Random Musings of a Curious Mind

It's the End of the World

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:55:06 -0700

There's speculation, thanks to those pesky Mayans, that 2012 will see the end of the world. I never really held much belief in all the gloom-and-doom predictions. But, now ... I'm not so sure.

We've seen some changes in the past few weeks that make me a little nervous. Okay, they're good changes, but still ... [Continue Reading ...]

The Hole

Those of you who've followed this blog know that Mark is disabled and we're on a fixed income. A very, very fixed income. That means some seriously tight budgeting and no raises, except through the benevolence of the powers that be in DC. For a couple of years now, they haven't felt very benevolent.

If the income limits weren't frustrating enough, we've also been paying large amounts of child support to a deceased ex-wife for a child who turned 18 about six years ago and for 2 kids who lived with us for three years. While supporting children you helped create is important, it's pretty safe to say that no custodial mothers are seeing any of this money. Add in that the deductions amount to a noticeable percentage of your monthly income and it becomes frustrating, to say the least.

The Shovel

Now, starting in 2012, some of those burdens may be easing. We may be able to shovel some of the dirt back into the hole.

For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Social Security Administration has announced a COLA for next year. For those getting SSI or SSD and paying Medicare premiums, it will (probably) be a wash - as the powers-that-be are upping Medicare premiums for 2012. For us, we get to keep the entire 3.6%! Woo! and Hoo!

At the same time as this modest (but wonderfully welcomed) increase in income, we are looking at (possibly) doing away with the child support on young men who are now 25, 22, and 21. I say possibly, because Arizona is what is called an interest state. This means that they can charge interest against child support payments. And, trust me, they do.

When it's all said and done, we will have paid nearly 100% interest on one of the accounts! We don't (yet) know if they are going to start assessing interest against the other one, when it's paid off next month. Cross your fingers - and eyes and toes - that we get a break on this one.

The Light

What these happy little changes mean for us is what I like to call: the-non-train-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel.

We have been without a vehicle for about 4 years. Luckily, we live spitting distance from a major intersection where buses arrive and depart - in all four directions - on a fairly regular basis. And two businesses on 'our corner' sell reduced-rate bus passes. Anywhere too far to walk is a reasonably easy bus ride away. With two major caveats: 1.) Mark is at risk for skin cancer and heatstroke (because of his transplant meds) and can't be outside for long periods waiting for a delayed bus; 2.) One simply cannot haul a month's supply of groceries home on the bus.

With the additional income and reduced expenses, we can finally start saving for a new-to-us car or truck. This benefit simply cannot be overstated. As a transplant-recipient, lung cancer survivor, insulin-dependent diabetic with reduced kidney function who is predisposed to skin cancer and diabetic complications - Mark really needs to see his doctors on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, buses are out of the question - we tried it, it was simply too difficult for him. And the round-trip cab fare to the hospital is simply impossible, as often as he would need to be there. See, this doctor only sees patients one day a week; that doctor prefers a different day, and the Vision Clinic ... well, they have their own special days and times. It, basically, boils down to seeing doctors every month -- or eating.

And, speaking of eating, that's no cheap trip either. It costs us almost 10% of our monthly grocery budget just to get to the store and home again. This means we must get everything we need (that the freezer will hold) for the month in one trip. There are no oops-I-forgot-the-??? runs in our lifestyle. Just can't be done.

So, as you can see, putting a vehicle back in our parking space would be one of the absolutely best things we could ever do for ourselves. Not to mention, with the money we save on cabs, we might be able to go out to dinner, once in a while. Or shop the grocery sales, as they happen. Or visit our sons. Or take a mini-vacation.

End of the World

There's a song, by REM, with a chorus that states: "It's the end of the world, as we know it." It appears, from where I'm sitting, that 2012 may well be the end of the world, as Mark and I have known it for several years now.

Change - good or bad - is never comfortable. But it would certainly be nice to catch a break. Ya know?

Online Dating

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:55:33 -0700

Admittedly, I don't know much about free online dating sites. Not from personal experience, anyway. I have heard the horror stories about just about every dating site on the 'Net.

There are two basic types of sites: free and fee, with benefits to and problems with both. I've never tried one, as I mentioned, but I can just imagine how it could work - good and bad. [Continue Reading ...]

Free sites are more likely to attract singles, singles who can't necessarily afford the fees from other sites. It will also, because it's free, attract less ... serious ... daters. Including, in my imagination, marrieds, trollers, and bar-hoppers looking for a new hunting ground. All of this makes free sites a little less selective and a little more likely to hold unattractive options.

Fee sites are more likely to attract serious daters, since they are required to put up cold hard cash to join. It should, in theory, eliminate some of the trollers and lower forms of dating life. However, they may also be home to slightly more desperate singles, who've had no luck through other venues. All of which means that the selection of potential dates / mates could still be rather tainted.

Have you ever tried online dating? Any stories you'd like to share?

HR 822: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:20:04 -0700

Honestly, I never thought that Rev. Al Sharpton and I would ever agree - on anything. His politics and mine have always been pretty far apart. Yet, more and more frequently we seem to be, if not on the same page, at least reading the same chapter of the same book.

Then, today, during a discussion of HR 822: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011, I realized that one of us got a lot smarter in the last few years. [Continue Reading ...]

The Bill

The official summary states:

Amends the federal criminal code to authorize a person who is carrying a government-issued photographic identification document and a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state, and who is not prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm under federal law, to carry a concealed handgun (other than a machinegun or destructive device) in another state in accordance with the restrictions of that state.

The OpenCongress summary simplifies that:

Would require all states to allow out-of-state visitors to carry concealed firearms as long as the laws of the vistors' home states allow them to do so.

Sponsors of HR 822 cite the Second "Right to Bear Arms" Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment as reasoning behind the bill [emphasis mine]:

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

How It's Done Now

As was explained by a New York congresswoman, currently, states legislate their own requirements for individuals to be granted a concealed-carry permit. Some states are strict; others more relaxed. In keeping with those regulations, states form agreements with other states, related to carrying weapons across state lines.

For example, New York has some of the most restrictive concealed-carry regulations of all states. They have partnered with states whose laws mirror or are compatible with their own to recognize each other's carry permits. Meaning, if Colorado has regulations similar to New York's, the two states might agree that residents of Colorado could legally travel into New York carrying a concealed weapon. And vice versa.

Conversely, if another state's laws were significantly different, New York could choose to not allow those residents to carry a concealed weapon in the state. As I haven't read the statutes for any state, I don't know the specifics on any agreements or possible repercussions for violations.

What Would Change

If this bill, introduced in February of this year, were to pass - all of these regulations and agreements would be out the window. The federal government would be legislating how the states run things. A step that could set a precedent for other intrusions into, and violations of, states' express rights.

With this (potential) change, in direct violation of the Tenth Amendment, New York (or any state) couldn't say or enforce: "Gee, we don't think convicted felons should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in our state, no matter what state ABC thinks is right for their state."

My (Personal) Opinion

Any legislation that protects the rights of citizens has always seemed like a good idea to me.

As far as the Fourteenth Amendment? In my limited understanding, I imagine that the intent was much different at the time of adoption - given that it's one of the Reconstruction Amendments adopted in the five years following the Civil War. Undoubtedly, the goal was to stop former slave-holding states from arresting free blacks who traveled into or through their states.

But, that's just my opinion. And, please, don't get me started on the impact of stomping on the Tenth Amendment.

Looney Tunes for Reading

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:14:39 -0700

One battle we had with the boys, when they came to live with us, was reading. Neither of them were good at it, so they simply avoiding reading whenever possible.

I truly wish we'd known about Looney Tunes ClickN READ Phonics in those days. It could have made such a huge difference for Michael. We had so much trouble finding books that interested him, but were within his reading level - about 1st grade at the age of 13.

Life is so incredibly difficult for kids and teens, and adults, who don't read well. It simply snowballs into problems in so many other areas. How do you get a job, when you can't complete an application?

How do you rent an apartment, buy a car -- do anything -- when you can't read and write well enough to understand the paperwork?

If you have a child who is just learning to read, or perhaps is falling behind in school, this may be just the help you - and they - need.

Crocheting for Baby ~ October Only

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:55:07 -0700

Don't Forget ~ Our Newest additions

For October, our all-new baby items are only available to our blog readers and visitors to JMark Afghans' Store. So, please, read on and let us know what you think. [Continue Reading ...]

Newborn Hat, Sweater, & Shoes

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, sleeveless sweater, and lace-up bootie shoes.

Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy for baby, and easy on and off. Designed for little girls, there is a cute little flower on the hat with a simple bow in the center.

The main color makes up the bodice, trim, and ties on the sweater, as well as the upper on the shoes. We've crocheted the soles and ties of the shoes in the accent color - and just love the look!

Because not everyone wants / likes more than one color, we offer the option of ordering the set in a single color. It's just as lovely. And, as always, shipping is included in the price.

Hats, Mittens, and Booties

These sweet, warm baby hats, mittens, and booties simply must be seen to be believed. They are so cute, no matter what color.

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, mittens, and booties. Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy, and stretches just enough to fit all newborns. All ties are done in white.

The booties and mittens are appropriate for boys, girls, and when you don't know yet. Simply pick the right colors for your baby / grandbaby, and we'll take it from there.

The flower is optional, as you can see. For boys, simply check 'No' and we'll leave it off.

With winter on it's way, it's a good time to think about keeping warm. And, because these items are small, they ship within 3 days of your order - for Free.

We are so excited about these new items. Hopefully, you will be, too. Please let us know what you think.

Boxers or Briefs: Shopping for Your Guy

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:46:22 -0700

Since I'm running all over the 'Net, shopping for the kitchen and my half of the closet, it only seemed fair to shop for a couple of the men in my life. Our next-to-youngest prefers mens boxers over briefs and, frankly, some of these styles look pretty cool

- as a pair of run-around-the-house shorts ... for me.

I also, I must admit, love some of the tops that are available for girls. But, I'm trying, really hard, to remember I'm shopping for my guys. [Continue Reading ...]

Before you jump onto this site - Aèropostale, Inc - to go shopping for your men, the styles and sizes are (primarily) designed for ages 14-17. And the high school crowd will love these clothes. Trust me.

With that said, you can easily throw that caveat out the window - depending, and this is the important part, on the sizes you need.

It's just as easy to find chinos and polo shirts for your husband, as it is to shop for your son. At least, it was for me. Everything I looked at seemed well made and casually stylish.

Naturally, there are items that are too young for my 56-year-old hubby. There are also dozens of pants, shirts, and jeans that he could easily wear. Heck, half of the shirts in his closet could have come from Aèropostale.

A Sneeze Page for Your Blog

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:36:38 -0700

Checking the feeds on my reader today, I realized that I've been rather neglecting some of them - especially the Build a Better Blog Challenge co-sponsored by BlogFrog, Business2Blogger, and ProBlogger. Based on the book by Darren Rowse, it offers a tip or challenge every day for thirty-one days.

Don't know if I'd have looked at the Day 18 challenge, if it weren't for the title. But I just couldn't resist something that suggested I should Create a Sneeze Page for Your Blog. As you can tell from the image, my mind immediately went to the obvious definition, which has nothing - whatsoever - to do with a page on a blog. [Continue Reading ...]

What is a Sneeze Page?

To answer that question, I went searching and landed on the site for a previous year's challenge.

