Atom-Smasher May Be Our End

So you all do know that when the Large Hadron Collider cranks up in August that it will create a black hole that will swallow the Earth, right? Just wanted you all to know just in case you needed to make some arrangements or something...Personally, I would like for my house to be perfectly clean at least once before the Earth is swallowed, you know?

Seriously, I don't believe that the Earth will be swallowed, but there are some people who really do have this fear. I guess I can see their point, but I don't believe the Earth will be demolished by an atom-smasher. It is pretty neat though...this atom-smasher. It's said to be the world's largest experiment...August will be interesting, won't it??

Sooo...what do YOU want to accomplish before the switch is flipped??

Great Place for Recipes

One of my absolute most favorite places to find recipes is over at Myrecipes.com. I’ve been visiting there for awhile now mainly because I love all the food photos! Not only is the site just flat out pretty, it’s easy to navigate and the recipes I’ve tried have been very tasty. It’s kind of like Southern Living recipes…I know they will taste good!!

Be sure to check out the menus also…very neat!

OMG!! Seriously, folks....look what just flew up and hit me square in the eye!


I was just putting my Hanes Her Ways on when I felt something hit my eye. I looked down to see a "I Love Books" bling pin on the floor. I quickly realized that the bling that had just been attached to the hip of my Hanes Her Ways was the thing that had hit me in the eye! I am SOOO suing Hanes...I am...you just watch me....

Follow the real panty lawsuit over here....sheesh....

For Dummies

Lately I’ve been adding “…for dummies” onto most of my searches and I’ve had great success. I’ve searched for “Vista for dummies”, “DNA Replication for dummies”, “video card for dummies”….and these phrases have actually taken me smack dab to the place I need to be and I’ve been able to figure out what was confusing me…well, I’m still working on the Vista thing, but I think that will take time, ya know?

Try it…

Banned

First of all...is Martha Stewart really 66 years old?? I'm in shock! Not that 66 is so terribly old, but I had her in her the fifties...sheesh!

Second, did you hear that she has been banned from Britain? Apparently, she's not allowed into the country because of her 2004 conviction. Sheesh...come on...I understand wanting to keep the "bad people" out, and yes, a crime is a crime, but come on. I think I've just written a sentence bursting with grammatical errors...and it feels good! lol!! What do YOU think (about Martha being banned...not my sentence)???

Oh and by the way, thanks to Sykos Masters for his hilarious comment: "Oh dear ... this is not a Good Thing ® ....". Yes, folks, I spewed tea out my nose when I read that...absolutely hilarious!!

Pollo Loco!

I am soooo excited!! Pete is going to cook dinner tonight and he’s fixing Pollo Loco!! WooHoo!!

First of all, I’m thrilled that he’s going to cook because 1) I had an A & P test today and my mind is mush, and 2) he’s a much better cook than I am. Seriously, we can both make the exact same dish and his is so much tastier than mine. Tonight he is trying a new recipes and I’m sure it will be wonderful. I’ll probably eat way too much and end up needing lap band surgery or I’ll have to start taking generic Phentermine to drop the weight I’ve gained because of my awesome husband, the cook!! Lol!!

No, seriously, I’m going to try hard not to over eat. It’s been a taxing day though so I can’t make any promises. I’ll see if I can get him to share his recipe….

Shameful

Did you hear about the medical flight pilot who was arrested for being drunk...right before he was to fly someone to a treatment center?? Things like this just make me livid. As if this couple didn't have enough going on, here this fellow comes along and thinks he's ok to fly them to their destination. He knew he was going to be flying.....he should not have even had one drink. Seriously, this was extreme poor judgement on the pilots part and all he did was put even more stress on this couple and get himself in trouble...sheesh...dirtbag.

I'm not in a nice mood today....

Impending Disaster

Earlier today, I was watching It Could Happen Tomorrow on the Weather Channel. The episode I saw was about a Cat 3 hurricane hitting New York City and the damage the storm surge would cause. Uh...can I just say, if I were living there, I would quickly hire a New York Moving Company and move myself more inland!! Sheesh-a-moley! That was some pretty scary tv...much more scarier than Jerry Springer!

I know these shows really try to play on our fears and that a lot of times their scenarios are exaggerated. They do make me stop and wonder about how prepared my family is for emergencies and disasters. What kind of things do you do to be prepared...

Custom Road Signs, Zombies and Shipbreakers

I have not Stumbled in a looooong time...now, it's time! Here are the next Seven Stumbles...oh, how I hope there is no nakedy-nakedness....

10 Free Web-Based Alternatives to Photoshop Oh, sweet! Even though I would like to own Photoshop, I have no extra moolah so this list is perfect!! But what about my beloved Gimp? I don't see it on the list...it's free too and I LOVE it.

Custom Road Signs: I love these things!! Also listed are links to Motel signs and wedding signs. And yes, I did create more signs using quotes from Talladega Nights!

10 Deepest Lakes on Earth: Very interesting info...I have no idea if it's all correct or not, but the photos are neat...even if they are possibly photo-shopped. Be sure not to miss the great argument over the metric system...I love when people get into arguments in the comment section....sheesh.

The 100 Oldest Currently Registered .COM Domains: Booor--ing.....last updated in 2003....I could not care less...ack! Thumbs down from me! I can't even believe I'm linking....ack!

Wrong Cards: Just when you think you've seen the crappiest site, you stumble upon something completely funny like Wrong Cards! Seriously, these cards are just wrong...they really are! Check out the Zombie line.... WARNING: not for young eyes..there are some unsavory words and possibly some pictures.

Food banks ask gardeners to grow extra for hungry: Brilliant idea...more people should do this. I would do this IF I could grow something...gardener, I am not!

Shipbreakers: Uh...I think I'll go clean up my kitchen now...and not complain. Nope, I won't complain one little bit after reading this post...

Well, there you have it! Seven stumbles...that went way too fast for me. I think I'll do another Seven Stumbles over here, too! I really, really need to remember how fun stumbling is....

I Feel Smart

There are times when I just "get it"...when all the little bits of info floating around in my brain line up and make things all clear. This past week, I had one of those moments! Yes, my friends, they are few and far between so this is a big deal!!

I've been studying for my Anatomy and Physiology class and I've really been struggling with the simple things like the terms "anterior" and "posterior". However, the whole concept of DNA replication using the Polymerase Chain Reaction method is making perfect sense...go figure.

It's really interesting. The Polymer Chain Reaction used commonly to increase the amount of a DNA sample so it can be tested, was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983. In 1993, Mullis received the Nobel Prize for the procedure. If you are itching to see an animation of the process you can just click on the screenshot below...it's good stuff, folks. Seriously, it is fascinating...and I understand it!! It's kind of like a miracle....


now...back to "anterior" and "posterior".....sheesh.....

New Insurance for Mom

My mom is having a lot of trouble with her health insurance right now. I know this kind of thing happens to a lot of people, but this is the first experience my family has had so it’s all new…and scary. I just wonder what others are doing?? Do people relocate in order to get better insurance? We are close to North Carolina so I wonder if we should check into NC health insurance I kind of don’t even know where to start….

I really feel like Pete and I need to help find a solution to this problem. Any advice??

Beware the Mattresses!

Ok, folks...this news story has my skin completely crawling. Seriously, this would kill me...dead...right there on the spot...I would croak!

Imagine you are a mom going in to check on your crying baby and when you pick your child up.....a snake falls off her leg!!! ACK!!! Horror of all horrors....I would be in such a panic and I would probably need therapy for years to come. Yes, folks...I'm that afraid of snakes!

The mom and her child were visiting from out of town. It's thought that the snake may have been in a mattress that was recently purchased by her parents. I've recently seen on Dateline (or some similar show, can't remember) a story about refurbished mattresses being contaminated with all sorts of stuff. I think it's awful that mattresses are resold when they are in such condition....and I certainly am offended to find out that these awful mattresses may contain snakes too! lol!! Ack!

Secondary Drownings

What a sad story. I was reading over at ABC news about a little 10 year old who died due to secondary drowning. Secondary drowning is also known as dry drowning and happens when a small amount of water is ingested and then goes on to do damage to the lungs.

Apparently, this is not near as common as drownings or near-drownings, but it still happens. This little fellow had ingested some pool water while swimming...haven't we all? He seemed to have recovered but was starting to show signs of lethargy...as do my kids when they have been swimming. The little guy also soiled himself several times...which may or may not have been a red flag...that depends on the kid, ya know? Any way, what I'm getting at is that I would have done the same thing this mom did...assume my child was worn out from swimming! I also would have let my child lay down for a nap....

I am completely sad for this mom right now...how helpless she probably feels. In the news report she says she wants others to know and to watch for the signs associated with secondary drowning. I know that I will be more observant from now on.....

Very sad.

General warning signs:

• difficulty breathing
• extreme fatigue
• change in behavior

Life Insurance For Dummies

Pete is looking at all of benefits and insurance policies right now. Seriously, I’m thankful that he is doing so and that it’s not me that is having to deal with everything. I am CLUELESS when it comes to things like life insurance. I’ve been told over and over, but I just don’t “get it”. You get term life insurance quotes, whole life quotes and then what is universal life insurance?? My eyes just glaze over…

I should be able to grasp all this insurance stuff, but I am not. I hope I die before Pete….lol!!

Is there one of those Dummies books available???

A Bazillion Pockets

Most of you all know that I’ve been saving up for a laptop. I had saved up quite a bit, but then our van croaked and we had to buy a new (new to us!) van so a there went my savings. It looks like, however, that I will have some school loan money left over after paying tuition so I might just be able to buy that laptop after all!

As I’ve been looking at laptops, I’ve also been checking out all those laptop bags that are available. I thought I would make my own but decided against it because I was afraid it would not be sturdy enough. In my mind’s eye, I kept on seeing me toting my handmade bag into Starbuck’s and seeing the handles rip off and my laptop hitting the floor! Seriously, I can quilt up a storm, but when it comes to making things like bags (and clothes), I am horrible…no skills whatsoever!

Now, there really are tons of different laptop bags out there and I am drawn to the ones that are pink. I do, however, think it would be much wiser for me to actually consider a bag not just for its color but rather for how well it would protect my laptop. This Skooba® RoadWired Skooba Computer Satchel 2.0(which is on sale right now!) looks like exactly what I need and if they made one with a splash of pink where the blue is then I would be set!!

The Skooba® bag has a bazillion little pockets which I think is great! There is a place for your cell phone, water bottle, tickets, magazines…really there is a place for everything! A great feature about this bag is the patented Air Pocket system which acts as a shock absorber and protects the laptop. I can see me needing this feature!

This bag retails for $100.00, but right now it’s on sale for $49.99 with FREE shipping!!I’m very tempted folks…very tempted!!Would it be bad to buy my bag before I actually bought my laptop??Wait…if I bought the bag then I would HAVE to buy a laptop, right?!

Celebrate Gus Day!

I know it's a big no no to cross post, but there are always exceptions to the rules, right? Today marks the second annivesary of Gus' death. Gus died on May 31, 2006 while awaiting a liver/small bowel transplant. He was 16 months old.

I have found it very therapeutic to write letters to Gus. The following is the letter I’ve written to mark the second anniversary of this death…or rather, his “homegoing”. I want to make it very clear that by writing this letter I am in no way trying to make contact with him. Contacting the dead is wrong and quite dangerous. (Deut. 8:9-12). There are deceitful spirits out there that yearn to make us think we are talking to our loved ones when in all actuality we are not. Besides…God has provided us with the only Spirit we need…the Holy Spirit. He will not deceive us nor misguide us. Since I’m certain that the Lord and Gus see each other daily, I have asked Him to share these letters if it is His will….I like to think it is!

Dearest Gus,

It has been two years since we said goodbye to each other. When I think about the time that has passed, I am amazed that it has been that long—yet, then again, sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I am still able to feel the weight of your little body in my arms. I can even still imagine nuzzling your neck and breathing in your precious baby smell. I know in time that will pass. God comforts me with these memories and I am thankful.

I still dream of you often. My hope is that I will continue to do so until we are reunited. My dreams of you are often funny. I can honestly say that I wake up from them feeling joy instead of the great dread that I could feel in knowing you are no longer here. God uses these dreams to bring me comfort and I am thankful.

Your dad is about to graduate nursing school and I’ve just started working on my three pre-requisites so I can start nursing school next summer. My time with you has shown me that I can handle the toughest things on this earth. Certainly I have not done any of these things—like holding you as your heart beat for the last time—on my own but only through the magnificent power of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Because of this, I am praying that God will bless us with in-home opportunities to care for other medically fragile children—especially the ones that are abandoned in the hospital and have no one. This sounds crazy to a lot of people and I do understand. Who in their right mind would want to get attached to a child that may die?? Who would set themselves up for such heartache?? Well, your dad and I would…and we would be honored to have the opportunity to do so. I have been blessed and equipped with the experience of your death and as I start school, I look forward to the chances I will have to “give back”. God has empowered me to face the tough things and has given me empathy and I am thankful.

As I am aware of the fact that a righteous man’s prayer is powerful and effective(James 5:16), and you my son are as righteous as you can be since you are now with the Lord, I am hoping you will pray for me…well, for all of us Doriots! Seriously, this world is so beautiful yet so dark—so full of sin. I strive daily to live joyfully and I look forward with great anticipation to our reunion. It is hard here though so please pray that we will not grow weary and lose sight of Home. God uses the reality of Heaven and seeing you again to comfort me…and I am thankful!

I love you, Gus!

Mommy

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

One Car Family

One car families have always seemed so strange to me. Well, that is until we became one of those families! After Gus was born, we needed to save money so we went to using only one car. We did end up buying a used Oldsmobile (Buster),but we only drove it about a month before it croaked on us. After that we just stuck to our one car.

Some people think we are nuts, but it works well for us. There are several perks: lower gas bill, only one car insurance policy, and we are forced to be organized! I take Pete to school as much as possible and this also works well because parking is horrible on campus. To be able to drop him right at the door also means that we get to spend time with him in the mornings. If he drove himself, he would have to leave at least an hour and half earlier just to get a parking space. Pete has been driving himself to school this summer because parking is much better. Of course, this all works because school and work are very close by.

Having only one car has been good for us….we may just stick to this plan for awhile....or at least until the gas prices drop.

Off With Their Heads!

Pete and I love to watch the Tudors weekly episodes early through On Demand. This afternoon, we watched quite a few beheadings and I will have to say that they were quite graphic. We're talking about serious cringing, folks! lol!! I think we both sat there with our shoulders pushed up to our ears every time someone was getting the axe!! I'm still amazed that people came out to see others beheaded...it is so extremely gross. I know it was a normal thing to do, but seriously, weren't people bothered at all???

I can't wait for next week's episode....Anne's turn. It stinks to be the Queen....

SocialSpark Is Neat!

Well, folks…I’ve been hanging out over at SocialSpark for a few weeks now and I’ve found it to be a real neat place! I love that I have the opportunity to make a little extra money by posting about the different topics offered by the advertisers. Along with all the great “jobs” available, there is also a chance to visit new blogs and meet new bloggers. I’ve come across several blogs that I just love and I’m pretty sure I would not have even found these blogs if we both were not part of SocialSpark.

I also like the design of the profiles at SocialSpark. They are easy to navigate and are chocked full of information about the blogger and his/her blog. Even though I can check my stats through my host, I go to my SocialSpark profile because it’s quick and easy. Because I’m such a glory hog, here’s my SocialSpark profile…check it out and leave me props and comments, pretty please!
Even though I really like SocialSpark, there is one thing that I would like to see changed in the future. When I get a notification that I have a post to write, I would like to have a link to that “job” so I could easily click the link and find out the specific details I need to complete that job. Right now I have to sign-in and search for the job. It’s not a real big deal to look for the job, but it would be nice to just be able to click through…it would save time!

If you’ve not visited SocialSpark, you really need to do so….I think you’ll find it a neat place too!!

***This is a sponsored post.