Random Musings of a Curious Mind


"It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, "The Beryl Coronet"

Monday, March 31, 2008

Favorite Zazzle Products

These are some of our favorite, fun products on our pages at Zazzle.com. Won't you come by and check them out?


2008 Arizona Scenery Calendar




2008 Arizona Scenery Calendar
by JMarkAfghans

Get this custom calendar at Zazzle

Each month has one of our favorite Arizona photographs. Why not spend a year in Arizona?!



Don't choose paper or plastic; carry this bag instead.






I don't have to choose paper or plastic.

by JMarkAfghans
Get this custom bag at Zazzle

Living Green? Use these recyclable bags, instead of adding more trash to your local landfill.




Of all the things I've lost . . . mug



Of all the things I've lost . . .
I miss my mind the most!


by JMarkAfghans
Get this custom mug at Zazzle

This morphing mug is a nondescript black when cold. The magic happens when you add a hot beverage and the image appears.



Relax Like A Cat card


Relax Like A Cat


by JMarkAfghans
Get this custom card at Zazzle

Front: "If Humans could relax like this. . ."
Inside Top: "There would be no wars and no need for anti-depressants.
Of course, the price of catnip would skyrocket!"
Inside Bottom: "Wishing you Peace and Relaxation!
(You'll have to get your own catnip!)"









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God Bless!

Jules

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Family Lawsuit Against MySpace.com

I don't recall an original story about this lawsuit, but this 'new round' definitely grabbed my attention. After some serious thought, I had to side with the courts. This is, in my opinion, an attempt by parents, who were unaware of / not monitoring their child's behavior, to blame MySpace for what happened to their daughter.

MySpace has guidelines and does monitor, to the best of its ability, the users who have pages. I know, personally, that many IDs and pages have been removed for violating policies. But this little girl, also violated MySpace policies by lying about her age in order to acquire a login and create the page.

At that young age, in a place as potentially dangerous as a social networking site, parents need to closely monitor what their child is doing on the computer. They need to - repeatedly - talk to their children about how to safely use the Internet. Many experts recommend keeping computers out of kids' bedrooms, so that it's easier to keep an eye on surfing habits.
Links to information for kids and parents about Internet Safety (alphabetically):

Parental Guides and Information for Kids on BOTW.org

Internet Safety for Kids and Teens on DMOZ.org

World-Wide-Web Safety on Yahoo!Kids' Directory

Yahoo!Safely Internet Guide

The rules for virtually all interactive websites are the same - no one under 13, don't give out personal information, and don't physically meet someone you only know online. Even sites designed for kids, and there are some great ones out there, require parental approval before kids under 14 can create accounts/logins. But no site account set-up includes a lie detector.

If kids don't tell the truth, the website certainly can't be held responsible. And, personally, I'm getting a bit weary of people making everyone, but themselves, responsible for the misbehavior / behavior of their children.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Sunday, March 30, 2008

Environmental Phase Out

Bush to Phase Out Environment by 2009 This 'article' is posted in the Humor section of Yahoo!News. As with all good humor, there is a grain (in this case a silo-full) of truth running through it.

Species after species, habitat after habitat, this administration has acted in the worst interests of the country and the planet. It's easy to tell from where Bush and Cheney come. Big business and the oil industry, in particular, have their full support and concern.

Who needs clean air and water? Apparently, not Americans or the rest of the world, since the administration refuses to sign Kyoto. What value are animals that can't be found in the meat department of the local supermarket? Obviously no value, especially if their natural habitat happens to exist within 5 miles of 5 gallons of oil.

They are good little autocrats who deserve the disdain of all Americans. The world already sees them for the fools that they are.






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God Bless!

Jules

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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Earth Hour

What an interesting, global idea! Did you turn off your lights at 8:00pm? Or, like us, did you hear about 'Earth Hour' about 2 hours too late?

As they say, it's not like one hour without lights is going to reduce global warming or seriously reduce a city's, or country's, carbon footprint. But it is an amazing show of concern and a willingness to get involved, all around the world. Made me wonder if this was something that could be seen from space.