Sneeze pages are simply collections of related posts from back in the archives of a blog. They can be themed: all Health-related posts, or Holiday, or Crafts, or Political News; whatever theme or themes are relative to a blog. 'Best of' a particular year or month is another choice - although how you determine which posts were best is up to you.

Another idea would be collecting and sharing links to your posts that get tons and tons of comments - the most popular / hottest posts on your blog. If they've been getting attention long after the initial publishing date, they're probably still interesting to readers. And it's a good way to keep people on your blog.

Lastly, if you write a series - like the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge - putting links to the entire series on one blog page would virtually guarantee reader attention. For me, I'm much more likely to read all of a series if I don't have to go chasing all over someone's blog to find the pieces. How about you?

My Topic Cloud

On my blog, because I like doing things the easy way, I use a topic cloud. It lists all of the topics about which I blog. The larger the type-face, the more posts on that subject. Once the cloud is set up, I don't have to do anything but post; the topics automatically update for me.

I also don't seriously limit the number of entries on any of the pages. The main index, as well as the topic and monthly pages, holds 100 posts - covering at least 3 months, depending upon how chatty I am in any given month.

If you find, while you're visiting here, that you'd like to be able to see more, let me know. I'd be happy to see what I can do about updating links to deeper archives.

Beautiful Clothes in Plus Sizes

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:41:40 -0700

To be perfectly honest, when I started looking at plus size suits, I really didn't expect to find my size in there. It was a bit of a shock, taking me back to the days when I shopped at a specialty store - for the tall items. In those days, plus sizes started at about size 18, not size 12.

But I guess times have changed.

Luckily, so have designs for larger sizes. Once I recovered from the idea that 12 is now a plus-size, I started really looking at the clothes. And, happily, these are not my mother's styles. [Continue Reading ...]

The worst thing about tall and big sizes for women has always been the frumpiness of the options. One trip through these pages will make it clear that not being a size 0 doesn't mean not dressing with style.

Admittedly, I don't wear suits anymore. But the separates are just amazing and really inspire me to update my wardrobe. Nothing super business-y or overly fancy would suit (pardon the pun) my current lifestyle.

But (for example) this gorgeous linen dress, over a pair of jeans or leggings would be a perfect dressed-up-casual outfit for dinner out, trips to the store, or an evening with family over the holidays. Just add some chunky jewelry and a little half-boot - c'est parfait.

And, please, don't get me started on the gorgeous sheaths and flared tank dresses. Those are so my favorite dress styles. It's nice to know that attractive styles are available in my size.

Sustainable Shipping

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:26:16 -0700

There are several considerations, when trying to define sustainable shipping.

Packaging

For me, what first comes to mind is the amount of packaging I use to get my products to my customers. With (literally) soft goods like afghans, hats, and baby booties, I don't have to worry about breakage and extra padding. But I do have to consider weather and damage to the boxes. [Continue Reading ...]

There isn't much I can do about shipper damage, beyond avoiding companies that notoriously maul packages. However, the weather is - stay with me here - a little more within my control. By using freezer paper, specifically biodegradable freezer paper, I can minimize moisture damage and avoid using plastic bags to protect my products.

Why freezer paper? Because one side is coated to prevent moisture transfer. When you wrap food, you keep the coating on the inside to keep fluids in. For wrapping packages, keep the shiny side out - to keep fluids out. And, again, biodegradable.

Win - Win - Win

Shipping Companies

One item I hadn't thought about, except for the maulers referenced earlier, is the shipping company. The article on sustainable shipping I was reading today really made me think beyond box-bashing.

Just how 'green' are these companies? From what I've read, the USPS hasn't ever measure their carbon footprint. Or, if they have, they aren't sharing it with the rest of us.

FedEx and UPS, on the other hand, are committed - to different degrees - to sustainable shipping and environmental responsibility. (Click on a company name to read what they're doing.)

It's something to think about, when you (or I) get ready to ship to our customers. Or, with the holidays approaching, when we send packages to our friends and families.

Outdoor Furniture and Play Areas

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:07:29 -0700

I know that I don't have a yard, or even a patio - yet. But, I just can't resist Adirondack chairs. The style is so smooth and simple. They go anywhere.

What I didn't realize is that they can also be quite elegant. Just look at this gorgeous rocker. The detailed design on the back and front of the seat is - to my mind - just incredible.

But, you know me; I couldn't stop there. Once I found the site, I just kept 'shopping'. [Continue Reading ...]

While the park benches I found are (probably) designed for public spaces, I don't see any reason they couldn't work on the back patio. Or even in a sun room or screened-in porch.

I can see a pad, like for a chaise, on the seat. Add a couple of tables and simple lamps, and ... ta da! A lovely spot to lounge with a good book.

Picnic tables are another personal weakness. Sitting outside on a warm evening with burgers, dogs, and a pitcher of tea? Perfect.

I like the small-ish square units best. Seating four or more people, with the benches attached, they fit nicely in smaller spaces where long, rectangular tables just wouldn't go. And, seriously, so cute!

A bright cloth and some colorful tableware are all it needs.

Even though my granddaughter is only 17 months old and lives in Chicago, playground equipment just speaks to a grandparent.

The options are almost endless, but this one grabbed me. The adorable details got me started. Then, my inner child went "Ooooh!" and I was lost. Swings, bumpy slide, climbing wall - it's all here, just waiting for me to turn 4 again and climb on.

All I can say is: "Just wait until I get a yard!" (And hit the lottery, cuz there's a lot of shopping to be done here.)

Moving Apartments

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:10:46 -0700

Thanks for the post from Nora McCoy [Continue Reading ...]

I googled satellite dish since I'm going to be moving this week and need a good deal on TV! Great deal, by the way. I need to be super conscious of my expenses nowadays. Who doesn't, right?

I'm so excited for my move. Not the actual move, but living in the new apartment. You know what I mean. Actually moving is the pits.

I've been working on packing all day and I haven't even touched my kitchen. It is incredible how much STUFF one person can accumulate! And I'm far from a pack rat! I actually have the opposite problem.

My mom is coming in to town to help me. I have such a great mom! I'm glad we'll have the TV all taken care of. As soon as we finish dinner, she likes to turn on the TV and just relax until bed. That is the way to go, though.

My mom is an amazing cook, too. She's been on a healthy kick for a while, which is probably great for my waistline, but I miss her meatballs! She always tells me I eat too many carbs! She is right, though.

I am a carb queen!

MMM: Phantom Smells May Signal Migraine

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:15:57 -0700

Anyone who gets migraines knows about auras - visual changes that precede the pain. Those changes vary from person to person, and most types have been documented. But there may be another early warning sign for some migraine sufferers, something less well-known: phantom or imagined smells.

Just as not everyone who gets migraines has altered vision, only a small percentage of sufferers report hallucinating smells or odors. It is, nonetheless, worth a look. [Continue Reading ...]

Statistics

Okay, this is the slightly boring part - stay with me, please?

An estimated 11% of the world's population, or about 766,700,000 people, suffer from migraines. This includes kids and adults of all ages. Of those 766M miserable people, about 30% (230,010,000) experience auras.

In the study, conducted at Montefiore Headache Center in New York, 14 of 2,100 participants (0.667%) reported olfactory hallucinations. Translated to the aura-suffering migraine population, meaning - potentially - 1,534,167 people around the world may experience these phantom smells.

Phew! That's enough to trigger a headache.

What Types of Smells?

If migraines weren't ugly enough, most of the sufferers who reported imagined smells prior to an attack didn't smell roses and potpourri. Although some did mention the scent of coffee or oranges.

According to Dr. Matthew S. Robbins, senior researcher on the new study, "The most common [scent] was of the burning or smoke variety." With a general burning smell topping the list, other reports included cigar smoke, wood smoke, and burned popcorn odors. (I was good until the burned popcorn part. Ick.)

The next pattern of smells, after burning, was what the researchers called decomposition smells - garbage or sewage odors. Now that's an addition to a migraine that no one needs to experience.

Bottom Line

Although an extremely small (calculated) number of people suffer strange, phantom smells prior to onset, it is something - if you get migraines - to consider.

My understanding is that migraine medications are most effective if taken before the attack has taken hold. This means that any weapon in a sufferer's arsenal that provides a heads-up (pardon the pun) is a good thing.

I am not a medical / healthcare professional. I simply offer my opinion of what I read in the news and on the 'Net. Nothing written here is intended to be medical advice or to substitute for consultation with a healthcare professional.

Always consult your physician about any health conditions or concerns.

Baby Shower Teddies

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:18:49 -0700

I've been crocheting baby clothes lately, so finding Shari's baby shower collection seems pretty timely. Especially since two of the gifts I made recently were designed to be shower gifts.

Personally, I fell in love with this not-so-little shower bear.

It's two gifts in one - a cuddly 16-inch teddy bear and an adorable bath hoodie. Teddies are always great, but those hooded bath towels are a god-send for parents.

You've got a slippery little one, straight out of the bath. It's important to keep her warm and get her dry, as quickly and easily as possible. These towels will do that: slide the hood over his head, then wrap the long, wide towel around him.

Easy as that - your little teddy-baby is covered, warm, and dry.

MMM: Supplements Too Much of a Good Thing?

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:25:22 -0700

A new study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looks at who uses supplements, how they use them, and potential risks.

The results of the surveys conducted between 2003 and 2006 were interesting, in several ways. [Continue Reading ...]

Supplement Users

One of the first things that surprised me was that most of the people who indicated they used nutritional supplements didn't actually need them. These participants already had better diets and got enough nutrients through what they ate.

This means that taking vitamins and minerals only resulted in excess intake. While the risks from too much zinc or magnesium aren't known, taking too much calcium (in supplement form) has been linked to kidney stones. Excess iron is stored in the organs and can lead to cirrhosis and heart failure^[1]

Supplement Non-Users

Conversely, those participants who indicated no use of nutritional supplements also suffered from poorer diets. They were the ones, it appears, in need of additional minerals, yet they weren't getting / taking them.

Daily Requirements

One odd notation, in the article I read, related to the way people use supplements.

Everyone knows that there is an RDA (or whatever it's called these days) on containers of vitamins and minerals. Most of these items have been evaluated and the FDA has determined what the average individual needs every day. This is not the starting point for supplementation.

Yet, many of the survey participants were treating these numbers as the minimum amount - dosing upward from there. This almost guarantees, especially when their diet is sufficient, that individuals are getting too much of what they're taking.

Conclusions

Since researchers determined that those who need them least, take supplements most often, I have to wonder if it tends to boil down to income in the end. People who can afford supplements (which are not inexpensive) can also afford better quality food - fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats. They (possibly) eat less fast food, as well.

Individuals and families who are struggling financially, who can't afford more expensive meats and produce, probably can't afford vitamin and mineral pills to assist with the nutrition that their diets are lacking. Another catch-22 for families that are caught in the monetary crises crippling so much of society.

Just one more reason to make junk food more expensive, and lettuce, carrots, potatoes, and chicken breasts cheaper.

Glacier Sunglasses

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:40:26 -0700

There is no time of year that you don't need sunglasses. If it isn't blinding summer sun, it's the glare of light off white snow. Either one can damage your eyes.

Pretty designer sunglasses may look great, but they may not be much protection. Luckily, there are some, like these Glacier sunglasses. They protect against all the UVs, are treated against glare and fog, and have impact-resistant polarized lenses.

