GREEN is the beginning

Green with Envy

2012-01-28T08:25:00.000-06:00

I am not a perfect person....... I know that and I regret it (but not always)

When provoked, I do have a temper, I do not clean my house on a regular basis, I do not love holidays (I tolerate them but not love them), and I am often filled with ENVY!

I am envious of people who have tons of money but didn't work to get it. Do they deserve it just because they were lucky enough to be born to rich parents? Are their genes better than mine? Why should they drive expensive cars, buy shoes that cost more than I make in a month, and spend their time at luxury resorts! Those who feel that they deserve to live and be treated like they are better than the middle-class workers around them.

I am envious of singers who have no talent but stand on a stage and yell out words to the beat of loud guitars and drums. Its a good day for them if they are sometimes actually on key and the words they yell are not too obnoxious for small children to hear. I envy the money that they receive and even envy the smirks on their faces, knowing they actually have no talent and those who buy their photos, disks and tickets to concerts haven't a clue.

I am envious of those semi-talented people who can write a blog about doing home repairs, dredging up old recipes or rant about how to make a million dollars by blogging.....and make a million dollars by blogging.

Why not me! Is my blog not good enough? Do I not have enough enticing ads or provocative posts.

Hunting for Jack Rabbits in th 1930's

2012-01-28T08:17:00.001-06:00

This photo is from a long time ago, probably in the late 1930s - back when I was a kid and my dad and his buddies were dedicated jackrabbit hunters in rural Nebraska. In the 1930's hunting was a necessity, the depression was over but money was scarce. Rabbits, pheasants and ducks were plentiful and free.

Gas was something like $.25 or less a gallon and our old Model T Ford didn't use very much....great gas mileage. Dad would get his little group together and they'd leave early in the morning for their favorite hunting spot about 10 miles away. They'd hunt for whatever came across their path....and was in season. Dad was a stickler for obeying the law....no pheasants or ducks out of season. However, rabbits were another story....they were fair game all the time.

Jackrabbits are distant cousins of those "cute" little rabbits that hop around the yard, eating your plants and veggies...their tame cousins would show up at Easter time dyed pink, yellow or blue. Jackrabbits are the big mamas....and we ate a lot of them. Usually fried or in rabbit stew.

I believe they would be on the gourmet food menu now.

Mom's Biz

2012-01-27T14:39:00.001-06:00

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

Mom decided she wanted to start her very own business at the age of 50 and while I wanted to be encouraging, I was doubtful. I mean, how many more chocolate shops did the world need? But she knew best like she always does and she totally found a niche in our little town and things have been really great for her ever since she opened the doors! She’s turned to me for some help since I’m a CPA and I’m way more practical than she is.I told her about www.bank-card-processing.com and helped her figure out the regulations for hiring people part time but when it comes to the cooking side of things, that’s all her. She’s an amazing lady and I can’t imagine learning more from anyone than her so it’s just cool to be able to watch her get things together like she does. I love my mom to death and though she’s a really savvy chocolate maker I think at the end of the day I’m the better businesswoman!

Have You Heard About NoMoreRack?

2012-01-19T09:26:00.003-06:00

I’m not usually keen about buying items on the internet…some are really great deals but I’m leery about giving my credit card information to a site that I’m not familiar with or does not have a good reputation.

One of my favorite sites is nomorerack and the main reason I go there often is because of the great daily deals. These deals are only “alive” for one day, and they will disappear like a soap bubble. You can find many items, from accessories to products for both women and men. Its like going to a store and raiding their clearance bin…you never know what will be there…that’s half the fun!

I also feel comfortable with this site because of the nomorerack reviews. The site is favorably mentioned on several blogs…and I am a blog hunter. I look for the ones that appeal or talk about my favorite sport, tennis, my favorite animals, horses and those writers who talk about their families in loving, comfortable ways. Two of my favorites are Day 2 Day Living and Half Pint House Handouts…I try to stop by at least 2-3 times a week.

They are both enthusiastic about NoMoreRack and their enthusiasm has rubbed off on me!

Shades of green

2012-01-17T21:57:00.000-06:00

When you think of GREEN what comes to mind?

A yard full of lush green grass, a handful of green dollar bills, how about a green frog named Kermit or maybe green Brussel sprouts. Green can be as big as a mountain or as small as a tiny green beetle sitting on a branch.

Green can be anything you want it to be. A Green Bay Packer, a Leprechaun straight from the Emerald Isle or a creepy crawling caterpillar all belong here... and how about beautiful green eyes...can't leave those out!

This blog isn't just about GREEN - but Green is the beginning!

Just a Reminder

2012-01-16T14:30:00.000-06:00

Those informative little boxes on the right side of this blog are inviting you to "have a look at this"....click on them and you'll be taken to that particular item. They are up-to-date and keep up with what's new in books, clothing, jewelry and miscellaneous items you may be interested in.

Smoker or Non-Smoker...its Your Health

2012-01-16T11:41:00.001-06:00

I hate to say this to all you cigarette/pipe/cigar smokers out there, but being in a room with you or stuck in an elevator with you is not pleasant to non-smokers. Your hair, skin, clothing and breath carry the nicotine odor with you wherever you go. My niece Lenyie is a good example. She is a chain-smoker and has been one for years. She has a cigarette with her breakfast Pepsi, one with whatever she has for lunch, and several at various times during the work day. She will stand outside her place of business during snowstorms, rain or bone-chilling cold and smoke. She rationalizes her habit, saying she ENJOYS smoking….no matter if her throat is raspy or if her complexion has a yellow nicotine look.

I wish she would at least try blu electronic cigarettes. They contain no tobacco, no second hand smoke and are made in Wisconsin using only 5 ingredients. They emit water vapor smoke so she probably could smoke almost anywhere…and her clothing would not take on a tobacco odor. Another thing for her to consider is that electronic cigarettes are cheaper to use…I don’t know how much she spends on cigarettes, but each of the flavor cartridge equals 1 packs of cigarettes. That’s got to be a savings for her.

But Lenyie is an adult and I can’t make choices for her. All I can do is tell her about electronic cigarettes, that the cigarettes and accessories are found nationwide, and that I worry as much about her health as I do my own children’s.

Genealogy - Ancestors and Descendants

2011-12-28T15:27:00.000-06:00

Soooo, you're curious about your ancestors.....or aunts, uncles and cousins who you didn't know you had. You want to examine your family tree (you may find a few "nuts" on the branches)

Genealogy is a great hobby....or an obsession! You'll find yourself playing detective...looking for clues to where your ancestors lived, hunting for that missing son who was listed in 1850 but not 1870...did he marry and leave home, was he killed in the Civil War, or did the census taker misspell his name and sex (happens!) so instead of looking for John you should have been looking for Joan....

Or, maybe you think you're linked to a politician, gangster, millionaire or a movie star (look for their real names, not something made up by a publicity agent) Looking for John Wayne? Try looking for Marion Morrison, his real name. How about Marilyn Monroe...she was actually Norma Jean Baker.

Since you're at step #1, we'll begin very easily.….this is the way I started and the procedures and steps are my own….others search in different ways, but I tend to hop around a little in my searches……(so, if you are a dedicated, professional searcher, don’t yell at me….but, you can add your ideas and techniques)

1. Ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or any living relatives to tell you about your family. Where did they live? Where did the family originally come from? Try to get dates or approximately when they were born.

2. Any family bibles laying around? You know, that big, bound book, sometimes closing with a clasp. They're not as popular now, but in the past, you'd find children listed with birth dates, parents, marriages, and deaths.

3. Buy a genealogy program...they are available on CDs and they are easy to understand. I use Ancestral Quest but Family Tree Maker and many others are available. About Genealogy can give you ideas about a good beginner program.

3. Visit WorldConnect, type in your family name and see if anyone is searching or has searched for it. World Connect will not list anyone who was born after 1930 unless that person has a death date, so start with your oldest relative.

Keep in mind however, that this information is submitted by individuals, sometimes through word of mouth from family members. It does not always contain entire families and sometime contains errors.

If you know something that the submitter doesn’t….contact them! They will love hearing from a new “cousin”.

4. Find A Grave has 9 MILLION grave sites listed. Maybe one of your ancestors is listed. The listings are submitted by genealogists or just plain ole people who want others to know where people are buried.

5. Many ancestors arrived in America and were processed through Ellis Island. This information will tell you what ship they arrived on, the date, and who was traveling with them.

6. Gen Forum - look for your family name…..someone may be asking questions about YOUR ancestor….or….may have the information you’ve been looking for.

7. LDS Family Search – this is a wonderful site created by the Mormon Church. You neither have to be Mormon nor have Mormon ancestors to search it. (my ancestry is heavily Catholic, and they are listed)

8. Social Security Index – lists deaths from about 1940 to present. Gives birth dates and dates of death. Approximates the place of death by using the zip code of where the last benefit was sent.

True Blood

2011-12-28T14:10:00.001-06:00

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

I got http://www.direct.tv/ not too long ago because everyone kept telling me about True Blood. I usually hate that kind of supernatural stuff but man, they were right! That show has so much drama and suspense, I don’t know how anyone else hasn’t told me what happens later on in the series. I sprung for all the movie channels which was a good decision because now I can flip back and forth between True Bloodand Dexter, my other favorite. My husband would laugh out loud if he saw me watching a sexy vampire show so I’m glad I have it all On Demand so I can watch it while he’s working late. There’s something to be said for liking what you like and not having to explain it to anyone else and my husband just doesn’t get that – he makes so much fun of me for my taste in TV! I don’t think that’s right, though, because he spends hours at a time watching games and recaps of games – boring if you ask me!

Cabela's....paradise for sportsmen

2011-12-23T14:44:00.000-06:00

I love to fish! When I was growing up, my folks and I would make our annual pilgrimage from Nebraska to Minnesota for two weeks of fishing bliss. We stayed at resorts on Leech Lake, Woman Lake and finally Ten Mile Lake. Dad loved to fish for northern pike and I was "hooked" on casting for bass....Mom preferred to sit in the middle of the boat, secure in her life preserver jacket and troll for anything with fins.

We lived in Nebraska, not exactly a fisherman's paradise. At that time (1950) the only tackle stores in the vicinity were Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Ward. But, no more!

Cabela's has built a mega store on the outskirts of Omaha....a place of awe and wonder! Need a boat, Cabela's has it, how about a tent camper, its there. Fishing gear, guns, camping supplies you name it...you'll find it.

Any lure you can imagine has a home at Cabela's....even some that are so big you wonder what fish would even DARE to attack it. They even carry products that are considered "green"...line, weights, hooks and lures that dissolve after a period of time.
Dad and mom have been gone for many years, but whenever I enter the Cabela's store, I wonder what my Dad would think of it...no I don't have to wonder, I know....he'd be speechless.

Check out Cabela's for yourself...if you need it for outdoor fun, its probably on a shelf waiting for you!

It Don't Cost "Nuthin'" to be nice

2011-12-19T11:59:00.000-06:00

A nice story to begin 2011....written by Larry Burton, Panama City Beach, Florida on 9/26/2008

At a Touchdown Club meeting many years before his death, Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant told the following story:

"I had just been named the new head coach at Alabama and was off in my old car down in South Alabama recruiting a prospect who was supposed to have been a pretty good player and I was havin' trouble finding the place. Getting hungry I spied an old cinder block building with a small sign out front that simply said "Restaurant."

"I pull up, go in and every head in the place turns to stare at me. Seems I'm the only white fella in the place. But the food smelled good so I skip a table and go up to a cement bar and sit. A big ole man in a tee shirt and cap comes over and says, "What do you need?" I told him I needed lunch and what did they have today? He says, "You probably won't like it here, today we're having chitlins, collared greens and black eyed peas with cornbread. I'll bet you don't even know what chitlins are, do you?" I looked him square in the eye and said, "I'm from Arkansas, I've probably eaten a mile of them. Sounds like I'm in the right place." They all smiled as he left to serve me up a big plate. When he comes back he says, "You ain't from around here then?"

"I explain I'm the new football coach up in Tuscaloosa at the University and I'm here to find whatever that boy's name was and he says, yeah I've heard of him, he's supposed to be pretty good. And he gives me directions to the school so I can meet him and his coach. As I'm paying up to leave, I remember my manners and leave a tip, not too big to be flashy, but a good one and he told me lunch was on him, but I told him for a lunch that good, I felt I should pay. The big man asked me if I had a photograph or something he could hang up to show I'd been there. I was so new that I didn't have any yet. It really wasn't that big a thing back then to be asked for, but I took a napkin and wrote his name and address on it and told him I'd get him one and shook his hand and left."

"I met the kid I was lookin' for later that afternoon and I don't remember his name, but do remember I didn't think much of him when I met him. I had wasted a day, or so I thought.
When I got back to Tuscaloosa late that night, I took that napkin from my shirt pocket and put it under my keys so I wouldn't forget it. Back then I was excited that anybody would want a picture of me. The next day we found a picture and I wrote on it, "Thanks for the best lunch I've ever had."

"Now let's go a whole buncha years down the road. Now we have black players at Alabama and I'm back down in that part of the country scouting an offensive lineman we sure needed. Y'all remember, (and I forget the name, but it's not important to the story), well anyway, he's got two friends going to Auburn and he tells me he's got his heart set on Auburn too, so I leave empty handed and go on see some others while I'm down there."

"Two days later, I'm in my office in Tuscaloosa and the phone rings and it's this kid who just turned me down, and he says, "Coach, do you still want me at Alabama?" And I said, "Yes I sure do." And he says OK, he'll come. And I say, "Well son, what changed your mind?" And he said, "When my grandpa found out that I had a chance to play for you and said no, he pitched a fit and told me I wasn't going nowhere but Alabama, and wasn't playing for nobody but you. He thinks a lot of you and has ever since y'all met."

Well, I didn't know his granddad from Adam's house cat so I asked him who his granddaddy was and he said, "You probably don't remember him, but you ate in his restaurant your first year at Alabama and you sent him a picture that he's had hung in that place ever since. That picture's his pride and joy and he still tells everybody about the day that Bear Bryant came in and had chitlins with him."

"My grandpa said that when you left there, he never expected you to remember him or to send him that picture, but you kept your word to him and to Grandpa, that's everything. He said you could teach me more than football and I had to play for a man like you, so I guess I'm going to. "I was floored. But I learned that the lessons my mama taught me were always right. It don't cost nuthin' to be nice. It don't cost nuthin' to do the right thing most of the time, and it costs a lot to lose your good name by breakin' your word to someone."

"When I went back to sign that boy, I looked up his Grandpa and he's still running that place, but it looks a lot better now; and he didn't have chitlins that day, but he had some ribs that woulda made Dreamland proud and I made sure I posed for a lot of pictures; and don't think I didn't leave some new ones for him, too, along with a signed football."

