Superbad YouTube Homepage Takeover

On your mark, get set ... On August 1st, Superbad is taking over the YouTube homepage! Who else would dare?

Superbad, due in theaters August 17th, is a hilarious coming-of-age film about two high school buddies facing the end of their ridiculously dependent relationship, after being accepted to different colleges. In one horrible, panic-driven night they attempt to reverse a lifetime of bad luck with women before they are separated. I've seen the clips, you're just gonna love these guys!

Seth is loud, obnoxious, and obsessed with sex; Evan is sweet, smart, and pretty much terrified of everything - the new odd couple. Add in their friend Fogell, who is a total nerd, pretending to be hip-hop cool, and you've got the perfect combination for trouble. Once they start bragging about their amazing social life, you just know they're going to have to come through and it won't be pretty.

Rush over to YouTube on August 1st and check out the videos. I've never taken Home Economics, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way the class generally works. And I'm absolutely certain kids don't just barge into classrooms announcing the imminent acquisition of illegal documents. But somehow, with these 3 guys, it seems natural; naturally goofy.

Once you've seen the clips and stopped laughing, be sure to head on over to the website for some Superbad *** ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers, and buddy icons.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

"Live Like You Were Dying"

This song has taken on a whole new meaning, since we found out that Mark has lung cancer.

He said I was in my early forties
with a lot of life before me
when a moment came that stopped me on a dime
and I spent most of the next days
looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
and talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
that this might really be the real end
how's it hit you when you get that kinda news
man what'd you do

and he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

He said I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn?t
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin
wasn?t such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I?d do if I could do it all again

and then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I?d been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
what'd you do with it what did you do with it
what did I do with it
what would I do with it?

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I watched an eagle as it was flying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
Tim McGraw

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Digital Cameras

For years, we managed with an inexpensive camera from Walgreens. It took pretty good pictures and we got a free roll of film every time we took the camera in for developing. They even offered, for a nominal fee, a disk with our pictures. Not too bad. Unless we needed something quick, then we were just out of luck.

Three years ago, we bought our first digital camera. And fell in love. Wow, what a difference! Not only did it hold more pictures, it took videos. We could pick the picture size, zoom in and out, and didn't have to wait for photo processing to email photos. Talk about instant gratification. And look at the quality:


We use our digital camera for everything. Arizona gets some severe weather, but no one ever believes how wet it can get. Now we take videos and stills to show them. A few months ago, a former tenant came back and graffitied a couple of buildings, including the one across from ours. I happened to be out taking shots of a full moon and managed to capture the "getaway" truck for management.

One of the primary uses for our cameras, we have two now, is taking pictures for my website. (Our first camera doesn't distinguish between blue and purple well, so I ended up getting a second camera for certain shots.) I can arrange the afghan, shoot, and immediately know if I need to rearrange something in the shot. If I don't like the particular image, I can just delete it, where before we had limited shots and had to pay to develop all of them, even the bad ones. Saves a ton of money this way.

Of course, there are top-of-the-line cameras that would eliminate the need for 2 cameras, like the Canon Rebel XTi. Just suffice it to say, it's on my wishlist!

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Get Ready for Cool Weather

Believe it or not, the kids are starting school in a couple of weeks. The weather has already cooled a bit, here in Arizona; although the humidity went up, so we're just as miserable as we were at 120 degrees. It won't be long and, around the country, leaves will be changing colors and nights will be cooling down.

Remember last winter - curled up on the sofa in sweatshirt, sweatpants, heavy socks, and a sweater - trying to keep warm? You could always turn up the furnace and pay that huge heating bill. Not exactly an earth-friendly, fiscally responsible idea, is it?

What if I told you there is a simple, far less expensive solution? You'd jump at the chance, right? Well, here it is - a cozy, cuddly, comfy afghan from JMark Afghans, etc. in your favorite colors and a perfect size for snuggling on a cool winter's evening.

