Lacy Afghan - 2009 Christmas Special

JMark Afghans, etc. is offering - for a limited time - our favorite Lacy Afghan at amazing prices!

This offer is available only to readers of "Random Musings of a Curious Mind" who order before December 10th.

(To ensure that your order is completed in plenty of time for Christmas, we are offering only 3 sizes and a limited number of yarn colors.)

Ordering couldn't be easier! Simply pick a size, a yarn color, and click {Buy}. For your convenience, we offer PayPal or Google Checkout to complete your order. (No personal information is required, until you place your order through our secure options.)

As always, if you have any questions or problems - Contact Jules - for more information.

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God Bless!

Jules

Update Your Office

It's been five months, give or take, since we moved into the new apartment. With something akin to desperation, we managed to arrange and organize our piles of stuff and mounds of furniture into a functional system. There would be no more stubbed toes and banged shins. Then, Frankie moved back in.

Don't get me wrong - it is absolutely wonderful having him home. But, our interior design plan didn't leave a lot of room for more stuff. (It takes an act of Congress to get into my dresser these days.) The monster of a computer desk, which we have banged into and stumbled over for years, (the one that I keep threatening to replace) is eating up space that we could really use for other things. Like it or not, I really think it's time to rethink our office furniture set-up.

Frankly, we would do better with a much (much) smaller desk and a 4-drawer filing cabinet. Maybe, a desk with a 2-drawer filing cabinet on each side. Then, we could shift everything else we own around and make room in my closet! Hey, I like that idea!

Just one - not so small - problem: Everything I like is bigger that what we have now! Oh, boy. Back to the drawing board - oooh, I need one of those, too!

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God Bless!

Jules

Greeting Cards for the Holidays

This year I'm going to do it! Seriously! I'm going to send out holiday cards to everyone I know.

If I start now, it won't be too much of a project. Just a couple of cards every day and, before long, I'll have them all sent out. That will give me time and energy to add a personal note to each card. And, because I'm not trying to do everything at once, it will be easy to keep the notes from being tedious and redundant. Hopefully?!

The other alternative, of course, is a holiday newsletter. Though I used to hate getting them, I can understand just how much they simplify the process. One creative page, detailing a year's worth of our lives. But then there's the supremely difficult decision:

What, exactly, have we done this year that would be interesting to anyone, other than us?

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God Bless!

Jules

Order Now to Guarantee Christmas Delivery

Just a quick reminder that JMark Afghans, etc. doesn't crochet your afghan - or hat, scarf, or shawl - until you order it.

For some of the larger, more involved designs, that means that it takes at least a couple of weeks to finish your order.

If you've been thinking of a special, one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones - please be sure to order now.

All of our items ship second-day, but - the closer we get to Christmas Day - even the USPS can't guarantee timely delivery.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Santa!? Please Fix My Truck!

Well, there are only 33 days until Christmas. Therefore, I do believe that it's time to start my list for Santa. Don't want to miss the please-send-me-this deadline since, after all, I have been very good this year. No really - I have!

Everyone knows that Santa is extremely busy, so there's nothing wrong with cutting out pictures or bookmarking websites - just to help out, you know. For example, there are specific Mopar parts involved in repairing a Dodge truck. Can't just slap any old head gasket onto a Dakota Sport (from 1995, 2.5L engine, standard 5-speed transmission), and expect a Christmas miracle. Well, one can hope, but how practical is that?

No, it's important to get the specifics just right when sending a request to Santa. And if, by chance, there are a couple of elves with mechanical expertise who would like to spend a little time with us - we wouldn't complain. In fact, we'd be willing to pay handsomely - with all the hot chocolate and sugar cookies they can hold!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Appetite Suppressants

With the recent recall of a long list of supplements, designed to build muscle-mass by reducing fat production, I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop. So many products contain ingredients which, in and of themselves, are probably fairly safe. But, to my mind, when manufacturers throw a variety of appetite suppressants together in one capsule, the potential for problems just magnifies.

As I've mentioned on several occasions, one of the most common functions of weight loss / fat-burner supplements is called thermogenesis. Thermogenic products work to increase fat burning by increasing heat production in the body. It's a natural process, in and of itself; which is why exercise is a benefit to weight loss. However, artificially increasing that natural function, also tends to artificially increase the internal temperature of the body.

Participating in exercise or sports programs that already elevate body temperature while taking these supplements can magnify the chances of collapse from heat-exhaustion. Without knowing the exact levels of thermogenic ingredients in products that simply list 'proprietary' blends, it's virtually impossible to determine an individual's risk factors. Living in a place like Arizona, already increases the risk.