And, another lucky thing? These look great.

Restocking the Kitchen with OXO

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:04:14 -0700

Window-shopping is great fun. Even when you're shopping for windows. But, for me, window-shopping for kitchen utensils is just about the best fun I can imagine.

[Continue Reading ...]

We've decided that we desperately need to replace some of our kitchen stuff. The spatulas we own are old and/or nylon. Neither is a good thing. The old one is falling apart and the nylon ones just don't get the job done - especially now that we're transitioning to cast-iron cookware.

Another problem? I've been making homemade biscuits and pie crusts, but I don't actually own a rolling pin or dough blender. Sure, I've gotten some very creative work-arounds going. Owning the actual, designed-for-this-purpose tools would be a serious time-saving improvement.

Then, we have the ultimate (for us) kitchen dream: a Mandoline. We have a deep fryer and love to make our own fries, chips, chimichangas, etc. But, cutting fries takes forever and cutting chips is just too labor-intensive with a knife and cutting board. Something that juliennes veggies for a salad, crinkle-cuts fries or chips, slices potatoes (evenly) for potatoes au gratin would just simply make our lives a thousand-percent easier.

So ... we're window-shopping and creating wish lists. If we only pick up an item or two every paycheck, we'll still be simplifying our cooking routines and, in the long run, cutting our food bills dramatically by making our own goodies.

I probably wouldn't consider this, if it weren't for OXO - their products are well-made, reliable, and durable. I can plan out my utensil / kitchen tool remodel with ease, knowing they'll still be around when I get to the end of the list.

And knowing that I won't be replacing the first OXO item before I've managed to buy the last one.

Personalized Shirts

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:14:16 -0700

It's not always easy to find a fun gift that isn't too casual. Most times a personalized tee shirt is amusing, but there's always the chance that the pun won't seem nearly as funny to the recipient. Jokes about someone's age, especially, can fall dramatically flat.

At thirty, my age was no big deal. At forty, I was still unfazed by the passing years. But, and this is the oddest part, forty-two nearly did me in. Acceptable gifts on those birthdays would have varied widely.

There is, in my opinion, no woman who wouldn't love this rhinestone initial t-shirt. It's simple, stylish, and goes anywhere. And - my personal favorite - it comes in lavender.

Of course, now that I'm almost 20,075 days old and nearly older than dirt, it's all funny again. {hint, hint - I wear a large}

Alternative Aviation Fuel

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:47:38 -0700

On Tuesday, Virgin Airlines announced development of the first low-carbon aviation fuel. They have entered into a partnership with LanzaTech to capture, ferment, and convert waste gases created during the production of industrial steel.

Rather than burn up as carbon dioxide, these gases will be recycled to create an estimated 15 billion gallons of jet fuel every year. Now that's incredible.

And, just as exciting, LanzaTech believes that the technology can be applied to metal processing and chemical industries. Something that will reduce carbon footprints in a number of environment-stomping arenas.

Oil and gas are not an endless resource. Finding alternate fuels is a huge win-win situation.

A Heart For Freedom

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:06:54 -0700

A Heart For Freedom

by Chai Ling
Published by Tyndale House Publishers

This amazing story is the autobiography of Chai Ling.

It begins with her life as the daughter of Chinese military doctors, through relationships, going off to college and quite accidentally becoming the face of student leadership in what began as a peaceful protest and ended with the massacre of Beijing citizens and Chinese students. [Continue Reading ...]

With brutal honesty, Ling shares her upbringing and what life in China was like for women in the '80s; how limited the freedom and how strict the expectations. Permits were required to marry and have children; a woman was to defer to her father and her husband.

It was, in many ways, that societal pressure that led to her involvement in the protest. She felt she should support her husband, who was an active leader.

Following the military action in Tiananmen Square, Ling was on the run for ten months, altering her features to escape detection and execution by the government. Eventually, she and her husband escaped to Paris and, from there, to the United States.

Freedoms that Americans take for granted were difficult for Ling and many of her friends who also made it to the US. Luckily, her story has a happy ending. Unlike so many who were in that square on June 4, 1989.

*****

This was a difficult book for me to read. Mostly because I simply couldn't comprehend living in a world of limited to no rights or personal freedoms. Of living in fear that saying or doing the wrong thing could end your life or destroy your family. Of poverty so extreme that surely death would be preferable.

I recommend this book to everyone. Life for the average person has not improved greatly in China since 1989; for women, the story is far worse.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network <http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Crocheting for Baby

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:38:39 -0700

It's been a while since we added new items to the JMark Afghans, etc. collection of hand-crocheted products. Today, we are proud to announce the first Items for Baby that we've ever offered.

For October, our all-new baby items are only available to our blog readers and visitors to JMark Afghans' Store. So, please, read on and let us know what you think. [Continue Reading ...]

Newborn Hat, Sweater, & Shoes

This newborn set consists of a cloche-style (brimless) hat, sleeveless sweater, and lace-up bootie shoes.

Crocheted in 3-ply baby yarn, this set is soft, comfy for baby, and easy on and off. Designed for little girls, there is a cute little flower on the hat with a simple bow in the center.

The main color makes up the bodice, trim, and ties on the sweater, as well as the upper on the shoes. We've crocheted the soles and ties of the shoes in the accent color - and just love the look!

Because not everyone wants / likes more than one color, we offer the option of ordering the set in a single color. It's just as lovely. And, as always, shipping is included in the price.

Hats, Mittens, and Booties

These sweet, warm baby hats, mittens, and booties simply must be seen to be believed. They are so cute, no matter what color.

The booties and mittens are appropriate for boys, girls, and when you don't know yet. Simply pick the right colors for your baby / grandbaby, and we'll take it from there.

The flower is optional, as you can see. For boys, simply check 'No' and we'll leave it off.

With winter on it's way, it's a good time to think about keeping warm. And, because these items are small, they ship within 3 days of your order - for Free.

We are so excited about these new items. Hopefully, you will be, too. Please let us know what you think.

Mobile Web Design

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:58:09 -0700

One of the things that I need to learn is how to make my website happy on phones. I'm, honestly, not sure that I'm ready to learn a new programming process. But I certainly don't want my website to be unavailable to so many people who surf the 'Net on their phones.

Luckily, there are places like this Houston web design company who know how to make it easy for phone users to find and use JMark Afghans, etc.

I've always prided myself on being able to write the code that makes my site work and look right on Firefox, IE, and Chrome. However, it may be time to consider some help, when it comes to putting everything out there for Androids and iPhones.

Anna Politkovskaya

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:53:47 -0700

Today is the fifth anniversary of the murder of Anna Politkovskaya, an outspoken critic of the Kremlin. According to news reports, Russia is observing the anniversary by filing new charges against the men who were tried and acquitted in 2009.

Today is also Vladimir Putin's birthday.

It was that connection / coincidence / curious timing that fueled speculation that the Kremlin had a hand in the death of the journalist. Though, naturally, Putin and his spokespersons continue to deny any personal or government involvement. But the safety of journalists in Russia is limited to those who toe the party line. [Continue Reading ...]

Since 1992, fifty-two journalists have been murdered in the former Soviet Union; eighteen of those deaths are still unsolved. And that doesn't begin to approach the number of journalists who are routinely beaten, jailed, harassed, and threatened for exposing crimes and corruption in the political and military leadership of the pseudo-democratic country.

Politkovskaya was arrested by Russian military forces in Chechnya, subjected to a mock trial and torture, and later poisoned on her way to Belan. She survived and continued to report on the wars. One can only assume that it was desperation to silence her voice that led to the brutal shooting, in the elevator of her apartment building, five years ago.

Please, on this sad day, share her story and don't let the world forget what happened to her and continues to happen to journalists who speak out against Russia.

Marble Polishing and Restoration

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:47:29 -0700

Persian Suite Bath

It might be my year-round allergies. Or it may have something to do with the clear canister on our vacuum that lets me see exactly what comes up out of the carpeting. Either way, I really like stone floors.

Gazebo Floor

They, at their best, are absolutely stunning. (Just look at these images from Versace's mansion.) And in warmer climates, the blessed relief of a cool floor on a blazing summer day cannot be overstated.

That popularity, I imagine, accounts for the number of Florida companies offering granite floor polishing or granite cleaning. Critical services, if you have natural stone on your floors. [Continue Reading ...]

Granted, you're going to know if you aren't caring for your floor regularly. Or properly.

Before & After: Dinette/Den

Stone is not immune to damage and, with time and neglect, even dust can cause scratches. However, on a daily basis, as the surface dulls and small damage occurs, you may not really notice the changes until it's too late.

Scheduling regular inspection and/or granite polishing is going to save a lot of money in the long run. A small polishing job once a year is far more cost effective than waiting until chips and deep gouges in the floor require major restoration work.

For me? Since I don't manage to clean my faux-marble-ish lino every day, I suppose that I should wait until we hit the lottery and have a full-time cleaning staff before I pick out the granite flooring. Although, maybe a granite countertop is within my powers to keep up.

Hercules Knot Jewelry

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:01:41 -0700

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I'm really not big on diamond jewelry. Not because it isn't absolutely gorgeous, but because the price of diamonds is - to my mind - way out there. If I could put a down payment on a house or buy a chunk of compressed carbon - there's really not going to be much difficulty choosing.

And then there are rings or necklaces or bracelets that make you stop and think for a minute. This time, because they are beautiful and - this is the biggie - they aren't priced higher than a new car.

Everlon has a line of jewelry, based on the Hercules knot, that is just incredible. Okay, I don't love all of it - too much bling is too much bling. But this ring, for example is clean, simple, and something I would have no trouble wearing.

So, perhaps, I'm changing my attitude a bit. Or, perhaps, Everlon just designs beautiful jewelry.

The Dead Kid Detective Agency

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:37:18 -0700

The Dead Kid Detective Agency

by Evan Munday
Published by ECW Press

October Schwartz is new in town and she's about to turn thirteen. She doesn't fit in and gets picked on, a lot. So, although she's friends with a couple of fellow misfits at school, October starts spending her time in the cemetery - conveniently located through the gate in their backyard.

Inspired by the atmosphere, she decides to fight the boredom by writing a scary book about a cool demon-pounding chick. Which means more time in the cemetery, for ambience. Well, her dad did say go outside, didn't he? [Continue Reading ...]

What October doesn't know is that the cemetery is home to five kids, about her age, from different eras of the town. Those five ghosts are only allowed to come out once a year, for a few days until Halloween. They aren't happy to find out October isn't a ghost - but, eventually, the six manage to become friends.

When the French teacher dies in a mysterious accident at school, October decides to investigate - with the help of the five dead kids. Well, it makes sense, doesn't it? They can walk through walls and get into places that she can't. Of course, not all of them can read and write, so there are some problems along the way.

Before they know it the kids (including October's school friends, who don't know about the ghosts) are knee-deep in murder plots, car chases, and searching for clues. Will they find out the truth? Will they get caught? And what happens when the five dead kids have to go back at midnight on Halloween?

*****

This has to be one of the greatest young fiction titles I've read since I was a tween/teen. The characters drew me in and took me back several decades. I found myself hunched over the laptop, scrolling like a maniac, eager to keep up with the kids.

Although there's a lot of time in a cemetery and murder plots and evil doings, it's not a frightening story. It's an exciting, fun adventure. And certainly made me hope that there are going to be many more cases for the Dead Kid Detective Agency.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic galley of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com <http://www.netgalley.com/> professional readers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

MMM: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:58:51 -0700

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year is the 25th Anniversary of the organization that is dedicated to awareness, empowerment, and education on this condition that doesn't only affect women.

Although men make up less than 1 percent of all cases of breast cancer, it is just as important that they pay attention to bodily changes. [Continue Reading ...]

Typical symptoms are the same as for women:

A lump or swelling in the chest area
Dimpled or puckered skin
A nipple that is inverted (facing inward)
Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
Discharge from the nipple

Both men and women can develop lumps in the breast that are non-cancerous. But it is incredibly important for anyone with changes in the tissue in and around the breast to seek medical advice. Only a medical professional can determine whether those changes are benign or something that need further attention.

If you are female, I hope that you perform monthly exams. It is your first line of defense.

If you are male, please realize that you are not immune to breast cancer. If you notice changes in your body, tell your doctor.

Breast cancer is treatable - the earlier it's caught, the better the hope for a full recovery.

Mosaic Tiles

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:52:37 -0700

Slate and Glass Tiles

All I have to say is: mosaic tiles. I need them, desperately. After the mix-up-the-peanut-butter incident came the making-fudge episode. My kitchen walls now resemble a peanut butter cup.

Inexpensive paint combined with an effusive cook makes for a cleaning nightmare. Wiping down the side of the fridge showed me that painted wallboard is not the perfect surface.

I need something smooth and scrubbable. [Continue Reading ...]

Stainless and Silver Tiles

We don't really have a large surface to cover, so price isn't a huge consideration. (One of the benefits of a supremely tiny kitchen.) Metal mosaic wall tiles (didn't know there was such a product) really appeal to me. Easy to keep clean and seriously durable - two of my favorite things.

But, and this is a biggie, they are a little hard on the budget.

That sends me back to glass tiles, which is fine. There are about a zillion options, including some beautiful stone and glass tiles from which to choose. And prices tend to be far more reasonable for our limited cash flow.

Now, all I have to do is find something PB and chocolate colored. Well, and convince management (and Mark) to let me redecorate. Wish me luck!

Rolled Italian Meat Loaf

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:11:25 -0700

We love meatloaf. And we each have an opinion about what goes in and on it. Luckily, we usually (mostly) agree.

I have, however, always had this idea in the back of my mind that making meatloaf stuffed and rolled up like my mother's jelly roll would be fantastic.

With mom's cake recipe, temperature was everything - rolling while the sheet cake was too warm didn't work, and neither did letting it cool too long. With a rolled meatloaf, I had a feeling that the temperature was critical, too. [Continue Reading ...]

Apparently, I was wrong. I found this recipe on the Betty Crocker website and it doesn't mention anything about keeping the meat mixture cold. It does, however, seem to require extra-lean meat and pressing the mixture firmly onto the foil.

I haven't tried it yet - still need to get the grocery shopping done - but I do think (with a few modifications) that we're going to be trying it this month. Now, all I need is a couple of baking potatoes, sour cream, and some fresh green beans. Yummy!

Rolled Italian Meat Loaf

Ingredients

1 1/4 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
3/4 lb bulk (Hot) Italian sausage
1 egg
1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce (Marinara)
1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs (Oatmeal)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded 6 cheese Italian cheese blend
2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach leaves

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix ground beef, sausage, egg, 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce, the bread crumbs and pepper.
On foil, pat mixture to 12x8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle evenly with cheese; gently press into meat. Top with spinach. Starting at short end, roll up tightly, using foil to start roll and tucking in spinach leaves; seal ends. Place seam side down in ungreased 12x8-inch (2 quart) glass baking dish.
Bake 1 hour. Spread remaining pizza sauce over top. Bake 15 minutes longer or until thermometer inserted in meat loaf reads 160°F. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Tips: Use foil to make rolling the meat loaf easier. Then, using the foil, transfer the meat loaf to the pan and bake on the foil to make cleanup quicker.

If you try this before I do, let me know what you think.

Come to My Party!

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:29:27 -0700

Picking out invitations for a special event is either great fun or a nightmare. It, from where I sit, depends on the event and knowing what you want. Casual is pretty easy - most corner drugstores carry a selection of invitations that cover almost any simple occasion.

Important events deserve special party invitations.

Naturally, if you're inviting friends and loved ones to your wedding, you (probably) don't want to use something that was designed to suit your neighbor's backyard BBQ. Which doesn't mean you can't come up with something unique and creative for that BBQ. After all, outdoor entertaining can be (and often is) elegant and stylish.

And let us not forget the annual come-as-your-favorite-monster Halloween party. The mood of the gathering is easily set, well in advance, by the tone of the invitations.

So ... Booo!

Buying Diamonds Online

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:30:15 -0700

Now, I know that you can buy diamonds online. And it's probably even possible to get a great deal - and a quality diamond. But I just don't know enough about precious gems to judge.

Well, okay, beyond Ooooh, shiny! [Continue Reading ...]

Frankly, I have a personal issue with buying anything to put on my finger that's going to cost something in the neighborhood of a new car. Not to mention, while diamonds are gorgeous (See Ooooh, shiny! above), I must admit I find semi-precious amethyst, topaz, aquamarine, and garnet jewelry just as beautiful.

Plus - big plus - I can own 7 or 8 really nice 5-carat amethyst rings for the price of a 1-carat, marquise-cut, H color diamond.

It occurs to me, as a bit of an afterthought, that if one was looking for a diamond or diamond ring - less than $4K/carat for the stone is probably not such a bad deal. But, until you see the stone ... less expensive may just be an object lesson in caveat emptor.

ConAgra Underestimates Bloggers

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:45:46 -0700

I had not heard about this ConAgra blogger snafu last month, but I can only imagine how upset the victims of this bait-and-switch must have been.

The invitation (seen to the right) promised an evening with chef George Duran, a four-course meal, and a surprise at the end of the evening. Additional invitations were to be made available for bloggers to share with their readers. It sounds pretty terrific, doesn't it?

In actuality, it wasn't quite as promised. [Continue Reading ...]

In a nutshell, this was intended to be similar to the Pizza Hut pasta switch. You've seen those commercials, right? People are invited to a nice restaurant for a pasta dinner, only to find out - after the fact - that it wasn't haute cuisine, but Pizza Hut's new pasta offerings.

Chuckle, chuckle. "Ooh, you fooled me." New ad campaign is launched.

In this case, the bloggers invited to dinner were somewhat seduced with talk of preservative-free food and community-supported agriculture prior to the meal. The implication was, apparently, that the food they would be served would exemplify those concepts. Instead, the diners were treated to Marie Callender's new lasagna meal and Razzleberry pie - soon to be found in the freezer section of your local market.

It wasn't so much the deception by ConAgra/Marie Callender's that I found upsetting. They were attempting to prove that, if you removed the labels, most people couldn't tell chef-made from frozen. Unfortunately, they also scripted and controlled conversations, leading people to believe that they were not just getting chef-made, but healthy chef-made. That was the hook for the ad campaign.

While we don't know if there were outraged consumers after the Pizza Hut pasta meal, we do know that the bloggers (by and large) were not amused by what many felt was a bait-and-switch. There are posts all over the 'Net attesting to their dissatisfaction. And a great number of comments attached to those posts.

The comments are what triggered my ire. Many of them read like plants; highly negative, personal attacks on the bloggers. I don't know if they're damage control by ConAgra or not. But if you look at Chubby Chinese Girl or Mom Confessionals or Food Mayhem, all quoted in the NYT article, there are a number of snarky commenters jumping from blog to blog.

This was a PR stunt that went badly. Bloggers who pride themselves on the veracity of their work were duped. They have the right to voice an opinion of the event; a responsibility, in fact.

They don't deserve to be attacked for expressing their displeasure. Well, I don't think they do, anyway. What do you think?

Sweet Sanctuary by Sheila Walsh & Cindy Coloma

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:18:34 -0700

Sweet Sanctuary

by Sheila Walsh & Cindy Martinusen Coloma
Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Wren Evans is raising her son, Charlie, in the caretaker's house on her family's property in Cottage Cove, Maine. Estranged from that family and divorced from Charlie's father, she is trying to do the best for her gifted son. When a Boston music academy shows interest in Charlie, Wren must find a way to take the next step in their lives.

Then, budget cuts threaten the library and Grandma Ruth shows up at the door with a nearly impossible request: bring the family together to celebrate her 90th birthday. [Continue Reading ...]

As party plans progress and Wren fights for her job, she is forced to relive the tragedies that split her family apart. And face a growing attraction to a local man at the same time her ex-husband appears to be stepping back into their lives.

Will she be able to give her son what he needs; and where will that be? Can she let go of old hurts and resentments to make peace with her siblings? What should she do about her feelings for Paul, and for Charlie's dad? And what has Charlie been praying for?

*****

Sweet Sanctuary is a good read. The characters are, by and large, well-written and well-rounded; Charlie is just a joy. It was easy to lose myself in the story, curious how all the problems would resolve.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Term Life Insurance

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:46:48 -0700

One thing I truly believe in is life insurance for everyone. I've never been a huge fan of term life; it's a bit like morbid gambling: will I live another 10 years, or 20? Or get hit by a bus tomorrow?

At the same time, the idea of passing on in 5 minutes or 5 years and leaving a financial ... mess ... for those who love me is not an acceptable option, either. Hence, the value of sites like www.wholesaleinsurance.net. [Continue Reading ...]

But you have to wade through a lot of information to get to what you need to know. How reliable is the company? How stable? Will they be around in 20 (or more) years, when you shuffle off this mortal coil?

And, from my experience, once you fill out those send-me-a-quote forms, you run the risk of being inundated - for the foreseeable future - with information from companies who are dying (pardon the pun) to take your monthly premium payments.

So, circling back around to where we started, I believe that everyone should plan for their future - and what happens when they're no longer around to pay the bills and care for their families. It just isn't quite as clean and easy as it seems.

Casual Women's Jackets

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:11:53 -0700

Now, admittedly, I am not athletic. Walking to the powder room for a smoke is, some days, my crowning athletic achievement. I truly don't like to do anything that results in copious perspiration.

However, I do love to shop and I simply cannot resist a gorgeous jacket. (It's my curse that I live in Arizona and rarely need a coat of any kind.) Which, I hope, explains why I've fallen in love with these Jacket Joe Rocket items. [Continue Reading ...]

While the components are perfect for competition riding, they also make for a tremendous casual-with-jeans option for anyone. There is a removable vest liner and a ventilation system for cold and not-so-cold weather. The shell is heavy-duty nylon, meaning it's going to last more than one season.

Did I mention it comes in black or white? And it's absolutely gorgeous?

A New Direction

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:17:25 -0700

Thanks to a number of urgent problems, projects, and issues, we have been noticeably absent from the blogging world for the last month or so. I'm happy to say that things have settled and calmed and ... We're baaack!

Due to those issues and problems, we have been seriously rethinking the focus and scope of Random Musings. Over the next few days and weeks, you'll get an idea of where we hope to be heading for the future.

I hope you'll like the direction we're taking. And, if not, that you'll let us know what we can do to excite and interest you.

Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering & Paul McCusker

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:03:30 -0700

Revenge of the Red Knight

by Marianne Hering & Paul McCusker
Published by Tyndale House Publishers

Patrick and Beth are 8-year-old cousins with a mysterious friend and wonderful adventures. Their friend, Mr. Whittaker, invented the Imagination Station, an amazing machine that lets people visit history - in person.

Albert, Mr. Whittaker's relative in the past, is in trouble, but now the machine only works for Patrick and Beth. To help their friend, and Albert, the kids have traveled to meet the Vikings, an emperor in ancient Rome, and Kublai Khan.

After getting the golden tablet of Kublai Khan, the cousins hopped in the Imagination Station to head home. But something went wrong, and they ended up in a dark cave - somewhere. [Continue Reading ...]

In this, the fourth book of the series, the cousins finally meet Albert and learn why he needed their help. Treasures have been disappearing from Lord Darkthorn's castle and fingers are pointing at Albert, who was in charge of caring for them. But, as usual, Patrick and Beth discover that things aren't exactly what them seem.

Will they be able to track down the missing treasures, before Lord Darkthorn returns and punishes Albert? And, if they do, how will they call the Imagination Station and get home?

*****

Another well-written story from The Imagination Station and Adventures in Odyssey, offers a trip through medieval history that kids will love. When the reading is done, there is a Secret Word puzzle and links to exciting online adventures in the back of the book.

Can't wait to read the next story. And I'll bet your kids will agree.

Recommended for Ages 7 and up
Fleisch-Kincaid Grade Level: 2.1

Roadside Assistance for Your RV

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:05:31 -0700

Summer is almost over. Naturally, during the coming weekends, we'll all be trying to squeeze in just one more road trip - before school starts and it's time to park the RV for another year.

I can't say that I know what it takes to keep an RV on the road. But, I can imagine that roadside assistance takes on a whole new meaning when you're talking about a vehicle the size of a small apartment. Flat tires, alone, must be a nightmare. [Continue Reading ...]

Not every towing or roadside service company is going to be equipped to deal with an RV.

It only makes sense that, if you're going to go for assistance coverage, you want to choose someone who can do the job. Not to mention, someone who isn't going to tack on a ton of mileage charges and hidden fees.

When you find a company that offers 24-hour help, unlimited mileage, and coverage throughout North America - jump on it. Or, as they say in the commercials, don't leave home without it; without making sure you can get back safely.

The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:07:59 -0700

The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion

by Janet Bristow, Victoria A. Cole-Galo
Published by The Taunton Press

The subtitle or tagline, if you will, for this lovely book says it all: "37 Patterns to Embrace, Inspire & Celebrate Life."

This collection of beautiful patterns and incredible images would be enough to make any crochet enthusiast rush to their nearest craft shop or bookstore. But, what sets this book apart, are the stories. Remembrances shared by the people who share their work.

Although, work may not be the right word. These crocheters are sharing their faith along side the patterns and stitches. Sharing their prayers and blessings, woven as beautifully as the yarns into gifts of love for people they often don't know.* [Continue Reading ...]

This is the second book from the founders of Prayer Shawl Ministry*. And they offer much more than patterns and prayers. There are the expected, or at least hoped-for, crochet terms, yarn descriptions, and designer biographies.

What isn't expected, is the appendix covering colors and symbolism. As an example, I made an afghan in varying sizes of squares and rectangles, in red and black a few years ago. I thought it was cool; so did the recipient.

Little did I know that, with those colors and shapes, I was promoting energy, vigor, and health (red); strength, self-confidence, and harmony (black); and balance (squares). Important needs to the young man who received the afghan.

*****

I have never made a prayer shawl, but I can't resist crochet books. This one is beautiful - patterns, stories, and images that touch the mind, the heart, and inspire a need to pick up some yarn and a hook.

Whether you're part of a prayer shawl ministry, want to be, or just love crocheting shawls - you're going to want to add this book to your library.

* "Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way."

Today's Maternity Clothes

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:47:17 -0700

Looking back, which is something I do more often these days, I can say with all honesty that the only thing I hated about being pregnant was the clothes. Never had much morning sickness or, with the exception of seafood during the first one, any food aversions - that I can recall.

But, oh heavens, the maternity clothes. I had a black corduroy jumper that I must have lived in toward the end and - I promise you - it was not a good look. Big black belly, skinny white legs, and - need I say it - corduroy. What a picture.

Now, there are gorgeous items - like this navy and ivory skirt - that don't scream pregnant and ugly. With a navy tank and ivory jacket, or vice versa, I could see this in my wardrobe. Casual, classy, and comfortable - just what every woman craves.

And don't even get me started on this beautiful satin dress with the handkerchief hem. While designed to camouflage a blooming belly, the style would also disguise my middle-aged belly and, not-so-youthful, hips. It's just a perfect Arizona outfit - cool and floaty, it would be just right for almost every season.

Yup, maternity clothes have certainly changed.

Playing Fast and Loose with Disability

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:03:09 -0700

The last few weeks have been stressful for those of us receiving Social Security, disability insurance, and other government pension payments.

Getting through the approval process for disability is not easy or relaxing. Then, when you finally survive the convoluted nightmare, the government puts its collective head up its collective ... ahem ... and puts the only income you have at risk. There are few things more upsetting than having your livelihood put in danger, simply because one group of politicians wants to mess with another.

I can't help thinking it's a bit like a corporation (repeatedly) paying out millions in salaries, bonuses, and benefits to the executive suites. Then, one Friday, (after collecting their salaries, bonuses, and benefits) half of those execs decide, "Gee. We have been paying out so much on ... um, other stuff .. that we just don't seem to have the money for payroll.

"Certainly, the workers will understand that we have to cut back somewhere. They want what's best for the company, so they'll stand behind this ... right?"

The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:03:36 -0700

The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven

by Kevin & Alex Malarkey
Published by Tyndale House Publishers

On a Sunday afternoon in late 2004, one day after bringing home their fourth child, Kevin Malarky and his oldest son, Alex, were on their way home from a post-church outing to the park. At an intersection on a country road, Dad called home and, still on the phone, pulled out.

Due to an unusual dip in the road that he was about to cross, Kevin never saw the vehicle that slammed into them.

What follows is the story of angels, demons, prayers, and miracles. [Continue Reading ...]

Alex was in a coma for weeks and, frankly, few people believed he would survive. The impact of the accident, effectively, separated Alex's skull from his spinal cord. Doctors expected he would never breathe on his own, swallow, or have normal brain function.

Luckily, Alex's life was being held in much stronger hands. And, in a few short months, he was able to share with friends and family what had happened to him - from the time of the accident; how he had watched what was happening to his body. To tell them of angels, demons, truths, and lies.

Of how he spoke with God.

*****

As a parent, this is not an easy book to read. I had to stop several times in the early chapters, overcome by emotion. And, honestly, I don't know that I'd have believed what I read in the later chapters, if it weren't for the images and x-rays.

It's simply too amazing.

But there is no denying that Alex probably shouldn't be alive. He probably shouldn't be doing the things he's doing today. And there is certainly no medical explanation for his recovery.

Whether you believe in miracles, or not, this is an incredible story that will make you think - and feel. And wonder.

Tire Chains

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:10:55 -0700

If you've always lived somewhere with a, shall we say, moderate climate, you're probably a stranger to tire chains. Having lived the first 22 years of my life in Colorado and the next 23 in Michigan, I am intimately familiar with these handy additions to winter driving. Even here in Arizona, there are places and times of the year where tire chains are mandatory.

They are required for several reasons, not the least of which is - sometimes, you simply can't travel from point A to point B without them. [Continue Reading ...]

In my youth, you had to be pretty good to get chains on your tires. It, generally, involved laying them out - just right - in front of your tires and hooking one side on to the rim of each tire. Then you had to pull slowly and carefully forward, allowing the chains to evenly wrap around each tire.

At that point, you got out and hooked the other edge to the rim. If you hadn't driven straight forward, the chains wouldn't be wrapped around the tire and you got to start over again. (My grandfather made it look as easy as pulling on a pair of galoshes.)

These days, tire chains are designed to be much easier to put on. There's even something called a tire sock. It isn't sufficient (or approved) for chains-required areas of many states. But, in the city - during sudden ice or snow storms - it will get you safely where you need to travel. Without damaging city streets.

Almost makes me miss those old winters - snow, and ice, and freezing ... Nah, don't miss it at all.

The New Keyboard Happy Dance

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:13:36 -0700

I have been in exile - my keyboard was partially dead and the voice-recognition software, that I was trying to use to keep up, decided to block my ability to move around the 'Net and post to my blog. The depression was overwhelming.

Today, I am doing a major happy dance! The new keyboard finally got here - and I installed it. Mark got me started, along with online instructions that weren't exactly accurate -- but I installed it!

This is not something I usually do - I'm the software person; Mark's the hardware person. But -- I installed it!

And I have made a solemn vow - I will not eat, drink, or breathe anywhere near this keyboard, ever Ever EVER in my long-legged life.

"I swear, by thee I foreswear!"

But ... I think I've forgotten how to type.

SOC Sunday: Just a Little Silliness

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:55:35 -0700

It's Stream of Consciousness Sunday - and I'm feeling silly. All week, I have been battling with this voice recognition software. It doesn't help that my microphone is a little twitchy.

So I have decided, since it wants to type silliness when I'm being serious - we'll see how it does with something silly. [Continue Reading ...]

Ladies and gentlemen, hobos and tramps,
Cross eyed mosquitoes, and bow legged ants.
I am about
To tell you a tale I know nothing about.

Early one morning, in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys got up to fight.
They stood back to back and faced each other;
Pulled out their swords and shot each other.

A deaf policeman heard the noise
And came and killed those two dead boys.
If you don't believe this lie is true,
Just ask the blind man - he saw it too.

This is an old poem; actually it's two old poems, sort of mashed together. The first four lines actually don't belong with the rest of the poem. But I learned it from Mark and this is what he remembers - more or less.

Hope I started your day with a laugh.

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It's five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules ...

Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.

Write an intro to the post if you want but don't edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.

Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.

Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.

Link up your post to this week's here.

Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Thrifty Thursday: Save Money by Refilling Containers

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:07:29 -0700

I was wracking my brain, trying to come up with something for today's post, when I found three great articles not only about saving money, but about giving the environment a break at the same time. Today, I want to look at the benefits of refilling containers.

Refill Green points out that 40% of the cost of almost everything we buy is packaging. When you add in the cost of transporting those goods from maker to market, the price goes up again. In the end, easily half of the cost of that box of soap is for something that'll never clean your clothes. [Continue Reading ...]

One caveat, before we begin: some of what we're looking at, as far as refilling containers, is not about food storage. Not all plastics are food-safe. They can leach chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, into your lunch or leftovers.

Containers

One thing we are famous for, at our house, is repurposing plastic bottles. That big, empty dish soap bottle - rinsed well - now holds the feeding solution for our plant. The oven cleaner spray bottle - thoroughly washed - is our plant mister.

There's no reason why, if the bottle for the window cleaner doesn't spray anymore, you can't repurpose the one from the carpet cleaner. Just wash it well first. (The window cleaner might just bleach the carpet.)

Bulk Buying, Refilling, and Going Green makes a really good point about containers. Old mayonnaise or pickle jars make great canisters and dry goods storage. Since they're clear, you can easily see what's stored in them. If you don't have room on the shelf for a big can or box, these smaller jars are perfect.

