmer Bringsjord (1995), "In defense of impenetrable zombies"

A commentary on Moody 1995 (one can't really distinguish zombies and humans).

Selmer Bringsjord (1996), "The zombie attack on the computational conception of mind"

Using the possibility of zombies to draw out inconsistencies in Dennett's argument against Searle.

David Chalmers (1993), "Self-ascription without qualia: A case-study"

A commentary on a paper by Goldman, with a case-study of "Zombie Dave".

David Chalmers (1995), "Absent qualia, fading qualia, dancing qualia"

Thought-experiments about functional isomorphs, arguing that in the actual world such isomorphs will be conscious.

David Chalmers (1996), "The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory"

My book on consciousness, with all the zombie discussions you could ever ask for. Unfortunately most of the zombie stuff isn't available on the web.

Allin Cottrell (1996), " Sniffing the camembert: On the conceivability of zombies

A thoughtful paper arguing that zombies as I describe them in my book may not really be conceivable.

Daniel Dennett (1995), "The unimagined preposterousness of zombies"

Zombies aren't really imaginable

Daniel Dennett (1999), "The zombic hunch: Extinction of an intuition?"

On why we shouldn't trust our intuitions about zombies

Owen Flanagan & Tom Polger (1995), "Zombies and the function of consciousness"

Using zombies to question whether consciousness has a function.

Papers information found at http://consc.net/zombies.html

Watch a couple of creepy old zombie movies http://littlewebtreasures.blogspot.com/2010/04/zombies.html
You can also watch "Night of The Living Dead" right here!

Bedtime Baby

2011-05-18T23:11:00.002-04:00

I found some great lullabies on this YouTube Channel. This one is bedtime baby - Toddler Lullaby by Fisher Price.

It's wonderful to be able to actually view the DVD's before buying them. You can also download them and burn them to DVD yourself. You just don't get the same high quality.

Visit Bedtime Baby Lullabies

Hey, lullabies aren't just for babies. Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from them and I do too!

This one is the 4th one of 6 parts.

Youtubesday - Amazing Rope Jumpers

2011-05-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Just as you think surely they must be getting tired, they just keep getting better and better. The very end is the best.

Friday the 13th

2011-05-13T21:31:00.002-04:00

- Were you born on Friday the 13th? Your entire life will be marked by bad luck.
    -Never cut your hair on Friday the 13th. It will cause a death in the family.
- Don't change your bed sheets on Friday the 13th, you'll have nightmares all night.
   - If you pass a funeral procession on Friday the 13th, you'll die the next day.
- If you leave the calendar open to Friday the 13th, the next day, you'll be killed by a witch.
- It's also bad luck to cut your nails on Friday the 13th.

Upon investigating the history of Friday the 13th, we find that the number 13 is believed to be the unluckiest number, and Friday, believed to be the unluckiest day. The number 13 has always been considered unlucky mostly because it is associated with certain incidences of the past. Some associate it with mythology, when the god of joy and gladness, Baltere, was killed, deceitfully by Loki, the god of mischief and discord. He, coincidentally was the 13th guest. Many believe that the 13th guest was Judas, at the Last Supper, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Bad luck associated with Friday, can be traced back to the fact that Jesus was crucified on this unfaithful day, many believing that it may have indeed been on the 13th. Some historians suggest that Cain also killed Able on this very date and day of the week.

So grab your lucky rabbit's foot and knock on wood, cross your fingers, find a penny and pick it up. Watch so as not to let a black cat cross your path. Be careful with that mirror! Don't open the umbrella inside the house and whatever else you do, DON'T WALK UNDER THAT LADDER!

The thirteenth guest is a great old, dark house movie.

More Friday the 13th.

A Lucky Rabbit's Foot?

2011-05-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

This superstition is an old voodoo legend and, actually, only the left hind foot of a rabbit that was shot or captured in a graveyard during a particular phase of the moon is considered to be lucky.

You know what that means? It means mine and yours is probably NOT very lucky!

