The Swayze Family

This is the Brian Braff photo that was released yesterday after all of those premature death reports of Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi. It was taken on May 13 at their ranch in New Mexico. He's still smiling. Granted, he's very thin, but he's doing great. We love you, Patrick!

Where's the Breeze?

I cannot survive the heat. I'd strike out as a pioneer, big time. I need air -- cool, fresh, heat-reducing air! Therefore, I *have* to have good air conditioning. Aircon247 is a great site that offers all kinds of air conditioning, air cooling, and storage heating. Even cooler, they sell both in the UK and internationally, so America and other countries can take advantage of their large selection. In fact, they have the largest choice of systems on the web. Another plus: free shipping to those in the UK. You can't beat that! Keep those cool breezes coming, and check out Aircon247.

No More Taxes

California rebelled yesterday and vetoed all the proposed taxes that were supposed to help balance the budget. Amen to that! Taxing folks who are already taxed to the hilt, not to mention unemployed and struggling, isn't the way to solve the budget crisis. What they did pass, though, was the one proposition that will prevent the legislature from getting their pay increases and the like while the budget goes unfixed. Way to go, Golden State! Fight back!

And yippee! The judges' fix didn't work, and Shawn Johnson won Dancing with the Stars! I screamed I was so happy! Way to go, Shawn!

Up on the Rooftop

Are you looking for a Phoenix roofer to take care of your roof? Then click on the link and get in touch with Phoenix Roofing, a two-year old business that provides its customers with terrific pricing and the the best of service.

Finding a quality contractor isn't always easy, but it's a must when tending to your roof. While Phoenix is known for all that hot weather, it doesn't preclude roofs from suffering from water leaks that can lead to nasty damage. Keep the value of your home growing and don't let lack of care decrease its worth.

When you go to website, you can fill out a super quick contact request, providing your name, email, and phone number. When you do, Phoenix Roofing will give you a call to discuss your needs. If you'd rather contact them directly, their phone number is listed and you can call at your convenience.

Once you get in touch with Phoenix Roofing, arrange to get together to discuss your project in more detail and preferably to see your home or business or then provide you with a free estimate. If you're not sure exactly how to go about this process, the website actually gives you some suggestions on a procedure to follow to ensure that you are totally satisfied with the contractor you employ.

Your roof is serious business, so keep it in shape and contact Phoenix Roofing today!

American Idol and Mr. Hendrick

It was close. America could go either way in the voting. Either way, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen are bound to be stars. They did great!

Now it's on to the Dancing with the Stars finale. I'm going to have to miss the Glee debut on Fox as a result. I'm curious about that new show. Hopefully, it'll be rerun, or maybe Fox has it on its website for viewing.

I did manage to catch Rick Hendrick on Oprah when it was rerun tonight. He's the car owner of my favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon, so I was curious to see him. He donated 10 2008 Chevrolet vehicles to a man who gives cars to needy people, like a single mom who is unemployed. She paid $134 for her car. Hendrick also gave him $10,000, $1,000 per car to pay for gas for a year. Way to go. Rick!

Great information

Yampot is a super site that explains about all kinds of work gear, not just what they are but things you should know to find the right item for you. You can learn about safety gloves, tool belts, cotton overalls, and so much more.

You can also learn about technical equipment, including O-rings, rock crushers, and marine paints. It's really fascinating to see all that you can learn to make the right choices to ensure you are using the appropriate gear for your industrial needs.

This is the place to go to learn about fabricating and manufacturing processes for any industry.

Go to Yampot to check out their industrial gear information. It's a must!

Eliminate the Plop, Plop, Plop

Have rusty pipes plaguing your home? Is that dripping faucet driving you insane with its plop, plop, plop? Are you ready to upgrade to a new, more modern and environment-friendly plumbing system? If so and you reside in the Long Beach area, then it's time to contact Long Beach Plumbing. They can handle all of your plumbing needs in a professional and cost-efficient manner.

No one wants to call a plumber for an emergency service, which is not only costly to the homeowner, but is often darn nasty to deal with. It actually pays better to keep your home up to date with properly working plumbing fixtures. Long Beach Plumbing would love to establish a long-term relationship with its clients, to be able to keep consumers from facing those emergency situations in the first place. They want to be the number you call when you have a plumbing project to be done.

A visit to their website will educate Long Beach consumers in how to go about getting the right plumber for them. Of course, this company believes it's the right professional for you. From pipe issues to drain problems and everything else, they're there for you, whenever you need them.

Big TV Night

It's a big TV night this Tuesday evening. The American Idol finale is tonight, and it'll be Adam Lambert against Kris Allen. That should be a powerful show. Then it's the results show where the champion will be awarded the Mirror Ball on Dancing with the Stars. The three finalists, Gilles Marini, Melissa Rycroft, and Shawn Johnson have one more dance to do for the judges only to score. If the judges hold true to their rigged scores this season, they'll make as sure as they can that Rycroft makes the final two. I really believe they've manipulated their scoring consistently to aid Rycroft. Big night on the tube.