At our house, we love coffee and oatmeal containers. The large coffee ones are a great size for our small cupboards, have great stay-fresh lids and easy-grip handles, and hold about 4 pounds of flour or sugar, each. I covered several tall oatmeal containers in matching contact paper to hold our rice, corn meal, and spaghetti noodles.

Concentrates

One great way to save money, and save the environment, is to buy cleaners in concentrated form and refill smaller, easier-to-manage bottles. Ready-to-use products are already diluted with water, meaning they weigh more to ship - further increasing cost to the consumer.

Some manufacturers, like Windex®, are already testing the shopping waters, by offering small pouches of concentrated products that you just cut, pour, and dilute - at home. Some, like LA's Totally Awesome, have always offered a concentrated version of their most popular products. Hopefully, this will keep a little more plastic out of the landfills.

We make our dish soap do double duty. The brand we buy is concentrated and we buy the largest bottle they have. Part of it goes, full strength, into a smaller bottle at the kitchen sink; part of it, diluted by 1/4 to 1/3, goes into a pump bottle at the bathroom sink for hand soap.

It's easy to see the 1,000,001 ways that bottles, jars, cans, and containers can be used and reused. Plus, as Greenery points out, the more we reuse and refill - the less we have to schlub to the trash can.

(Press any of the above links for more great ideas from the three writers who inspired this post.)

Remember to Backup Your Blog

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:53:48 -0700

Ran across this article today that made me realize I need to be a little more protective of my work: Backing up your Blog, Part 1 - Blogger. (Part 2 covers WordPress.)

Admittedly, I don't use Blogger. But even when I did, I am pretty sure that I never backed up my blog. Which, given how many posts I've done in the last 5 or 6 years, is really asking for trouble.

Since it's a fairly good bet that I am not alone in the school of really-should've-done-that, I thought I'd share this bit of wisdom. But, hey - it's up to you.

For all I know, you really have nothing you'd rather do this weekend, and would simply love to spend two or three days recreating your entire blog.

As a reward for your efforts, Business2Blogger is also sharing some great plugins to make blogging easier and, just maybe, a little more fun.

The 'What-If' Guy by Brooke Moss

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:58:09 -0700

The 'What-If' Guy

by Brooke Moss
Published by Entangled Publishing, LLC

After only a few short weeks together, Autumn and Henry are madly in love. But, though they've never slept together, Autumn is pregnant. Not knowing what else to do, she tells Henry goodbye.

Now, a dozen years later, she and her son, Elliott, sit on the side of the road, with a punctured tire and deflated dreams, just outside the tiny hometown Autumn hoped never to see again. Her job and most of her money are gone, her father's just out of the hospital, and her son is very not happy.

More than ten years gone and five minutes back, she's forced to drag that father out of the bar - just to get her son to a home neither of them want. It didn't seem things could get much worse. [Continue Reading ...]

The first day at school, Autumn's world turned upside down. Her son's new history teacher who was single and getting divorced (or so everyone kept telling her)? Good ol' Mr. T? was Henry! Her Henry!

And he was not happy to see her -- especially after she bounced into the bookcase, knocked down the encyclopedias, and bloodied his nose rushing to pick them up - in front of twenty of her son's new classmates. She was mortified, Elliott was mortified, and Henry was wounded.

Autumn stumbled out of the room, knowing her heart hadn't changed. But would Henry ever forgive her? Would he ever love her again?

*****

I guess we all have a 'what-if' person in our past; a wondering in ourselves about what might have happened ... if. If we had gotten together or if we hadn't broken up, where would we be today? And what if we had the chance to do what we didn't or undo what we did?

That's what this book is about - second chances.

It may have been the intention, but many of the conversations and behaviors felt too much like high school. The main character, her thoughts and interactions, seemed to be formed by a teenager who was imagining life as a grown-up. And, perhaps, a tad more research could have gone into the father's condition.

Nonetheless, it was a fun book and a great summer read.

MMM: Drinking More Water

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:23:56 -0700

With Arizona temperatures firmly settled into triple digits for the foreseeable future, it's natural for us to think about dehydration. Heck, it's critical. And - for me - today's trip to the bank really brought that home.

So, I find it interesting that today was also the day that I stumbled across this article debunking the health benefits of drinking lots of water. It's the "lots of" part that's being debunked; not the "benefits of drinking ... water" part.

Naturally, since our bodies are about two-thirds water, we need to make sure that we replace fluids that are lost in a normal day. But does that truly mean guzzling 6 to 8 glasses of water a day? Truthfully, I would have to say that depends. [Continue Reading ...]

I must admit, I loved the article from snopes.com. No one knows where the eight-glasses-a-day rule came from, and there are most certainly experts on both sides of the issue, pointing fingers and crying foul. But I was looking for information about how much fluid we lose on a daily basis. This quote, I think covers it:

To replace daily losses of water, an average-sized adult with healthy kidneys sitting in a temperate climate needs no more than one liter of fluid, according to Jurgen Schnermann, a kidney physiologist at the National Institutes of Health.

Food

Not all of the fluids that we take in during an average day come from beverages. Depending on our diet, we could be adding two or three of those 8 oz. glasses through fruits and vegetables, alone.

Foods with high fluid content include:

1 medium Apple - 4 oz.
½ medium Cucumber - 5 oz.
½ medium Grapefruit - 4 oz.
1 small Potato, baked 5 oz.
1 small Potato, boiled 6 ⅓ oz.
¾ cup Soup, average - 5 ⅓ oz.
1 small Tomato - 4 oz.
½ cup Watermelon - 2 ½ oz.

It's easy to see, with just these few items, how simple it is - especially right now when produce is at its best - to keep hydrated. All without guzzling copious amounts of water.

Bad Beverages

Not all fluids are created equal.

Caffeine

For years, we have been told that drinking coffee and tea leads to dehydration. This is apparently based on the fact that coffee and tea contain caffeine, and caffeine has a diuretic effect on the body. However, a 2003 review of medical and scientific literature for the period of January 1966–March 2002 found that, in simple terms, if you indulge in caffeine on a regular basis, you are likely to be immune to the mildly diuretic effects.

If you rarely drink tea or coffee, when you do indulge, you may spend more time in the bathroom than your neighbor - the caffeine junkie. But there is no evidence, according to this review, that simply having a cup or two of coffee will cause you to pee out more than you drank. You probably don't need to drink extra water to counteract the caffeine.

Alcohol

Like caffeine, alcohol has a diuretic effect on the body. However, it's just a little more aggressive. (If you've ever had two beers and peed out four, you know what I mean.)

To paraphrase this article on kidney function: to conserve water, the pituitary gland excretes vasopressin (also called anti-diuretic hormone or ADH) which, in turn, increases permeability of the nephrons in the kidneys. More water is kept in the bloodstream; less is released in urine. Alcohol causes dehydration by blocking release of ADH, removing fluid from the system and sending it to the bladder.

If you regularly consume large amounts of alcohol, you are regularly at risk for dehydration. You may very well need those 6 to 8 glasses of water per day, just to keep up. That glass of wine with dinner? Probably not an issue.

Fluid Loss

Perspiration

People who live in the desert or exercise regularly, know that excessive sweating leads to excessive fluid loss. By the time you're thirsty, according to common wisdom, you are already 2% dehydrated. So, for us desert dwellers and you exercisers, 6 to 8 glasses of some sort of fluid every day is already the norm.

If not, it probably should be.

Illness

Vomiting, diarrhea, and/or a sweaty fever are other ways we suffer fluid loss. In the midst of a nasty bout of the flu or a wicked virus, it's not always easy to get enough fluids. Your stomach may simply reject everything you try to swallow.

Even if it's only a few sips of water, followed by a few more, fluids are critical when you're sick.

Conclusion

What I have tried to do is look at fluid intake and common causes of dehydration - whether they hold water (pardon the pun) or not. I'm no medical expert, but it seems to me that, when clean drinking water is readily available, hydration is reasonably simple. And, despite the hue and cry from some quarters, I believe that few of us are at risk of imminent death from dehydration.

I don't suppose that taking in 48 to 64 ounces (6 to 8 8-oz glasses) of fluids over the course of the day is going to hurt anyone. I just don't see it as some do-it-or-you'll-die mandate. Especially when there's really no scientific basis for it.

What do you think? Good or bad? Sane or silly?

SOC Sunday: Life is an Interesting Thing

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 19:38:56 -0700

It's Stream of Consciousness Sunday - and, hopefully, I can get this puppy to post. lol [Continue Reading ...]

Life is an interesting thing.

Some days, it's a bit like having a Facebook account - stuff that you know you didn't agree to pops up to surprise you. You run around in circles, trying desperately to fix what you hadn't actually broken. Hoping against hope that you can.

Other days, it's like dancing in the warm summer rain with someone you love. Nothing could be better. (I've been there, done that; it is incredible.)

Every day, we wake up not knowing what kind of day it will be. I guess that's what makes life interesting; or incredibly frustrating. It all depends, I suppose, on how you look at the 'gifts' that arrive with each new day.

Life is an interesting thing. Much better, I imagine, than the alternative; although there are days.

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It's five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules ...

Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.

Write an intro to the post if you want but don't edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.

Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.

Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.

Link up your post to this week's here.

Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Steel Drums and Tropical Breezes

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:14:05 -0700

I have to say, when I think of a steel drum, there is a lot of rum and tropical breezes and incredible music involved.

All it takes is the right phrase or a great picture, and I'm off to the tropics. It's not like we don't have sunshine and warm weather in Arizona, but there is just something about steel drum music ...

It doesn't matter that steel drums more often mean storage containers, buckets, and pails. All it takes is hearing the words, and I'm off to Jamaica - mon. In fact, right now, I'm imagining incredible music and tropical flowers in bloom all around me.

Wow! I really need a vacation! And a beverage with an umbrella!

Goodie Bags for Halloween

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:24:13 -0700

It may seem an odd time to be thinking of ghosts and goblins and pumpkins; of crisp fall days and trick or treating. But when I saw these Halloween bags, I couldn't resist sharing them.

The adorable designs are reason enough to grab several. What makes them perfect is the personalization. Add your children's, or grandchildren's names for a unique goodie bag they'll treasure for years.

Thrifty Thursday: BOGO at JMark Afghans

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:32:55 -0700

We're having a BOGO! A really great BOGO!

Summer may be at its peak. Long days filled with sun and sand, barbecues and picnics. But already, the days are getting shorter and before we know it, the weather will begin to cool.

It's easy to think of warm, cuddly Afghans when there's frost in the air and the leaves have turned brilliant colors. In the middle of July, in our shorts and sandals, winter holidays seem a lifetime away. But, like it or not, it will be Christmas before we know it. [Continue Reading ...]

The days and weeks leading up to that jolly holiday are the busiest for JMark Afghans. We, easily, get as many orders in the last third of the year as in the other eight months combined. And since we don't make it, until you order it, those four months can get pretty ... interesting.

Which is why we'd like to offer you a little Christmas-in-July gift, a reason to order early and order often.

From now, through August 31, we're running a Buy-One-Get-One special. Every order, over $150, will automatically include a matching lapghan - a minimum $40.00 value - at no extra charge. At 36" x 36", they are the perfect size to throw over your legs, wrap around your shoulders, or bundle up the baby.

And you just can't beat FREE!

