Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen Things I Wonder About... All of us sit around and listen intently to whatever our news media puts in front of us as "truth". The fact is, it's become a "spin" on truth, spun toward whichever direction that particular network's advertisers and producers TELL the reporters to spin it. It's rare that we just get an accounting of the facts of a story, and be left alone to mumble amongst ourselves and come to our own conclusions about any particular event. No one realizes that over a period of years... we have been molded into a people that do not see things quite as they are, we see them and think of them in relation to how they've been presented to us through rote procedures over and over, until we really don't stop to think about the particular, we just go back to the memory of its presentation. There is so much emphasis put on political correctness, or BUY NOW - IT'S ON SALE (whether you need it or not). Millions of dollars are spent on commercials that have bright colors, catchy jingles, quick motion presentations...we rarely stop to actually think about the product, do we need it, and what is it actually made of, and will it do what the manufacturer states in the wild ads. Any more, the ads are usually not even about the product...yet we remember the ad subconsciously and buy the product. The government also spends millions behind the scenes that we never know about, and due to the flashy presentations...we miss the point entirely. Therefore...we all do silly things, and there are some funny things that just happen...but Why, Why, Why??? My list today is some of the idiosyncrasies we all share, but WHY? Possibly, because over many years of creative presentation...we just assume it's normal, and is SUPPOSED to be that way. Maybe if we could solve the riddles to some of these simple WHY'S... we'd have a better grasp on the bigger issues. Hope you get a laugh or two...I've listed the WHY, and my simple assertion on the possible reason... Comment on your thoughts :) 1. Why do we press harder on a remote control, when we know the batteries are getting weak? - We see and hear jokes all the time on remotes. On TV, you click it, it works! Shaking it, banging it on your leg, poking it directly at the TV pushing hard...won't strengthen the batteries. Also, subconsciously, we see the remote as magic as it was presented...not the truth. The remote has become a device of laziness, and it would require expended energy to get up and find batteries in the drawer, and change them. Never crosses your mind at first, and then...there's that one moment of slight anger that you have to be bothered to do so. 2. Why doesn't glue (that the label says will work on glass or plastic) not stick to the bottle? - Gotta admit...this one puzzles me too. I think they should tell us in the next commercial. Which ever brand chooses to do that in their commercial will amaze a lot of us and we'll buy their's for sure :) 3. Why does some believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet? - Stars & the heavens is FAR TOO COMPLICATED to research ourselves. That would take time and effort and we would actually have to READ and search out the truth. It's much easier to take someone's word for it that typed PHD behind their name. Also...our society has gotten away from rules. The liberals feel like every rule is "infringing" on at least one of our rights somehow. Following rules has become offensive, and inhibits our ability to "express ourselves". Therefore NO is an unacceptable term now. In the old days, if someone said NO - DON'T TOUCH THAT! - NO - YOU CAN'T GO THERE...we just accepted it and knew that someone before us had a good reason to post that sign. "WET PAINT"... didn't touch it, admired the new look of an improved building. NOW...GOTTA TOUCH IT... OOhhhh...there's a button, gotta push it (even though the sign says DON'T). The mentality is...so what? What are they gonna do? Give me a time out? Someone else will come and paint it again if I mess it up?... No accountability, no repercussions. Kind of sad. 4. Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection? - This IS STUPID! I just read that an airline saved $40,000 a year by eliminating ONE olive per salad. Stupid statistic, but just imagine how much money could be saved by purchasing a regular needles for this procedure, and eliminating the sterilizing alcohol swabbing prior to injection. It's an unnecessary expense, period. 5. Why didn't Tarzan have a beard? - Goes back to how "they" spin things. We all loved the show, he was this amazing man living off the land in the jungle, and we just took it for granted, never stopping to think about how they didn't have razors in the jungle. Perhaps he tooled a sharp rock (doubt it), but if he did, they should have shown us him shaving with his "arrowhead". 6. Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets? - Perhaps a few were NOT REALLY committed to the job at hand? Maybe they planned to sneak off somewhere and land, then just disappear. Otherwise, another unnecessary expense of their army that could have been saved :) 7. Why is it that no matter what color of bubble bath you use, the bubbles are always white? - It would be fun to have colored bubbles wouldn't it? I think so, even as an adult. Instead of T-I-N-Y Bubbles...we could sing...B-L-U-E Bubbles... (hehehehe) 8. Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator, staring into it blankly, with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized? - Probably saw another one of those "magic" commercials depicting some wonderful thing to eat. Our society has become all about instant gratification and we just open that door hoping upon hope that we missed something from before - OR - we've thought about it a while and decided that maybe we've determined an easier way, or less work intensive way to create something from the meager ingredients we saw the last time. We compromise with instant gratification until we whittle the process down enough to convince ourselves the effort was "almost" effortless....also another reason our butts and waists are growing exponentially :) 9. Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down again to give the vacuum one more chance? - (OMG...I've done it too!) - Again, instant gratification that we've been brain washed into needing. Keeping the string in your hand would require an actual trip to the garbage can, or placing the string in your pocket which would have to be emptied later...too much effort. That damn commercial SAID this vacuum would PICK UP A BOWLING BALL...this string can't be a stretch surely! 10. How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light bulbs and fixtures? - Again...one I'd like to have answered. I swear I think if you caulked them, the bugs could still magically get in. There must be some secret transporting power mixed with the electricity and the glass :) Once again...the manufacturers have a moment to REALLY capture our attention if they would answer this one in the commercial...oh...but that would require truth...never mind. 11. When we are in the supermarket, and someone RAMS our ankle with a shopping cart, then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" - IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT! IT FREAKING HURT! You'll have a bruise for a couple of weeks. However, we do know that they didn't mean to do it, and we aren't mad at them. The appropriate answer should be, "I know you didn't mean to, my ankle will be OK." ...and it will... 12. In winter why do people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer when they were complaining about the heat? - More subconscious training. We seem to have some unwritten thought process in our brains that however something is, it should be different for total comfort. (I'm actually not guilty of this one). I like the heat, so I rarely use air conditioning in the summer until it's REALLY hot. 13. How come you never hear father-in-law jokes? - I think this answer is a bit two fold. I think we still put men on a pedestal as far as the dominant gender (and I think to an extent, they should be)... Also, men tend not to be drama kings and worry themselves about others' business too much, and they usually occupy themselves with something, or nothing, so that they have no need to stir the shit pots of others. Perhaps women could take note on this one... Hope you found something here to ponder, or at least something to laugh at :). The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons now is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends, if they seem OK to you and worthy of your friendship, then it's you :) Remember...life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Christine Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday Hero - Billy Hodges

