Dead Penguins...

Rating:	★★
Category:	Other

Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in  Antarctica?
Where do they go?
Wonder no more!

It is a well known fact the penguin is a very ritualistic bird.  It lives an extremely ordered and complex life.
The penguin is committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintaining a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life.

If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried.


The male penguins then gather in a circle around the freshly dug grave...
They all sing: "FREEZE a jolly good fellow."

Then, they kick him in THE ICE HOLE.


Sheesh, did you really think I knew anything about penguins?!?


Must fly for now...
Have a wunnaful Monday!

XOXO
Me

Makes Ya Wonder???

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Sheesh Duane, this is really bad...
Worth passing on though...

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ...

Hmmm...

Have you ever wondered if the one-dollar bills in your wallet were ever in a stripper's ass crack?  
(If not, you're wondering now).  

Have a nice day! hehehe

Blizzard "Allison"

To the west...

Good Evening Everyone;
The storm is over. The yard is plowed.
The sun even poked its face out this afternoon.
We are warm and safe.

As I type, it is 3 measly degrees. But those 3 little degrees are (still) above zero.

When Punk and I went for that last walk, I noticed that on Sunday they had finally put up trail markers for the snowmobiles.
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............
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............

Not a minute too soon if you ask me.

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Knowing that the view could change quickly, I had also taken this shot.
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And then that view DID change...
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There really is birdseed in that feeder...
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I had also put out the Christmas sign
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It wasn't long before THAT view also changed...
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Will have to stand it back up when it warms up a bit...
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And that driveway you could see in the picture of Christmas Corner?
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Completely obliterated. hehehe
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So was my road!
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I should have known how bad it was just by looking out the kitchen window when it began to get light out...
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With its snow and ice packed screens and storms.
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But with a snowfall like this, comes a surreal beauty.

Like the REAL Christmas Trees...
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... decorated by Old Man Winter and Mother Nature
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And when JoAnne and Jim's lights came on, that view was still pretty
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My snowplow came late yesterday afternoon. 
As weather should have predicted, he got stuck. ... 3 times.
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Sorry so blurry
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Darkness comes early now- About 4:30. But even with that, you can see the pretty decorations left behind
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Am giggling at the lawn chair, left of the door... (Whoops)!
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The wind had done its own fierce decorating...
Leaving the side of the house completely covered.
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And leaving my shovels in wait for helping hands. The snowplow man did dig out away from the house so he could pull the snow off the apron to the garage.
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One for Lawrence, and one for William too.   hehehe  Since I haven't heard from him now, I am guessing they MUST be on their way to shovel?!
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And then there's my little flower bed...
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How my seeds come up every year is always a wild and amazing miracle to me!
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Completely chilled, and sweating at the same time (from being wrapped up like a North Pole burrito), it was time to head in and get something hot in my tummy.
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That's more like it!
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Kristen wrote this morning saying she had made chili and fresh baked bread yesterday. (Good as my own stew was, methinks I should have gotten snowed~in over there)! hehehe

They had gone to story time at the library last week.
Clifford the big red dog was there... And Kristen sent this picture on!
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Alexis, Master Gabriel, Clifford and Kayleigh. (Kristens "triplets")!
Thank you Sweet Kristen!.
I am always so happy to get these pictures- They make my heart happy!


Julie, another neighbor, called yesterday morning, early.
Had I seen two of her dogs? I had not.
She also called last night, after the blizzard had let up a bit.  They still had not come home. Too easy, even for dogs, to lose direction in a blizzard.
Another phone call this morning, as the wind chill was estimated at about 20-30 below. No dogs. She now has put up signs she got from her vet.
I feel so badly for her- She has a lot of dogs, but cares for them too.

Sweet Kelli stayed home yesterday. Too far to go to take a chance, and with the Sheriffs department telling everyone to stay off the roads, she was much safer too. Miss May and Miss Breezie got their blankets put on- Kelli said Miss May looked like some weird blue alien in the snowstorm! hehehe
They will be happy to have those blankets on as tonight we may get below zero.

I turned my heat down about 2 hours ago. 15 minutes ago, I turned it right back up.

Casey called earlier- Feeling kind of rough yet from her infection, but getting better too. The fact that at least she CAN sleep is a good thing. There are days that sleep does not come so easily for her.

Greg did go to work yesterday- And he tried planting his car too. After being stuck for a while, his whole crew came along, one by one, and helped him out. I believe his boss took pictures, but I have yet to see them. Too much fun in the snow! (Is that even possible)?

Punk had fun out there too- But she will have to post her own story.

Time to go put my feet up in a little bit- Hope this finds everyone warm and safe.

Love to all

XOXO
Anne

Closed

Good Morning Everyone;
I was online earlier. commenting back at you all... Then the power went out, and all hell broke loose.

I believe I have everything reset... Hopefully. But it seems to have killed my computersaurus too. Probably the modem. Am using my laptop.
Obviously the phone lines are working, or I wouldn't be typing...


"Allison" is still raging. The warnings were upgraded yesterday afternoon to that of "BLIZZARD".
And, as the TV tells me, everything is closed-  Schools, including college campuses, some businesses, even the mall is not opening until one this afternoon. (Not sure if that makes sense because the blizzard warning goes through midnight tonight). The State has closed also- No gov't employees to report to work unless they are "emergency"

I am assuming that the garbage trucks won't be running.  Or my dumpster will  just have to keep til next week.