Can you imagine watching whole sections of the world go dark, one hour after another? Now that would be something to see.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Friday, March 28, 2008

Cell Phone Amplifiers

Now, here is something - cell phone amplifiers - that Mark and I have been wanting for a very long time. Over the years, we have spent a great deal of time in hospital rooms, doctors' offices, and ER waiting areas. There is nothing more frustrating, at 3:00am, than being unable to sleep and unable to distract yourself by surfing the 'Net on your phone.

I remember, more than once, sleeping in the waiting room that was down the hall from the ICU. Unlike the wards, I couldn't stay the night with Mark, so I had to use a really old reclining chair in a brightly lit room. No matter how tired one gets, it's nearly impossible to sleep when someone you love is in a coma.

Reading is a wonderful option and, believe me, I have worked my way through dozens of novels since 2004. One amazing thing about the VA are the kiosks, all over the place, with a huge selection of books. Believe it or not, a few months ago I picked up a book to keep me entertained while we waited to meet the oncologist, only to find I had read it before Mark's transplant in 2004.

Still, nothing beats being able to send and receive emails, IM your family and friends, and surf the web when you are desperately trying to not think about where you're at and why you're there.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Give Me Strength!

Did you ever have one of those days where you throw up your arms, turn your face to the sky/ceiling/heavens and cry Give Me Strength!? If not, I want your life! Otherwise, you know what I'm talking about.

You are faced with or being bombarded by situations that are just too much. It's not that they - individually - are that difficult. Not at all. The problem is, they've all been waiting in the wings, chatting amongst themselves, and biding their time until your guard was down. Then all of the insanity jumps out at you - at the same time.

Or maybe you've had a situation here and a situation there that has weakened your immunity to craziness. You aren't really poised over the sanity precipice, waiting to fall into the dementia abyss; you're just a little stressed. Suddenly, several crazy happenings appear out of nowhere, waving their arms, screaming wildly, and charging directly at you and you realize the only direction you can go is . . . over the edge.

Welcome to My Life! Not just today or this week, month, or year - but for nearly 5 years! I actually counted - in 61 days, my grip on sanity will have been attacked, sometimes from several directions at the same time, for 1,825 days.




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God Bless!

Jules

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House Hunting

Just the other day, I saw a cute little house for sale. The location was perfect: within walking distance of several local stores, a heartbeat from Michael's school, and about 1/2 block from the freeway. It had a huge paved area in front, nice yard in back, and chain-link fence surrounding the property.

Before I even called the realtor, I was imagining teak patio furniture, desert landscaping, tearing off the hideous 'lean-to' on the south side, and getting a puppy for Michael and Mark. My imagination saw a huge kitchen with tons of counter space, 2 bedrooms, and - blissfully - 2 bathrooms. Then, I talked to the realtor.

Suffice it to say, the patio furniture and puppy are not in our immediate future and that is one delusional property owner.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Possible Identity Theft

I got an interesting letter in the mail this week. It seems that the company I worked for, back in 2003, got hacked recently. Still investigating the extent of the incursion, they wrote to warn me that my personal information may have been stolen.

If that were the extent of the letter, it probably would have been sufficient to alert me and I could have taken steps to monitor my credit records. But my former employer went far beyond a simple notification. They set up a free, one-year credit monitoring account for me - on their dime - that includes $25,000 identity theft insurance and a team of fraud resolution representatives, should there be a problem.

One of the reasons I really liked this company was the way they treated employees. It's nice to know that hasn't changed.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Faucet

I have got to find out where our apartment complex buys their fixtures. We have had, at least, 4 different shower handles installed in the 4 years that we've lived in our unit. For a couple of reasons, they have to be buying really, really cheap.

First, the average price of a quality bathroom faucet would almost prohibit them from affording so many frequent replacements. Second, if they were buying quality, they wouldn't be doing so many replacements. Mike is tough on shower handles, but come on!


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God Bless!

Jules

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Bodybuilding Supplements

Years ago, my younger brother grew up - really, really grew up. Seemingly overnight, he got tall and very muscular. So, after high school, he decided to get into bodybuilding.