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi Billy Hodges, in the blue shirt, with a wounded soldier on a fishing tournament in Palacios, Texas Billy Hodges, who served in the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard between 1971-1979, is not only being profiled for his service, but also for what he's done since then. Mr. Hodges runs an organization based in El Campo, Tx called Hunts For Heroes. They also have chapter in South Carolina , Arkansas , Mississippi , and California and what they do is take soldiers who've been wounded in battle on hunting and fishing trips and other outdoor related activities. All free of charge. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Mustang Ranch Brothel - Burned Down

Whores S’Mores? No…the whores have been long gone. The famous Mustang Ranch closed several years ago with a sign hanging that said, “Mustang Ranch Closed…Just Beat It”…I kid you not. Mustang Ranch In Hayday The world famous brothel, Mustang Ranch, ran by the infamous Joe Conforte was burned to the ground Sunday. After the new owner found out it would cost far too much money to move all the buildings to make a museum, he turned the property over to the local firefighters for training exercises. Joe Conforte Proprieter Conforte's Suite 1986 Many years ago, I used to deal cards to the intriguing Mr. Conforte. The Sicilian man always dressed the part of the brothel owner mixed with a touch of mafia and old school gentleman as he would swagger in with his girls and the famous hat and cigar. He was quite the tipper when he didn’t have his girls around, and one on one…actually a man of interesting conversation. He always treated me like a lady, and as “bad” as he was considered by the community, I always had fond memories of my brief encounters with him, not to mention that he made more than one of my rent or car payments while playing cards and being generous with his tips. When I was a single mother, his visits were certainly welcome. READ THE MOST INTRIGUING MUSTANG CHRONOLOGY HERE Mr. Conforte among many things was indicted for tax evasion years ago. He fled the country and has been living in Brazil. He petitioned the authorities at the age of 78 to come back to Reno, even offering to pay a handsome fee of $500,000 for the opportunity (although still claiming his innocence)… He was vehemently denied that opportunity. Goodbye to a place that will go down in history…no pun intended. So long Mustang, so long Joe.

Menu Foods Pet Food Recall - LIST

For today's updated complete listings of all Menu Pet foods on the recall list... CLICK HERE FOR CAT PRODUCTS CLICK HERE FOR DOG PRODUCTS If you shop at PETCO...CLICK HERE for their recalled products.

Anna Nicole Smith Autopsy Results

Well, it's official. ANNA NICOLE SMITH WAS A SLUT DRUG ADDICT WITH A SLEAZY BOYFRIEND! OMG...I'm shocked! - NOT! Seven weeks of intense scrutiny and examination it took to put on paper what the rest of us have known for years. Well...there ya have it, your tax dollars at work to the tune of hundreds of thousands of hard earned dollars. Why?, because dumb ass people with no life actually tune into the news and listen to crap like this, while the rest of us are tuned in hoping for some real news. Hang in there...soon we can spend another several hundred thousand of your tax dollars to study the next antics of Brittney Spears.

Monday Mailgasms

Monday Mailgasms: Let’s see what wonderful tidbits of useless tripe fell into the junk-box this week… Subject: / Comment: Have himself lesterville: I think she had him committed! This hinders the rest of us the chance to get the villains: It’s not open season on villains yet… Try fishing… Southeasterly condone: This makes about as much sense as anything else the “always wrong” weatherman says… Ricochet racketeer: Contact Don Barney Fife at www.onebulletmafia.com (not a real website for my “less astute” readers) Causation maladapt: Is this what happened to the Starship Enterprise? Griaznye klubki: Sorry, Babblefish couldn’t translate this one… Terror the human form divine: This is called life, get used to it, adjust… Hysteria then jacky: I always thought jacky came before hysteria :) Wholly dignitary: This is a political oxymoron I’m pretty sure… Shiloh who: Shiloh who?...Shiloh you…in the cyber garbage with the rest of your weekly mailgams friends… JIM should have his list up soon...

Icon Plant - The GOOD Con Artists

Attention Web-Masters / Software Designers Icon Plant has amazing icons for sale to integrate into your software applications and designs. ‘These ‘aint your average icons’… These are high quality XP icons, and Icon Plant goes a great distance to adhere to stringent Microsoft XP guidelines. These bright and colorful icons are also Vista Icons, for those of you taking the plunge into the new Vista. Icon Plant creates the cutest little icons, and they are sold in large bundles at very reasonable prices compared to other sites. Bundles are available in many categories like Hotel/Travel, Entertainment, Medical, Real Estate, Banking, Food & Beverage, etc. They also offer website templates and web hosting. However, don’t take my word for it, visit http://iconplant.com/free-icons/download-for-free.htm to download your own set of FREE ICONS to try in your applications. With a minimum purchase of 10, icons may be sold individually for $3. Bundles start at around $65. Icon Plant prides themselves on their brilliant artwork and great customer support. Custom icon creation is also available upon request. Icon Plant may also be contacted for creation of vector icons at an additional cost. These “Con-Artists” are the GOOD GUYS! Spice up your creative work with the best in icon presentation. This post sponsored by Icon Plant.

