tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49505769739796411212024-03-13T21:46:26.567-07:00Pasty's PlaceI think I'm a victim of wishful thinking.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-32913764115287984452013-04-22T13:35:00.000-07:002013-04-22T15:14:18.970-07:00Being a Mom is easy, Being my kid? Well, the jury is still out.We all have our talents and our challenges in life. The one thing that I've always wanted to do since I was little was be a mom. I had practice on my little sisters. Although, I don't think it actually prepared me for real motherhood. But from the beginning of becoming a mom and having children I was linked to my kids. I dreamed about each one. My first born walked out of the hospital while being born telling the nurses to tell me he'd be back after he viewed the world. He is in the Army. My second child was talking to everyone right after birth. She said her first word at three months old. "Hi." She hasn't been quiet since. My third child, another boy, tried to turn his crib into a time machine. He wants to become an engineer. (Also, I'm beginning to think time travel may be possible.) The dream about my third child was totally different. In his dream we were sitting on a hill having a picnic together. According to the dream dictionary is prophetic of success and happiness. What more can you want for your child?<br />
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Now, if you ask any one of my children to describe me in one word I believe the consensus would be, "crazy." I believe that I have been branded this title unfairly, just for the record. I'm not crazy. (Of course my husband prefers the word "eccentric.") I'm just creative. I have a tendency to say things in, perhaps, unusual ways. It makes for a fun household. My children also know that I am a very hands on and engaged mom. I like to do things with them and for them. We spend quite a bit of time together. (As much as possible with my oldest since he lives in another state and has to take leave to visit.) The only problem with taking them places is that I may have a tiny bit of difficulty when it comes to directions.<br />
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I believe I inherited this trait from my own biological mother. I remember once when I was five years old, and my younger sister was three, that she stole the keys from my sleeping father to take us for an afternoon drive because she was bored. For some reason my father didn't let her drive. Perhaps it was because she didn't have a legal license to drive. More than likely, it was because he was afraid that she would get lost and never return home. After the incident, perhaps his fears were valid. We ended up in the middle of a golf course with her screaming "WEEEEEE!!!!" as she did donuts in the grass. My sister and I were having a grand time until the police stopped us. Even though I was young I was convinced we were going to jail. But my mother, quick to thinking, started babbling in Italian to an extremely frustrated officer. He just told her to go home, speaking what little Spanish he knew (which he obviously didn't realize was an entirely different language than my mother was speaking), "comprendez?"<br />
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You would think this would be one incident that would never be repeated. Unfortunately, that's what one gets for thinking. It is true that the sins of the mother are doomed upon the child. One night I was driving late to get to a camping spot in Oklahoma from Texas. Somehow I made a wrong turn. It just felt like it was the right turn. That's the thing about being directional impaired, you FEEL like you should be going a certain direction. Anyway, lo and behold, after going through a couple of bushes (I still don't know how they got in the road) I ended up on a golf course. My husband, who had very nicely been trying to tell me that he thought I might want to turn around, started laughing. He knew the story of my mother. Now my children had one of their own. Thanks to my husband, that is. Only one sleeping baby was in the car at the time. Of course I could just deny the entire episode and make them think is was one of his tall tales, but unfortunately, they know me too well.<br />
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Besides, even if they didn't the story with three out of the four in the car would do me in. After this, I think all credibility of being able to drive without difficulty might be a difficult sell.<br />
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We were driving about an hour from home a couple of years ago. My daughter was going with me, as she often does. (Since she has been an adult we have become great friends. Thank goodness her teenage years are behind us.) My two youngest sons in the back of the car. We started out well. Driving down the highway, onto the road in a city we have never been. I had done well. We were still in Wisconsin. (I should get bonus points for that at least.)<br />
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The trouble only came when we ran into a detour due to road construction. I had been depending on my handy dandy gps. She had failed me in the past, but she seemed to be behaving that day. She gave me an alternate route. I took it.<br />
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I became a bit suspicious as we rode onto a dirt road. The cattle gates on either side did make me raise an eyebrow, but I mean, surely I was heading in the right direction.<br />
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The road got a little bumpy. We found some nice greenery on the road. Some trees. And then we came to this extremely steep incline. I paused. Did I dare go down the incline to see if the road got better? It looked like maybe the gps was urging me to go that route. My youngest son in the back was scared. The road didn't look safe to him. My other two children were not very encouraging.<br />
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Against my better judgement I listened to them. We rounded the curve and ended up - in a soy bean field.<br />
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"Mom, you took us on a field trip!" my daughter exclaimed. I started laughing. I was laughing so hard it made it hard to think.<br />
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What to do, what to do? I turned around of course. I was very careful not to trample the van onto the well planted crop. It was tricky, but I managed. I was half Italian after all. Mario Andretti is able to take curves with no trouble due to his heritage, I'm sure.<br />
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My daughter suggested I go back to the main road. My sons agreed. I, according to them, had obviously not followed the directions very well. I disagreed. We had an alternative road left, didn't we?<br />
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I went back to the dirt road incline. It was steep. If it had been winter and we had skis we would have been set for an adventure. However, it was late Spring and sunny. The van would have to do.<br />
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As I started down the hill I hear screaming from the back seat.<br />
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"Mom don't! We're going to die!" yelled my youngest in fear.<br />
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However, I didn't hesitate. I took the incline. Miraculously we made it to the bottom of the incline and found - a tree. A very big tree. The scenery around us looked like something you would find on late night television. The place where serial killers take their victims to be buried and never seen again. We locked the doors. We carefully looked around - from inside the van. No one was visible wearing a white hockey mask. We were good. We were also thankful it was daylight.<br />
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To this day I swear the gps was laughing at me.<br />
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However, we did manage to make it back up the hill without dying.<br />
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I went back out through the cattle gates and onto a paved road. We found our destination in the end.<br />
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A memory was made that day. I'm sure it is one that my children will remember about me like the one I remember about my own mother. The truly unfortunate part is only that it doesn't change their mind about thinking that I'm crazy. But that's okay. They love me and I adore them. That is what being a mom is all about.<br />
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(P.S. I was inspired to write this post for a contest in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mompact?sk=app_310271222335318&ref=woobox" target="_blank">Mompact</a> after my daughter wrote one.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-31509048560320288492013-02-18T08:50:00.003-08:002013-02-18T09:18:34.563-08:00My Letter to Congress - Share yours<br />
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Below is my letter to Congress. I sent this letter to each of my state senators and representatives. Please share yours as well. If you need to know where to contact them, click on the <a href="http://www.contactingthecongress.org/" target="_blank">link</a>. The letter reads:<br />
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President Obama ran on his first campaign to make changes in the US. The people who elected him felt that his message was that the changes would be better for the country and the American people. Since that time the changes have only suppressed the people and caused them more financial difficulty. Those of us that are educated, run households, and know how budgeting actually work are very tired of how things are going in Washington today. We are tired of excuses of party line politics getting in the way of progress, and them also being used as political tools in the media to promote party agendas. The time has come to make some changes in our government and in the government programs.<br />
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No one likes to budget. There is not one household in the United States that wants to sit down and cut our things that they enjoy or want in their homes. Some of the cuts we make actually hurt. For instance, as a parent I will forgo my own medical treatment and live with pain, even with the high cost of insurance we pay through my husband's work, due to co-payments if my children need food. We give up everything extra. We no longer have cable or satellite service on our television. We shop at bulk food stores and never buy name brand. We buy used clothing and shoes instead of new. We fight each day to bring down expenses by keeping the heat lower even in the dead of Winter. We need a new roof, but we can't even afford that because our taxes are so high on our home and our mortgage rate is high, but we can not afford to move or sell our home. We had our car repossessed because I no longer could work due to my illness, and yet they refused me Social Security benefits, because they seem to refuse almost everyone unless you hire a lawyer, which we can't afford; which is one of the reasons we needed benefits. These are realities that the politicians in Washington do not even seem to consider. We cut our own costs down to the bone and still struggle. Gas prices go up while our paychecks go down. We understand about sacrifice and how much it hurts.<br />
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The average American household makes $41,000 per year. If these same American people worked only the days in which most of what we see our Congress doing and did their job as poorly as what our elected officials are doing they would no longer have a job. Nancy Pelosi says to not cut your pay and ruin her dignity. How is her dignity in tact knowing that every single day she has not considered the real issues that we face financially and that she is willing to consider on her political party concerns over the welfare of the people she represents? I think she has lost her dignity when she lost her integrity over thinking that politics is more important than people. When she said that signing a bill because it was beneficial politically was more important than passing a bill that would be good for the people she supposedly represents. She is not alone in her loss of dignity. Many other politicians are following her suit.<br />
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So yes, many of us in Wisconsin want you to take a pay cut to where you are working as hard as the average American and making the same amount as the average American. We want the life time benefits stopped. We want you held accountable for the jobs you perform and the policies you make. If it takes a sequester for you to sit down and actually formulate a budget, then by all means sequester yourselves and come up with a feasible plan that benefits the American people and not the party or Congressional pocket books.<br />
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So yes, we, the taxpayers of this nation, want change. We want real change that matters. We want real representation. We don't want to see you spending our tax dollars on lavish parties and hobnobbing with celebrities while we struggle to buy a gallon of milk. We don't want party politics or politics as usual. We want results.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
Donna N. Dunbar<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Neenah, Wisconsin</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-86202257754465325982013-01-17T16:19:00.000-08:002013-01-17T16:19:26.497-08:00Discovery and Cooking Classes? Gotta love it.I was watching a show on Hulu today. (I would disclose the show, but it would just prove that I am a real nerd at heart.) I, of course, chose the watch something for 2 minutes and then watch your show commercial free. I assumed I could just doze off for a couple of minutes, but I was wrong. I learned that Kikkoman owns a plant in Wisconsin! I was mesmerized by the commercial and the people working there with what they had to say. As a matter of fact this year they will be making an entire movie about this unusual plant - which just happens to be the largest soy sauce manufacturing plant in the world. Yes. The world!<br />
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So, I started searching about the plant and landed on this <a href="http://steamykitchen.com/24899-kikkoman-sweepstakes-win-1000-towards-cooking-classes.html" target="_blank">sweepstakes</a> for $1,000 in cooking classes if you win. (One of the entries was to write about it on your blog, so yes, this is my entry blurb.) <br />
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Of course reading the blog and about the sweepstakes I learned even more about this amazing plant and company. Such as it is run by a woman. I find this intriguing, because it is a Japanese company and a woman has been running it when women weren't even considered contenders in the wide world of business.<br />
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Anyway, having grown up on food with soy sauce (being raised by a Korean mom,) I now want to see if they have an outlet store - like the bread factories. I would so be up for a road trip!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-88495310128320323422013-01-14T19:55:00.000-08:002013-01-14T19:55:36.138-08:00Explain this to me<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESps6d0podA/UPTSsPRX-UI/AAAAAAAAAmY/D-Ba3QdxpmM/s1600/bill-of-rights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ESps6d0podA/UPTSsPRX-UI/AAAAAAAAAmY/D-Ba3QdxpmM/s320/bill-of-rights.jpg" width="320" /></a>Constitutional rights are supposed to be Sovereign. This means they should be supreme and indisputable. They were the basis on which our country was founded - to protect the citizens of our country. It was in place because our forefathers had lived through a time when they had little to no rights or say. They fought to ensure that we had those rights, and through generations of time many others have stood up and fought to maintain those rights.<br />
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It is true that some people violate the spirit of the rights we have. One such is the Westboro Baptist Church. The Supreme Court stated that this group of people who targeted murdered children, fallen soldiers, and have been given gross media attention for their chants of hatred in the name of God were entitled. Roberts wrote: <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">Roberts wrote: "Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and -- as it did here -- inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker. As a Nation we have chosen a different course -- to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate. That choice requires that we shield Westboro from tort liability for its picketing in this case."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">So, they used the first amendment to be able to have freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly. Perhaps part of this also was because Westboro claimed religious freedom of thought and action as well. As this same amendment guarantees the respect to and establishment of religion. Let's face it, not everyone is going to agree with every religion. Some people may not agree with any. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">Westboro does spout seriously hateful and disturbing things. Things that mourners should not have to deal with in a time of sorrow. Yet the law does not guarantee a peaceful funeral. Roberts went on to state: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">"Given that Westboro's speech was at a public place on a matter of public concern, that speech is entitled to 'special protection' under the First Amendment" and "cannot be restricted simply because it is upsetting or arouses contempt."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">I am certain that this type of behavior was not what our forefathers had in mind when writing this in the Bill of Rights. However, it was interpreted by our own Supreme Court to be allowable under the law.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">Of course Justice Alito bravely disagreed with his colleague. He stated: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">"Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case. . . In this case, respondents brutally attacked Matthew Snyder, and this attack, which was almost certain to inflict injury, was central to respondents' well-practiced strategy for attracting public attention." It is true that their behavior does inflict mental and emotional harm on the loved ones left behind. Yet our government thinks so highly of this first amendment right that it holds the contemptible speech as more important than the harm it can inflict.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">So explain this to me. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">This first amendment also ensures people of this country to respect the establishment of religion and not to impede the exercise of that religion. In other words, we should not be inhibited to belief however we want to believe and our government should not force us to do anything contrary to our personal religious beliefs. Freedom of religion is a basic human right, which is also recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">By law no person, job, or government can force someone to go against their personal belief. A religious belief, for example, that does not allow a man to cut his beard would mean that a business that refused to allow that same person to work because he has a beard would be breaking the law. A woman that has a religious belief that she should not take any medication cannot be force by her employer to have the flu shot. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">Yet today Hobby Lobby is refusing to pay for insurance that provides the Day After Pill to employees because it goes against their religious principles. Hobby Lobby has made no attempts to hide, since they opened their doors in Oklahoma, that they were a Christian based company. They do not open on Sunday in respect to their belief that Sunday is a day of rest.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">This same government that has given Westboro the right to spew hatred refuses to listen to the claim that the healthcare issue violates their religion. Instead they are currently fining them 1.3 million dollars per day since January 1 until they give up on their religious commitment and follow what many believe is an unconstitutional law. How does this happen?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">First, I understand the use and importance of the morning after pill. I understand that accidents can happen, women can be raped, and unwanted pregnancies happen each day in our country. I also understand that our government pays via our tax dollars for women on welfare to have free access to this medication. I'm not an opponent of this pill. I will say, though, that if you are having unprotected sex you should pay for your own mistakes, don't expect your employer to bail you out. If a woman is raped we should have alternative and private means for her to seek assistance and reassurance that she has not been impregnated.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">I am an opponent of double standards. On one side we have a government that is so zealous about upholding the Bill of Rights that they reward religious haters at the expense of mourners. On the other side we have a government that refuses to recognize a private family owned business that refuses to give into government and turn their back on their own religious standard. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.296875px;">In my opinion: It just ain't right.</span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-49174349668091425572013-01-11T07:30:00.003-08:002013-01-11T07:31:22.713-08:00Fog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those that might not be able to see the graphic, here is the poem:<br />
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<b>Fog</b><br />
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Unseasonably warm, and yet a chill rides through my bones.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And the gray fog wraps around me whispering secrets I have buried.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the fog does no longer hides and disguises, but reveals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I try to speak but it says, “Shhh. Just listen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And I realize that the fears I have hidden have awoken <o:p></o:p></div>
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Resurfacing from their dormant state<o:p></o:p></div>
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Resurrecting to haunt me again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fingers of fog holding tighter as I struggle to become free,<o:p></o:p></div>
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But freedom is a high price and my karmic debt is not yet paid.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have no credit left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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~ Pasty Dunbar<o:p></o:p></div>
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I wrote it this morning looking out of my bedroom window at the thick gray fog that surrounding the house. The snow is melting and, warm for Wisconsinites, a lot of people have been wearing sweaters instead of thick coats.Yet it is only January. Very warm.</div>
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Last night, as the house was very quiet a large boom rang through the house shaking the floors. Startled I stopped and yelled to make sure my husband, Brian, was okay. He said, "What the hell was that?" Looking through the house we didn't see anything. Then it dawned on us both at the same time. The extremely large icicle, about seven feet high and three feet round, had fallen on the extended roof. Sure enough there lay the fragments. The roof unharmed, but the memory of house shivering and shaking fresh in our mind. </div>
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Our home was built in 1890. There was no damage, but there was this thought: Damn! They sure built this house to last. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-63055781227738175822012-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:002012-12-15T19:09:11.801-08:00Don't Give Me that Bullcrap!I learn a lot about what some people are spewing out there in this new big wide world, (in regards to excuses people make for being less than what they are capable of being) from my husband. Yesterday, on his <a href="http://space4commerce.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, he wrote:<br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Chandra, a "recovering grammar snob" who works as an English teacher, has a smashing trio of essays on Literacy Privilege -- the invisible privilege that accrues to people who have the facility to write well and clearly, and who have absorbed the "correct" conventions of English. I know I've been guilty of dismissing people because of their grammar/spelling errors."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So today it's a privilege to be able to speak and write correctly? Seriously? I didn't have all the advantages of what the youth of today have when I was growing up. My mother was a single mother with a serious illness for the first part of my life. We didn't have a big house. We lived in an apartment complex near Washington, DC. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Growing up I was beaten almost to death by a sibling. I spent time in the hospital recovering from this.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I was put in a home to be watched by an insane woman who locked us in rooms, threw food at us like we were dogs, and pulled us down the stairs by our hair. I lived through this while my mother visited her family for one last time in Italy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I watched my mother struggle until the illness got the better of her. I lived through a lot, more than what I can comfortably write here at this moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was bullied in school after my mother died for not having a mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So, what I didn't do was make excuses for myself. I didn't sit down and feel sorry for myself because life had been hard on me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I worked to become educated because having an education was important. I was not a person that felt that everything should be handed to me, not even as a child. I learned. I grew. I focused. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I was not given video games to play. I wasn't coddled. When I lost at a sport I did it with grace and an understanding that to become better I needed to practice. If I wanted to develop a sense of pride in an ability I worked to obtain in for myself. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">At the age of ten I had developed an impressive vocabulary and took pride in being able to read and write. I worked for every grade I made in school. I read because I knew that reading was a way to gain knowledge. It was a choice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I studied other languages to develop a better cultural understanding of the world. I was not pompous and arrogant enough to think that it was the responsibility of everyone else to learn to speak to me in my native language. I didn't expect other countries to cater to my English while I sat back and felt superior. I am not superior to others, but I am not inferior to anyone either. I am comfortable with who I am.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Every single day we make choices in our life. English is a dying language because people are becoming lazy. They shorten even simple words to make things in their lives quicker and easier. They don't work on developing skills, and this is not my fault. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I am not living a privileged life. I am living a life I worked to have. I put effort in being able to read well and write legibly. Just because I don't bastardize the English language doesn't make me privileged - it makes me educated. I worked to be educated, and I feel I am better for it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">So no, I don't think those that have been too lazy to work toward reading and writing legibly are to be pitied and catered to. They have had the same, if not better, opportunities to learn and excel. I will not coddle them. They have been coddled for too long by too many, which is perhaps why more and more people fall into that same trap. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Make all the excuses you want, but the truth is this - becoming literate takes work. If you aren't willing to do the work to obtain that talent then it's your own fault. It doesn't make someone that works for it privileged, it means they are just more focused on success.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-27746974583135729202012-11-20T17:45:00.001-08:002012-11-20T17:46:11.053-08:00Snape Doesn't Know EverythingIn Harry Potter Professor Snape tries to show how ignorant Harry is and how important it is for him to know things in order to do better magic. Of course in theory according to the books and movie, Snape is just being a good guy (cough) trying to make Harry stronger so he can defeat Voldemort in the end.<br />
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But who would have known that Snape was wrong? Hmm. Makes you think about how that pompous exterior would have reacted, had he lived, to know he had given a classroom of students misinformation.<br />
The truth is that Monkshood and Wolsfbane are not the same. However, a lot of people think that they are.<br />
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Monkshood is known as Aconitum napellus and has blue flowers, but Wolfsbane is actually Aconitum vulparia, and has yellowish flowers. Both are, however, quite poisonous. Wolfsbane is said to deter a werewolf (probably because they don't want to be poisoned). In ancient times it was used to poison the water supply of the enemy. The plants do serve some medicinal purposes, however, mostly topically.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkswood</td></tr>
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There are actually 109 species of Aconitum - all of which are poisonous. You can order seeds or plants and they are beautiful flowers. Just know that if you handle these plants your hands could suffer from numbness. If you ingest them you could die. There is no antidote.<br />
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So, teaching young children about the plants - well, maybe Snape was being helpful, or maybe he was being hopeful. He didn't seem to actually like children a whole lot, after all.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-1125458618297095422012-11-19T09:22:00.000-08:002012-11-19T09:22:30.978-08:00Guinevere Where art thou? on SyFy's "Merlin"I love watching new shows and especially those that have some fantasy aspect to them. Most of them don't last long on television. I guess not everyone is as excited about new worlds and possibilities like I am. But, (of course there is a but here) I haven't been able to get into Syfy's channel<a href="http://www.syfy.com/merlin/" target="_blank"> "Merlin."</a> Not because it's not entertaining. It has some fun things going on. It's not because Merlin is the same age as Arthur. I like a little diversity from the script. It's Guinevere.<br />
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Now, I read one blog that says if I don't like <a href="http://ravepad.com/page/angel-coulby/images/view/1393175/Angel-Coulby-Biography-Pictures-Images-Movies-Videos-FamousWhy" target="_blank">Angel Coulby</a> as Guinevere I must be a "white supremist." Really? I don't dislike her in the role because I find her unattractive. She's very cute. I find that she doesn't have a chemistry with her Arthur, for one thing. She's not what I consider Gunivere material.<br />
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Besides the fact that she is not a white female actress, which I could care less about honestly, she is not delicate like Guinevere should be. In the fable Guinevere is a noble woman, in the show she is the daughter of a blacksmith. That's fine. She should still be a bit more stately and feminine, in my humble opinion, with a bit of spunk that shows she can take care of herself. In spite of the fact that most people picture the ancient queen as some blonde haired blue eyed bombshell, in reality during that time period the Welsh woman should have been brunette with maybe green eyes. That's beside the point. We can think outside the box.<br />
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Let's take a look at a few of my ethnic choices for the role. How about <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1227814/" target="_blank">Vanessa Hudgens</a>? She's young, vibrant, and has that minimal air that she could be an unwitting seductress. She has a seriously wide range of ethnicities in her background. She is also extremely talented. She could bring a sense of music to the role of Guinevere as well. I think just about any actor could have some chemistry with this adorable 23 year old actress. Forget that she is with Disney and that she dates <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zac_Efron" target="_blank">Zach Efron</a>. She would make a stunning Gwen. Of course there is the fact that she is not from the UK. I'm sure some people would frown on that, even though they seem to be tolerant of the race change which meant that people came to the UK long before the Vikings invaded and civilizations were travelling across waterways.<br />
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So, what about going out of the box then? How about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqJR24lj4pI" target="_blank">Frieda Pinto</a>? She is a very talented and gorgeous actress. She may not have been born in the UK, but she is from India which has a strong British influence. Especially since it was part of the British Raj until 1947. Listening to her in movies you could hear what might be interpreted by some as an "English" accent. However, if we are going to insist that there was an African influence in Arthurian England then it's not too much to expect that there could have been an Indian influence as well. Frieda would bring a lot of dimension to Guinevere's character, I would think. She's not only stunning, she has that sense of sensuality that seems to be missing in the current character.I could see the Frieda Pinto Gwen seducing Lancelot.<br />
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Of course if you really wanted an actress born in the UK there is always <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0534772/" target="_blank">Ashley Madekwe</a>! Not only is Ashley stunningly beautiful and a very talented actress, she brings a sort of elfish look to the character, which is perfect for a fantasy. It could also explain a bit of her background if the series wanted to go that way. It uses a lot of magic after all. Ashley has a very fresh and intoxicating look. Not only could she seduce Arthur and Lancelot she could probably give Mordred a run for the money. I think her chemistry with co-star <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3010926/" target="_blank">Bradley James</a> would bring ratings up for the Syfy channel.<br />
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So see? I'm not adverse to ethnic actresses holding the role of Gwen in the series. I just find it very difficult to like the character portrayed by the current actress. I'm not saying that Angel Coulby is untalented or unattractive - just not well suited for this particular <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiGL8cbG_Js&feature=related" target="_blank">part</a>. I think she'd be a lot of fun to watch on Dr. Who where she could put some spunk into a role.<br />
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Of course this is just my opinion on the matter. I won't call you a name if you disagree. It would have been nice if the other blogger, whom I would credit if I could have found it again, would have extended the same courtesy.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-34417734531168111552012-11-12T16:37:00.000-08:002012-11-12T16:37:21.216-08:00The Problem with Election Funds and EvilI heard a lot of people say they voted for Obama because he was the "lesser of two evils." It's sad that people had to think that any of our political were evil. Growing up we were taught to have a deep respect for the President of the United States. Times were definitely different then. Certainly no one presidential candidate collected over a billion dollars. With so many people out of work you would think that the billion dollars raised could have been used in more productive ways than launching smear campaigns. The truth is that 1 billion dollars equals about the salary of 20,000 median income families (that is families that earn 50,000 per year.) Putting that in perspective - The campaign funds from Obama could have easily housed and fed the entire population of <a href="http://www.citypopulation.de/php/usa-census-wisconsin.php" target="_blank">Adams County, Wisconsin</a>. Mitt Romney's campaign funds, by the same token, could have supported 18,000 families. He could have given 50,000 to every citizen in Jasper, IN and still had enough left over to run some ads. But neither candidate did that. Not one penny of either candidates campaign money was used to support a needy family, raise a community center, or feed the homeless.<br />
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In turn instead of having an unbiased and fair election we had the battle of the bucks. Big bucks run elections. That's why when you mention people like Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, Laurie Roth, or Virgil Goode most Americans have no earthly clue who you are talking about. Most media outlets won't even talk to them or take them seriously. They have nowhere near the monetary backing that major party candidates receive.<br />
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The question is this: How many of you would have voted for the candidate that took his campaign money and used it to help a failing business? What if they took some of that campaign money and actually used it to support a wounded soldier pay off his mortgage? Perhaps they took a bit of the money and opened a community center in a troubled neighborhood? What type of media coverage would this have given them?<br />
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Of course neither candidate did that. There is supposed to be laws regarding how the campaign funds can be used. Yet there was proof that those legal issues of obtaining funds weren't exactly followed and there wasn't even a "bad boy" or a hand slap given for the offense. It was met with a simple "oops" and an "oh well."<br />
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I'm not angry over the election results. Honestly, it wouldn't matter which candidate won, though I wasn't even the least bit surprised by the results. The media does an awesome job of making the majority of people see and think what they want them to see and think. They seemed to even promote fallacies and twist facts in order to confuse and manipulate.<br />
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My hope was that we had enough votes for one third party candidate to open up new options in our political system. That didn't happen.<br />
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The truth is that the only real change in this country can come from people actually waking up to realize that politics isn't about what is best for the country - it is about what is best for the party. Money and power run this country.<br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1600&bih=799&tbm=isch&tbnid=0rvr9ltnuJLbuM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington&docid=0eDprMvBFKnmJM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Portrait_of_George_Washington.jpeg/220px-Portrait_of_George_Washington.jpeg&w=220&h=268&ei=eZWhUNTJCKmrygGot4HIDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=124&vpy=179&dur=3688&hovh=214&hovw=176&tx=94&ty=79&sig=106358395828543660219&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=116&start=0&ndsp=40&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:144" target="_blank">George Washington</a> said, "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Our founding father's didn't believe in big government, and today our Federal government is growing like a wildfire out of control through each of our towns and businesses. Some of us see the scorching and realize we need to push it back before we are consumed, while others bask in the heat believing that they will never be burned. They feed the flames.<br />
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We have serious issues at home. We have high unemployment with more businesses each day cutting jobs. We have higher prices on commodities and lowering of incomes. Which brings us to remember another great insight of our first president, "Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected." We seem to have forgotten what our moral duty entails.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-90268617916861452932012-11-06T12:27:00.000-08:002012-11-06T12:27:03.008-08:00Being Called a RacistWhen I was teaching in an urban high school in Dallas most of my students were of "color." Now I don't mind people being proud of their rich heritages at all. I think that we should all be proud of who we are and where we come from. I just don't think that being white, black, or hispanic defines us as people. There are so many more things about being us than meets the eye.<br />
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This presidential campaign isn't the first time that I have been accused of being racist. When I was teaching and a student didn't do their homework and I gave them a zero I was called racist. I was accused of failing them based on their color. It didn't seem to dawn on the student that not doing their work or having anything to grade might have affected their grade. Nope. It was all on me for not passing them for doing nothing. It also didn't matter that other students in the class, of the same color, were passing. They actually did their work. To this particular student the only reason that I should pass them was so that I wouldn't suffer under the pressure of being name called. It didn't work. I know who I am.<br />
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This presidential campaign I dared compare Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. I was called a racist. Nothing I said indicated race. I simply stated that both men were rich, both had gone to law school, and other similarities between them. Romney was being chastised for all the same things Obama was, but for some reason it seemed okay for Obama to be that way and not the other guy. Evidently pointing that out made me racist. I don't buy it.<br />
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When I meet people I don't look at their color first. I don't ask them what religion they are affiliated with. I don't check out their bank accounts or worry about how they feel about abortion or gay marriage. Those things may come out in time, but for me it's not what matters. What matters is the person themselves. How they present themselves. How they interact with me and my family. If we click on other things. Honestly I'm not looking to clone myself to make friends. It's great if someone's opinions differ from my own as long as they are respectful of how I feel too.<br />
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Do I have friends that are of a different race than myself? Yes, I do. Do I have friends that are gay? Yes, I do. Do I have friends that are Mormon, Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic, or Pagan? I absolutely do. They aren't my friends because of or in spite of these things. These are just part of who they are, and I guess in turn, part of what makes them special. But I don't define them on their race, religion, or lifestyle. They are my friends because personally we clicked and our personalities complimented each other. We support, respect, and love each other.<br />