Normal exercise and a balanced diet are always the best weight-loss plan.

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God Bless!

Jules

Fitness Equipment

As many of you know, I have been window-shopping for fitness equipment for some time now. It's not been an easy process. I have to, first, find something that I'll actually use. Second, if it doesn't fit in the little spare room that we have, what's the point? Finally, it has to be something that we can afford.

Being less than enthusiastic about doing anything that makes me sweat, finding an appropriate piece of equipment is never easy. Then add in two bad knees and it gets really challenging. On top of all that, I really don't want to give up my recliner or - worse yet - my bed to fit in a machine that I may or may not use several times a week. Anything that costs in the neighborhood of a month's rent and doesn't come with a kitchen and bathroom, is just not even realistic.

Much to my surprise, there are places that sell used equipment. You know, the treadmill that's been used as a clothes rack for the last 3 years until the spouse says, "Get it out of here! Now!" The variety was better than I expected, and so are the prices.

Now, I have to get serious about this. Darn it!

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God Bless!

Jules

Barcode Scanners

The history of barcodes and the barcode scanner goes back much further than most people realize. I was recently reminded that my kids (born in the late 70s) are younger than barcodes and scanners. But what truly shocked me is that I, too, am younger than this technology. And I'm barely younger than dirt!

It was in 1948 that the owner of a local food chain in Philadelphia approached the Drexel Institute of Technology, asking about a method of reading product information automatically during check-out. In October 1949, the first patent was filed for a "Classifying Apparatus and Method." The new-and-improved version of the barcode holds U.S. Patent 2,162,994, issued October 7, 1952.(Quite amazing, when you consider that the store where I buy my chips and cigarettes has only started scanning products in the last year or so.)

An early version of barcodes were used at a Cincinnati Kroger store in 1966. They were not printed on product labels, but applied manually by store employees. The industry realized that, without standardized coding, this was impractical and would never be approved for widescale use.

By 1970, a company called Logicon Inc had been asked to develop an industry-wide system. They came up with the Universal Grocery Products Identification Code (UGPIC), which would evolve into the UPC (Universal Product Code). That same year, Monarch Marking in the United States and Plessy Telecommunications in Britain developed barcode equipment for retail and industrial use, respectively. By 1973, an IBM employee - George J. Laurer - had developed the UPC system and the rest, as they say, is history.

By way of interesting trivia: In June 1974, the first barcode scanner (made by NCR Corp.) was installed at Marsh's Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. On June 26th, the first barcoded product was scanned during checkout. It was a 10-pack of Wrigley chewing gum (the first item the shopper removed from the cart) and is on display at the Smithsonian.

I was also reminded that, when these codes and scanners started becoming more prevalent, there was a segment of society (as always) preaching doom and gloom. We were all going to end up barcoded and our every movement would be recorded with scanners! Big Brother had arrived!

I think I'll just skip that little tattoo shop, if it's all the same to you.


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Coffeemakers

We are serious caffeine-junkies at our house. So much so, that we end up replacing the coffeemaker about once a year. Admittedly, we aren't exactly buying top-of-the-line equipment. But, still. Every year!?

With the holidays rapidly approaching, I thought I'd anticipate the inevitable and see about getting something with, perhaps, a few more bells and whistles. Or, at the very least, something that might outlast the turkey leftovers. You know - something that grinds the beans, makes the coffee, and then cleans itself! Hey, why not!? I can dream, can't I?

Well, oddly enough, there is a coffeemaker, or should I say coffee system, - the Jura Capresso - that actually does all of that. There are settings for the amount, strength and temperature of the coffee. Not enough?! It also makes frothing milk, dispenses hot water, and even filters the water.

Now, if I can just find one that washes the coffee mugs and - maybe - does windows?!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

2010 Arizona Scenery Calendars

Can you believe it?! 2009 is almost over! And, frankly, I am looking forward to the new year!



In honor of what simply has to be a better year, JMark Afghans, etc. is offering 2 new calendar designs for 2010.


Jules pulled out some of her favorite Arizona and Grand Canyon pictures, just for these calendars. Each month is a trip to another beautiful scene from the Grand Canyon State. These images are only available on JMark Afghans, etc. products at Zazzle. No other place has them!


So, don't wait until the last minute! Beat the rush and get yours today! And spend 2010 in Arizona!


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

The Importance of Security in Difficult Times

One recurring theme these days, on TV and on the Internet, is the need for security. In tough economic times, it's not surprising to hear that crime is on the rise. Crime against businesses and crime against individuals now make the news several times a day. (I know that we've heard the police helicopter, searching the neighborhood, a lot more in the last few months.)