Working for You!

Work boots need to be reliable, sturdy, and as comfortable as possible. If you're looking for a great place to purchase work boots, check out Work Boots USA. They sell CAT, Belleville, Wolverine, Bates, 511 Tacktical, Rocky, Converse, and other brands, and if you live in the USA, any order over $50 is shipped out free of charge. They also do large orders, so if you're a business looking for a good deal, Work Boot USA is for you, too! In fact, they are CCR registered and do government orders as well.

Work Boots USA prides itself on providing Americans with the most durable product at the best possible price. They have a large selection just waiting for you to peruse!

Patrick's Just Fine

For those who haven't heard, Patrick Swayze is just fine. He's not dead. Apparently, a Florida radio station said he'd died this morning. The rumor spread like wildfire. His publicist quickly put out a denial. He's doing just fine on his ranch with his wife and family.

Playtime for Real

Now here's something fun to do that can help with your financial future. UMOO is an online virtual stock trading game. It's simple to use and really pumps up your competitive juices. This fantasy game is low risk but comes with a real opportunity to win, which is very cool.

Again, it's easy to participate. You buy-in with a fee to enter the tournament of your choice. With the virtual money you're given, you build your portfolio based on live stock market activity. None of this is pretend; it's actual stock market data. Naturally, you want to make as much money as you can, outdoing your competitors in the tournament. If you've done the best job of maximizing your portfolio, then you reap the rewards and win a prize.

In the process of playing this game, you're learning how to sell and trade on the stock market. When you're ready, you can take what you've learned and play the real thing, ultimately bringing in some actual money, increasing the portfolio that really matters in life.

UMOO is fun, competitive, and instructive. It's a fantasy game that is easy to play and that can give you the tools to venture into the stock market and change your life.

Any Ideas?

Just wondering if anyone has ideas how else I could earn some money on the internet. I'm doing everything I can think of that allows me to earn cash, but the kitty is about empty, and June is going to be a disaster. I'm not sure I'm gonna survive this one. Obviously, there still hasn't been any word from the disability folks. It's taking so long. I thought I'd know by now, that I'd be able to make it until being approved, but now I don't think I'm going to be able to. Just had a big fight with my sister over it. She helps in ways that make sense to her but that doesn't necessarily fall in line where I feel I need the help, like cash to pay the bills. We're just so different. I just don't know what else I can do, given the specifics of my situation. Ideas are always welcome, the more immediate the better.

A Sparking Tip

On this Monday evening, here's a sizzling tip for the folks in Madison, Wisconsin. When you need an electrician, consider Madison Electrician, otherwise known as Alliance Electric. This company performs all kinds of electrical services for folks residing in the Madison area. No job is too small for this electrical contractor.

Many of us don't pay enough attention to our electrical systems, but it's really important to keep wiring up to date, and if you notice anything strange, you really should check it out. Better safe than sorry, as the saying goes. Not only that, if you're making some additions to your home, let Alliance Electric ensure that your electrical additions are installed properly in order to safeguard you and your family.

Alliance Electric includes on their website some very helpful factors for consumers to consider when choosing an electrician. Much of it is common sense, but for someone not used to dealing with hiring someone to work on their electrical systems, the information can guide you through the process, making it easy and painless.

So, if you are looking to upgrade your electrical system or if you just need to repair old wires and systems, consider Alliance Electric. They're eager to work for you.

Ranting

Hey -- found a neat website where you can rant and get paid for it, maybe. It is fun to have a place where you can just spew what's bugging you. I did a rant a couple of days ago on one of my bet peeves. Take a look and see if you like the place. If you like my rant, click on the 'Bite' sign.

Green Stuff

If you're considering a short term, cash advance, or payday loan, it's a good idea to make sure you completely understand what you're getting into. Cash Advance Payday Loans Tips, Recommendations, and more can answer all of your questions. The site links to credible lenders who provide online loans and perhaps more importantly, offers ideas and methods to become financially independent and to save money. Check it out!

Survivor Sadness

No, I'm not referring to last night's finale for Survivor, which was pretty pathetic. I'm not buying into the nice guy act of JT. He back-stabbed Taj unnecessarily and then put on a big act in response to what Steven had said, so I'm just not buying it.

Anywho, the post is about past winner Ethan Zohn, the soccer player who was a nice guy and won a few years back in Africa. I just read that he has CD20-positive Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The only good part is that it has a 90% survival rate. I'm hoping he's one of them because he is a good guy.

Time and More Time

Rolex watches are the ultimate. To have a Rolex, is to have the best. Best of Time - Where Time Lasts Forever is an independent dealer of new and pre-owned Rolex watches. They have some incredible pieces. The pictures show the beauty and detail of their Rolex stock. All transactions at Best of Time are satisfaction guaranteed and completely insured by BuySafe. Their goal is keep their customers happy.

Before shipping, Best of Time inspects their watches, testing and adjusting the watches as necessary to make sure they are in tip top condition.

These Rolex watches are available at great prices. Take a look at the inventory and you just might find the perfect piece for you or a loved one. Buy a Rolex is buying a piece of luxury.

Following Up on Farrah

I read that over eight million viewers tuned in to Farrah's Story on NBC Friday night. It lost out to the season-finale of Numbers, though, which had over nine-million. I have to admit that I watched Numbers and did a lot of remote flipping to get both stories. Numbers was just an intense show, but I'm glad so many did watch the Charlie's Angels actress. I hope they rerun it and more folks watch.

My, It's Hot!

Here in Sacramento, it was 101 degrees today. It was even worse in neighboring locals, reaching 107. It made me very glad I'm here in the middle of the state capitol. Of course, that kind of heat got me looking around the house and thinking of ways to make it more of a heat fighter. There are some really neat remodeling things I could do, if I were able.

Sacramento Remodeling which is more directly known as River City Bath & Kitchen is a local company that performs all kinds of remodeling projects for their customers. As their website points out, even with the downturn in the home buying marketing, the contracting business for remodelers has remained constant. Homeowners are choosing to upgrade their residences instead of relocating, and that's where this company comes into play.

The website gives potential customers some ideas for financing and things to consider in the remodeling process. If you have questions or want to discuss a project, you can either fill out the form on the website or call the company directly.

In these tough times, it definitely makes sense to upgrade rather than to move. My neighbors actually did that last year. They had planned on moving because she was pregnant, and they wanted a larger home, but there was no way they could get the value of their current home. So, they made changes instead, adding on to their home. It's definitely worth thinking about!

Beauty in the Springs

I adore Colorado Springs. It's a beautiful place, and I feel a sentimental kinship towards it. My favorite homes and the views there are often so picturesque and refreshing. When I look at my favorite areas, it's not just their beauty that I think about, but how well many of them are laid out, landscaping-wise. Colorado Springs Landscaper is a company that offers high quality, quick service, and affordable prices for all your landscaping needs, including tree and lawn services. They can certainly keep those images I'm referring to their very best.

Besides, it's so much easier to let a landscaping service tend to your needs than to try and do it yourself. They have the expertise to make suggestions and guide you in your choices. I know I can always use help in figuring out the best layout for my yards. In fact, I'm hoping to add a new tree to my backyard soon, and a company like Colorado Springs Landscapers would make my life so much simpler by turning the process over to them and saving myself the sweat.

The website gives some information about what to look for in a landscaper. For me, experience and seeing their success stories would be wonderful.

All-Star Day

Today is NASCAR's annual All-Star race. Qualifying was a hoot yesterday. They do it differently than during a regular race. I enjoyed it, especially Tony Stewart, who is much more likable as an owner nowadays. The four Hendrick cars are in the top six, that's a pretty good showing for them.

As I said in a quickie post below, it's mid-90's and maybe even higher this weekend. I am so not looking forward to that. I prefer that mid-70's stuff.

Well, didn't have much interest in my Patrick collection unfortunately. Don't know what I'm gonna do. If anyone knows of any odd internet jobs, be sure to pass them on. I wanna stay positive, but all I'm seeing right now is doom and gloom. I'm dreading June like never before. I anticipate having to shut off the cable entirely, and I haven't gone without television at any point in my life. It's gonna be tough.

Anywho, have a great weekend. Look for more rants every day!

Time for a Swim

It's in the mid-nineties this weekend, and that means swimming season has begun, which in turn means it's time to go shopping for a new swimsuit. While scouting around, I found a nice website from Sunwave Sports that offers all kinds of swim wear for men, women, and children. They even offer Swim Parkas, and everything is at wonderful sale prices. Shipping is free, too, and that always gets my attention. You can find all kinds of swimming accessories on the website in an assortment of colors and designs. They're Biz-Rate customer certified and take major credit cards. Surf on over and take a gander!

RDA's New House

My oh my! Have you seen Richard Dean Anderson's new home? It's a beautiful thing. It's open and bright and on the ocean, and boy does it look like a neat place to hang out. Rick's home is pictured in the June 2009 issue of Architectural Digest, and someone has already uploaded a copy of the article. Take a look! I tell ya -- wish he'd adopt me. Wylie is one lucky little girl. For that matter, so are those beautiful doggies of his!

The New Strategy

Dubli is leading the way to a new and innovative way of doing business on the internet. This exciting strategy is referred to as the reverse auction. It's a creative process that aims to have the consumers saving 40 to 60 percent on goods from a variety of the best manufacturers. Dubli is offering an inventive and proactive way of doing business with the ultimate goal of helping buyers to get the very best brands and services for the absolute best and most competitive price.

Through the Dubli Network, a buyer can peruse the network for items they're interested in and place their bids for products or services they need. It's a win-win situation for the seller and the buyer both.

In Dubli, all types of entrepreneurs, marketers, and other business people can thrive by taking part in this creative way of offering products to consumers. It's a style of business that is on the increase.

A reverse auction is downward pricing. Unlike other sites where bids drive the price upward, in a reverse auction, bids do the reverse. Prices go down, allowing for some tremendous savings on a host of products. All of the products offered are quality items from top-notch manufacturers. As Dubli states on their website, they are a friendly group of folks who are offering a wonderful new platform through which dreams can become a reality. It's intriguing and definitely worth a look!

Farrah's Story

I watched Farrah's Story Friday night on NBC and found it to be very poignant and telling. It's also quite tragic and sad. I fear she's not long for this world, but she's put up a wonderful battle, beating the odds for the cancer that is killing her. I hope her story gets told over and over again. If you didn't see this, you should. This isn't Farrah's life story. It's not about her celebrity; it's about a woman who wants to live and who has put up all the fight she has within her to survive. I don't know how anyone could watch it and not feel compassion and respect for Farrah. It was inspiring and amazing.

Uniting Through Belief

It's time to talk about another great chat room opportunity on the internet. Sharing is so much fun and sometimes even important. I've always liked it better when I had someone to talk to, someone who likes what I do or understands whatever it is that I'm going through. It's been frustrating at times when I'm all excited about some event or situation but have no one to talk about it with at the particular moment. With chat rooms, you just don't have to worry about that. Just get online and find a friend, someone you know is going to be interested in what you have to say.

Common bonds and heritage make it so much easier to get to know a person. One such chat room possibility is for people of the Jewish belief. If that's you, you can go to the Jewish chatroom and sign up for a free membership. That's one of the best things about chat rooms like this one - they are one-hundred percent free of charge.

Signing up is very easy. There's a super quick registration form to complete, and then it's just a matter of venturing into the chat rooms. If you have a webcam, they have a lot of video chat rooms available as well. Sounds pretty cool!

The Switch to Digital TV

It was originally going to be in February, but now it's in June that analog goes bye-bye and digital TV is the new standard. If you don't buy one of those converter boxes, you won't be able to watch television unless you subscribe to cable or satellite. I found some neat links over the last few days that help with information about this change. In fact, since I might have to completely give up my cable very soon, these links have been very helpful.

The first one is the government's site and I'm also including their 'contact us' page. It gives the address you can write to them as well as an email address. All of the phone numbers are automated. Here you can read all about the change to digital and the converter box coupons that you can order.

There's a terrific informational site called TV Fool where you can input your zip code and find out what channels you are most likely to receive once the transition is made. It divides the channels into ones you should be getting, one you will probably get, and ones you probably won't without a really strong antenna. The TV Signal Locator page is extremely simple to use and only takes a minute.

Next up is Rabbit Ears and it can tell you what your local stations are and where their towers are located. It's more neat information.

Last up, if you have questions about the conversion, there's a forum designed to answer your questions. It's not government run, but there are some very in-the-know folks there and it's another good place to ask questions about the entire process of switching to digital and setting up your converter box.

Exploring the Rockies

One of the things I really love to do is travel. I haven't been able to do much of that these days, but I still have a list of favorite places to return to and other places that I haven't visited before that I'd love to see. One of these places is Banff. It is so beautifully picturesque. I look at the mountains and yearn to return to them again. When I was in college, I went for long rides through the mountains. Being in the clean air, surrounded by beauty and wide-open spaces, was a serene and refreshing feeling.

Visiting Banff has to be an exhilarating experience. Today as I was losing myself by looking at photos and its webcam, I was particularly attracted to the Columbia Icefields. It's located right on the boundary of the Banff, between it and the Jasper National Park. This area is so massive that it feeds eight glaciers.

There's a tour there called the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience that is calling my name big time. It reminds me of an Alaskan excursion I went on once. Here, you actually get to go on one of the glaciers. Now that excites me.

I'm off to go review the Banff site some more. In this summer heat we're having, it's cooling me off just to look at the webcam images.

Some News of the Day

I read an article on Farrah Fawcett today. Her special airs tomorrow night on NBC, and I think it's going to be very poignant and touching. I also think it's going to be hard to watch. A lot of folks are referring to the show as an auto-obituary. In a way, I guess it is. I have to continue to applaud Farrah's strength. She's definitely getting the last laugh with the tabloids, and I'm glad about that. From the sound of it, they aren't going to be able tell much more than what she is telling tomorrow night.

At the same time, I'm just very touched by how Ryan O'Neal continues to be at her side. Now, I'm not a fan of Ryan's, and I don't like how he came between Farrah and Lee Majors decades ago. I believe it was very disloyal. That said, they are a volatile couple who really do seem to have some deep, deep feelings. He's taking care of her just how she took care of him years back. That's how love should be.

