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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Oct 8 2008, 11:44 AM
Okay, we still aren’t officially in that “recession,” correct?
But I suppose if you are planning a wedding for next year you may be a little worried about honeymoon plans.
It’s bad enough worrying about the actual wedding expenses.
Well, why not take a tip from a couple from Hampshire, England (yes, my theme today is (those crazy Brits)?
They didn't mess around when it came to making money and got up to their elbows in trash to take a honeymoon to the USA.
John and Ann Till demonstrate how they spent the last three months trawling
the streets of Hampshire for rubbish
from the Daily Mail...
"For most couples, planning the perfect honeymoon is a labour of love. But John and Ann Till, it would seem, have worked harder than most.
The couple spent three months collecting an incredible 60,000 pieces of rubbish to gain 36,000 air miles in a supermarket recycling incentive scheme. "
Continued
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Oct 7 2008, 06:15 PM
I don’t know…we appear somewhat frugal around here in the Midwest/Milwaukee area. It seems that in the New England/Boston area they didn’t suffer too much this past year with a slow economy.…
12 signs of conspicuous spending in New England
We’ll just have to wait and see what the next year brings.
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Oct 6 2008, 11:53 AM
Photo Daily Telegraph UK
Miguel Caballero is called the Armani of armour
It was all the rage in fashion shows this summer…bullet-proof designer clothing..sold to 16 countries.
Why not? If it’s better to be safe than sorry in the crime world, you may as well look good.
South Africa, Columbia..now Mexico….it’s getting closer…
Soon in a department store near you? Probably not, but it will be found somewhere. Maybe it can be found already.
From the International Herald Tribune...
"Tucked on a leafy side street in the Polanco neighborhood is a shop unlike the others, one whose bustling business says much about the dire state of security in this country. At Miguel Caballero, named after its Colombian owner, all the garments are bulletproof.
There are bulletproof leather jackets and bulletproof polo shirts. Armored guayabera shirts hang next to protective windbreakers, parkas and even white ruffled tuxedo shirts. Every member of the sales staff has had to take a turn being shot while wearing one of the products, which range from a few hundred dollars to as much as $7,000, so they can attest to the efficacy of the secret fabric.
"If feels like a punch," a salesman said of the shot to the stomach he received. Just who is willing to fork over thousands of dollars for these chic shields? Customers include Presidents Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and Álvaro Uribe of Colombia, not to mention assorted royalty, movie stars and other VIP's."
Continued
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Oct 4 2008, 07:56 PM
Well, a friend of mine says, "In light of the country’s financial situation, a little education goes a long way."
And I agree!
Hopefully, you’ll find something of interest or usefulness on this site.
"Money Smart Week WisconsinSM is a public awareness initiative made for you. It began in 2006. It aims to build your financial knowledge so you can deal with your own money more quickly, confidently and shrewdly. Use this site to find classes and events near you. Most activities are free. They offer unbiased financial education. "
Click old Ben Franklin for a visit...
I’m hoping Gov. Doyle visits his site often!
H/T Scott T.
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Oct 1 2008, 06:45 AM
(Jupiter Images)
You said it to them when they were young, and they did everything they could to keep those heavy eyes from shutting so they wouldn’t miss any of the excitement going on in the family. Bedtime just seemed too early when they were little.
When they were teenagers you were probably saying the opposite in the morning, trying to get them out of bed. Morning for them was probably 1:00 p.m.
Now in college with so many options for activities to participate in and studying to do, there isn’t much time for any sleep, especially with early morning classes. If you thought it was important to tell your kid to get some sleep when they lived at home, it’s even more important to tell them now. Chances are they won’t listen, but hopefully you may get some help from their college.
From the Boston Globe:
"It's an age-old predicament: Caffeine-fueled college students cramming for exams and writing papers until the crack of dawn, then skipping or snoozing through classes. Sleep deprivation has long been considered a rite of passage, a point of pride even.But now, alarmed by recent studies tying lack of sleep to poor academic performance, college officials are urging students just to go to bed. More than a dozen Massachusetts schools have begun waging campaigns touting the benefits of sleep through dorm seminars, posters, and catchy slogans like, "Want A's? Get Z's.