I think I like the white one better. There's just something creepy about the brown one (as if there's nothing creepy about cutting off an animal part to carry around for good luck.)

Youtubesday - Chonda Pierce Comedy

2011-05-10T21:35:00.001-04:00

Keeping with the Mother's Day spirit, I thought a little Christian comedy might be appreciated.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T11:31:00.003-04:00

Friday Funnies

2011-05-06T10:13:00.000-04:00

Blackberry Winter

2011-05-04T10:05:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning to Blackberry Winter! It was 43 degrees and it will be in the 30's tomorrow morning.

The weather has to turn cool for one last cold snap to set the buds on the blackberry vines. When the blackberries are in full bloom then we usually have blackberry winter for a couple of days.

I always think it's strange to have such cool temperatures during the first of May and by the end of May (Memorial Day), summer is in full swing.

I love living in the south. We'll soon be picking blackberries! They grow wild here in the strangest places, but beware when picking. The snakes like them too!

Fairytale Weddings

2011-05-01T22:37:00.001-04:00

Armadillos Give Leprosy to Humans in Southern U.S.

2011-04-30T10:11:00.023-04:00

Do you have Armadillos around your house? I don't, but I know that at the other end of our county, they are starting to see them. I know they have them in South Georgia but until recently, here in the northern part of the state, we have only see plain ole' possums.

I am surprised that people actually still eat possum and armadillo meat, but if you are one of them, please read this before your next "wild animal" meal. Leprosy Linked to Armadillos

Want to check out where else they've been spotted in northern Georgia? Join in on the conversation RIGHT HERE

Freebee Friday

2011-04-29T06:30:00.048-04:00

Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006)

Among the many wonderful novels that she published, in 1979, she published Kindred, a novel that uses the science-fiction staple of time travel to explore slavery in the United States. In this story, Dana, an African American woman, is inexplicably transported from 1976 Los Angeles to early nineteenth century Maryland. She meets her ancestors: Rufus, a white slave holder, and Alice, an African-American woman who was born free but forced into slavery later in life.

You can listen/download the entire audio drama HERE from a most deserved fan site.

If you ever seriously consider listening to anything that I recommend, please consider this audio drama. Once you begin listening, you won't be able to stop; and you certainly will never forget it.

Octavia Butler died outside of her home in Lake Forest Park, Washington, on February 24, 2006, at the age of 58. News accounts were inconsistent as to the cause of her death, with some reporting that she suffered a fatal stroke, while others indicated that she died of head injuries after falling and striking her head on her walkway. Another suggestion is that a stroke caused the fall which caused the head injuries.

A very gifted writer, lost at a young age. It's good that her writings will live on to the enjoyment and enrichment of future generations. Pass it on!

A word of warning: This is an adult audio. There are about a half a dozen GD's throughout the 4 parts and a sex scene between a husband and wife. The audio is rather intense.

Prayers For Those Who Suffered Loss

2011-04-28T23:28:00.002-04:00

All across the South, it is so heart-breaking to see this death and destruction. God bless and comfort these families.

YouTubesday - IDIOTS!!!

2011-04-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

The Most Important Event That Ever Happened Part 2 - The Resurrection

2011-04-24T08:30:00.002-04:00

It's good to know some bunny loves you!

The Most Important Event That Ever Happened Part 1 - Good Friday

2011-04-22T00:13:00.002-04:00

No Greater Love Than This

Judgment Day - May 21, 2011?

2011-04-19T23:30:00.006-04:00

We certainly know that we could see Christ at any time. Whether he comes to us or we go to him. None of us have any guarantee for even one more minute... but is May 21st really the end?

I've been thinking about the scriptures in relationship to current events such as our weather and the number and intensity of earth quakes and floods and even the increasing number of vegetarians and people who are living together rather than getting married and I wonder what it all means. I've also been thinking about the number of people attending church and people's consciences and how sometimes it seems that God is so far away.