I also read today that Jay Leno is having as his final guest -- Conan O'Brien. Give me a commercial break. Some are calling it very sportsmanlike. I think it's ridiculous. I don't know about the rest of America, but I'm not watching Leno at 10pm next season, anymore than I'm watching Conan in what was once a proud spot on the NBC schedule.

Is Direct TV Right For You?

Direct tv is a favorite of many. Yet others prefer the Dish Network. How do you know which choice is really the best for you? There are so many factors to evaluate. Where do you turn to find the answers?

Satellite TV has grown in popularity over the years with consumers looking for more channels at a better price than what is offered by competing cable competitors. Given the vast marketing efforts of both Direct TV and the Dish Network, interested consumers are left shaking their heads, uncertain which way to turn.

Kaptain Satellite does all the hard work for you, listing the pros and cons of both satellite options. You can check out the best promotions and current offers from the two providers, as well as compare their equipment.

Make your shopping easier and visit the Kaptain Satellite website before making your final decision.

Parting is Difficult

Earlier today, I notified a couple of the Yahoo groups that I own, particularly my Patrick Swayze group and my fan fic group, that because of my desperate financial status, I'm making the very difficult decision to sell some of my much loved and coveted Swayze collection. With some minor editing to be appropriate for this blog, I'm posting that email here. If you are a Swayze fan and interested, please notify me.

Well, I'm just about there.  The well is about to be dry, and I'm scared too death.  So, as much as I don't want to, I'm at a point where I have to.  I'm going to have to try and sell part of my Patrick collection.  I haven't been getting much sleep, and the stress is just making me sick as can be, so I don't know what else to do.

I thought I'd start with the posters.  I know there was some interest in the past, but then again, I have a hunch that those folks bought everything they wanted off of eBay.  I wanted to make sure first that there was some interest, especially since it's not easy to get around and open them up.  I need to know if anyone is genuinely interested in buying some of these within the next two or three weeks.

This isn't going to be a cheapie sale.  I'm not doing this to get them off of my hands; I'm doing this with a sad heart because if I don't, I can't pay the bills at the end of the month and in June.  I paid a lot of money for these back in the day when I had money, and getting a few bucks isn't going to help me, either.  I anticipate them being in the $15 range, minimum (some could be higher).  Honestly, I don't even know if that's considered outlandishly expensive these days or not because I haven't shopped for anything in the last several years since my financial situation turned south.

I may also part with some of my 8x10's.  These would be a $5 minimum because, again, that's what I paid for them, and some *much* more, back in the day.  It wouldn't make any sense for me to sell 10 pictures for $10.  $10 won't help me.  Selling 10 at $5 is $50 and that's the water bill, so it helps.

So -- do let me know if you're interested in posters, and/or in the photos, keeping in mind the minimum prices I've mentioned and that this would be happening very fast.  I don't have time now to wait and do this in August.  The disability still hasn't come through, and I'm just out of money with bills staring me in the face.  I have to do something or just let the worst happen.  So, we're talking making payment now instead of later.

Compressor Mania

Here's a neat place to purchase compression connectors. FS6BNC stocks RCA, F, and BNC connectors. Compressionconnector.com has rg6 compression connectors, bnc compression connectors, rca compression connectors, and even coax compression connectors. If you're looking for a FS11V RG11, FS11BNC RG11, FS6BNC, FS59U RG59, or FS6U RG6 connector, the store has a right angle FS6URA, all of which work with the CPLCCT-SLM tool, which simplifies compression connector installation. Regardless of which compression connector rg6 source you're looking for, compressionconnector.com is ideal. The FS6U compression connector will fit any RG6 or RG6 quad shielded cable, and they're easy to install, which is something I always value.

The Beast and other things

A&E announced their new TV schedule today and unfortunately Patrick Swayze's The Beast wasn't on it, but I wouldn't rule it out. A&E has been excited about the series and has a lot of ways they can take the show, with or without Patrick in it. Of course, everyone prefers it to be with the charismatic actor in it, including me.

We have to continue to believe in Patrick and his future. He's hanging in there, doing everything he can to beat Pancreatic Cancer. Don't count him out. He's a fighter, and he could very well pop up, ready and eager for another season after he finishes the book he and Lisa Niemi are writing.

I'm continuing to pray and visualize a healthy Patrick with us for many years to come.

Wow! It was an American Idol shocker, and truthfully, I almost expected it. Adam Lambert did make it to the finals, along with Kris Allen. Allen was the surprise. Just about everyone thought it would be Danny Gokey in the final two. I love Danny, and his story is so heartwarming. He's the won whose wife died not long before the try outs for Idol this season. Tragedy to triumph: that's Danny's story, even if he didn't get out of the top three.

I keep forgetting to add my wish list button for Amazon. This is because sometimes folks have asked me for something they can get me that is fun and not just paying bills, so this is for them. I'll be updating the wish list as I can with all kinds of items, including things for my doggies. When I get a chance, I'll add the button to the right side of this blog, but for now, here it is.

For Chatters On Wheels

Tonight, I'm letting my readers know about yet another great opportunity for those with something in common to get together and chat away. I have an aunt who has something like multiple sclerosis. I say 'something like' because it's never been accurately diagnosed, and that's just what the doctors have decided upon. She's had this for her almost her entire life. She went from stumbling, to using crutches, to being in a wheelchair, and that's where she's been for the majority of her adult life. She has always faced unique obstacles that only she understands, and though she's extremely independent, it's weighed on her.

If my aunt were online, I really think she'd love to participate in a wheelchair chat. She's just missed the computer age, though, but she was very social with people. Nothing ever phased her, and I honestly believe that being able to get together with others in her situation would have helped her get through the days and maybe learn how to handle things in her own family a little better than she did.

The great thing about this chat site is that it's completely free of charge. There are many different chat rooms to participate in, including video chats, if you have a webcam and want to converse in that way. If you're on wheels, give this wheelchair chat a try. You might find some welcome companionship there.

Miss California Scandal

You know, I grew up watching pageants. My mother loved them, and it was something we did together for years. I still watch them. Now, I only saw part of this year's Miss USA Pageant, but I've heard about little else recently on the news by the question posed to Miss California by Perez Hilton.

Here's what bugs me. This country is about freedom, and that freedom extends to Perez Hilton *and* to Miss California. Now, I don't know if Perez was free to ask any question he wanted, or if he knew he was going to get Miss California. Like I said, I didn't actually see it. I've read a lot that he set her up. I don't know.

What I do know is that he asked a question about her stance on gay marriage. She spoke her mind, vocalizing her beliefs, which is exactly what she was asked. For Perez Hilton, or any judge, to score her down because of her personal morals, ethics, or opinions is dead wrong. Now, I don't happen to agree with her. I will say that I used to, but over the last few years I've come to believe that love is so rare and wherever you can find it, with whom you can find it, isn't a bad thing. Is it for me? No. It's not something I'd do. I'm very much wanting to be princess rescued by the handsome prince. However, I know a lot of princesses who are quite happy with other princesses, and the same for princes. They have a right to be public with their happiness and to have the same rights as heterosexual couples. That's just how I feel now.

For Miss California to be torn down, though, because she believes differently goes against everything this country stands for. The bashing that she has sustained over that issue is as wrong as the bashing of gay couples.

Now, as for the question of her improper photos and the contract she signed, Miss California lied and is in the wrong. Today, Shannon Moakler resigned from her duties with the pageant because Donald Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant and thus rules over all of the state pageants, let Miss California keep her crown. The Donald likes publicity. He was wrong. I have to applaud Moakler's values and standing up for what she believes. The Miss California Pageant has now become a joke. It doesn't matter any more about the contract that contestants sign. Get Donald some publicity and that's all he cares about.

It's a shame. Two wrongs have been done here, and no one is paying the price.

Let's Make Some Money

No one knows better than me how difficult these times are. People are struggling. *I'm* struggling, big time. Trying to find ways to make money that are legitimate and worth the effort isn't easy to do, but doing so means survival. I just found out about a new site that I fully intend to spend some time at this week. It's called Make Money Online. Freelance Jobs of all kinds can be found at this website.

The best thing about this job board is that it's absolutely, one-hundred percent free to use, and the jobs listed cover all kinds of opportunities, including proofreading, translating, data entry, telemarketing, banner design, programming, bookkeeping, video services, and much more. There are businesses there looking for folks to make their new website logo, write SEO articles promoting them, perl coders, software help, and so much more. I was really amazed at what I saw.

In these times, we need a place like Make Money Online, where thousands of jobs, from market research to photography are listed. It's definitely worth a closer look. I know I plan on spending a lot of time there this week to try and help my desperate financial situation.

Cool Down

Today was such a delight. It was cooler than the last few days! I guess it's time for the warm up now. The dogs are really loving it outside, though. They have their favorite spots and just love to wait for something to pop up that they can bark at.

There's a new book out on Patrick Swayze this week, but just know it's an unofficial volume that doesn't actually include any contribution by Patrick or his wife, Lisa Niemi. Patrick and Lisa are still working on their official story, which is due out in the fall sometime. So, please read with care.

I'm curious to see what Farrah Fawcett's story is like this Friday. I think she may be getting the last laugh on the tabloids, and I applaud her for it. These rags are so hurtful. They get an ounce of truth and make out like it's a full pound. They have no heart and no conscience.

The California fires are almost under control, thankfully, and the headlines have returned to politics. Ugh. We have an election coming up next Tuesday, all sorts of little financial things that they want us to approve. Actually, what they are in reality are taxes. They want to get money from the people, who have no money, to make up for the fact that the state has no money. Makes sense -- to politicians. If they think I'm voting to give myself six new sets of taxes, they have news coming, and they aren't going to like it.

