How many zeros in a billion?

The next time you hear a politician use the word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago, it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago, no one walked the earth on two feet.

E. A billion dollars ago, was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans.
Interesting number, what does it mean?

A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.

B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.

C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington, D. C.?
< HELLO! >
Are all your calculators broken??

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What the heck happened?!?

To My Husband: For the record.......

For the record, and for the most part, purely hypothetical, because I know you would never do anything like this, but if you ever attained a position that required you to have to make a public apology for your actions after you've been caught doing something illegal, especially cheating on me, prepare to stand up there completely on your own behind the podium, buddy.
I would not stand up there with tear-soaked, pale skin in stress-ravaged hair and clothes and pretend to make out like everything is hunky dorey between us despite what you did. I am so sick of watching these women pretend that the the most noble thing to do during those times is to stand behind your man. It is NOT noble, you idiots. It's degrading. It's like condoning what he did and sending him the message that he doesn't stand to lose you even because of his cheating/lying ways. Nobody said you have to stand up there and take the shame and embarrassment with him. I certainly don't remember my wedding vows stating that I had to stand by my man while he abused and neglected me.
These public apologies are getting ridiculous. Are they sorry that they did wrong or sorry that they got caught? It's hard to tell the difference anymore.

*~*And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.*~*

Dear Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama,

In the name of all that is holy, I sure wish I didn't have to make a choice between the two of you at the polls today. That was one of the hardest decisions I think I've ever had to make.

That said, I plead with you both..........despite who wins the nomination for POTUS, please take the other on as VP. You both have great plans, both are an inspiration and both are champions for change. This country and its people need you both.

Thanks!

If the Earth were only a few feet in diameter......

If the Earth
were only a few feet in diameter,
floating a few feet above a field somewhere,
people would come from everywhere to marvel
at it. People would walk around it marveling at its
big pools of water, its little pools and the water flowing
between. People would marvel at the bumps on it and the
holes in it. They would marvel at the very thin layer of gas
surrounding it and the water suspended in the gas. The people
would marvel at all the creatures walking around the surface of
the ball and at the creatures in the water. The people would
declare it as sacred because it was the only one, and they would
protect it so that it would not be hurt. The ball would be the
greatest wonder known, and people would come to pray to
it, to be healed, to gain knowledge, to know beauty and
to wonder how it could be. People would love it, and
defend it with their lives because they would
somehow know that their lives could be
nothing without it. If the Earth were
only a few feet in
diameter.

Joe Miller ~ Moab, Utah 1975

The Green Ones Make You Horny

I will not be surprised if my husband comes dragging a bag of these home for me on Valentines Day! He *thinks* he's so deprived.

M&M'S® CHOCOLATE CANDIES GO GREEN JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
Limited Edition All-Green M&M'S® Chocolate Candies Put Consumers in the Mood for Love This Valentine's Day

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ · January 16, 2007 /PRNewswire/ —
Mars Snackfood U.S. is proclaiming green the new color of love this Valentine's Day as the brand celebrates the myths, rumors and innuendo surrounding green M&M'S® Chocolate Candies. In support of this bold and fun declaration, retail establishments across the country will display limited edition all-green M&M'S® amidst a sea of traditional red and pink products. Consumers can find the all-green M&M'S® in packages from January 2008 through the Valentine's holiday.

*SNIP*

What is it about The Green Ones®?

Legend has it The Green Ones® are an aphrodisiac; rumors of their special powers have been circulating since the '70s. In fact a certain perm-bearing early '80s rock star had it in his contract for three pounds of Green M&M'S® Chocolate Candies backstage for, uh, "inspiration." The Green Ones® have even made it into outer space. Green M&M'S® Chocolate Candies have been requested on 31 space shuttle flights.
The Lore of Green

The color green has a strong place in history, long associated with love and fertility. Green is also associated with energy, youth, growth, hope and new life. In the 15th century, green was the preferred color for wedding attire and the Celtic symbol of fertility was The Green Man. Today, green is considered an emotional stabilizer and pituitary stimulant.

What are they worried about!?

I'm sure by now, you all have heard that Heath Ledger has died. But as if he couldn't just go in peace; some church weirdos have to picket his funeral as if it will insure he goes where they want him to go instead of where God choses for him to go. I will never understand people of this sort.

Church Members To Picket Heath Ledgers Funeral

A US church says actor Heath Ledger is in hell because he played a gay cowboy in one of his films, and has vowed to picket his funeral.

The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), a Kansas-based congregation known for its demonstrations outside funerals for US soldiers killed in Iraq, said the Perth-born Australian actor who died yesterday was “now in hell”.

“WBC will picket this pervert’s funeral in religious protest,” the group said in a statement on its website.

“God hates the sordid, tacky bucket of slime seasoned with vomit known as Brokeback Mountain – and He hates all persons having anything to whatsoever to do with it.

“Heath Ledger is now in hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there.”

*snip*

The church, which has been classified by the Southern Poverty Law Centre as a “hate group”, also planned to demonstrate outside the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.

*snip*

Ledger was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain, a role for which he was widely admired.

What is this world coming to? What are they so worried about? The guy is dead. There's nothing they can do about it now and I doubt picketing his funeral will teach other actors thinking of portraying gay people on film and tv is going to cause them to do otherwise. Picketing a funeral is about the equivalent of posting insults anonymously on the internet.

Man, people need to get a grip. Stop wasting your time and your breath on minute things. The world has bigger, more pressing issues.


Yes Mom...that was a joke.

Today is my 40th Birthday...... ugh

I woke up this morning and the weirdest thing happened.

I turned 40.

Oh.My.Gawd.

40!

I should have just stayed in bed.

UPDATE:

Stayed in bed, for sure!

My husband informed me this morning that he was taking me out for dinner and to be ready when he got home from work. He said my SIL was watching the kids.

I'm ready, the girls are ready, the phone rings. It's my cousin Quentin. He's calling to let everyone know that he found that he and his girlfriend are having a baby boy. That's exciting news for sure but what does he mean "everyone"? He said that his dad told him that he thought everyone was at my house for a birthday party. I told him they were not and he quickly changes the subject.
My suspicions are raised.

We drop the girls off at my SILs. We head into town and Bubba says, "Don't be mad but we're going to eat at Ziggies. They have this new dish that I've been eating and you just have to try it."
I'm thinking, 'Ziggies?!? You're taking me out to Ziggies on my birthday!?!? You have to be kidding!'
Being the nice person I am, I don't say a word but inside, I'm starting to wonder just how much he loves me. When we arrive, I'm scanning the parking lot for familiar vehicles for an indication of who might be inside. I don't recognize any of them.

We walk in and the waitress directs us towards a room at the back of the restaurant. I see the glass door to the room is obstructed by yellow streamers. AHA!
I bet "everyone" is here. I do not want to do this. I walk up to the door and try to peek in between the streamers to see who all is in there. I see my mom. I turn around to walk away from the door and Bubba pushes me inside. They all scream "SURPRISE!"
Oh man.
My whole family was there. Even my girls and my SIL.
I've never had a surprise party before. It was weird and awkward at first, but it turned out to be quite fun. Nothing like having a huge family and then have them all turn out just for me. I felt really special and loved.

Thanks Mom for doing all that for me!


Just you wait.....I'll get you back.

The Blog Readability Test

What level of education is needed to understand your blog?

For reasons unbeknownst to me, the reading level for this blog
is higher than some of the other more well known blogs in town.

This Is What I Have To Put Up With.......

I get no respect.

I first sent this email to my mother and my sister hoping they would know what I was talking about.

Saundra Batson <> wrote:

I don't know if you all remember this or not, but back when I first got my computer, you all were messing around with a Christmas screen saver that would change from day to day. It would start out with a tree and a few ornaments, then each day the tree would become more decorated, presents under the tree would appear and you could see more snow falling and piling up outside. By the time Christmas Day came around, the room was fully decorated and the presents and tree were full. I want to say that somewhere in all that, there was a fireplace and a grandfather clock with a mouse that could be seen at times climbing up the side of it. The window showing the snow outside had a sort of Londony, vintage-y look to it with horses and carriages driving by.
I know I did not pay for this screen saver and seem to think I downloaded it from somewhere online. I have looked and looked and this makes about the 4th year that I have searched for this screen saver. I've done so many searches on Google with so many different configurations over the years, it's making me sick.
Do either of you know what I am talking about and have any recollection of where we found it at?
--
*~*Sandy*~*

Both responded that they knew what I was describing but had no idea where to get it.
Remembering that around this same time, my Uncle Kevin had introduced us all to the Elf Bowling Game that went around and around and my thinking was that he also might have turned us on to this screen saver at the same time, so I sent a copy of this email to him. (The actual Elf Bowling game, not the virus of the same name.) I was hoping he could put me out of my misery and find the mysterious screen saver of old that I was looking for.

Here is his response:

I think the real issue isn’t that you’ve look for a screen saver for four years, although some may think this to be a little excessive.

Maybe your not looking for a screen saver at all. Is it possible your really looking to make a connection to your past computer childhood?

The holidays can be stressful for a lot of older people and we all want to capture this year as with all years that little bit of a past holiday that gives meaning and a sense of order to the current season.

Perhaps your desire for a simpler time is manifesting in the form of a screen saver from four years past.

The first thing is admitting you have a problem. Only then can you begin to truly heal.

I’ve written this little rhyme, maybe it will help.

You brightened each day when I didn’t move the mouse

That little Tree screen saver all snuggled up in my virtual house.

I didn’t remember to save you to a disk or CD now I’ve lost you forever how sad can I be.

You served me well though and never even cost me a buck I found you on a website what non-virtual luck.

Although I‘ll never see you back on my PC you’ll always be the only Screen Saver for me.

The only Little Tree… screen saver for me

Let the screen saver go Sandy, in the knowing that it lived a meaningful life keeping desktop wall paper “high chair baby pictures" and horrifying “our first puppy” shots from permanently burning into the CRT’s of countless monitors.

Let it go, it’s time to move on.

Love you

Your Uncle Kevin

I NEVER get a straight answer from him about anything! LOL

So, I am reveling in the fact that I had to do countless corrections of his spelling and punctuation just to save him the embarrassment of this being posted on the innernets for the whole world to see. And of course, he will deny those corrections adamantly. But if he would like for me to post a side by side comparison post, that can be arranged.
That'll teach him to mess with me! MuHaHA!

If anyone has any idea about the screen saver I am looking for, PLEASE please PLeaSE, for pete's sake, let me in on it!

I Got No Soul

Read through this email forward I got from Uncle Doug and then I'll do a little "passive-aggressive" dissection for you.

The Budweiser Story

(not a joke)


This is TRUE!


How Budweiser handled those who laughed at those who died on the 11th of September, 2001...


Thought you might like to know what happened in a little town north of Bakersfield , California.

After you finish reading this, please forward this story on to others so that our nation and people
around the world will know about those who laughed when they found out about the tragic events in New York , Pennsylvania , and the Pentagon.

On September 11th,


A Budweiser employee was making a delivery

to a convenience store in a California town

named McFarland.

He knew of the tragedy that had occurred

in New York when he entered the business

to find the two Arabs, who owned the business, whooping and hollering to show their approval

and support of this treacherous attack.


The Budweiser employee went to his truck,

called his boss and told him

of the very upsetting event!

He didn't feel he could be in that store with those

horrible people. His boss asked him,

'Do you think you could go in there long enough

to pull every Budweiser product and item

our beverage company sells there?

We'll never deliver to them again.'

The employee walked in,

proceeded to pull every single product his

beverage company provided and left

with an incredible grin on his face.

He told them never to bother to call for

a delivery again.


Budweiser happens to be the beer of choice

for that community.

Just letting you know how Kern County

handled this situation.

And Now

The Rest Of The Story:

It seems that the Bud driver and the Pepsi man

are neighbors. Bud called Pepsi and told him.

Pepsi called his boss who told him to

pull all Pepsi products as well!!!

That would include Frito Lay, etc.

Furthermore, word spread and

all vendors followed suit! At last report,

the store was closed indefinitely.

Good old American

Passive-Aggressive A$$ Whoopin!

Pass this along, America needs to know

that we're all working together!