Listening to the audio on the site that proclaims May 21st as the day of the rapture can really get you to thinking. Whether the 21st is the day or not, we do know the day is coming and we should be ready whenever it is. You can check out their sites HERE,
HERE and HERE

Please take the opportunity to either reacquaint yourself or introduce yourself to the bible. Ask for His guidance as you read and learn for yourself what you believe. This is especially a good time to do that with Good Friday and Easter Sunday being this week.

UPDATE: It seems he miscalculated and the new date is October 21, 2011.

Friday Funnies - The Little Rascals / Our Gang

2011-04-15T06:30:00.013-04:00

I love the little rascals and I have a few Spanky and Our Gang DVD's and VHS Tapes, but the other episodes that I've been able to collect by various means are not at all good quality. A few clips and an episode or two can be found on YouTube but the quality isn't very impressive there either.

I found a site that has episodes you can watch or use video downloader to grab them (if you use Firefox). They have been restored and the quality is excellent. I think they sell Dvd's too. I believe they must be unedited also because the episode "Choo Choo" is a lot longer than the one I have and I've never seen that footage before. When I was a little girl, the reruns were on every weekend, just like the I Love Lucy show. I loved to watch Our Gang and Tarzan!

A few years ago, I made a DVD for my Grandsons, thinking that it was old fashioned, black & white and they weren't going to be interested because they were so much into super heroes. My daughter called me said, "Mom, I want you to hear this. Listen to my sons laughter! They love it!". Her home was filled with giggles and uncontrollable laughter. It was wonderful.

Check out the site for yourself and watch a few episodes and laugh! HERE

Bored?

2011-04-14T09:34:00.012-04:00

I haven't been on this site in a very long time. The last time I looked at it, there were old-time radio shows here. I was happy to see games and many of the very same games that Mind Jolt offers are also offered here. Bored? Go play a game at www.bored.com.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-12T23:09:00.001-04:00

In case you're wondering . . . the little princess with the Poo Gown is holding a beanie hampster

Friday Funnies - Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters

2011-04-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

Wendell Bagwell and the Sunlighters was a Southern gospel music and comedy trio. Wendy Bagwell joined up with two young singers he met in church, Geraldine Terry (later known professionally as Jerri Morrison), and Georgia Jones (eventually replaced by "Little Jan" Buckner, the wife of Bagwell's adopted nephew), to form the gospel trio. Wendy Bagwell was best-known for his comedy monologues, notably the million-selling "Here Come the Rattlesnakes" (also known as "The Rattlesnake Song"), an account of the trio's performance at a small church that engaged in snake handling. Wendy Bagwell was born in Chamblee, Georgia on May 16, 1925, and died on June 13, 1996, and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

There are a few of their comedy routines on YouTube and all are hilarious, good, clean and simple fun. But they also were a singing Trio. Songs that that moved you to the soul. My favorite really old one was, "I Firmly Promise You". I think I want that one to be sung at my funeral.

A more recent favorite of mine is "This Train". Check it out on YouTube. HERE

Also, Little Jan has her own website filled with her own memories. Visit Her Site Here

I know we aren't supposed to long for days gone by, but sometimes you just really can't help but think, ..."what I wouldn't give"...

This post just brings back such wonderful memories for me. Memories of a more simpler time.. a time when the world around me had values and conscience; rich with joy and laughter. A time when people didn't live in fear. I really miss those days.

Oh, Yes! It's Spring!

2011-04-05T23:23:00.000-04:00


Azaleas


Dogwoods


wisteria

pollen

A Message On a Believer's Use of Alcohol

2011-04-03T14:09:00.001-04:00

I heard a preacher today that I, personally, have never heard before. He got my attention because of the topic of his sermon...Believers' acceptance of alcohol and social drinking. Most sermons you hear are incomplete in as far as explanations or actual teachings go. They are usually simply outright condemnation or joking about drinking. I was very impressed with his deliverance of the word. You can see that sermon by clicking the link below.

