Sunday, August 26, 2012

Life Explained......

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On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

And God saw it was good.


 
 
On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God, again saw it was good.
 
 

 

On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed it was good.
 
 
My Uncle Ray and My Dad (Don), his younger brother


On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."


So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.


Life has now been explained to you.  Hope you enjoy your 80 years..... and then some!
 
 
 
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Hurricane Preparedness - Isaac is Coming!

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With Hurricane Isaac headed toward the Gulf of Mexico, I wanted to remind my friends and neighbors to be safe and to be prepared for what might be coming.

Although the last predicted path has shown that it will probably not hit the Orlando area directly, we are likely to get heavy rain and winds, and maybe a tornado warning or two.

My dear friends in the Florida panhandle and other Gulf states, (Trisha, Lynsey, and others) may get hit much harder, so my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

With that in mind, here are some of the recommendations from FEMA to be prepared for the coming bad weather:


  • To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.


  • Know your surroundings.


  • Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.


  • Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.


  • Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.


  • Make plans to secure your property:


  • Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.


  • Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.


  • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.


  • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.


  • Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.


  • Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.


  • Determine how and where to secure your boat.


  • Install a generator for emergencies.


  • If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.


  • Consider building a safe room.


  • I hope all of you and your families are safe during the storm - and always.  Please check in with me here on the blog or on Facebook or Twitter to let me know you are safe.

    For more information, check out the FEMA website.

    Image Credit


    UPDATE:  My friend Lynsey at Moscato Mom has some exremely practical list of things to do to be prepared for a hurricane. Please head on over to her blog to read post, she has experience with hurricanes and makes a ton of sense.          
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    Friday, August 24, 2012

    PSST..... Today is my Birthday!


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    Hello, my name is Mandie and today is my 3rd birthday.... well, as close to my birthday as I know, I don't really know when my real birthday is, I was abandoned by my original person after being hurt by him. It IS a day to celebrate, however!

    Two years ago my life changed dramatically. The two most wonderful people walked into my life and they never looked back. As soon as mommy came into the room, I saw her and just knew that she was the one I wanted to be mine. So, I peered at her with my green eyes and gave her the, "please pick me up" look - and she did pick me up. I put my paws on her chest and stuck my nose under her ear and snuggled right into her. She started to scratch my ears and rub my back so softly. She gave me kisses on the top of my head - I had only been hit there before, I kind-of liked the kisses.

    I sat there snuggling with her for over a half hour. I wouldn't let her look at any of the other doggies and I wouldn't let any of the other people see me. I could feel mommy's heart warming and beating in time with mine - this was love at first sight, we were meant to be together.

    I didn't understand at first when she left me with the nice people who brought me to the store and they took me back to the cage - I was sad. But two days later, at Petco, I saw Mommy and Daddy come in with big smiles on their faces and a fluffy blanket, I went right into Mommy's arms and stuck my nose under her ear and snuggled with her - this time I was NOT going to let her go and neither was she!! They put me in a carriage and took me shopping for some new toys and a new bed, and even a special treat. Then we went HOME!! To my Forever Home.

    I love living with Mommy, Daddy, and my brothers and sisters. I get to play all the time, I go for walks with the whole family, I get fed every day - twice a day, really good food (Mommy is a good cook), I even get treats every day, and I NEVER get hit, even if I have an accident in the house (sorry you had to wash the carpet, Daddy). I get all the love I could ever ask for... I am SO happy that Mommy and Daddy chose me to live with them.... that is the BEST birthday gift a puppy could ask for.

    I love you, Mommy (you, too Daddy),
    Mandie

    P.S. We love you, too, Mandie! Mommy & Daddy xoxox 

    If you have the room in your heart and home for a dog (or cat), PLEASE check your local shelter, you will be saving a life, and you will get SO much love in return. Thank you!



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    Friday, August 17, 2012

    Blog Hop - Hey Girl.....

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    Image Credit

    Trisha over at Momdot has been doing some bloghops and I have missed several of them (BooHoo) because I haven't been feeling well and haven't been on my computer much. However, yesterday she started a "Hey Girl" meme.

    Now to be honest, I had no idea what this was all about and had to Google it, but when I saw the other participants posts, I truly wanted to join in on this meme.






    So post your photos and link up with Trisha over at Momdot... 

    I am also doing catch-up with one of the blog-hops Trisha did last week - Get to Know How Badly I Eat by Sharing Your Fridge and Pantry AS IS:









    This is the bottom of the pantry that is really a mess and embarrassing.


    Hope you enjoyed these blog hops and you join in. I am having so much fun checking out everyone elses posts, some of which make me laugh so hard, I actually snort. =)

    Looking forward to the next one.....


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    Monday, August 13, 2012

    Monday's Music Moves Me: Country Animals - Say What???

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    Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me!!! We want to make this one of the BEST meme's in all of Blogville, but we cannot do that without YOU.... so come share your music with us and bring your friends to share theirs with us, too!!



    Running this little dance party of ours is the sweetest and most wonderful Marie of XmasDolly. The cohosts helping to keep the party rockin' and rollin' are three absolutely fabulous women, who I love to call my friends: Callie of JamericanSpice, Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, and  Cathy of Cathy Kennedy's Blog.  Plus because life gets to be so hectic at times, we occasionally have one of our faithful followers/participants help us with our cohosting duties. This month, we have Danielle of Royalegacy helping us out, so don't forget to go visit her and follow her blog also!



    Normally I am also a cohost on this magnificent meme, but my back and neck have been giving me much more difficulty over the last month and I fell last week, causing me even greater pain and the ability to spend less time on the computer. Soooo, I am going to take the month of August off from my hosting duties while I try and recuperate. I will still post the weekly theme and the linky and will do my best to visit as many of you as I can with the time I can spend on the computer.



    I do hope you will continue to support the meme, follow the other ladies, and rock your hearts out every week... I know that some Mondays it really is the only thing that gets me going.  =)


    So, this week the theme is Country Songs or as chosen by last week's Spotlight Dancer Songs about Animals. I cannot wait to see what you post...... Have a great week and keep on rockin!!



    ***Just one more note,
    please keep your songs PG - this is a family blog.
    If you do have one song that has some questionable lyrics or content,
    PLEASE put a disclaimer BEFORE the video
    so my readers can make an informed decision
     as to whether they wish to view it or not.
    Thank you!***



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    Sunday, August 12, 2012

    Ten Commandments for Mobile Manners

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    You know you hate those people.... the ones with their necks permanently bent at a 45 degree angle from staring at a smartphone or tablet.  Always checking the Internet even in restaurants, on dates and in meetings. Modern mobile gadgets open up a whole new world of information right at your fingertips.

    This, of course, has led to some of the rudest people on the planet, so here is a list of the Ten Commandments for Mobil Manners:


    1. Thou shalt give top priority to those who are with you.
     
    Listen intently when you are with friends, family members and coworkers. When you constantly check messages, you send the message that other people and things are more important to you.


    2. Thou shalt not be distracted.
     
    For safety's sake, don't text or engage in voice calls while driving. For the same reason, don't let texting or voice calls distract you while walking in busy public spaces. Texting-while-walking mishaps have become such a serious problem that cities are starting to issue tickets.


    3. Do not shout on the sidewalk.
     
    It's OK to take a call when you're on the street. But try to keep your voice down. If you have to shout to be heard above the background noise, you should call back later.


    4. Thou shalt not make private matters public.
     
    Don't discuss private matters in public. Remember never to text anything that is private, confidential or potentially embarrassing. Messages can be forwarded and shared with hundreds of others in seconds - and often are.


    5. Do unto others as briefly as possible.
     
    Remember that you have a captive, unsympathetic audience when you're in a carpool or using public transportation. Only make or take a call if it's essential. And when you absolutely must talk, keep the call short.


    6. Learn how to turn that thing completely off as soon as you get it out of the box.
     
    Then please do turn it off whenever you are in a church, a restaurant, a library, at a movie, concert, at a play - and even in a meeting.


    7. Use headphones correctly.
     
    Use headphones whenever playing games or watching videos. Get a pair of snug-fitting headphones - and wear them. There's nothing worse than hearing sound spilling from loose-fitting earbuds. And it's basic good manners to remove your headphones when someone is trying to speak to you.


    8. Do not cause light pollution.
     
    Lighting up a darkened environment, such as a train at night, with your jumbo tablet screen is inconsiderate. Others usually don't really care if you ask nicely first. When in public, turn screen brightness down as a courtesy.


    9. Share only with permission.
     
    Sharing pictures of current locations is a great way to update friends and family members. Don't take photos of strangers, however, without permission - and never post pictures of strangers on social media sites.


    10. Exercise good taste.
     
    Keep the content on your screen at a General Audiences level. Don't call up risqué videos, photos and websites in public areas.


    I think this just about covers everything... it all basically comes down to common sense, but there are some people that need things spelled out for them. Hopefully this will help everyone make for a peaceful environment.  =)


    {From The Kim Komando Show}

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    Sunday, August 5, 2012

    Monday's Music Moves Me ~ A Little Break and An Explanation

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    First of all...
    CONGRATULATIONS
    to all the lucky winners of our Grand Gala Giveaway!!
    We are so grateful for your participation and support for the past 100 weeks
    and look forward to another 100 with you all.
    LET'S KEEP ROCKIN!
     
    Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me!!! We want to make this one of the BEST meme's in all of Blogville, but we cannot do that without YOU.... so come share your music with us and bring your friends to share theirs with us, too!!


    Running this little dance party of ours is the sweetest and most wonderful Marie of XmasDolly. The cohosts helping to keep the party rockin' and rollin' are three absolutely fabulous women, who I love to call my friends: Callie of JamericanSpice, Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, and  Cathy of Cathy Kennedy's Blog.  Plus because life gets to be so hectic at times, we occasionally have one of our faithful followers/participants help us with our cohosting duties. This month, we have Danielle of Royalegacy helping us out, so don't forget to go visit her and follow her blog also!
    Normally I am also a cohost on this magnificent meme, but my back and neck have been giving me much more difficulty over the last month and I fell last week, causing me even greater pain and the ability to spend less time on the computer. Soooo, I am going to take the month of August off from my hosting duties while I try and recuperate. I will still post the weekly theme and the linky and will do my best to visit as many of you as I can with the time I can spend on the computer.
    I do hope you will continue to support the meme, follow the other ladies, and rock your hearts out every week... I know that some Mondays it really is the only thing that gets me going.  =)
    So, this week the theme is FREEBIE; and you get to pick any song your hear desires. I cannot wait to see what you post...... Have a great week and keep on rockin!!

    ***Just one more note,
    please keep your songs PG - this is a family blog.
    If you do have one song that has some questionable lyrics or content,
    PLEASE put a disclaimer BEFORE the video
    so my readers can make an informed decision
     as to whether they wish to view it or not.
    Thank you!***

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