Stop by and order one today - it doesn't have to be freezing outside to appreciate the comfort and warmth of an afghan!

Don't forget to visit My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Echo Malibu

With everything in the news these days about teens gone wild - alcoholism and drug abuse are rampant - it makes me wonder what I would do if my child were in trouble. Like it or not, some kids and teens with ADD/ADHD and other behavioral or emotional difficulties are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. As parents of challenged children, we have to be prepared to take action to help them, should the need arise.

There are many rehab programs out there which don't seem to work, think Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Ritchie, Britney Spears, Brad Renfro, and Paris Hilton. Echo Malibu is more than a teen drug rehab center. They believe in Empowerment, Choices, Hope, and Opportunities for adolescents and their families.

Empowerment: building on the strengths of every individual and family and working with them to create a treatment program that fits.

Choices: teaching adolescents how to assess their options in real-life situations and make positive choices.

Hope: rebuilding relationships and trust with work, integrity, compassion, and resolve.

Opportunities: providing teens and their families with optimal opportunities to open lines of communication, cope with adversity, let go of resentments, and affect positive changes.

It's not enough to place a person with abuse problems into a center - no matter the length of time - if they aren't given the education, support, and tools to cope with peer pressure and maintain sobriety in the real world.

Echo Malibu offers just such a teen drug treatment program. If your child or a child you know needs help, please contact them.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Bottled Water

Back when Mark was sick, I researched everything in his diet. There are so many restrictions to what an end-stage liver patient can eat and drink, it boggles the mind. To make sure what we were giving him was acceptable, I even looked into bottled water. So, obviously, we weren't surprised when PepsiCo. and Coca-Cola announced that Aquafina and Dasani were just fancily-labeled tap water. We knew that in 2004!

Not to mention, we knew that Dasani adds sodium to their water - 25mg per every 8oz serving! Since there are 2.5 servings per 20oz bottle, that puts the total sodium per bottle at a whopping 62.5mg - as much as a whole large egg. Now, which makes more sense in the diet of a very sick man - 20oz of water or an egg? I know it sounds silly, but that's actually the choices that had to be made. The protein and nutrients went a lot further toward keeping him strong than a bottle of water would have, I promise.

As far as water? We bought a Pur filter for our kitchen tap and spend $18.00 per month for 100 gallons of clean, clear, water with no sodium added. We keep a pitcher of filtered water in the fridge at all times, and Mike has a refillable water bottle that he takes along whenever he goes out on a hot summer day.

Do yourself and the environment a favor - buy a water filter and a reusable plastic bottle.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

AeroCare

Years ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. She was living across the state from her oldest son. As the disease progressed, we wanted to find a way to get her east. Because of the condition of her lungs, her doctor wouldn't allow her to take a commercial flight. I wish I'd known about AeroCare in those days.

An internationally recognized airline medivac service, AeroCare offers 24-hour, emergency and non-emergency services throughout the world. Specialists in transporting critically ill patients, each flight includes a nurse, paramedic and highly trained flight crew, as well as state-of-the-art equipment.

Their aircraft are licensed by the FAA and the company is licensed as an air ambulance service in their state. AeroCare is a provider, not a broker; the medical crew members are trained in altitude physiology; and they offer bedside to bedside service. Adding to the quality of the service is their dedication to keeping costs to a minimum. AeroCare will even help you coordinate with insurance or Medicare.

It's not a service that anyone wants to need, but if you do, isn't nice to know that AeroCare is there?

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Click to Give

Desperately looking for something positive in the news today, I decided that the most upbeat story comes straight off of my homepage: The Hunger Site and their "Click to Give" program.

For those of you who haven't seen this wonderful site and all of its sister sites, let me explain. Visit any of the sites and click to give to that cause. The sponsors of the sites donate the gifts - be it 6 bowls of pet food, free books, preservation of endangered rainforest, free mammograms, basic healthcare for kids, or 1.1 cups of staple food - per click! It doesn't cost the 'clicker' a thing and you're not limited to one click per day.

I have changed my homepage to The Animal Rescue Site so that I am reminded, every time I log in, to click and give.

Won't you do the same?

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

AJ's Jewelry

While I like jewelry, I have rather particular taste. For example, I don't actually like diamonds, I don't like little delicate gold chains, and I don't like anything 'crusted' with any kind of stones.

That's why AJ's Jewelry works for me. They let me design what I want, with the stones I prefer or none at all, and help me get it created. Like JMark Afghans, they let the customer decide what they want and make sure it happens that way. Customer service at its finest.

I honestly didn't realize that you could get a custom jewelry design, without knowing a jeweler or goldsmith. But AJ's not only offers personalized name jewelry, they will take my design and work with me to make it a reality. You've got to see these transformations. It's amazing what they can do with a rough drawing.

If you don't need a custom piece or need some design ideas, you'll find those here, too. I just fell in love with the mystic topaz collection. It's an unusual stone, which AJ's has put into some very attractive settings. But it got my imagination going and I think I need to start sketching a ring or two.

Do stop by AJ's Jewelry and have a look for yourself. The selection is wonderful.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Strange Bedfellows

It's not often that I agree with Newt Gingrich - okay it's never happened before. But today, made a prediction that I just had to go along with - Clinton / Obama Democratic Presidential Ticket! When the man's right, the man's right.

I was also intrigued (and again agree) with his assessment of McCain's chances of getting the Republican nomination. Mr. Gingrich put the odds somewhere between none and less than none. Arizona's senator has managed to even alienate his own party so completely that it's a wonder they recognize him at all.

As far as the rest of the Republican candidates - I don't know much about Romney and Thompson, but I'm not really too impressed with Guiliani. There is entirely too much negative press about his handling of the 9/11 situation and NY firefighters are leading the complaints. That and his 'close' relationship with his family, just lead me to believe that he has a habit of presenting one face to the public - and it's not the real man.

Should be interesting to see how things evolve?

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Abt Electronics

I believe that I can say, without exaggeration, that I have officially died and gone to electronics heaven. Seriously! (Okay, a little exaggeration. I am still breathing.)

Abt Electronics not only has appliances, electronics, computers, cameras, TV and video equipment - they have a gourmet kitchen shop! But, I'll have to save that department for another day, I am on the hunt for something else: a room air purifier! And Abt didn't disappoint me.

Mark and Michael have seasonal allergies; I have allergies all year long. Our complex just ruled that residents cannot smoke outside their apartments, so we now have 2 indoor smokers. It's too hot to open the windows, at any time of day, so we're pretty much recycling the smoke and allergens. Add to all of that, the fact that we live about 2 blocks from the freeway, on a busy north-south road, and you know we're breathing a lot of things that are really bad for us. A room air purifier is just logical in our situation.

There were no surprises at Abt. They provided the specifications for each of the models, as well as product details, accessories, and customer reviews. I think reviews are so helpful. No matter what the manufacturer says, a satisfied or dissatisfied customer will tell you what you need to know. None of the reviews I read were anything, but satisfied, which says a lot about the store.

Of course, so does 70 years in the business and a page full of accolades from manufacturers, merchants associations, electronics publications, and consumer protection groups. If you look around the site, you'll find a lot to recommend them - free shipping, free tech support, buying guides, available rebates, Guidester shopping tools, and even an outlet store.

If you're in the market for anything electronic, you have to visit Abt Electronics. You just can't go wrong.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

T-Shirts! Getcher T-Shirts!

As you can see, I've been busy designing T-shirts; lately, they've gotten rather political. For example:

• "Don't Vote? Then, don't Complain! One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics, is that you end up being ruled by your inferiors ~ Plato"
  
  
• "When Buying and Selling are controlled by Legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are Legislators ~ P.J. O'Rourke"
  
  
• "The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men ~ Plato"
  
  

Amazing how basic truths never age, isn't it?

Of course, I also have some fun shirts:

• "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember ... the Ark was built by one amateur; the Titanic took thousands of trained professionals!"
  
  
• on a baby shirt "If you looked this cute and smelled this good, Everyone'd wanna hug you, too!"
  
  
• on a sleep-shirt "There is no problem that chocolate can't solve!"

Stop by and pick out your favorite!

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Instant-Hypnosis.com

Hypnosis, to me, was a stage show where some guy makes people bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken. But, as I learn, I find that it's actually a pretty amazing tool for self-improvement.

By relaxing and retraining the subconscious mind, you can create the changes that you want in your life. Instant-Hypnosis.com offers hypnosis downloads to help with smoking cessation, phobias, eating problems, and sleep disorders, to name a few. If you would like to conquer a fear of public speaking, there's a download to help you. Carefully designed to address whatever area of your life you would like to improve, Instant-Hypnosis.com gives you the tools to help yourself.

When you are calm and your mind is open, you can easily learn new skills or hone existing skills, whether it's playing the piano, learning a language, or improving your golf game. Could you have more self-confidence? Do you back down when confronted, even though you know you're right? Try Positive Thinking or Believe in Yourself downloads and break those old patterns of negative thinking. Give yourself a new, confident outlook on life.

I really recommend you visit Instant-Hypnosis.com. They have dozens of downloads, addressing virtually every aspect of life, and it couldn't be easier. You decide what kind of help you'd like. There's no waiting for the mail; simply order and download. No inconvenient and expensive office visits; you listen to the downloads on your time, at your leisure; once, twice, or as many times as you like.

No one's life is perfect; we all have things we want to change or improve. Me? I'm looking at Perfect Posture. What would you like to try?

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Advice Columns

I love reading advice columns - I really do! Not because I enjoy the horror stories that are some people's lives, but because I get a kick out of the advice given. Dear Abby and Ann Landers were the staples when I was growing up. Now that they have passed, their daughters are doing a great job of filling their shoes - with enough of their own personalities that it's not like they're clones. (Although Dear Abby II did have me a bit concerned for awhile. Her style was eerily similar to her mother's.)

Today, while catching up with Dear Margo, Ann Landers' daughter, I found an advice column on Creators Syndicate called The Advice Goddess by Amy Alkon. If you have never read her column, you have got to take a look! She is absolutely fabulous - smart, sassy, occasionally snotty, honest to a fault, and a pure joy to read.

Her advice is spot-on, but at the same time - I don't think I've ever laughed so hard over a non-humor column.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Cheapest RDRAM

Computer running really slow? Take forever to start up and load programs? You're not alone. Our desktop, which is now over five years old, takes an eternity to get going in the morning. Mark is religious about defragging, spyware and virus scans, and deleting unused programs. (I am seriously bad about it - drives him crazy!) Nonetheless, the desktop is just incredibly slow.

One rather simple solution is to upgrade the RAM (random access memory). This, as opposed to storage memory, is the memory that runs all of the processes, games, and software on your computer. The more RAM you have installed, the more quickly your computer loads and runs these programs. And, with rdram prices falling all the time, an upgrade is much, much cheaper than buying a new computer.

Cheapest RDRAM is the perfect answer. They offer memory upgrades for virtually all computers on the market and couldn't be easier to use. It took me about 30 seconds to find what I needed and get ready to place an order. For about $150.00, we could double the RAM on our desktop; for $250.00 we could triple it. Plus, since I've never done a memory upgrade, the step-by-step instructions make it incredibly simple. I really like simple!

Don't throw out that pokey computer - upgrade it! And while you're ordering that additional memory, read the 10 Reasons Not to Throw Away That Old Computer. You might be surprised at how easy some of the solutions are.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Nude Prince

As if he didn't appear foolish enough, when he claimed to have fathered Anna Nicole Smith's baby, earlier this year. Now, Frederic von Anhalt claims that 3 women, in a car with Florida plates, robbed him at gunpoint and left him nude, handcuffed to his steering wheel. Okey dokey!

If you think that's hilarious, and I do, get this: He actually claimed that he thought the young women flagged him down to pose for a picture with him. Geez! No ego there! It's interesting that the police found no handcuffs at the scene. Just what was Zsa Zsa's hubby doing at 10am, in his car, in the nude?

I'm pretty sure I don't want to know. I mean, there are some mental images one just does not need!

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Rapid Supplies

One of the issues I have with my business is finding reasonably priced office supplies. While JMark Afghans, etc. offers handcrocheted afghans, I also do a great deal of printing - brochures, flyers, shipping labels, and my business cards, to name a few. That means inkjet cartridges, printer paper, labels, and business card forms.

Now, I've found all of those items in one convenient place - Rapid Supplies.com. We already have an office jet printer, so I don't have to pay a fortune for business cards, but I do have to have quality stock to print them on. I can get that at Rapid Business at a price that I can easily afford. Not to mention, the perforated paper forms are perfect for creating wallet-sized photos.

Printer ink is a huge outlay for any business that prints anything. Rapid Supplies has the cartridges I need at a 20% discount over other stores and if I buy 2 or more at a time, I save even more. Now, I don't have to worry about how much I need to print, which is a huge relief, believe me.

I also go through a lot of notebooks for keeping notes about medical appointments, editing categories, and ideas for blog postings; special paper for brochures and mailings; and card stock for the afghan-care information that I include with each afghan order. Before, I had to shop several stores - one had a better deal on notepads, another on inkjet cartridges, and a third on card stock. It just wasn't worth the hassle, so I ended up paying more for a lot of my supplies, because I don't believe in driving all over town - wasting gas and increasing pollution.

Now I don't have to worry - everything I need is at RapidSupplies.com and, when I spend $75.00 or more, I get free shipping.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Endorsers Back Away from Vick

Sports Illustrated published a story today that will make a lot of animal lovers very happy - three endorsers have backed away from Michael Vick.

First Down: Facing protests from animal-rights groups at Niketown stores across the country, the company announced that it was suspending its contract with Vick - without pay - and halting sales of any Vick-related items in all of its retail stores. (Sacked)

Second Down and 20: Reebok, official apparel and equipment supplier to all 32 NFL teams, has announced that it will stop selling Vick-replica jerseys at all of its retail stores and on its website. This is the first time Reebok has ever pulled a jersey from the market. (Sacked for a huge loss)

Third Down and Long: Donruss, one of four major trading card companies, announced that it will pull Vick's cards from all future 2007 releases. Donruss' owner, Ann Powell, who takes her 5 dogs to work, asked that Vick's cards be pulled. According to a spokesman for Donruss: "We met as a company and the idea was brought up to pull him. There was no opposition from anybody in the room." (Intercepted and run back for a touchdown)


Congratulations and thank you to all of the organizations and individuals who have been pressuring these companies to step back and consider whether making money is worth seriously damaging their reputation and relationship with the public.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Designer Floor Area Rugs

I love to decorate and re-decorate and area rugs are a terrific, inexpensive way to change the whole mood and style of my room in the blink of an eye. As renters, we're stuck with white walls and whatever (often hideous) carpeting was on sale when they decorated the apartment, so I frequently use area rugs to add some personality and warmth to an otherwise drab look. With no effort whatsoever, they can be moved from room to room when I need a quick change or changed with the seasons. Light, bright rugs for the spring and summer; dark, rich colors to warm the winter months. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Obviously, I would love to have handmade rugs in all of my rooms, but my budget doesn't exactly allow for that. So, I love seeing that there are less expensive, machine-loomed, options such as the Misty Dream Collection from Designer Floor Area Rugs. They come in so many styles, sizes, and colors, that it's easy to find one (or more) that would be perfect in our apartment.