Rev. Jack Graham - PowerPoint Ministries

Choosing Wisdom Over Foolishness Part 1

Friday Funnies - Phyllis Diller

2011-04-01T06:30:00.020-04:00

After a conversation I had with someone recently about Phyllis Diller, I looked up her age when she died. To my surprise, I discovered that she is still around and she's 93 years old!

When I was young, I thought she was so obnoxious but she always made me laugh no matter how much I resisted. I never really expected to want to hear her on purpose; but I discovered she wrote a book that was published back in '06 titled "Like a Lampshade in a Whore House". Here are some quotes from that book:

-You know what keeps me humble? Mirrors!

-I considered changing my name when I entered show business, but with a face like this, who cares?

-Just when I lost my baby fat, I got middle-age spread, I didn’t have a good five minutes.

-Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?

-I love to go to the doctor. Where else would a man look at me and say, “Take off your clothes”?

-She not only washes the windows, she irons them. She waxes her driveway. Her husband got drunk one night, passed out on the coffee table, and she came down the next morning and polished him to death.

-I do dinner in three phases: serve the food, clear the table, bury the dead. .

-I met my idol, Warren Beatty. I was so thrilled, and he was thrilled, too . . . He finally met a woman he didn’t want.

-The newlyweds next door were going on a honeymoon cruise and the husband went into a drugstore and bought Dramamine and contraceptives. The dear old druggist took him aside and said, “Son, if it makes you sick, why do you do it.”

Remember her husband Fang?

-Fang is a good loser. He lost eleven jobs in one year.

-Fang is the cheapest man alive. On Christmas Eve, he puts the kids to bed, fires one shot, and tells them Santa committed suicide.

-He’s (Fang) so cheap, he threw an IOU into a wishing well. I tossed in a dime, and he jumped in after it and broke his neck. That was my wish.

-We named all our children Kid. Well, they have different first names, like Hey Kid, You Kid, Dumb Kid . . . And they are dumb. But Fang is even dumber. He thinks he’s their father . .

You can buy the book here HERE

or if you'd prefer to see her live and close up (like I would) you can find "Goodnight, We Love You - The Life and Legend of Phyllis Diller" (2004). As best as I can tell, it's the most recent thing she has out there besides the book. Get it HERE

laughter is good medicine

Diana Wynne Jones (August 16, 1934 – March 26, 2011)

2011-03-30T16:39:00.003-04:00

I saw that a popular fantasy writer passed away the other day. Diana Wynne Jones (August 16, 1934 – March 26, 2011)

If you or your child or grandchild has read "Charmed Life", "The Merlin Conspiracy" or "Howl's Moving Castle", then you are familiar with her work.

excerpt from her obituary

Her career began as a playwright, with three plays produced in London between 1967 and 1970; her first novel, Changeover (1970), was adult humour; since then her work has been written for younger readers. Besides the two series already mentioned, she wrote the Howl books, beginning with Howl's Moving Castle (1986; filmed in 2004 by Hayao Miyazaki), and two sequels, and the Dalemark sequence (1975-2003), dark-tinged fantasies set in that eponymous country.

Some of her best and most enjoyable books are stand-alones, in particular The Ogre Downstairs (1974), The Time of the Ghost (1981) and Fire and Hemlock (1985), each a remarkable blend of pathos and genuinely funny writing. Archer's Goon (1984), extravagantly mixing fantasy with science fiction, was serialised for television by the BBC in 1992. Her most recent novel, the light-hearted Enchanted Glass, appeared last year.

She died from cancer at age 76.

I also heard that the Pillsbury Doughboy died. You can read more about that HERE

Sentimental Treasures

2011-03-27T23:51:00.002-04:00

I found this in my cabinet. I guess I had forgotten about it. What emotion rushed over me when I found it. It came from my first born grandson... he's now 15. It was just like getting it all over again.

Feel Like Exercising?

2011-03-25T23:09:00.001-04:00

No. This isn't a Friday Funnies. Well, maybe it is, but if you can muster up the motivation, it might just be worth it when the time comes to put on that swim suit.

Zombies Ahead

2011-03-23T23:46:00.002-04:00

In a town right on the North Carolina and South Carolina line, someone apparently tampered with the road signs. Investigators don't know if the signs were hacked remotely or at the scene.

One sign read "Zombies Ahead" and then flashed "Watch for Hunters." On the other side of the road, a sign warned motorists to "Be alert for Tanks."

There have been no reports of zombies. Or tanks.

Keep abreast of all current zombie news at Zombie World News

and for more indepth reporting and to get a better understanding from the Zombie perspective be sure to subscribe to the Undead Report

In the event of a Zombie attack in your town, are you and your family prepared?

What To Do in A Zombie Attack

How To Survive a Zombie Holaocaust

Youtubesday

2011-03-22T06:30:00.005-04:00

So Much In The News

2011-03-21T10:08:00.003-04:00

The Japan earthquake and tsunami and nuclear power crisis

The ongoing fighting in the Middle East and now in Libya.

It seems that no matter what or where, be it war or human tragedy, American troops are there. God bless them. We need to pray for our soldiers every day.

Ways to help Japan

   * American Red Cross
   * Save the Children
   * Doctors Without Borders
   * International Medical Corps
   * Salvation Army
   * AmeriCares

You can even help Japan by playing Facebook's Farmville! (bad habit to get into -- not helping; the playing is habit forming and time-consuming)

Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1John 3:18

Friday Funnies

2011-03-18T06:30:00.018-04:00

Coke Spreader

World Cow

Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. ~ Jim Carrey

"Many marriages would be better if the husband and wife clearly understood that they're on the same side."
~ Zig Ziglar

"Wall Street is the only place people ride to in a Rolls Royce to get advice from people who take the subway."
~ Warren Buffett

Today, We Are All Irish

2011-03-17T10:31:00.001-04:00

Shirley Muldowney

2011-03-16T00:07:00.008-04:00

This past weekend, I was watching some top fuel drag racing with my husband; something I haven't done in quite a while. I used to love it! My husband took me to the Southern Nationals quite a few times. I admired Shirley Muldowney tremendously. She was always very generous and gracious with her fans and we knew her as the "The First Lady of Drag Racing".

At the race, when I walked up to her, she said, "Let me see your tickets". She automatically autographed them. I didn't even have to ask. She took my hand and introduced herself and as she moved me towards her car, she asked my name and where I was from. She told me all about her car(s) and her family and where she raced last week. She talked to me as if she knew me and was happy to see me. When I left, she hugged me. She loved her fans.

I am NOT a groupie in any way. It just does not fit my personality. I'm a true snot, but I was genuinely in awe of this lady. The sport just really isn't the same without her; which is probably why I haven't watched in a long time.

Please take time to visit her website HERE.

If you get a chance to see the movie "Heart Like a Wheel", you really should. It's called the story of Shirley's life. Muldowney herself said that the movie didn't really capture her life very well but that it was good for the sport. It's also factual and interesting, not to mention entertaining.

I can't find where you can currently buy the movie unless you want to pay a hefty price for a used one but you can rent it from Blockbuster. Check it out HERE

I found this little item of interest on ebay. (Click on image to enlarge)

There's a YouTube video with the song by The Steve Miller band and a nice slide show of Shirley racing photos HERE

Here's video of Shirley winning her first U.S. National.

Today, Shirley is 70 years old and lives in Detroit, Michigan.

When Should a Little Girl Have Her Ears Pierced UPDATE

2011-03-09T22:31:00.002-05:00

This is an update to an older post which can be found HERE.

Okay. It's been four (4) months now since my 5 year old granddaughter had her ears pierced. She has been through so much pain and discomfort and trauma over those pierced ears.

The right ear was so oozy and bleeding and swollen all the time that my daughter had to take out the shorter Hello Kitty earrings and replace them with longer posts. They were just clear crystal stones. That was no easy task. The child has been so protective of her ears because they hurt all the time, that if you so much as brush against either of them, she screams. You can't brush her hair without her reminding you not to touch her ear. Obviously, she was not going to sit still for her mommy removing the earrings. She had be held down. It was just terrible, but it had to be done.