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On the outside I may look a certain way to people, and people may make judgements about me when they first see me. That's okay. Some people do that. I know that there is a lot more to people than what they wear on the outside. By putting people in categories we are severely limiting our own lives and understanding of what this world has to offer. It's one thing to acknowledge that each person is different, but when you identify them simply by the color of their skin or their religion you do them a great disservice.<br />
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Besides, there is a lot more to a person than meets the eye. The only way to find out is to actually take the time to get to know them. But, just because I didn't vote for Obama on election day doesn't make me a racist. I didn't vote for him because of his policies and political stance on the economy. If I had only voted for him because he was African American then I would have been doing him a great wrong, because I'm sure that he is much more than just the first Black President in the White House. And just because I don't agree with his stance on issues such as Health Care or Economic Recovery doesn't mean that I am going to start name calling or bashing people because they like his ideas. I respect their right to their opinions differing from my own.<br />
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This country was founded on diversity. Each day I recognize and celebrate that. One day, when people stop labeling and start accepting, we may even get past the days where we look at color and start appreciating character. That is the future I hope for my children and grandchildren.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-58883354256058373202012-10-31T06:40:00.000-07:002012-10-31T06:41:05.032-07:00Am I Liberal or Conservative? How about neither?First off, I hate labels. Labels indicate that you have a nice neat box that you fit into. It also tends to give people an excuse for not seeing things your way or as an argument as to why you have to be wrong. For instance, teaching in special education I was labeled as a teacher. Never mind that I had to go to school for five years instead of four or that I had to take extra classes to obtain my degree, nor did it matter that I graduated in the top of the class at my college. All that mattered to the teachers in the first school I taught was that I was in Special Education. Here is a case in fact: I was the Academic Team sponsor for the school. I took the brightest and best and readied them for competition. When one of the teachers found out that I was sponsoring this group she said, "Oh! Aren't you Special Education?" I replied, "I teach special education, I am not a student of special education." She was far from convinced. She was predisposed to the label of the word and anyone connected with that, in her mind, had mental difficulties. A total misconception for even the students in that area. People that are intelligent know that Learning Disabled is a misnomer. We should rename it to something along the lines of "Learning Differently," because the fact is they just don't seem to grasp the listen to lecture and take notes style of teaching.<br />
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So, maybe this is where my root of hating labels begins. I really don't know. What I do know is that labels are extremely limiting and cause misconceptions.<br />
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So, what is a liberal? If you look in the dictionary it is far from helpful. It defines it as: "A person of liberal views." Thank you, Merriam-Webster. So let's dig a bit deeper. Like many words the meaning has changed over time. The word actually became political in Britain during the 17th and 18th century. Then it was used to describe a liberty from government interference. They believed that government should not be involved in social services such as education or healthcare to people, and should not get involved with the citizens rights. It is rather the opposite of what "Liberals" tend to believe today. The modern liberal believes the government has a duty to provide people with services and provide social welfare. They would tend to believe that these services should be provided by more taxation on the wealthy and no fear of increased government spending because these services are needed.<br />
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A conservative on the other hand is defined as "A person who holds to traditional values and attitudes and is cautious about change." That definition seems to be a bit more clear than the previous one. So, by definition a conservative is more cautious about spending and making changes. A conservative typically does not want an increase in government interference and is more like the 17th and 18th century Liberals of the time.<br />
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So what is the big deal here? Well, if you take the definition of either and try to fit me into one of those boxes I just won't fit. First, I don't believe that we should provide social programs for everyone at the expense of our government going broke and not being able to take care of important things. I think states should have more power in taking care of their citizens and making policies, because the Federal Government already has so many duties and expectations there is no way it can meet them all effectively. I think we see this in the abuse we have in the social programs that are in place. How many times have you heard that someone that really needed help couldn't get it but someone that didn't need it was abusing the system? A lot.<br />
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With that said, I do think that we need programs. I just think that states would be better able to handle them. Why? Because it's a numbers game. Dividing the population into fifty parts and having leaders in each of those would be more feasible. Assistance from the government to those states could then be based on population and need. States could relegate offices to each county. This would also increase a need for further employment and provide a better ability to determine who is abusing the system.<br />
<br />
Of course this is just a thought on my part, not an actual plan. It just seems to make sense to divide things up and make it less complicated. Why? Because the current system is broken. So, in that regard I am looking for change which takes away my "conservative" status and I also am looking for a reduction in aid which makes me non "liberal."<br />
<br />
To continue I don't think government should be involved in other social issues. Why does the government care who gets married? Do they really need to involve themselves in who pro-creates and who doesn't? Don't they have other issues they need to concern themselves with, such as protecting the borders or making nice abroad? I don't think the government should be worried about marriage. Again, let the states handle their own marriage laws. If it's about taxes then make the tax frame different. If two men and a woman want to marry or two women and a man want to get married why should I care? I'm not living with them. Does it really have to be such a big deal? I don't care if two men want to marry or two women want to marry. It's really none of my business. Marriage is not a government business either. Most marriages are about religion and isn't there something about a separation of Church and State? So it's okay for the government to break it's own law?<br />
<br />
So, according to my viewpoint here I'm probably more liberal than conservative. However, by the true definition since I don't want government involvement doesn't that go more toward conservatism? See how the label thing is kind of messed up?<br />
<br />
What do I care about? I care about this country. I was told once that patriotism was dead. No, it's not dead. It may be nodding off and gone from some, but it's far from dead. I still believe in a strong and prosperous United States. I don't like the direction the country is currently taking. I don't like that they seem to be wanting to take away the liberties that were granted to us by our founding fathers. I don't like that they are able to sway people with lies and the media. I really don't like that so many people have become lazy and gullible believing anything put before them simply because it's easier.<br />
<br />
I care about this country dying.<br />
<br />
Historically as governments fail, and this one is failing, empires fall. We are falling. Our politicians are failing us. They have become more engrossed in power and politics then in the American people. We are a nation run by bankers and lawyers and not by the patriots that founded the country. Our politicians get away with negligence and lying. They have, upon more than one occasion, abused their power - such as when they give themselves secret pay raises as their constituents lose jobs and homes. They can raise millions of dollars for campaigning and run successful businesses but can't seem to control their own spending. It is not a Democratic or Republican issue, but it is an American issue because it is the American people that have to pay for this kind of abuse of power. Voting in an only two party system that controls the media, businesses, and our minds is our folly. Until we get past this we can never get to where we need to be again.<br />
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So, if you have to put me in some category to appease your mind then you just might be out of luck. I won't go and sit quietly in a box waiting to make someone else happy. I will continue to think, learn, express my opinions, and run rampant on my political journey even if I travel it alone.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-56712057164690245362012-10-15T16:03:00.001-07:002012-10-15T16:03:45.979-07:00What Happens When We Punish Businesses?<br />
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What happens when we overtax businesses?<o:p></o:p></div>
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First, think of a business like you would your household.
This might help. You have things you can afford and then you have necessities. The only thing is when your taxes and incidentals go up you can't fire yourself, your spouse, and/or your children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rent or Mortgage – a must have<o:p></o:p></div>
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Taxes – can’t get away from them<o:p></o:p></div>
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Utilities – another must have, such as phone service,
electricity, internet or intranet, water, gas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Incidentals - Furniture, air conditioning, heating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Insurance – required by law, but businesses require a lot of
insurance. Health insurance, property insurance, unemployment insurance, liability
insurance, disability insurance, workmen’s compensation insurance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Business supplies including products needed to sell or for
production.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now these are just the basics they have to meet to stay
open. They can all be quite expensive. On top of these expenses they have to
hire employees. So, as the economy in the US goes down sales go down. As sales
go down profit goes down. What does not go down? That would be rent and/or
mortgage, most likely, taxes, because they are on the increase, and insurance
premiums. They also, since the economy is going down will most likely have to
start paying more for supplies since cost of materials are rising. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, salaries have to be paid to employees because not one
business I know of has people that go to work just for fun and say, “Nah,
please don’t pay me. Just working here is reward enough.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If demand for products or services is on a decline and taxes
and other incidentals are going up what can a business cut from the budget to
stay afloat? It can’t cut out the mortgage payments. It has to pay the taxes.
Utilities can be reduced, maybe, but they can’t be cut. Insurance is required
by law, so they can’t cut that out either. The only thing they can cut out is
the amount of employees that they hire. On top of this they may even have to
cut out rewards programs that employees were receiving before taxes were
increased because profits are declining. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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With the layoffs we also increase the unemployment status in
the US, which is high already. Yes, the unemployment status went down slightly
recently, but that is because some businesses are hiring for the holiday
season. Look for the numbers to go right back up again after the holidays.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The bottom line is that businesses will not and cannot stay
open without making a profit, just like a household cannot go on without an
income. A profitable business will hire more people making the unemployment
rates go down instead of up. More people will be able to keep their homes and
food on their tables. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s sad when you hear that a business laid off people to
rehire only part-time employees just so they don’t have to pay the added taxes
set down by the government or the required increase in insurance benefits from
the present administration. What happens to these employees besides just a cut
in pay? They have to make sacrifices in their homes and make cuts as well, such
as not spending as much and increasing the decline in American business. They
also will now be required to find affordable insurance or pay a tax. Why? We
have overtaxed our businesses, who are also the employers in this nation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s nice to think that no matter what we do we can be
rewarded, but that’s not even realistic. Realism comes when you stop to
consider that without viable, healthy businesses this country is screwed. We
only add to our increasing debt problems. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, hate those that are touting giving breaks to businesses,
but stop and think for just a minute about why it’s necessary, because right
now small to moderate businesses are suffering over the increased taxes and
requirements being set down by our government. If this continues you will be
seeing a lot more empty buildings and a lot more people pounding the pavement hoping
that somewhere there is work so that they can have a roof over their head and
food in their bellies. Believe me, with the increased level of debt that this
country is accruing daily welfare that we so easily take for granted may not be
revamped or revised but just out and out broken because even our government won’t
be able to pay and provide for the needy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Building businesses in the country will build the economy in
this country. Taxation is not the answer – it is actually one of the problems.