NOT So FUNNY Church Moments

Dress up a few dozen folks up for a church function, and a few things are bound to go bad :) These are funny... (1:24 Long) Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Pimp Your Blog - Beta-Blogger 4 Dummies

I have spent the better part of the last week figuring out (or trying to figure out) how to “pimp my blog” (as my teenager would say). I have run into every brick wall in the world, and have had this thing looking every which way but good over and over. AND THEN…I FOUND THIS WEBSITE… Beta-Blogger 4 Dummies! This guy is freaking amazing. I have since spent hours and hours at this site, and have learned more here than I could find on many dozen sites. Not only are his articles incredibly informative and well organized, he explains things in layman’s terms so that a true “Blogger Dummy” like myself can easily manipulate template code and change the blog attributes to look just about any way you can imagine. His Links to other blog resources are also wonderful. I found direct links to places that would do things for me automatically in a click or two that I’ve been doing manually and in way too many steps before. Best of all, this information and instruction is ALL FREE. If you are intending to, or would like to change your blog…by all means go to this site. You will gain enough knowledge to change your blog as often as you change your clothes if you like in a few easy steps. THANK YOU BETA BLOGGER 4 DUMMIES! WHAT A FIND YOU WERE :)

Our Founding Fathers - Their Beliefs

This page was e-mailed to me. It was titled FORSAKEN ROOTS. I found it touching and most appropriate. At the end of the original page, was an area to e-mail the author, or join a mailing list to receive her other pages. Mary Jones, whoever you are...you do good work! :) LINK TO HER SITE HERE UPDATE: This beautiful page had so many large photos, and was so long, it was causing my page to load very slow. Please click the link above to view, it IS WORTH a look...

Love Is In The Air

It must be spring…weddings are in the air! I’m very happy to announce that one of my star employee’s daughter is finally marrying her high school sweetheart, and the best part…IT’S ALL FREE! She will have the wedding of a lifetime, a not so usual wedding that sounds to me like a blast! Vacaville, CA has a minor league baseball team called the Solano Thunderbirds. Reno has had one, and if you like baseball…minor league teams are a blast, and really cater to their city and their fans. The Thunderbirds held a contest in which the winner “Gets Married At Home Plate”. My employee’s daughter WON! How exciting! Local businesses are donating all the particulars like the flowers, cake, limousine service, and all tuxedo rentals…and the best part…a FREE honeymoon. Congratulations Tamra and Jason…you have truly hit a home run. Few people get to do something so crazy and fun. After being high school sweethearts and staying together for seven years, my bet is this marriage will last. The local merchants and other fans are making a quality investment in the future :) READ THEIR JOURNEY TO WIN HERE - TOO CUTE

Thursday Thirteen #4

Thirteen Things about Being A Mom... Boy, you start out as a little girl, grow into a teen, do good in high school, and go through everything everyone else goes through. Most of life is wonderful, but there are those times... A few of "those times" occured in youth. Actually, most of those times occur in youth. No matter how mature you are, no matter how much your parents prepare you for life, life does come. And sometimes it comes hard. Now, my sons are 6 years apart. And, six years is really a long time. I remember the times 6-10 years ago when it was my oldest son (now 23) that had those times. He has grown, and outside the run of the mill bad times and days we all have, he is growing into the man. My youngest however is just about to be 18 and entering college, and voila...we are going through some of the "hard times" again. I have one that's "known" his girlfriend since 8th grade, and has been "steady" since late freshman year / sophmore year. We are in March, and graduation will be late May, early June. And...yes...for those that regularly read me...WE are all early or full blown middle age. Remember...Oh Lordy...I do... That lure of college, future, and all that goes with that rushes all in that age group. Well, my young man has gotten the "let's just be friends" speech. And that's after being the perfect couple for several years. Both incredibally good looking, and both successful, both star athletes, and etc., etc... And, as Mom... several years later than the last time I had a child in this spot... It brings back high school and life, and normalcy, and the abnormal pain of it all, and the joys of it all. This weeks 13 is to BOTH of my wonderful sons, and the wonder and amazement they both bring to me, and the huge wish that I could always fix what is broken, but I cannot. It's the list of random thoughts that who knows what comes to mind, but life goes on, and the greatest thing I have ever experienced is being BOTH of their mother's... IF I COULD TAKE ALL OF YOUR PAINS I WOULD...BUT I CANNOT...You must grow and feel it all. Remember, without rain, we would never have a rainbow...and SHOOT FOR THE MOON...IF YOU FALL...SO WHAT, YOU MIGHT LAND ON A STAR! 1. Remember the humor of Caroline with the saddle oxford shoes? She was the humorous one, and the youngest of all the "boy" delimmas I remember. 2. Remember "Shiela, or Elisha"... that I took you to the movies with... that when I met her at a school function, that I could not believe how much she looked like me? 3. Remember the many girls you had...remember Katy that I thought was perfect for you but later turned out to be that perfect friend that you and I now love to say hi to and is always welcome. 4. Remember the first time you sat as a grown man and cried with Mom over Kim? And now, although you will always remember, you are so much better off where you are? 5. Remember that you always swore that you would never need a girl, that who could ever need anything beyond dirt bikes and fishing? 6. Remember skate boarding in the park, and "girls" just didn't get into the REAL stuff? 7. Remember (BOTH of you) the times I took you skating and when I came to pick you up in the parking lot, and was waiting for you to come out, that all the little giggly girls (all georgous) would swarm my car and tell me, "Oh, you're HIS Mom...he's soooooo cute", and you just didn't care... 8. Remember when I married your stepfather and we moved into our new beautiful home in August...and at Halloween we had a house warming / trick or treat party that the "girl / granddaughter next door" came dressed as a total princess? I commented that Mia was SO beautiful, perhaps you should say hi. You stated that NO...she is the village bicycle! I asked how a 12-13 year old could be that! 9. Remember being the young man that was allowed to go alone (dropped off) to the Arena Cross races and later picked up...and only being given enough money to buy a ticket and buy a hot dog and a T-Shirt...and coming home with expensive goggles or other "biking" trinkets... and mom accusing you of possibly stealing... And then when the truth came out... a young lady of not so moral fortitude had a "pit pass" and lifted her shirt for the pros and scored you the goggles? 10. Remember the many Christmases and Valentines and Birthdays we've shared and given cool presents to girls that come and go. 11. My sons...many will hate me for this, but women come and they go. It's the normal course of life. MANY GREAT WOMEN come and go...I know this because I'm a woman. I cannot save you from the female heartache, but I will triumph with you when you find the one. 12. I wish for both of you all the happiness in the world. Both of you have been angered with me when I did not like a girl of your current choosing. I stand by my principal...It matters NOT to me the material worth, or social status of ANY woman you choose to bring home. As the mother of my sons, it only matters to me that you have a responsible woman, and a woman that has your best interest at heart. And...to the liberal folk that may read this blog... I DO WANT MY YOUNG MEN to have women that whether raised in the South or not... KNOW that it IS A WOMAN'S JOB AND DUTY to have her man, her children, and her household as her first priority. YES, all of us women do have to work in today's world, but a woman's true place is in the home, and a good woman must find the ability to balance the career, her husband, and her children. END OF STORY! 13. THE HARDEST LESSON I EVER LEARNED IN RELATIONSHIPS...ARE YOU HEARING ME HERE...The hardest of all is DON'T CALL. Ooops...nowadays, it's texting (I call it thumbing)... you should see these kids these days finger fiddle a cell phone. I'm of the age that cell phones are still an amazement. I DON'T GET THE EFFORT TO HIT LITTLE BUTTONS OVER AND OVER TO TYPE A DUMB MESSAGE THAT IS LIKE ( h r u) and that means, "How are you?". FREAKING push 7 buttons and CALL THEM! AND BTW young sons...when I was growing up...GIRLS WERN'T ALLOWED TO CALL BOYS!!! It's the normal course of life to have a courting process which involves manners and men courting women. STOP LETTING THESE GIRLS CALL YOU AND GIVE YOU SHIT~ Papa Bill would have put his arm over your shoulder and told you that, "Son, she's not worth your time"... My Daddy would have told you about the cracked vase...you can glue it together, but it will always be cracked to the owner. However, some cracks give a certain glory and antique value to an object, so you decide... If you still love that glued together cracked vase, then keep it, if not...OUT! AND...although I don't live by it as I should... my favorite quote is...Grass isn't greenest on the other side of the fence, it's greenest where it's watered...Go home, water your grass... Love ya boys...AND every story needs and oxymoron..BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN IS A GREAT WOMAN... Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday Hero - Capt. Alan B. Rowe

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Jenn Capt. Alan B. Rowe 35 years old from Hagerman, Idaho 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center September 3, 2004 The Perfect Marine. That's how many describe Capt. Alan B. Rowe. Respected and dedicated to the Corps and still able to be a husband and father. Rowe, who was on his fourth deployment since joining the Corps in 1985, died with two other Marines, Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilt, 23, of Tampa, Florida, and 1st Lt. Ronald Winchester, 25, of Rockville Center, N.Y., when a remote-controlled explosive device detonated as they returned to their vehicle after inspecting a bridge in Anbar province, near the Syrian border. "He was a quiet, humble person and extremely polite," his widow, Dawn, recalled from their early days of dating. "He was a traditional type of gentleman. My mom was surprised to meet such a ... perfect-picture Marine." "He did a great job balancing a pretty intense Marine Corps career with also being a great husband and father. He worked extremely hard to balance it." "He was so dedicated to the Marine Corps. He was really driven and believed in what he did. He was a Marine’s Marine. Tall, blond and fit. Kind of the mental image you think of when you think of the Marine Corps." A week after his death, Capt. Rowe was posthumously promoted to major. He leaves behind his wife and two children. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

New Look I Can Live With

Well, after beating my head against the wall trying to fix the recent NOT GOOD look, and pulling my hair out over my lack of HTML code knowledge, I think I've managed to find a look I can live with for a while. I wanted some more color and rounded definition to side bars...but I can't pull it off myself. I've been to a dozen hack sites, and contacted a few gurus...and go figure...they all have e-mails posted, and "contact me" if you'd like to have your template designed...but they are all so busy, or don't exist anymore. The gal that originally designed my site that I just grew tired of looking at hopefully will contact me when her load lightens up and perhaps I can add a photo to the title banner in the background, and add some pastels in the columns. We'll see. Hope this looks better, all of you were so kind to voice your true opinion of the last fubar on the makeover. I agreed and appreciated the honest opinions and e-mails. Well...I like "my house" again now, so perhaps it will be more fun to post and come here :) And, in the process of doing this I learned more about the new blogger template manipulation and as always...a day you learn is a day well spent. Now...keep coming and leave lots of comments :)

GREAT NEWS - My Sister Is Getting Married!