With the new earrings, it looked like things were going to get better but she still had oozing. Then this week, my daughter noticed dried blood in the child's hair and sure enough, her ears were bleeding again.

She finally just gave up and a couple of days ago, she took the earrings out. Now my granddaughter's ears are finally healing and she doesn't scream when you touch them.

For me, this just reinforces that you should wait until your daughter is old enough to make an informed decision and commitment, because she should be old enough to tend to her own pierced ears. My daughter still disagrees. Because some kids do fine, she still feels it's worth a shot. It just didn't work out for her daughter.

From my perspective, it's not even worth the risk. It's a gamble... and if it's a bad bet, it's the child who suffers most. I'm sticking with 13.

Youtubesday

2011-03-08T21:53:00.000-05:00

Little Cartoon Web Treasures

2011-03-06T23:06:00.006-05:00

A wonderful site for watching cartoons with the kids is Kids Movie Land

DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Cartoon Characters

Printable templates, birthday ideas and fan art for LOTS of your favorite cartoon characters HERE

Ever wonder who the voice of Dora The Explorer is? Her name is Caitlyn Sanchez. See her interview.

or go HERE

Check out all the videos at Web TV Hub Here

FREEBEE FRIDAY

2011-03-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Send a free sample box of Quaker Oats Squares to as many as 10 of your friends HERE

THIS WEEK'S GROCERY COUPONS: HERE

$1.00 off Olive Oil (a great deal for a pricy product!)
HERE

Check out the free music downloads at EZ tracks
HERE

Friday Funnies

2011-02-25T06:22:00.000-05:00

NICKNAMES

· If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.

· If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.

Vinyl Records Making a ComebacK?

2011-02-23T09:32:00.002-05:00

Retailers have started to sell vinyl again. Why would anyone think that vinyl is such a great format? It pops, clicks and sometime scratches. These, apparently, are some of the very reasons why. It's adds to the charm of the format and brings it closer to the live experience.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, manufacturers’ shipments of LPs jumped more than 36 percent from 2006 to 2007 to more than 1.3 million. Shipments of CDs dropped more than 17 percent during the same period to 511 million, as they lost some ground to digital formats.

SoundScan reported vinyl sales reached 2.8 million units in 2009, up from 1.9 million in 2008, a record since SoundScan began tracking sales data in 1991.

In this age of iPods and digital downloads, why are vinyl records enjoying this resurgence in popularity? Several reasons come to mind. Baby boomers and empty nesters now have time to listen to music again, not just play it in the background of their busy lives. Teens that have grown up only listening to digital are discovering this once thought to be obsolete technology that was first introduced in the late 1800’s by Thomas Edison. Another main reason has to do with today’s economy. With everyone having less expendable income to purchase music, we are rediscovering our record collections and teens are discovering their parent’s record collections. Let’s face it, there isn’t a lot of good music being made today. And, of course, vinyl records sound better. Though CD’s have wider dynamic range, the audio on CD is compressed to make it as loud as possible. And since the audio on vinyl records can’t be compressed to such extremes, records offer more subtle nuances that transfers to more warmth and richness in the music. No matter how high the sampling rate in the digital process, it can never contain all of the data in an analog record groove.

I never stopped using mine. I still have a turntable. My youngest daughter always liked to help me with housework while listening to "Stars on Long Play" and Donna Summer. Turntables are cool and vinyl rocks!

Many retailers sell vinyl now. Amazon.com has a line of vinyl you can check here HERE

They also have the recent Elton John/Leon Russel Album "The Union" on vinyl HERE

I found this wallpaper and I love it, so I'm sharing it with you. To save it to your computer as wallpaper, left click and then left click again to enlarge it to full size. Right click on the largest image and save.