One benefit of living where we do is the cctv security system. A few years ago, when Mark's daughter and son-in-law were visiting, someone ran into their car in the parking lot. Happily, it took no time at all to get the make, model, and license number of the vehicle that sideswiped the new SUV. Sadly, it was one of our neighbors who, as we saw in the tape, hit the car - not once, but twice.

These days, our complex is also gated. People attempt to climb over the gates on a regular basis and are caught on the security cameras, on a regular basis. Personally, we don't wait for the cameras to catch these trespassers. After all, once they're over the gate, we aren't that many steps away.

In addition to wooden blocks in the windows, for the last several months, we've kept a chair shoved under the front door. We know that it won't stop a determined intruder. It will slow them down and, hopefully, encourage them to bother someone else.

Our neighborhood is not the best. And - honestly? - our neighbors are not the most law-abiding. With a little attention to security, we do sleep pretty well at night.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Getting in Shape

I've been trying to find some sort of home exercise equipment, that I can afford and that we can store in our little bit of space. My first thought was a treadmill. So many are small enough to fold and stuff under the bed these days.

Today, I learned about something else - smaller and (to me) very interesting. It's called a dip machine or dip bar or dip station. And it helps focus on upper-body strength. Which, happily, also helps with a less-than-trim waistline.

To start with, it's small. I wouldn't have to worry about where I was going to put it when I wasn't using it. It will fit just about anywhere. Then, much to my surprise, the machine supports a number of different exercises. This is important to me, since my entire body needs work. And I really don't want to have to buy a different piece of equipment for each section of my body.

I need one thing that helps me with a fairly thorough workout. It's out there, I just know it is.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Christmas Wish List

Okay, right after world peace and an end to world hunger and global warming, I know what I want for Christmas!

I'm still shopping for a new laptop and really, really don't like sharing the desktop. But, there's always something else that crops up. Hopefully, next month will be better. In the meantime . . .

We saw the coolest computer set-up on one of the shopping channels. It comes with a 25-inch touch-screen monitor that doubles as a TV tuner! Once I heard that, the rest of the goodies kind of disappeared into the ether.

Can you imagine!? I'm still drooling!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Life Insurance

We don't, currently, have life insurance. It's not that we're irresponsible or, at least, not overly irresponsible. Our situation - 2 smokers, 1 with serious health issues - does not lend itself to affordable premiums.

Knowing that we need some kind of protection - we're not getting any younger or any healthier - I look at life insurance quotes every few months. By my way of thinking, a large portion of our society is aging and developing long-term health issues. It is in the best interest of insurance companies to change how they view coverage and, most importantly, who qualifies for that coverage.

Apparently, I'm not completely alone in that thinking. One of the sites I review periodically mentions High Risk Life Insurance and Smokers Life Insurance. Of course, these are types of Term Life policies. Not my first choice.

By definition, Term Life offers coverage at a fixed rate for a specific Term. So, what you're doing, when you buy a Term Life policy, is guessing how long you will live. If, as Mark is doing, you outlive that expectancy, your policy expires.

Then, you either have no coverage or you buy another policy. But, now you're older and your health may be worse than it was when you bought the original policy. Translation? Not a good situation.

I've, personally, always preferred Whole Life. It's a policy for your Whole Life and, in most cases, builds a cash value over the life of the policy. If worse comes to worse, as they say, it's possible to cash-in the policy at a future date. (Not wise, but sometimes necessary.)

Naturally, Whole Life is not inexpensive. So, there you go! The insurance dilemma that us old folks face.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

Grand Canyon Posters

Don't forget to stop by and check out my latest Zazzle creation - oooh I love that word - a set of posters that feature some of my favorite Grand Canyon Pictures. I chose a dark green border to accent, but not overwhelm the view. The view is ... everything!

With a collection of five coordinated, but unique images, they make a wonderful addition to any room - as a set, in smaller groupings, or just one, perfectly placed image.

The first two I created, titled "Grand Canyon Poster 001" and "Grand Canyon Poster 002" (brilliant, aren't I?) are slightly different views of the same location. By changing the camera angle and position, just a bit, the images appear to come from different locations. Yet, they complement each other beautifully.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
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God Bless!

Jules

New Mugs from JMark Afghans at Zazzle

Just a quick reminder: JMark Afghans has designed a new series of Grand Canyon Mugs through Zazzle.com. Please stop by and see all of our "Grand" products.

