1) My socks don't match right now.  Good thing I have boots on.

2) Sweedish Flop is the most heavenly food that exisits. Unfortunately, most people I meet have no idea what it is.

3) I have a secret love for Pikachu.  

4) I like to watch TV - primarily crime drama -  from the bubble bath.

5) I can do the Vulcan hand greeting with both hands.
   

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Yesterday, I planned this politically charged post for today - I usually don't like to touch on that subject because it riles me up, but I've been so excited about Obamamania (I've been a fan long before he began his White House run....I am a Chicagoan...) I'd love to be contagious and spread the excitement and hope he carries.   However.....I changed my mind last night when I watched Hillary Clinton's speech after she won the NH primary.

It wasn't Hillary that did it tho....it was Chelsea.

Just as Hil was getting ready to start talking, Chelsea jumped up to the podium and hugged her mom.  It was spontaneous and obviously genuine.  This was a girl overwhelmed with pride and happiness for her mom.

While I consider myself an "independent", I have tended to identify most with democratic ideals.  I was a very happy American during the Clinton administration.  I loved and still love Slick Willy.  Aside from his discretions (which for me, made no difference....frankly, I'd rather have my Prez "gettin some" and relaxing than uptight and stressed out....I just would rather not hear about it....) I felt he did so many good things for America.  The man not only got us out of a long standing deficit, but he left a GINORMOUS surplus when he left office.....(I am going to resist the urge to say anything negative about Monkey Boy and what's he's done with that surplus....ooops....)  ANYHOW, I was and still am a Bill Clinton fan.

Hillary is a different animal.  I still think she's brilliant and can get things done.  But she is a force and a traditonal politician, and that for me is a little scary, so while I haven't written her off, I'm cautious about her.....regardless tho.....this woman has a real chance to become President of the United States.  And that is so cool.   And this brings me to Chelsea.

As she hugged her mom and then stepped back, it dawned on me....

Can you imagine being the only child of a man AND woman who were both Presidents of the United States?  Suddenly, Chelsea's gene pool is like the Hope Diamond.  My brain exploded with the concept....what kind of pressure will the future hold for her? How do you keep your head on straight?  How do you even process the mind blowing gravity of BOTH your parents being the most powerful leaders of the free world?

I suppose this could be likened to the days of Kings and Queens....and Chelsea is a true princess, in the political sense.  I suppose it would make sense that she could relate to someone like the Winsor boys and the pressures and weight they deal with.  Granted, Chelsea isn't in line for a throne, but she certainly sits below one, especially if Mom ends up winning the prize.

I like Chelsea.  I've always liked her.  She's kept her nose clean and always had put forth professionalism and respectibility.  I am thrilled that's she's come through all those unfair years of critical fodder on her looks and image.  She's grown up, and she looks beautiful.  She's managed to stay out of the negative limelight.  She's clearly got brains and an independent personality.  Just like her parents.  So much like her parents.  You don't have to like Bill or Hillary, but you cannot deny that they both are very smart people in this arena.  The only thing we haven't seen yet from Chelsea Clinton is her public persona.  We might never....I'm not sure what plans Chelsea has for her own future.  But I can gaurantee you this....there are many people out there right now who do have plans for her.  Especially now.  People who are ready to continue watching.... grooming this girl....hounding her....attempting to manipulate her, "guide" her....because she just might one day be the first and possibly only person whose parents have both run the Free World.

If I were a trader and Chelsea was a corporation, I'd be telling everyone to buy buy buy right now.

Mindblowing.  Can you even imagine being her???

***Edit***

I should clarify - when I said I changed my mind, I meant I changed it about what I was going to blog about - not about who I support....Hil's fine and all, but I am an AVID Obama supporter.  And while I am not thrilled with the Republican party in general right now, if I must settle for one as president, then McCain gets the most respect from me out of the bunch.  More importantly, tho -  I just think it's awesome how many Americans are INTO this election - I will be so thrilled if we set voting records on Election day, regardless of the results.

Most of you know that about four months ago, one of my two dogs was killed by coyotes.  It would suffice to say that it was one of the worse weeks of my life.  I'm still haunted by it.  He was the light in my heart that lit up the world whenever darkness threatened to creep in.  He's gone now....but he is in my thoughts EVERY day, and every day, my heart still pains for him. 

I still have my sweet Mr. Squeeze.  Since Little Black Dog is gone, Mr. Squeeze has been allowed to sleep in bed with me.  It's been both fun and....a bit cramped.  I have a king size bed....but Mr. Squeeze likes to sleep in between my calves.....curled into a ball.   Which makes it just about impossible for me to move at all at night.  I literally  have to slide out my legs from the covers, readjust and then slide them back in.  You'd think I'd just move the dog.  But no...don't want to disturb his sweet slumber....and he sleeps hard.....he doesn't move at night....sound asleep.....thank god he doesn't snore like Little Black Dog did....lol....

This morning, it was dark and wet outside when the alarm went off - it seemed like it was still 3 o'clock in the morning and NOT time to wake up.  Squeeze was curled in a perfect ball, pinning my legs within the covers as usual.  He's so quiet when he is sleeping.  So I pet him gently to wake him up.  He didn't move.  I said his name and told him to wake up.  Get up.  Nothing.  He didn't move.  Still in a perfect ball.  I began to panic.  I felt for the movement of his ribcage.  Couldn't feel anything.  I didn't hear any breath.  My heart began pounding, my stomach suddenly sick and I pulled at the bedcovers, trying to get movement from him.  Nothing.  I finally YELLED his name, and yanked the covers hard and he stirred and looked at me like "Whaaa?"

Oh. My. God.

I don't think I could handle loosing the Squeeze right now.  My imagination got the best of me this morning, but it brought back all the horrific feelings of losing a beloved pet.  Mr. Squeeze is only six years old....Little Black Dog was only eight.  They were/are supposed to be with me for a lot longer.  Squeeze just can't leave me yet.  I need him.

Why?

I don't know.  I just love him very very much.  No, he's not a person.  No, he's not my son or my boyfriend.  But he still is my baby and now he has inherited the job of maintaining that light in the darkness when I am sad, alone or afraid.  He's my safety.  He's my heart. 

Don't scare me like that again, Mr. Squeeze!!!!

(**note:  Before you think I'm off my rocker, "Squeeze" and "Little Black Dog" are nicknames I use for the boys often.....I did give them proper names, but it's much more fun to use the nick's.....**)

Yes, you read that right.

This year, rather than resolving to change things, I am trying another approach.  I am going to right the wrongs I have done to myself.

Have I gone batty?  Of course! Not at all....here is the online dictionary definitions of "Restitution":

1. The act of restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, lost, or surrendered.
2. The act of making good or compensating for loss, damage, or injury; indemnification.
3. A return to or restoration of a previous state or position.

Resolutions are much to easy to fail to follow through.  There is no responsibility associated with them.  Just hope, promise and a hell of a lot of will power.

Restitution, on the other hand, is something owed.  Something needing to be rectified.  There is a greater responsibility and urge to act associated with it.

So hereforto, I give you my 2008 New Year's Restitutions:

(in no particular order)

1) I will restore my body to it's most healthy state, physcially and mentally.  I will take care of what I put in it, what I ask of it and I will be aware of the things that hurt my psyche and take proper precautions or evasive actions.

2) I will repair my car and it's mushed in front bumper, which I have neglected for three years because "it's really not all that bad" and I will begin taking it for regular oil changes rather than pushing it for an extra few thousand miles out of laziness....

3) I will give my son my full attention when we are together.  I will stop multi-tasking when he speaks to me, listen to him and look at him. 

4) I will not live beyond my means.  I will pay off all my outstanding debt and not purchase anything except necessities until all I hold in debt is my mortgage.  I will build my credit score back up to it's glorious state.

5) I will take pride in my work.  I will spend less time as an internet junkie at the office because I happen to be able to complete tasks quickly, and more time seeking out more opportunity to further my career in the company.

Wow, I start writing and boy....I could keep going and going....LOL, I must have a lot of wrongs I need to write right!

Anyhoo - there you have it.  2008's Restitutions.   What about you?  Making any promises to yourself this year?  Resolutions or restitutions of your own?

Either way -

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

"Loved Dearly, Never To Be Forgotten"

   

I just answered this Featured Question, you can answer it too!

What happens in Vegas  -  can be brought back from Vegas assuming it has a G-rating!

......so therefore:

This of course, was just before security came and dragged me off Yellow.  That would be her hand there reaching to pull me down....I'm such a hoodlum.  Accosting and M&M.  Grrr!

Vegas was awesome.  A bit more tame than we expected, but I blame the cold weather and too much walking....both being "buzz" killers.  Still a great time - and I even ran into Avril Lavigne.  Literally.  Another foot and I would have crashed into her head.  Whoops!  I'm so oblivious, that it took me a second to realize who I had just tripped into. Sorry Avril!!  Btw, she's about 5 feet tall and can't weigh more than 100 lbs.  Her husband, who was with her, is almost as small.....what's with the midget celebrities?  hmmf.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve.....I'll be back tomorrow with my list of resolutions. Or more specifically, things I won't do, but sure like the idea of doing.....

Ciao!

I belong to a Webring called "Because Skinny Jeans aren't for Fat People."  I believe this.  And I've never worn them for that exact reason.