"I made it clear to all my assistants to keep this story and these lessons in mind when they're out on the road. If you remember anything else from me, remember this. It really doesn't cost anything to be nice, and the rewards can be unimaginable."

Well Coach, we haven't forgotten you or the simple lessons you taught not just your players, but everyone who would take the time to listen to you.

Spring Wedding Plans

2011-12-16T14:02:00.001-06:00

Although it’s mid winter now, Spring will soon arrive and happy couples will be lining up at the Marriage Bureau for that all important Marriage License. Although our own children are already grown and married, I am involved with the marriage plans of a good friend’s daughter. From my own experience, I can give her some great ideas for the wedding reception.

First, instead of wandering around town looking for the 10 or 15 table covers they will need, I said “Hey, try Googling for them on the internet”. The internet is wonderful for finding things…we found a site that I always thought provided table covers, signs and other items for trade show exhibits. They are and always have been a supplier of affordable printed & blank table covers & table skirts. But, golly gee, they also have table covers, table skirts and several other unexpected things that the general public can buy and which would be perfect for wedding receptions or any celebration you may have.

For instance if you owned a flower shop and wanted to promote a new item or advertise your wedding reception flower ideas, a table top display at a trade show would work very well. And, since you will need several demonstrators to explain your idea to potential buyers, one or two directors chairs should be included in your booth.

Getting back to the wedding reception, we bought white table covers for the guest tables and a white table cover and skirt for the Bride and Groom’s table.

The Mortgage Leads Company

2011-12-14T13:06:00.005-06:00

Are you familiar with the term “mortgage leads”? If your business is based on the ability to find prospective clients, mortgage leads can make or break you. You need a company that can help those homeowners and individuals find YOU….not your competitor down the street who is also providing mortgage, insurance and financial services leads.

What you need is to become a member of Equileads or Equileads affiliate. It’s easy to join and by doing so you will have access leads for car insurance, loans, mortgages or even life insurance prospects in all 50 states….you can search by state or region whether in continental United States or Alaska and Hawaii. For a mortgage broker or first-time lead buyer this would be exactly what is needed.

With the competitive leads that Equileads provides, you will have the best and most profitable leads on the market today. They guarantee that every lead is sold, at the most, three times….the information will not be available to your competitors whereby limiting competition. Equileads will even give you the opportunity to browse their site, their list of new prospects are available every day, you can cherry pick the system and use a simple spreadsheet to track prospects. Plus, you will never have to deal with false or inaccurate information.

Beautiful Smile, Beautiful You

2011-11-17T15:39:00.020-06:00

I know this has been out for many years but we are just now starting to look into the various dental options and I was really happy to have found 33smile.com, a San Antonio Invisalign company.

Tell the truth, what’s the first thing you notice about a person’s face? Some see beautiful eyes (my husband says he fell for my long eyelashes), others see dimples, freckles, a pert little nose, maybe, in the case of a guy, his cute grin. But when most people meet, the first noticed is a smile. What is the most important thing about a smile…..teeth! Well-aligned, white, perfect teeth. Beautiful teeth are a major requirement if you are a movie or TV star, any type of entertainer but are equally necessary if you are in a career…doctor, lawyer, etc. Actually beautiful teeth are important…period.

Some people are fortunate enough to have teeth that are perfectly formed and their smiles light up a room. Unfortunately that’s not true of everyone. That’s when you start thinking of getting braces. Particularly clear braces such as Invisalign, which are a breakthrough technology in dental care. Metal braces HURT…and food easily gets caught in them. You wear them day and night and they are seen every time you smile or even open your mouth.

Unlike metal braces (been there, done that), 33smile, a San Antonio Invisalign company can fit you in braces that are clear and the aligners are removable. These clear aligners are changed every two weeks and slowly but surely your teeth are straightened.
The cosmetic dentists at 33smile.com will work with you to give you a smile that you will be proud of.

What Do You Do With J-u-n-k ???

2011-11-17T09:30:00.016-06:00

We’ve lived in our home for over 50 years and have accumulated a lot of stuff (I won’t necessarily call it junk, but its pretty close). Our garage is full of things that “maybe” we’ll find a use for and kept because they are too good to throw away. Unfortunately the stack keeps growing. Odd and ends of lumber, big blanket-like things that we used to protect furniture which, I’m sure is moldy from a water leak we had (10+ years ago).

In our tool shed we have odds and ends things too…an old dishwasher that we don’t know what to do with, Christmas decorations from years past, a large barrel of walnuts that the kids picked and we planned to shell, very old wooden lawn chairs, several tires from cars and miscellaneous pieces of “things” that my husband used in his electrical business. What we need is a company that takes all….no questions asked. The main problem is that our city trash company does not take any of these things, and so they sit.

Our oldest daughter lives in Houston, Texas and relies on The Woodlands Junk removal to keep her home and yard free of the accumulations that we have. They pick up everything, furniture, electronics, you name it. And, their people will recycle, donate or dispose of the items accordingly. She doesn’t have the problem of “it’s still usable but I don’t know what to do with it”…..Woodlands does, and they will.

The Paintball Outing

2011-11-16T16:42:00.000-06:00

Although paintball guns and various related items are not something that I am interested in, they do exist and people enjoyed their use. (I am much too old to find myself being splattered with a paintball). Our oldest daughter is a sales rep for a company here in Nebraska. This fall, the parent company decided that to encourage the company owners, sales personal and salespeople to “come together as a unit” they would have a mock battle using Airsoft products….little round paintballs actually. The outdoor area was huge, with rocks buildings, trees and bushes.

She was issued an Airsoft pistol, paintballs, a uniform, face mask, instructions and was was assigned to a “unit”. Since she didn’t have a clue what she was doing, she was scared to death. But by the end of the day, she really enjoyed the experience. She said that one of her bosses was quite impressed with her marksmanship and she, in turn realized that he was fun and not as formidable as she thought. Especially when she splatted him with a red paintball. She thought her days with the company were numbered.

GodfatherAirsoft, based in New Jersey has a large Airsoft product retail store providing an assortment of airsoft weapons, ammo and clothing. They not only have Airsoft pistols, they have shotguns, rifles and camouflage shirts, pants and hats. This is now becoming quite a sport with tournaments, contests and teams.

As for me, I'll stick to tennis.

Avoid the Clogged Drain Problem

2011-11-16T09:41:00.010-06:00

This seems to happen a lot during the holidays. Several years ago, I discovered that my kitchen drain instead of draining away, was backing up into the bathtub in our main bathroom. This happened on Thanksgiving morning......the culprit being the drain pipe where the kitchen drain and bathtub drain "meet" (think of a "Y") on their way to the city sewer in the street. The garbage disposal couldn't handle all the potato peelings, lettuce and celery leaves, small pieces of stalk and other salad residue that I had been shoveling in it and they caused a mega plug resulting in water, ground up garbage backing up and floating in the bathtub.

Clogs in the kitchen sink are usually the result of excessive amounts of food being flushed down the drain. Before trying to get a plumber on a holiday morning, try dislodging the plug using a sink plunger, which is smaller and shaped differently than a toilet plunger. (in a pinch, use any plunger available.) Place the plunger over the drain hole, ensuring there's enough water at the bottom to form a seal. Pump the plunger up and down - while keeping a good seal - to help dislodge a clog.

If that doesn't work, try pouring hot or near-boiling water down the drain. The water's heat may break up the combination of organic products and soap scum within the clog. A mixture of vinegar, baking soda and hot water can add more clog-busting power to your drain-clearing efforts.

Although it may be tempting to pour in over-the-counter drain-clearing products such as Drano, many plumbers advise against it. Not only are the chemicals toxic if exposed to human skin, they can also damage drain pipes if overused. And, my plumber said that for their own safety, many plumbers hesitate to work on a drain that has been doused with drain cleaners or other concoctions.

A word to the wise, to avoid a clogged drain, buy a little sink strainer that fits over the garbage disposal drain in your sink. If you have a two unit kitchen sink, use a strainer in both.

The Evening Dress Hunt

2011-11-13T18:28:00.006-06:00

On Saturday, I spent the whole day shopping with my best friend and we bought absolutely nothing that we had been looking for! We went from store to store and at the end of the day, all we had to show for it was a “go with anything” white beaded purse. There seems to be a mental block when buyers for our major department stores buy plus size clothing lines. Hello….all plus sized women are not the same…some like the dowdy or mousy look of grays or browns but others would like bit of color. Some might even want something in bright colors. We shopped at several malls starting with the moderately priced to those on the higher end of the clothing lines looking for plus size evening dresses. My friend Lynnie is tall (nearly 6’) and is of a sturdy build. She works out at the gym and loves to jog whenever possible. We joke that if Amazons were still around, they’d welcome her into their tribe.

Lynnie’s company is having a very formal Christmas Party and she is frantic that she won’t find a plus size evening dress…right now she is thinking of floor length, but ankle or mid-calf would do.

As a last resort, we sat down in front of her computer and googled Plus Size Evening Dresses. There were a lot of stores listed, some had dresses that looked great, some had some that were, well, awful. Lynnie did find a very nice plus size evening dress that will be perfect for a company function. What would we do without the Internet????

Close Family

2011-11-13T10:38:00.001-06:00

Guest written by our friend Mason Abbott

We’ve always been really close and since my brother moved away from home last year things have gotten even better. He and my parents always butted heads a bit and you know, it’s really nice to have siblings that get along so well. Anyway, I went to look at adt security nebraska when I first moved into my new place with my husband because I knew my relatives would be coming over all the time and I just didn’t want them roaming around my house without notice. It’s been great because we invite everyone over for Sunday lunch, including my parents, each Sunday after church and we get to socialize with each other. Being part of a big family has always been far more of a blessing than a curse and although there were times when I wished there were less kids to deal with I know now that I’m older that having so many people around really contributed to the type of person I ended up being. I love my family and being with them as much as possible!

Occupational Health and Safety Software

2011-11-13T10:25:00.001-06:00

Back in the “old” days, companies usually relied on one or two employees, accountants, company nurses, doctors and transportation department heads to keep their companies running smoothly. Many times their reports were filed away, never to be seen by the people who actually needed to know about them. If an employee visited the company doctor complaining of a headache, he was given an aspirin, told to take it easy and sent back to work. The report was duly filed in the employee’s medical file (if there was one).

This is a new age, and companies rely on computer software to track and identify problems …software which is both functional and user friendly. Professionals in Occupational Health and Safety positions require specialized software that can simplify the complexities of medical surveillance. This includes recording employee health data, tracking and investigating any accidents which have happened onsite and assess risk in the workplace. Not like the old filing cabinet at all.

They require electronic medical records software which not only tracks injuries and illnesses, but also those accidents that “almost happened”. What caused noxious vapors to be accidently released, why did the transportation process have a problem. What can be done to insure that incidents do not happen again. Investigating, recording and managing this information can be nearly impossible without a well-developed and trustworthy software program.

Medgate, founded in 1985 and based in Toronto, Canada offers software that can handle all of these situations. Plus their electronic medical records software can prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual Occupational reports. And in language and terminology that board members, department heads and company presidents can understand.

Just What is "Goin' Green"?

2011-11-11T15:47:00.000-06:00

OK, now we're getting down to serious GREEN talk. Just what does "goin' green" mean?

"Goin' green" means that we are going to do our best to manage our resources and natural environment through changes in public policy and individual behavior (yes, this includes you).

Environmental preservation, chiefly in the United States, is viewed as the strict setting aside of natural resources to prevent damage caused by contact with humans or by certain human activities, such as logging, mining, hunting and fishing. Those are the "biggies" but unless you have a lot of political PULL, you won't make a dent in their policies.

Sooo, what can you do? How can you make your home and your purchases "green friendly"?

Think climate change is too big of a problem to solve? Does asbestos contribute to lung cancer - getting rid of asbestos is no small feat, but the benefits are enormous. Small changes in our everyday lives can make a big difference. Do you use spray deodorant, shaving cream in a can, or spray shortening (Pam for instance) ...ever consider what that is doing to the environment.

Climate change threatens natural communities and human well-being, Each person can make a difference because one small positive act multiplied millions of times produces immense benefits."

On Line Shopping

2011-11-09T09:02:00.001-06:00

My best friend is an online shopper….and she is a great one, always finding the best bargains and neatest clothing. Lynnie is what is considered to be a “big girl”, XX large usually fits her but XX large clothing is not always available in many stores.

Her favorite online store is Jessica London, and her favorite department is CLEARANCE. Since Lynnie works for a legal office downtown, she feels that wearing plus size suits and dresses gives her a more professional look. And, when standing before a judge arguing a case, the more professional the better. Lynnie doesn’t always look at the Clearance items, there are lots of other things offered … jackets, sweaters, skirts even purses. And prices are unbelievable…she recently bought a beautiful blue plus size suit which is a multi-wardrobed outfit. It consists of a jacket with button front, a skirt with a wide elastic waistband and back zipper and a contoured pair of matching pants. It was a $159.00 set on sale for $129.00 !!! And, NO shipping charges!

Many people are hesitant about buying clothing, shoes, etc. online because they are afraid that the items won’t fit, won’t be as described and that returns would be a problem. This is not true of Jessica London’s online store. If it doesn’t fit…send it back with no questions asked.

Early Morning Visitor

2011-11-08T10:31:00.000-06:00

We have a nice-sized flower garden in our yard, complete with a pond with a little fountain. It’s Ken’s pride and joy. Every year we stock it with goldfish and once in a while, a tadpole or two. The fish are fun to watch, and will come to the surface if you twiddle your fingers on the edge of the water.

Unfortunately, this has been their downfall. We start off with two dozen goldfish, the ones that survive the summer are put into our family room fish tank to grow bigger for the next summer season. By the end of this summer, there were only about 5 or 6 goldfish left…we’ve seen a raccoon several times during the year (I even caught one in a critter trap..but released it…we were trying to catch the rabbits that have eaten our hostas and other flowers down to dirt level) I had always blamed the demise of the goldfish on the raccoon.

However, this morning, I looked out of our kitchen window and saw a big cat on the back fence..at first glance, I thought, “oh my gosh” there’s a baby mountain lion”….four years ago a big, fully grown mountain lion, aka Puma was taking up residence in our neighborhood park. He is now living in the Henry Doorly Zoo cat complex.

Anyway, this turned out to be a large, beautiful tan and black Siamese cat. I could see that it was wearing a collar, so I know it was not a feral cat…it jumped off the fence and walked around the edge of the pool…ha! Bet I know where our missing goldfish went….kitty breakfast.

I walked onto the back deck and called, “here kitty” and up he came. He stayed around for a while but decided to investigate the rest of the yard. I don’t know if he was a neighborhood cat that is allowed to roam or if he had escaped from home and was exploring. He didn’t have a name or license on his collar so there was no way to find out who he belonged to. And, he definitely did not want to come with me into the house…I didn’t want to be scratched or bitten so didn’t force the issue.

