...Where Everybody Knows Your Name

 

Just a peek at the colors from my doorway.

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Good Morning Everyone...
I have not yet heard from Casey this morning, so am taking my time wandering outside, snapping a few pictures, then reading on here.

Our colors are quickly coming to a peak. And on many trees there seems to be a whole pallet of different colors.
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Yes this is all on one maple tree!

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~Even CaseyAnne has a bit of color in her room!
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And a room with a view!!
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Looking down,
you see my car in the bestest parking spot!
hehehe

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...and with a little "zoom, zoom, zoom"
you get to see the 'Dogs Life'
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She sleeps within...

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Caseys 'counts' are all over the place.
Up.
Then down.
Then up.
Back down.

She called last night.
First she was in horrible pain.
Then later to be overjoyed that she had very little pain.
I hung up from that conversation as she was going to be asking her nurse to take her for a little walk.

Oddly though, the counts are not always indicative of her pain levels. Not sure why, but it goes along with knowing that a day has not passed that she has not had pain in her pancreas, however low on the pain scale it may be.
And that same pain can go from annoying to debilitating ever so fast.
Again, this does not always coincide with her amylase and lipase counts.
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hehehe
Wonder if this would count as a "Jello Shot" ???

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No shots here, but things have certainly NOT been dull.
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"HEY!"
"A cat's gotta do what a cat's gotta do..."

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But sometimes even the best laid plans require a bit of teamwork.

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'Specially when that varmint gets too close to Punks "stuff".
Nah, he didn't last long after that;
-and has joined his brethren out in the dumpster.

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I do keep the inside door closed so that they don't get up into the house. Even at that, I don't like the thought that they are getting in somewhere. And it bugs the heck out of me that I cannot find out where!?!
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I suppose Miss Milly and Mr. Miller feel a bit left out at times.
(No pun intended).

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But they were BOTH royally p*ssed this morning when this big old truck pulled in the yard.
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Not me though...
I was overjoyed!
hehehe
Nice and warm in here now-
(now that I really don't need the heat on)...
It is 62° -and sunny outside!

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A "new" driver for Olson Oil.
Alan Kapla.
Not new to me though. I watched lots of these kids grow up when I managed the store at Wouters Front, and being there for the better part of 13+ years.
When I'd mentioned that my daughter had been in the hospital all week, he said, "Not Zoé?" (Guess I know whose class he was in)! hehehe
And so we got a little caught up on our stuff. I told him I was ever so sorry to have heard when his dad got killed. He thanked me for remembering.
(His father, Stanley, killed horribly 2 years ago as he had worked on one of his heavy duty trucks).

So 'Life in Flintville' goes on.
Kind of like "Cheers" that way- 'Everybody knows your name'
... And if they don't, know they will soon.

There is an old sign down at Wouters, chipped and cracked now, but shows its age...
"There's not much to see in a small town.
But what you hear makes up for it."

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad in it's own way;

but always, ALWAYS, true.


Have a 'wunnaful' Friday!
I will too; just as soon as Casey calls that she is released!
Wouldn't that be nice?!?!

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Free Web Site Counter

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Friday October 10, 2008 - 10:58am (CDT)

Casey...

 

hehehe
Cartoon Borrowed from here.
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Good Evening.
Top question from my email and my answering machine (besides "send us your money or else"), is "How is Casey?"
She is still hospitalized.
We have not heard back from Froedtert yet either.
Perhaps a call from her doctor here will get that ball rolling. (Even after I had b*tched at him for ignoring her calls, and her pain, the other day).

Her amylase and lipase counts -more than doubled when she was admitted, had begun to come back down yesterday.
Unfortunately those same counts were on the rise again today, securing at least one more day in the hospital for her.

She called a few hours ago, feeling much worse than when I had visited earlier.

• She is in obvious pain.
• She is tired.
• She is stressed.
  
  • And darned hungry

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AND,
she is hanging in there too.
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She has a gentle, very soft spoken, and kind, lady doctor. (Dr. Sinclair).
And I believe these doctors are finally realizing that this girl of mine canNOT be treated as conventional medicine would allow for chronic pancreatitis.
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This, because she is NOT their conventional pancreatitis patient.
She is 21.
By anyone's admission she is approximately 40 years too young to be having this affliction to begin with.
WTH?
Quite obviously she can't be treated the same as a 60 year old man who has drank his way through the last 40 years of his life.
(I do believe she is rewriting the medical books for this disease)...
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...Or perhaps just the coloring books...

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hehehe

(A great diversion if you ask me).

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One nurse had 'secured' her IV (against Casey's protests) a bit too tight.
The "bruising" you see actually bled...
(That nurse has been dealt with
and is not permitted in Casey's room anymore).
This one being the only negative experience this time.
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But then I come home from the hospital,
and am welcomed home by this sight.
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My 2nd driveway
turning to Autumn...

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Miss Punk misses her.
That little toy a sorry replacement for licking Casey's Face.

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• Sputnik misses her too...

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Meow! (Means "Hi Casey")!

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But at least Sputty has been kept a wee bit busy...
It is that time of year again...
...And the "mouses" are so very entertaining to him. He always shows a murderous side, spotting them.
Yes, he had one, quite tortured (and quite dead) by the time I removed it to the dumpster.

Dumpster?!?!?
Oops. (I never rolled it back in from the road today).
No big deal.
I didn't remember to roll it out there in the first place.
*sigh*
Good thing it's not hot and humid because that dumpster can really stink when the weather is warm.

Weather? We have not gone down to freezing again.
It has even been warm~ish (for us, and for now). I think it was about 70 today. That, and finally seeing the sunshine after all the rain was more than welcomed! And I believe this warmer weather may continue through the weekend.

Not too much other news... Actually no other news. hehehe

And time for me to catch up on a few of your own entries.

Have a good one!
Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Free Website Counter

Originally posted to my Y! 360 Wednesday October 8, 2008 - 11:05pm (CDT)

Thou Shalt Not

Good Morning Everyone;
Thou shalt not steal?
I have fallen victim to a link that has gotten a whole bunch of my attention this morning.
And what a reprieve for me too! (Being insulted so completely in the morning is almost comparable to waking up and laughing).

I dare you to click below...
(I double dog dare you to post your own results in my comments)!

This now, stolen from Sweet Pea...

Have fun.
I did.

XOXO
Me

PS:

• Casey is still in the hospital.
• And yes, I watched the debate.
  

Nuff said.
~

___________

Your result for The Personality Defect Test...

Hippie

                            

You are the Hippie! 
Characterized by a strong sense of extroversion, irrationality, gentleness, humility, and a faint scent of marijuana, you no doubt frolic through fields preaching peace and free love! 
Immediately following that, you then frolic to the hospital with herpes! 

You are probably either very spiritual or needlessly paranoid about "the man", like most hippies, as a result of your focus on intuition and feelings over cold, brutal logic. 

You probably enjoy poetry, especially beatnik ultra-liberal crap about how horrible fascism is, even though your suburbanized, sheltered idea of "fascism" is having to pay two dollars per gallon at the gas pump. 
You are also very, very social. 
And like any hippie who would have no qualms about hitchhiking across the country just to meet some interesting people, you also love to interact with others, even complete strangers.  Though I highly doubt they love to interact with you! 

Because we know most any hippie is peace-loving and humble, it stands to reason that you, as well, are terribly gentle and humble, almost to the point of revulsion. 
Your carefree attitude of peace and harmony is probably very, very sickening to realists or cynics or anyone who isn't a hippie, to tell the truth. 

In short, your personality is defective because you are overly emotional, extroverted, gentle, and humble--thus making you an annoying hippie. 
Now go do your drugs and have sex with filthy bearded men in tye dye shirts.

To put it less negatively:

1.  You are more INTUITIVE than rational.

2.  You are more EXTROVERTED than introverted.

3.  You are more GENTLE than brutal.

4.  You are more HUMBLE than arrogant.

Compatibility:

Your exact opposite is the Sociopath.

Other personalities you would probably get along with are the Hand-Raiser, the Televangelist, and the Robot.

*

*

If you scored near fifty percent for a certain trait (42%-58%), you could very well go either way.  For example, someone with 42% Extroversion is slightly leaning towards being an introvert, but is close enough to being an extrovert to be classified that way as well.  Below is a list of the other personality types so that you can determine which other possible categories you may fill if you scored near fifty percent for certain traits.

The other personality types:

The Emo Kid:  Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Humble.

The Starving Artist:  Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant.

The Bitch-Slap:  Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Humble.

The Brute:  Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant.

The Hippie:  Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble.

The Televangelist:  Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant.

The Schoolyard Bully:  Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble.

The Class Clown:  Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant.

The Robot:  Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Humble.

The Haughty Intellectual:  Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant.

The Spiteful Loner:  Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Humble.

The Sociopath:  Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant.

The Hand-Raiser:  Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble.

The Braggart:  Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant.

The Capitalist Pig:  Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble.

The Smartass:  Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant.

________

Be sure to take my Sublime Philosophical Crap Test if you are interested in taking a slightly more intellectual test that has just as many insane ramblings as this one does!

About Saint_Gasoline
I am a self-proclaimed pseudo-intellectual who loves dashes.  I enjoy science, philosophy, and fart jokes and water balloons, not necessarily in that order.  I spend 95% of my time online, and the other 5% of my time in the bathroom, longing to get back on the computer.  If, God forbid, you somehow find me amusing instead of crass and annoying, be sure to check out my blog and my webcomic at SaintGasoline.com.

Take The Personality Defect Test at HelloQuizzy

_________

PEACE OUT BABY!  hehehe

I Need Your Help

Good Morning Everyone;
My rant today.
As I drove home last night, I was seeing a few people already had their little dumpsters out by the road. Calling my neighbor, she said she hadn't heard anything about a day/route change. (Could be the people up the road had their own routes changed then).
Oh well.
To be honest, that is the least of my worries.

Yes, my ear is being stubborn as hell. Coupled now with a bloody nose or two.
Again, 'worrisome' -but unimportant in the whole scheme of things.

• "Things" = "Life" somehow.

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If you recall, Casey has an appointment on Wednesday with a surgeon. Perhaps this referral will help. (There's hope there- a chance for enlightenment anyway).

She was at the hospital last Sunday.

• Bloodwork.
• Urinalysis.
• IV pain treatment.

She was sent back home.

She had her own doctor appointment last week then; complete with the referral to the surgeon. Her doctor told her to take Advil since the pancreas swells. Yes, she has had continued pain since then.

Due to the pain, she had called in sick yesterday morning.
After calling the clinic for 3 hours yesterday morning, (and waiting for a callback that did not come), I drove Casey to the hospital.

• Bloodwork.
• Urinalysis.
• IV pain treatment.

Her pancreatic enzymes were doubled.
She was immediately admitted.

I have heard from various doctors and nurses at these hospitals that pancreatic pain is the absolute worst.
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• As of this moment in time, all I know is that they will be doing still another CT Scan this morning.
• Her appointment for Wednesday with the surgeon will have to be rescheduled; as one cannot 'annoy' the pancreas further when it is already in such a delicate state.
• She may still end up back at Froedtert. Mayo was a laugh a minute.
  

In keeping with my title, I would ask that those of you that are able to do so please link me to either presidential candidate AND their VP's.

This link must not be their own sites.
I already have those.

Nor do I prefer to listen to any more useless scathing rhetoric about either one. In my humble opinion that is only so much BS anyway. And my own bullshit barometer is clearly on "overload"...

Please find me their applied stance on stem cell research.
Please find me where they stand on truly helping a 21 year old with chronic pancreatitis. (Is that even possible)?
How about what avenues are then opened to such a disease?

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Anyway. I must get in the shower and get up to the hospital. Greg will leave there for work around 7.
Her CT Scan is scheduled for 10 or 11.


Love to all.
And my thanks in advance for any information you may be able to send my way.

I do not even care if your comments turn into a screaming political match.
At that point, I would promise to take only what I need from each little can of worms.
(And I further promise that your friendship is secure no matter what).

XOXO
Anne

 

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Tuesday October 7, 2008 - 05:12am (CDT)

To Begin With?

 

 

Not a blur, kids.
The last few mornings have been a mite chilly...
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Good Morning All;
This promises to be a longer entry. Maybe stare at this picture, and go grab yourself something hot, and then come back to read.
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Before that frost arrived,
there was a mad rush to harvest everything from the fields.

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An early hard frost also does nasty things to the more delicate plants.

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........
Freezer burnt flowers...

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As I have heard now, there are many of us that are a bit blogstipated.
As for myself, I have been a bit "under the weather"-
(Is 'under' really possible with respect to the above pictures)?!?
hehehe

My ear is still quite strange.
I have tried to make it better many ways; all of them quite ineffective too. (Sorry, but blowing my snot back up my eustachian tubes is NOT an option).
I personally prefer a kinder, and gentler, pace thank you.

I had a bit of company yesterday...
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As many know, Gabriel turned 3 on the first of October.
What you may not know is that his foster family had an awful case of rotavirus running rampant.
I chose not to get him that day.

(Odd, or not, his own mother has not even called him to wish him a Happy Birthday) .

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....


A brand new Green Bay Packers outfit!
And a Curious George Bath bag.
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Master Gabriel watched happily as Randy finally dug out my septic tank.

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.But Gabriel was a bit bored too...

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HAHAHA!
(Just happy I had the camera outside)!

Not wise to fall asleep on your tricycle!!!

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On the way back from picking him up,
he and I stopped to buy a few onions...
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They have a little petting zoo at Blazers

Gabriel was thrilled!

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Too chilly outside, we came home then.

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Warmer inside-
not by much though.
My fuel oil will be delivered this coming week.
¤ sigh

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I am happy there are two games for me to cheer on today.
Provided I can remain awake, I will choose my Packers over the Milwaukee Brewers, (but I will be channel hopping during the time outs).

So there you have it- a bit of catch up here.

I will be trying to get around soon to everyone's news and blogs.
Bear with me. I must first get in the shower.

Love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Free Hit Counter

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Sunday October 5, 2008 - 09:56am (CDT)

It's About Damn Time

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-01-food-labeling_N.htm?csp=34
Click above.
Just be sure to check out what is NOT covered by this new law.
(See section entitled "LOOPHOLES")...

Have a sun(ny) day.

XOXO
Anne

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Food now gets label of origin

WHERE THE USA GETS ITS FOOD

A large share of imported foods is lamb and mutton, 90.6% of which is brought in from other countries. After that, it's fish and seafood, 71% of which is imported. Then fresh fruit at 29.7%, excluding bananas, which are 99% imported. Fresh vegetables and melons are 17% imported. Less than 10% of beef and pork come from outside the USA. Countries and the foods they supply include:

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, CARIBBEAN

Mexico
Beef, avocados, grapes, lemons, oranges, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, sweet peppers, squash, Chile peppers, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, garlic, broccoli, celery, cabbage, eggplant, green beans, peas, mushrooms, corn, radishes, cauliflower, beets, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, cantaloupe, watermelon

Chile
Fish and seafood, apples, avocados, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, lemons, pears, raspberries, tangerines, onions

Guatemala
Bananas, pineapple, celery, green beans, peas, cantaloupe, watermelon

Honduras
Cucumbers, squash, eggplant, okra, cantaloupe, watermelon

Costa Rica
Bananas, pineapple, squash, carrots, cabbage, cantaloupe

Dominican Republic
Avocados, oranges, sweet peppers

Peru
Onions, asparagus, peas, artichokes

Argentina
Blueberries, pears, garlic

Ecuador
Bananas, pineapple

Brazil
Grapes

Uruguay
Beef

NORTH AMERICA

Canada
Beef, pork, apples, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, sweet peppers, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, celery, cabbage, eggplant, okra, mushrooms, corn, radishes, cauliflower, beets

ASIA AND PACIFIC

China
Fish and seafood, garlic, mushrooms, cauliflower

New Zealand
Beef, lamb, apples, kiwi, onions

Australia
Beef, lamb, oranges

South Korea
Pears, mushrooms, radishes

Japan
Mushrooms, beets

Thailand
Fish and seafood

EUROPE

Netherlands
Sweet peppers, eggplant, okra

Spain
Lemons, tangerine

Italy
Kiwi

AFRICA

South Africa
Tangerine

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Where's YOUR bowl?

Hi Everyone;
As many of you know, I do love to wake up and laugh!
(This one is even better than caffeine)!
Thank you SissyKrissiePoo;
Received in my email this morning.

Love to all!