Grand Canyon Mug 001:
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal." ~~ George Will

Grand Canyon Mug 002:
"You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths." ~ John Wesley Powell

Grand Canyon Mug 003:
"The Grand Canyon is carven deep by the master hand; it is the gulf of silence, widened in the desert; it is all time inscribing the naked rock; it is the book of earth." ~ Donald Culross Peattie

Grand Canyon Mug 004:
"To stand upon the edge of this stupendous gorge, as it receives its earliest greeting from the god of day, is to enjoy in a moment compensation for long years of ordinary uneventful life." ~ John Stoddard, 1898

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God Bless!

Jules

Get a Treadmill and Run Indoors

As part of my never-ending, self-deluding fantasy of getting more exercise, I have (this week) been considering the benefits of having a treadmill. While I do get out almost every day, I don't walk very far and I don't exactly break a sweat. Well, except for the days when the temps hit 110 in the shade. Then, there's the air quality.

In an earlier post, I described the incredibly polluted environment that surrounds us. This makes outdoor exercise a bit more risky, to say the least. So, running (okay, walking somewhat quickly) indoors is much more practical. Especially for Mark, who is under strict orders to stay out of the sun - at all times.

My first concern, naturally, was the cost. Home exercise equipment always seemed to be way beyond my reach, on those few occasions where I actually considered committing to regular exercise. That problem was solved on one of the first sites I visited.

In fact, I was shocked by how low the monthly payments could be. With that stumbling block out of the way, I started looking at features. My head is still spinning!

The options are seemingly endless. There are units with music systems; units with fans (the kind that blow, not the kind that cheer), and units with a dozen or more built-in workouts. But the most fun? The interactive programs that - get this - let you race against your Facebook friends!

Hardly seems like exercise with all of that.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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God Bless!

Jules

Air Filtering Products

As my regular readers know, Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and ended up having surgery that removed three-quarters of his left lung. After 2 years, he continues to be cancer-free and we couldn't be happier. Naturally, we also try to keep the air in our home as clean as possible. When you have (basically) one lung, it's far more difficult to process the air you breathe and pollutants accumulate far more quickly.

What makes this situation even more challenging is that we live in the middle of some serious pollution generators:

• the 6-lane street that runs past our bedroom window is a major north-south thoroughfare,
• the 6-lane street that runs a half block south of our complex is a major east-west thoroughfare,
• and we're less than half a mile from a major north-south freeway.

We are surrounded! Therefore, although our apartment is only four rooms, we own three air filters.

I'm so accustomed to clean air now that I don't really notice it until they're turned off for cleaning. The units we bought have permanent filters, so we never have to buy new ones. We just pop the filters out every couple of weeks (or when we notice that the air flow is reduced), scrub them in warm soapy water, let them dry, and pop them back in.

It is truly amazing how much better the room feels with the filters running; not to mention the improved smell.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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God Bless!

Jules

Holiday Photo Cards

Every year, about this time, I start thinking about the holidays. It's all Mark's fault! He's a holiday junkie and starts getting excited for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas by the end of September. Once the weather starts to cool, at the beginning of October, everything goes into holiday mania mode.

I am not quite as exuberant about this time of year, other than an appreciation for the cooler weather. In fact, I haven't managed to get Christmas cards out in the mail for many, many years. The best I can manage is a holiday newsletter-type mailing. But even that doesn't make it out every year.

Apathy notwithstanding, every year I shop for Christmas cards. I especially love photo holiday cards - the ones where you put a picture of the family (or the furry kids) in the little cutout. There are so many adorable options out there that I end up spending hours just exploring.

Some do the printing for you, which is nice. All you have to do is pick your favorite, upload a picture, and order. Couldn't be simpler. Or, you can order the cards and do your own photo printing. Still, super easy.

Maybe this year I'll have to put on my Santa hat and get into the spirit of the season.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

P&G Coupon Savings

One great way to save money at the store is by using coupons. Personally, I hate clipping coupons and, inevitably, most of them expire long before I remember to use them. If you're like me, I have a solution! (Okay, Proctor & Gamble has a solution.)

P&G Everyday Solutions takes coupon savings to a whole new level. Simply add your shopper discount card (Safeway's "Club Card", Fry's "Shoppers Card", etc.) information to your profile, select the coupons for your favorite products, and upload them to your card. That's it! You're ready to shop.

Load up your shopping cart with all the goodies you need and never worry about coupons again. When you swipe your shopper discount card at checkout, your savings is automatically deducted from the total and prints out on your receipt. If that weren't enough, P&G Everyday Solutions will even send you an email, with links to the latest and greatest savings available.

What could be easier?

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules