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Now for Phyllis...
I hope everyone had a very merry and blessed Christmas!
There's a product I tried recently and have quickly become addicted to! Its called "Better N' Peanut Butter." So far as I can tell, its not available at most regular grocery stores such as Food Lion, but it is available at some health food stores and at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
Better N' Peanut Butter is low in sodium, and has 85% less fat and 40% less calories than most regular peanut butter brands. As for taste, I think its pretty good! No, it doesn't taste exactly like peanut butter, but it definately has a peanutty taste and spreads just like peanut butter. I have it on toast for breakfast, or in a BNPB and jelly sandwich for lunch. It satisfies my peanut butter craving but without all the fat and calories.
Here is their website
http://www.betternpeanutbutter.com/index.html
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Find out what your name means...
http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/
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Healthy Living
This week I'd like to talk about the importance of drinking water. Do you know that most people should drink at least 2 quarts of water a day? Wonder why? Well, for one thing, thats roughly how much water your body loses normally through perspiration, waste removal and other bodily functions. (Just breathing uses water! Your lungs exhale water vapor as you breathe.) And if you exercise enough to break a sweat, you definately need to make sure you're getting enough water. Staying properly hydrated will help you avoid fatigue, nausea and even heat stroke. In addition, water helps keep your energy up, weight down, muscles strong and joints supple!
Water helps regulate your body temperature.
Water makes up 83% of the blood in your body.
Water composes 75% of your brain.
Water moistens oxygen for breathing.
Water accounts for 22% of your bones and 90% of your lungs.
Your body is approximately 60% water.
One thing to remember in addition is that if you drink more water than your body needs without getting the other proper nutrients, your body will actually start to deplete itself of those nutrients.
And in the interest of being eco friendly, I'd like to suggest that you get a Brita water pitcher or a filter that attaches to your faucet. That way you won't be adding all those plastic bottles to the landfills.
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Here's a site just for fun...especially if you're a cat lover!
stuffonmycat.com
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New uses for fabric softener sheets
1. Freshen stinky shoes...just put a fabric softener sheet in each shoe and leave overnight.
2. Remove static...just rub a fabric softener sheet over your hair or clothing.
3. Pick up pet hair...rub a fabric softener sheet over the spot where Fido was!
4. Keep your lingerie drawer smelling nice...just leave a sheet in your drawer.
5. Clean stuck on gunk from a pan...put a fabric softener sheet in the bottom of the pan and fill with water. Leave it overnight and it will be much easier to clean in the morning. (Great for when you've run out of Dawn Power Dissolver!)
6. Tangle free thread when sewing...run your needle through a dryer sheet before you start to sew.
Got any other uses for dryer sheets? Send them in!
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The grey sea creeps half-visible, half hushed,
And grasps with its innumerable hands
These silent walls.
I see beyond a rough glimmering infinity
I feel the wash
And hear the sibilation of the waves
That whisper to each other as they push
To shoreward side by side --
long lines and dim
Of movement flecked with quivering spots of foam
The quiet welter of a shifting world.
The Sea At Night
by Sri Aurobindo
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COOL PICK
Ever wonder if you are a fashion "do"...or a "don't"? Then check out http://donts.glamour.com/galleries
Here you will find all sorts of pictures of women...most of them are fashion don'ts! There is a message board where you can read the comments of others, or leave your own remarks and ratings. Sometimes the comments are mean, so be warned! But its kind of fun to look through the pictures...you might get some good fashion inspiration, too! And you're certain to be surprised by some of the DON'Ts...you won't believe they actually left the house looking like that.
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Have you ever looked for a clip on YouTube only to find its been removed? You might be able to find it here
http://youtomb.mit.edu/
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Typing fun!
http://play.typeracer.com/
A great site for practicing your typing speed and "racing" against others!
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A useful site
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Get the email addresses and homepages of your Congressmen.
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Do you make new years resolutions? Here are a few helpful hints to help you KEEP the resolutions that you make.
1. Don't set the bar too high, or you're most likely doomed from the start. Instead of making a huge resolution (I will lose 40 lbs by April and buy a new wardrobe) pick a goal that is a bit easier to attain, such as "I want to lose ten lbs." After you lose the ten lbs, if you want to lose more, just renew your goal. You don't have to wait until new years to make resolutions.
2. Don't make too many resolutions at once. Why frustrate yourself? Instead, pick one thing (or at the most, two) that you REALLY want to do, and put your focus and energy on that.
3. Tell people about your resolutions. That way you'll have support, and someone to prod you along if you are having difficulty. Just remember there is no shame in asking for help if you're having trouble meeting your goal.
4. Reward yourself. Promise yourself something for keeping your resolution. (Pedicure, anyone?)
5. Wait until Spring to make resolutions. Who says you have to make resolutions just because its new year? Why not make your resolution on May first? The change in season will coincide with whatever change you are looking to make within yourself.
Here's to a happy and healthy 2009 to us all!
And to countdown to 2009, here's a counter for you.http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/multicountdowna.html
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Now for Toni...I just finished a fabulous book titled Dogwood by Chris Fabry. I was so anxious to finish this book that I ended up missing the first half of WVU versus UNC in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Missing any WVU game is a big deal to me, but missing a bowl game is serious business! The author has a blog if you'd like to check it out http://chrisfabry.blogspot.com/ In reading the blog I found out that this book is number 1 in a series of 3, so if you like it as much as I did I'm sure you'll be glad to know there is more to come.
In the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance from her deep passions and conflicts leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three small children and "do life" the best she can. Will returns to Dogwood intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved--only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. The secrets of Will and Karin's past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn't survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. The trigger that will lay their pain bare and force them to face it rather than flee is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman who leads Karin so deep into her anger against God that it forces unexpected consequences.
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Just in case you were wondering, WVU beat UNC 31-30.
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Here are the poll results from 2 issues ago. I had 12 to respond, plus Handyman John and myself makes 14...
1. In what state or country do you live? England 1, Oregon 1, West Virginia 3, Maryland 2, Pennsylvania 2, Minnesota 1, Florida 1, Massachuttes 1, California 1, Michigan 1
2. Are you younger or older than 45? 2 younger and 12 older
3. Do you work outside the home? 5 does, 8 does not and 1 does volunteer work
4. What is your number one favorite thing to do in your spare time? reading 3, scrapbooking 1, talking on the phone 1, being on the computer 3, writing letters 2, riding motorcycles 1, going on road trips 1, fishing 1, knitting 1
5. What is your 2009 New Year's Resolution? don't make resolutions 5, pay car off 1, lose weight 5, improve diabetic diet 1, try to get more organized 1, handle finances better 1
6. How many children do you have? sons 3, daughters 5, didn't specify 14, no children 3 (for a total of 22 children)
7. I'm taking you out to lunch; where do you want to eat? Mexican 1, Italian 1, BBQ 1, steak house 1, seafood 1, Pizza Hut 3, Subway 1, Applebee's 1, The 99 1, Vejar's Mexican Restaurant 1, Apple Tree 1, Bob Evans 1, Famous Daves 1
8. After lunch let's go shopping; what's your favorite store? the mall 2, flea market 1, craft/gift/card store 1, Marks & Spencers 1, Fashion Bug 1, Wal-Mart 4, Macy's 1, Dollar Tree 1, Peddler's Village 1, Kohl's 1
9. Would you rather watch a movie at the theater or at home on DVD? at home 10, at the theater 4
10. The best place you've ever been on vacation? USA 1, Vegas 1, Hawaii 2, Toronto Canada 1, Florida 1, Maine 1, the Carolinas 2, Oregon coast 1, Grand Canyon 1, Novia Scotia 1, camping/fishing trip 1, Prince Edward Island 1
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I am happy to report that our gas is down to $1.59 a gallon.
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Perched at 9,500 feet on Trinity Mountain is the highest fire lookout in the Boise National Forest.
In Idaho law forbids a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds. (Note from Toni: And that is why I don't live in Idaho--LOL)
The Lewis & Clark Highway (United State Highway 12) is the shortest route from the midwest to the Pacific Coast and the longest highway within a national forest in the nation.
The elevation of Cambridge is 2,650 feet above sea level with the surrounding mountains reaching elevations around 8000 feet and plummeting to around 1500 feet in Hells Canyon.
Bruneau Dunes State Park contains North America's tallest single structured sand dune. It stands 470 feet high.
Bruneau Canyon Overlook offers a view into a 1,200 foot-deep, 800-foot-wide river canyon.
Hell's Canyon is the deepest gorge in America.
Shoshone Falls, The Niagara of the West, spills over a 212-foot drop near Twin Falls.
At 5897 feet elevation, Mackay calls itself the Top of Idaho because it is the nearest city to Mt. Borah, the highest mountain in Idaho.
Soda Springs boasts the largest man-made geyser in the world.
Rigby is known as the birthplace of television since it is Philo T. Farnsworth's hometown. Farnsworth pioneered television technology.
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Caribou National Forest in 1907. The area now covers more than 1 million acres in southeast Idaho.
In 1924 local McCall resident and Olympic ski champion, Cory Engen, started the celebration known as the Winter Carnival to help curb the boredom of the long McCall winters.
Sawtooth Mountain/Sawtooth National Recreational Area was named for its jagged profile.
Seven Devils' Peaks, one of the highest mountain ranges in Idaho, Includes Heaven's Gate Lookout, where sightseers can look into four states.
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Cheryl shares this:
"10 Cool Gadgets You Can't Get Here--Yet"
A high-definition TV you can carry in your pocket. A remote you talk to. A dongle for bringing HDTV broadcasts to your laptop while you're on the go. Sound great? Too bad, because you'll have to cross an ocean to get them.
View the slide show
"Google's Top 17 Easter Eggs, Gags, and Hoaxes"
Google makes your life easier with great search, but did you also know it's loaded with pranks, goofs, and put-ons? We show you the best of the bunch.
View the slide show
"Top 10 Google Flubs, Flops, and Failures"
Not everything Google touches turns to gold. These are some of Google's biggest nonstarter Web services, software programs, and business moves.
View the slide show
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~Marie's Laughter~
The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whispered, "Hello?" Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?" "Yes," whispered the small voice." May I talk with him?" the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, "No." Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes", came the answer." May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No". Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. "Is there anyone there besides you?" the boss asked the child. "Yes" whispered the child, "A policeman." Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" "No, he's busy," whispered the child. "Busy doing what?" asked the boss. Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman," came the whispered answer. Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone the boss asked, "What is that noise?" "A hello-copper," answered the whispering voice. "What is going on there?" asked the boss, now alarmed. In an awed whispering voice the child answered, "The search team just landed the hello-copper." Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated, the boss asked, "Why are they there?" Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, "They're looking for me."
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Web addresses are annoyingly long and unwieldy — especially when you're displaying search results from just about any website. If you want to cut a seemingly infinite URL down to size, head to TinyURL, plug in the long version, and voilà! Out pops a unique shortcut to use in its place. The abbreviated addresses that TinyURL generates are fewer than 20 characters long and never expire. We're not quite sure how TinyURL works its magic, but why question a good thing? We can't live without this ultra-handy tool; you'll get hooked too. (Also check out the equally helpful SnipURL and QurlyQ.)
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Ideas for those left over Christmas candy canes; crush them up and use for:
~ice cream sprinkles
~cake/cupcake sprinkles
~frosted cookie sprinkles
~on top of whipped cream in your hot cocoa
~roll marshmallows in them and eat them whole or toast them in the microwave or drop them in hot cocoa
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Buy on-sale Red and Green items for Valentines and St. Patrick's Day
Hit the after-Christmas sales for RED stuff; red napkins, paper plates, cups, table linens, bathroom towels; solid red anything that you'll get for 50-90% off after Christmas can be used in February for Valentine's Day. Same goes for GREEN stuff and St. Patrick's Day. Also, look for winter items included in the after-Christmas sales that you'll be able to use for the next three months.
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Getting organized for a new year to me starts with a wall calendar and my beloved sticky notes. For remembering birthdays or anniversaries, write the person's name and their special date on a small sticky note. Now, decide how early you want to mail out the card and count backwards from the birthday/anniversary and put the sticky note there. For early-in-the-month occasions, you will probably be backing up into the previous month. When you get the card mailed, remove the sticky note. This will let you see at a glance what cards you need to fix up and which have been mailed already.
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Check out the new Times Square New Year's Eve ball...
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ball.html
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Looking for a Better Bargain?
Get Notified When an Item's Price Drops.
Pick an item, and they'll check its price daily for you -- then send you an email alert -- when the item you want to buy drops to the price you set.
http://www.dealalerter.com/
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"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
~ Dr. Seuss
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What is a shebang? And how did it come to mean an entirety of something? A shebang, or chebang, is a hut or dwelling. Its of unknown origin and dates to at least December 1862 when Walt Whitman used it in his Journal: Their shebang enclosures of bushes.
The word also enjoyed a period where it was also used to refer to a vehicle. From Mark Twain’s Innocents At Home of 1872: You’re welcome to ride here as long as you please, but this shebang’s chartered.
Figurative use to mean a business or thing of concern dates to 1869. Again from Twain in a letter to his publisher from that year: I like the book, I like you and your style and your business vim, and believe the chebang will be a success.
The earliest citation in the OED for the phrase the whole shebang is from a 1924 letter by poet Harold Hart Crane: I am growing more and more sick of factions, gossip, jealousies, recriminations, excoriations and the whole literary shee-bang.
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This year, for the first time, the Tournament of Roses organization will be giving out a Viewer's Choice Trophy. This award will be given to the float that gets the most votes in the KTLA.COM online poll. Be sure to go here on January 1 and vote for your favorite!
http://www.ktla.com/roseparade
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Send in your answers...
I don't have a poll this week, but I have a question that might get some interesting responses.
In your opinion, what has been the most significant world event that has taken place during your lifetime?
I need your answers by noon, January 4.
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