XOXO
Anne

~~~~

This is  a "church sign" debate, being played out in a Southern town, between a Catholic church and a Presbyterian church. 

The signage from top to bottom shows the original, then responses and counter-responses over time. 

Someone at the Catholic church has a pretty good sense of humor...but I get the impression that the Presbyterians are taking this way too seriously. 
 
Enjoy!!

Our Lady of Martyrs Catholic Church
vs
Beulah Cumberland Presbyterian Church

~


   

 

Sorry Everyone

I promise to be on more, to be able to concentrate enough to read/reply and get caught up soon.
My apologies to all of my dear friends and family.
I have not felt well lately, and am so very tired too.
I shall nap perhaps; and will try to catch up as soon as I can.

My love to all.

XOXO
Anne

Your Pets 10 Commandments

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS...

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.


2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.


3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.


4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.


5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.


6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.


7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.



8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.



9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.



10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.



~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters



~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

Once More. (Update in Comments).

Casey has called from work. In awful pain, and can barely even walk.
To the clinic. Then possibly the hospital.

Love to all.

XOXO
Me

Bag Coffee Recall- Is YOUR state listed?

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/sunnymaid10_08.html
I just cannot begin to tell you how very surprised I am by this latest recall.
(And I hope you enjoy sarcasm).

Oddly enough, China has not yet figured out how to poison our clothes.
Hmmm...
Or have they?

___________________________

Mr. Brown 3-In-1 & and 2-In-1 Powdered Packets in Bag Coffee Mixes Due To Health Risk

Contact:
Linda Chen
email: smc88@att.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- October 1, 2008 – Sunny Maid Corp. of Monterey Park, California is voluntarily recalling Mr. Brown 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 POWDERED PACKETS IN BAG COFFEE MIXES, because they are potentially contaminated with melamine.

The Mr. Brown 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 POWDERED PACKETS IN BAG COFFEE MIXES are sold in PLASTIC BAGS, each containing 30 individual packets. Although seven flavors are available in Asia, ONLY THREE FLAVORS ARE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. The three flavors being recalled are:

1. Mr. Brown 3-in-1 POWDERED PACKETS IN BAG COFFEE MIX – Mandheling;
2. Mr. Brown 3-in-1 POWDERED PACKETS IN BAG COFFEE MIX – Arabica;
3. Mr. Brown 2-in-1 POWDERED PACKETS IN BAG COFFEE MIX – Mandheling.

** CANNED MR. BROWN COFFEE PRODUCTS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. **

The recall was initiated after the manufacturer notified Sunny Maid that these 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 Coffee Mix products may contain melamine. Although only certain lots are potentially contaminated, Sunny Maid is recalling all lots. No illnesses associated with this product have been reported to date.

Product was distributed to the states of CA, FL, GA, IA, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, NC, NM, NV, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI to wholesale distributors and retail stores.

Consumers who purchased the product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may email the company at smc88@att.net.

___________________________

So what's it going to take for people to start to read the damned labels?

XOXO
Anne

10 Little Thoughts

Stolen from here.

 

Good Evening Everyone;
I am late today-
Later still at getting to your own blogs.
My apologies for that, please don't drop me... yet.

Since it is Tuesday (still), I shall share ten thoughts with you.

1. We got a bit of rain today. (Say "YAY").  But not even enough to remove the two splattered bug guts from my windshield.

2. You don't find me tooling around for no reason.
The reason I was on the road was for a doctor appointment. I have an ear infection. This sucks. I thought 'kids' got ear infections, and that I should have long ago outgrown such a thing. (Mama would put some blue bottle of hot ear drops in my ears; then make me swallow a penicillin pill as she shoved cotton batting in my ears to keep the breezes out).

3. Ear infections are NO fun at all. (Nor is having drops in my ear, corked off with a cotton ball). SO reminiscent of my childhood days. (Tipping my head from side to side, or front to back, makes the oddest sounds. From within).

4. A different doctor today. She came in, asked if I was Anne, and asked what the problem was. Not a handshake or even a milkshake. (She looked in my ear, wrote the script and I was out of there in less than 2 minutes).

5. The pharmacy wait took much longer.
MUCH MUCH longer. And all for this itsy bitsy, teeny weeny bottle of drops. (Drops that when put in the ear sound much like a grenade going off at close range, or a 30-0-06)...

6. My sinuses and head and ear make me feel as though someone stuck a balloon in my ear, and then inflated it. I hear things from the inside. (Enough to psych me out as I listen to my heartbeat from the inside). Weird.

7. Punk is all better- Having had her to the vet on Friday, she has finally began to be a pain in the butt again. (I rather like her like this).

8. When the vet says he doesn't need a stool sample, remember to remove it from the car. Do not let it remain there- (After 4 days, it stinks up the whole car, no matter HOW plugged up ones nose is).

9. The loss of hearing made me miss the dryer as it shut off. I went in wrinkled clothes. (Gratefully my jeans are tight now that I gained 3 pounds. The fat gives the appearance of smooth anyway).

10. The loss of hearing also left me listening to the CD in my car as if it was only on AM radio. This AM radio effect also took me back to my younger days.
It was Delbert McClinton, "Room to Breathe"-

The above album title has, belatedly, struck me as downright hilarious.
Kinda like our old AM radios were...


Love to all. Please bring soup.

XOXO
Anne

 

Originally posted to my Y! 360, Tuesday September 30, 2008 - 10:56pm (CDT)