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

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.






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Jules

Marines Investigate Puppy-Throwing Video

When I saw this headline, I didn't know whether to be shocked, angry, or just sad. So, I settled for all three. What in the world is happening to society?!

Many question whether this a true story - it does make great propaganda against the American military. The fact that there is a Marine, with the name mentioned, stationed at this base in Hawaii is discomforting, to say the least. Is this how we train our military, to have no respect for any life but their comrades-in-arms?

I have known - and know - people who put the value of an animal's life well below the value of a human's life. And we all read stories of animal neglect and abuse, almost daily.

It is, apparently, the religious concept of man's dominion over the 'lesser' creatures that encourages humans to denegrate and damage animals.






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Jules

Congress Asks For Probe Of Clemens

With the war in Iraq, an impending (existing?) recession, the continuing healthcare crisis, a crumbling housing market, the need to develop renewable energy sources, and endangered species being cavalierly delisted, do we really need to spend taxpayer's dollars and Congress' time investigating and regulating baseball?

Didn't the Founding Fathers draft a constitution designed to keep government from micro-managing the lives of its citizens? In the whole scheme of things, does it really matter if Roger Clemens, or any baseball player, had steroid or HGH injections, when people can't afford to put gas in their cars? Isn't that an issue for baseball, rather than the government and US citizens?

Now, Congress is dragging the Department of Justice into this mess, because Clemens testimony differed from that of his trainer. Will the lunacy never stop?






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Jules

Downer Cows Fed to Our Kids at School

I was absolutely shocked by this video and this story. Did you know that 'downer' cows, cows that are too ill / weak to stand on their own, are being forced to get up and walk to their death. Then, the meat from these sad, slaughtered animals is sold to school systems throughout this country - and fed to our kids as school lunches.

Please watch the video and ask your Congressperson to stop this insanity - for the good of the animals, and the good of our kids. It just MUST stop!






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Jules

Isn't a Fractured Knee Enough?

You would think that limping around with a fractured left kneecap would be enough pain, but noooo! I had to sprain / break my little toe on my left foot to add to the joy. It is a really pretty shade of purple, for what it's worth.

Apparently, when I'm tired, I swing my left leg to the side, instead of lifting it and stepping straight forward. Not a good thing in this little apartment full of lots of big stuff. A couple of nights ago, I was walking from the living room to the bathroom, past the portable washing machine. Well, the theory was to move past the washing machine. I didn't quite make it and it felt like I tried to rip the little toe off my foot.

That purple I mentioned? It goes up both sides, and across the top of my foot from the little toe to the toe beside it. Did I mention that the toe is the size of a Vienna sausage? Oh, yes! It's just lovely!






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God Bless!

Jules

New Mail Scam

Today I received a letter from a PO Box in Canada, with a $3,600+ check inside. I was assured that I had won money through an ATM Mega Promotion. This Computer Reward Program is supposed to be for all bank card holders in North America, to encourage people to use their cards more often. Can you say "SCAM"?!

It's the same type of scam that's been going around for years. The scammers send out a check for a very tempting amount, and ask that you cash it at your bank. Then you are supposed to send - via Western Union - about 95% of the check to the agent for your area to cover fees. Once you do that, they assure you that you will receive your winnings. In this case, I'm supposed to receive $120,000.00, less the sponsor's commission, or $113,400.00.

Now, let me explain a bit of the legalities - as I understand them. If you receive one of these checks and actually cash it, once the account holder becomes aware of the loss of funds - they will come after your account for the money! Guaranteed!

We have been told - our entire lives - that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If you get one of these checks, please google the account number on the bottom of the check for more information. In the case of the check I have, the account number belongs to a different company and has been used fraudulently for years.






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Jules

Aqua Dots Recall

Mark was telling me about this recall last night. Frankly, I had never even heard of "Aqua Dots" before, but I guess they're a really popular craft toy?! (Every shopping website I checked has yanked their product page, so I still don't know.) Not that it matters, too much, what they are; what matters is the reason for the recall. Oh, and the fact that they're manufactured in and imported from China!

To quote the above article: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the Aqua Dots craft toys include a chemical, 1,4 butanediol, on their beads which, if swallowed, can turn toxic and cause unconsciousness, respiratory depression, or seizures.

Not sure what 1,4 butanediol is? I wasn't either, so I did a little research. With thanks to the Faculty at the University of Washington and 'Neuroscience for Kids', here is what I found out:

1,4-Butanediol: An Overview

Its chemical formula is C4H10O2. You can purchase it on the Internet. It is in industrial cleaners. It is used in polyurethane to make car bumpers. It is used to make Spandex. It is also an abused recreational drug that has been linked to two deaths and six severe illnesses. "It" is 1,4-Butanediol (BD).

BD=GHB

Once ingested, BD (and a similar chemical, GBL) turns into gamma hydroxybutyrate, GHB. GHB, the so-called "date-rape" drug, received national attention when two teenage girls died after it was slipped into their sodas.

I have said this before and I will say it again - and again and again - STOP importing from China!! We have proven - over and over and over - that we are incapable of effectively monitoring the quality of products coming into this country. So in the best interest of the citizens and consumers of the United States - STOP LETTING CHINESE PRODUCTS INTO THIS COUNTRY!






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Jules

Breast-rubbing Dentist

Okay, now I've heard it all. This dentist, who is up on charges for fondling the breasts of 27 female patients, claims that 'pectoral massages' are standard treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Having suffered from TMJ disorder, I didn't really buy that explanation, so I went surfing for more information.

So far, the best I could find regarding massages and TMJ dealt with relaxing the joints - which reside in front of the ear on either side of the face. Frankly, I think this guy is a quack and a pervert. It doesn't matter to me that he needs to continue seeing patients to support 7 kids and pay for his defense.

Take his license and let him serve fries at the local burger joint. He has no business dealing with patients.

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God Bless!

Jules

Hannah Montana Concert Tickets Gone

Mark was reading this story today and we're both just shocked by what the brokers have done to the fans. If you haven't heard, within just a few minutes of tickets going on sale, all venues sold out. Brokers, some say they cheated, got online, jumped ahead of the fans, and bought out all of the venues.

If that isn't bad enough - which I think it is - the ticket prices went from the $63.00 original price to $350 - $2,000 in the hands of the brokers. I've been attending concerts for decades and can't recall any situation like this in the past. That includes the Prince "Purple Rain" tour and REO Speedwagon's "High Infidelity" tour - 2 of the most publicized concerts I've had the pleasure of attending.

It might be that I saw those events in Michigan, which has broker limits in place. Only four other states enforce limits on brokers - Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. In fact, Rhode Island caps broker increases to $3.00 or 10% of the ticket price, whichever is greater. Now that I could live with, if - for some reason - I was unable to just purchase tickets from the venue.

Interestingly, Attorneys General in Arkansas and Missouri are filing suits against brokers, accusing them of illegally reselling tickets to the Hannah Montana concert. It'll be interesting to see what happens. My favorite tidbit from this news story comes at the end, where experts are quoted as saying that - unless broker prices drop as the concert dates approach - there are going to be a lot of sold-out venues, with empty seats.

Frankly, I think that's exactly what these greedy so-and-so's deserve!

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God Bless!

Jules

Housework Is The Pits!

Years ago, when I was in junior high school, I played the flute. I actually started playing in 4th grade, but being musical was just fun at that point. Over time, with a great deal of practice, I actually became quite good at it. However, that was just a side benefit. The real reason I practiced that flute for hours and hours was to get out of my chores. (Yes, I was a devious child!)

I hated dishes and dusting and vacuuming and ironing, all of the things that my mother decided were my chores. Dusting, vacuuming, and ironing were weekend jobs, so they weren't quite as bad. But dishes?! Dishes had to be done every day and often more than once a day! It was beyond cruel! Mom didn't believe in a machine to wash dishes, not when she had kids. In all fairness, her little kitchen didn't have an extra millimeter of room; a dishwasher was out of the question.

Now, if anyone ever tries to tell you that the events of your youth don't have a huge impact on your life as an adult - tell them to call me! I'll set them straight! To this very day, thousands of years later, I hate dishes, dusting, vacuuming, and ironing. Hate them so much that, if I had to choose between dishes and root canal - I'd choose the root canal.

Oh sure, every now and then I get a burst of guilt over the clutter and do the 'white tornado' business, cleaning everything in site until it sparkles. Every now and then - only. I even own an iron - although I'm pretty sure it's never been plugged in and certainly has never been introduced to any article of clothing that resides in the closet.

In fact, as I sit here typing, I know good and well that there are dishes screaming to be washed and floors that need to be vacuumed. I know that - just as sure as I know that if I can find anything else to do, I'll jump at the chance.

Just please, call before you stop by!? It gives me time to shove the dirty dishes into the oven.

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God Bless!

Jules

Keep the Internet Tax-Free

I just ran across this article and lost my sense of humor. Have you read it?

There is a movement under way to remove the moratorium on taxing Internet usage, something that tax-greedy states are jumping on. Can you imagine - being taxed for accessing and using the Internet? And how, exactly are they planning to implement this lovely new tax that we don't need or want - by the action?

