THANKSGIVING

DINNER ON A DIME. . .

Thanksgiving dinner is about overindulgence, but that doesn't mean your wallet has to pay the price. Here are some sensible ways to spend less without skimping on the meal. . .

* Plan the menu early

* Clip coupons and watch for sales

* Buy the right size bird - estimate one pound per person, more if you want leftovers

* Stick with simple side dishes

* Ask your guests to bring desserts


HAPPY THENKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL!!!

PUMPKINS

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GOURD????

No, I don't mean crazy. . .I'm referring to having access to some real gourds! In October the gourd of choice is most likely Pumpkin (well it's actually a squash). Here are some pumpkin facts:

* Pumpkins are a fruit, in fact they are the state fruit of New Hampshire.

* Pumpkin seeds provide protein and zinc. They are believed to lower cholesterol and lessen
the inflammation of arthritis.

* The self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world is Morton, Illinois, where 85 percent of
the worlds canned pumpkin is produced.

* A 1,689 pound pumpkin believed to be the largest ever, was grown in 2007.

TRICK or TREAT will soon be upon us. . . TIME TO CARVE THAT PUMPKIN SOON!!!!

GROWING OLD

Getting OLD has been on my mind now for months but not until a mysterios illiness struck me down did I decide to take it seriously.

So many of my school chums have passed away in the last few years it has left far too few of us around. I never thought much about OLD age and guess I never realized how different our life gets as we age. We look different, we act different, we think different, and we become different.

I always figured I could accomplish whatever I wanted to. I remember saying "hey I'm just 32 and can do that (whatever it was??) next year." Then one day I looked around and wasn't 30 something anymore, I was 50 something. Even that didn't hit home because I felf good, full of life, oh, maybe a mild pain somewhere but nothing I paid attention to. Plus my mother, bless her heart was in her 80's and going strong. My only problem was I worked behind a desk many many hours everyday of the week for at least 20 some years. The only exercise I got was walking from my office in my bedroom, into the kitchen for a snack or the living room to watch TV before turning in for the night.

I won't say I didn't notice a change because I did but once again put it on the back burner in my brain. But then as the weeks, months, years went by gradually I noticed not being able to take a bath cause I couldn't get out of the tub. I figured I was getting older so just took showers. I had other very mild signs that something was happening but still I ignored them...my mistake!!!

Then finally a couple weeks ago I got up from a good nights sleep and walked into the living room to sit in my lounge chair and FELL! I still don't know how or why but I hit the floor like a stone. That wasn't the bad part even, the bad part was that I couldn't get up. I tried everything for hours (9 to be exact) but couldn't life myself off the floor. I can attest to what happened during that time to be the worst ever spent in my life. Finally I made it to the bedroom crawling, got onto the bed and fell asleep. Since the fall I can walk okay, thank God! But can't sit on a regular chair, too low, so I have to use my office chair which is nce and high and has arms to help me lift myself. I had to buy a higher toilet seat with arms to be able to get off once on. I can't go to a doctor because I don't know how I'd manage their office chairs plus even getting out of my own car. I am trapped in my own home for the time being. Luckily my ex has been here helping me in every way possible and has been a Godsend!

Anyway I've ordered a special sit down exercycle that I'm told will strenghten my thighs and hip muscles as it is made just for when they begin to atrophy, or lose strength from lack of use.

So anyway that's what has been going on with me and I blame myself, I knew something was going on and just ignored it because I never thought of myself as OLD and able to break down.

I would appreciate a prayer if you happen to think of me!

For Men Only!

Here is wishing a very HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the fathers and grandfathers out there. I hope you all have a wonderful day surrounded by your loved ones.

MYSTICAL, MAGICAL FULL MOON

The next time you find yourself gazing longingly at the perfect wonder of the moon try and appreciate your cosmic connection to people of ancient cultures who did more than stare in wonder. . .They gave meaningful NAMES to each months full moon.

North American moon names come mainly from Native American Algonquin tribes whose settlements ranged from from New England to Lake Superior Although full moon names can vary, heres a version of how the Algonquin people saw it.

January: Wolf Moon, for hungry packs that howled at night.

February: Snow Moon, for massive winter storms.

March: Worm Moon, when earthworms and robins reappear.

April: Pink Moon, for widespread phiox flowers.

May: Flower Moon, for springs proliferation of blooms.

June: Strawberry Moon, for the berries peek season.

July: Buck Moon, when bucks that have shed their antlers sprout soft, velvety new growth.

August: Sturgeon Moon, for the late summer abundance of this fish.

September: Harvest Moon, for staple crops of corn, pumpkins, squash and beans.

October: Hunters Moon, prime season for deer, fox and other game.

November: Beaver Moon, time to set winter traps.

December: Cold Moon, for the seasons icy blasts.

It seems these Indians knew how to use the full moons to their advantage, kind of like a huge clock for all seasons. They say today that a full moon brings with it strange and bizzare behavior, I wonder if it was the same back in those days?

Wishes from my Heart

Wishing all my women friends a

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

ROYAL WEDDING

I took a short nap yesterday so I would be wide eyed and bushy tailed for the ROYAL WEDDING. It started here in Nevada at 1:00 a.m., Pacific time on Channel 13. It was covered by Barbara Walters and Dianne Sawyer. I have to say I was pleased with their coverage of the event. They seemed to know when to talk and when to shut the hell up. I saw everything from Prince William and Prince Harry leave the residence headed for the Cathedral. I saw everyone arrive and go inside the church. I was amazed in a good way mostly by all the ladies hats. Then the long awaited arrival of Kate soon to be Princess. Her gown was gorgeous, stunning, and she looked regal and Queen like already with her diamond tiara. Kates family are all quite handsome, her dad, her mother a beauty in her own right. Kates sister and brother could both be movie stars. And I have to admit Prince Charles never looked handsomer. They say his marriage to his one true love Camilla, changed him for the better, and he, she, and the two sons are great friends. I stayed up untril nearly 5:00 a.m. fascinated by the whole affair. Everyone was off to a luncheon given of canipays and champagne hosted by the Queen before going to their places of residence to rest before changing for a dinner party given that night by the Prince and his new bride. The Queen would not be in attendance because the palace was being turned into a sort of nightclub for the young people to have fun.

By the way I have to comment on how lovely the Queen looked all in yellow. For an 85 year old woman she looked amazing. "Long Live The Queen!"

Today when I got up I tuned into Oprah who was dressed to the nines, hat and all, and so was her entire audience. She had Carson Daily or something or other in Kates hometown where she grew up, he was interviewing the towns people. It was interesting. Then Oprah gave out Kates favorite candies to the audience, and Prince Williams favorite chocolate cake while interviewing his childhood chef.

I don't believe much in fairytale lives but if this wedding is any example of the lives these two young Royals will be living, they may have made a believer out of me!

I ask Gods blessings for them both. . .

WHEN IT RAINS - IT POURS

First of all HAPPY EASTER to all who read this blog...

Just when things seem to be going well you find out your grandson who is just new in the Marine Corp. (raindrop one) and only 20 years old has met someone on Match. com with a child and after only several months goes to the court house and the next call from him he says, "I'm married." (raindrops two.) The kids come home to meet our family. Then head back to Arkansas where he is stationed and she lives. He'd met her relatives at their small wedding. My poor daughter-in-law was beside herself as were we all. Jason has been the baby of our family for all his life to date, and was now married with a stepson of his own, (raindrops three.)

Things seemed to be quieting down and we hoped the raindrops in our lives had stopped, but oh no!!! The thunder began rumbling across the cloudy sky. Jason informed us he was being transferred from stateside to Japan, (raindrops four.)
We all thought well at least it was 'peaceful Japan' where he was going and not Afganistan or Irac. We all told him the many wonderful strories we had heard about the country and even had other service people in the family who had been stationed there and loved it.

So our Jason left for Japan, and NO he couldn't take his new family which wasn't popular with her I'm sure. They got married to be together and the transfer was a 'big' surprise. He would have to send for her later on when he got permission. Plus they added on one year to the end of his enlistment as discipline because he got married without their permission.(raindrops five.)

Jason was in Japan a little better than one week when the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami hit. Luckily Jason is on an island 1800 miles from Tokyo, so he was not affected by either of the disasters at first but he and his unit have had to be in Tokyo for clean up, and he has had to have a painful OC wash treatment for radiation, (raindrops six and seven.) All our kids are given to wear from the Marines as protective gear are gloves, what's with that Marines?