Yesterday, I bought my very first pair of skinny jeans.

I still think my butt looks larger than the Taj Mahal, but that will never change.

However, I LOVE them.  LOVE LOVE LOVE them.  All the work I've done has paid off.  Not done yet, either.  Even more motivated now.

BF is supposed to take me to Jamaica when I hit my goal size (haha).   I hit it yesterday in a skirt.  Now I just have to hit it in a pair of jeans, and I'm packing up my bikini and sunglasses.....weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

I leave for Vegas tomorrow, me and my new skinny jeans! - I'll be back with pictures next week sometime!! MWWWAAA TO YOU ALL!!!

I found this article on Yahoo this morning.... very very interesting....how many of these did you believe?  I actually thought they all were true!!

MEDICAL MYTHS

Myth: We use only 10 percent of our brains.

Fact: Physicians and comedians alike, including Jerry Seinfeld, love to cite this one. It's sometimes erroneously credited to Albert Einstein. But MRI scans, PET scans and other imaging studies show no dormant areas of the brain, and even viewing individual neurons or cells reveals no inactive areas, the new paper points out. Metabolic studies of how brain cells process chemicals show no nonfunctioning areas. The myth probably originated with self-improvement hucksters in the early 1900s who wanted to convince people that they had yet not reached their full potential, Carroll figures. It also doesn't jibe with the fact that our other organs run at full tilt.

Myth: You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

Fact: "There is no medical evidence to suggest that you need that much water," said Dr. Rachel Vreeman, a pediatrics research fellow at the university and co-author of the journal article. Vreeman thinks this myth can be traced back to a 1945 recommendation from the Nutrition Council that a person consume the equivalent of 8 glasses (64 ounces) of fluid a day. Over the years, "fluid" turned to water. But fruits and vegetables, plus coffee and other liquids, count.

Eponine2 comment:  In my personal experience, while we might not "need" to drink this much a day - it makes an ENORMOUS difference in my own health - my skin is clearer & more taught, I feel better, I don't eat as much, and it helps flush toxins out of all my organs, including my blood.  So we might not "need" it - but I think it's a GREAT guideline.....

Myth: Fingernails and hair grow after death.

Fact: Most physicians queried on this one initially thought it was true. Upon further reflection, they realized it's impossible. Here's what happens: "As the body’s skin is drying out, soft tissue, especially skin, is retracting," Vreeman said. "The nails appear much more prominent as the skin dries out. The same is true, but less obvious, with hair. As the skin is shrinking back, the hair looks more prominent or sticks up a bit."

Myth: Shaved hair grows back faster, coarser and darker.

Fact: A 1928 clinical trial compared hair growth in shaved patches to growth in non-shaved patches. The hair which replaced the shaved hair was no darker or thicker, and did not grow in faster. More recent studies have confirmed that one. Here's the deal: When hair first comes in after being shaved, it grows with a blunt edge on top, Carroll and Vreeman explain. Over time, the blunt edge gets worn so it may seem thicker than it actually is. Hair that's just emerging can be darker too, because it hasn't been bleached by the sun.

Myth: Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.

Fact: The researchers found no evidence that reading in dim light causes permanent eye damage. It can cause eye strain and temporarily decreased acuity, which subsides after rest.

Myth: Eating turkey makes you drowsy.

Fact: Even Carroll and Vreeman believed this one until they researched it. The thing is, a chemical in turkey called tryptophan is known to cause drowsiness. But turkey doesn't contain any more of it than does chicken or beef. This myth is fueled by the fact that turkey is often eaten with a colossal holiday meal, often accompanied by alcohol (AND OVEREATING!!!) — both things that will make you sleepy.

Myth: Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals.

Fact: There are no known cases of death related to this one. Cases of less-serious interference with hospital devices seem to be largely anecdotal, the researchers found. In one real study, mobile phones were found to interfere with 4 percent of devices, but only when the phone was within 3 feet of the device. A more recent study, this year, found no interference in 300 tests in 75 treatment rooms. To the contrary, when doctors use mobile phones, the improved communication means they make fewer mistakes.

"Whenever we talk about this work, doctors at first express disbelief that these things are not true," said Vreeman said. "But after we carefully lay out medical evidence, they are very willing to accept that these beliefs are actually false."

There are so many things wrong on so many levels in this picture....and I haven't even begun to address the poor.... woman?..... on the gurney.....

Play with me!!  I'll start with two of the most disturbing things in this picture...feel free to add your own....

1) Um, is that an Ooompa Loompa?  Wait...there are two...hmmm....curious......

2) There are two very clearly distraught EASTER BUNNIES in the backgound.....it'll be ok, Thumper!!!

Now your turn.

Feliz Navidad!