The only cure to our increasing debt is to quit unnecessary spending.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5irqDlnewZE/UHyUwtoz6hI/AAAAAAAAAlA/mIsuGWNyjN0/s1600/Failed+business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5irqDlnewZE/UHyUwtoz6hI/AAAAAAAAAlA/mIsuGWNyjN0/s400/Failed+business.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is why so many people are voting Republican, because when Obama gets back into office we can expect further decline in our economy, a lot more layoffs, and a lot more people needing government assistance. I don't want to vote Republican, but I live in Wisconsin, a swing state. I wanted to vote for Gary Johnson and for my principles. I don't feel I have a choice, because realistically I have to vote for one of two parties instead. This has become the American way. So, here is another vote for Romney/Ryan.</div>
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Oh, and that cheap insurance you think you'll have? Just wait, because I think you are going to find it costs a lot more than what you were promised. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-26683086656263810372012-09-13T11:48:00.002-07:002012-09-13T11:49:48.815-07:00A Little Something Sweet<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbDLh5BKIE4/UFIkb_A75fI/AAAAAAAAAkI/VAdW-B6HGGc/s1600/photo+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LbDLh5BKIE4/UFIkb_A75fI/AAAAAAAAAkI/VAdW-B6HGGc/s320/photo+(16).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finished version of Tiramisu di Pasty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know money has been tight for everyone. It's been especially tight for us since I have not been able to work for going on two years now. So, since we have limited income and severe expenses we have to start cutting corners. One thing we can't afford to do is go out to eat - so we have to learn to be creative in the kitchen.<br />
I was missing Tiramisu. It is one dessert that I really love. I don't know if it's the coffee or the filling or the entire thing together. I do know that if you go out to a restaurant and you are lucky enough to find it on the menu it will cost you over $5 usually. Way out of my budget right now.<br />
Making this dish isn't cheap either. It has ladyfingers, which run about $5 or more at the <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Alessi-Lady-Fingers-Cookies-7-oz/17195352?findingMethod=rr" target="_blank">store</a>, more if you shop online and have to have them shipped. You can't always find them in the grocery store. <a href="http://www.igourmet.com/mascarpone.asp" target="_blank">Marscarpone</a> cheese is another ingredient that isn't cheap either. If you are lucky you can find 8 ounces for about $8 or so, depending on where you live. Again, it isn't found in all stores. Regardless, the dessert was out of budget. So, what do you do?<br />
Well, first you can become creative! I decided to see if I could find a substitute for the Marscarpone. I did. Here it is:<br />
1 8 oz package of cream cheese (regular not the low fat)<br />
1/4 c whipping cream<br />
3 TBS sour cream (I used light to cut down on calories)<br />
<br />
I then had a brilliant idea for the lady fingers. First, I didn't want a lot of calories. Second I wanted something inexpensive. So, I found a loaf angel food cake for only $1.98.<br />
<br />
So, these two ingredients that would have cost me about $13 is now less than $5. But, I didn't want to get too excited. I still had to figure out the best way for me to make this low cost and lower in calorie. The original recipe called for a lot of eggs - which means a lot of cholesterol. Not good for me.<br />
<br />
So, I put the cream cheese, whipping cream, and sour cream in the bowl and started whipping. I let it sit for a bit. Then I read the recipe for Tiramisu and decided to go ahead and add the liquor. We have a bit that has been around her for ages. I found an orange liquor left over from last Christmas. I decided to use it in place of cognac or rum. Now I figured that if I really wanted I could even put in a vanilla extract, coffee extract, or even a rum extract if I wanted. I started whipping and then realized that I probably wanted to add some sugar. I added about 3/4 cup of sugar to the mix (give or take because I just sprinkled it in until I liked the flavor.) I realized that it was getting fluffy without the egg. Brava!<br />
<br />
I had sliced the angel food cake into three long pieces. I then started dipping them in some strong decaf coffee - strong so that it would hold a coffee flavor and because the original recipe calls for espresso. I noticed that the angel food didn't absorb the coffee like the lady fingers. No worries. I just dipped them and turned them, and then I sprinkled a little more on top and let them sit for a bit.<br />
<br />
After this I went ahead and layered the dessert like the original recipe. Angelfood on the bottom, cheese mixture, angelfood, cheese mixture, until the cheese layer was on the top. I didn't have the chocolate bar to make the nice pretty curls on the regular recipe so I improvised.<br />
<br />
I sprinkled the top with cinnamon instead of coacoa powder, and then I just used some of the kid's chocolate syrup to make a squiggle. I decided to do this because as yummy as it sounded I still wanted it to be a family friendly dessert.<br />
<br />
I let my youngest, who is skeptical about all foods that aren't pizza, have a small taste before chilling (which I recommend doing for at least an hour before serving.) He liked it!<br />
<br />
So, not only was I able to make an affordable nice dessert, but I also managed to cut on calories and fat. I'm feeling pretty darn good about that right now.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-59013687527915224722012-08-14T08:00:00.003-07:002012-08-14T08:02:10.666-07:00At 4:44 What is the universe saying?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbVUTml1YRY/UCpnq2mwHcI/AAAAAAAAAjE/g6CM-RMGznI/s1600/444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbVUTml1YRY/UCpnq2mwHcI/AAAAAAAAAjE/g6CM-RMGznI/s320/444.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was stark awake this morning before the sun rose. I looked over at the clock and it was 4:44 am. It seemed odd to me to wake up with three fours. When I had my heart attack a few years ago it was around 4 am. I wasn't able to go back to sleep right away. I rolled one way. Then I rolled another. I woke my husband who asked, "Do you need me to move?" I told him, "No. I'm fine."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally I picked up my laptop and wrote out a will. It's not that I'm rich and have a lot to give, but it just seemed like the right thing to do. Afterward I drifted back off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't die. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it's important here to make reference to the fact that in spite of my husband making a very good living we are having a very rough time getting ends to meet. We aren't alone. He works very hard. Most weeks he works over 40 hours per week and doesn't get overtime. Still we struggle. We have two boys at home going through school. Our mortgage is about the only bill we have been able to pay to keep a roof over our heads. We have medical insurance, but it doesn't pay all the hospital and doctor bills. The utility bills have increased the last couple of years by about 40%. Food bills have increased by 45%. Everyone knows how high gasoline prices have increased. Unfortunately wages haven't gone up with the increase in costs. Government is killing us with tax increases and all the free programs they want to give out that only those working families pay for and don't receive any benefit from. So, it's no wonder that the first thought in my mind when I thought I may be having another heart attack my thought was, "Oh, Brian can use the insurance money to help alleviate our debt!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did mention this to him, but his response was, "I'd rather be totally broke without anything than lose you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I looked up 4:44. Interestingly enough the first hit on google was a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707391/" target="_blank">movie</a> starring <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000353/" target="_blank">William Dafoe </a>about the end of the world. Okay. A little farther down we have a reference for John 4:44 which reads, "<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country." Prophet? I never thought of myself as such, however, I love my country. I just hate what the government is doing to it. But enough to make me wake up at that hour for no reason? So, I took out the colon. Here is what I found.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.intuitivejournal.com/spiritual-meaning-of-444/">Spiritual meaning of 444</a>: "The spiritual meaning of 444 is one of many repeating numbers designed to get your attention and serve as a wake up call from your spiritual guides.<br /><br />444 is a very powerful number. It means that your angels are by your side and want the very best for you. They are asking that you pay attention very carefully to the signs that you see around you."<br /><br />That is a much more comforting thought. It was definitely a wake up call. There are a lot of changes that have to be made. So, whatever the universe is trying to say, just know, I'm listening.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-84920419758497896352012-07-10T23:03:00.002-07:002012-07-10T23:04:23.250-07:00America Can Prosper - Let's Make that Difference!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vpdTBt73st4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Americans voted for change, and instead got ripped off. Let's see about making a change that will really make a difference. Let's finally show some intelligence and get rid of the two party system guaranteed only to make politicians prosper. Let the American people prosper for a change!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-26180800573348771972012-06-27T07:38:00.004-07:002012-06-27T07:40:00.899-07:00Things ARE NOT Getting Better<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;">I do not know about anyone else, but we are much worse off now than we were four years ago.. even two years ago. Groceries have risen about 60% over the last four years. Insurance rates increased. They took all the old cars and destroyed them instead of recycling which made car repair go up. Utilities have risen by 40%. Gasoline prices have seriously increased. Income taxes increased. Homeowner taxes increased. Cost of health care is outrageous even with insurance and companies paying up to 90% of the bill. After my surgery and Aidan's illness we still owe tens of thousands of dollars AFTER insurance. I am unable to hold a full time job due to my condition, yet I have to fight to get benefits and have been denied. Wages have not risen with the price of inflation, and yet they say not to worry because things are becoming stable? Seriously? We may have to sell our home - if we can due to the housing market - or lose it altogether. This is how we know the government is lying to us. They can afford fancy parties, $500 per plate dinners, and designer clothes while we scrounge to keep food on the table. In spite of this people still keep looking with blinders on going in the same direction like sheep. I'm not asking for a hand out. I miss the days when we could pay our bills and have a chance. All this because we have a middle class income? We aren't even doing as well as the lower class who get free money for being poor while we struggle to just survive.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-71362807331749521042012-05-25T12:01:00.001-07:002012-05-25T12:24:29.441-07:00Gentlemen, Don't be Lame- A Gift Guide for MenI have been inspired to help guys buy gifts for their ladies. Now, I'm sure not all men out there are lame gift givers, but we do have a few that have trouble remembering and getting gifts for their women. Now, sometimes it is because you are just plain forgetful, some of you may not really care, others may be super cheap or broke, while others may actually just be plain clueless.<br />
<br />
Men should know that a lot of women are thinking about what to get you for your anniversary on the first date. Yes, it is kind of creepy, but women are just built differently. If you click they generally have hope. If you end up being a scum bag loser - well, depending on who you hurt you might want to disappear for a few years. Just so you know, women have long long memories. While women have more than likely purchased gifts for men months ahead of time, most men procrastinate until the very last minute.<br />
<br />
Idea 1: Get a Clue<br />
If a woman is looking at something and says, "Oh, that's nice." Or if she shows you something and says, "Don't you think that would look good on me?" Those are pretty much anvil on the head hints. Take note. Don't just nod as you think about the women in the short skirt walking by or on television, or just grunt as you play your video game. Let that little light bulb turn on above your head and take a note. You may have just given yourself kudos for the next year that could possibly get you out of being nagged for at least three weeks. That's practically a mind vacation. Take advantage of it.<br />
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My suggestion: Buy it right away so you don't forget. Hide it when it comes in. If it is in super early, don't worry. Even if you forgot you purchased it once she says, "You didn't get me anything?" You may actually remember and be able to say, "I did! I've had it for a while." Then you can go get it and have an evening of mind boggling sex. (Sex is not guaranteed here. It's just something that I assume may happen. I claim no responsibility in your mate's willingness to comply.)<br />
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You don't have money? No worries. The next steps will help you with free to practically free gift ideas.<br />
<br />
Idea 2: Flower Power<br />
Flowers for women have been the old standard. Men have used cut flowers for years to impress their dates, whether they marry them or not. Along with them sometimes came a box of chocolate. Now, if you have been married for a long period of time just the flower may be enough. But be warned. DO NOT GIVE FLOWERS IF YOU HAVE BEEN GIVING THEM AS GUILT GIFTS. Never give a guilt gift as a regular gift. She will be wondering all night long and those stares will not be stares of appreciation. They could be stares of concentration on how to commit the perfect murder. Believe me, women can be dangerous.<br />