Congratulations Little Sister! My little sister some time ago found herself a real keeper. FINALLY, they've decided to make it all official. I couldn't be happier for her! My husband has never met him (We're in Nevada - They're in Texas)... I've seen him twice over a several year span. I totally approve, and can't wait for my husband to meet his new brother-in-law. The only news greater than the nuptials, is that WE GET TO GO ON THE HONEYMOON WITH THEM (Hey..Hey..at our age...in 40's...it's not so off the wall). So...in a few months it's OFF TO JAMAICA!!! Yippee, Skippee, Hooh-Hah!

The Cowboy Code Marshals

I’m proud to add another blogroll to Blah Blah Blog – The Soap Box. Although I LOVE my state of residence, Nevada (It’s likeTexas, Jr.)…my Southern heritage is in my blood and the great state of Texas where I was raised is in my heart. Texas to this day is still one of the great states that is home to real cowboys. Real men and women who were raised with solid values, natural manners, and a solid view on life. There is an unspoken cowboy code in the Southwest. Boys and girls just grow up in an environment that exudes honesty and a solid grasp of true heart. I’m thankful to have been raised around that influence, and am honored to have been invited to include The Cowboy Code Marshals blogroll to this site. The Cowboy Code 1. A cowboy always tells the truth and keeps his word. 2. A cowboy is a Patriot and stands for Truth, Justice and the American way. 3. A cowboy never betrays a trust or takes advantage. 4. A cowboy is brave, but never careless. 5. A cowboy defends the weak and helps them. 6. A cowboy is kind to children, old folks, and to animals. 7. A cowboy is free from racial and religious prejudice. 8. A cowboy is clean about his person and in thought, word, and deed. 9. A cowboy is loyal, hard working and maintains a high ethic. 10. A cowboy is thankful for what God has given him.

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Middle of the night…I’m in trouble myself. Too old to be, but too young to cease. Teenage Wasteland…America’s Triumph That’s what I see…I’ve participated, and become...plus years… So straight my beginning, so straight my end…oops…crooked Not crooked but bent… My life, so long as of yet, but so short in potential… Have so much to offer, but have given so little… Two sons, so perfect, so normal Two sons, so different, so same… Oh, to be a woman, so female so … Been her, done that, can’t stop the process… All I’ve learned…I know something? Been her…all the hers… Can’t save you from her… Can’t make me not her… Can’t make her all of her all of us want to be… Can’t make her not the one… Have been the one… Want to be the one, Oh, but wait…I am still in the making… What am I making? Life complicated…life so simple… ABC…it’s all there… But how are you to know ABC? It’s my job to teach you… I can’t teach you…as the circle is never ending… Welcome to the circle… Did I mention the circle is perfect? Ask any guru…the circle is the only perfection… I LOVE YOU… The circle we form as a family is perfect…

I Don't Like Spiders OR SNAKES!

Odd irony that two different people sent me e-mails this week about snakes. BOTH of them were CREEPY! EEEKKKK…I don’t like spiders OR SNAKES. Seems a sheep farmer was puzzled about the disappearance of some sheep on his farm. After a few weeks the farmer decided to put up an electric fence. About a week later, This is what he found! The wires are 10 inches apart. This snake was recently found at the J & S Quik Mart located just south of RR 3014 Turnoff on Highway 281 south of Tow Texas. [THAT'S JUST WEST of BURNET] A reminder that these creatures are actually out there and no matter what you believe, sometimes they should get not only prescriptive rights to be there but the full right of way! 9 feet, 1 inch - 97 lbs. DEEP-FRIED RATTLESNAKE 1 medium-sized rattlesnake (3-4 lbs.), cut into steaks 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup cornmeal 1/4 cup cracker crumbs 1/2 cup milk 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt) 1 teaspoon salt Dash pepper Mix dry ingredients. Whisk milk into beaten egg and use to dip snake steaks. Then coat them with dry ingredients. Fry, uncovered, in 400 degree oil until brown. Yum,Yum! It sorta tastes like chicken. JWD Now..Now…no laughter here :0 You know I wouldn’t be doing my Southern duty if I didn’t include the recipe with the road kill. And…I’ve eaten it before (over a camp fire on a stick of course…), and…it does taste a little like chicken :)

Anti Hillary Clinton Ads - View Here - Disturbing

Today, the news is reporting of an Anti-Hillary ad that has appeared on You Tube. This video (1:14 long) is embedded above. THIS STORY states that the Hillary Clinton campaign has nothing to do with it, and though the video ends with BorackObama.com listed at the end, the Obama campaign claims to have nothing to do with it either. Now while I couldn’t give two cents for Hilary Clinton and think her becoming president would be a disastrous thing, these kinds of ads are going to be damaging for all candidates. In doing research for this post…I found another very similar ad (posted below and 5:15 long) that is much more disturbing and talks of rape of a woman by ex President Bill Clinton, and a lot more dissertation of how Hilary should have known, and there is a lot of coverage of Bill Clinton ranting about killing Osama Bin Laden. Now this video has the disclaimer of deletehillary.com at the bottom… I went to this website…there is a lot of disturbing content there, a likely possibility of origination of the video in my opinion. If not the origin, they have copied the original and put their own slam to it. Or...the most likely scenario since video creation and production can be done in an instant... only the people who posted it know for sure. Goes to show...we can't believe a lot of what we see anymore...and hmmnnnn...isn't it funny that the news media only found the 1:14 second piece to talk about...and the 5:15 piece is really noteworthy...in a dark way. Warning…I am someone who despises Hillary Clinton… but even I think some of the content in the latter video and website link is over the top. Enter at your own risk…My posting these links does not mean that I am personally condoning the extent of the behavior myself. I am a big proponent of STOPPING trash ads as a way to win an election. I want to see ads of each candidates views, I do NOT want to see them trashing each other.

Monday Mailgasms

Monday Mailgasms… What are these you might ask? Well, a favorite blogger of mine, Jim at Life On Planet Jim, started publishing Monday Mailgasms a while back. I laugh at all of his, and told him we should all start doing these for extra humor… I warned him I was going to copy his idea, and I have. Jim…I still think you should start a Monday Mailgasm Blogroll :) Mailgasms are the trash e-mails we toss from our boxes daily and never even bother to read the content, because the subject lines (and senders) are so ludicrous. We are all bombarded with the standard Viagra, Cialis, Ambian, semen increasing magic, and penis enlargement possibilities. Mailgasms are the other ridiculous things that might surprise you in your junk box. Jim always provides a humorous caption or comment, I’ve decided to try…I’m sure I cannot do him justice:). From / Subject: BNoe BRead: inconsistent agricola - Does this mean there’s a problem with the growing of Coca Cola products now??? Warren: hospice indistinctly – Oh no, is this like a blind date when you’re terminally ill with a random date of no distinction? Patty Dudley – dignified getup – Patty, your name alone is a getup…not so sure how dignified… No Name: overbearing noxious – If I smelt like you, I wouldn’t leave my name either… Wilfred Avila: With an obscene blonde mullet – Joe Dirt – you’re back! We’ve missed you! Julius Wells: so go voluntarism – So go you…right into the trash bin! Kaufmann: unless you protest naked – What? If I don’t protest naked, no one will see my sign…geezzz… Well, have a nice day all…we’ll laugh again next week at the new junk mail…

Spine & Sports - New York Chiropractor

ATTENTION NEW YORKER’S IN PAIN… Having raised an athlete that also suffers from mild narcolepsy…I truly understand how important a great facility is to successful treatment of sports injuries, or sleep disorders. Spine & Sports located in Midtown Manhattan is an upscale facility treating everything from basic chiropractic issues, to involved treatment of headaches, sports medicine, and sleep disorders. If you live in New York City, or surrounding areas, check out this New York Chiropractor today. Get some long needed relief! This post sponsored by Spine & Sports.

Thursday Thirteen #3

Thirteen (LAME) Things that cracked Malinda up! Some days it's OK to be stupid. I will give you 13 really silly phrases today, and as lame as you might find them...you will smile at least once, and that's the real gift today...a smile :) 1. How do you catch a unique rabbit? -- Unique Up On It! 2. How do you catch a tame rabbit? -- Tame Way, Unique Up On It! 3. How do crazy people go through the forest? -- They take the Psycho Path! 4. How do you get Holy Water? -- You boil the Hell out of it! 5. What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? -- Polaroids 6. What do you call cheese that is not yours? -- Nacho Cheese! 7. What do you call Santa's Helpers -- Subordinate Clauses! 8. What do you call four bullfighters in quicksand? -- Quattro Sinko! 9. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? -- Frostbite! 10. Why don't blind people like to sky dive? -- It scares the dog! 11. What do you get from a pampered cow? -- Spoiled Milk! 12. Why did pilgrims' pants always fall down? -- They wore their belt buckle on their hat! 13. What's the difference between a bad golfer and a bad skydiver? -- A bad golfer goes, "Whack, Dang!" -- A bad skydiver goes, "Dang!, Whack". OK... I'm done with the corny one liners... Go have a silly day. If you didn't smile at least once...lighten the hell up :) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday Hero - Mike Gardner

Almost a month ago, the Wednesday Hero Blogroll received an email from a reader named Mike Gardner that contained something he had written in honor of this country's heroes. He asked that it be considered for a future post. It took almost a month, but here is his tribute. At The Right Time, We Remember The honor roll goes back farther than we can remember, it contains names we will never know... I wasn't there when the American Colonial Army stood winter guard in the snows of Valley Forge wearing bloody rags for boots as they fought for my freedom. I wasn't there in the war of 1812. I wasn't in the trenches when the German's seared the lungs of young American men with mustard gas as they fought for my freedom in World War One. I wasn't at Pearl Harbor when a single Japanese bomb detonated a million pounds of black powder on the Arizona and instantaneously killed over one thousand American sailors preparing to defend my freedom against the Japanese and the Nazis. I didn't see the bullet riddled bodies of the Americans who died defending my freedom in Korea. I only vaguely remember the nightly news clips of American soldiers as they carried out our government's orders in the jungles and swamps and tunnels of Vietnam. I have never been with a family who lost a son or a daughter defending Kuwait, Afghanistan, or Iraq. I wasn't there with any of them when they suffered as prisoners of war in any of these wars. I have never been with a family whose child died in a peace time military training exercise. Not every one of our veterans saw combat. Some were clerks, cooks, mechanics, machinists. Some served during war time, some served during peace time, some serve in peace today, ready for battle tomorrow. Today they prepare for the ongoing war against terrorists. Some gave their lives, some suffered wounds, some saw things that no human should ever have to see, and many did things that no human should ever have to do. And all gave their daily life, for a period of time, while many more gave their time to work in the industries that sustained our veterans. Not all of those who have protected my freedom were even in the military. Some of them were the firemen, policemen, and paramedics who risked their lives each day, rushing in where most of us would never tread. Some are the doctors and nurses who treat the wounded, and go home and cry for them. Some of them were "just" passengers on commercial airline flights who, with faith in Christ, calmly chose to fight, and die if necessary, rather than let Flight 93 be used as a weapon against their country and their fellow citizens. When I tried to join the US Air Force, my application was turned down for medical reasons. Because others were, and will be there, I am privileged to continue to live in the greatest nation the world has ever known and to enjoy the greatest freedoms that any people have ever known. The honor roll stretches forward to times, and places, and names we will never know... And so I thank you, veteran, whoever you are, and wherever you are, whenever your service. Thank you Vet. Thanks Dad. Today, I remember WHY I am free, and I thank you. I know that when you were asked, at the right time, like Christ, you gave your life for me. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen Things about Malinda Daylight savings time comes back this weekend...YEAH!!! Every year when this time comes, I have that "moment" of rejuvination that makes me want to accomplish a lot. It usually goes away quickly...but here are thirteen things I really need to do with the onset of spring... Wish me luck, this may be my post next spring as well :) Damn the procrastination! 1. I need to clean out my clothes closets and GET RID of that tired old stuff that's "too good" to throw away, but I will never wear again because it's "not good enough" to wear any more. 2. I must organize the office in my home that looks like Hurricane Katrina stopped by and blew through. 3. I must go through endless boxes of files and shred the crap that no one will ever want to see anyway and I don't know why I keep it. 4. I have a dying old PC in my office that's been neglected for the laptop I can sit on the couch with. I have it running just for the simple reason to "connect" our wireless network together. I must go through it and debug it, get all the files I want off of it, and give it some much needed TLC and peace. 5. Oh, the horrid "tupperware" cabinet and pots & pans cabinet. I need to park my lazy ass on the kitchen floor and go through it all and organize the stuff so that when I open the door, at least something doesn't fall out on my head or in my lap. (We went on a vacation once for a week and my Mother-In-Law stayed with our son...when I came home, she had done all that...DAMN, I couldn't talk her into moving in) 6. I must purge all my files at my office for 2006. Buy new folders, build boxes, and get it all stored away. 7. I need to go through all my e-mail addresses and phone numbers (many on scraps of paper in a drawer) and see who's still around and who has changed, and make a better attempt at keeping in touch. 8. Husband & I need to spend an entire weekend at least and go through tons of boxes in our garage. If we haven't looked through it in the 7 years we've lived there...we probably don't need it. We might be better served to just burn the garage down :) 9. I need to get outdoors more. With the onset of spring, I need to take my new camera out and get photos of the beauty around me. The exercise wouldn't hurt me either :) 10. I need to go through all the dead drawers and under-counter space in our bathroom. Why do we save tiny bottles of shampoo and boxes of every kind of OTC medication known to mankind for years on end? I could heal and beautify a small third world country I'm sure with all the "goodies" stored that I never look at :) 11. I need to drag every photo I have stored on about 4 computers together and organize some kind of real photo album....put the photos on CD's and actually give each of the hundreds of them a better title than POOO3497.jpg 12. After I've accomplished these things (NOT...) I need to reward myself with a dozen stiff cocktails and just walk around the house smiling :) 13. I NEED TO GET THIS BLOG FIXED!!! My design girl is very busy and hasn't returned my e-mail yet, but I'm still working on it! Thanks for being patient with this crappy design, and stay tuned for a better look :) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday Hero - Cpl. Jennifer Parcell

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By SJ Reidhead Cpl. Jennifer Parcell 20 years old from Bel Air, Maryland Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force February 7, 2007 Cpl. Jennifer Parcell was petite, but one learned quickly that underestimating her was foolish. "She was an absolute firecracker," Master Sgt. Jerry Widner said. "Just a go-getting machine." Her relentless can-do attitude led her to volunteer for Iraq. And then to volunteer for the Lioness Program, which provides female Marines for searches of Iraqi women to respect Muslim cultural mores. Parcell was killed Feb. 7 in Anbar province when a woman she was searching blew herself up with a suicide vest. Parcell had started doing the searches a week before and was three weeks from going home. You can read the rest of Cpl. Jennifer Parcell's story here. These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

Diesel Block Heater - WARNING

DIESEL TRUCK OWNERS – BLOCK HEATER WARNING!!! We own two diesel garages. In one shop we work on the big rigs, and in the other, we repair pickups and light duty trucks. In the cold months of winter, it’s very common for people who own diesel vehicles to attach a block heater and plug it into an outlet in their garage, or even from an inside outlet to outside if vehicles are kept outdoors. This allows the water and fluids in the engine block to remain warm for an easier start on cold mornings. That will lengthen the life of the engine, and lessen the smoke encountered over just cranking a bare cold engine. Now, block heaters work well, and it’s NOT that we say DON’T USE THEM… just practice “safe block heating”. We’ve always instructed our customers with some firmness, that if you are going to use a block heater…spend the extra $20 and go to Wal-Mart or somewhere like that and purchase a simple timer, and buy a heavy duty extension cord. Set the block heater to come on 3-4 hours before you wish to use your vehicle each day. DO NOT PLUG IN BLOCK HEATERS AND LEAVE THEM GOING ALL NIGHT LONG! Keep your plugs dry and clean. Do not use cheap extension cords, and keep the area clean around the block heater, plugs and the wall outlet connection. An extension cord must be used to connect from the block heater plug under the hood to the outlet in the wall. Most people just don’t know…and most people just buy a cheap cord, or don’t maintain their cords well from year to year. Rodents, pets, weather, or anything scurrying through your garage can bite into your cord overnight. Power surges, poor connections…anything can cause an extension cord to have problems if not maintained properly. The photos below are the result of a block heater / cord short out. Thank goodness this vehicle was parked outside, and the fire department was readily available. Imagine if this was “Average Joe’s” pickup parked inside his garage. You can see that not only would “Average Joe” be out a vehicle, but his garage, entire home, and possibly even family members could have been lost. Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Get White - Get Bright - EveryDentist.com