Jason sent us his picture on Facebook and it showed his terribly swollen, red face, nose and eyes. He was blind for hours afterwards. He looked awful and was in pain from the OC shower. What I don't get is why our kids only get a dam pair of gloves to wear when cleaning up radiation. Again I ask, what's with that Marines???

Last night my grandson came home on an emergency leave to be with his mom who in the meantime of all this going on, has to have her hip replaced. Her leg is literally hanging by tendons. (raindrops eight, nine and growing.) We will all be with her tomorrow, Monday, when she has her third hip operation. Her sons will help take care of her during what could be a lenghty recoverey period. Plus she has "fantastic friends" who love her, and will all lend a hand.

The rain is still falling but now it has turned from drops to a flood, and as my 91 year old wonderfully bright mother always says:

When it rains - It pours!!!

TIPS YOU WON'T BELIEVE

AUNT JEMIMA TO THE RESCUE... Not to long ago a friend was hard boiling some eggs. Just as she reached into the pot to remove one with a spoon, her doorbell rang. She looked away just long enough to dip her hand into the boiling water, she let out a blood curdling scream and dropped the spoon. Her neighbor hearing the scream ran inside and saw her standing there. She saw the steaming hot water and figured out what happened. She shouted; do you have any flour? Crying, she answered back, "yes up in that cabinet." Her neighbor grabbed the flour and placed her hand inside the bag and said, keep it there as she tried comforting her. She began to explain that when her brother was in Viet Nam and got burned they used this method and it worked very well, no pain, no blisters or redness and after just ten minutes. Once they removed her hand it was not red, no blisters or pain. From that day forward she's kept an easy to open container of flour in her refrigerator, it seems cold flour feels even better than room temperature does. The two shared this miracle with us at our next Bunco game and we all keep flour handy now just in case. You can even put a dab on your tongue after having tasted something too hot. Try it next time you or someone you know gets a burn. It's a ten minute miracle. .. > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> COKE-A-COLA CONTROLA... Do you or someone you know have one of those grease/oil stained driveways that makes your home look like a redneck lives there? Or when the cars not parked in it people step on the stain and track the gunk into your lovely home? Does it make you want to scream because even Tide and boiling water won't get it out? Well, I have the answer and it's easy and cheap. It's coke-a-cola. Simply buy some coke, don't drink it cause if it does what I am about to tell you I don't believe it should be drunk! Open can of coke and dump it out onto the spot, use as many cans as it takes, scrubbing after each can sits there for five minutes. Depending on how bad your spots are, it should take about 1/2 hour per stain. Before using the coke if there is a wet spot, dump some cheap kitty litter onto the spot to soak up the liquid. In fact once clean if the problem leaker is still going to be parked there, keep kitty litter on the spot to catch the leakage.... This really works well!

Put Some SPRING In Your Step

Well the time is drawing near when the sun will shine upon us nearly all day long. I LOVE Springt!!! Spring's warmer days are perfect for starting an outdoor walking program. Walking is an ideal exercise. It's weight-bearing, so it strengthens bones. It's aerobic, so it improves heart and lung function. And other than the price of a good pair of walking shoes, it's free! So if your doctor says it's okay, it's time to hit the ground walking. Having a walking partner is great but if you don't have one simply change where you walk often to make it more interesting, seeing different scenery and people.

How Far? A good beginners goal is to head out the door, walk 5 to 10 minutes, then head back. The next time walk 10 to 15 minutes increasing the time by 5 minute increments. Focus on how you feel not how far you're walking.

How Fast? Aim to walk a bit faster than normal, as if you were late to an appointment. But slow down if you feel winded. You should have enough breath to be able to keep up a conversation.

How Often? Walking 5 days a week is ideal, but any amount of exercise is beneficial.

Be SAFE! In two ways, first wait until you've walked awhile before stretching so as not to injure muscles. Second, and most importantly; don't walk alone on secluded trails, and always carry a cell phone fully charged. Protect your skin with sunscreen. Wear reflective clothing if you're walking at dawn or dusk. Make sure you kinow where you are and what's around you. And if the weather is uncooperative you can always find a Mall to walk in.

Here's is hoping Spring is good to you. . .