<br />
Now for the cheapskates out there that don't have $50 or more to spend on the wife you can always get a small bouquet at grocery stores. These range around $5 - $15. For most women size doesn't matter - when it comes to flowers. It's the thought. And for those that usually don't have anything to show for them except a smile and an expectation that you're allowing her to have your body for the evening is enough - believe me, she'll be shocked and thrilled.<br />
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For those that are not willing to or just have no desire to even fork out that little bit of money (and I'm not judging - much,) you still have floral options. Check in the dumpsters behind your local flower shops or stop along the road and take advantage of mother nature. Just a small hint from someone on the receiving end of such a gift - look out for bugs. You may need to wash them first.<br />
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Idea 3: The Power of Poetry<br />
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Now here I am assuming that your lady has seen something in you at some point and time. Perhaps you have convinced her that you do indeed have at least one romantic bone in your body - and the "boner" does not count here, gentlemen. Poetic and pornographic are not synonyms.<br />
<br />
Write her a little verse of poetry. If you have to resort to the "Roses or Red" version, perhaps you should go back to Idea number 2 or refer to the Idea number 4. Now, poetry does not have to rhyme. You just put down a few thoughts and feelings. This is a very romantic gift for a woman, and something she will treasure.<br />
<br />
Perhaps poetry is a bit out of your league. Writing her a letter is just as good. It's something she can refer back to when she has those moments of time when she wonders why she is with you in the first place. Just remember to make it heartfelt and avoid words such as burp, fart, and any words that substitute for other bodily functions. Keep it heart felt.<br />
<br />
Still at a loss for words, try this site: <a href="http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/poemlist.htm">http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/poemlist.htm</a>. It has a form where you can fill in the blanks. You may not even need a spell checker this way.<br />
<br />
Idea 4: Women Love Coupons<br />
<br />
Women love saving money, buying things on sale, and saving time. Make a coupon book for her. My husband made one for me one Christmas and I cried. It showed that he actually took time out and thought of me. For me that was the greatest gift ever!<br />
<br />
Now what to put in the coupon book is the question. Do not put anything in there that she has to do for you. Avoid things like, "This coupon requires me to come home an hour early from the bar," or "This coupon means that you will make me breakfast on just Sunday instead of Saturday and Sunday." Be a bit more thoughtful. Try things such as, "This coupon entitle you breakfast in bed." The expectation here is, of course, that you will bring it for her and not that she can make it and eat it in bed.<br />
<br />
Avoid putting down things that you have no intention of doing. It won't be as thoughtful a gift if you just wrote it out to make her happy for that night. Follow through is actually expected. <br />
<br />
The plus side of this gift is that it shows her that you care, that you are willing to help out, and it's free. Who doesn't love a bargain?<br />
<br />
Okay, now that you have the gift ideas in place just remember the date! You will want gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas at the very least. If you can remember Valentine's Day that is a bonus. (And you can actually just buy some of those corny candy hearts and she'll be thrilled.) <br />
<br />
Put a message on your phone, on your computer, and perhaps even have a friend or relative call you with a reminder. Don't procrastinate and wait until the last minute because you may be empty handed yet again and find your name permanently above the dog house door.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-47110689135865540232012-05-24T06:34:00.001-07:002012-05-24T06:34:22.886-07:00To Be Gay or Not to Be Gay - Is that the Question?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media1.biola.edu/commencement/images/grad_fg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://media1.biola.edu/commencement/images/grad_fg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was reading an <a href="http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/24/11833663-underground-gay-group-emerges-shaking-evangelical-christian-college?lite" target="_blank">article</a> on MSNBC about an underground and anonymous gay group at <a href="http://www.biola.edu/" target="_blank">Biola University</a> who want to be heard but not seen. They would like to debate being Christian and Gay and look to change the college's ideas about homosexuality. In one sentence they say that they love the university and support it, while on the other hand they place flyers and launch a website stating:</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">"<i>We want to bring to light the presence of the LGBTQ community at Biola. Despite what some may assume, there are Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, and Queers at Biola. We are Biola's students, alumni, employees, and fellow followers of Christ. We want to be treated with equality and respected as another facet of Biola's diversity."</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Now, with that said, I am not God and therefore cannot declare if a person is Christian or not Christian. It is not my place to judge someone. I do well to keep my own affairs in order. In my personal opinion we should support one another even if we do not agree with one another. I honestly don't think we fall in love with a sex - we fall in love with a person (except those few people that fall in love with appliances, furniture, and shoes, but that's something I may never understand anyway.) But in the same regard, I respect a private organizations right to have their own doctrine and belief system. For instance, if a Church does not like the fact that I have foresight into people and am "psychic" and feel that it comes from Satan and not God I am pretty sure that Church is not for me. I'm not going to launch a campaign in order to get them to change their doctrine. I have better things to do than be emotionally crucified by people. I also do not want to shake the faith of someone gaining some type of comfort in this life. It is not my place.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">On this same token these people fear that they will be expelled if they come out of the Biola closet. Honestly, I don't know how they can enjoy time there, being Christian, and living a lie. How is that loving where they are when they have to hide who they are? I find that heart rendering. Surely there are places that would accept them.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Many years ago when I lived in Tulsa, OK, still very much in the Bible Belt, and long before all the news attention of today - there was a <a href="http://www.gaychurch.org/Find_a_Church/united_states/us_oklahoma.htm" target="_blank">Gay and Lesbian Christian Church.</a> These insightful people lived as Christians and were out of the closet. Now this was even when coming out was not as socially acceptable, and yet they did. They welcomed everyone into their Church to worship with them. It didn't matter what color you were, what your sexual orientation was, or even if you had holes where God didn't expect people to ever want a hole. The idea here was to just worship and love one another. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I understand wanting equal rights politically and for the government to stay out of the business of marriage. It is, after all, a religious union more than anything. Therefore, if a Church or religion will support a union that is all that should be necessary. But, expecting a church or organization to change their entire doctrine is not the same thing. Forcing someone to swallow what they have believed all their lives will only cause them to dig in their heels and stand firm leaving a bad taste in their mouths and knocking a cause further down. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">In my humble opinion, which is worth about ten cents with today's inflation, these Biola students should stand together. They should unite and not be afraid. They entered a school they knew would not accept them with the expectation that the school should change to suit them. That isn't the way things work. Hiding and causing discord isn't showing respect and love. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I would suggest that if you are Christian, Gay, and Proud (yes, I deliberately capitalized those words,) you should go somewhere you can be supported and be happy. This website might help you </span></span><a href="http://www.gaychurch.org/" target="_blank">http://www.gaychurch.org/</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not that anyone asked, but I believe each of our spiritual lives and paths are very personal. I would prefer to be somewhere I was accepted. If you believe in the basic fact of "God is Love" you should also realize that love is not discord. Plus, showing that you can live happily without being smitten, struck by a bolt of lightening, or otherwise possessed by demons might be the perfect way to prove your point.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-29383901142585176332012-05-17T07:35:00.001-07:002012-05-17T07:35:18.996-07:00Teenagers are our future... Really?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiltlaTOqxM/T7UCkxICu1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/LutKq70Pl1k/s1600/teenager+cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iiltlaTOqxM/T7UCkxICu1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/LutKq70Pl1k/s400/teenager+cartoon.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
We all grew up thinking about teenage angst. We may have even done some rather stupid and crazy things growing up. Shhh...we don't want to talk about that - that was so long ago.<br />
Honestly, I was a really good kid growing up. However, I wasn't perfect. One time my parents were out and I had a few friends over. We hit the liquor cabinet. In order that they wouldn't know we took anything I made a mixture of different liquors and placed them in our soda of choice - easy choice really since we only had one soda available - rootbeer. What came out was something between castor oil and cough syrup. It was not at all good. Nonetheless we drank it. It was potent. It was so potent I threw up.<br />
My friends went home. One mother found out he had been drinking and gave him the third degree. He told her the truth. She called him a liar. After all, I was a the good child. I would never do anything wrong.<br />
Okay, so mixing liquor today seems rather mild. A lot of kids drink. A lot of kids do more than just drink. If, when I was a teenager, it was unheard of to have my nose or my nipple pierced. I would never have wanted to do that anyway. But it's not what you do with your body or how you look that really defines a person. What defines us as people, even teenagers, is how we do things and how we react to things. Looking around at today's teenagers can be very scary. They are our future?<br />
Today I got a call from a teenage girl. She had driven about 120 miles in a car to take a friend to meet a boy that just got out of prison. Her car was not running well. Half the time they were afraid she wouldn't be able to make it across town. She has no job. She has no money. Her father gives her an allowance on a prepaid credit card. The girl she was taking didn't care if the car was running. She didn't offer any money to help her pay for the trip. Between the two of them they literally had $5 and a broken car.<br />
Here is how the conversation went:<br />
"Pasty, my mom gave me your number. I'm in trouble and I need help," says the girl. "I'm stuck in Milwaukee. My car broke down. I think it overheated."<br />
"Did you put fluid in it and try to start it?" I asked.<br />
"Yes," she said, but it wouldn't start.<br />
"What is it doing?" I ask.<br />
"I don't know," she answered. "It's 27 miles from me right now. I left it on the highway. I hitchhiked to where I am now."<br />
"You hitchhiked and left your car?" I asked, thinking to myself that she shouldn't have just left her car on the highway. There are things that could have been done if she had stayed with the vehicle. But okay. That's not an option now. Let's move on.<br />
"I need you to come and get me," she said.<br />
"I don't have a car to come and get you," I answer. "My car is in the shop."<br />
"What about your other car?" She asks.<br />
"I don't have a car."<br />
"Where is your car?"<br />
"Okay, listen, I don't have a car to come and get you. How much money do you have?" I ask.<br />
"I don't have any money. I brought a friend down here."<br />
"How much money does your friend have?" I ask.<br />
"I don't know. Let me put her on the phone," she responds.<br />
"Hello?"<br />
"Hi. I was just asking how much money you have so that we can see what you guys can do to get home," I say.<br />
"I have $5," she responds.<br />
"You guys went to Milwaukee with an iffy car and only took $5?" I start laughing.<br />
"Hey, I don't know who you are, but I don't need you laughing at me!" She hands the phone back to the teenage girl.<br />
"You went to Milwaukee in your car that you knew wasn't running well and you only had $5 between you?" I asked her.<br />
"Yeah. She said. Can you get a friend of yours to come and get us?" she asks.<br />
"I don't know of a friend that wants to drive 100 miles or more to pick up two people they have never met for only $5," I say.<br />
"What about your car?" she asks again.<br />
"I don't have a car." I respond.<br />
"Hold on." I hear a shuffle. Then some man gets on the phone.<br />
"Hello?" he starts. "You should come down here and pick us up."<br />
I'm laughing. This is getting ridiculous. "I don't have a car," I say. "It's in the shop."<br />
Now I'm thinking, two of these people I don't even know. Have never met them before in my life. They think that because I know the girl that took them there I'm obligated somehow. Nice.<br />
"Well," he says, "Go take it out of the shop and come down here."<br />
I'm laughing harder now. I can't help myself.<br />
"Wait a minute," I respond. "First off, even if I did take my car out of the shop it wouldn't make it down there, and if, by some miracle, it did all you would have is another person stranded with you. So, no. I won't do that."<br />
"Okay," he says. "What do you want us to do?"<br />
Now this is my problem? Seriously?<br />
"You are telling me that you had those two girls come down there in a car that they knew didn't run well with only $5 between them and now you expect someone else to run down there and rescue all of you? Well, I don't have a car. I don't know anyone that would come down and pick up three strangers for only $5 to drive them more than 120 miles. I'm sorry."<br />
"Well, yeah," he says, "Okay."<br />
I call the girls mother and find out they had been there since last night. The teenage girl's father knew already. He didn't go get her. None of her relatives had gone to get her. Now, being the type of person I am I priced a Greyhound ticket. It would cost them each less than $20 to get back to Green Bay.<br />
A few things dawned on me about this particular incident:<br />
1. A real friend wouldn't ask you to drive in a breaking car to go and meet a guy with no consideration or plan.<br />
2. An intelligent plan was not thought out. After all, she could have called and sold the car for some cash - $100-$300 depending - and asked for a ride to the bus station. Now her car was probably towed by the city having been left for hours on the highway. Instead she will get a $350 towing and storage bill.<br />
3. She had no ideas of her own or any viable way to help herself. She wanted to be rescued, and her friends were not coming up with any relatives, friends, or plans of their own. They were expecting her to fix it since she drove.<br />
Not all teenagers are like this. I know for a fact that my teenage son would never have agreed to drive down there with a bad car and no money. He wouldn't be afraid to tell a friend no, and if that friend got hateful he would have the sense enough to realize this wasn't a true friend. My son is very secure in himself.<br />
Many teenagers are not so self-assured. They think that being liked and popular is the most important thing in life. If they don't have a social life they don't have a life. This is so untrue and unfair to them. Simple facts of relationships have been lost on today's youth.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-62093033643966940962012-04-22T09:10:00.001-07:002012-04-22T09:10:14.548-07:00A Crazy Woman's Idea Recipe<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DKJD5vTW0U/T5QptMXKl3I/AAAAAAAAAf0/MQjIaRVfGxk/s1600/turtle+burgers+raw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DKJD5vTW0U/T5QptMXKl3I/AAAAAAAAAf0/MQjIaRVfGxk/s200/turtle+burgers+raw.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redneck Turtle Burgers raw.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tDknTjtYbM/T5Qp1D81TXI/AAAAAAAAAf8/wUuxx6Dv0NA/s1600/Turtle+Burgers+cooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tDknTjtYbM/T5Qp1D81TXI/AAAAAAAAAf8/wUuxx6Dv0NA/s200/Turtle+Burgers+cooked.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Neck Turtle Burgers cooked.</td></tr>
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Red Neck Turtle Burgers Recipe.<br />
<br />
Now this recipe idea is not mine. No, a friend of mine on <a href="http://facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> found it on the internet. There are a lot of dangerous things you can find on the internet these days. Recipes that your cardiologist would cringe at are just one of them.<br />
<br />
So the recipe that she had was very basic. Take hamburger, form it into a patties, cover with cheddar, basket weave bacon around it, stick in some hot dogs for a head, tail, and feet, cook, eat.<br />
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Of course I had to add a few modifications to make this a bit healthier. And I never would just slab hamburger meat together and call it a burger. That's just wrong. Might as well eat it raw.<br />
<br />
So, for the burgers I added: garlic, worchestershire, pepper, onion powder, no salt seasoning, and a dash of barbecue sauce. Mixed it all together and made my patties.<br />
I also used low-sodium bacon, and <a href="http://www.hebrewnational.com/" target="_blank">Hebrew National hotdogs</a>. I checked the sodium and fat count on these to make sure they were okay. I also used reduced fat cheese.<br />
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Once you get these puppies together you bake them in the oven on 400 degrees F for 30-40 minutes. Now, a neat trick I learned from my insane Facebook friend is that if you want the bacon a bit brown turn on the broiler for a few minutes.<br />
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Scarily enough there were several of us that made these yesterday. It was like a mini fad going on. Each of us varied our recipes and took pictures. Involved countries included Canada, USA, and the Netherlands. Hillbilly cooking is not just for the Southern States any longer. My daddy was a hillbilly from Tennessee. I remember him making cornbread and a big pot of beans that smelled the entire house to high heaven. I would sneak out the window to avoid that scent. But Southern cooking is not staying put, evidently. They now have a following all over the world. Be afraid, people, they are expanding, and as they do so will your caloric intake.<br />
<br />
I only made two of them, because even with the modifications to the recipe it just seemed so darn hard to justify eating them. However, my 17 year old son was in heaven. I think the word "Meat!" was all he had to say when he saw them and "Delicious!" came out of his mouth before he trudged off to his hermit cave we fondly call his room.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-26210512635049828442012-04-18T07:56:00.001-07:002012-04-18T07:56:54.624-07:00Continuing On with ExcitementOkay, so I missed about a week of treatments at <a href="http://trueessenceaura.com/" target="_blank">True Essence</a>. It was Easter week, after all, and everyone has different schedules and places to go. However, I did go back on Sunday and had an amazing experience once again. This time I took my daughter with me because after having a child she really wanted to see if it would help her get rid of some of her baby weight. She was amazed. She burned off over 400 calories in one sitting. She had a totally different experience than I did because she did the weight loss program in the capsule which is red and orange and I did the body wrap option which is blue and red.<br />
<br />
Even after cheating on myself (yes, when you go off your plan and don't do what you say you are going to do you are cheating yourself) I still not only managed t maintain my inch loss but I lost more! I was shocked. My tummy still went down another half inch from where I had left off. Now I did gain some back before I went into the capsule, but that is because I had been a very bad girl. (Don't beat me.) But being able to see that I can return and be good to my body was awesome!<br />
<br />
I think what really makes a difference for me is my husband saying, "Wow, honey. I can really see and feel a difference!" Now that makes it all worth while. I just need to have the fortitude to continue on and not cheat myself.<br />
<br />
One of the best things about this, I do believe, is the energized feeling when you get done with your treatment.<br />
<br />
Now one of the things I love here is that color therapy has been used for generations. We use color therapy when we go to paint a room and consider how it is going to make us feel in the long run. So I was curious and wanted to know what the difference in the colors of the capsule were helping obtain.<br />
<br />
For my daughter, Sarah Knoke, who is also a nursing mother:<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
"Healing properties: <a href="http://www.deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy.htm" target="_blank">Orange</a> is warm, cheering, non-constricting. Orange has a freeing action upon the body and mind, relieving repressions. Orange shows new possibilities and other options in life. Stimulates creative thinking and enthusiasm, and helps assimilate new ideas.It is also helpful in dealing with excess sexual expression.</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Orange stimulates the lungs, the respiration and the digestion. Increases the activity of the thyroid. Reliefs muscle cramps and spasms. Increases the amount of mother milk.</span><br />
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<div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
Healing properties: <a href="http://www.deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy.htm" target="_blank">Yellow</a> helps strengthen the nerves and the mind. It helps awaken mental inspiration and stimulates higher mentality. Thus, it is an excellent color for nervous or nerve-related conditions or ailments. It also energizes the muscles. Dark yellow soothes pains in the nerves (shooting pains)</div>
<div align="left" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
Yellow can be used for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. Speeds up the digestion and assimilation, and the stool.</div>
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It helps the pores of the skin and aids scarred tissue in healing itself.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
Yellow links with and stimulates the solar plexus, or psychic center. It can be used for psychic burnout or other psychic-related conditions or ailments. Activates and cheers up depressed and melancholic people. Gives lust for life."</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-27716161972749803362012-04-09T18:33:00.000-07:002012-04-09T20:52:52.347-07:00Adventure recipes 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ennwCbQvtTA/T4OJ8uB34mI/AAAAAAAAAe4/pHcOT8WtmY4/s1600/IMG_20120409_123124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ennwCbQvtTA/T4OJ8uB34mI/AAAAAAAAAe4/pHcOT8WtmY4/s200/IMG_20120409_123124.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low fat cheese cake<br />
Pay no attention to the blue swirls.<br />
My husband was feeling creative and<br />
used some food coloring to be festive.</td></tr>
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Today's recipe is for cheesecake! Yum. Okay, the thing about cheesecake is that it teaches you patience. It has to chill for a while before eating. This cheese cake recipe calls for a spring form pan. Since cheesecake is about the only thing that you bake in a spring form pan most people might not have one. That's okay. What I did was take an 8 or 9 inch graham cracker crust and used that. If you do that you will not have just one cheese cake but two! Now how cool is that?<br />
<br />
So, here it is. Low-fat cheesecake that doesn't taste low-fat. This recipe was also found from <a href="http://goodhousekeeping.com/" target="_blank">Good Housekeeping</a>. Now remember, if you use the pre-made crust or press your own graham crackers then you can make two pies! Also, for a little zing, you can put in a tad of fresh lemon juice. If you are trying to cut back on sugar you can also use a sugar substitute or natural sugar.<br />
<br />
<br />
3 4 cup(s) graham cracker crumbs<br />
2 tablespoon(s) trans-fat free vegetable oil spread, melted<br />
3 package(s) (8-ounce) reduced-fat cream cheese<br />
1 cup(s) sugar<br />
1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch<br />
1 1 2 pint(s) fat-free sour cream<br />
1 1/4 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract<br />
2 large eggs<br />
2 large egg whites<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In 9-inch springform pan, stir<br />
crumbs with spread until moistened. With hand, firmly press<br />
mixture onto bottom of pan. Bake crust 15 minutes or until deep<br />
golden. Cool 5 minutes on wire rack.<br />
2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat<br />
cream cheese until smooth. Combine sugar and cornstarch. Slowly<br />
beat sugar mixture into cream cheese. On low speed, beat in sour<br />
cream and vanilla. Add eggs and egg whites, 1 at a time, until<br />
blended.<br />
3. Pour batter over crust in pan. Bake cheesecake 1 hour. Edge will be<br />
set, but center will still jiggle. Turn oven off; let cheesecake remain<br />
in oven 1 hour. Transfer to wire rack. Run thin knife around edge of<br />
cheesecake to prevent cracking during cooling. Cool in pan, about 2<br />
hours. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Remove side of<br />
pan to serve.<br />
________________<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="nutrition" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calories</td><td align="right" class="calories" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">255</strong></td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Total Fat</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">13g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="sub" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Saturated Fat</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">7g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cholesterol</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">59mg</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sodium</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">250mg</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Total Carbohydrate</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">26g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="sub" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Dietary Fiber</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">0</strong></td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="sub" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sugars</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Protein</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">8g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><u>Calcium </u></td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><u>0</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
** Note ** Next dessert recipe to share will be Key Lime pie. It will be made in an effort to help convince Mother Nature that we need warmer weather.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-8854872191266355942012-04-08T17:04:00.002-07:002012-04-09T20:52:40.337-07:00Adventure Recipes 1!As promised I am putting on recipes that are low fat and low sodium, but hopefully high in flavor. I don't know about anyone else, but I sometimes crave chocolate. Also, holidays are big food days. So, today I wanted to be a bit clever as well as keep in line with tradition.<br />
Today we had our glazed ham, potato salad, green beans, home-made wheat bread, and for dessert - brownies!<br />