William, (my dear sweet William, my wonderful son in law William),  emailed me yesterday after reading my post about the shovels. hehehe 
From Prattville, Alabama he wrote, "About those shovels, it has been nasty down here also. It only got up to 61 F, and it has been raining all day.
Brrrrrr its cold! I am ready for the summer to get here."

Sorry to say if he'd been in front of me, even more hell would have broken loose. hehehe
I told him to get their backsides up here and start shoveling.
Didn't work. But he did send an invite to Prattville for the duration of Winter, with the proviso that we not miss the "cold" too much.
(It would be great to take him up on that, no)? And I would promise to never miss the cold.
Here is what the forecast claims,

"...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...

* SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES WITH NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS...WILL
CONTINUE UNTIL MID-MORNING...THEN DIMINISH.

* 12 TO 16 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED. 
We already have over 10" on the ground, so will count on the 14"

* THE COMBINATION OF SNOW...WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH TO NEAR
50 MPH...AND NEAR-ZERO VISIBILITIES IN SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL LEAD TO BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS AT TIMES AND MAKE THIS A DANGEROUS WINTER STORM."

I don't think I have all my pictures posted to Flickr or I would put them here for you. Now they will have to wait until I can get them transferred to the laptop, or get the old computersaurus fixed again. (Sorry Greg).

I will add pictures to the comments below as I get to them throughout the day.

If the power goes out for any long term, I shall be writing Christmas cards and letters, in the quiet, from the warmth of my waterbed.

Ah well.  Nothing like coming into Winter gradually...

Be safe. This blizzard isn't only falling on my head.
Be warm. Layers, Baby.
And stay home. Temps will be in the low single digits tonight, with windchills to 30 below.

Love to all.  Pics as I get them...
I shall get back to my comments now

XOXO
me

To All Addicts (Part 2).

"I'm right there in the room, and no one even acknowledges me"

Kind of long, but very important...

Good Morning.
How much further away from what I actually wrote do/can these people go?

Rude. Ignorant.
I was called those names...
Not to mention that yesterdays post (CLICK) even brought out one recovering alcoholic and drug abuser, on the pancreas site, who took offense. (Was I horning in on his territory with my own assessment of the drug situation at hand)?
He claimed there is a difference between addict and dependent (upon).

There is.
But his definition was all bass~ackwards. (What the heck do they teach these people in AA/NA groups)?
Or do they even teach them (that)?  Not sure...


I do not mean to be flippant. That was neither my point, nor my opinion.
My point was only to (try to) make others aware that denying their children some pain relief from their intractable pain is a terrible thing to do. (And darn close to abuse in my book).

I chose my wording carefully.
The word "addict", referring even to Casey, was/is more than appropriate.

Would your own opinions of my post have changed if you would have known the difference? 
What if your own child had chronic pain?
Or would you be a parent who denies pain relief to your child on the basis of "what if", or "what will the neighbors think?" ?

Dependence:
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of being dependent upon or unduly subject to the influence of another
2 a : drug addiction    b : HABITUATION 2b
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

ADDICTION:
compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined  physiological symptoms upon withdrawal;
broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful

HABITUATION:

1 : the act or process of making habitual or accustomed
2 a : tolerance to the effects of a drug acquired through continued use,  b : psychological dependence on a drug after a period of use—compare ADDICTION
3 : a form of nonassociative learning characterized by a decrease in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus —compare SENSITIZATION 3

____

As you can see, the research within the medical guidelines can/will extend past the words above.

Also of vital importance is this: From http://thesaurus.reference.com
Notes:
"ADDICTION IS MAINLY PHYSICAL WHILE DEPENDENCY IS MOSTLY PSYCHOLOGICAL"

The man in question has since put his tail between his legs (in my opinion) and has stated that he needs to leave the group.
Maybe he does. (though I would never write that either).Perhaps his needs would better be served on an AODA site, which I am sure are plentiful.
I did say those comments did belong on an AODA site though.

Among other, (nicer) things, I wrote the following:
"sadly, your reply only perpetuates all the fears of the people I was addressing. (It also tells me that you have missed the point of my entire posting).
I was most certainly NOT writing about ANYthing illegal or immoral. Those were 'your' choices 25+ years ago.
The parents, children (and adults) I was writing to/of did NOT have a choice to be part/parcel of a painful disease that needs to be treated."

Note that # 2 definition spells out "DRUG ADDICTION".
That's a fact, Sir.
You can choose to 'pretty it up' or try to make some off~the~wall comparison, but respect the fact that it won't fly with me.

So he opts to leave.  ...Um... er... bu-bye...

Then came woman offended, spouting 'rude' and 'ignorant'  (among various other names)- What I would call my "mother image of all things good" -who thought perhaps I did not laud the other guy enough for being clean/sober.
My own beliefs are that it is not up to me (or anyone) to pat him on the back. It is up to himself to remain clean/sober. (I did not write that either).
Through Roberta's own treatment, she has told me numerous times that I should not censor myself just because she is/always will be recovering. That #1., there is nothing anyone can say/do that will turn her away from clean and sober. That #2., it would be her choice to do so, no matter the circumstances. (That's what she was taught in recovery anyway)...

Anyway, 'XXX' also threw in the idea of Casey, and "pitty parties" (her misspelling, not mine).
She further stated "You do NOT know what it is like to suffer day in and day out".  (I had to giggle at that one). hehehe

She went on and on- Her prerogative. 
(I will only copy you on my own reply as I don't think I can copy hers. If you have any questions let me know).
But she did say she was sorry if her words hurt my feelings.

My reply, thus...

Dear XXX;
Do not worry, xxx, of course you didn't hurt my feelings.
I too am an "everyday" person with everyday values and struggles.
(We are ALL that, and much more).

You stated, "You do NOT know what it is like to suffer day in and day out" end quote...
XXX, I am disabled, and assure you that I can well understand what chronic pain is. But again, this/my story simply does NOT belong on a "pancreatitis" website, (wouldn't you agree)?

Furthermore, I never even broached the possibilities of where that man's disease came from! Quite honestly, that never even crossed my mind until I'd read your note.

Do not attempt to read between my lines. I am quite open and direct.

I believe I tried to make people understand that there are not always "negative" associations with the word 'addict'.
I can plainly see you did not interpret our story that way.

My heart goes out to those children (and adults) who will not receive their pain meds because 'someone else' thought they didn't need them, even as prescribed by their doctors!

As I spoke of my own daughter, now 22, (quoted from my original post), "Is she an addict? Yes she is. And in the most humbled definition of the word too." end quote

My words are neither misinformed, nor ignorant.

Nor was I opting for a "pitty party" approach to anything?
I know that my Casey would not have lasted through all of her own stuff had she been of a mind to entertain the "pity~pot" mentality. She is much much stronger and wiser than to even attempt to do so. It is her same strength and wisdom that have given me this insight to her own pain.

My apologies (to those who will have to do without), if my more direct approach didn't help you to understand that.
As I have just written to the previous poster, "grin and bear it" does not work! (Those words are only for those people who are NOT suffering; for we cannot ever even begin to know another's pain).

Please refer back to the Medical definition of 'dependence'. Note that the # 2 definition spells out "DRUG ADDICTION" in its entirety.
I assure you that I did not write that book.

Again, I have tried only to help those who cannot help themselves out of fear (or ignorance) of another.

I believe that through them all (my postings) I have tried to help another out. My apologies (again) if you did not see it that way.

I will close my note to you here exactly as I had closed my first posting [to those parents it applied to]:
"Worry less about the pills than you worry about the pain. When that pain is gone then, (and ONLY then), are you/your child to worry about getting away from the pain medicines.

Know that there are no two ways around it.
Know too that it doesn't happen overnight.
I can only promise that it WILL happen.

Admit that the elephant is in the sitting room. But leave him quietly alone.
He will leave in his own time.

Peace and health to everyone during this holy season, whatever your own beliefs are.

Believe in yourself.  More importantly, believe in your child."
end quote/note

___

One gal wrote that alot of people just don't like the word "ADDICT"
~To whit, (and touché), "a rose by any other name" would apply.

Maybe this will begin to sink in to peoples psyches, and maybe not.
I really did try to help these people out.

I have this image of my own 'what if' here...
It is the image of my own CaseyAnne, had I ever thought to 'ration' her pills out of fear of what the neighbors would say.

And how, exactly, would I have accomplished that?
Would I take her to the doctor, ask for a diagnosis, and then tell him, "Thanks Doc, I'll take it from here." ?

And now, I have images of many kids, much like my Casey, being rationed.
Know that it is very hard to get those images out of my mind.

Have a day.

XOXO
Anne

PS
If you haven't read Part One, please do so. CLICK

To All "Addicts"

"I'm right there in the room, and no one even acknowledges me"

Good Morning All...

I am going to cheat this morning as I have much to do before the dang snow flies.
I have written the following to our pancreatitis group. After reading a few messages that dealt with the parents problems. Their failure to give their own children, who are suffering, the doctors prescribed medications; simply because of the negative implications of 'addiction'.

I know there are many children and adults who will not be getting any relief from their pain due to the ignorance of others.

You know me. I call a spade a spade.
Read on.

XOXO
Anne

**************
There is an elephant in the room.
You know he is here.
Yet we all dance around our replies so very cautiously when we pretend he is not here.

This is my story- Mine, and my daughters.

Having seen CaseyAnne, 22, deal with this illness for 5+ years now, I have also seen her receive massive amounts of drugs to treat it, and the same massive quantities of drugs to keep the pain at bay. (And I learned a very long time ago already that some of the things she has taken would kill a small horse).

It frightened me horribly to see my 4.0 GPA honors student dependent on these dangerous drugs. After all, she is my youngest daughter. She is the one who took the ACT (college aptitude) test at only 11, and received an 18 on it!!!
Even Northwestern and Bryn Mawr wanted her after that. The letters, from all over, just kept coming in!

Then came the dx... "Chronic Pancreatitis"
I think it was there earlier on in her lifetime, just that we never caught it.
Her tummy aches were 'growing pains'.
Or maybe she had a bit of food poisoning.
Perhaps mittelschmerz.

Whatever, it was, it would pass.
Those bouts always did. (Given enough time anyway).

Those tests. The hospitalizations. The flare ups. ALL too numerous to recall offhand. The surgeries that followed, numbering already in the high teens.
All these things brought drugs, and more drugs.

Oh my god, my daughter was an addict!

With that thought process came a very profound sense of failure. How would I explain this?
Yet if you know me, you will respect that the feeling of failure I had didn't last long. There came a profound sense of  compassion, and some very literal understanding.

She NEEDED those drugs to get through an hour, or a day. (And damn what anyone else thought they knew)!
She needed those drugs just to live and breathe.
Always responsible, she did not take more, (always making an appointment, or a trip to the ER), when she felt it wasn't enough-
(Those times she is bent like a question mark, and pain radiates from her features, her sorrowful little body bent, -sad, and twisted).

Casey had her TP/AIT last December. We spent Christmas and January in Minneapolis, so far away from home. Naturally her overwhelming and unrelenting pain was gone.

She recovered from that, only to learn that she had megacolon. In April they removed 70+% of her colon.

She is now facing two more surgeries.

She is still on narcotics, (though she has removed herself from the Fentanyl patch).
She is also attending college, and is still receiving great grades.
All this, not only because she has a great attitude, she also has a wonderful pain doctor.

Is she an addict?
Yes she is. And in the most humbled definition of the word too.

Now about that elephant...

I know there are many parents who are reading this, and who cannot get past the negative images of what an 'addict' is.
Get over yourselves already.
That addict is your child.
That addiction is not negative; it is only the way your childs body has reacted to the only way s/he has to relieve the pain and the suffering.

Keep your priorities in order.
When people ask what your child is taking, remember only that it is nobodys business but your own.
Remember too that, (if negative in the least), your own gestures, sighs, attitudes, and words can/will offer the greater pain to your child. Your son/daughter has enough to worry about already.
Do not put more onto them.

That addict is your son/daughter.

Worry less about the pills than you worry about the pain. When that pain is gone then, (and ONLY then), are you/your child to worry about getting away from the pain medicines.

Know that there are no two ways around it.
Know too that it doesn't happen overnight.
I can only promise that it WILL happen.

Admit that the elephant is in the sitting room. But leave him quietly alone.
He will leave in his own time.

Peace and health to everyone during this holy season, whatever your own beliefs are.

Believe in yourself.
More importantly, believe in your child.

XOXO
Anne

** Comments are briefly closed. Please comment on following post...

A Shovel or Two...

Rating:
Category:	Other

Not sure how to rate this dang "forecast".

Dust off your shovels, and batten the hatches- Here we go!


***
Northeastern Wisconsin's first significant snow of the season is on the way tonight and Monday. (But it's nothing compared to what's coming Tuesday and Wednesday).

Snow is expected to start falling about midnight, then tapering off by midday. Green Bay could see 1 to 3 inches of snow. Areas to the south and east of Green Bay could see more, especially with lake-effect snow along Lake Michigan.

Expect snow-covered and slippery roads throughout the area and perhaps some flight delays in Green Bay and Appleton.

There's more nasty winter weather in the forecast, with a winter storm watch issued for Tuesday night through Wednesday night.

Snow is expected to resume late Tuesday afternoon, with 6 to 10 inches possible by Wednesday night.
***

6-10"? *gulp*
Maybe it's time to get outta Dodge?! hehehe

Laugh, giggle, (and if you must do st00pid snow dances, go ahead), JUST SEND SHOVELERS MY WAY PLEASE...

XOXO
Me

PS ~In related weather news...
Pea, hold onto your hat, you're going to get blown away today! (Better, hold your breath or you'll be a drowned rat).

Bizarre and Off~The~Wall Holidays

Ever wonder what to celebrate?
Here you go! hehehe I collected these from all over the web, after being intrigued by all the "holidays" within my bizarre news newsletter.

XOXO
Me



Bizarre January Holidays

1/1     First Foot Day and Z Day
1/2     Run Up the Flagpole and See if Anybody Salutes It Day
1/3     Festival of Sleep Day
1/4     Trivia Day and Humiliation Day
1/5     Bird Day
1/6     Bean Day
1/7     Old Rock Day
1/8     National JoyGerm Day and Man Watcher's Day
1/9     Play God Day
1/10     Peculiar People Day
1/11     National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day
1/12     Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day
1/13     Make Your Dream Come True Day and Blame Someone Else Day
1/14     National Dress Up Your Pet Day
1/15     Hat Day
1/16     Hot and Spicy Food International Day and National Nothing Day
1/17     Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral Day
1/18     Winnie the Pooh Day
1/19     National Popcorn Day
1/20     National Buttercrunch Day
1/21     National Hugging Day
1/22     National Answer Your Cat's Question Day and National Blonde Brownie Day
1/23     National Handwriting Day, National Pie Day, and Measure Your Feet Day
1/24     Eskimo Pie Patent Day
1/25     Opposite Day
1/26     Australia Day
1/27     Punch the Clock Day and Thomas Crapper Day
1/28     National Kazoo Day, Clash Day, Rattle Snake Round-Up Day
1/29     National Cornchip Day
1/30     Escape Day
1/31     National Popcorn Day and Child Labor Day



Bizarre February Holidays

2/1     Serpent Day
2/2     Purification Day
2/3     Cordova Ice Worm Day
2/4     Create A Vacuum Day
2/5     Disaster Day
2/6     Lame Duck Day
2/7     Charles Dickens Day
2/8     Kite Flying Day
2/9     Toothache Day
2/10     Umbrella Day
2/11     White Tee-Shirt Day and Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
2/12     National Plum Pudding Day
2/13     Get A Different Name Day and Dream Your Sweet Day
2/14     Ferris Wheel Day and National Heart to Heart Day
2/15     National Gum Drop Day
2/16     Do A Grouch A Favor Day
2/17     Champion Crab Races Day
2/18     National Battery Day
2/19     National Chocolate Mint Day
2/20     Hoodie Hoo Day
2/21     Card Reading Day
2/22     Be Humble Day
2/23     International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
2/24     National Tortilla Chip Day
2/25     Pistol Patent Day (Samuel Colt)
2/26     National Pistachio Day
2/27     International Polar Bear Day
2/28     Public Sleeping Day
2/1     National Surf and Turf Day



Bizarre March Holidays
3/1     National Pig Day and Peanut Butter Lover's Day
3/2     Old Stuff Day
3/3     I Want You To Be Happy Day, Peach Blossom Day and National Anthem Day
3/4     Holy Experiment Day
3/5     Multiple Personalities Day
3/6     National Frozen Food Day
3/7     National Crown Roast Of Pork Day
3/8     Be Nasty Day
3/9     Panic Day
3/10     Festival Of Life In The Cracks Day
3/11     Johnny Appleseed Day and Worship of Tools Day
3/12     Alfred Hitchcock Day
3/13     Jewel Day
3/14     National Potato Chip Day
3/15     Buzzard's Day and Everything You Think Is Wrong Day
3/16     Everything You Do Is Right Day
3/17     Submarine Day
3/18     Supreme Sacrifice Day
3/19     Poultry Day
3/20     Proposal Day and Festival Of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day
3/21     Fragrance Day
3/22     National Goof-off Day
3/23     National Organize Your Home Office Day and National Chip and Dip Day
3/24     National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
3/25     Pecan Day and Waffle Day
3/26     Make Up Your Own Holiday Day and Spinach Festival Day
3/27     National "Joe" Day
3/28     Something On A Stick Day
3/29     Festival Of Smoke and Mirrors Day
3/30     I Am In Control Day
3/31     Bunsen Burner Day and National Clams On The Half Shell Day



Bizarre April Holidays

4/1     One Cent Day
4/2     National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
4/3     Tweed Day and Don't Go To Work Unless It's Fun Day
4/4     Tell-A-Lie Day
4/5     Go For Broke Day
4/6     Sorry Charlie Day
4/7     No Housework Day
4/8     All Is Ours Day
4/9     Winston Churchill Day and Name Yourself Day
4/10     Golfers Day
4/11     Eight-Track Tape Day
4/12     Look Up At The Sky Day
4/13     Blame Somebody Else Day
4/14     National Pecan Day
4/15     Rubber Eraser Day
4/16     National Stress Awareness Day and National Eggs Benedict Day
4/17     National Cheeseball Day
4/18     International Jugglers Day
4/19     Garlic Day
4/20     Look Alike Day
4/21     Kindergarten Day
4/22     National Jelly Bean Day
4/23     Read Me Day and World Laboratory Animal Day
4/24     National Pigs In A Blanket Day
4/25     National Zucchini Bread Day
4/26     Richter Scale Day and National Pretzel Day
4/27     Tell A Story Day
4/28     Great Poetry Reading Day and Kiss-Your-Mate Day
4/29     National Shrimp Scampi Day
4/30     National Honesty Day



Bizarre May Holidays

5/1     Mother Goose Day and Save The Rhino Day
5/2     Fire Day
5/3     Lumpy Rug Day
5/4     National Candied Orange Peel Day
5/5     National Hoagie Day
5/6     Beverage Day
5/7     International Tuba Day, Paste Up Day, and
5/8     No Socks Day and Have A Coke Day
5/9     Lost Sock Memorial Day
5/10     Clean Up Your Room Day
5/11     Eat What You Want Day and Twilight Zone Day
5/12     Limerick Day
5/13     Leprechaun Day
5/14     National Dance Like A Chicken Day
5/15     National Chocolate Chip Day
5/16     Wear Purple For Peace Day
5/17     Pack Rat Day
5/18     International Museum Day and Visit Your Relatives Day
5/19     Frog Jumping Jubilee Day
5/20     Eliza Doolittle Day
5/21     National Memo Day and National Waitresses/Waiters Day
5/22     Buy-A-Musical-Instrument Day
5/23     Penny Day
5/24     National Escargot Day
5/25     National Tap Dance Day
5/26     Grey Day
5/27     Body Painting Arts Festival
5/28     National Hamburger Day
5/29     End Of The Middle Ages Day
5/30     My Bucket's Got A Hole In It Day
5/31     National Macaroon Day



Bizarre June Holidays

6/1     Dare Day
6/2     National Rocky Road Day
6/3     Repeat Day
6/4     Old Maid's Day
6/5     Festival Of Popular Delusions Day
6/6     Teacher's Day and National Applesauce Cake Day
6/7     National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
6/8     Name Your Poison Day
6/9     Donald Duck Day
6/10     National Yo-Yo Day
6/11     National Hug Holiday and King Kamehameha Day
6/12     Machine Day
6/13     National Juggling Day and Kitchen Klutzes Of America Day
6/14     Pop Goes The Weasel Day
6/15     Smile Power Day
6/16     National Hollerin' Contest Day
6/17     Watergate Day and Eat Your Vegetables Day
6/18     International Panic Day
6/19     World Sauntering Day
6/20     Ice Cream Soda Day
6/22     National Chocolate Eclair Day
6/23     National Pink Day
6/24     Museum Comes To Life Day
6/25     Log Cabin Day
6/26     National Chocolate Pudding Day
6/27     National Columnists Day
6/28     Paul Bunyan Day
6/29     Camera Day
6/30     Meteor Day



Bizarre July Holidays

7/1     Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day and Build A Scarecrow Day
7/2     Visitation Of The Virgin Mary Day
7/3     Stay Out Of The Sun Day and Compliment Your Mirror Day
7/4     National Country Music Day and
7/5     Workaholics Day
7/6     National Fried Chicken Day
7/7     National Strawberry Sundae Day
7/8     Video Games Day
7/9     National Sugar Cookie Day
7/10     Clerihew Day
7/11     National Cheer Up The Lonely Day
7/12     National Pecan Pie Day
7/13     Fool's Paradise Day
7/14     National Nude Day
7/15     National Tapioca Pudding Day and Respect Canada Day
7/16     International Juggling Day
7/17     National Peach Ice Cream Day
7/18     National Ice Cream Day and National Caviar Day
7/19     Flitch Day
7/20     Ugly Truck Contest Day
7/21     National Tug-Of-War Tournament Day
7/22     Ratcatcher's Day
7/23     National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
7/24     Amelia Earhart Day
7/25     Threading The Needle Day
7/26     All Or Nothing Day
7/27     Take Your Pants For A Walk Day
7/28     National Milk Chocolate Day
7/29     Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day
7/30     National Cheesecake Day
7/31     Parent's Day



Bizarre August Holidays

8/1     Friendship Day and National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
8/2     National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
8/3     National Watermelon Day
8/4     Twins Day Festival
8/5     National Mustard Day
8/6     Wiggle Your Toes Day
8/7     Sea Serpent Day
8/8     Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night
8/9     National Polka Festival
8/10     Lazy Day
8/11     Presidential Joke Day
8/12     Middle Child's Day
8/13     Blame Someone Else Day
8/14     National Creamsicle Day
8/15     National Relaxation Day and National Failures Day
8/16     Bratwurst Festival
8/17     National Thriftshop Day
8/18     Bad Poetry Day
8/19     Potato Day
8/20     National Radio Day
8/21     National Spumoni Day
8/22     Be An Angel Day
8/23     National Spongecake Day
8/24     Knife Day
8/25     Kiss-And-Make-Up Day
8/26     National Cherry Popsicle Day
8/27     Petroleum Day
8/28     World Sauntering Day
8/29     More Herbs, Less Salt Day
8/30     National Toasted Marshmallow Day
8/31     National Trail Mix Day



Bizarre September Holidays

9/1     Emma M. Nutt Day
9/2     National Beheading Day
9/3     Skyscraper Day
9/4     Newspaper Carrier Day
9/5     Be Late For Something Day
9/6     Fight Procrastination Day
9/7     Neither Rain Nor Snow Day
9/8     National Date Nut Bread Day and Pardon Day
9/9     Teddy Bear Day
9/10     Swap Ideas Day
9/11     No News Is Good News Day
9/12     National Pet Memorial Day and
9/13     Defy Superstition Day
9/14     National Cream-filled Donut Day
9/15     Felt Hat Day
9/16     Stay Away From Seattle Day and Collect Rocks Day
9/17     National Apple Dumpling Day
9/18     National Play-doh Day
9/19     National Butterscotch Pudding Day
9/20     National Punch Day
9/21     World Gratitude Day and International Banana Festival
9/22     Hobbit Day and Dear Diary Day
9/23     Checkers Day and Dogs In Politics Day
9/24     Festival Of Latest Novelties
9/25     National Comic Book Day
9/26     National Good Neighbor Day and
9/27     Crush A Can Day
9/28     Ask A Stupid Question Day
9/29     Poisoned Blackberries Day
9/30     National Mud Pack Day



Bizarre October Holidays

10/1     World Vegetarian Day and Magic Circles Day
10/2     Name Your Car Day
10/3     Virus Appreciation Day
10/4     National Golf Day
10/5     National Storytelling Festival
10/6     German-American Day and Come and Take It Day
10/7     National Frappe Day
10/8     American Tag Day
10/9     Moldy Cheese Day
10/10     National Angel Food Cake Day
10/11     It's My Party Day
10/12     International Moment Of Frustration Scream Day
10/13     National Peanut Festival
10/14     Be Bald and Free Day and National Dessert Day
10/15     White Cane Safety Day
10/16     Dictionary Day
10/17     Gaudy Day
10/18     No Beard Day
10/19     Evaluate Your Life Day
10/20     National Brandied Fruit Day
10/21     Babbling Day
10/22     National Nut Day
10/23     National Mole Day
10/24     National Bologna Day
10/25     Punk For A Day Day
10/26     Mule Day
10/27     Sylvia Plath Day
10/28     Plush Animal Lover's Day and National Chocolate Day
10/29     Hermit Day
10/30     National Candy Corn Day
10/31     National Magic Day and Increase Your Pyschic Powers Day



Bizarre November Holidays

11/1     Plan Your Epitaph Day
11/2     National Deviled Egg Day
11/3     Sandwich Day and Housewife's Day
11/4     Waiting For The Barbarians Day
11/5     Gunpowder Day
11/6     Saxophone Day and Marooned Without A Compass Day
11/7     National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day
11/8     Dunce Day
11/9     Chaos Never Dies Day
11/10     Forget-Me-Not Day
11/11     Air Day
11/12     National Pizza With The Works Except Anchovies Day
11/13     National Indian Pudding Day
11/14     Operation Room Nurse Day
11/15     National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
11/16     Button Day
11/17     Take A Hike Day
11/18     Occult Day
11/19     Have A Bad Day Day
11/20     Absurdity Day
11/21     World Hello Day and False Confessions Day
11/22     Start Your Own Country Day
11/23     National Cashew Day
11/24     Use Even If Seal Is Broken Day
11/25     National Parfait Day
11/26     Shopping Reminder Day
11/27     Pins And Needles Day
11/28     Make Your Own Head Day
11/29     Square Dance Day
11/30     Stay At Home Because You're Well Day



Bizarre December Holidays

12/1     National Pie Day and Eat A Red Apple Day
12/2     National Fritters Day
12/3     National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day
12/4     Wear Brown Shoes Day
12/5     National Sacher Torte Day
12/6     National Gazpacho Day and Mitten Tree Day
12/7     National Cotton Candy Day
12/8     Take It In The Ear Day
12/9     National Pastry Day
12/10     Festival For The Souls Of Dead Whales
12/11     National Noodle Ring Day
12/12     National Ding-A-Ling Day
12/13     Ice Cream and Violins Day
12/14     National Bouillabaisse Day
12/15     National Lemon Cupcake Day
12/16     National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
12/17     Underdog Day and National Maple Syrup Day
12/18     National Roast Suckling Pig Day
12/19     Oatmeal Muffin Day
12/20     Games Day
12/21     Look At The Bright Side Day, National Flashlight Day,
12/22     National Date-Nut Bread Day
12/23     Roots Day
12/24     National Egg Nog Day
12/25     National Pumpkin Pie Day
12/26     National Whiners Day
12/27     National Fruitcake Day
12/28     Card Playing Day and National Chocolate Day
12/29     Pepper Pot Day
12/30     Festival Of Enormous Changes At The Last Minute and
12/31     Unlucky Day


& heck, I'd rather have steak than fried chicken for my birthday... 

 

Slim-Fast짰 RECALL of its Ready-to-Drink Products

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm192978.htm
Unilever Conducts Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Slim-Fast® Ready-to-Drink Products in Cans Due to Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Englewood Cliffs, NJ, December 3, 2009 -
Unilever United States, Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is conducting a nationwide voluntary recall of all Slim-Fast® ready-to-drink (RTD) products in cans, due to the possibility of contamination with Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism, which may cause diarrhea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting. The probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

The products were sold in stores nationwide.

Product Description:
The products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain four, six or 12 steel cans that are 11 FL OZ (325 mL) each. Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets. The recall involves all Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code or UPC number. A listing of all RTD recalled products is attached to this press release.

No other Slim-Fast® products are affected by this recall. No Slim-Fast® powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are affected by this recall.

The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all RTD products in cans that are currently in distribution centers, on-shelf or in back rooms in retail outlets or in consumers’ homes. The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected.

Consumers who have purchased Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans are urged to discard them immediately and contact the company at 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund. The Consumer Services Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET. A recorded message is available 24/7.

Contact:
Anita Larsen
201-894-7760

###

The shortened form of the bacteria is B. cereus
Would that be "be serious"?! hehehe

Now go dump the Slim-Fast you might have.

XOXO
Me

pic from here: http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/B.cereus.html

How's Your Imagination? ;-)

Good Morning All;
I have my computersaurus up and running! (Thank you Mr. Greg)!
With that. I might also have a few pictures to share! hehehe

I still try to walk to the woods- I don't make it every day though.  And now have done something to my ankle as well. Dang bones! I'll live though.

Punk needs her exercise too- And our weather has finally turned dang cold. As I type it is 23° But the sun shines very bright. That, in and of itself, warms the soul on these days. Not sure what our high is to be today, but for those of you who have already blanketed yourselves at the 23° reading, know that our highs for mid week next are to be in the teens. (Now that's even chilly for me)!

Here are a few pics from the last walk we took.
Since it is late, you will have to write your own captions! hehehe
Have to run for now!

Love to all

XOXO
Me




 




 







 








.
 

Computersaurus is running! Greg fixed it last night. And this morning, I broke it. (Sorry Greg). Since Multiply is to be down this afternoon, I hope you all have a 'wunnaful' weekend. Will try to be back on later, (when I can actually go somewhere on here). XOXO, Me

12/5/09

Good Morning All;
I have my computersaurus up and running! (Thank you Mr. Greg)!
With that. I might also have a few pictures to share! hehehe

I still try to walk to the woods- I don't make it every day though.  And now have done something to my ankle as well. Dang bones! I'll live though.

Punk needs her exercise too- And our weather has finally turned dang cold. As I type it is 23° But the sun shines very bright. That, in and of itself, warms the soul on these days. Not sure what our high is to be today, but for those of you who have already blanketed yourselves at the 23° reading, know that our highs for mid week next are to be in the teens. (Now that's even chilly for me)!



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Pet Food Recall

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm192404.htm
Hopefully this isn't the start of something more...

XOXO
Me
____________________

Diamond Pet Foods Announces Recall of Premium Edge Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food



Company Contact:
800-977-8797



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 27, 2009 - On September 23, Diamond Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall for Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat because they have the potential to produce Thiamine Deficiency. Today’s announcement provides additional information from the company’s posted announcement of September 23 when the initial recall information was provided.

Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. At the first stage the cat may show decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. Later, neurologic signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling, and seizures. These ultimately may result in the death of the animal if left untreated. If your cat has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The affected products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.

The affected date codes were RAF0501A22X 18lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0501A2X 6 lb. (BB28NOV10), RAF0802B12X 18lb (BB30FEB11), RAH0501A22X 18 lb. (BB28NOV10), RAH0501A2X 6lb. (BB28NOV10, BB30NOV10, BB08DEC10)

To date, 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in cats have been reported and confirmed by Diamond. The reports have been confined to the New York and Pennsylvania areas and none have been received since October 19.

Diamond has tested the product and found the cat foods were deficient in thiamine. Samples taken by the FDA indicated that there were additional lots with insufficient levels of thiamine. No other complaints have been reported on any other product manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods.

Consumers who have purchased the affected lots are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-977-8797, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time.

Harold B. Estes Letter to Obama - Urban Legends

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/harold_estes.htm?nl=1
Harold B. Estes Letter to Obama
Thank You David Emery, About.com Guide
From Guantamo, to France, to Egypt...

(You might want to read the whole thing before you forward this letter from your email and make yourself look seriously dumb).

XOXO
Me


Emailed letter attributed to 95-year-old World War II Navy veteran Harold B. Estes lambastes President Obama for 'telling our friends & enemies despicable lies' and advises him to 'shape up and start acting like an American.'

Description: Forwarded email
Circulating since: Nov. 2009
Status: Authentic

Analysis:
Chief Boatswain's Mate Harold B. Estes, USN (Ret.) is a real person residing in Honolulu, Hawaii, who does indeed turn 95 years old this December.

He is also the confirmed author of the above letter, which, according to Rick Terwilliger, Estes' longtime friend and publisher of Fore n' Aft Magazine, was dictated by Estes (whose eyesight is poor), signed by him, and mailed to the White House and a list of about 50 other handpicked recipients in November 2009.

Thanks, presumably, to one or more of those original addressees, Estes' letter has since been published on scores of blogs and online message boards, and "gone viral" in the form of the email reproduced above.

'Despicable lies' or misquotes?

While it is Mr. Estes' right as an American to upbraid the President, it bears pointing out that he has done so largely on the basis of misquotes.

Let's take a closer look at Obama's so-called "despicable lies."

*** Despicable Lie #1: "We're no longer a Christian nation."

Sure enough, Obama said exactly those words in 2006 at Sojourners magazine's "Call to Renewal" conference in Washington, D.C. But that wasn't the end of the sentence.

Here's the full quote, in context:

    Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation — at least, not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.

The awkward phrase, "at least, not just," was a verbal flub. As written, the passage was supposed to begin:

"Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation."

Sources:
   • Call to Renewal Keynote Address (as Written). BarackObama.com.
   • Call to Renewal Keynote Address (as Delivered). YouTube.com.


*** Despicable Lie #2: "America is arrogant."

Apparently paraphrased, out of context, from a speech Obama delivered to European students in Strasbourg, France on April 4, 2009:

    It's always harder to forge true partnerships and sturdy alliances than to act alone, or to wait for the action of somebody else. It's more difficult to break down walls of division than to simply allow our differences to build and our resentments to fester. So we must be honest with ourselves. In recent years we've allowed our Alliance to drift. I know that there have been honest disagreements over policy, but we also know that there's something more that has crept into our relationship. In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.

    But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what's bad.

    On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common. They are not wise. They do not represent the truth. They threaten to widen the divide across the Atlantic and leave us both more isolated. They fail to acknowledge the fundamental truth that America cannot confront the challenges of this century alone, but that Europe cannot confront them without America.

Source:
   • Transcript: Remarks by President Obama at Strasbourg Town Hall. TalkingPointsMemo.com.


*** Despicable Lie #3: "America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Apparently paraphrased, out of context, from Barack Obama's speech at Cairo University in Egypt, June 4, 2009:

    And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.

    So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

Source:
   • Transcript: Obama's Speech in Cairo. New York Times.





cartoon from here: http://media.photobucket.com/image/stupidity

What They Heard!

Rating:
Category:	Other

Good Morning All;
Here is a short quote from yesterday- please tell me what you think of it...
___________

"...I wish I could have a dog right now more than anything in this world.Throughout my entire life I always had some breed of dog. It wasn't always a Pit Bull. It may have been a German Shepherd. It may have been a Dalmatian. But whatever it was I took care of them..."
-Michael Vick
___________

Yes, you read that correctly.  Michael Vick wants another dog.
Michael Vick was speaking to some high school kids in New Jersey when he said it.
What school board in their right mind actually approves such a visitor for their young audience?
Oh wait, could it be that ... ???  Nah
Please call someone like Mike Huckabee. Perhaps they will change the previous judges ruling saying that Vick may never own another dog.

Methinks at the very least the entire school board in that district should be replaced.

XOXO
Me
___________

The following are a few 'quotes' from Aug 24, 2007

... Vick pleaded not guilty to the charges, he also said he looked forward to  "clearing my good name."

"... killed a number of dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions around this time," the summary says. "Vick did not kill any dogs at this time."

...dogs that did not perform well in "testing" sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road and all of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning,"

Note to Multiply: There are no negative review stars. We need negative stars.