Global Warming in the United States???

In Slate.com there was a cartoon that indicated the lack of US cooperation with the Global Warming issue.  With Al Gore’s campaign for the “Inconvenient Truth” that he has been doing in the past few years, you would think that the prospect of US’s involvement with the global warming issues would be higher.  What this cartoon fails to portray is the thought of what cooperation is being had by the other countries in this world.  I wonder what that would actually look like????

 

 

 

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Merry Christmas!!

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As Families Grow and Expand,

so do the family traditions.

It is time for my daughter to develop new traditions with her new family with the onset of their baby girl this past June.  They are quickly learning how to adjust to meeting each sides’ family to continue Christmas family traditions.

Because I have to work today and tomorrow, I got to share Christmas with them on this Christmas Eve morning.  At nearly 6 months old now, the granddaughter is wide-eyed and enjoying all the excitement of all the sparking gifts.  With the aid of her mother, my daughter, she unwrapped her gifts from me.  A small moo cow that goes Moooooooo, a soft clown, some Baby Einstein DVDs, some clothes and a colorful musical clown painting for her bedroom.

For my daughter and her hubby, I got them a Japanese tea set to go with the oriental theme that they have started for their apartment, along with a note telling them how proud I was for the both of them to adjusting to all the changes in the past year.

For me, they got me a 2008 bound datebook (beautiful teal leather).  The funny part is that they have already made notes of all of their birthdays — as well as a note 2 weeks ahead of time to plan for their birthday gifts.  My daughter will be 21 this coming year.  Amazing how time flies!

They had his father stay from Saturday through today; and they are off to see my folks tomorrow.  I believe the rest of his family will be over there sometime tonight.  I may have it all wrong.  I am not trying to keep up with it all.  The important time was for me to have time set aside for me to spend with them — especially due to my crazy work schedule and having to work through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day due to the nature of the work I do.

Tonight, I will go and spend some time at some Christmas Eve services at some nearby Churches to keep in line with my own tradition (besides going to a Presbyterian Christmas Eve Service, if I am not too exhausted, I may go also to a Catholic midnight Mass Christmas Eve service, although I am not Catholic just because they are so meaningful).

Before I left today from my daughter’s home, I was given a Santa picture with my granddaughter on Santa’s lap.  What a treasure!  I have already shown it to everyone who was here when I came into work.  Pictures should be arriving soon in my email with my granddaughter and I sticking our tongues out at each other this morning.  lol….

May everyone have bright cheery Christmas traditions and have a very Merry and Safe Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!  Look forward to hearing everyone’s stories to be shared…..

Can someone save me some figgy pudding??? 🙂

We Wish You a Merry Christmas : Lyrics

Play Music !

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; 
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; 
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; 
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer

We won’t go until we get some; 
We won’t go until we get some; 
We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas – lyrics

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How Do You Become a Shopping Mall Santa?

OMG….

just perusing Slate.com and came across a “recycled article” that is republished to make it a new article on Monday, December 17th called, “How to be a shopping-mall Santa”, which is indeed a very thorough article about Shopping Mall Santas.

It brought a smile to my face and a rush of memories as I had worked for one of the organizer companies of these Shopping Mall Santas one year.  It was a great time of coordinating with the malls all the Santas we needed to fill for their Santa photo opps within each of the malls.  Not only were we coordinating schedules for those Santas in Austin, but we were also involved in coordinating schedules for those Santas in many of the other malls in Houston, San Antonio and other metropolitan cities throughout Texas.

What an interesting year that was to be a behind the scenes coordinating elf to make sure that all the malls were fully staffed with the Santas – especially, when receiving the compliments from all the long time veteran Santas that were putting smiles on childrens faces.  After all, besides being the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is also about bringing a special joy and memories to all the children.

I am looking forward to going to the mall this year when I do get a chance — not really to do Christmas shopping as I have completed my Christmas shopping for this year — but to observe from a vantage point all the children’s faces light up when they see Santa Claus at the shopping mall to hear what they want for Christmas, as well as to get their photos taken with Santa.  My daughter is too old now to have her photo taken with Santa; however, I am hoping to get a picture of my 5 mo old granddaughter with Santa Claus.  I can’t wait!!

Hoping that visions of Santas in Shopping Malls may also bring rushes of fond memories of your childhood, or as a parent of young children this year!

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Pre-Christmas Sales???

Obviously, Doug Savage may not be an eBay seller! 😉

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Maybe a change of uniforms is necessary???

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Okay…. so 5 books a month hasn’t been accomplished…

to distribute and promote the Bookcrossings concept; however, I am seriously thinking about introducing these books on eBay as well.

Do you think people would buy these on eBay????

See more progress on: Distribute five books a month via Bookcrossings program

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Ordered one of those programs on tvs…

that promise to instruct you how to make it rich selling real estate. Although I suspect that it won’t be all that it purports to be, I am hoping that I, at least, learn a few things from it.

Has anyone ever found these programs helpful to direct you to the appropriate sources???

See more progress on: buy some acreage and build a house

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“It’s Called Christmas with a Capital C” by Go Fish!

It’s about time…

bring back the jingle and the jangle back into Christmas!!

Make us proud of our beliefs…not having to hide them like many countries have to do in their countries.  After all, being proud of our beliefs and not having to hide our thoughts, dreams, and ambitions is part of what make Americans proud of their heritage as well as a number of other things (which are not directly related to the issuance of this song);  it is just about being able to be able to wish some one “Merry Christmas!” with no worries of being offensive to anyone.  After all, when someone wishes “Happy Chanukah!” to a Christian with Christian beliefs, they aren’t stammering and say “I am offended by what you said.”  Instead, Christians just generally nod and say to their Jewish friends, “and, may you have a Happy Chanukah!”

Bah humbug to the politically correct censorship and the victimization of the Christians to succumb to the numbness of the non-emotional impact of their beliefs, and let all the Christians sing along with Go Fish:

[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ]

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While everything comes to a standstill during the holidays,

it is oftentimes that the social service industry is often at its busiest of times.

Pet sitters are needed for the pets while folks go on trips to visit relatives during the holidays.

Babysitters are needed so that the adults can go to their fabulously rocking, cheery holiday celebrations or just for some hassle free shopping.

Granny sitters are needed for the grandparents who aren’t able to get to see their families because their families can’t find it possible to have them travel with them to visit the families (especially, if there are health and health aid concerns), or if the places that they are staying at are understaffed.

It is often a thankless job, but someone comes to the aid for others to have the much needed enjoyment.   Just don’t forget to hug those workers as you see them today and throughout the holidays.  Their sacrifice often means that you are able to enjoy the holidays to the fullest.

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Announcing –

Check out the latest from Devine Texan’s Creations!!

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Craigslist Murder!

Sent to me by a friend…. check it out. Be cautious and be safe!!!

Nanny Who Answered Online Ad Found Dead
Man Police Believe Posted Wanted Ad Is In Custody In Minnesota
SAVAGE, Minn., Oct. 29, 2007

(CBS/AP) Police say an online ad seeking a nanny may have cost a Cottage Grove, Minnesota, woman her life.

Katherine Ann Olson, 24, was found dead in the trunk of her car at a Burnsville, Minnesota, park late Friday night. She was last seen by friends Thursday morning, when she went to meet someone in Savage about the job, which investigators said she had found on Craigslist.org, a popular Internet bulletin board.

A 19-year-old man from Savage who police believe placed the ad is being held in the Scott County jail pending charges expected to be filed Tuesday. He worked at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where police arrested him Friday night.

The suspect, identified as Michael John Anderson, was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, reported CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.

“We’re confident we have the suspect in custody,” Police Capt. David Muelken said.

A spokesman for Craigslist told Reynolds that, if the link to the site is confirmed, it would be the first muder ever tied to Craigslist in its 12 years of existence.

“Investigators are working with Craigslist,” Muelken told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith, “and they have been cooperative.”

In a KMSP-TV interview, the victim’s father, Rolf Olson, says the family is devastated but “there was some sense of peace that they found her.”

Olson was a 2002 graduate of Park-Cottage Grove High School, where she was co-valedictorian, and from St. Olaf College in 2006.

Her family said had taken nanny jobs at least twice before, including a job in Turkey, after answering online ads. They said they had misgivings about her finding jobs online, but she never seemed to worry.

That last help wanted posting, said her sister, Sarah Richter, “seemed kind of fishy, but she was just going to check it out, and meet them.”

Olson’s family gathered in front of their home Saturday afternoon to share stories of a vivacious young woman “who was a joy, who trusted people” and always assumed the best in others. They said they were finding strength in the people who were touched by Olson’s life.

“She was going to set the world on fire, and that’s the grief that we feel,” said her mother, Nancy Olson. “It’s not just for us, it’s for all these other people that she would have touched.”

Citing the ongoing investigation, police were cautious about the details they released. They declined to say how Katherine Olson might have been killed or whether a weapon was used. They said they weren’t sure of a motive.

Muelken said a resident told a Savage Public Works employee about a purse found in a garbage can at Pacer Park. A police officer retrieved the purse, which contained belongings of Olson’s. Thinking it was a theft, police called Olson’s home and left a message telling her they had her purse. About 5 p.m. Friday, Olson’s roommate returned the call and told police Olson hadn’t been seen since 8 a.m. Thursday, when she went off to Savage to interview for a baby-sitting job.

Police went back to the park and found a garbage bag in the container. Inside it was a “significantly bloody towel.” An extensive search of the area ensued. A State Patrol helicopter pilot noticed a car in the parking lot of Rudy Kraemer Nature Preserve in Burnsville, a few blocks away from Pacer Park. Police identified the car as Olson’s, and found her body in the trunk.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/29/national/main3422072.shtml

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Supporting Sears; Supporting Our Troops!

Received this in my email today.  It is comforting that some businesses can and do actually go beyond their call of duty these days; so many don’t.  It is indeed a rare find and we should support those who do.

See below for full story:

Sears Walks the Walk…
 
Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up…

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.

Suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

Pass it on.

Decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

Received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it’s cheaper at that store.

This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears. The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback.

Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
< A title=mailto:webcenter@sears.Com href=”mailto:webcenter@sears.Com“> webcenter@sears.Com
1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!!

It’s Verified By Snopes.Com at: http://WWW.snopes.Com/politics/military/sears.asp (shows the entire article).

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Well the selling of the recliner couch and chair…

and its coffee and end tables so quickly on Craigslist has certainly encouraged me to go ahead and place the glass dining room table on Craigslist as well.

At the beginning of many of the Craigslist postings is the disclaimer, “Avoid scammer fraud”, and it provides one with some very helpful tips:

---

Avoiding scams and fraud craigslist help forum

You can sidestep would-be scammers by following these common-sense rules:

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON – follow this one simple rule and you will avoid 99% of the scam attempts on craigslist.

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service – anyone who asks you to do so is a scammer.

FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer “buyer protection” or “seller certification”

NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL “GUARANTEE” YOUR TRANSACTION.

---

Unfortunately, the first bite I had on my dining room set appears to be from one of these scammer folks. I simply responded to him, “Where are you? I normally deal with local people.” Hopefully, this will end the conversation there and will enable me to get a true buyer.

Caveat emptor. (Buyer be aware.)

Perhaps, what should also be said…”Seller be aware of buyers with crooked mouths!”

😀

In the meantime, I am not giving up on my dining room set being sold soon. Next up!!! 😀

See more progress on: Finding feng shui

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International Wine Cellars: Fire-Grilled Personal Pizza Recipe! :)

Ingredients Your favorite pizza dough or 1-2 frozen Rhodes white loaves, follow rising instructions and then separate each loaf into 2-3 pieces (depending on how big you want your pizzas to be) Toppings: Hard cheese: Asiago, Romano, Parmesan, Reggiano Mild cheeses: Mozarella or Monterey Jack or Feta Grilled portabello mushrooms Fresh basil leaves Sliced Kalamatta olives Sliced white onions Sliced green, red, yellow and orange peppers Diced Sun-dried tomatoes Use any meat from bacon to chicken Sauce: Any bottled pizza / pasta sauce or olive oil

Instructions
Don’t go strictly by our list — have fun and provide ingredients in separate bowls for people to create their own pizza. Roll dough to desired size and thickness. Brush with olive oil and grill over medium heat until golden brown. Remove from grill and top grilled side with your favorite ingredients. Return pizza to grill, uncooked dough-side-down, close lid and in about 7-10 minutes, you’ll be in gourmet pizza heaven! Serves 4-8

See International Wine Sellers for more ideas….

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Shirley Temple on Santa Claus:

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.”

 

– Shirley Temple

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Found this cartoon on Slate.com today

It certainly has its point driven home. What ARE the carmakers going to do to eliminate the gas guzzler’s on the road? True. There are the hybrids that are saving many consumers hundreds, if not thousands of gas expenses, each year; but, the prices of most of the hybrid vehicles are still seemingly out of reach for the average car buyer these days.

What do you think???

See more progress on: Save on Gas

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Faraday’s Response!!!!

I am soooo excited that I got a wonderful response from Faraday’s Kitchen Store when I inquired whether or not they had some cheese making kits there and if they had considered offering some cheese making classes in the future. Be sure to also contact them if you are interested so that we might get a class going in the Austin/Lake Travis area, as well as have access to some cheese making supplies locally!!! See below:

“We have not had a request for a cheese making class or equipment to do so. I like the idea and will look into what is required to make cheese. Any cheese in specific would you like to see done in a class?

 

Thanks for reaching out to us. Have an awesome week.”

 

Tony Curtis-Wellings

 

Faraday’s Kitchen Store

 

Feeding your passion for cooking

See more progress on: make cheese

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Received from a friend re Credit Card Scam…

This post has been moved to resolve, hopefully, a technical issue on this home page. 🙂

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A Bit of Creativity at HEB???

I missed out on the beginning of the contests, but this was a great outlet for YouTubers who are creative in the mind and soul….

HEB Commercial Contest — Go check it out!  Some very creative submissions are here!

and, for those who love to write….

HEB Scriptwriting Contest — Be sure to check this out as well.  Definitely will see some creative ideas here!

You may not be able to enter yourself this time around, but please vote for your favorites and put your thinking cap on in case they offer these opportunities again soon.   If you are in a need of some inspirations, definitely check those out above, as well as the My Commercial Creations already done!

Enjoy!!!

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If you have ever been to a thrift store…

you know the excitement that can be had like Terri Horton had when she possibly found a Jackson Pollock masterpiece, as shared in 60 Minutes’ posting entitled, “A Thrift-Shop Jackson Pollock Masterpiece?  Ex-Trucker Claims She Scored a Multimillion-Dollar Painting for $5”.

CBS 60 Minutes did an excerpt on this story on tonight’s 60 Minutes show entitled “The $50Million Mystery”.  It is truly an amazing story and poses the question, “What if she did find that greatest find in the world of thrift-store hunting???”  A fingerprint expert on 60 Minutes confirms that he does indeed think it is by comparison of fingerprints on the back of Terri’s canvas to on that is in the museum on an old can of blue paint to one that is found on another known Pollock painting!!

After all, we know that old adage of “What is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” (origin unknown).  Often times, the staff at thrift stores have no idea of whether they are looking at an original or replication of a work of art.  They often treat it as if it were replication and put it on the floor with a ridiculously low price.  Sometimes, I feel, it may be somewhat intentional to draw those customers in who are looking for that unique treasure that may put their children through college and then some in order to keep the other things moving in their stores; if so, it is a great marketing gimmick as much of what they do receive in the thrift stores are not so remarkable treasures in most people’s eyes, but that $2 bear might be a child’s prize possession for years to come; and, that joy being spread is much of what the mission of the thrift stores is all about.

Will it create droves to the Thrift Stores?  Probably not.  Not many people think that they will be the one to find that treasure in what can be like finding a needle in a haystack.  However, lucky is the person who can!! 😀

See the CBS 60 Minutes Video on this Thrift Shop Find, here!

For fun, create your own Jackson Pollock masterpiece here!

 

 

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