As expected, Ty Murray got the boot on Dancing with the Stars tonight. He really did a valiant job, though. I'm proud of him for getting into the top four. Then on American Idol, Adam Lambert hit sail again. It'll be surprising if he doesn't win, but then Idol has had lots of upsets before.

More later!

Positive Encouragement

How do you engage a child in the quest to do better? Many believe in the reward system. It sets a goal for the child and then gives them praise in the form of something tangible -- a reward. It's important that children be able to visibly see their progress, and you can do this with reward charts.

Reward charts can monitor physical and mental tasks and behaviors. Perhaps it's a chore, like making their bed every day, or a behavioral issue, like not whining during dinner for a week. The subjects covered by the chart are totally at the discretion of the parent. In fact, the type of chart is also up to the parent. Be it simple or elaborate, a basic computer printout of goals or a fancier laminate chart available in stores, the important thing is just to have the chart.

Visual checkmarks show the child how far they've come. They can see how close they are to achieving the agreed-upon reward. The parent needs to make sure they follow through with the reward immediately upon the completion of the task, too. A child needs that positive reinforcement as soon as they see that final checkmark entered on the chart. It loses its punch if the reward comes two weeks later.

For children, a reward chart is a way to teach accountability. They learn and have fun with their rewards, and ultimately, the parent is rewarded as well by having a more pleasant parenting experience.

A Place for Mom *or* Dad

I'm back again to let single parents know that there's a place where they can get together and chat, too. Chat rooms are a unique way of taking a breather from the being around the kids, or maybe you need some help. Maybe another single parent will have suggestions that can help you solve a problem. Maybe you just need to talk with someone who isn't three years old.

Chat rooms have been around since the beginning of the internet. They are a proven place to come together, especially if there is some bond or some factor that unites those looking for online companionship or just someone to lend an ear. These rooms are places where you can talk about subjects you have in common, even if it's to whine about your bad day.

The chat room I'm referring to today caters to single parent chat and it is totally free of charge. You can't beat that price. There's just a quick registration form to complete before you can sign in and find the single parent chat room that fits you. If you're into webcams and video chat rooms, those are available, too. A lot of people like the convenience of communicating in video rooms these days. Check it out!

Love or Hate It -- Talk About It!

Here's a way to really let others know if that new hip hop CD is really all the rage, or if that newest Nic Cage movie is worth the money. If you like to talk about Movies, this place is for you. Rat on Tom Cruise's performance or talk about Anne Hathaway's beauty. Was the plot worth your time, or did you wish you were at home playing video games?

Do you like to write or read Rock Music Reviews? Wouldn't it be great to know how your peers felt about Aerosmith's latest or if Cold Play kept it awesome with their newest song?

Click on the links and you'll be able to do all of that and more. It's a community where you can love or hate the latest media and are free to let the world know. Share your movie or music reviews and see if others agree with you or not.

We all love to share our opinions and to say how we feel about movies and music that touch our souls or leave us cringing and looking for the barf bag. Sometimes, it feels so incredibly good just to be able to say, 'Wow, what a stinker', or to bubble over with, 'Wow, this was the bomb, Baby!'.

Go ahead! Try It! You've gotta like it!

Getting Together

Here are a few tidbits, some good, some not.

Just read that Michael Landon's son, Mark, was found dead. He did some acting, but wasn't as well known as Michael Landon Jr. in the acting realm. It's just always so sad to read something like this.

I saw Rob Lowe on the news with California's governor talking about the nasty fires that have raged on for the last few days. Lowe's house was spared, but many of his neighbor's lost theirs. Arnold Schwarzenegger said that he's been talking to Lowe a lot during the fires. They're friends, so that's one way that Arnie stayed on top of the situation -- with his friend who was living right in the thick of it.

Dancing with the Stars had the semi-finals tonight. I love Shawn Johnson and want her in the finals, but the judges have 'fixed' their voting all season to make sure that Melissa Rycroft and Gilles Marini get to the finals. This is the first time since the very first season that I felt like things were fixed and being manipulated.

Here's a special site that is definitely good news. It lends itself to black BBW singles who are looking to find friendship and/or love. It's totally free, so you can create a profile for others to see while also perusing the many profiles and personals of others that are already online. You can upload photos, participate in the chat rooms (including video chat), send instant messages, and much more. If you're interested in black BBW dating , click the link. You just might find a wonderful surprise!

Say Cheese

Say Cheese!

How many times have you heard that expression just before the camera snapped and cringed inside? Maybe you gritted your teeth or gave a closed smile, unwilling to let your yellow or dingy teeth be captured on film.

As someone who has gone through my share of dental work over the years (and probably more), I know how great it is when I don't have to worry about my smile. So, it's important to develop habits and utilize the right tools to keep your smile its brightest and whitest. There are actually several things you can do to help yourself.

Nite White is a nifty product that actually remineralizes your teeth while also whitening them. It even comes in mint flavor, which is a big plus for me.

Then there's Rota Dent electric toothbrush. One of the good things about this particular product is that its brush tips are designed to go under the gum line as well as in between teeth. Those are hard to reach areas, so any help to clean them is a huge advantage to keeping your smile camera ready.

One other product of note is MI Paste Plus. It's the ideal ratio of calcium and phosphate to keep your teeth strong.

Maximizing your smile lets you enjoy those special moments. Say Cheese won't make you cringe; it'll make you smile brighter than ever.

Punk Love

This is one for the punk rockers out there, and I know they're everywhere! There's a website where you can be matched up with other punk rock lovers, people who love it just like you do. It's totally free to join, making it a superb way to make new friends and maybe even find that someone special. So, if you'd like some great punk dating, give PunkMatch.Com a try!

Quick Update

For my fan fic folks, I need to get back to what I can to earn a few bucks on the internet, but I did finish Revelations early this morning and it's out for beta'ing. I think I need more betas, though. Everyone is so busy. Anywho, it's out there. Daniel is also dancing around my head, insisting on a ficlet being written. I gotta work, though, so am trying to teach the man patience. We'll see who wins!

It's getting too hot here again, too. Mid-80's this week and supposed to be low 90's by the weekend and going into next week. Nooooooo! Ugh!

The girls are outside, having a great time, though. They're running around in circles, chasing each other at the moment. I can see them from my chair. Oh my -- Tessa just grabbed something -- not sure what it is, but she's having fun with it as she runs. Oh -- there goes Cassie on the prowl, hunting Tessa. I love these girls. they are my joy!

A Local Opportunity

I'm back again with another place where you can chat and make new friends. As I've said before, online chat rooms are no stranger to me. When I first started on the internet, I was especially active in these type of places. You just never knew who you might meet, and I met some great people. As a result, some good relationships formed.

Recently, I've plugged some places where you could chat that were based on something you have in common with other chatters. This site is similar, except that the commonality isn't a hobby or characteristic, but is where you live.

In just a matter of minutes, you can be involved in a free local chat by clicking on the link and signing up. Membership is one-hundred percent free and doesn't involve more than filling out a quick sign up form. If you like, you can add to your profile to give folks whatever information you'd like to about yourself.

This site also makes it possible to communicate by webcam. If you go into one of the video chat rooms, you can use your webcam to chat with folks who live in your city. That's pretty neat.

As always, be safe and cautious with your chats and in the process, you can meet some great folks right where you live. It can be a lot easier than meeting someone at the supermarket.

The Need for Speed

Steve. I've never forgotten Steve. In high school, he had the hippest and fastest car on campus. Everyone was envious. Steve's car was turbocharged to the max, and being around him meant being cool. I don't know of anyone who didn't want to go for a ride in his car.

Having a turbocharged car is still so cool. It would be awesome to increase my car's horsepower and give me more torque. Think of the possibilities a good turbocharger could make to how your car operates and the increased speed it will provide.

Turbocharger Pros pride themselves in utilizing only quality parts for their turbochargers and providing them at affordable rates. They have a huge database of air induction parts for all makes and models of vehicles, so whatever you need to upgrade your car, you can find through them. Not only that, but these guys are available 24/7 and have several warehouses across the country, which means you can start turbocharging your car in just a couple of days after placing your order.

Plus, if you need assistance, Turbocharger Pros have live support over a toll-free line, and if you can't quite afford brand new parts, they have remanufactured parts available, too.

It's springtime, so this is an excellent time to rev up that engine. I'm betting Steve still has a turbocharged car, and he's probably the envy of his friends.

Shred Those Documents!

Here's your helpful hint for the day: make sure you shred your old bills and documents. Actually, shred anything that has personal information on it, including your name and address. This is vital in today's world where identity theft is so prevalent. It's also extremely important to businesses, small or otherwise, to protect their customers' private information.

Office Paper Shredders are absolutely essential. What's great about new models is that there is now the option to get shredders which cut the documents so fine that the destroyed paper becomes confetti. It's more secure than the traditional strip-type of shredders. Whichever style you want is available in a wide price range.

Many brands of paper shredders exist, including Olympia Paper Shredders. They use the term 'cross cut' to describe some of their shredders. That's the same thing as a confetti shredder.

Another option is to purchase one of the many Dahle Shredders that are on the market.

Protect your business and your clients by having a quality shredder to destroy those documents with personal information on them. Even if you're an individual, having a good shredder is ultra important to keep you and your family safe. I've had one for years and shred my papers on a daily basis, even tearing off my name and address from magazine covers and shredding that. You can't be too careful anymore!

The Muse is Talking

How about that? There's a story to be told, and it's Jonny and LD who are insisting I tell it, so I've given in for the day and am writing their tale. Since when did two little Munchkins take over my life? Back to their story -- called Revelations, by the way. I swear, these two are as pesky as their parents!