It was all good, but let's get to the dessert. I'm a rebel after all. (Perhaps on another day I'll share my ham glaze recipe with you.)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Htff36u2-w8/T4IkH6N58CI/AAAAAAAAAes/40xJho29054/s1600/IMG_20120408_180612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Htff36u2-w8/T4IkH6N58CI/AAAAAAAAAes/40xJho29054/s200/IMG_20120408_180612.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our chewy brownie with a cherry on top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This low fat brownie is courtesy of <a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/">"Good Houskeeping."</a> We made one slight variation of the recipe, which we will share below.<br />
<br />
<br />
Yields: 16 servings<br />
Total Time: 35 min<br />
Prep Time: 10 min<br />
Cook Time: 25 min<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
1/2 cup(s) flour<br />
2 tablespoon(s) (unsweetened) cocoa<br />
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt (optional)<br />
1/4 teaspoon(s) baking soda<br />
2 ounce(s) (unsweetened ) chocolate, chopped<br />
1 tablespoon(s) (unsalted) butter<br />
1 cup(s) (packed) light brown sugar<br />
1 large egg<br />
1 large egg white<br />
6 tablespoon(s) (unsweetened) applesauce<br />
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract<br />
1 tablespoon(s) confectioners' sugar, optional<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan and<br />
line with aluminum foil, allowing foil to drape over two sides.<br />
Grease foil.<br />
2. In a small bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.<br />
<br />
Combine chocolate and butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook,<br />
stirring, over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat;<br />
let cool for 2 minutes. Add sugar, egg, egg white, applesauce and<br />
vanilla; stir until smooth. Add dry ingredients, stirring until evenly<br />
combined.<br />
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, until the<br />
<br />
brownies pull away from the sides of the pan (do not overbake).<br />
Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Using the foil flaps, lift the<br />
brownies from the pan; cut into 16 bars. Sift -confectioners' sugar<br />
over brownies to decorate, if desired.<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="nutrition" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calories</td><td align="right" class="calories" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">102</strong></td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Total Fat</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="sub" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Saturated Fat</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cholesterol</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">15mg</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sodium</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">77mg</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Total Carbohydrate</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">18g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="sub" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Dietary Fiber</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="sub" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sugars</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Protein</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2g</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calcium</td><td align="right" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">--</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
We used almond extract in place of the vanilla. This gave the brownie a super rich taste. Plus we used the generic egg whites that come in the container from the store. We did not use the sugar on top, instead I garnished the serving with a cherry and for the no-fat ice cream (made palatable because of the low fat brownie, which was super chewy good) we scooped it with a coffee scooper to make the scoop small but just enough so I didn't feel I was being cheated.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-439198377767557072012-04-05T19:28:00.002-07:002012-04-05T19:29:26.173-07:00Journey Results of Session 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPT5PT4fymk/T35Ng1uDvTI/AAAAAAAAAd4/tpzomnLizxw/s1600/SlimLine+body+suit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPT5PT4fymk/T35Ng1uDvTI/AAAAAAAAAd4/tpzomnLizxw/s320/SlimLine+body+suit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You know when you are in a high tech society when your weight loss program puts you in what looks like a space capsule. Then when you put on a white body suit (and believe me, I never thought I would ever be caught dead in a body suit), it just kind of completes the entire picture. I don't know if you could really see through the body suit, but I had decided to enter the capsule au naturale and didn't want to let anyone see any naughty parts, so I blurred it. (You are welcome, by the way. I know you didn't want to see naughty parts either.)<br />
<br />
So before getting into the capsule we did our measurements and I did a spray down with the pore opener. I had used the products and showered before I went to <a href="http://trueessenceaura.com/">True Essence</a>. (I finally got smart and put the link there for you to visit their web page.) I then donned the body suit and was ready for my next session in the capsule instead of in the infra red blanket.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJw6ep8l7N8/T35PCgsXPiI/AAAAAAAAAeA/P3j-glDlSyY/s1600/SlimLine+spa+treatment+products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJw6ep8l7N8/T35PCgsXPiI/AAAAAAAAAeA/P3j-glDlSyY/s200/SlimLine+spa+treatment+products.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slime line products</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(I apologize for the pictures coming on sideways. I have no idea why they are doing that. Just rotate your monitor if you want the panoramic view to end.)<br />
<br />
So, the capsule is amazing. I have experienced it one time before when I wanted to relax and de-stress. It was a very nice experience. I wasn't sure if it would be at that time because I do have trouble with feeling closed in. However, I didn't with this. Perhaps it was because my head was in the open, or maybe it was the aroma therapy. Whatever it is, I didn't feel the least bit worried. So, this time I knew what to expect a bit, even though this treatment was for a different purpose.<br />
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</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbjhTCtofD8/T35QF6QGiwI/AAAAAAAAAeI/RiaI1lzkEf4/s1600/IMG_20120404_183515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lbjhTCtofD8/T35QF6QGiwI/AAAAAAAAAeI/RiaI1lzkEf4/s320/IMG_20120404_183515.jpg" title="" width="240" /></a> The capsule is very comfortable. It has a wavy design inside that the body fits on and lying down feels more natural than lying in my own bed. Before putting on the lights (red and blue, which is why it looks purple), Margaret West, the owner, puts on the goggles because the lights are super bright.<br />
<br />
She tells me everything to expect and what she is doing as we go along. It was very comforting. She put on the lavender aroma to help me relax. The heat was set to go to 150 for me because of my condition and medical history. For others the heat can go as high as 170 degrees.<br />
<br />
Unlike the blanket, which I was in for an hour, the spa capsule is set for 30 minutes. Also, the spa capsule monitors certain things going on such as the amount of calories being burned during the session.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr97tL92ITA/T35RXJbRiBI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/BLGMghpeP4U/s1600/SlimLine+capsule+calories+burned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr97tL92ITA/T35RXJbRiBI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/BLGMghpeP4U/s320/SlimLine+capsule+calories+burned.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br />
The program that we used also had the vibration which felt like a massage going while I baked. I could feel my body starting to get warm, but I was never once uncomfortable. This I found to be very odd because I really don't like hot weather. I don't know if it didn't bother me because I was more focused on the purpose, or if it's because it is a different kind of heat.<br />
<br />
Margaret told me that the spa capsule and the SlimLine program was not only moisturizing my skin, contouring my body, getting rid of toxins, but that it also was helping to boost my metabolism. That was music to my ears. I think my metabolism has been on strike since I had my first son thirty years ago.<br />
<br />
I have to admit that I did feel energized when the session ended. It was like I had just exercised at the gym. I was not the least bit tired or worn out, something else that surprised me considering I had just been in such a hot place.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VwmFyndHQQ/T35Sp896JzI/AAAAAAAAAeY/apvMA5h-TVw/s1600/SlimeLine+spa+treatment+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VwmFyndHQQ/T35Sp896JzI/AAAAAAAAAeY/apvMA5h-TVw/s320/SlimeLine+spa+treatment+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The program I am using I get to keep the body suit (it's washable), the creams and lotions come with my package, and the goggles. (My friend Jenny wants my goggles. She's going to have to get her own.)<br />
<br />
So, the results of the second day? Did I lose inches?<br />
Yes, I did.<br />
I lost 3/4 of an inch in my neck.<br />
I lost 2 inches in my stomach<br />
I lost 1/2 inch in my thighs.<br />
I lost 1/4 inch in my upper arm.<br />
I lost 1 inch in my chest (by the way, my old bras fit again now. Yippee!)<br />
I lost 1/5 inch in my wrist<br />
I lost 3/4 inches in my buttocks.<br />
<br />
It's not over yet. Now I will continue to watch what I eat, continue the chi machine, and start trying to do more exercise to help keep the momentum.<br />
<br />
I will, over the next couple of days, make some desserts and put the recipes and results up here until I go to my next treatment next week.<br />
<br />
I do have occasionally have a sweet tooth and want to make better choices in that area too.<br />
<br />
Next week my daughter is going to start the SlimLine program too. She thinks she can beat my losses. She is younger, but I'm determined. We'll see how it goes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950576973979641121.post-26382628556504231052012-04-04T11:42:00.000-07:002012-04-04T11:42:24.274-07:00New Adventure Second Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxB_GZu285TMn8BDzWzSFb8Gox0IffvGQe2NxaAIInZNXWZ8Z3x5UP60WgCvaX55QM-wKy3CYS0wrJrPfhj-w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Okay, I survived my first body wrap visit at True Essence on Mason Street in Green Bay! Hoorah!!! Honestly, I hate making videos and taking pictures of myself. I am so not comfortable in front of a camera, but I think it's important for me to do it because it keeps me focused on my goals and maybe will help other people as well.<br />
So, here are the results of the first visit:<br />
<br />
Stomach loss - 3 inches<br />
Thighs - 1 inch<br />
Upper arm - no change<br />
Lower arm - no change<br />
calf - no change<br />
feet - no change<br />
neck - 1/4 inches<br />
wrist - 1/4 inches<br />
chest (under breasts) - 1 inch<br />
buttocks - 3.5 inches<br />
<br />
Now, this is not a diet. I have to watch what I eat and make sure to drink plenty of fluids or I'm wasting my time and money. This is a choice that I have made for myself to change my lifestyle. I have also started doing the chi machine daily to help get me started on my exercise program and plan on adding more to my routine.<br />
<br />
What I want to start doing with this is adding some recipes and such that are tasty, healthy, and work with what I am doing. If anyone has any to share please do! I love to try new things.<br />
<br />
Here are pictures of the first visit so you can see how easy it was.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbNOehkGH2M/T3yVEXqQq5I/AAAAAAAAAdA/cbP-P7BJMJg/s1600/Video+23+0+01+56-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbNOehkGH2M/T3yVEXqQq5I/AAAAAAAAAdA/cbP-P7BJMJg/s320/Video+23+0+01+56-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bag that I used the first time. It's very large.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21REaF1klNg/T3yVFor3TjI/AAAAAAAAAdI/gl7kyOKWWSc/s1600/Video+23+0+03+02-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21REaF1klNg/T3yVFor3TjI/AAAAAAAAAdI/gl7kyOKWWSc/s320/Video+23+0+03+02-08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying down and getting positioned on the massage table.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJpZ56OQA8Y/T3yVGfP8GMI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/lTsNubNV3sg/s1600/Video+23+0+03+51-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJpZ56OQA8Y/T3yVGfP8GMI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/lTsNubNV3sg/s320/Video+23+0+03+51-18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being covered by the Infrared blanket.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R85sbhbJEww/T3yVGmWmkJI/AAAAAAAAAdY/5JMjmHkIvpg/s1600/Video+24+0+00+00-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R85sbhbJEww/T3yVGmWmkJI/AAAAAAAAAdY/5JMjmHkIvpg/s320/Video+24+0+00+00-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chose the aroma therapy option. I fell asleep. The music was soothing.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sypsbyuVO4/T3yVHL1KQrI/AAAAAAAAAdg/iHN-8eS7-uQ/s1600/Video+24+0+00+27-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sypsbyuVO4/T3yVHL1KQrI/AAAAAAAAAdg/iHN-8eS7-uQ/s320/Video+24+0+00+27-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the control pad they have. I just had the heat mainly on my middle section.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tH0xaC3rVQ0/T3yVImfJoJI/AAAAAAAAAdo/G8Ru-4hqE28/s1600/Video+24+0+04+07-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tH0xaC3rVQ0/T3yVImfJoJI/AAAAAAAAAdo/G8Ru-4hqE28/s320/Video+24+0+04+07-26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afterward you remove the bag and dry off.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slNx8Q4Ton8/T3yVKCVYAbI/AAAAAAAAAdw/jtL1iJg1wvM/s1600/Video+24+0+04+18-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slNx8Q4Ton8/T3yVKCVYAbI/AAAAAAAAAdw/jtL1iJg1wvM/s320/Video+24+0+04+18-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then you apply the Slender Serum again. I forgot mine, but they were kind enough to let me use some of theirs.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493911985639472532noreply@blogger.com4