I remember that he took bodybuilding supplements, some sort of protein powder to help him build muscle. Heaven only knows what was in it, but it certainly made a difference. Of course, he lifted weights and worked out constantly, too. At one point, his biceps were about as big as my thighs.

After all this time, I don't recall if he ever competed. I do know that buying a suit became a real challenge.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Swan Loses New Love, Returns to Old Love

Well, ladies and gents - it appears that our lonely, lovesick young lady has been jilted. These fickle white swans. I tell you! It's just not right! Get a woman's hopes up; start her thinking about a nest and little cygnets - then, poof!

Luckily, the zoo in Muenster still had the 'address' of Petra's former love, who was faithfully 'pining' away on the lake where they met. The two 'lovers' will be reunited on Friday.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Man Flees Mouse

Years ago, living in a small apartment with zero closet space and a huge kitchen with zero counter space, I acquired a number of non-rent-paying roomies. It's funny. I'd always thought that mice, in a cage nibbling on a piece of carrot, were really cute.

They tend to become less adorable when they're sharing your pillow and pulling at your hair. Not my personal preference for an alternative wake-up alarm, especially since the little critter had been crawling around in the wall with the fiberglass insulation. I spent days trying to get the fiberglass out of my arm and the side of my face.

An urgent call to my landlord garnered me very, as it turned out, useless advice - "Get a cat!" The little black fur-ball with the angry gold eyes had only one phobia. He was terrified of mice! Just the sound of scratching under the sink would send him flying in the opposite direction.

Briefly, I went the mousetrap route. Yecchh!! You've not lived until you've heard that 'snap' and 'squeak' at 3:00AM. Trust me - it is not conducive to sleep or peace of mind!

At a friend's suggestion, I crammed steel wool in every gap, around every pipe in my kitchen - to no avail. (Probably, given my luck, just trapped them all in the apartment.) After spending an entire summer (without air conditioning) sleeping with the oven and burners on high to discourage my 'roomies' from wandering in, and watching my feline protector cower in a corner or cry to go outside - I moved.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Monday, March 24, 2008

Budgeting

I read a headline, recently, that made me shake my head and laugh. Apparently, people are now going to have to try this odd concept - budgeting. Really? Well, some of us have been doing that our entire lives.

Growing up in households that could barely make ends meet, Mark and I understand the concept of stretching a dollar until it hurts. In my case, no matter what my income was - or wasn't - able to cover, I still managed my finances with a fairly strict budget. It's amazing what you can do.

For example, I paid off a 60-month car loan in less than 48 months by budgeting a few dollars extra each month and making the payment a few days early. I didn't miss an extra five or ten dollars, and it made a HUGE difference in the loan. It's almost embarrassing the collectibles and sci-fi movies I was able to buy - after covering rent (on a 2-bedroom-with-den apartment), utilities, food for 2 people, food and vet bills for 4 cats, and car payments - while making less than $30K per year.

Do you want to live a comfortable life? Learn to live within your means by budgeting and choosing wisely.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Label World USA

One item that product-oriented businesses need is labels. Whether that product is food, beverages, cosmetics, computers, appliances, or furniture, labeling is critical to each business. A unique label sets a company's products apart and, when it is designed well, grabs the consumer's attention, resulting in increased sales.

Label World offers a wide range of labeling options for a wide range of businesses. Their wine label options, for example, have moved the industry from "glue and apply" to pressure sensitive labels, allowing wineries to design labels that spark customer interest. Different colored foils and auto-application help a winery to differentiate individual wines and speed up their production process.

This is a high-volume production process, focused on businesses that need the flexibility to design and create a truly customized product.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Sunday, March 23, 2008

Sticker Shock

Slowly, over time, many of the items we purchase on a regular basis have risen in price. By and large, with the exception of gasoline, not in huge jumps; just pennies here and nickels there. One becomes blind to the changes.

Today, I stopped by the old "dollar store" that I frequented for years - before they moved down the street - and was shocked by the changes. They still carry some of the items that I used to bring home on a regular basis - but at a 20% price increase. Many of the things that I knew I could buy for less, aren't there anymore. Probably because it's impossible for the owner to get them at a price he can afford.