"Wellesley College spreads the message by throwing dorm pajama parties with tea and popcorn. Tufts University passes out sleep masks, ear plugs, and a CD of relaxation tracks. Bentley College holds a weeklong contest called the Biggest Snoozer, and gives away memory foam pillows and white noise machines to students who log the most hours of shut-eye. And Massachusetts Institute of Technology has enlisted the help of far-flung parents, alerting them to watch for warning signs such as e-mails sent at 4 a.m.
"For college students, sleep is the most dispensable thing," said Dr. Vanessa Britto, director of health services at Wellesley.
"Most people feel it's a badge of honor. 'I didn't sleep. Parentheses, aren't I great?' Until you point out to them that pulling an all-nighter is the equivalent of driving drunk and is detrimental to their reaction time and memory.
"Universities, though, have their work cut out for them to change such a culturally ingrained habit on campus.With 24 hours of online entertainment available, students today are tempted by myriad diversions other than school books. They're gambling, catching up on their favorite television shows, playing video games, or chatting with virtual friends - then trying to study into the wee hours of the morning.
"It's like, well, I could do my calculus homework or it sounds like the girls next door are doing something fun so I'll just walk over there," said Kelsey Barton, a freshman at Tufts, who said she has been averaging about three hours of sleep a night since starting college this month.
"I don't want to miss out."With so many distractions, Barton often doesn't start on schoolwork until midnight, when she's so tired that it takes her even longer to finish. She downs coffee and Mountain Dew to make it through classes and cross-country practice."It's a cycle that I'm now kind of stuck in, and I get more and more tired," she lamented.
College officials say more students seem to be getting stuck on the sleep-deficit treadmill. Skimping on shut-eye has become such a concern that the American College Health Association revamped its annual health survey this fall to include six questions focused on sleep instead of one, said Mary Hoban, director of the Baltimore-based National College Health Assessment."
Continued (page 2)
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 29 2008, 11:52 AM
Do you fit?
In your chair?
Okay, I should be asking, “Are you fit?”
Did you know there is a President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports?
Recently launched was its Adult Fitness Test.
Personally, I don’t want to go there.
I admit it. I am not physically fit. I haven’t been for quite some time.
But I do try. Tae Bo is my favorite “thing.” (Thanks, Billy Blanks).
My dad, who this past year was critically ill, lifts heavy weights and rides a bike and snow shoes.
He’s 84. Until he was recently ill, he was inverting himself on some contraption as part of his weight lifting routine.
My father-in-law, also 84, hops on a bike on a whim and will ride 40 miles. He does 85 push-ups.
I am hoping to be walking when I am 84.
Well, how about you?
If you are brave, check out the test.
Or, if you are wise, check out the test.
You can do it here by clicking on the image:
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Sep 27 2008, 07:05 AM
Oh, my…mommy needs a cigarette break!
Raising baby is a lonely job…all decked out in this house dress with no place to go. The house needs to be spotless, dinner needs to be in the oven and on the table at five sharp, I need to look glamorous, and baby needs to behave. What’s a mommy to do?
Have another Marlboro…that’s what.
Sound familiar?
Well, I made that up...but Marlboro evidently marketed to women back in the 50s...before they targeted men. Just look at those sweet baby faces. What mom wouldn't want to buy those cigarettes?
Click picture to enlarge and go to webpage
Related reading...revisit:
For A Better Finish In Life
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 22 2008, 05:32 PM
Well, not really…
Biggest?
No…15 participants.
I call that a why bother? What’s going on, don’t have enough money for s study, huh? Or was this a middle school science fair project, because actually, any science fair student could have done a better job.
Best?
No…There isn’t anything special about this one. It’s actually laughable…and you’ll see why. A control and one good test item and one bad test item. Not the best study in my opinion when there were a ton of varieties of items that could have been tried out.
Because of the small scope of this study, it was totally predictable. Either the result they achieved was going to happen…or the 15 testers were going to throw up.
I sure hope no one was paid big bucks for this study….
I won’t spoil it for you…have a look for yourself…
HERE
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Sep 18 2008, 11:54 AM
Long nights alone at the office? Grab the hot coffee…it’s not just for the caffeine.
Friday night home alone? Some hot chicken soup may do the trick. You don’t have to wait for a cold.
Getting the cold shoulder from co-workers because you got that promotion?
How about a big bowl of comforting, piping hot mac and cheese?
Social isolation makes people feel physically cold, find University of Toronto psychologists Chen-Bo Zhong, PhD, and Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, PhD.
Moreover, they find that making people feel left out makes them more likely to choose hot soup or coffee over warm or room-temperature foods and beverages."It's striking that people preferred hot coffee and soup more when socially excluded," Leonardelli says in a news release.
"Our research suggests that warm chicken soup may be a literal coping mechanism for social isolation."
[..]
Pointing to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, they suggest that "eating warm soup may be a literal coping mechanism for social exclusion."
Read the entire article HERE
Come on...you know you want a big bowl of ice cream...
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Sep 13 2008, 07:05 AM
“Slow food;” it’s a movement, if you will.
Basically, it’s about eating more healthy…a change in lifestyle.
I know there are people here in Wisconsin who eat this way…fresh foods, organics. But look around in Wisconsin and what you’ll still see is mostly fast foods…
Out west it’s a different story:
"TOURISTS who took a wrong turn on their way to San Francisco’s cable car recently were in for a shock. There, between City Hall and other government buildings, a temporary organic garden had sprung up. Around it bustled a farmers’ market. Healthy-looking people were sampling local hams, heirloom tomatoes and raw-milk cheeses. And thus the Slow Food movement, founded two decades ago in Italy, officially arrived in America, the home of fast food. For several days there were taste pavilions here and slow hikes, slow picnics and slow dinners there. Chefs demonstrated their craft and put the footage up on You Tube. The world’s food celebrities weighed in on everything from the global food crisis to the role of food in the presidential election. "
Continued HERE
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Sep 10 2008, 08:58 PM
Today I overheard a woman talking about how she was bored staying at home. She had retired a couple years ago, and her husband was still working and travelled. There were times she had nothing to do. She was thinking of going back to work part time and she wanted to apply for a job.
“Bored,” I thought. What’s there to be bored about? I’m so tired of hearing people, mostly women, it seems, who retire, apparently too early, and then can’t handle it. Bored…
Why are you bored? What’s the matter with you? Are you telling me you can’t find any place in your community that could use your help for a few hours a day?
Bored?
Do you know how many places there are that would bend over backwards to let you come and help them out one, two, three, eight hours if you wanted…as many days a week that you wanted?
There are hospitals, health centers, libraries, schools, community centers, city halls, youth centers, women’s centers, churches, I could go on, and on, and on all night.
If you retired, most likely you do not need the money. Could you use a thank you? Could you use a smile, a hug? Could you give? Could you give a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand, a ride, a listening ear, a pen and paper to write a letter, some silence just to sit next to someone lonely who needs some company?
Do you have time to travel? Can you help in a disaster? Volunteers are needed for that too. Are you a retired health professional or teacher? Your services may be needed more than you know.
Don’t let me hear you are bored.
On Monday President Bush spoke about Volunteerism. A reminder for us all. Please listen to his speech. Yes, he can be goofy at times…but he means what he says from his heart.
President Bush Discusses Volunteerism
(audio may take a few seconds to load)
President George W. Bush addresses his remarks honoring volunteerism and the achievements of
USA Freedom Corps Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
USA Freedom Corps
Citizen Corps
Peace Corps
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Sep 4 2008, 07:43 PM
 Prairie Vole
While Edwards is a rat, and a vole is a rodent, we have to delve deeper. What do they have in common? Well, John Edwards is prone to infidelity….he is prone to being promiscuous. And guess what…so are voles. Actually, voles are highly promiscuous. Maybe Edwards is too.