Freebee Friday

2011-02-18T08:31:00.003-05:00

Prepared Pantry is offering free baking lessons
HERE

If you like to play games, Sploder lets you create your own game for FREE. Check it out HERE

Today is the Day!

2011-02-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

I started my diet today! My very low calorie diet! I feel kind of like I'm floating around and I'm not supposed to reach out and grab anything! I have to keep floating until my feet touch the ground without any help. Hopefully, I'll get used to the new routine in a couple of days and I won't feel so "detached". As I was looking around at different diet blogs, I came across an article on Miracle Skinny Drops' site about a detox bath. I've never heard about that before. I guess I don't get out much. The article read:

Detox Baths

Pour 1 lb. of Epsom Salt into a very warm bath with 1 lb. baking soda (Arm & Hammer). Soak in tub of warm/hot water – as warm as can take water for at least 20 minutes. Do not shower off until next day.

You may feel light headed, dizzy, weak and completely drained after a detox bath (which is a symptom of weak adrenals), so doing it around bedtime is a good idea.

Epsom Salt “detoxes” your body by drawing out the toxins and replenishing nutrients that your body needs and it can make the skin feel nice and soft. Baking soda increases CO2 levels in the blood, which dilates blood vessels and increases circulation, causing a “tired” feeling. It is sort of like “chemical exercise”. The magnesium and bicarbonate are getting flooded with minerals and nutrients. Magnesium is a natural mild sedative and is great inside and out for reducing muscle spasms and strains.

Sometimes taking fresh squeezed orange juice with a little sea salt and sip during the bath can help this. You can also add a handful of dead sea salts, which will give minerals and micro-nutrients that will feed and improve the skin.

Take advantage of the relaxation to get a good night’s sleep.

It sounds like a great idea! I think I will try this.

A Day For Love

2011-02-13T23:11:00.000-05:00

A good marriage is between a man, a woman and God.

Friday Funnies

2011-02-11T09:24:00.000-05:00

My Granddaughter has been playing this game here recently and so I checked it out myself. It's not only just cute and somewhat challenging, but it's addictive!

Check it out for yourself HERE.

Check out this video of an amazing trick ... 2 women in a box.

Here

TamLynn P.I. Audio Drama

2011-02-10T07:37:00.001-05:00

I recently listened to this audio production from Gypsy Audio. It was so much fun, I thought I'd share. Each episode is an individual story. I like that! You can hear it HERE.

Catch the entire series HERE.

Friday Funnies

2011-02-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

Cocktail Shrimp and Cream Cheese Dip

2011-02-03T10:24:00.000-05:00

The Super Bowl always presents a food challenge. Here's a simple idea.

Cocktail Shrimp & Cream Cheese Dip

8 oz pkg cocktail shrimp, thawed
8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
8 oz bottle cocktail sauce

Spread cream cheese onto larger platter. Spoon coctail sauce over cream cheese. Arrange shrimp in single layer over sauce. Serve with your favorite crackers.

OR

If you are making it for a crowd you will need the whole pound of pre-cooked baby shrimp and probably 2 jars of cocktail sauce and 2 bars of cream cheese.

Mix shrimp together with the cocktail sauce in a medium size bowl. Cover and place in refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.

Unwrap the 8 oz bar of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and place it on a plate and then cover it with the shrimp and cocktail sauce mixture. Serve with crackers.

Ketchup or Catsup

2011-02-01T23:32:00.000-05:00

Remember when catsup is about all that was in the stores? I remember sitting at the table when I was a kid looking at the bottle and wondering why it was spelled that way but we didn't say it that way.

These days ketchup is all you see in the stores and it's spelled and pronounced the same way!

Why the difference? Here's a couple of ideas about that.

Catsup Versus Ketchup

World Wide Words (about Ketchup)

Twas The Month After Christmas

2011-01-29T13:07:00.001-05:00

I found this poem someplace and since the month after Christmas is almost over, I thought I'd use it today. Also, I have to make a decision soon since my own diet starts the day after the Super Bowl. I just can't make up my mind. I need to be able to stick to it, whatever it is. Any suggestions? (No spam, please).