Our president claims that the economy might be in trouble. Hey, George! Come shop with me on my budget!




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Jules

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Drug Treatment

Some of the more effective drug treatment programs go far beyond managed withdrawal and the simplistic, Reagan-era "Just Say No" concept. They teach about the nature of addiction; that it's not a product of an immoral nature, weakness, or even personal choice. Addiction is a disease, with physical and psychological roots.

One doesn't tell someone with Muscular Dystrophy or Diabetes that if they tried harder or if they were a better person, they wouldn't be sick. (Religious cuckoos, notwithstanding.) It's critical to understand a disease, before attempting treatment. Doctors don't put band-aids on compound fractures or give aspirin to patients with ulcers, because they understand broken bones and bleeding stomachs.

Successful drug rehab requires that patients and clinicians understand - and appropriately treat - all of the underlying causes and triggers. It takes time for bones to mend and ulcers to heal, and it takes time and support to overcome addiction.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Performance Reviews

Whether you use performance reviews as an HR tool or as a part of product development, the process can be a real pain. Designing and generating effective questionnaires, distributing them to applicable employees and/or customers, tracking and following up on completion and return, and compiling the responses into a usable report is a lot of work. Arguably, more work than the information is worth, in many cases.

What if there was a way to quickly compile, distribute, and track such reviews without killing a forest or manually setting and sending reminders? Well, there is. Take a look at Halogen e360, ready-to-use straight out of the box, or fully customizable to fit any situation.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Swan Finds New Love

This is just the sweetest story. A black swan at the zoo in Muenster, Germany developed a fondness for a swan-shaped boat and refused to leave its side. Rather than traumatize the swan, zookeepers brought her and the boat in for the winter and let them continue to spend time together.

Sadly, this spring, the boat has been jilted in favor of a male white swan, with whom the young lady is building a nest.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Exercise Equipment

It's not that I'm, necessarily, against working out or getting in better shape. I just don't like to sweat and, living in Arizona, that's not an easy thing to avoid. Then, there's the fact that I tend to jump into things with both feet and overdo.

Years ago, I had a set of free weights (marketed as 'smart-bells') that constitute the only exercise equipment I have ever owned. Eventually, after spending several days telling my youngest "Mommy can't pick you up, honey. Her arms don't work anymore." I did manage to improve the condition of my upper torso and arms.

It was, truth be told, not too bad. We had a flat coffee table that was the perfect height and width to substitute for an exercise bench. I'd work flat for the first few reps. Then, with a couple of books under one end I'd work several reps head up and several reps head down.

I really miss that coffee table.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke Sadly, we have lost a great scientific mind, as well as an amazing science fiction writer today, with the death of Arthur C. Clarke. Battling post-polio syndrome since the 1960s and often being forced to use a wheelchair, Clarke's mind carried him out into space.

I was familiar with many of his works of fiction, but didn't realize that "his landmark technical paper "Extra-terrestrial Relays" in which he first set out the principles of satellite communication with satellites in geostationary orbits - a speculation realized 25 years later. During the evolution of his discovery, he worked with scientists and engineers in the USA in the development of spacecraft and launch systems, and addressed the United Nations during their deliberations on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space." from The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation

Rest in peace, Sir Arthur.




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Jules

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Monday, March 17, 2008

Online Car Insurance

There are a lot of insurance companies that offer online car insurance quotes. Some even provide quotes from other companies on their website. The TV ads assure consumers that they can save a bundle by switching to this company or that. Yeah, right.

If I'm going to shop and buy online, I want to use a site that has no vested interest in my choice of company. How do I know that 'XYZ Insurance' is giving me a valid quote from 'BCD Auto Coverage' and 'RU Insured, Inc.'? Yes, I could go through the application process for each site, or call each company - but isn't that what I'm trying to avoid?

Luckily, there are more and more sites available that don't sell insurance themselves. They simply provide a location where one can compare coverage and rates and, if desired, purchase insurance. Much better.


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Jules

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Saturday, March 15, 2008

If You Can't Play Nice . . .