Yes, this is another study.
“A man's tendency to be unfaithful may be influenced by his genes, research suggests. Men who inherit a genetic variant that affects an important attachment hormone are more likely than usual to have weaker relationships and marital problems, and less likely to be married, according to the research. Their wives and girlfriends are also more likely to be less satisfied with them as partners. While the study did not look directly at infidelity, the findings suggest that male monogamy might also be influenced by variations in a single gene. The study's authors cautioned that any effect would apply only on average, and that it was impossible to predict whether any individual would be unfaithful or a bad partner on the basis of his genes.
The gene in question affects the receptor for a hormone called vasopressin, which plays an important role in social behaviour, pair-bonding and sexual attachment. Its effects were first characterised by studies of different species of voles. Although the meadow and prairie voles are close cousins, their sexual behaviour is dramatically different. Like most mammals, male meadow voles are highly promiscuous, but male prairie voles are monogamous. When boy prairie vole meets girl, the two indulge in 24 to 36 hours of nearly continuous mating, which cements a bond that invariably lasts for life. When one partner dies, the survivor usually opts to remain celibate rather than find another mate. Male prairie vole brains contain much higher levels of vasopressin than those of meadow voles. There also genetic differences in the receptor for vasopressin in the two species. “
You've got to read the whole article...it's really interesting. Seriously.
Who knew?
You can find the complete article from Times Online HERE
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Sep 1 2008, 05:15 PM
I’ve mentioned before that my son and daughter-in-law live in Colorado (transplants from Franklin, by way of Pittsburgh) and that they brew beer. They grew their own hops this year and just brewed some Pale Ale with them.
I had never seen fresh hops and when I visited them earlier this month found the pods, growing like ivy on their back fence, to be beautiful.
They sent me photos last week of the ripe pods.
Here is some information on hops, in case you are unfamiliar with what you have been drinking in that beer...
"Hops are the female flower cones of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus). They are used primarily as a flavoring and stability agent in beer, and also in other beverages and in herbal medicine. The first documented use in beer is from the eleventh century. Hops contain several characteristics favorable to beer, balancing the sweetness of the malt with bitterness, contributing flowery, citrus, fruity or herbal aromas, and having an antibiotic effect that favors the activity of brewer's yeast over less desirable microorganisms. The hop plant is a vigorous climbing herbaceous perennial, usually grown up strings in a field called a hopfield, hop garden or hop yard. Many different varieties of hops are grown by farmers all around the world, with different types being used for particular styles of beer."
"The first recorded reference to hops was by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia. The first documented instance of hop cultivation was in 736, in the Hallertau region of present-day Germany, although the first mention of the use of hops in brewing in that country was 1079. Not until the thirteenth century in Germany did hops begin to start threatening the use of gruit for flavoring. In Britain, hopped beer was first imported from Holland around 1400; however, hops were initially condemned in 1519 as a "wicked and pernicious weed". In 1471, Norwich, England banned the plant from the use in the brewing of beer, and it wasn't until 1524 that hops were first grown in southeast England. It was a further century before hop cultivation began in the present-day United States in 1629. " from Wikipedia
Early season hop growth in a hop yard in the Yakima Valley, Washington with Mount Adams in the distance
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Aug 27 2008, 06:42 AM
Remember that book/travel guide, “100 things You Should Do Before You Die?” Well, perhaps the title should have been:
100 50 Things You Should Do Before You Die
Why?
Because the author, Dave Freeman, died this month at the age of 47, and he only got halfway through his list.
"This life is a short journey," the book says. "How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?" that, according to Freeman, before he checked his baggage and lost his claim ticket...if you will.