Driving on Ice... A Scary Experience

2011-11-08T10:05:00.000-06:00

Well, we’ve had our first sleet, ice and snow storm in Omaha, NE…..my home town. It is really a mess this morning…..if you’ve never had the misfortune of trying to drive on an icy street, you wouldn’t want to start with this one. Without tire chains, you are absolutely helpless…you can’t stop, you can’t control your car and you hang on to the steering wheel for dear life praying that you’ll slow down before sliding into the busy intersection at the bottom of the hill.

We live on a slope, not exactly a ski-jump downhill plunge, but it does cause problems. I backed out of my driveway this morning to take the grandkids (who had spent the night) to school and we all went sliding sideways down the street. Just backed out and slowly began sliding. Luckily there were no cars parked on the street and no one was coming up because I had absolutely no control over the car.

When I was a kid I remember my dad putting on tire chains at the first flake of snow. But nowadays with “snow tires” people don’t think they are necessary….WRONG….you need those big gutsy dudes to drive on ice….they grab onto the ice like Velcro and you plow right through, snowdrifts and all.

And tire chains are not hard to put on…my husband’s job of course.

New Doctor in the Family?

2011-11-07T09:19:00.006-06:00

Well, you’ve finally made it….you are a real, honest-to-goodness medical student! Now it’s time to look like one. One company that will do that job is Blue Sky Scrubs http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/. Blue Sky designs and produces scrub sets and medical student lab coats for the medical field that are not the normal baggy one size fits alls that you can find in discount stores. Blue Sky will outwear them and the colors will resist fading. (unless you get heavy handed with bleach). These articles of CLOTHING will make you stand-out and say “Hey world, ready or not, here I come!”

Blue Sky features scrub sets, hats, lab coats and other articles of medical related clothing that gives a professional look to whoever is wearing it and instills a feeling of confidence in that person. Of course, a doctor doing rounds with 6 medical students in lab coats in tow is a bit imposing.

And, if you are the parent or grandparent of a medical student, celebrate by buying him or her a Blue Sky medical student lab coat. Christmas or birthday would be a good time. The coats are 100% cotton textured twill which is exceptionally stain resistant fabric. In fact, they utilize ‘Advanced Dual Action Teflon fabric protector’, but still look elegant while being functional. They are guaranteed to last…possibly until the student becomes a full-fledged doctor.

Chocolate chip cookies are the best!

2011-11-06T15:19:00.003-06:00

mmmmmmm What could be better than a warm, homemade chocolate chip cookie!

My friends, Joleen, Marte, Mari and I have cookies whenever we play tennis with our friend Diane.....big, gooey ones full of chocolate chips and nuts. Diane is a WONDERFUL cookie maker and her cookies are to die for! We usually wash them down with a couple of cups of Starbucks....but just about any coffee will do.

She swears that she uses the Toll House Cookie recipe on the back of the Nestle chocolate chip bag....but somewhere there is a secret! We've found that she uses a convection oven (OK, #1 difference) and she doesn't use Nestle chips...she uses Ghirardelli chocolate chips (difference #2). Slowly but surely these little secrets are being revealed. And, because of using a convection oven, she doesn't bake them as long as suggested on the package.

We are warned by friends (who do not have access to these bites of Heaven) that cookies are not good for us....too high in fat, too full of calories...all those things that people tell you as they scarf down your cookies, cookie after cookie.

Wall Arch collapse

2011-11-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

Wall Arch, one of the largest and most visible arches in Utah's famous Arches National Park collapsed sometime late Monday or early Tuesday (August 5, 2008). The arch is along Devils Garden Trail, one of the most popular in the park. For years, the arch has been a favorite stopping point for photographers.

The arch was claimed by forces that will eventually destroy others in the park: gravity and erosion. Arches National Park located 5 miles north of Moab, Utah preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history.

The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.

It was the first collapse major arch in the park since nearby Landscape Arch fell in 1991.
Like others, it was formed by entrada sandstone being whittled over time into its distinctive formation.

Measuring more than 33 feet (10 meters) tall and 71 feet (22 meters) across, Wall Arch ranked 12th in size among the park's estimated 2,000 arches. It was first reported and named in 1948.

Several years ago we drove to and hiked through Arches National Park and were awed by the beautiful natural formations. The many hiking trails were well maintained and, if you were able, lead you to outstanding scenic areas.

UCC and Dry Ash

2011-11-02T13:19:00.019-05:00

Like most industries, even the power generation industry produces waste, in this case it’s ash. Therefore the power generation industry needs a solution for ash handling. What does an ash producing industry do with this accumulated ash and how does it get rid of it? And, how it can be done cost-effective way that does not damage the environment.

United Conveyor Corporation silo unloading systems are designed to handle this operation in either a dry or damp condition. The ash is transferred to trucks or to rail cars and is transferred to sites where it then can be sold or recycled. A large piece of equipment called a mixer or unloader is used when adding water to the dry ash making it easier to transfer. The adding of water also reduces the amount of dust.

UCC , headquartered in Illinois, USA, a global leader in ash handling, is constantly researching material handling technology. Their technicians are unequaled in designing, supplying and finding ways to improve plant performance. The silo unloading system is a good example of their efforts. The company is constantly finding ash handling solutions for the power generation industries. Inaddition, their field service and technicians are available worldwide to help erect and start up new silo unloading systems and will provide operator training and maintenance.

Sunday Morning at the Cabin

2011-10-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

We have a little cabin on the Platte River that we built nearly 40 years ago. It’s in a large area with about 10 other cabins. We used to spend a lot of weekends there when the kids were small, but seldom seem to find the time anymore. Ken and I decided that the place needed painting, so on Friday afternoon we bought the paint, brushes and all other necessary items, loaded the SUV and drove the 30 miles from our house to the cabin.

We painted all day Saturday and got the front and side done….and were so tired we could hardly walk a straight line. Couldn’t wait to flop into bed. The windows were open and a cool breeze was coming off the Platte River.

I’m a light sleeper, and about 6 AM heard what I thought were muffled voices coming from the river sandbar across from the cabin. I couldn't make out any words but sounded like a lot of people. The first thing I thought was “ I didn’t know they had 6AM Sunday church services out here”….got up and looked out the window. A huge flock of Canadian geese were on the sandbar yakking up a storm…..guess that why they’re called a “gaggle of geese”. Went back to bed laughing at myself.

I didn’t have a chance to get to sleep because I heard another strange sound (I told you I was a light sleeper). Sounded like woooooosh, wooooooosh, woooooosch…gas or air escaping from something. First thought this time…”sounds like a hot air balloon”.

So, got up again and looked out the back window….there were three hot air balloons slowly gliding past the meadow behind us. They were probably 1,500 to 2,000 feet above the cabin, but the sound of the short blasts of hot air from the flame device were a lot louder than I would have expected. I watched until they disappeared over the trees at the end of the meadow and decided against going back to bed. So I made a pot of tea, grabbed a cinnamon roll, sat in a lounge chair on the back deck and watched a mother deer and fawn as they walked across the meadow. The sun was peeping over the trees, the air was still and God was in His heaven. All was well with my world.

And, my husband snored through the whole thing. (I tried to get him to get up to look at the balloons, but he just rolled over and buried his head in the pillow).

The finished product......looks great doesn't it~~~~

Guess What....your souvenir is a Bed Bug!

2011-10-22T10:13:00.000-05:00

I just happened to think of this....if Mr. and Mrs. _________ were taking a plane back from some 3rd world country or even from a cruise, they might be bringing these little fellows back with their carry-on luggage. You know, the bag that's stuffed next to yours in the overhead storage bin. Oh yeah, the bag that has sat on the floor of how many rooms, airplane terminals, and tossed in with bags from around the world!

The "wash everything" idea is a good idea. I usually only wash that which had been worn....but the clean clothes have been sitting on the hotel's bed, hung in the closet or put in the convenient hotel drawers go straight into my own closet or dresser drawers. Ugh! souvenirs that bite are definitely not the souvenirs I had planned to bring home.

PREVENTING BED BUGS by Dr. Andrew Weil M.D.

After more than 20 years of near extinction, bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) now seem to be everywhere in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now regards bed bugs as a "major problem." The reason for the big uptick seems to be increased international travel - these pests are hitching rides in our luggage. The good news is that bed bugs don't transmit disease - they're certainly unpleasant to have around, but they don't pose an immediate health risk.

You may have a bed bug infestation if:

You see the bugs themselves - they are oval, flattened, brown, wingless insects that are about 1/4 inch long.
When you get up in the morning you have red welts on your skin.
You see blood and orangish-brown spots of bug feces on pillows and sheets.
There is an unpleasant, pungent odor in or near the bed.

To prevent an infestation, try these measures:

When traveling, check behind hotel bed frames and under mattress covers for orangish-brown fecal spots.
When you get home, wash all your clothes in hot water and store suitcases in a plastic bag in a hot car trunk or attic.
Use a mattress cover designed to suppress bed bugs.

Getting rid of bed bugs isn't easy, as they seem to be developing resistance to most natural pesticides. If you have bed bugs, get professionals to handle the extermination, and ask them to first try pumping hot air into your bedroom - bed bugs can't survive extreme heat.

2012 Vacation will be in Cape Cod

2011-10-22T08:32:00.005-05:00

Ken and I have taken many vacations during our 53 year marriage. When our children were small, we would spend 2 weeks with my parents who owned a resort in Northern Minnesota. As they got older, we traveled to theme parks like DisneyWorld, Six Flags, Adventure Land and Silver Dollar City.

When the kids grew up and were on their own, we started taking cruises, mostly to the Caribbean and Alaska. Our last land vacation was to Chicago where we boarded a train for a 14 day round-trip from Chicago going through the Midwest to the west coast and returning to Chicago via Oregon, Washington, Montana and Minnesota.

In 2012 we’re looking forward to seeing the East Coast, particularly the Cape Cod area. We’ve heard about Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket and have always wanted to actually see them. Especially Chappaquiddick, a name that has intrigued me for years. Being born Midwesterners, we are fascinated by the ocean and can’t wait to see the areas we’ve only heard about.

We’ve contacted Weneedavacation for Cape Cod Rentals….they have many choices from bustling Falmouth and upscale Chatham to secluded Wellfleet and rental prices vary from expensive to reasonable.

Shopping for the Really Big Man in Your Life

2011-10-11T08:53:00.004-05:00

Did you ever wonder where those really big football players and sky-scraping basketball players buy their clothing? And they have some great looking ones I might add. Men that size just can’t walk into Wal-Mart or Target and find something in the mens big and tall clothing department that they can fit (or would want to wear). A guy who is 6’2 or taller and/or weighs at least 225 pounds is considered to be a “Kingsize man”. In the United States nearly 1 in 5 fit into that category.

Where would you buy a robe for a man with a 75” waist or even socks to fit a size 17 foot? Not to mention underwear, belts, slippers, boxers, coats, sweaters and other items of clothing that guys need. Or jewelry…bracelets need to be extra large to fit larger than average wrists and necklaces are not usually made to fit a 25” neck.

You won’t find many stores that specialize in mens big and tall clothing with items to fit tall sizes - Long -7XLong or big sizes - XL-10XL. The KINGSIZE store does. Everything is designed and tailored specifically for KINGSIZE. In the mens big and tall clothing area are shirts with neck sizes to 26 ½”, sleeve lengths to 40”, waists to 80” and even shoes to size 18. And they are fashionable, up-to-date and will make a big guy look like a million dollars…but without having to pay a million dollars for them.

Halloween is a Fun Time

2011-10-08T10:23:00.000-05:00

Halloween is a really fun time for kids and for many adults too….possibly the adults enjoy it more because they have the opportunity to dress up, use face paint and be someone else for a while. It doesn’t matter if they are teens, twenty somethings or senior citizens, many people love the fun of wearing unusual costumes and disguising themselves with painted faces. Little kids also love to have their faces painted….every school carnival, event or party has a booth where they can get their faces painted with butterflies, stars (girl choices) or for the boys, something spooky or scary. But Halloween is when face paint takes over and puts some individuality into the Halloween spirit….it can make someone the center of attention. Of course I’m not saying that the costume isn’t important, but what is a vampire without teeth, pointed ears, painted scowling complexion and bloody, drooling red lips….just another guy in a black outfit.

Want to be a snarling Wolfman, glaring Count Dracula or scary Frankenstein? Maybe something gentler like a clown or a Red Cat Costume Makeup Kit containing eyelashes, nails and glitter gel. No problem there is a face paint make-up kit for that.

Sheets Have a Thread Count?

2011-10-08T09:29:00.001-05:00

I have never really given much thought to the thread count of sheets. To me, a sheet was a sheet, some were softer and felt better than others (the bed sheets we had on our Royal Caribbean cruise ship were wonderful…much softer and richer feeling than mine at home). Come to find out, the thread count of bed sheets makes the difference. The higher the thread count, the softer, longer wearing and they will keep their like-new luster for a longer time.

For instance, bedding crafted from 100% Egyptian woven cotton, is outstanding, comes in beautiful colors and will make you feel like, well, like an Egyptian princess. It drapes beautifully on the bed. And is soooo soft. A 1500 thread count bed sheet made of premium woven cotton is termed “sateen”, they are woven to have a beautiful sheen that resembles and feels like satin. They make me think of those old movies where the main character, usually the beautiful one in the Master Suite, sleeps in a big ole bed with softly draping bed linens around her.

Of course you’d want bed sheets that are durable and can be laundered. Egyptian woven cottons are machine washable. Bedding doesn’t get better than this!

Lint and Dust Can Cause Home Fires

2011-10-07T08:45:00.022-05:00

Every once in a while you’ll read about a home destroyed due to the dryer vent or lint trap catching on fire. I don’t know how this happens, perhaps a button on a pair of jeans gets really hot and the lint in the trip starts to smolder, gradually catching on fire. Or someone forgot that they had a book of matches in their pants’ pocket and the heat caused it to ignite. It must happen fairly often because one of the “cautions” on your dryer instructions is to “clean the lint trap frequently”. You can clean the vent yourself, but the smarter thing to do would be to have the vent professionally cleaned by dryer vent cleaning austin.

We were told that SteamTeam of Austin http://www.thesteamteam.com is the best so you can have the air ducts and also your home's carpets done and suddenly, your whole house is clean and fresh. Removing the build up of dirt, pet hair and other debris in your ductwork will make the air cleaner and increase heating and cooling efficiency thereby lowering energy costs. Using state-of-art "source removal" equipment, they can thoroughly clean your home's ventilation system, cleaning each duct individually from the grill back to the main unit. Everyone in your family will benefit from breathing clean air free of contaminants that may be contributing to allergies as the air is continuously circulated through your system.

About Growing Older

2011-10-07T07:42:00.000-05:00

ABOUT GROWING OLDER...

First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. (I'm there!)

Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. (how true!)

Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. (I agree 100%)

Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra. (never liked that subject anyway)

Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks. (mainly leaks)

Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top. (a long climb but I made it)

Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. (don't agree with this....I liked being young)

Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been. (memories?)

Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable. (like an old shoe?)

Tenth ~ Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf (yep)

And finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old. (laugh and the world laughs with you!)

Money Problems

2011-09-28T08:12:00.000-05:00

Ever have a week where everything seems to go wrong? The plumbing decides not to work and your toilet runs constantly…the car is making odd clanking noises….the refrigerator is nearly empty and you need to go grocery shopping. But, payday is a week away. Although having a paycheck is wonderful, being paid twice a month is a problem…by the time you get your paycheck, you are down to your last penny…rent, utilities, food and transportation have taken it all. Your only option is getting a payday cash advance. Yikes, it’s a scary thought but sometimes it’s the only thing left to do.

It’s really not as difficult as you may think. If you need cash right away, the Cash Store makes it easy to get a payday cash advance. You bring in a recent paycheck stub or other proof of income, a statement from your checking account and a check from that account. Plus, some sort of ID, driver’s license or state issued ID. They look it over, ask a few questions and the process begins.

Of course there will be some paperwork to fill out. But, if you need money NOW, you can apply and get the needed cash all in one day. And, you will be given cash, not a check.

The Pin Store

2011-09-22T08:41:00.002-05:00

I’ll bet you never thought that you’d find a store that is devoted to PINS…well mostly pins anyway. They will create a pin for anything, you tell them what you want, and they will make a pin for it. Suppose that you are a first time grandparent and want family and friends to help you celebrate. Send the company your information and they will make custom lapel pins designed especially for you. Give them to everyone in your family. The pins will eventually turn into family heirlooms since no one would ever throw a darling baby pin away.

Awareness pins can show support for your preferred cause and add your logo for personalization. Many companies find that a special pin is an easy and effective way to recognize the importance of their employees. A pin saying #1 Employee or Employees of the month would not be expensive and shows that your employer knows your worth. Where would a company be without good employees and this is one way to show appreciation….other than an increase in salary which would also be a sign of appreciation.

If you are planning an event, let’s say a big family reunion, special pins can keep the various families separated by ancestor. All the Jones families would wear a blue lapel pin with JONES on it, the Smith gang from Nebraska would have red, the cousins from Iowa would have yellow and black, etc.

Ever Have your Mail Stolen?

2011-09-20T08:44:00.000-05:00

Last year mail was stolen from our next-to-the-street mailbox. Unfortunately we did not have a locking mailbox since we didn’t think this would ever happen. Lockable mailboxes were not necessary, we are in a GOOD neighborhood…WRONG!

The thieves drove down our street, looking for mailboxes with a flag up….you know, “hey mailman, pick up this mail”. I had written a check for $25.00, enclosed a birthday card for my niece and a baby gift. I put them in the mailbox, put up the flag, went to the grocery store and was gone for about 20 minutes. When I got back, my mailbox was open….Hmmmmm, my mailman does not usually come before 2:00 in the afternoon and it was only 10 am and he NEVER would have left the mailbox open. I had an uneasy feeling about it.

The next morning I went online to look at my bank balance…..WHAT, check #2033 which I had written for $25.00 was cashed for $625.00! I immediately called my bank….”I did not write this check!!!”

To make this long, involved story short, we had been robbed by a young couple who obviously made their living by stealing from mailboxes. They were caught on the following Tuesday with a car full of mail, a scanner, computer and chemicals which enabled them to “wash” checks. They were not the brightest people….she had “washed:” my $25.00 check, wrote it for $625.00 and made it out to HERSELF then took it to MY bank to be cashed. My bank had her on video cashing the check and even leaving an inked thumb print.

She and her partner are now residing in the state prison in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Moral of this story is: if you do not have lockable mailboxes in your area, do not put up the red flag when you have mail to go. It’s an invitation to be robbed!

Dental and Medical Coverage

2011-09-20T07:53:00.003-05:00

Many health insurance plans do not include a dental plan….ours doesn’t. I am happy that my husband’s company at least has good medical coverage but needed to find a dental plan that we could afford.

One that we are considering is the Ameriplan Dental Plus Package. It is not insurance but is a dental and medical discount plan. Since there are just the two of us, the bare bones family plan is the one best suited to us. However, it covers anyone living in the same household….if we had children, they would be covered also. We could save 25% - 65% on all restorative and cosmetic work (fillings, crowns, braces, etc.) and up to 80% on preventative work (teeth cleaning, x-rays, etc.) performed by a general dentist.

My brother's family does have the Ameriplan package. It takes care of any dental bills they have. There is no age limit and anybody who is under the same permanent address is included. His father-in-law lives with them and they also have a son away at college and they are included in the family plan. In fact, from reading the brochure, I think that anyone living in the household, related or not, is included.

If we didn’t have medical insurance from Ken’s company, we would really consider the Ameriplan Total Health medical plan which includes discounts on all medical (physician care, prescription, dental and vision care) plus much more.

Construction Estimating Software

2011-09-18T08:09:00.001-05:00

Construction estimating software has been around for over 10 years but not everyone is aware of it. Sure, big companies have knowledge of every way possible to locate the best information, new articles and how to keep up with the ins and outs of the building trade. They have a room full of associates, clerks and secretaries to do the research on various services they need. That’s why they are “big companies”, successful engineers or architect….they know how to search.

If you are a small building contractor just getting started, an engineer or architect fresh out of college, you may not know of the hundreds of articles available to you. If no one tells you, how are you supposed to find out? You spend hours looking for dealers, companies, manufacturers hoping that you’ll find one who can help with everything you need or want to know. Remember, time is money…the more time you spend looking, the less time you have to actually get a job done.

Construction estimating software has resources which are designed to help research, find or even buy the services and building products that are needed. You may need the basics, everything from general requirements and site construction to concrete, thermal protection, mechanical, electrical or special construction. Whatever you need, you will find.

My Uncle, the Dentist

2011-09-18T07:47:00.000-05:00

In the early 1940’s and mid-1950’s the worst days of my life were visiting my dad’s brother, Uncle Lloyd. Uncle Lloyd was a dentist and I was scared to death of him. He was not gentle and his office was dark, gloomy and smelled like antiseptic.

Things have changed in the practice of dentistry. Offices are clean and bright and the specialists, the general dentists are friendly and the assistants are cheerful. They do everything they can to take the scare out of “going to the dentist”….my grandchildren look forward to seeing their general dentist, and have no fear of the specialists who are also in this office. They consider themselves products of the “smile generation”….they routinely have their teeth examined and are now in the process of getting braces, with colored bands and and easy retainers. (many years ago when I needed braces, they were NOT pleasant … luckily Uncle Lloyd was a general dentist or it could have been worse)
I am not a fan of the colored braces… many times I had to stop myself from telling granddaughter, Jenny, “you’ve got something green caught in your braces”. She has had braces of every color of the rainbow…often a mixture of colors. Looks weird to me, however, teenagers are a strange breed with minds and ideas of their own. But having a beautiful smile is well worth it.

Green Thumb - NOT!

2011-09-13T21:01:00.000-05:00

In plain ole every day terms, a person who is a skilled gardener has a “green thumb” .
The seedlings that they plant with loving care…grow! They don’t wilt down two days after being replanted, never to raise their heads again. Mr/Mrs.Green Thumb can buy (or be given) the worst looking plant in the nursery, the one that was on the dead plant pile, and nurse it back to life. There’s magic in them fingers!

On the other hand, there are people who were born with a “brown thumb” and are not good at handling (or growing) plants. They try everything, follow all directions and feel in their hearts that "my plants will grow this year!" This person should NEVER buy or be given any living greenery; flowers, trees, shrubs or ground cover. It won’t grow! It will wilt, turn brown, mold, and end up where no plant wants to be…in the garbage can with the dead grass, moldy flowers and a few scrubby dandelions.

Well, meet Mrs. Brown Thumb! I will sadly admit that when I bring a plant into my house, the first thing I do is make the “sign of the cross” over it and wish it good luck.

When I was first married, my dear, sweet mother-in-law would bring me tiny African violets, no bigger than my thumb, that she had raised from a seedling or however they multiply. I would cringe when I saw her coming, little decorated flower pot in hand, smiling like I was about to get the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
SHE had the magical green thumb….she raised African violets by the dozen…pink ones, blue ones, double ones, single ones and they were all beautiful and healthy. They were in her front window, in the kitchen window, the bathroom window and on the porch…all blooming like crazy. Oh yes, she also grew Christmas cactus that actually bloomed every year. Another one of my disappointments.

My failure with the African Violets, I was told, is that I watered them too much and got water on their leaves. Well, excuse me! If the forebearers of those African violets lived outdoors anytime in their history, they would have gotten water on their leaves. It rains almost everywhere at one time or another. Unless Africa was one big dry greenhouse.

But no matter how many I managed to overwater, underwater or allow to shrink away, she always tried again. As for the Christmas cactus, I followed the instructions that I was given…."keep them in a dark place for several weeks and they would start to put on blooms".

Wrong again….I think I had the male variety because once it had bloomed, it decided that motherhood was not for it …"no more blooms for me honey....look for a lady cactus"

Come Cruise with Me

2011-09-12T19:37:00.010-05:00

If you’ve never had the fun and excitement of taking a cruise you’ll probably think that I’m exaggerating. Wrong! we are old hands at cruising and have been taking cruises since our first cruise on our 25^th wedding anniversary. Things have changed .. the ships are much bigger and the amenities are so much greater. We found that Carnival cruises are more than just vacations, its giving yourself fun that begins the minute you step on board. Our last cruise was on the Valor, the newest Mega "Fun Ship" in the Carnival line. And, it is Mega big. It takes a day or so to acclimate yourself, but soon you’ll be walking around like one of the crew.

When you walk up the gangplank, crew members greet you like old friends. They offer to take your photo….which if you do not want your picture taken after sitting on an airplane for 2 or more hours, you can gracefully decline. Someone will be waiting to show you the way to your cabin, and tell you that lunch is being served in the buffet area. Carnival cruises have a wonderful buffet with practically everything you could care to eat…be brave, try something you’ve never had before. Mexican, Chinese and American are predominant, but Swedish, Irish, French and several other ethnic foods are always offered and they are always good!

One of my favorite activities on Carnival cruises is wandering down the "Boulevard" of Shops and Boutiques…there are usually 2 days of being “at sea” and this is a great time to see what the shops have to offer….jewelry, perfume, purses, clothing plus items to take back to friends. Hint: prices are reduced the last days of the cruise....another reason why you’ll really enjoying cruising…I promise you!

The New Gig

2011-09-12T12:41:00.001-05:00

Thanks for the article from Jermaine Haynes

When we moved all the way up here for my wife’s job I was a little hesitant because it meant that I’d have to work remotely and I’d never done that before. My company was amazingly flexible with the whole thing but because we live out in the middle of nowhere I had to go to http://www.wildbluedeals.com/satellite-internet/michigan/ to get internet so I could communicate with my coworkers.

It’s actually worked out more seamlessly than I thought it would and my boss seems to think my performance has actually improved, which amazes me. How could he think that? I guess it’s true that I do work more and when I’m working, I’m working harder but other than that I feel like it’s really easy to get distracted when I’m at home. It’s a great solution for now though and I’m going to keep the ball rolling in this direction!

Boots are Made for Walkin'

2011-09-11T09:30:00.014-05:00

Nancy Sinatra once sang “These Boots were Made for Walking” … that’s true, you do need to walk in them, but some boots are also made for comfort and most important of all, some boots are made for fashion. But how do you find a comfortable, colorful and fashionable boot if you need Wide Calf Boots? Your general run-of-the-mill shoe store has racks and racks of boots in all sizes, large and small. But the most important feature, the width of the calf isn’t taken into consideration.

I have large calves and finding a boot that both fits and doesn’t look like something a lumberjack would be comfortable in has always been a problem. Cowboy boots….no chance, I’d get my toes in with no problem, but getting them past my calf was impossible. Fashion boots…I had a much better choice for Wide Calf Boots in that area. Most fashion boots generally have a zipper or laces….the laced ones work the best for me.

I once had an unfortunate experience with a zippered boot that wouldn’t unzip…walking to work one yucky December day had caused snow and grit to get into the zipper teeth and I thought I’d be wearing them for the rest of my life.

My very favorite boot is the Tina Slouch Buckle Boot by Avenue, a Wide Calf Boot that looks great and so do I…big ole wide calves and all.

Wind power...the newest way to "go green"

2011-09-10T14:28:00.001-05:00

Using the wind to create electricity may be the way to reduce the United States dependence on oil....its a simple concept that farmers have used for years. The wind turns the blades of a windmill, which in turn spins a turbine inside a generator to produce electricity.

Wind farms are built in flat, open areas where the wind blows at least 14 miles per hour. The midwest is a perfect place....Iowa currently has more than 600 wind turbines, producing enough electricity to power 140,000 homes. Minnesota and Wisconsin are also home to wind farms. Wind energy is plentiful, renewable and widely distributed, clean, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions when it displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity.

The wind turbines are large, some are 240 feet tall with three large blades called rotors – the bigger the wind turbine, the more wind it reaches and the more electricity it produces. As the wind turns the blades, a shaft which is connected to a generator makes electricity. The electricity is then transmitted to a substation then to homes and businesses. (We saw this in action when we drove through Iowa this week. Wind turbines sitting in corn and soybean fields with the crops growing around them)

Recently oil giants Shell and BP announced that they intend to invest heavily in wind energy. Fossel fuel will eventually run out.....wind power is boundless.
Renewable energy:
Biofuels......Geothermal.....Hydro power.....Solar power
Biomass.....Tidal power.....Wave power......Wind power

Please Use Mud Flaps

2011-09-09T08:56:00.000-05:00

Back in the “good old days” mud flaps would be found on nearly every automobile or truck on the road. If you’ve ever driven behind a truck or RV without mud flaps on a gravel road or even on a city street, the chances are you’ll eventually be hit by a rock or other debris and Wham! You have a chipped or broken windshield.

I think to myself, “hey Bud, haven’t you ever heard of Rock Tamers? The Rock Tamers Mud Flap System is the best removable mud flap system on the market!!” They are guaranteed for life, lightweight, are easy to assemble and are designed to hang straight and not flap in the wind. Plus, you won’t be throwing rocks and junk at the vehicles behind you.

RV’s and motorhomes have the same problem …maybe they just don’t know what they’re tossing at the other vehicles on the road. Or, if they are towing a trailer or car, how much damage they could be doing to their own vehicle. Mud flaps stop rocks and sand from damaging towed vehicles. I wish somebody would also introduce them to the Rock Tamers Mud Flap System. Rock Takers Mud Flaps are specially made for motorhomes since normal Splash Guards or Mud Flaps will not work well for them.

I won’t make the assumption that having a rock crack your windshield while driving down the highway is a reason for “Road Rage” but it comes pretty close.

Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru

2011-09-08T10:26:00.002-05:00

After years of taking tropical cruises, we have been looking into a really exciting and unusual tour. Hiking The Inca Trail in Peru! Our contact is a well known company specializing in Inca Trail Tours. The Inca Trail is Peru's best known hiking trek beginning at Cusco, Peru and arriving through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, the most photogenic ruins on earth!

The Inca Trail is without a doubt the most famous trek in South America and is considered as one of the 5 top hiking journeys on the planet. The four day trek to Machu Picchu combines the impressive scenery of the Andes in Peru, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and a breathtaking blend of Inca stones pavement, archaeological ruins and tunnels. The 45km trek is usually covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon. Inca Trail Tours are rated moderate and any reasonably fit person should be able to cover the route, however it is challenging.

Included in the price of Inca Trail tours are Transfer Out / In private service in Cusco, professional English speaking guides, full equipment, (you will need to rent your own sleeping bag), breakfast, lunch and dinner, cooks and porters, and many other amenities.

This is a really special experience and one that will be remembered forever.

Repair or Buy New….what does one do?

2011-09-07T19:26:00.001-05:00

We have a Speed Queen wash machine that we’ve had for many, many years. I can’t tell you how many loads of diapers, baby clothes, work clothes, bedding, towels and every other piece of laundry it did in it’s lifetime. But every now and then it needs a little repair, so far, nothing major like a water pump or motor. We’ve found that most Speed Queen parts are fairly easy to find. Especially if you know how to look for things on the internet. Most major part suppliers have web sites and you can find anything you need. One in particular, SummitParts has all parts shown on line and you can view the parts manuals for your machine. I haven’t seen our parts manual in years…luckily we can find our Speed Queen parts by both the part number and the photo of the part.

We also have a Speed Queen dryer. It is in excellent condition and has had only one piece of equipment that needed replacing. One of the least expensive Speed Queen parts was the lint screen. Ours was not exactly worn out, but was gunked up probably due to, what I had been told, was the use of fabric softener in the wash. It clogged up the holes in the lint screen and, although I would clean it with a toothbrush, it still didn’t let the majority of the lint through.

I am paranoid about home fires and how many are caused by lint in the dryer catching on fire. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Our Conifer Pine Tree is sick...

2011-09-07T19:25:00.000-05:00

We are losing the 30' pine tree which has lived in our yard for over 50 years. It has been diagnosed as having a fungus, Diplodia pinea which is most damaging to pine species native to our home state, Nebraska. Our pine is dying branch by branch, turning brown starting from the trunk and spreading to the outer branches.

The most noticable symptom of diplodia blight is brown, stunted new growth resulting in short brown needles. They look dead. Although the tree, from what we were told, had probably been infected for several years, we attributed the dead lower branches to winter damage. Nebraska has winters of very cold weather, then rising temperatures, followed by severe cold snaps. Last year was particularly bad...again, we thought the tree was slow in recovering.

In driving around our area, I've seen many, many pine trees in the same condition or worse. Some are skeletons, bare branches with no needles at all. We had been told that this fungus was working it's way from the east coast, but paid no attention to the warnings...hopefully its not too late to save our beautiful pine.

An Extension Agent from the University of Nebraska is coming to look at it, and give whatever advice he has to offer....can it be saved of will it need to be cut down.

Colorful Classrooms Invite Learning

2011-08-30T08:37:00.004-05:00

Going to school is so much more fun than it was when I was a kid. My kindergarten day consisted of playing with blocks, singing songs, drinking chocolate milk and napping. I don’t even remember anything colorful unless it was the little rugs that we napped on.

Today’s teachers have so many choices in classroom decorations and items to make the rooms bright and inviting. From classroom furniture to educational toys, a lot of work goes into building an environment in which children are inspired to learn. Of course, classroom decorations, craft supplies and other school supplies are not always in a school’s budget, and teachers find themselves paying for many items out of their own pockets. Is it fair to them….of course not. But most teachers are dedicated to creating a classroom that motivates children and finding affordable classroom decorations and supplies is part of that dedication.

What child wouldn’t want to learn in a room with snowflake holiday decorations, turkeys, Christmas trees, Jack-o-lanterns, hearts or even various colors of autumn leaves on the walls. Bright, colorful numbers and designs, sports oriented stickers, animals, signs, posters….the children LEARN, even if they don’t realize it. My grandchildren’s teachers are wonderful, caring individuals, and feel that anything they can do to make learning fun…they WILL DO. Adding color and shapes to their classroom decorations helps to make it so.

Comfortable Assisted Living

2011-08-27T18:19:00.003-05:00

My husband’s parents are in their mid 80’s and although they are both in excellent health and physical condition (for their age), time is taking it’s toll. They realize that their 2 story home is too big for just the two of them, and Mom dreads climbing the stairs to the 2^nd level several times a day.

They have visited several “senior citizen” apartment complexes and since they live in Ohio, their favorite is Copeland Oaks. It is an assisted living Ohio retirement community designed for active seniors who seek an energetic, independent lifestyle. Well, I don’t know exactly how energetic one would consider them to be, but they would certainly take advantage of the site wellness center, indoor pool, exercise classes and recreational programs.

Mom used to play a lot of tennis and can still swing a pretty mean tennis racket. Unfortunately, tennis has caused problems with her knees. Dad’s favorite game is billiards and assisted living Ohio can accommodate him in their recreational area where he can take on some of the guys living there. I wouldn’t call him a pool shark, but …….he's not exactly a guppy!

Research studies have shown that older adults who remain physically, mentally and socially active can significantly delay declines in physical and cognitive health…not only that, having them living where there are people close in case they need help would put our minds at ease. It scares me to death picturing Mom climbing those stairs and Dad who still insists on mowing their lawn, being out in the hot summer sun.

"Til Death Do Us Part"

2011-08-25T21:07:00.002-05:00

Do you remember when you said these words…’Til death do us part’? Nowhere in those marriage vows was divorce mentioned. You thought you and your loved one would be together forever. You’d have a family, a boy who looked like you and a sweet little girl who was the picture of her mother. Unfortunately for many marriages this beautiful dream turns into a nightmare. Perhaps money is the problem, unwillingness to give up one’s former lifestyle or maybe that one of you has grown or matured and the other didn’t. After trying to work it out without success, the next stop is the twilight zone of family law attorneys.

Cordell & Cordell is a family law firm dedicated to father's rights and leveling the playing field for men in family law cases. This is not to say that the judicial system - family lawyers, judges or social workers are prone to assume without proof that the mother should automatically be awarded primary custody of the children, but in many cases, this is the end result. The law firm of Cordell & Cordell was founded in 1990 as a general practice firm with focus on men's divorce attorneys and family law. The firm is focused on child support, custody, paternity, modification, complex divorce and asset division all of which puts the father’s rights on a level playing field.

There are nineteen states where Cordell & Cordell offices can be found. Every lawyer on staff is qualified to guide you through the most trying period in a man's life. They are on call 24/7 and will do their best to make it easier for you and your children. Our divorce attorneys focus entirely on men's divorce, child custody, paternity and modification. Divorce, child custody and everything having to do with unraveling your family is not pleasant….don’t let yourself go through it without a competent attorney at your side.

The World News....online

2011-08-23T11:21:00.001-05:00

If you are one of the many commuters who spend hours per week either riding the subway, commuter train, or other means of public transportation, things can get pretty boring after a while. Even car pooling for a hour or more with friends….there’s only so much you can talk about. Looking out the window, seeing the same things day after day leaves you wondering what is going on with the rest of the world.

If you have a Facebook app or a laptop computer, the best way to keep track of the day’s happenings is with The World News. The World News, an online news agency, brings today’s news to you. It gives you many options, Front Page, Local, Middle East, World, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Technology, Cars, Food, Style or Education. Each one will give you up-to-date information about that subject. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll know what’s happening with your favorite team. Cars will show you the newest models, the ones with all the bells and whistles that you wish you could afford.

Of course, since you’re on your way to your job, you want to know how the business world is doing and what you can expect when you get to work. Stocks up? Down? Today's price of oil? The World News knows the answers…you may not like what the answers are, but the online newspaper will have them. Or, you can take a break from the dreary news of the day, and click on Entertainment….who is getting married or possibly divorced, what the newest movies are and what actors and actress are in them. For some people, this may be the highlight of their day.

But most people, myself included, will sit at home with their computer, click on The World News and just plain enjoy it.

Summertime = Back to School

2011-08-17T20:41:00.000-05:00

If you live in the Midwest or northern states, summer is drawing to a close. But, if you are one of those lucky folks who live where the seasons seldom change you have sunny, warm weather nearly all the time. We’re getting ready to dig through our closets for our boots, wet weather footwear and hoodies.

However this is a great time to buy summer footwear. Sandals, flip-flops and beach shoes are going on sale at nearly every store. If you’re going to college, you’ll see lots of footwear, everything from cowboy boots to sandals to flip flops. Guys, you can make out like a bandit with the deals at Aero Footwear. Their flip flops for example are selling for half-price..$14.00 for a pair of twill stitch flip flops normally selling for $29.50. And, they will last through this year and probably several more. Even if you have to slosh through puddles after a morning rain, flip flops dry quickly and by the time your first class is over, your footwear will be as good as new.

The Twill Stitch Flip-Flop, is a warm-weather must-have. But, whatever college campus you’re heading for, you’ll see the student population (and sometimes the prof’s) wearing flip flops. They’re versatile enough to wear with anything from denim to cargo shorts. (and think of the money you’ll save your parents by not having to buy SOCKS for a whole school year!!!)

Mowing the lawn

2011-08-17T11:46:00.000-05:00

Many urban home owners are looking for ways “go green” when comes to mowing their lawns.

In the “old days” prior to using gas powered mowers, Saturday morning meant that “someone” in the family would be out pushing the rotary lawnmower….usually Dad if he didn’t have a child old enough, or strong enough, to push the mower. The newer models available now are made of light metal or sometimes plastic…the originals were heavy and hard to push….especially if the yard was not level. Mowing downhill was easy, but pushing it up the hill was not so easy

The cutting mechanism of the reel mower consisted of several blades mounted on a circular frame. The blades spun around cutting the grass as they passed over the lawn. The mower was fairly quiet but you could hear the light click, click as the blades passed each other.

Occasionally the mower would have a canvas catcher on the back to collect the grass clippings. But more often they were just left to fend for themselves. The 1950s version of mulch.

They are wonderful for the environment….they do not use gasoline or oil (money saving right there), are silent and the possibility of having a severe accident with a reel mower were much less. Plus, you saved money on exercise equipment, jogging shoes and clothes….a morning spent mowing the lawn “by hand” was guaranteed to give you all the exercise you needed.

Green Eggs and Ham

2011-08-17T08:58:00.001-05:00

Theodor Seuss Geisel, born March 2, 1904 was an American writer and cartoonist best known for his classic children’s books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His books have become staples for many children and their parents. Among Dr. Seuss' trademarks were his rhyming text and his outlandish creatures. He wrote and illustrated 44 children's books.

GREEN EGGS AND HAM is a best-selling book by Dr. Seuss, first published in 1960. It is one of Seuss’s “Beginner Books” written in a very simple vocabulary for beginning readers. The vocabulary consists of just fifty different words of which 49 consist of a single syllable (cat, hat, etc.). The lone exception being “anywhere”. So, when a beginning reader masters these 50 words, he or she is able to read a book. A great accomplishment and source of pride for the beginning reader.

The book has two main characters, Sam and his friend who is never named.
Sam is filled with energy and enthusiasm; the other character is moody and irritable. The plot of the story revolves around Sam’s efforts to get his friend to try “green eggs and ham”. The friend refuses to taste the dish and only wants to be left alone. But, Sam is insistent, and goes through an assortment of locations, a house, a car, a tree and with several dining partners, trying to persuade his friend to eat. But the friend still won’t try the green eggs and ham.

The conclusion of Seuss’s tale occurs when Sam’s friend, standing in shallow water after a train crash, finally agrees to try green eggs and ham, and pronounces it to be quite good.

The story is written in the form of a cumulative tale, with a list of circumstances which gradually increase as the story progresses. One of Sam’s friend’s refusals goes:

I do not like them in a box.
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them in a boat.
I do not like them with a goat.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.

The fifty words used in GREEN EGGS AND HAM are: a, am, and, anywhere, are, be, boat, box, car, could, dark, do, eat, eggs, fox, goat, good, green, ham, here, house, I, if, in, let, like, may, me, mouse, not, on, or, rain, Sam, say, see, so, thank, that, the, them, there, they, train, tree, try, will, with, would, you.

Sam-I-Am and his friend are ambiguous creatures; they are capable of being interpreted in more than one way. They are furry with large snouts, but stand upright, can speak and have human facial expressions.

Sam-I-Am’s friend wears a tall black hat that imitates his body language; it startles, cringes, rises up indignantly, etc. when it’s owner does.

The book includes many of Dr. Seuss’s amazing elaborate machines; a complex platter-presenting device, large artificial hands on poles to illustrate Here and There, a vehicle with a mysteriously-appearing door from which a goat emerges, and a really rickety railroad viaduct.

Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort Hotel

2011-08-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

If you have never been to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, you are missing a wonderful experience. And, should you want to enhance that experience even more, stay at Disney’s new Swan and Dolphin resort hotel, the greatest hotel in Orlando. It’s all you’ve ever dreamed of in a hotel, and probably more. The rooms are beautiful and have all the amenities you will need or want.

One of the most exciting “perks” you'll receive at this Orlando Resort is that each day, one of the four Disney Theme Parks will either open an hour earlier or stay open three hours after normal closing time. This benefit is for Disney resort guests ONLY!!! The lines for the most popular attractions are sooooo much shorter and the park is especially beautiful with the glowing evening lighting. Evening is much cooler and the pace is much slower...you can enjoy just strolling through the park, looking around without having to rush from ride to ride.

Another advantage of staying at the Swan and Dolphin Resort Hotel is complimentary Disney transportation which is available only to Disney Resort guests. If you are taking your family and have small children it’s very convenient to hop on the shuttle bus or Friendship launch and go back go the hotel whenever the kids start to get tired, cranky and are in need of a nap. (Actually, after wandering around the acres and acres of Disney World, a nap would probably sound pretty good to older family members too). In the late afternoon or evening go back to the attractions and fully enjoy the rides when everyone except for Disney Resort guests has left the park! Then at closing time, board your shuttle or launch and be taken to your hotel for the night. Snuggle down into your King sized bed and wish that you will never have to leave!

Bottled Water: Bad for the Environment

2011-08-10T10:48:00.000-05:00

Bottled water may be convenient, but when the bottles are empty, about 75% of them never see the inside of a recycling center: they are either sent to landfills or are left behind as unclaimed trash. Even recycling has an environmental cost, as empty bottles must be shipped, shredded and re-formed into other products, all of which takes energy.

The bottled water served on restaurant tables is often shipped from overseas, and the bottles are discarded after one use. The waste and expense are enormous. For every 8 plastic bottles used, only 1 is recycled.

Come'on people, how hard is it to wash/rinse out and reuse a plastic bottle? There is a lot of "talk" about bacteria, etc. contaminating the bottle, threatening to make you sick. Yes, its probably possible. But, I've been carrying around a plastic bottle in my tennis bag for over a week, rinsing it out and refilling it with water from my kitchen sink. When the cap no longer fits tightly and water leaks out, I will pitch it into our recycling bin and start using another. I have done this for years....heaven only knows how much money I've saved and how many plastic bottles I HAVE NOT USED in that time I have a big thermos bottle too, but the little 16 to 20 ouncers are easier to fit into my bag.

No Place Like Home

2011-08-09T08:16:00.007-05:00

My niece and husband are returning to their home state (Nebraska) after living for 20 years in Austin, TX. Sue’s father passed away last fall and they decided that since both she and her husband are retired, they would sell their Austin home and move lock, stock and barrel back to their “roots”.

Both of them are heavy smokers….you know it as soon as you open the front door. The home badly needed the help of a smoke and cigarette odor removal system. http://www.thesteamteam.com/.

Actually, it needed a thorough all-through-the-house cleaning before it could be put on the market. It’s funny, if you’re a smoker, you don’t notice the odor at all, on the other hand, they don’t notice that they, themselves have an cigarette smoke aura around them. It’s in their clothes, hair and I swear it is ingrained in their skin. When they would come to our home (non-smokers) for a visit, my kids would come home from school, walk in the door and say “Sue and Danny were here!”

Of course, when they got back to Nebraska, they found that Sue’s old home was in pretty bad shape….her dad was a widower and the house hadn’t seen a “woman’s touch” in many, many years. They tried “do-it-yourself carpet cleaning" but ended up having the carpet removed….do-it-yourself couldn't do it.....3 dogs, food residue, miscellaneous gunk and cigarette smoke…bad combination. She calls the house “the money pit”....they have spent sooo much money on it...they’d be better off to raze the whole place and rebuild. But to Sue, it’s “home” and “be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home~”.

Bald Eagle Questions

2011-08-03T02:27:00.000-05:00

                                                               (1) WHEN DO BABY EAGLES LEARN TO FLY?
Baby eagles will begin to learn to fly when they are two to three months old. This is called fledging….which usually takes a couple of months. By four to six months, all young eagles should be flying unsupervised. Once they have mastered the flying process, they will venture far and wide. Most will not remain near the areas of their birth.

(2) HOW DO THEY LEARN TO FLY?
Baby eagles learn to fly by observing and copying their parents. To encourage the young eagles who don’t show an interest in fledging, the parents will tempt them. They will fly around the nest with pieces of food in their claws or perch on a nearby limb out of reach of the baby eagles. They are encouraging the young birds appetite and also it’s sense of curiousity. The young eagles will begin to leave the nest of their own accord.

(3) DO EAGLES MATE FOR LIFE?
Once paired, bald eagles remain together for life. If one dies, the survivor will accept a new mate.

(4) WHEN DO THEIR HEADS AND TAIL TURN WHITE?
When they are about 4 TO 5 years old, their head and tail feathers will gradually turn white.

(5) HOW BIG IS A MATURE EAGLE?
A female bald eagle is larger than her male companion. Her body length is from 35 to 37 inches with a wingspan of 79 to 90 inches. The male is 30 to 34 inches with a 72 to 85 inch wingspan. Their average weight is ten to 14 pounds.

(6) HOW MUCH CAN THEY LIFT?
They can lift about 4 pounds.

(7) HOW DO EAGLES KILL THEIR PREY?
By penetrating it’s body with their talons which can be opened and closed at will.

(8) WHY DO THEY HAVE HOOKED BEAKS?
The hook at the tip is used for tearing. The upper edge of the eagle beak is sharp enough to slice through tough skin. It overlaps the lower edge creating a scissors effect

(9) WHAT ARE THE BEAK AND TALONS MADE OF?
Both are made of keratin…the same substance that human fingernails and hair is made of.

(10) HOW LONG DO EAGLES LIVE?
Bald eagles in the wild can live longer than 30 years. The average lifespan is 15 to 20 years.

Bringing Light to our Home

2011-08-02T10:21:00.002-05:00

We've had to replace several light bulbs in our home and in our garden. The ones in the house were the older incandescent style and have been replaced before. But, this time we're "going green" by changing to LED and Halogen light bulbs.

The advantages of LED bulbs are widely known they consume little energy, produce little heat or UV light. And, they are available in many shapes and sizes.

Halogen light bulbs are frequently used in stage and studio lighting so would be perfect for lighting and highlighting our fishpond and flower garden. The garden and surrounding lighting items were bashed to pieces when the latest rain/hail/wind storm blew down a cottonwood tree in the yard. So in addition to replacing the flowers in the garden, we need to replace the lighting fixtures. We don’t entertain a lot but when we do, the flowers and pond are the center of attraction…the halogen bulbs, which are flame shaped, will bring out the color in the flowers, light the stone path leading from the house to the pond and have a longer life span than the incandescent bulbs. Although the flame shaped halogen bulbs will cost us a little more they will last a whole lot longer.

Incandescent bulbs are the type of bulbs more commonly used for household lighting, you’ve probably got a house full of them. But they are slowly being replaced by halogen light bulbs which have a greater energy efficiency. Right now, we still have incandescent bulbs in our outdoor Christmas lighting, candles and wreaths, but eventually will switch to the halogen flame shaped ones since they will last longer and will provide a brighter light.

So You're a Plus Size....So What!

2011-07-28T14:59:00.001-05:00

Finally someone has realized that not all women are not size 8, size 10 or even a size 12. I certainly would like to be a size 10, but I’d settle for a size 12….unfortunately, that’s wishful thinking. There are a lot of us out there…maybe due to our own way of life or maybe its due to our genes. Who knows. You can diet and exercise forever, but you are still wearing large, extra large or somewhere in the X plus size.

Beautiful, up-to-date and stylish plus size clothing for women has come of age….no more dowdy outfits that make you look 10 years heavier (and older) than you’d like. Sure, you can go to a well-known store that has a department for the “larger women” but their selection is usually limited to tee shirts, blousey tops and Bermuda shorts. Or those long dresses that are labeled “one size fits all”….and, you’ll even pay more money for these plus size clothes. I asked a salesperson why the larger sizes cost more….her answer…”they take so much more material to make”. Not exactly what I want to hear. (she was a size 00 … skinny little twirp)

Plus size clothing can and should be casual, everyday or dressy. And, believe it or not, well-made, size 12W to 5XL petite plus and tall plus outfits can make you look and feel like a million dollars. Did you ever look for a swim suit in size 2X? Capris that really fit and were made for the larger size figure or even a women’s plus size babydoll or plus size nighty? Then, my friend, take a few minutes to visit the WomanWithin….you’ll find EVERYTHING in sizes 12W to 44W. Prices are unbelievably reasonable and they have everything from underwear to outer wear.

Make your own laundry soap

2011-07-16T22:46:00.001-05:00

I have been using my own homemade laundry detergent....and the verdict is in.......FANTASTIC with a capital F!!!!! If you or someone in your family is has sensitive skin and often has problems with detergents (thanks to the many additives added), try this do-it-yourself laundry soap.

It's so super easy to make and CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. You use WAY less soap and I am really convinced it works better than store bought detergent! Here is the "recipe" I found in a daily e-newsletter I get (everydaycheapskate.com) The items were easy to find ... look in Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart's laundry area.

1 5.5oz bar Fels Naptha soap
2 cups washing soda
2 cups borax

Use a cheese grater to finely grate the bar of soap. It takes grease stains out of clothes even those that have been there for a while.Use up to 3-4 Tablespoons or up to 1/4 cup for a top loading machine....less if you're washing baby clothes, lingerie or items that are not "that" dirty. Front loaders you can use 2-3 Tablespoons. It rinses out better and leaves your clothing (especially your bathtowels) softer.

This also makes a great pre-wash treatment…just dampen a little, rub it directly onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes then toss it into the washer with the rest of the laundry.

It takes grease stains out of clothes even those that have been there for a while.

This also makes a great pre-wash treatment…just dampen a little, rub it directly onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes then toss it into the washer with the rest of the laundry.

I'm sure that these ingredients are much less harmful to the environment and ground water than the laundry products pumped full of additives and chemicals.

My Parents' Stuff

2011-07-13T11:33:00.005-05:00

Guest post written by my buddy Keith Kramer

Both of my parents have passed away within the past two years and it has been a trying time for my siblings and me. No one could have prepared us for all the paperwork and details that had to be tended to in order to settle their estates. The last item remaining was the home they had lived in for more than 50 years. It has been in my father’s family for more than 100 years and we really didn’t want to dispose of it. After much discussion, we decided to keep it as a vacation-type getaway for any of the siblings or their families who needed some peace and quiet.

Since I live closest to the property (about 20 miles away), I have wound up using it a lot when I need some solitude to work on my projects. One problem I encountered was lack of internet service but I was able to get it from http://Wildbluedeals.com. This allowed me to work without interruptions from all the daily activity at my home with 3 very active teenagers constantly coming in and out. It has also made me feel closer to Mom and Dad to be in a place with so many happy memories.

Dental Scrubs .. New Idea!

2011-07-06T13:52:00.005-05:00

While we’re on the subject of medical scrubs, just wanted to bring up dental scrubs and dental uniforms. Yes, your favorite dentist’s office is also starting to ditch the plain white uniforms and invest in some beautiful colors and patterns. Imagine your dentist in a set of BURNT ORANGE SCRUBS. How wild is that! Particularly if your dentist is a HE….you could expect a female dentist to be wearing Burnt Orange, but not Dr. Openwide! Dental offices are getting modernized, i.e. TV sets so that the patient can watch TV while the dentist does his thing. Well, that may not be so easy…maybe one could watch TV while waiting for the gum-nummer to take effect.

A new style of medical office wear for men is a cherokee medical uniform…matching scrub top and pants. Or, mix and match with patterns. The cherokee scrub top is a slimming shirt that is cut long enough to wear out or tucked in.Very cool and sexy. Dentist are getting younger and younger…not the old geezers they used to be. They would definitely look great in cherokee scrubs.

Personally I think the dentist’s office would be very memorable if the dentists, nurses, and receptionists wear matching scrubs, different sets each day. On Monday, they wear blue, Tuesday it’s pink sorbet, Wednesday the color of the day would be burnt orange, etc.
Next time you see Dr. Openwide, why not suggest it to him….he may even give you a discount.

http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/Original-Scrubs/

Blue Skies are Smiling at Me

2011-07-05T22:36:00.002-05:00

Usually when visiting a hospital or medical office, the personnel are wearing some sort of scrub clothes ….even the guys, be they doctors, lab techs or the happy fellows from the “vampire” room in the basement. In they come, chipper as a lark and inform you that they “need a little blood”.

The ones that are really scary are the doctors in their white men’s lab coats, clipboard i.e. medical chart in hand. They generally aren’t too happy-go-lucky and you realize that your life is in their hands….no fooling around. Usually there is a pert little nurse in uniform trailing him, ready to jump at his slightest suggestion. “What! No blood drawn today! Nurse! Get somebody up here right away!”

Of course you realize that I am just making fun at the medical personnel’s expense. Actually, I have a lot of respect for nurses…I know that I do not have enough of the “love of my fellow man (or women)” to be a nurse. My two good friends, Joleen and Elena are nurses and they are what you hope you’ll have if you are ever hospitalized. They truly care about people and to them it isn’t just a job (or way to meet/marry a doctor) It’s their place in this crazy world. They will hold your hand and talk to you, they will ask not only about how you’re feeling, they want to know you…your family, your hobbies or anything that will make you comfortable.

http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/

Dots on the Diga del Cingino Dam wall

2011-06-30T11:04:00.000-05:00

A-m-a-z-i-n-g.....This is the Diga del Cingino dam in Italy - but look closer... see the spots on the dam wall?

They are Alpine Ibex and they like to eat the moss and lichen and lick the salt off the dam wall. Adriano Migliorati snapped the pictures at the 160-foot-tall Cingino Dam. The goats are attracted to the dam's salt-crusted stones. Grazing animals don't get enough of the mineral in their vegetarian diets.

The Alpine Ibex was long regarded as a mystical animal and almost all of body parts were sought after as ingredients for magical potions and to cure various illnesses. As a result, they were almost extinct because of very extensive hunting. However, in the 1850s King Emmanuel II of Italy created a game preserve in the Italian Alps for the Ibex. Today, about 4,000 Alpine Ibex roam the area of the king's preserve, now the Gran Paradiso National Park.

When mature both male and female ibexes have large, backwards-curving horns although those of the male are substantially larger and can grow to an impressive length of about 3 feet. I wonder if the mature adults also climb the dam walls.....with those huge horns I'd think balance would be a problem.

This young ibex is soooooooo cute.

Saturday Afternoon Shopping

2011-06-21T21:14:00.005-05:00

One of my husband, Ken’s favorite ways to spend a Saturday afternoon is wandering through a hardware or home improvement store. He enjoys looking at prices and deciding for instance which of the zero turn mowers is the best. Which one has the best price, which one has the best and most reliable motor and chassis, also how and where it was built. Since I have no clue what a zero turn mower is, he has to explain that the two front wheels turn and swivel around instead of being on an axle causing the driver turn the steering wheel. The zero turn one can drive in circles…around a tree or post. Yeh, I know, it’s more complicated than that, but it’s the best I can do.

Since Ken was an electrician and worked in construction for 50 years before he retired, air conditioners, especially big 4 ton air conditioners are another of his “must see” items. He tells me how they work, what size is needed for a certain size home and everything else that he feels I should know. I listen but am actually eyeing other products that are more interesting to me. However, we’ve been married for 53 years, so I know how to say “uh huh” and “really” at the right time.

What does interest me this year are the new styles and colors in ceiling tile. Our family room ceiling could use an upgrade. I didn’t realize how many styles there were to choose from. Brushed aluminum tiles are beautiful but not for our family room. Way too formal. Glue on ceiling tiles are probably what we’ll end up with, or perhaps drop-in tiles. Both look like something we could handle.

Mowing Grass...in Iraq

2011-05-25T07:54:00.000-05:00

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, vertually a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt, (U.S. soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet. When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil---to bring them good luck. If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted. When you read this, say a little prayer for our soldiers that give and give so unselfishly for us. And pray that they will soon be home mowing their own grass.

Bahamas, I'm On My Way

2011-05-12T14:20:00.018-05:00

What is it about the cold winter months that makes me long for a vacation? It seems like this time very year I start dreaming about the warm sun and a sandy beach, which is obviously why I started planning a trip to the Bahamas about three weeks ago.

At home I use my CLEAR WIMAX to look up great hotel rates and flights, but so far all that I’ve found are still a bit out of my price range. I’m definitely going to keep looking, though, and know I’ll stumble on a deal soon. When I get there I want to do very little: mostly just sit by the pool or on the beach with a large icy cocktail in hand! I know I’ll get a little bored and want to get out on the island and take a tour or something, but the first few days are going to be pure unadulterated laziness on my part.

I’ve already started picking out clothes to take with me! One of these days I’m going to book my trip and Bahamas, here I come!

Guest article written by Victor Flowers

You Want Graphic Labels, not Garment Ones

2011-05-11T13:58:00.000-05:00

Ok, let’s get something straight. If you are looking for a company that makes clothing labels, garment or office supply labels, Data Graphics is not the company for you.

Data Graphics, located in Mount Dora, Florida has been providing high quality, long-lasting graphic overlays for 25 years. Their customers, those needing warning labels, name plates or identification labels for medical equipment , technology, military and aerospace fields, know that they can count on Data Graphics.

Overlays have two main functions. One is to convey information by providing legible operating instructions or safety warnings. A clear, crisp image can be produced on any of the materials which they will use to fashion your graphic overlay. They can be printed in a variety of colors and your information will be easy to read and will stand out against whatever the background may be.

The second function is to provide protection for controls. Graphic overlays are custom-designed to fit your product exactly. Your product may need to withstand the extremes of heat or cold, corrosive chemical contact, abrasion from grit or dirt or must be protected from the elements. Data Graphics can and will provide the very best in professional and state-of-the-art technology, keeping your product safe.

Alpine Ibex on the Hohe Wand mountain in eastern Austria

2011-05-01T15:44:00.000-05:00

Alpine Ibex in Hohe Wand Nature Park ...Austria

The Hohe Wand is a mountain ridge in Lower Austria and is part of the Gutenstein Alps. The Hohe Wand lies west of Steinfeld in the Vienna Basin.
It derives its name, which means "High Wall" from the steep crags on its south and southeast side. The high plateau is about 3,714 feet and stretches from the area of the Plackles in the southwest to the so-called Wandeck in the northeast.

The Hohe Wand Nature Park is the home of the Alpine Ibex. They roam freely and easily climb the steep sides of the mountain plateau. The Ibex are wild but are accustomed to visitors.

2011-04-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

#1 in 150 ways to use vinegar..

This is an environmentally great way to unclog drains......your mom has probably used it for years, but never got around to telling you!

Unclog and deodorize drains

The combination of vinegar and baking soda is one of the most effective ways to unclog and deodorize drains. It's also far gentler on your pipes (and your wallet) than commercial drain cleaners.

To clear clogs in sink and tub drains, use a funnel to pour in 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup vinegar. When the foaming subsides, flush with hot tap water. Wait five minutes, and then flush again with cold water. Besides clearing blockages, this technique also washes away odor-causing bacteria.

To speed up a slow drain, pour in 1/2 cup salt followed by 2 cups boiling vinegar, then flush with hot and cold tap water.

Put This on Your To-do List

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

I was looking at my wedding rings the other day and noticed that one of the prongs holding the diamond was bent. Years ago when I was still single and gainfully employed, I was filing a stack of papers and the diamond fell out of my engagement ring. Luckily the diamond fell into the filing drawer and I was able to find it. It’s so easy to snag a prong on something….especially if you’re wearing gloves and a prong gets caught on the inside. You can pull your finger out of joint trying to get the glove off.

I guess the gist of this little article is a reminder that you should periodically take your engagement ring or any of your expensive rings to a jewelry store and have the prongs on the rings thoroughly examined. It only takes a few minutes, and there probably isn’t a charge unless the wedding or engagement rings need repair.

My jeweler always cleans my rings at no charge. And while that is being done, I wander over and look at the new styles and check out the “in” things in engagement rings. At some jewelry stores, you can even design your own wedding rings…..I’d need a lot of help from the jeweler though. My talents do not include making designer jewelry.

Green, Green Grass of Home

2011-04-05T20:55:00.000-05:00

I live in the suburbs....but this oddity isn't unique to my area. When we lived in the middle of town, I noticed the same thing!

Tell me, why do men work soooo hard to have lush, green, grassy lawns, then complain about having to mow it? Or go to the local grass experts and buy fertilizer, grass seed, things to make the grass grow, and then wonder why it grows 6" every week (sometimes 7" if we get enough rain).

Guess that is the way of the "burbs"....green lawn envy. We had one neighbor (who shall be called TN for lack of a nicer word) who felt that his job in life to have the best manicured lawn on the street. If someone on our block mowed their lawn, TN made sure that he was out there mowing as quickly as he could get his mower out of the garage. Everybody just loved this guy....and decided to have a block party in his honor should he ever move away. (he did and we did!)

On the other hand, my friend lives in Arizona...the only green she has in her yard are the big stones that she's painted green with smiley faces and the occasional cactus that pops up through the desert sand that she calls a lawn.

Hmmm, now I understand why she has lots of spending money...her savings on lawn products and lawn care really add up!

Dry Hair....Check ingredients in your Shampoo!

2011-03-29T07:21:00.000-05:00

Last year I watched a segment of "the View" on hair problems -- very enlightening. So, thought I'd pass this along. I have started using an all natural shampoo (which I buy at Trader Joe's here in Omaha) and am really pleased with the way my hair looks, shines and feels...no more split ends. My husband noticed that his dry scalp is a thing of the past.

Have you ever read the ingredients on your shampoo bottle? Bet it contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate That's a high volume synthetic chemical used in consumer products and regulated as a pesticide. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be drying and harsh for the hair and cause eye irritation, allergic reactions, and hair loss. Its also in most hand and face soaps and bubble bath, so be careful there also.

These substances provide a FOAMING quality to the product, allowing for better distribution of the product while washing hair or skin and while brushing teeth. When rinsed off, the product will have cleaned the area but will have taken moisture from the top layers of skin.

Soooo, what would you rather have, a head full of foam OR hair and scalp that still has it's natural oils? There's enough chemicals in a shampoo bottle to embalm an elephant! I would find hair bunnies in the shower drain after washing my hair -- and would wonder how many shampoos it would take before I was BALD!

And Ken, in addition to inheriting the classic Thomas A. Edison "balding on top" hairstyle, was shampooing his hair to death! Although he hasn't achieved full head of hair that he had as a teenager, there is a little more there than he had before. Its very fine but it's hair! And slowly but surely getting thicker and stronger.

There are many "natural" shampoos and conditioners on the market.....just be sure to read the ingredients. Sometimes their idea of "natural" is a little vague. Look for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and if you find it.....look for another product. They are out there!

Choose shampoos that have ingredients that that will enhance your hair color and texture, and that address any special needs you may have. Natural shampoos will contain many of these ingredients.

Dry: Comfrey root, avocado, elder flowers, orange blossoms
Normal: Dandelion, horsetail, clover
Oily: Watercress, strawberry leaf, white willow bark, lemon grass
Ethnic: Comfrey, nettle, cherry bark, olive oil
Shine: Egg, raspberry, nettle, vinegar, quassia
Manageability: Yogurt, cherry bark, beer
Softness: Cherry bark, burdock root, olive oil, marjoram
Dandruff: White willow bark, birch bark, comfrey, nettle, peppermint, vinegar
Growth: St. John's-wort, nettle, sage, basil, rosemary, onion juice

Be sure to have a whiff of the shampoo before buying....rosemary and onion juice may have you smelling like a roast turkey and beer or peppermint may raise a few eyebrows.

Earthworms are not only fish bait!

2011-03-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

We spent a few days with my niece in Oregon and became firm believers in the power of earthworms.

She has her own little worm farm in her basement and they take care of most of her organic kitchen waste. She bought a worm factory, a multitiered pagoda-like structure that contains trays for worm raising. And a pound of red wigglers ... they are great little eaters.

Several days a week she visits the factory and brings the kitchen scraps that she has saved. She is a vegetarian, so has little or no meat scraps, but has lots of fruit and vegetable peelings, bread crusts, fruit cores and coffee grounds to feed her little friends. She mixes the scraps into the dirt in the trays and lets the worms do their work. A worm farm consisting of five trays can digest nearly 5 pounds of food per day.

In return, she gets the richest dirt in the city to spread around her yard. The bottom of the factory collects "worm tea" which she waters her indoor plants with....she has best looking flowers and plants in Portland!

You use a system of trays, initially placing the food in the bottom tray, and the tray above it is mostly fiberous material. Then you stop feeding them on the lower tray and then start adding food to the tray up above, and then adding another more fiberous tray. This system eliminates the feeding the worms in one spot and then pulling out the castings, trying to leave all of the worms in there you can. The worms have more mobility in case the feeding area is too small or wet they can move around. Oh yes, they are great little reproducers....she puts the overflow of worms into her yard.

Interested in owning a worm factory? There are several listed in this blog. They will give you full instructions on how to start saving the planet, one step at a time.

Cute Winter Cape

2011-03-13T19:05:00.002-05:00

Cute winter cape

Guest post written by Heather Lewis

I've always thought of super heroes when I hear the word cape. But then when I was watching the first part of this season of Gossip Girl, I noticed that Blair was wearing this weird oversized coat thing with just arm holes in the front of it instead of sleeves. I'd never seen anything like it before and knew that I wanted one for myself like it. Well, I did my research and found out that it was called a cape.

I had never heard anything like that referred to as a cape, but I though well okay I still want one like it anyway. So I went online to check it out and see if I could find one for myself. When I was looking for a cute and affordable version for myself, I came across the site www.Cleartvbundle.com and looked around it some. I showed it to my boyfriend and after he looked through it too we decided to sign up for the internet service on there for our apartment.

I eventually found this kelly green tweed one online and ordered it. Although I haven't worn it all that many times, when I do wear it I get lots of compliments.

A Yacht for a Week--- Unbelievable!

2011-03-05T19:16:00.008-06:00

If you ever dreamed of vacationing in beautiful Barcelona, in the Spanish region of Catalonia, this would make a great memory. How about a stay in Barceloneta!!! Barcelona itself is a wonderful old world city with street-side shops, restaurants, museums and everything that the European cities are famous for. But, I’m talking about something REALLY special!

The Big Bertha is a fantastic motoryacht harbored in centre Barcelona ...you can’t believe how spacious and beautiful it is. The huge lounge areas have fantastic views of the Sights in Barcelona and it is equipped with three bedrooms that sleep 6. It has a master bedroom with a private bathroom, toilet and shower facilities. If you feel like whipping up a delicious meal, there is even a well-equipped kitchen.

In walking distance of the harbor, is the famous Rambla with all the bars and restaurants. The beautiful artist neighborhood El Borne is a 5 minute walk. The sagrada familia and all the amazing Gaudi buildings are also near by. Not to mention the churches, museums and fun of people-watching from your own personal yacht. If you ever wanted to live like the rich and famous for a week or a month, this is the way to do it.

HomeAway Holiday-rentals has many holiday rentals and self-catering apartments that they would be happy to show to you.... but this would be much more fun that staying in a boring hotel room!

Your Local Search Engine, A Great Site

2011-01-18T08:22:00.000-06:00

Oh the wonders of the internet…sometimes it’s really scary what "they" know!

I decided to try a new local search engine which is a hybrid of several current sites, in essence a one stop shop for finding local businesses and services in Omaha, NE. It’s advertised as being better than local yellowpages, easier and twice as fast…..and it is.

I typed in http://www.local.com and wham bang, I was taken on a local search for my own town, Omaha, Nebraska. In the top right corner was the current temperature and weather conditions from Weatherbug and places to click on for local restaurants, coupons and events. I'm assuming that by some magical trick you'll get the information for your own area.

I decided to click on COUPONS thinking I’d find cents off coupons on groceries but was pleasantly surprised to be taken to 52 local restaurants with printable gift certificates. Many were restaurants I have never been to….but getting a $100.00 gift certificate for $40.00 was too tempting to turn down. Guess I'll try the new restaurant .... which is exactly what the site wants you to do.

Clicking EVENTS was also a surprise, There are events at Bass Pro Outfitters, Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha Botanical Gardens, Omaha Childrens Museum, and even Christmas at Boys Town, and things going on at local bars, lounges and the civic center….all events that I had no clue were being held. Plus, it even provides a map to help me find them.

Visit Local.com and see what your town has to offer!

My Favorite Christmas Movie Of All Time

2011-01-11T10:00:00.003-06:00

My Favorite Christmas Movie of All Time

This is a post by our friend Mitch Osborne

Frosty the Snowman just so happens to be one of my favorite Christmas movies on Direct. The Frosty the Snowman movie was first released in 1969, before I was even born! It is such a classic and perhaps that is one of the reasons why I love it so much.

In the movie, a magicians hat brings a snowman to life. Frosty has an awesome personality and makes for a good friend. Unfortunately, it comes to a young girl's attention that Frosty will melt when spring comes unless he moves to a much colder climate. The young girl and Frosty try to head toward the North Pole so that Frosty can live forever. One of the major obstacles along the way is that the magician is following the young girl and Frosty in search of his hat.

I have definitely enjoyed this movie since I was a kid. I remember watching Frosty the Snowman with my siblings. This animated movie may be old but it is still great to watch around Christmas time. Adults will love Frosty the Snowman and children definitely will too.

Child's Train Engineer Cap, Bandana and Whistle Age 3+

2011-01-09T13:16:00.001-06:00

Have a little train enthusiast in the family? Our 3 year old grandson Andrew loves his train cap, bandana and of course the wooden train whistle. He does his best to sound like a train whistle but he needs a little more ummmmpth when he blows!

I have two engineer train hat, bandana and whistle sets for sale....one with a red bandana and one with blue. They are new, never worn or blown.. The bandanas are triangular and are 29" x 19" x 19". They are one thickness since the square bandanas doubled over made it too bulky for a child.

The Engineer's hat is adjustable in the back to allow room for growth! The wooden whistle is 6" long.

The set costs $12.00 including postage. Contact me at jeanjb@cox.net if you would like one.

Divorce Is Not A Nice Word

2011-01-06T23:01:00.005-06:00

Divorce is not a nice word…and getting a divorce is not a nice experience. When you were married, you thought that it would be forever…the words you spoke at the altar said “until death do us part” and you meant them.

Marriage has difficulties that newlyweds never expected….money problems, arguments, and living with someone 24 hours a day. “he never picks up his socks”…..”she leaves toothpaste all over the bathroom sink”…..words are said that were NEVER used when they were courting. Some couples find it hard to cope with their new lives and their partner no longer is exciting and wonderful.

Years or possibly just months go by and suddenly, you find yourself contacting a family attorney Austin and later on a divorce attorney Austin. How did you get to this? What happened to "until death do us part?" But, if all efforts fail and a divorce is really going to happen, you will need an experienced Law Group who can guide and assist you through a simple divorce or if children are involved through custody matters and child support.

An Austin Mediation attorney will work with you. Unfortunately you'll find that getting a divorce is not a nice experience but sometimes it is necessary to end one period of your life and move on to the next.

Don't Let Someone Steal Your Identity

2011-01-06T20:01:00.004-06:00

Identity theft is happening more often to middle class Americans. You don’t think you’d be hurt if someone stole your identity…..you’re not rich, you don’t have a big bank account…what harm could identity theft possibly due to you? If you ever plan to borrow money for a new car, home, vacation or any other financial dealing, identify theft can hurt you a lot!

Identity theft protection is as easy as visiting IdentityHawk. IdentityHawk will not only show you the damage that can be done to your property, assets and your good name, it will help you to insure that it doesn’t happen. Where are you are most risk? How can you stop the risk of having a stranger use your credit?

IdentityHawk members safeguard themselves against this happening. One bad credit rating can ruin your future. It’s not smart to wonder about your credit rating….find out!

Watch for High Blood Pressure Symptoms

2011-01-05T16:36:00.005-06:00

As a child, I was aware of high blood pressure and high blood pressure symptoms. My Mom had high blood pressure and I remember her taking pills daily and a doctor coming to our house on a regular basis. This was in the 1940’s and doctors often made house calls. In the 1940’s we freely ate lots of fatty beef, pork and salted everything thoroughly. Now we know that high blood pressure symptoms can be caused by obesity, inactivity, stress, and foods high in fat and salt.

Of course I didn’t realize what the high blood pressure symptoms were, but did know that Mom had severe headaches and often had chills. High blood pressure is called the silent killer....the symptoms are sometimes not severe and are often attributed to other health problems or ignored. There is no excuse for ignoring high blood pressure symptoms. Every visit to a doctor’s office starts with a blood pressure check…if the doctor deems your blood pressure to be high, there are pills to help regulate it.

If you haven’t a clue about high blood pressure symptoms, there are sites on the internet that will tell you what to look for and how blood pressure can be lowered either with pills or by a change of lifestyle, i.e. more exercise, eating fewer fatty or salty foods or trying to lower stress in your life.

Get Your Body Ready For Spring

2011-01-04T09:29:00.001-06:00

Like many other women, I am always looking for weight loss help, i.e. weight loss diet pills that actually work. I have tried several types of diet pills over the years and have also sent for the miracle diet pills that are advertised on TV. (watch those ads, you “only” pay mailing charges for the “free” pills but if you don’t cancel your "subscription" within two weeks you get charged BIG BUCKS and end up on several mailing lists) and the only thing you lose is money!

So, do diet pills work? Well some do and some are a total waste of time and money. You need to do a bit of research before you go that route. Over the counter (OTC) diet pills often contain a combination of diuretics and stimulants. You spend a lot of time in the bathroom with most of them. Prescription diet pills often act directly on the brain to make you feel less hungry. But, watch out for side effects…some are serious and potentially harmful.

The new guys on the block are the Acai Berry and Slim9 diet pills. Both have received good reviews from users and may be the best diet pills to try.

Need Help in Conquering Geometry (who doesn't)

2011-01-03T14:37:00.005-06:00

Sometime in your life, you may need to go back to school….college, high school or business school. It’s especially important if you have lost your current job and want to upgrade your education to find another.

Ever hear of TutorVista? TutorVista provides the absolute best in online tutoring. You may be looking for Geometry Help, Calculus Help or even Algebra 2 Help…its right there. As a student, you can be helped as much as wanted or needed and the monthly fee is very reasonable….much cheaper than hiring or traveling to a tutor.

You actually talk (type your question) on the screen and your own qualified and trained tutor will be there to answer. Suppose you have a problem understanding Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 simply click on the screen, type your question and someone will be there. It is that easy.

TutorVista has an excellent unlimited tutoring package for K-12 also. Tutoring is available 24X7 and Statistics Help or Math Homework Help will be at your command.

Knitting Creates Beautiful Memories

2010-12-31T12:40:00.003-06:00

Did you ever try to teach your child to knit? For that matter, have you ever tried to teach anybody to knit? That is always a fun thing to do. The thing about trying to teach someone else to me it is that you will be knitting backwards in your mind every time you attempt to instruct. Thinking backwards is key to making this effort a success.

I remember years ago when my daughter wanted to sit down beside me and learn to knit. She was in grade school and had always loved to sit under the afghans as they grew in size, while I knitted. We would sit on the couch with her snuggled up close to me while we watch DIRECTV Offers while row upon row of afghan was created. She giggled with excitement as she began to cover herself with the newly made lap robe.

I will never forget these memories, they are indelibly imprinted in my brain. Now that we are older, we often find ourselves seated in front of a newer screen and with yarn, but with the same old needles, we started with. These needles add to our pleasure as we sit and giggle and reminisce about those wonderful memories of learning to knit.

My favorite sports network is better than yours!

2010-12-29T07:23:00.002-06:00

As you all know, there are many different types of sports networks on the market today. It's a huge industry and everyone wants to take part in it. Whether you like Soccer, Football or even Baseball there is a station out there for you. My personal favorite station to watch is NFL Network. I watch it on my crystal clear satellite TV setup from expertsatellite.com.

With NFL network I get all football all the time. Other sports networks will mix in almost every sport into a single station. This may be nice for some people who like tons and tons of different sports, but as I only like football NFL Network is the only way to go.

Plus, with the NFL Network, you get people who really know what they're talking about. The NFL Network is run by the NFL corporation. That's right, when I'm watching NFL Network I'm watching the real thing. These people know the business well. People like Deon Sanders are the sportscasters. Deon Sanders was one of the most popular athletes of all time. He played Baseball and Football at the same time. He was one of the best Cornerbacks to ever play the game. And he's here telling me all about football NFL Network! It really can't get better than this sports network. All football all the time told by real NFL players is the only way to go for me.

A guest post by my friend Winford Tillman

You Can Take Control of Your Investments

2010-12-27T19:40:00.005-06:00

Have you ever thought about taking control of your investment future? Not just handing your money over to an investment banker or brokerage firm, actually taking control of it? Doing online Stock Trading? It’s a scary idea. You want to do it, but need help in where to start.

Firstrade is there to lend a hand with Online Trading, Mobile Trading or Bonds to name a few. Firstrade is an Online Broker, founded over 25 years ago, and was rated one of the best Online Broker firms by several major industry publications i.e. Smart Money, Barron’s, Forbes and Kiplinger’s Magazines. Can’t get much better than that.

With Firstrade, you are allowed to trade your Stocks, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs and Fixed incomes at very competitive prices. If you are of retirement age they offer No Fee IRA Accounts, Retirement Accounts, both Traditional and Roth with no additional fees. You worked to make the money, let it work for you.

Day Care for Andrew

2010-12-26T19:40:00.013-06:00

Our 3 year old grandson Andrew has started going to full time Day Care….not by his choice or ours unfortunately. The Day Care facility is nearby and very nice. The teachers are certified and Red Cross trained so we are comfortable sending him there. Andrew is learning to put his things in the little kids lockers every day…they are child sized and have various colored bins. He calls them the “cubbies”….short for cubby holes I suppose.

The cubbies are like kids school lockers but without doors. There are hangers underneath for coats and jackets. Every day the teachers put Andrew’s schedule into his cubbie, along with any artwork he may have done…..A, B, C’s and animals he’s colored or drawn. He is yet to stay within the lines but he’s improving.

When he gets a little older he’ll be “up-graded” to larger school lockers for kids. They are bigger and have room to hang a coat plus a plastic bin for boots, etc. But, by the time he is in kindergarten, we’re hoping that he will have a stay-at-home mom. She would dearly love to stay home with him now, but with student loan payments, home mortgage and just plain existing, both his parents must work.

Designer Medical Scrubs

2010-12-25T17:51:00.003-06:00

Being in the medical field is a demanding occupation and worrying about what to wear each day shouldn’t be a major problem. I’ve found the answer to “what to wear” to be a set of designer nursing scrubs. Yes, I said designer nursing scrubs. Hospital clothing has come a long way from the white uniform that nurses used to wear. Even the nursing caps have changed.

Designer Scrubs are made by Blue Sky Scrubs and are the “in” thing in nursing scrubs, the #1 choice in scrubs clothing. They come in several colors, including scrub tops designed for pediatric wards with animals, toys and bubbles. Pediatric scrub clothing was created and designed to make children more at ease in a hospital setting. They are less scary for children than the stark white uniforms used to be. Anything that will take some of the fear out of hospitals is #1 on my list of good things.

Flower Plants and Planters

2010-12-24T17:21:00.007-06:00

I am watching the temperature drop and listening to sleet beating against my window. It’s Christmas Eve for heavens sake….give us a break…how’s Santa supposed to fly in this kind of weather.

Since I am obviously stuck at home for a while, I will mentally plan my flower garden for next year. Should we invest in an outddor planter or maybe two outdoor planters, one for each side of the fish pond. Should they be round, square, rectangular or oval…..what kind of material, (I have lots of choices here) plastic, vinyl, ceramic, wooden, copper or possibly aluminum. Once that major decision is made, we can go on to indoor planters.

For an indoor planter I think something in copper would do nicely. I have a beautiful copper pole planter in the front entry which never fails to get compliments…. who doesn’t like to be complimented on their good taste

Ah well, my daydreaming is about to come to an end….its time to come back to the real world. Like it or not, I MUST put on winter garments, boots, gloves and hat, and make the slippery, icy journey to a Christmas Eve party. I would much rather sit here and fantasize about flowers, outdoor planters, indoor planters and the warm summer sunshine.

Cartoon Network Rules

2010-12-22T10:25:00.003-06:00

Cartoon Network is the favorite cartoon channel in my home. As the grandmother of two boys who are 3 and 5, all of their favorite shows are found here. There are so many good ones that come on Cartoon Network, but some of them are just to much for me. It doesn't stop them from watching!

Our favorite show to watch together is Ben 10. All little boys love Ben 10, and all of the aliens are awesome. Even grandmom gets into Ben 10! We watch this show on our satellite television from www.tvbydirect.com/directv-channels.html together. They also like The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Johnny Test, Star Wars The Clone Wars, and a ton of others.

Ben 10 is it in my house, closely followed by Star Wars. Of course our favorite Star Wars character is Luke Skywalker! The show is so great to watch! I am so glad that they made this for the television and for the little fans to watch. We get our daily dose of Cartoon Network and all of our favorite shows!

A Nice Warm Fireplace

2010-12-21T12:36:00.006-06:00

Since its winter in Nebraska, its time to crank up the ole gas logs in the fireplace. Yep, I said Gas Logs, not real ones. We found that using real logs caused my husband to wheeze and have breathing problems. Plus, I nearly caused a fire in the den when I decided to burn some cardboard boxes leftover from Christmas gifts. Don’t do it….cardboard really goes up in flames, spits sparks and makes a whoosh as it roars up the fireplace. So, in our case, the solution…R. H. Peterson Real Fyre Gas Logs!

We have a working fireplace so we have a Vented Gas Log. Ventless Gas Logs can be used in fireplaces that are free standing and are rated for aftermarket ventless logs. If you live in an apartment with a faux fireplace this is the style you’d use…plus if you move, you can take it with you.

Peterson gas logs are excellent and Hansen Wholesale is the place to buy them! They are gas log experts and can help you decide what size and style would be the one for you. Any questions? Go to Gas Log FAQs

Christmas is around the corner!

2010-12-21T11:38:00.006-06:00

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas….with 5” of snow covering a sheet of ice, the Red Salvation Army kettles on every corner, its not just looking a lot like Christmas---it IS Christmas. We will have company visiting from Texas….what a surprise they are in for. That is, if the airport here is not shut down due to bad weather.

I enjoy company, but need to do some major house cleaning. Ken's leather chair in the den is really scrungy looking, not faded, more like cloudy. It needs major leather furniture cleaning Austin.

When we visited them last year Angie also had a lot of cleaning to do…..she has four (count them FOUR) cats. I’m not a cat person. Angie knew how I felt about cat odor so called in the experts in the Austin area…The SteamTeam.

They did a great job with the cat odor removal Austin and carpet and tile cleaning Austin took care of the spots in the hallway and dining room…they just disappeared. Even my “delicate” nose was fooled into thinking that there were NO cats in that household. Plus, whatever they use for carpet cleaning chemicals Austin smelled really, really good.

Since we don’t live in the area of Austin, TX, I doubt that they would care to come up and clean my carpets….my dogs are old and have “accidents” now and then.

A New Car in 2011????

2010-12-21T08:16:00.002-06:00

As 2010 begins its final weeks, potential car buyers start haunting the newspapers for “good deals” on the 2011 models….We’ve narrowed our search down to a Chevrolet Tahoe, a Lexus Gx-460 and a Nisson Maxima.

The 201 1 Tahoe looks like a great vehicle, but it’s a little big for me. I’m 5’3” and I feel like the Captain of the Queen Mary when behind the wheel of an SUV. The gear shift is on the steering wheel, which, if you’re used to having it on the console, is awkward. You keep reaching for the gear shift on the console and it isn’t there. The steering wheel also has a bunch of buttons, which, I think would be difficult to decide on when flying down the highway at 60+ mph.

The Lexus Gx-460 is made for a person who LOVES dials, buttons and a dashboard that, for me, would take years to understand. (I still don’t know what a tachometer is nor its use) But, boy does it ever have comfortable bucket seats, padded steering wheel and super sound system. I do like the turn signal on the side mirrors.

Our 3^rd possibility is a 2011 Nissan Maxima 4-door Sedan V6. It is a sweetheart, but more car than a couple of old folks like ourselves would need. It also has front bucket seats and a bench seat in the back….and they are comfortable enough to lull you to sleep. The dashboard isn’t as overwhelming as the Lexus and a little more classy than the Tahoe.

Maybe having a dashboard full of dials, buttons and doo-dads is a man thing….certainly doesn’t do much for me. We still haven't decided what to do... I'm choosy about the interior and hubby looks into the motor, mph, hybrid, etc.

If you want to know more about these cars, click on car encyclopedia

My New Best Friend - BigCrumbs

2010-12-17T10:59:00.001-06:00

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