SMILE! – Show me those pearly whites. Oh, you don’t have pearly whites? If you’ve never tried out cosmetic dentistry, don’t wait any longer. I finally purchased the products for teeth whitening, and with regular use, it works like a charm. Cosmetic dentists (and many general dentists) will have you make an appointment and take an exact impression of your upper and lower teeth. They will make a mold for you, and give you a bleaching substance for you to fill the mold with. At home, every other day, you will fill the mold and place the bleaching material in your mouth and leave it for at least 2-4 hours. Many people just sleep with them in for longer lasting results. The bleaching substance doesn’t taste bad, and in a couple of weeks, you can really tell the difference. Check out the dentist directory at EveryDentist.com and search out a dentist in your area. I found several dentists from Reno listed here. Get white, get bright!

Pardon The Dust - Undergoing Makeover

I’d sure like to thank everybody that’s left a comment on the “new look here”. I realize it sucks right now. I know just enough about HTML to get myself in a heap of trouble. The “template file” I downloaded didn’t look a thing like this…go figure! I’m not ashamed a bit though to admit that I need to leave well enough alone before I go from bad to worse. I’m not sure I like the new Blogger “layout” features. I was just getting fairly competent at maneuvering things around in the old template page. Well, I’m happy to announce that I’ve consulted my professional to bail me out of my bad makeover. Thanks for your patience, and within a couple of weeks, I hope to have this place looking spiffy and worthy of your time here :) In the meantime, keep coming, and thanks to my loyal readers for their honesty. I must go and read a few more pages in my “HTML for DUMMIES” book. :O

I've Earned Over $300 With PayPerPost

You’ve all seen the PayPerPost disclosure section on the right side bar of this blog. PayPerPost is the online advertising medium that allows bloggers like you and I to make money just by posting articles on our blogs about the advertisers’ products. It’s a very real endeavor and fun as well. I promised updates on how the “money-earning” was coming, and it’s time to report in. Since October, 2006 when I signed up for PayPerPost, I have earned $327.90. I don’t participate every day, and I ONLY CHOOSE opportunities from advertisers that spark my interest, or seem like a good idea for people I know that read Blah Blah Blog – The Soap Box. It’s highly possible for a diligent postie to earn up towards $30 per day. And, for the really dedicated…offers do come around that pay into the HUNDREDS or even more than ONE THOUSAND dollars once in a while. I am using the money I earn to help pay for my son’s upcoming summer trip to Europe as a student ambassador with People to People (cost $5500.00). It’s a good thing I learned of PayPerPost, as I also placed a PayPal Donate option on this blog to earn money for the trip, and that balance today stands at ZERO. Check out PayPerPost for yourself, and earn the money you need for a special project.

New Blog Layout - PLEASE COMMENT

Just as with a woman's "bad hair days"... I've been suffering lately with "bad blog day". I was just tired of my blog design, and the "new Blogger" that is supposed to be so much better. Well...I downloaded a new "cool" design (that looks NOTHING like the ONE I thought I was getting, but still pretty OK)... and I have spent the better part of this day tweaking it. I think it's a little slower to load which DOESN'T make me happy, but perhaps it looks better. I would really appreciate some helpful comments about your experience loading the page now... I still have the ability to "switch back" to the old layout. I'm so tired now from doing so much HTML WTF that I barely comprehend, that I just have nothing else to say today :) Thanks for coming...and PLEASE let me know honestly what you think so I can fix whatever is broken...

Thursday Thirteen #1

Thirteen Things about Malinda I am new. This is my first Thursday Thirteen. I spend a lot of time reading others' lists...so I've decided to participate. Since this is edition #1, I'll start with the basics, and be more "topic themed" in future editions. Help me out Thirteen veterans... leave comments and let me know how to find more of you... 1. Own three businesses...Big Rig Garage, Pickup Garage, & Parts store. 2. Married, mother of two great sons 23 & 17. 3. Love blogging...just wish I had more time for it :) 4. Wish I had more time to read all the blogs I enjoy. 5. Have a boat & travel trailer & love to camp & go fishing with the husband. 6. Like Classic Rock & Country Music 7. Drink too much, love to have cocktails with friends. 8. I was a casino dealer for 20 years before becoming a business owner (thanks to the man I married) 9. I have one natural sister, four half sisters, & two half brothers. I don't live anywhere near any of them :( 10. I'm originally from West Texas, and grew up on a cotton farm. 11. I'm highly conservative minded and love this country. I support the troops, and want our borders controlled. 12. I'm beginning to dabble in photography, love to take pictures. I got an awesome camera for Christmas from the hubby...again...no time to really enjoy it yet. 13. Looking forward to participating in this T13 gig... I think as I read them, it's nice to learn about folks, but I also think it would be fun to just post "fun lists"...i.e. 13 funny or serious ideas about a certain topic too. I hope I gain some new "blog friends" and learn more about your community of 13ners. Please leave comments and have a good time here. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Box.net Widget - SHARE ANY FILE

Check this out! I've wished so many times that I could share, or make available traditional documents, files, or power point presentations on this blog. NOW I CAN :) Look at the big GREEN Box.net Widget on my right side bar. This is a flash player that streams podcasts, music, photos, videos, and any other type of file. Box.net is offering unlimited bandwidth with this widget, and will also host up to 1gb of files for free. Get one for your site today. This post sponsored by Box.net.