Actually, he fell and hit his head while in his home in a freak accident. You may wonder why I'm being flippant about it. It's just that maybe it was meant to be, and he sure lived a more fulfilled life than most people.
It just goes to show you, if there's something you really want to do, and you are able to do it..go for it. You never know what crazy thing may happen to you when you least expect it.
Read the article HERE
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Aug 19 2008, 11:54 AM
If there is anything that gets me going it’s poor customer service. Maybe that’s one of the main reasons I would rather shop on the internet rather than venture out into the stores. Granted, glitches can happen on the web, too, but at least I don’t have to deal with rude sales people, standing in long lines, or cashiers who can’t count money and acknowledge my presence or say hello or thank you.
With a slow economy, some businesses are looking into ways to make sure your business is a return business.
"At Lord & Taylor, staffers invite special customers in on their birthdays for cake and fitting-room parties. Moxie, the fashionable Charles Street boutique, has started making home deliveries. Get your oil changed at Sullivan Tire and Auto Service, and expect a phone call within the week - and a free re-do if you're not satisfied. With the economy struggling, some retailers - emphasis on some - are turning up the charm.
"It's all about customer service these days," says John Miller, Sullivan Tire's metro Boston area representative. Miller's made some 2,000 calls since February and says most people are happy to hear from him. "They feel we care, which we do." But awkward situations are not unheard of. One man became suspicious when Miller rang asking to speak to the guy's girlfriend. "He thought we were calling for another reason, if you know what I mean," Miller recalls.
But Miller's motivation, like that of Lord & Taylor's staff, is simply an attempt to keep those scarce dollars coming in. "We're trying to make it a more meaningful experience," says April Stern Riccio, the chain's regional public relations director, explaining that the company has increased a customer outreach program that was instituted as part of a rebranding effort in 2007."
Read the entire article from Boston Globe HERE
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Aug 15 2008, 05:55 PM
"The University of Central Florida student who stole something sacred from a Catholic mass will not be kicked out of school.
On June 29, Webster Cook said he attended a Catholic mass on campus with [friend, Ben] Collard. He stood in line to receive the Body of Christ, that’s the bread wafer known as the Eucharist. Catholics believe it is the Body of Christ after a blessing from a priest."
Read entire story HERE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The guy used poor judgment.
Death threats?
Are these not ALL Christians we are speaking about?
What’s wrong here?
Another reason why so many leave organized religion.
These are Christians...
Hypocrites.
Hypocrites all...
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Aug 15 2008, 06:35 AM
I don’t shop very often in stores. I shop online as often as I can. While on vacation I went into a store that had some hobby and toy items and came across the marbles pictured above. It was a lot of marbles. Not the most I’ve ever seen…but a good amount and a nice variety.
What does she know about marbles, you may ask? Not a lot, but seeing them just flooded my mind with memories and I was again a smiling 2nd grader. Long ago, I was a tomboy shooting marbles, especially in the spring. My friends and I always played for keeps. A purie was something I always had my eye on winning. Steely, aggie, cats eye, beach ball…there were many types of marbles we played with.
I made sure my kids had marbles…instead of the old fashioned homemade marble bag I had, somehow my kids ended up with Crown Royal bags, reinforced with my sewing machine.
So, parent’s of young kids today….
Do children still play marbles? Or are they just in the hobby stores for people to collect?
History of Marbles
Marbles originated from ancient Rome and Egypt. The name Marble comes from a material called Marble (expensive stone). In the year 1800 the best Marbles were made out of Alabaster (white Marble). People wanted to use a cheaper material. They tried clay but it crumbled when the marbles would hit each other. Finally in 1846 a German glass blower invented special scissors that could cu t glass and make marbles. That way marbles became cheaper and easier to produce. Now marbles are made in factories where hot glass is dropped onto steel rollers that shape the glass into marbles.
How to Shoot Marbles HERE
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Aug 11 2008, 11:50 AM
Pearl Street, Boulder, CO
I just returned from a week in Boulder, Colorado. I’ll be spending some time writing about some of my experiences there off and on during the week.
On Saturday’s there is a beautiful organic green market. The produce is out of this world. The colors fabulous. We found the freshest all white corn…which I haven’t see around here in ages. Carrots in shades of orange, red, yellow and gold. Beautiful, ripe, juicy peaches. Honey that looked like it was just scooped out of a hive from inside a tree, with comb included. Every type of green and herb you can think of and a beautiful array of wildflowers.
Many, many people in this area ride bicycles. It’s a way of life. And talk about clean. It looks like someone scrubs the landscape everyday. It’s spectacular.
One of the things I noticed while I was there was that there are a lot of what I’ll call free spirits. A lot of people doing their own thing. I like that very much, to an extent. Boulder is full of very artistic people. Pearl Street runs through a section of downtown. For blocks it is an outdoor festival of people, day and night, seven days a week. There are all types of shops and restaurants, which have outdoor seating. It is a very casual and inviting environment. It just draws you in. If you have any type of talent (or even think you do) you are welcome to set up in the middle of one of the squares and show it off, and hope to make a few bucks while you are at it. You’ll find all sorts of talent…jugglers, piano players, violinists, guitarists, Australian didgeridoos, American Indian wind instruments, acrobats, every day…all day.
Ah, yes…free spirits…a section with one of those fountains that has holes in the pavement where you don’t know when the water will pop up. With children running through having a great time. Mom’s sitting on park benches watching the children…people all around. Some mom’s breastfeeding off to the side. People, as usual, talking on cell phones. Tourists with cameras.
Then I see it…The three-year old looking little girl running through the fountain, back and forth over to the benches to her mom, who was near the crowd. And I cringe. This is not a back yard. This is a very public place. This is Boulder, Colorado…where the unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey is still lurking. Yes, this is free spirited Pearl Street, with the free spirited mom, who isn’t thinking about the internet age, and the cell phones with cameras as her little girl, naked, is running through the water in the fountain. Innocent? Of course. Just a little girl on a hot day…but this is not a commune. This is not a back yard.
Young moms and dads…you can’t be so free spirited when it comes to your children, not in public places…not anymore. You are watching your child, yes. But you don’t know what evil person is also watching. You don’t know who may have, in one split second, taken a photo of your little girl or followed you home.
This is where I am glad I am most conservative of all. I just have to ask, “What were you thinking?”
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Aug 9 2008, 02:20 PM
We’ve gotten pretty accustomed to higher gas prices. The prices we never thought we would be paying. They have gone up and down...but we know they are here to stay.
How have you adjusted?
Have you dipped into savings?
Have you cut back on entertainment?
Have you just cut out the little things?
You probably have an idea of what you spend on utilities for your home each year, but do you know how much you actually spend to fuel your car each year?
CNN has a gas budget calculator for you to figure it out
HERE
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Aug 6 2008, 11:45 AM
Okay...I admit it...sometimes I'm really out of the loop on certain things. And it doesn't bother me either. This one doesn't bother me in the least. So what is it that I didn't know? What's the big deal?
That this hair style is called a "fauxhawk"
Ewan McGregor (well known for his role
as a young Obi Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars series)
Yeah...I didn't know it.
But did you know the history of the fauxhawk? I bet not...
Let me fill you in.
"The slight, sculpted crest that represents a civilized simulation of the ancient-warrior, punk-rock Mohawk speaks volumes about the wearer, who demonstrably straddles the fence between conformity and nonconformity: I'm a team player with an unrepentant dash of mischief. I may be rumpled, but I clean up nice.
Generally speaking, the fauxhawk represents the "safe," less severe version of the traditional Mohawk, without shaving the sides of the head or growing the top long enough to fashion Liberty spikes or the equally confrontational Roman helmet/broom-bristles affectation."
Read the story Tuft Love from the Boston Globe
HERE
And see a slide show of famous fauxhawks HERE
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