Whether you're decorating a dorm room, jazzing up the den, or brightening up the bedroom, avoid the holiday rush and crush by ordering now. Then, when the snow is falling and shoppers are scurrying, you can sit back and gloat, just a little. Because you did your shopping - in July.

WONKA Imagination Room on YouTube

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:01:39 -0700

Okay, this is just about the coolest thing since the Everlasting Gobstopper! Which, by the way, I used to buy when they were still multicolored and bumpy - just like in the movie.

Containing four rooms, each tied to a specific WONKA chocolate – Chocolate Waterfall, Scrumdiddlyumptious, Triple Dazzle Caramel, or Fantabulous Fudge - the WONKA Imagination Room on YouTube is simply amazing. You have to see it to believe it.

"The two new varieties, Triple Dazzle Caramel and Fantabulous Fudge, join the WONKA chocolate collection: WONKA Scrumdiddlyumptious Chocolate Bar, made with toffee pieces, crispy cookies and crunchy peanuts wrapped in milk chocolate, and the WONKA Chocolate Waterfall Bar, with creamy white chocolate swirled in milk chocolate."

I swear - you can smell the chocolate!

GPS Watch

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:44:15 -0700

It looks like a watch, it works like a watch - and so much more. In fact, this course GPS at The Source may be every golfer's new best friend. After all, it does everything but tee up the ball. Seriously.

Not only is it an attractive sport watch with a GPS receiver, it holds maps for more than 15,000 golf courses in the U.S. and Canada. With no fees or sign up charges, you can get precise distances for any hole on any of those courses on the LCD display.

If that weren't cool enough, this nifty little watch will also measure the distance of your shots, record how far you've walked over the course, and remind you of your tee times with a built-in alarm. It's even USGA and R&A compliant; meaning it's legal under the rules of golf.

All in all, from where I'm sitting, that's pretty darned cool. Now, if it could just find those lost balls!

Surviving Your Serengeti by Stefan Swanepoel

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:21:23 -0700

Surviving Your Serengeti

by Stefan Swanepoel
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Stepping out of the Cessna, onto the plains of the Serengeti, Sean makes a shocking discovery -- his Blackberry has no bars. Cut off from his California company, there is no choice but to adapt. Ashley, his wife and the winner of their three-day trip to Africa, is already enthralled.

It is the time of the great migration. Led by the wildebeest, millions of animals cross the Serengeti each year in search of water and food. They struggle to survive the unforgiving climate and the predators that travel with them; struggle to survive long enough to simply turn around and migrate back.

Sean and Ashley have no idea how much those animals are about to teach them. [Continue Reading ...]

One of the travelers in their camp, Zachariah, is an old friend of Sean's and, I suspect, the author's alter ego. He shares the story of his work: studying the survival skills of the animals of the Serengeti and how those skills can be applied in our lives.

There are seven animals and seven types of skills: the strategic lion, enterprising crocodile, efficient cheetah, enduring wildebeest, risk-taking mongoose, communicating elephant, and graceful giraffe. Each of us, in our daily lives, instinctively responds to problems and challenges - to threats to our survival - with a skill set that matches one of these animal's.

Which one are you? Which skills would you like to master?

*****

I must admit, I didn't expect to enjoy this book. Self-improvement tomes always seem dry, preachy, and pushy. Not to mention, five minutes after I finish them, I've forgotten what they said.

Happily, Surviving Your Serengeti was none of those things. And, because the messages were attached to and surrounded by incredible mental images, they stayed with me long after I flipped the last page.

Admittedly, the story portion of the book is a little rough. It was, obviously, not written by a novelist. But it is, nonetheless, engaging.

This is a book that you'll need to read twice. Simply because, the first time through, you'll be too busy sightseeing your way across the Serengeti to notice the message.

Guggul Weight Loss

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:16:41 -0700

I was looking at sites with information on diet pills. One that caught my attention was touting eight patent-pending ingredients. Of the 10 or 12 listed, at least eight were plant extracts.

Naturally, pun intended, that started me thinking: How, exactly, does one patent a plant? Since that made my head hurt, I decided to look into one of those patent-pending ingredients, instead. [Continue Reading ...]

Guggulsterones

Briefly, guggul is an extract from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree Commiphora mukul. It has been used, medicinally, since 600 BC for obesity, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory conditions. It is believed that the plant sterols, E- and Z-guggulsterone, are the bioactive compounds, the parts of the extract that interact with the body.

The Claims

Obviously, when use of a plant extract goes back 2600 years, there's bound to be a great deal of anecdotal evidence related to its medicinal properties. The idea of completely dismissing such information, out of hand, is as foolish as blindly accepting it. However, throwing in a little common sense and science is never a bad idea.

Now for the claims from one product [emphasis mine]:

Guggulsterones have been shown in studies to maintain normal blood lipid levels ¹⁰, support a fine skin texture by decreasing the appearance of blemishes, and optimize thyroid gland function (thus supporting ideal fat loss and body weight). And the best part… [product name] won’t strip away your muscle like other weight loss products.

We'll start with the study¹ that supposedly supports these claims. Luckily, for a change, I was able to access the full study on JAMA. (The documentation for the supplement references the abstract from the same study.)

Cholesterol

Recent research indicates that the guggul compounds affect two specific hormone receptors. One of those receptors is related to cholesterol metabolism, leading researchers to question whether guggulsterones might be an effective treatment for high cholesterol. Hence the purpose of the study.

While not large, only 103 people in the Philadelphia area, it was a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants in this 8 week study were divided into three groups: low dose, high dose, and placebo. The low dose group was given 1000 mg tablets containing 2.5% standardized extract; the high dose group, 2000 mg tablets at the same concentration.

At the end of the trial, not only had the guggulsterones not reduced cholesterol levels, LDL-C (bad cholesterol) levels actually increased 4% and 5%, respectively. Additionally, HDL-C (good cholesterol) levels were depressed in both groups. With the placebo group, however, LDL-C decreased by 5%.

(A review of scientific evidence on the use of guggul for hyperlipidemia, performed by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration and published in 2005², agreed that the effects of guggulipid on cholesterol were not clear and there was "not enough scientific evidence to support the use of guggul for any medical condition.")

Thyroid Function

It was noted in the research, as in the claim for this supplement, that guggulsterones are reputed to have a positive impact on thyroid function. Within this clinical trial, due to its relationship with cholesterol, thyroid function was monitored and tested. "There were no significant changes in thyroid function as assessed by a sensitive third-generation TSH assay."

An article³ from the American Thyroid Association on thyroid and weight offers some guidance. The more active the thyroid, the higher a person's metabolism and, consequently, weight loss. It is possible to increase activity in the thyroid with hormone therapy. However, increasing thyroid function also increases appetite, potentially negating any benefit.

Furthermore, there may be significant negative consequences from the use of thyroid hormone to help with weight loss, such as the loss of muscle protein in addition to any loss of body fat. Pushing the thyroid hormone dose to cause thyroid hormone levels to be elevated is unlikely to significantly change weight and may result in other metabolic problems.

Muscle Loss

While, undoubtedly, dietary supplements do not (or should not) contain prescription-grade hormones, clearly the American Thyroid Association believes (see above quote) that altering thyroid function can lead to changes in muscles. It has been my experience that loss of muscle protein equals loss of muscle.

Conclusions

I'm no medical professional, although I do spend a good portion of my time studying health and wellness articles.

In the case of this diet pill ingredient, I have tried to use and review the supporting documentation. It seems to me that even the research cited doesn't support these claims.

What do you think?

Guggulipid for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Philippe O. Szapary, Megan L. Wolfe, LeAnne T. Bloedon, Andrew J. Cucchiara, Ara H. DerMarderosian, Michael D. Cirigliano, Daniel J. Rader
JAMA. 2003;290(6):765-772.
doi:10.1001/jama.290.6.765
Guggul for hyperlipidemia: A review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
Catherine Ulbricht, Ethan Basch, Philippe Szapary, Paul Hammerness, Serguei Axentsev, Heather Boon, David Kroll, Levi Garraway, Mamta Vora, Jen Woods, Natural Standard Research Collaboration
Complementary Therapies in Medicine - December 2005 (Vol. 13, Issue 4, Pages 279-290, DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2005.08.003)
Thyroid and Weight: <http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Thyroid_and_Weight.pdf>

MMM: Sunscreen Truths and Lies

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:58:01 -0700

It's summer! The siren call of pool and beach, of park and grill is almost more than we can ignore. Unlike any other time of the year, during the summer we are outside more and wearing less.

And all too often, our skin pays the price.

The bad news? One of the things that we count on to help protect our skin, may not be. Even worse? The ingredients in some sunscreens may actually harm the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. [Continue Reading ...]

Disturbing Sunscreen Secrets

Originally published in Women's Health , this article looks at 10 things the average consumer may not know about sunscreens. Here are four of them:

Ingredients

Retinyl palmitate, a vitamin-A compound found in almost half of all American sunscreens, is added to help reduce the signs of aging caused by sun exposure. Sounds good, doesn't it? However, in truth, it "may speed up the development of skin cancer–related tumors and lesions when used on skin hit with sunlight." In a nutshell, retinyl palmitate and sunshine look like a bad combination.

Not to mention:

Oxybenzone and octinoxate, common block chemicals, are linked to allergic contact dermatitis and photocontact dermatitis (irritation caused when certain chemicals are on skin that’s exposed to sunlight), as well as hormone disruption, in lab animals.

UVA vs. UVB

Just a quick reminder: UVA rays cause wrinkles, UVB rays cause sunburns, and both have been linked to skin cancer.

The SPF number on that bottle of sunscreen relates only to protection against sunburn. To protect against those wrinkle rays, you need something entirely different.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have been around for a number of years. The solid white, Kabuki-mask effect was so unpopular that many manufacturers started adding colors. (Yeah, that was a lot better. Not.) Today, most preparations are transparent.

There are also two chemical-based ingredients, now available: Avobenzone (a.k.a. Parsol 1789) and Ecamsule (a.k.a. Mexoryl SX). Avobenzone is one of the most effective of its type and is fairly easy to find in U.S. sunscreens. Ecamsule, a more recent addition to the American sunscreen arsenal, is even more effective; it is also harder to find and much more expensive.

Expiration Dates

Something I didn't realize or even consider, sunscreens expire. Ingredients, designed to maintain the potency of the product, are only effective for a limited time. Generally, three years is the outside limit. After that, you're not going to get the same level of protection.

In addition, lying around in the sun at the beach or the pool is just as bad for your sunblock as it is for your skin. Heat in general is the enemy. So, store it in a cool place indoors and, outdoors, try to keep it in the shade. (Pretty much the only way to survive summer in Arizona. {winks} )

Labels Lie

Not surprisingly, not everything you read on a bottle of sunblock is the god's truth. One of the more common misrepresentations has to do with SPF factors. The assumption is that the higher the number, the greater the protection. That isn't necessarily the truth:

“People think they’re doing themselves a favor by using high SPF, but the difference is incremental. SPF 15 filters out 93 percent of UVB rays; SPF 30 protects against 97 percent; SPF 50, 98 percent; and SPF 100, 99 percent–and that’s only if you apply enough of it.”

Another crossed-my-fingers-when-I-said-that issue relates to coverage. The terms 'waterproof' and 'all-day' sound impressive and reassuring, but may be far from the truth. In fact, common wisdom says sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, no matter what's on the bottle.

New Sunscreen Regulations from the FDA

Directly related to these sunscreen issues, the FDA has issued new regulations for sunscreen manufacturers. They officially go into effect in 2012. And I quote:

The new regulations promote a change in terminology:
Sunscreens that have UVA and UVB protection will be known as broad spectrum. SPF, which protects from UVB radiation, will remain on the package.

SPF ratings 15 and above will be permitted to state that they protect against early skin aging and reduce the risk of skin cancer. SPF’s below 15 help prevent sunburn but offer no other protection.

The highest SPF rating will be 50+ as studies have shown there is no additional benefit gained beyond this.

Waterproof or sweat proof sunscreens will be vigorously tested to determine the exact amount of time they provide sun protection. This helps consumers know how often it’s necessary to reapply in order to reduce the risk of burning. Most sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, which is the longest amount of time allowed.

The hope is that sunscreen makers won't wait until next year to make these changes. I can imagine that there would be some marketing benefit to being the first to comply.

Let's hope that, by next summer, we'll know what we're really getting in that bottle of sunscreen.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Coupons

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:00:28 -0700

Back in May, we had a giveaway of five $2.00/off coupons for NatureLuxe Silk Foundation. We didn't get much of a response. Long story short, we still have three coupons left. And they are expiring at the end of August.

If anyone is interested in one of those coupons, please leave a comment with a way that we can contact you for a mailing address.

There's nothing more required - no follows, no tweets, no jumping through hoops. Just leave a comment, if you want a coupon. There's no reason for them to go to waste.

SOC Sunday: Powerful Magic

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:02:14 -0700

It's Stream of Consciousness Sunday - and I'm hoping to share my thoughts with all of you.

Notice, I said hoping. If it weren't enough that my keyboard is now virtually useless, once again, our Internet connection ... doesn't.

So, wish me luck. This may take awhile. [Continue Reading ...]

I suppose, as my bedtime reading has been the "Three Sisters" trilogy and I'm currently watching Harry Potter chase dragons, it's not surprising that I have magic and power on my mind.

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of having 'special' powers, of being able to twitch my nose or blink my eyes and change what is. I would imagine part of that accounts for the popularity of Harry Potter and other magical stories. As children, we rarely operate from a position of power.

You don't have to come from a dysfunctional family to feel powerless, although that certainly helps. As parents, we tend to think we know what's best for our kids. If we, and they, are lucky, as they mature - so do we.

Children, in order to become healthy adults, need chances and opportunities to make their own decisions; to operate from a position of power, however limited that power might be. This is how they learn self-reliance and develop personal autonomy, the hallmarks of stable and well-balanced adults.

When those opportunities are missing at critical stages of development, powerless children can evolve into adults who constantly need guidance and reassurance.

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It's five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules ...

Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.

Write an intro to the post if you want but don't edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.

Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.

Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.

Link up your post to this week's here.

Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

Printing Receipts

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 21:06:26 -0700

Since either GoogleCheckout or PayPal provide receipts for our customers, I really never thought about getting a receipt printer. It's simply something that we don't need for our online business. However, if you own a brick-and-mortar store, you probably do.

There are two basic options: impact printers and thermal printers.

Impact printers, just like it sounds, work by striking keys against a ribbon which transfers characters to the paper. The only problem with that is you have the added expense of buying ribbons. If you print a lot of receipts, you'll be buying a lot of ribbons.

Thermal printers, on the other hand, don't use ribbons. They use heat to create characters on the paper. Obviously, from a supply standpoint, that makes them less expensive over the long run.

Does anyone use a receipt printer in their business? If so, which type has worked best for you?

Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:19:03 -0700

Rebirth

by Sophie Littlefield
Published by LUNA Books

This is the Aftertime. California is a wasteland and winter is approaching.

Four months before, Cass awoke in a place she didn't know, recovering from a beating she didn't remember. Her daughter had been taken by the Convent. And she was alone.

Now, Cass has gotten her daughter, Ruthie, and most of her memory back. They have taken shelter with other survivors of the Siege. But flesh-eating Beaters are everywhere, Ruthie has stopped speaking, and Smoke, Cass's love and strength, is off on a quest for vengeance against the Rebuilders. [Continue Reading ...]

When the leader of the survivalist community learns that his daughter has been taken by the Rebuilders, he vows to get her back. And Cass, with nothing left for her now that Smoke is gone, packs up her daughter and insists on going with him.

Suddenly, Cass finds herself deeply involved with two men and an organization that has vowed, by any means necessary, to ensure the rebirth of humanity.

*****

This is the fascinating story of one woman, trying to create a normal life in an extremely abnormal world.

There is no doubt that this is the second book in a series, although I didn't know that in the beginning. Consequently, when I first started reading, I kept feeling that I was missing something. That there was something I should know or understand, but simply wasn't getting.

Once Cass, Ruthie, and Dor leave to find his daughter, and some details from the previous book are shared, my confusion cleared and it was easy to lose myself in the remaining chapters. The author paints word pictures that carry her readers into the Aftertime, with all of its sites, scents, and dangers. A very exciting journey - that I highly recommend.

Thrifty Thursday: Home Inventory List

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:12:42 -0700

This week, rather than ideas for saving money today, I'd like to focus on something that offers long term benefits: a Home Inventory List.

Why Make a List?

There are several reasons for keeping an accurate and up-to-date list of your belongings. The first and foremost being insurance. How do you select coverage, if you don't know what you're covering? [Continue Reading ...]

By guessing how much you own and what it's worth, you run a huge financial risk. Overestimate and, month after month, you're paying premiums for coverage that you'll never use. Guess too low and, in the event of a loss, you'll be replacing furnishings out of your own pocket.

For example, if you opt for a policy that covers $50,000 in personal goods, that is the absolute maximum that the insurance company will pay out. Own more than that, and you're out of luck. If you own less, the insurance company will only pay out the value of what you owned; not $50,000.

How To Make a List

The easiest way, at least for me, is to go room by room.

If you've never done this before, start with a small room. Grab your camera and a notepad, or better yet an inventory form. There's a good one here to get you started.

Now simply photograph and record everything you own. The process is the same whether you rent or own your home. You are going to write down and take pictures of anything and everything that, if it were damaged or stolen, you would personally have to replace.

Do your best to remember what you paid for it at the time. Ideally, your coverage will be for the replacement value of each item; but all mattresses look alike, even though prices vary widely.

Additional Information

Hopefully, you are a diligent record keeper and never throw anything out; because you're going to want to add the original receipts to the pictures and list.

As I mentioned before, all mattresses look alike, as do many electronics, appliances, towels, and dishes. Without receipts and/or detailed information, it is entirely possible that the insurance company's payout will be much lower than your original cost.

Storage

Once you've put together all of this information, you're going to want to make certain that it's kept in a safe place.

I would suggest making several copies, on disk and/or online, of your pictures, lists, and receipts. Ideally, one set would go to the insurance company and one set would be kept in a safety deposit box or a fireproof box. You could even give a copy to family or friends for safekeeping.

The whole point is to have an accurate record of what you own in case of an emergency. Disasters strike and burglaries happen. You should never be unprepared for the worst.

The Joys of a Broken Keyboard

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:06:26 -0700

I've only been playing with this for a couple of days now, but I'm finding the process of talking instead of typing to be very interesting. And very frustrating.

While, I always thought that I spoke clearly, I am finding out that that is not quite true. [Continue Reading ...]

It is interesting how well the software understands most of what I say. I do see, however, that I'd tend to speak very rapidly and tend to slide over certain syllables.

And, apparently, there are certain letters that I simply do not pronounce well. I was taking the tutorial for this software and at the end of each section, I had to say "next". By the time I finished the first few screens, Mark was ready to kill me. (In fact, I had to manually type "next" just now.)

Frankly, I don't know how well I'm going to do with this, since speaking clearly enough is much more difficult than I expected. It also, for some reason, makes me feel very self-conscious. Perhaps, if I didn't have to speak quite so slowly, I wouldn't feel like the village idiot.

Oddly enough, in the midst of this learning curve, I have found an interesting side benefit: I spend much less time worrying about formatting each post. Despite making myself crazy, I actually seem to be getting more done. It just feels as though I've run a marathon by the time I reach the end of each sentence.

There is always the chance that it isn't all me. It may be that the microphone I am using, although designed for voice recognition, isn't quite up to the challenge. If memory serves, it has been treated rather unkindly since I bought it several years ago.

So, with all of that working against me, I am begging you, please! - cross your fingers, your toes, and your eyes for me. I am obviously going to need all of the help I can get.

Oh, while I'm asking for favors, could you toss in a prayer or two for my life? Because, if I don't get very good at this - very soon - Mark is going to kill me!

Payday Loans: Help or Hindrance

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:48:38 -0700

I'm not, exactly, certain how I feel about payday loans. Don't get me wrong, I fully understand the need- on occasion- to borrow money. Believe me, we've been there.

It's simply that those loans can easily create problems. [Continue Reading ...]

Not everyone who needs a little help gets into trouble. But the potential for problems increases when you're adding debt to an already shaky situation.

It's one thing when you have a stable income and don't routinely live beyond your means. An occasional small bump in the road isn't going to send you into a financial tailspin. And that one time loan is just that: one time.

However, when you routinely spend more than you make and, just as routinely, borrow to make it to the end of the month, those payday loans become the shovel that digs a deeper financial hole.

I suppose that borrowing is an occasional necessary evil in this economy. But, to my way of thinking, learning to live within one's means is the smarter way.

Death of a Keyboard

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:54:49 -0700

Last night, in the spit take of all spit takes, I managed to do some serious damage to my keyboard. If I had a desktop computer, this would be a much less difficult situation.

With a laptop, there is no way to simply plug in a new keyboard. And as I would strongly prefer to not take screwdriver to laptop, I am forced to find more creative ways to deal with this situation. Right now, that means learning to use voice recognition software.

If my hair weren't gray before this, it would certainly be gray now. (I can see that I'm going to be buying a lot of hair color.) [Continue Reading ...]

Truth be told, there are keyboards that I can buy that will plug into this laptop. And given the fact that we now have two laptops with problems, it will probably be in our best interest to own a keyboard that works from a USB port.

Let's play a little, shall we? Would you like to play a game?

I will simply talk for a moment or two or three or 10 or 15, because I loved to talk, and we'll see just how software recognizes my speech patterns. I want to correct what he gets wrong I won't even look at what its typing for now.

Now, I will say the same things that I said before. But this time, I will go through and correct the mistakes.

I will simply talk for a moment or two or three or 10 or 15, because I love to talk, and we'll see just how well the software recognizes my speech patterns. I won't correct what it gets wrong, I won't even look at what it's typing, for now.

It could be a tremendous amount of fun, or this could be what finally sends me to the rubber room.

Luckily, I won't be going alone. I am taking Mark with me.

SOC Sunday: Another Amazing Anniversary

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 04:13:11 -0700

It's Stream of Consciousness Sunday - and I'm happy to share my thoughts with all of you.

Two hundred thirty-five "years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." It's a natural thought - founding fathers and Abraham Lincoln - as we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our country.

But, I have a better anniversary to celebrate. [Continue Reading ...]

It all started late in May of 2003. Mark came home, not feeling well, and went in to lay down. By the next morning, he had a fever of about 104° and the ambulance was at the door. He was septic and the doctors suggested we call the family; the beginning of, nearly, the end.