Twas the month after Christmas,

And all through the house,

Nothing would fit me,

Not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,

The chocolate I'd taste

At the holiday parties

Had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales

There arose such a number!

When I walked to the store

(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...

I said to myself, as I only can,

"You can't spend a Summer, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Friday Funnies

2011-01-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Free Computer Games and Online Conversions

2011-01-26T08:37:00.001-05:00

I had previously posted a link to software for online software conversion, but when I needed it yesterday, I found the link was dead. In my search for a replacement, I came across these good online converters.

This one converts MP3's to ring tones for your phone.
TRY MP3 To Ring tone HERE

I also recently starting using the Video2mp3 to convert You Tube videos to MP3's. I love both utilities!

Visit Video2mp3 HERE

For the last 3 days, my Grandchildren have been playing games that I downloaded for them from a totally free site. I even got Mario Brothers. The games all seem to be virus and spyware free and work very well. However, when you finish a game and "quit", it automatically opens your browser and takes you back to their website. I'm surprised the virus scanner doesn't pick it up as a trojan. I have them on 2 different computers with 2 different virus programs. It's very annoying, but what can you say? The games are totally FREE. Get Free Games HERE

Friday Funnies

2011-01-21T06:10:00.002-05:00

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

“I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes” replies Watson.

“And what do you deduce from that?”

Watson ponders for a minute. “Well,

	Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
	Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo.
	Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three.
	Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
	Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe.

But what does it tell you, Holmes?”

Holmes is silent for a moment.

“Watson, you idiot!” he says. “Someone has stolen our tent!”

* * * * * * * * * *

Yo Mama... so ugly yo father takes her to work with him so he doesn't have to kiss her goodbye....

* * * * * * * * * *

Accident At the Pearly Gates (PG)

Three men were standing in line to get into heaven...

It had been a pretty busy day, though, so St Peter had to tell the first one: "Heaven's getting pretty close to full today, and I've been asked to admit only people who have had particularly horrible deaths. So what's your story?"

The first man replies: "Well, for a while I've suspected my wife has been cheating on me, so today I came home early to try to catch her red-handed. As I came into my 25th floor apartment, I could tell something was wrong, but all my searching around didn't reveal where this other guy could have been hiding. Finally, I went out to the balcony and, sure enough, there was this man hanging off the railing, 25 floors above ground! By now I was really mad, so I started punching and kicking him, but wouldn't you know it, he wouldn't fall off. So finally I went back into my apartment and got a hammer and starting hammering his fingers. Of course, he couldn't stand that for long, so he let go and fell - but even after 25 stories, he fell into the bushes, stunned but okay! I couldn't stand it anymore, so I ran into the kitchen, grabbed the fridge, and threw it over the edge where it landed on him, killing him instantly. But all the stress and anger got to me, and I had a heart attack and died there on the balcony."

"That sounds like a pretty bad day to me," said Peter, and let the man in.

The second man comes up and Peter explains to him about heaven being full, and again asks for his story.

"It's been a very strange day. You see, I live on the 26th floor of my apartment building, and every morning I do my exercises out on my balcony. Well, this morning I must have slipped or something, because I fell over the edge. But I got lucky and caught the railing of the balcony on the floor below me. I knew I couldn't hang on for very long, when suddenly this man burst out onto the balcony. I thought for sure I was saved, when he started punching and kicking me. I held on the best I could until he ran into the apartment and grabbed a hammer and started pounding on my hands. Finally I just let go, but again I got lucky and fell into the bushes below, stunned but all right. Just when I was thinking I was going to be okay, this refrigerator comes falling out of the sky and crushes me instantly, and now I'm here."

Once again, Peter had to concede that that sounded like a pretty horrible death.

The third man came to the front of the line, and again the whole process was repeated. Peter explained that heaven was full and asked for his story.

"Picture this," says the third man, "I'm hiding naked inside a refrigerator..."