If you can read this.

Thank a teacher...

If you are reading it in English....

THANK A SOLDIER!!!

If you do not send this

you have no soul !!!!


Ok...
First off, according to Snopes, (which I use religiously when something in an email forward sounds too good to be true), this whole story isn't true. Not even a little bit of it. Which I kind of thought myself once I read that Budweiser just happens to be the beer of choice in that community and that the Pepsi man lived right next door to the Budweiser man. Dead giveaways right there that something is fishy with this story. Too many co-inky-dinks.

The second problem I had with this email is that in between some of those lines of text were these cartoon-y, animated yet still cheesy graphics, depicting such scenes as a Budweiser beer being poured into a glass, an oblivious Gomer Pyle-looking soldier saluting into thin air, and a crystal teardrop-shaped framed rose dripping into what looks like a pool of blood.
I spared you those and didn't post them all here........ok, wait, you probably should see the rose one, it's so cheesy.


























(Well, the blood puddle won't come out right but you get the idea.)

Who is making these awful graphics? More so, who are the friends and family of these people that are telling them it's "so pretty"? Liar, liar, pants on fire.

The third problem I have with this is the incorrigible use of grammar and punctuation throughout the whole story. Yet, I won't mention the specifics because I too have my own hangups about how I use punctuation sometimes. But I can say with confidence that I am not near as bad with it as what I saw in this story. Yeah buddy, I'll thank my teacher alright, but of course, I'll thank myself first for at least half-ass paying attention in class when she was teaching grammar and punctuation.

Fourth problem I have with this email is the fact that someone took a very horrendous event in the lives of Americans and made up a completely bogus story about it. Sure it was supposed to be an uplifting story, and even though so many people reading this email would think otherwise, the fact is that none of it was true. That's just sick. What kind of person thinks it's okay to make up stories about things so terrible and so prejudiced against another culture? Nothing like a racist storyline to keep the memories vivid in our minds.

My final problem with this email forward is the very last line:
"If you do not send this
you have no soul !!!!"

WHAT?! Just WHO do you think you are?
How dare you threaten me, judge me, condemn me and basically predict the outcome of my life from here on out based upon whether or not I continue the vicious circle of forwarding stupid emails!

I have no soul if I don't send your crappy email forward to everyone in my address book? I have no soul if I choose not to forward to potentially thousands of people, your homemade novelette that doesn't even remotely have a grain of truth to it? I have no soul if I refuse to subject anyone else that I know and love the misery of looking at your "mad skillz" with a graphics editing program?

Then I guess I have no soul.
Sorry.

Note to all reading this:
Just for the record, my Uncle Doug did not produce the above email. He just forwarded it.

Note to Uncle Doug:
I love ya, but please stop the madness.
xoxoxox

Reusable Grocery Bags

YES! My wishes have come true!

Have you seen these yet? WalMart has finally gotten on the "green" bandwagon.

They started selling these black reusable bags for $1. Surprisingly for WalMart merchandise, they are very well made, hold twice as much as their regular plastic bags and are 100% recyclable, made from 85% recycled materials (tag on them says made from approximately 4 plastic soda bottles). They are square bottomed which is a major plus when filling them. I have used them a couple times already and can tell that the cashiers aren't too thrilled with them. They are kind of clumsy to fill at the register compared to the hanging plastic bags that they are used to that can be filled much faster and easier.
I have used them more around the house than at the grocery store. They are very handy. They hold so much and the handles on them are just right, not too short and not too long.
I am tempted to take them to another grocery store to see if they will be accepted for use as an alternative to the plastic or paper bags they offer.

Only drawback about them that I have heard about is that these WalMart bags cost a penny more than Kroger sells theirs for and Kroger offers 5¢ back per bag per visit. I don't think WalMart is offering anything back on theirs, at least not that I have heard.
I'd also like to know if they can be laundered. It doesn't say anything about it on the tag.

It's a step in the right direction for WalMart. I have to say that I am a little bit proud of them for finally doing something for the greater good of everyone instead of just their company and their bottom-line.

Human-Pig Hybrid

This photo completely freaks me out! It's so life-like. The really scary part about it to me though is it looks like something that could possibly exist.



The human-like sow and her offspring are a sculpture entitled The Young Family by artist/sculptor Patricia Piccinini, shown as part of her We Are Family exhibition in 2003.

I think it looks more like a hairless dog than a pig.

U-Haul Box Exchange

Every little bit helps.

U-Haul Box Exchange

The U-Haul Box Exchange is a message board that you can use to trade, sell or buy reusable boxes and moving supplies. With every reuse of a box, a new box is prevented from entering the cycle.

I find it very impressive for U-Haul to be taking this approach and allowing customers this little space on their website to help the environment. Go U-Haul!

The Bon Jovi Experience

Finally, here are the pics of my once-in-a-lifetime meeting with the members of the rock group, Bon Jovi. This was indeed one of the most nerve-wracking and awkward times of my life.

It was 1985 and we had tickets in hand to see Bon Jovi and Ratt in concert at Hammons Student Center in Springfield. Earlier in the day, my boyfriend and I were lounging around, getting geared up for that nights festivities, when on the radio, which I am sure was Rock99 at the time, the announcer only said a few words......Bon Jovi, Liberty Sound, and the time to be there. I didn't hear it but my boyfriend did. We hopped in the car and headed for Springfield. When we arrived at Liberty Sound, sure enough, we weren't the only ones to hear the blip on the radio. There were about 10 people already standing at the front door. We all stood in line for about an hour. Finally, they opened the doors and we were one of the first people in line at the counter where the autograph signing was going to take place. The store was filled to the brim with people by the time the back door opened and in walked the band.

I nearly fainted. I couldn't believe it when the whole band lined up behind the counter and were no more than two feet away from me. And OH.MY.GOD. were they gorgeous! Especially Jon.
By the time it was my turn to approach him for an autograph, I was shaking so hard and couldn't talk at all. He was asking my name and I couldn't tell him. I went all giggly and stupid. I hate when I do that.

Anyway, he's signing this little tiny piece of paper that I found and I finally got up the courage and the voice to ask him if I could touch him. He looked up at me, smiling and said, “Sure.” I reached out and touched his hand. In that instant, my courage bounded out of my body and I found my hand had a mind of its own and was now proceeding to touch Jon Bon Jovi all over his arm, across his shoulder and all over his chest! I don't know what come over me but I remember thinking, if you're going to touch him, TOUCH HIM GOOD! And I did! He was smiling and laughing and I was in a trance. He didn't seem to mind but I could tell he didn't expect it. I told him thanks and proceeded on down the line to the next band member, Alec John Such. Then Richie Sambora. Then David Bryan. And at the end of the line was Tico Torres. I hardly remember saying anything to them or even taking the pictures that I did take because I was fixated on watching Jon the whole time. Man, he was hot then and still is!

Looking back on all this, I remember thinking how ridiculous I used to think girls were acting when I would see them on TV completely freaking out to Elvis or the Beatles. I have to say now I can't blame them at all. I was thisclose to doing the same thing when I met Jon Bon Jovi. I can’t believe I acted like that.

It would be interesting to see, now that I am older, if I could control myself if I got the chance to meet Jon Bon Jovi again.

Somehow I doubt it.

Favorite Motivations

I don't remember where I got these. I've had them printed out and sitting on my desk for over a year now. I like looking at them every once in a while. They really pump me up. I hope they do the same for you.

Can't Never Did Anything.
The idea here is that you can be your own worst enemy when it comes to getting something done. If you say you can't do something, or think you can't, then very likely you won't. It's true--can't never did anything.

Another way I look at it is when someone else tells me I can't do something. That's pretty powerful motivation right there. While it's really good to have people have faith in you, it can really get you going when they don't.

Make Yourself.
In essence it's about not letting other people make you into something you don't want to be and taking responsibility for your own growth through life.

For me, it's often about taking responsibility for my own actions, my own life and getting things done myself. Oh, and hopefully doing them the right way. If you take responsibility for things, you can then influence them and hopefully get them right.

Acknowledge. Move On.
There are things in life you have little or no control over. With those things you acknowledge their existence, do what you can and move on with your life.

There's not much point in stressing over something that you can't influence or control.

No one ever excused his way to success.
I think most of us struggle with excuses. The truth is that if you're making excuses, you're probably not getting much done, and you might be making yourself look bad in the process.

Just Do It!
The way I see it, there are usually a million reasons not to do something. Most of them are bad.

Of course it depends on what you're doing. But in general, become a fan of living life and not watching it pass you by.

Top Ten Worst Album Covers

I just love Mental Floss. Every once in a while they post something so funny that I just have to pass it along.

Todays post is about the Top Ten Worst Album Covers of All Time.

I don't know whether to feel sorry for these people or laugh. I seem to be doing more laughing. You'd have thought someone would have told them how silly their album cover looks before they sent it to print, but I guess no one did.
Enjoy!

10. Ken: By Request Only
I can assure you, Ken, we have only one request.

9. Something Special from Jeff
Poor Jeff looks like death warmed over, from his Herman Munster tan to that funeral director suit. I just hope the “something special” he’s got for us doesn’t involve that hook. (Or perhaps that’s his instrument. After all, Radiohead front man Thom Yorke played a prosthetic arm on his last solo album.)


8. Joyce
This 1983 album is self-titled, but serious Joyce fans know it as “The Red Album.” One choice cut from this LP is “I Get All Excited.”

7. Heino: Liebe Mutter
Keeping the rose theme going, German singer Heino was on his way to plant this rose bush when he stumbled into the photo studio.

6. Orleans: Waking and Dreaming
I’ve had the naked-at-school dream plenty of times. But naked at the photo shoot? Also, notice how the photographer arranged them not according to height, but beardedness.

5. Mike Terry Live At the Pavilion Theater, Glasgow: Volume 2
I can only imagine Mike Terry sounds a lot like he looks: like Elton John crossed with Liberace and fat, Vegas Elvis.

4. Freddie Gage: All My Friends Are Dead
Nicknamed the Underworld Preacher, Gage is a reformed drug addict from Texas. This is an album with a good heart: a sermon aimed at teens which tries to tell them the truth about drug abuse. With an album cover like this, though, I’m betting Gage didn’t sell a lot of copies to anyone, young or old.

3. At Play with the Playmates
Do their wives know about this? Good Lord — these guys look so natural on that bike! But seriously: this 50s vocal trio had a long career, and you can buy this album on Amazon right now.

2. David Ingles: Satan Has Been Paralyzed
(Satan’s not the only one.) Ingles claims his music can heal you, fix your marriage and make you rich.

1. Cody Matherson: Can I Borrow A Feelin’?
Cody had the great honor of having his album title stolen by the writers of The Simpsons: in the episode “A Milhouse Divided,” after Milhouse’s dad loses his marriage and hits rock bottom he records a terrible album called “Can I Borrow A Feeling?” Sounds like Matherson should borrow a lawyer.

Posts like this just crack me up!

Had enough? No? Go here for a list of the Top 100.

Still shaking head from the last post and I come across this one......

Bad boy of haute couture, Gareth Pugh, introduced a new type of head wear in his Spring/Summer 2008 Fashion Show in London.

via Neatorama


WHO WEARS THIS STUFF?!?!?

What the #$*!

I've always wondered how I acquired such a deep frown line in between my brows. I got it from reading all the weird crap on the internet.

Look at the picture and then touch that same spot between your eyebrows.

I'll bet you have one too.


Now, I've seen weirder shoes than this. A LOT weirder. But usually those weirder shoes come from designers in other countries or from designers that aren't as well known and are trying to make a name for themselves by shocking the general population with their designs. But THIS shoe, this backwards heel, freak show pair of shoes come from a well-known American designer.
Marc Jacobs.
THE Marc Jacobs.

What the heck is he thinking?!?

Interesting animals!

The wonderful website Cellar.org posted these a couple days ago.















I just love the curly-haired pigs!















But the frilled shark really freaks me out.

The Daffodil Principle

I don't remember where I first saw this. I think it's just beautiful and so inspiring.


The Daffodil Principle

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!" My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears,
and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers. "Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world ...

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting.....

Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die...

There is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching.


Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

~Anonymous