Special post for SAMMIE SUE

Sammie Sue is an African grey parrot that is one of the smartest and most vocal birds I know but she sometimes isn't kind to her loving owners Dianne and David Schwartz. Recently she was in a foul mood for some reason, no one knows why because she is a spoiled princess in her home. Anyway when Dianne tried to pick her up on this particular day she acted out and bit poor Diannes fingers. When reading about this on Sammies Facebook and then on her website I wrote her a comment. I told her she was very bad, and I had a joke that might work to teach her a lesson. I didn't want to take up too much space, but leave room for other comments, so I decided to write it here for Sammie to come and read... Here goes!

A lovely older woman on her way to work passed the same Pet Shop daily. One day there was a huge cage sitting out in the shade and inside was a beautiful parrot. She stopped and told the parrot how beautiful he was. With that the bird squaked and out of his mouth came a dozen swear words #@$%(*& and then told the woman she was an ugly, fat cow. "Well," said the woman and hurried on by. By the time she arrived at work she had cooled off and began to feel sorry for the bird wondering who had taught it such language.

The same thing happened three days in a row, same bird behavior and same rushing by, by the woman. For a week the woman got a ride from a friend so didn't see the parrot. Once her friend wasn't going in her direction she again had to walk. As she approached the Pet Store, no cage or parrot. She went inside to inquire as to the situation. The owner said, "oh, dam bird insulted so many folks I had to remove it, I'll never be able to sell it anyway with that filthy mouth."
The woman said, "maybe I could buy it and retrain it to speak pleasantly."
The man said, "lady if you want it you can have it and I'll throw in the cage and deliver it too." They shook on it...
The following Saturday the Pet Shop owner delivered the bird and cage to the womans home.

Three months passed and everyday the poor woman would try for hours to get the parrot to speak kindly to her, and each day he swore and called her names. When she had friends over they had to sit out on the front stoop or the parrot cursed them too. Finally even the kind woman was losing her patience and on a Sunday after she returned home from church she tried singing a lovely hymm to the bird who began swearing up a storm. That being the last straw the woman reachecd into the the cage, grabbed the startled bird, opened up the freezer door and tossed the parrot inside among the other meats. After about 5 minutes the woman heard pitiful squaking and muffled words coming from her freezer. She opened the door to find the parrot shivering as he pleaded with her to get him out of here, and promising to never swear or call her names again.
She reached inside and took him out setting him on the kitchen table, saying sternly, "if you ever do; right back into the freezer you'll go, and maybe for good!" The bird climbed onto her arm as she walked into the living room and put him into his cage. She said, "remember what you promised bird!"

Later on that evening as she was covering the parrots cage he said, beautiful, kind lady may I ask one question that has been bothering me?"
She answered, "yes of course, what is it that has been bothering you?"
The parrot replied, could you please tell me. . . . . . .

What did that chicken do???

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By the way to everyone who follows my blog, a THANK YOU you, and wish for a:

Happy St. Patricks Day
and may the wind always be at your back!!

All About SHAMROCKS

In March, shamrocks seem to pop up everywhere. The three-leaved token of Irish luck has roots in both Druid and Christian traditions, but in Irish lawns, the plant is considered to be a weed. Here are some other facts about shamrocks...

Sham shamrocks?
Scholars, botanists and florists argue over the species of the Irish shamrock of lore. The shamrock is often counted as part of the clover family, but in drawings of the plant, the typically heart shaped leaves indicate wood sorrel, a member of the oxalis family.

Badge of rebellion.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, some Irish wore shamrocks to display their dissatisfaction with British rule. Thus the phrase "the wearing o' the green," is said to have originated during this period.

Snake stopper?
The shamrock was believed to be a remedy for snake and scorpion bites. Tradition holds snakes are never seen near shamrocks.

A wee bit of protection.
Shamrocks are thought to ward off any mischief a leprechaun might cause.

Here comes the luck!
To encourage a fortuitous union, shamrocks are sometimes placed in a brides bouquet or worn on a grooms lapel.

Note: To wet the appetite of its customers, McDonalds created in 1970 a seasonal specialty beverage called a Minty Green Shamrock Shake which they say is still as popular as ever.


A Mark of Ireland

While the Celtic harp is the official emblem of Ireland, the shamrock is a popular symbol too. The Irish airline Aer Lingus uses the shamrock in its logo, and the flag of Montreal features a shamrock to represent the Canadian city's Irish population.

EATING GREEN

It's easy eating GREEN. . .

We've all heard we should try to live a greener lifestyle by reducing, reusing and recycling. But what about our diets? Making enviromentally conscious choices can be better for our waistlines, our wallets and our planet.

BUY LOCAL:
When you purchase locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, and dairy products, you're supporting area farmers and cutting back on the fuel it takes to truck food across the country.

GO ORGANIC:
Treating soil with pesticides can pollute the soil, groundwater and possibly us. If you're budget conscious, at least aim for organic when buying produce with thin, edible skins such as grapes, berries, bell peppers, and radishes.

EAT LOWER ON THE FOOD CHAIN:
Producing a pound of meat takes much more water and energy than producing a pound of grain or vegetables.

DITCH THE DRIVE-THROUGH:
Idiling in line in a fast-food restaurant waates gas. Park the car and order inside if you must frequent these restaurants. Better to whip up a quick meal at home. You'll save packaging waste and money too.

BANISH BOTTLED WATER:
Even if you recycle those plastic bottles, it's still taking energy to produce, transport and recycle them.

TAKE BABY STEPS:
You don't have to go cold turkey on cheeseburgers. Even small changes, such as eating one meatless meal a week can make a big difference over time. . .

CHARITABLE WORKS

WAYS TO MAXIMIZE CHARITABLE GIVING

Due to the recession, many people are cutting back their spending, including giving to their favorite charities. Here are some ways to make your donations have more of an impact.

Give to the neediest. Charities such as food banks, homeless shelters and utility assitance programs are getting hit with the double whammy of decreased donations and increased demand. If you want to make a real impact, give to one of these groups.

Check charity finances. Use charity evaluation sites like:
CharityNavigator.com
GuideStar.org
to see how nonprofits are spending your money. Ideally, at least 75 percent of a donation should go toward programs.

Concentrate your giving; if you can't give much, focus on just one or two charities that are important to you so your cash has a bigger impact.

You can also donate more than just cash. Volunteering your time and skills or donating items such as canned food or gently used clothing can help as much as opening your wallet.

Oh, and skip the middleman! If you're going to donate money, write a check directly to the charity. If you pay with a credit card, the charity loses a 2 or 3 percent processing fee to the card issuer.

Give as you shop is also a good idea, use the free portal; iGive.com to link to and buy from your favorite retailers. A percentage of each purchase goes to a charity, without adding to your tab at checkout.

They say it is better to give than receive, and charities so need us to keep them in mind especially in times like these. They need us now more than ever. . .

QUICKIES to make you chuckle...

These are some short funnies to make you laugh no matter what kind of day you are having.

1.) I dialed a number today and got the following recorded message:

"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call,
you are one of those changes."

2.) Aspire to inspire before you expire!!!

3.) My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine...

4.) Frustration is trying to find your glasses, without your glasses...

5.) The irony of life is that by the time y0u're old enough to know your way around,
you're not going anywhere!

6.) God made man before woman to give man time to think of an answer for her first question!

7.) I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder and harder to find one.

8.) Man comes home, finds his wife in bed with his friend, he shoots his friend and kills him.
Wife says; "If you behave like this, you will lose ALL your friends!"

9.) What's the difference between, stress, tension and panic?
Stress is when the wife is pregnant...
Tension is when the girlfriend is pregnant...
Panic is when both are pregnant at the same time...

10.) Teacher asks: Do you know the importance of a period?
Kid raises his hand and says;
"Yeah, once my sister missed one, my mom fainted, dad got a heart attack, and our neighbors father ran away.

11.) A woman asks a man she see's traveling with six children;
"Are all these kids yours?"
The man replied; "No, I work in a condom factory and these are customer complaints."

12.) A young boy asks his dad; "What is the difference between confident and confidential?"
Dad answers; "You are my son, I am confident about that. Your friend over there, is also my son, but that's confidential."

Nominated as the best email joke of last year...

A three-year old boy was examining his testicles while taking a bath.
"Mom," he asked. "are these my brains?"
"NOT YET!" she replied...