Suffice it to say, I've seen a lot of candidates run for President in my lifetime. Rarely have I seen the juvenile name-calling and outright immature behavior that is characterizing the current election season. Frankly, it's just ridiculous.

Does the media have to publish / broadcast every single comment made by every single staffer for the Democratic candidates? Just how much is too much information? My opinion is that what we're getting now is far too much.

I certainly wouldn't want to speak to the press, if I were a Clinton or Obama aide.




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Jules

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And This Was A Good Idea Why?

My heart breaks for this poor guy. He bought his fiance a $12,000 engagement ring. In an attempt to create a truly unique proposal, he had the ring put into a helium balloon - thinking as he popped the question, she'd pop the balloon.

Great concept, right? Except that, as he left the store, the wind took the balloon out of his hands. Can you imagine watching several thousand dollars just sail away on a breeze?

Even better? Can you imagine finding a balloon with a diamond ring inside? Because eventually the balloon will come down - somewhere.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Thursday, March 13, 2008

Colon Cleanse

Getting older brings some interesting changes. There are new health risks and problems, and a slew of new 'regular' tests that men and women need to start thinking about. When Mark was sick with end-stage liver disease, we went through some of the tests, like a colonoscopy. And I've had repeated mammogram recommendations. (I even managed to get a couple of them.)

Now, I've been reading about some interesting ideas to keep the digestive system healthy. A colon cleanse is actually a fascinating concept. It involves a combination of herbs that stimulate the colon, increase muscle activity, and help clear parasites and toxins from the system.

As bad as my diet is and as sluggish as my system has become, it's something I could probably use. I'll definitely be doing a lot more research.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Laptop Memory

Suffice it to say, I don't know anything about installing laptop memory. Heck, I'm not even sure what kind of memory to buy. But, it would be wonderful to have my laptop work faster.

Not to mention, our desktop is in desperate need of improvement. No matter how much maintenance Mark performs, it's still about 7 years old and just doesn't play nice. There are a couple of games that he loves. Sadly, they tend to bog down after an hour or so, causing amazing frustration.

It's nice to know that we can kick-start both computers for under $100.00, total.


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God Bless!

Jules

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Nanny 911

I have seen commercials for this series, but never actually watched it - until today. CMT is rerunning the show, starting with season one, so I managed to catch about an episode and a half. Quite an interesting experience.

If you've never seen it, the concept is pretty simple. Parents having difficulty raising their children - and that's putting it mildly, from what I saw - call 'Nanny 911'. An experienced nanny, chosen for her expertise, then spends a week with the family, teaching them parenting, coping, and communication skills.

Like the last family I watched, I was quite skeptical that one person in one week could make sufficient impact to undo years of problems. It took a lot of work by the families involved, including the kids, but it was incredible how much the family dynamic improved in just 7 days.

There are some great ideas offered by the nannies. If you're interested in seeing how it works - check out CMT's schedule.




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God Bless!

Jules

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Individual Health Insurance

With the employment situation that exists under the current administration, it is incredibly difficult to get individual health insurance. Not to mention, Congressional bills, that are designed to help the uninsured, keep getting vetoed. If that isn't enough, $42 million has been spent to tell taxpayers, who are entitled to a rebate, that they are getting a rebate.

How amazing?! Virtually every taxpayer who files this year will be getting a rebate. I don't know about you - don't need another notice. Oh, of course, this is from the president who says that the economy might be in difficulty.

Thank you (heavy sarcasm), GWB for spending more and more and more money than is logical, helpful, or available. Which country/countries are buying off our president? Oh, and then we have our vainglorious VP -- a warmonger who's companies provide pathetic support and, yet, generate profits that are beyond embarrassing.

God help us all.


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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.

Be sure to
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

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Calories in Water?

Hmmmm? Calories in water? Didn't know that was possible. And, heaven knows, it wasn't something that existed when I was a kid.

I am dismayed - not amazed or impressed - by the companies that advertise fewer calories in their water. Especially when you consider that many companies who bottle water take it directly from their community's tap.

Hell! Buy a filter and drink from the tap! That's what we do.




grape_vine.gif


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.

Be sure to
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Labels: , , ,

Sunday, March 09, 2008

GPS