What would that mean to people whose only affordable contact with relatives that are spread all over the United States? How are small businesses expected to grow and thrive, when every action they take on the web results in an unrecoverable expense? Frankly, this is insane!

If you would like to see the moratorium made permanent, here is a website where you can help - NoInternetTax.org. Please check them out and lend a hand.

Let me know if you have any other petitions or sites that are battling this situation. I'll be happy to post them here.

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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Michael Vick Tests Positive for Pot

One would think that, after all of the legal problems he's facing for fighting, abusing, and killing dogs, Michael Vick would be on his best behavior. He pleaded guilty to federal charges and has been indicted by a Virginia grand jury on similar charges. One would think he would toe the line! Unless, apparently, that one was Vick himself.

The fact that he's now tested positive for marijuana tells me that he continues to think that he's above the law. I didn't actually believe his 'heartfelt' apology, especially once I saw his severely incriminating notes. Like my 16 year old stepson, I believe that Vick is only sorry that he got caught, not that he did anything wrong. In fact, like my Michael, he probably feels that he's being unfairly persecuted and never actually does anything wrong.

What struck me as even more stupid than the substance abuse is that "As a result of the positive drug test, probation officer Patricia Locket-Ross asked for Vick to be barred from using or possessing narcotics or other controlled substances." Say What!?

Since when is using or possessing illegal substances an option for anyone, let alone an admitted criminal?

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God Bless!

Jules

Some Days. . .

With everyone out of the house, I've been taking advantage and doing some serious fall cleaning. I actually managed to clear all of the flat spaces in the living room and reorganized the closet. For days, I've been carrying out loads of junk and trash. It's just so wonderful to be able to reclaim the apartment from the crud pile-up. Or it was until yesterday.

I was taking out the last load of 'debris' from the closet, on my way to the hospital to see Mark. It was seriously heavy and I ended up just dragging it through the parking lot to the dumpster. Now, someone with a little sense, would have pulled the heaviest items out of the bundle and thrown them in, one at a time. Not me!

Swinging the ruined hamper, loaded down with 2 old air mattresses, back and forth to get it high enough to clear the side of the dumpster, I gave a great final throw. And crashed to the ground in screaming pain.

The top of my left leg had swung left; the bottom of the leg went right. When I landed with a hideously painful thud on the pavement, I immediately grabbed for my left knee. The kneecap was now positioned on the outside of the leg - 90 degrees out of position! Since I was already in agony, I just shoved the kneecap back into place. Amazingly, I didn't pass out from the pain.

Knowing that I wasn't going to be able to get up by myself, I made the excruciatingly embarrassing call to 911. Happily, it didn't take them long to get there, help me up, and get me back into the apartment. When asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, I said that I didn't. As long as I kept my foot flat, I could limp up the stairs - with some help - so I didn't think it would be that bad. That was about 4:30pm.

By 9:00pm, my knee was the size of a medium grapefruit and hurting so badly that I was in tears. Like it or not, I had to go to the hospital. Once again I called 911 and waited for them to arrive. Unfortunately, I had locked the door when I came upstairs at 4:30pm and couldn't get out of the recliner to unlock it now. So, I suggested that the fire department contact the manager who lives here, for a key.

As luck would have it, the manager wasn't home. So, I had to painfully lower myself out of the chair to the floor and scoot to the door. Suddenly, I was very glad we have a small apartment. Since I couldn't straighten or bend my knee any more than it was, or stand the incredible pain that shot through my leg when I stood up on my right leg, the paramedics had to carry me down to a gurney at the bottom of the stairs.

At the emergency room, they gave me morphine and took 80 million x-rays. I had slammed my back into the dumpster, which now felt like a broken rib, but the chest and back x-rays were clear. The knee was another story. I had fractured my kneecap - breaking off a small piece of bone. After another dose of morphine, they put an immobilizer on the knee, called me a cab and sent me home. It took about 2 hours to finally get a cab to the hospital and I was just worn out by the time we were on the way.

Luckily, when I got here, there were 2 big burly guys helping their mom move in and they pretty much carried me up to the apartment. (With 2 doses of morphine, I wasn't exactly good on the crutches!) I couldn't stop at a pharmacy for pain pills at 2:30am, so - before I sat down again - I stumbled into the bathroom and grabbed the ibuprofen.

After about 4 hours sleep in the recliner, my knee isn't quite as bad today. In fact, I can actually balance on the toes, while reaching for the crutches. The only problem is that my legs are actually too long for the recliner, so my foot dangles off the front edge, creating pressure on the muscles.

I wonder if I knew I'd need a clear path through the apartment, when I bulldozed the clutter out of the way a few days ago?