If I had my choice, of course, every home I lived in would have hardwood floors. From a maintenance standpoint, you just can't go wrong. But wood floors can look and feel cold. Again, area rugs to the rescue! Without breaking the bank, or robbing one, you can add color and warmth to any room, while keeping housekeeping chores under control.

Whether you're looking to change everything in the room or just want a quick pick-me-up for your existing decor, stop by DesignerFloor.com to add a little pizzazz to your life.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Avoiding Chinese Food Products

This article caught my attention, as it probably did that of many people who have been following all of the recalls and warnings about Chinese food imports. This particular family decided to go for one year without purchasing anything imported from China. What surprised me the most was that, due to the way the FDA regulates the food we buy here in the United States, it was virtually impossible to tell where ingredients came from. Only seafood is required to be labeled with the country of origin. One quote that was particularly telling:

[I]t is possible a frozen dinner, for example, could have 20 different ingredients from 20 different countries, food analysts say.

According to the article, the only way to reduce your consumption of foods with Chinese products is to avoid all processed foods. But, you'd be surprised just what some of those processed items are:

• Apple Juice
• Dried Berries
• Dried Garlic
• Instant Coffee
• Sausage Casings

The only way to change this situation is by giving the FDA back some power and increasing food inspections, which currently occur in about 1% of food imports, due to serious budget cuts by the government. If you would like to know where the food you eat is coming from; if you would like to see the FDA step up the inspection of imported foods; if you would like to make your voice heard, sign here:
Stop Starving Our Food Safety Syetem!

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Romance

Ah, romance! All you have to do is mention the word and people immediately react. Sometimes the reaction is a wistful smile or a knowing look that recalls a special moment; sometimes it's a single tear, in homage to a love that burned bright, but now is gone.

We all have an image in our mind of a romantic setting - be it a candlelight dinner in an elegant restaurant, a walk along the beach with the waves lapping at your feet, or cuddling in front of a roaring fire in a mountain cabin. Very often, true romance comes in much smaller, every day moments that we look back on for years and sigh with remembering.

What amazes me, though, is how many men groan when you mention romance. "I don't know how to be romantic!" or "I can't afford all that romance crap!" Of course, there are, what I call, large romantic gestures - flying her to Paris for dinner; a night at the Plaza; taking him on a hot air balloon ride. These are all great. But if you ask a wife about her favorite romantic moments, she might just smile and tell you about window-shopping at the mall - holding hands and sharing a hot pretzel - when her husband hates the mall. Or sitting in an ice cream shoppe feeding each other bites of a hot fudge sundae on a hot summer afternoon. Or about how he rubbed her swollen feet during the last 2 months of her pregnancy.

One of my favorite memories is dancing in the rain. I don't remember exactly how I got him out into the parking lot at our complex, but I do remember his laughing face as we held hands and spun in circles in the warm summer rain. It might seem like a small thing, but to me it was just wonderful. Apparently, the woman unloading her groceries, who stopped to watch us and sigh "Awwww!", thought so, too.

Five days after I moved to Arizona, I turned 45. Mark and I were, as they say, poorer than church mice. But he asked me to go for a drive. We talked and laughed, listened to the radio, and just took a leisurely sight-seeing tour. After about 45 minutes, he pulled into the local DQ, where he bought me my favorite sundae and held my hand.

We've been through a lot in the six years since that Peanut Buster Parfait. We've occasionally lost sight of the important things, while dealing with the day's crises. But every night, he takes me in his arms and tells me he loves me. And I hold him close, knowing that I've found my safe harbor for the night.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Another Day at the VA

For all of the bad press that VA medical care, in general and in specific, has been receiving lately, I have to tell you that the level of care I've seen, here in Phoenix, is extremely good. In fact, we just spent about 4 1/2 hours with them today.

During a routine CT scan of Mark's liver and abdomen, they found what looked like a shadow on his left lung. So, we went in for an MRI and they found a lesion on the outer edge of his left lung, as well as shadows on both lungs. Today, we went in for a lung biopsy. And we actually had a blast, the pain notwithstanding.

Before you jump to the conclusion that Mark gets great treatment because everyone knows us, let me assure you that we had never worked with any of the staff that we met today; although an old buddy of ours happened to come down to do an IV set-up for a patient with 'difficult' veins. The people we spent the morning with were incredibly competent, caring, efficient, and friendly.

The biggest risk in a lung biopsy is what they call a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung. A small amount of air getting into the chest cavity isn't usually an issue and the body will absorb it; but a large amount can press on the lung and cause it to collapse. This requires the insertion of a chest tube, just like you see on the medical shows, to remove the air. When Mark came back from the procedure complaining of excruciating pain in his chest, which wasn't common, the pulmonary doc immediately brought down x-ray and checked it out. Luckily, there was no serious problem and, after 3 hours of observation, the let me take him home.

I'll admit that not every department or every ward functions at the same level of competence and efficiency. We did have some issues in 2004 with one of the wards, where mostly indigent patients are treated. The furnishings looked like WWII surplus and the staff was a bit less willing to run if you called. But we said something and it was immediately resolved to our satisfaction.

The best thing you can do as a patient, family member, or caregiver is to educate yourself and stand up for your rights - whether you're dealing with the government or private medical care. And advocate for yourself as aggressively as you would for a friend or loved one - you deserve the best care, too.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Cedar Patio Furniture

When I was growing up, my mom had this great wooden picnic table and benches in her back yard. They were heavy as sin and built to last forever. I just loved them. Well, except for the time that my brother stained them with a really cheap stain and I ended up ruining my favorite white pants.


Today I found a great e-commerce site that has some of the most beautiful outdoor cedar furniture that I have seen. ADAMS All Natural Cedar doesn't chemically treat their wood, so it is naturally safe. The product list is huge, with everything from planters and window boxes to Adirondack-style chairs to picnic tables, and everything in between.

Just look at these picnic table sets:

Picnic Table Set

Pedestal Picnic Table Set

The first one is a lot like the one my mom had, but the round one is a great style, too. It isn't hard to imagine one of these in my back yard. Of course, I have to get a back yard first.


The other item I've always wanted is a porch swing. They just epitomize country charm and relaxation. Deciding between one suspended from the porch ceiling or one with a free-standing base is the hardest part. See what I mean:

Adirondack Log Porch Swing

Arbor Swing Set

These are just two of the available options, so you can see how difficult it is for me to make up my mind. Then add in the many available finishes and the option of cedar or cypress woods, and you can see that ADAMS offers a lot of choices. Free shipping is just icing on the cake.


Oh, they also offer the most adorable cat condos and dog houses. Houses are proudly hand built one at a time by our experienced craftsmen in America and individually hand signed. Isn't that cool? An autographed dog house!

Don't wait! Check them out today. I know you'll find something you love.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Bandwidth Auction

Have you been following the news about the upcoming bandwidth auction? Apparently, television broadcasters are required, in the very near future, to go all digital which will free up a ton of 700MHz bandwidth. The FCC is auctioning off the bandwidth and cellular phone providers are going crazy trying outbid each other.

One provider is particularly rabid about the whole process. It seems that Google is planning to bid on this new bandwidth, with the intention - get this - of letting consumers choose which company they use and use any existing phone while they do it. AT&T, for one, is really ticked off.

Currently, providers dictate what phones consumers can use and what services and sites will be provided. They also have contracts that institute extreme penalties for early termination. And they want to keep it that way.For example, I can't change from T-Mobile to Cingular without paying a stiff penalty. And even if that wasn't a problem, I couldn't take my Nokia with me; it's a T-Mobile authorized phone. If I want to change carriers, I have to get a new phone. Google is saying that I should be able to use this phone with any carrier, get all of the services and sites that I want, and change service whenever I want - and they want legislative changes so that all carriers have to offer these options.

Why it's almost un-American! Giving the consumer what they want?! Has Google lost their mind?! I hope they win the bidding war and finally bring some sanity back to owning a cell phone.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Personal Loan Store

I've been thinking about loans a lot lately - especially mortgages. There once were so many different options, it made my head spin. Now, with all of the problems that have arisen from defaults on sub-prime mortgages, there are fewer and fewer poor credit loans for new buyers with credit issues. Many loans have prepayment penalties, designed to keep the borrower paying for the full term of the loan. Other loans may offer a great annual percentage rate (APR), but, hidden in the fine print, add fees and charges that actually increase the cost of the loan substantially over one that might have a slightly higher APR. There's a lot to learn before one decides to take on debt.


The UK Personal Loan Store offers an enormous amount of loan information for all types of borrowers - mortgage, refinance, personal loans, to name a few.

Variable-rate mortgages were once, when interest rates were more stable and the housing market was strong, a viable option for borrowers, but these changes have forced many homeowners into default and foreclosure. I've never cared for that option, because it's so difficult to budget when you don't actually know what your house payment may be from one month to the next. That's frightening to me; any negative financial change can seriously damage one's ability to keep their home.


Fixed-rate mortgages are better, by far, but many borrowers with credit problems aren't eligible for the best rates. Not to mention, some fixed-rate programs are only for a limited period of time, after which homeowners are forced to continue with their lender at a much higher rate or find another short-term fixed-rate with a different financial institution which may or may not be comparable to the rate they had before.


Personal loans pose just as many questions and just as many confusing answers. Prepayment penalties abound, as do special fees and charges that are often hidden in the small print. Then, there's personal protection insurance (PPI) which is supposed to cover borrowers if they have trouble making payments. The cost of these policies has seen a dramatic increase and, amid a huge controversy, institutions in the UK have been charged with forcing the coverage on individuals who wouldn't even be able to get assistance, should the need arise.


Years ago, when my credit was actually very good, I traded in my car and bought a new one. By the time all of the 'special' charges were added in, my rate went from just over 12% to almost 16%. I've become a much savvier consumer since then.


Be sure to read the fine print before you agree to any loan. It could save you thousands of dollars, not to mention keep you from losing your home or car if your financial situation changes negatively. And check out your lender's reputation carefully; not all institutions are scrupulously honest.

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Why I Don't Own a Gun!

Or - why I seem angry all the time!


The NFL is disappointed in Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who has been indicted for promoting and engaging in dogfighting. If you read the story, There are allegations that Vick and his cohorts executed losing dogs in sickening manners: hosing down the dogs and then electrocuting them; hanging injured dogs; or repeatedly slamming them to the ground until they were dead. The Humane Society removed 52 dogs from Mr. Vick's property and is in serious need of financial assistance to care for the animals. Yet, because he is considered a super-star, the NFL is taking a "wait and see" attitude. Wait and see what? How many more animals he can abuse and destroy? Tell the NFL to take action against this monster!

Not to mention, Nike, the only corporate sponsor that hasn't terminated it's relationship with Vick, continues to market "Vick Hero" t-shirts to young boys. The man is no hero!

Please add your voice and urge Nike to stop their endorsement of Michael Vick.


Then, we have the 83 Dolphins Killed by Brazilian Fishermen. Caught on camera slaughtering the dolphins, the fishermen joked about their illegal catch: "Everyone's going to jail after this filming!" While Ibama, the Brazilian environmental protection agency, has confirmed the report that aired on Globo TV Monday night, no charges have been brought as authorities are still trying to identify the fishermen in the video.

What is WRONG with people!?


I much prefer my son Michael's attitude. He and I were at the pool a couple of weeks ago and a bee was hovering near us. I am highly allergic, so I was trying to encourage the insect to go away. After the bee got wet and was walking toward us at the edge of the pool, Michael jumped out, grabbed a leaf, scooped up the poor creature, and moved it to a rocky area where it could dry off and wouldn't be near us. All that just to help a small insect! Pretty cool kid, huh?!

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on