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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Flammable Cologne

I read this story and was just amazed. To my mind, it ranks right up there with the people who behave in a manner that necessitates manufacturer warnings such as, "Do not iron clothes while wearing."

This man doused himself with lotion and spray deodorant, then proceeded to prepare a meal over an open flame. He is now suing because he got burned. Admittedly, one would expect that the alcohol level in such a product would dissipate fairly quickly, reducing the implied risk to open flame.

Of course, it's impossible to tell, from the information given, how much lotion was applied and how much time elapsed between application and hanging over an open flame.

It just strikes me, again, as one of those "Well, duh!" moments.

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God Bless!

Jules

Christian Childrens Fund

I am currently so - incredibly - angry!

You've seen the commercials for this organization - especially late at night when the cost of commercials is reduced - BUT, have you EVER tried to donate money through this 'fund' for children in the United States?

Well - I HAVE - and. . .you can't!!

A few years ago, I tried and was told that I - just simply - couldn't donate money to any child in the United States. Since then, I have made sure that I shared that insanity with anyone who felt that they might want to throw their money anywhere near this 'fund'.

Tonight, I (being the idiot that I am) tried again. Still can't support any child in this country through this organization - but. . . they now have a Customer Service number that they throw at callers who want to help American children who are starving to death every day.

I BEG you to never send any money to this 'fund' - it is not interested in children and it is not, given what I was taught, Christian!

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God Bless!

Jules

Get a Great Computer - NOT!

My laptop, again, bit the dust about 3 weeks ago. I have had it in the shop, for the same problem, twice since we bought it in January. Unfortunately, this time we also had a major boo-boo on the monitor. (Our fault - we kinda bounced it off the bed.) When I called service to inquire about getting the hard drive fixed, I was told that the company is "all or nothing" (to paraphrase) when it comes to repairs. So, if I sent it back to have the system problem fixed, they would want to also repair the monitor.

I didn't think that was such a bad idea, so I asked what it would cost. That would be the point where I started to lose my sense of humor! They weren't exactly sure what it would cost, sooooo they expected me to front $649.00 - a hold on my bank account - until they decided what they wanted to charge. Suffice it to say - my laptop is dead and not going to get CPR. Sucks, huh?

Tonight, we saw a commercial offering fairly top-of-the-line computers with a ton of software for people with bad or no credit. (Trust me, we qualify!) So, obviously I called! It started out really, really great. Then I started asking questions - oops!

We needed to give them $99.00 upfront, within 10 days. (Okay, not so bad.) Then, we started talking about the specs for the computer.

The processor was no better than the last computer I had (which, if you'll remember, is now my favorite doorstop) and, to be perfectly honest, the computer was - in many ways much worse - the hard drive was 20GB smaller, the screen was smaller, it didn't read or burn DVDs, and I had to contact customer service if I wanted a unit that didn't have Windows Vista. Oh, yeah! Sign me up for another doorstop! NOT!

But I decided to hear this poor guy out and see just how deeply he was going to bury himself since, hey, I could get a digital camera (already have 2) and a 3-in-1 printer (already have a 5-in-1) and free shipping. Woo-hoo! NOT impressed. And, I cannot opt out of anything included in this 'bundle'.

It gets really not pretty at this point. I'm asking questions that he's trying desperately to avoid answering by telling me about all of the software that I'll be getting. Through sheer stubbornness and growing aggravation, we finally got to the important part - what in the heck was this going to cost me when all is said and done?

Luckily, I was sitting down!

Now, this didn't sound too bad - $45.99/week or $91.98/bimonthly. Then, I found out that I would be making these weekly/bimonthly payments FOR A YEAR !!! To save you the trouble of pulling out a calculator - that works out to $2,391.48 - for, basically, a poor-cousin of the computer for which we paid $550.00 in January, plus software, a camera, and a printer that we didn't need.

The person to whom I was speaking was obviously accustomed to people telling him that they didn't want or need a camera and printer, because he said that he generally tells people to sell these unneeded and unwanted items on eBay or give them as gifts Now - forgive me if I'm being overly simplistic - wouldn't it make more sense, if you're offering a service to people with bad credit, to minimize the expense that the customer MUST incur (because there are no options involved)?

I was again reminded that I was getting free shipping and - you're gonna love this - once I completed their payment process, they would send me a whopping $200.00 rebate to (this just made me want to fall down laughing) USE AS I WISHED.

Definitely a "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" scenario! I'll not post the number I called, but if you see an ad and want to make sure that you're not dealing with the pay-thousands-for-a-cheap-computer that I stumbled upon - post a comment and I'll get back to you.

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


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules