Just eat half the donut.

When I was in my late 30's I left a job that had created an illness. I was in what is termed a "sick building".
What this essentially meant was:
They were carrying people out of it-that had worked there-with strokes, etc. So they closed it asap.
They closed the building-moving everyone out-14 floors-and gutted it and a class action lawsuit was filed against the owners-which they paid, for the illnesses that occurred to the people who had worked there .
I had been there about 4 years-and I got sick.
 This was really awful-because, I had a good job. I had to leave it.
It took (3) years for doctors and specialists to determine my "illness".
 The class action suit had already been settled. Right.
An Attorney later told me I should never had joined the class action suit.
So I tried to continue working.
I got a job-and within a year- I had recurring strep and it was determined at 30 something, my old tonsils had to go.
When I left the building-I was a reformed smoker.....I had quit.
 I gained like 40 lbs. This is pretty typical weight gain for someone who quits smoking.
Add, that due to illness, I was put on steroids to try and regain my health.
When my tonsils were removed-I could not swallow solid food for a month. I could manage liquids only.
 I lost 40 lbs. lol.
When I went back to the surgeon for my check-up, without knowing any of my history or why I was fatter before, he looked at me and said:
"You have lost alot of weight. You look great. Maybe when you eat-eat 1/2 what you were eating before. Instead of a whole donut-eat 1/2. See"?
I never told him that due to being ill, I had been put on steroids, to try to keep me from being bed -ridden with the now illness, that the sick building had created. Twice. Twice on steroids. Prescribed.
I just smiled and repeated back to him the sentence, like a good patient.
"Instead of a whole donut-eat 1/2. I get it Doc".
Un-huh. People, even Doctors, can assume too much, and make an ass out of them and you.
lolololololololol.
But do you know what? If you eat 1/2 of all the food ( donuts aside)  you eat-you will lose weight. We do eat too much.
When eating out at restaurants, they give us way too much food in a serving.
My Daughter and I order one serving and split it-Always, when eating out.
Try it......weight gain and losing it can be a real struggle.
Good luck......be healthy. Live long and prosper. I mean it.

Is it done yet?

They say patience is a virtue...and I have to say that if you had asked me a year ago, I would have said, "I really couldn't say".
(Alot of says...lol)

It reminds me of the child constantly asking, "Is it done yet"?

The fact is, if  "It" is done ( title) then everything gets much better. This applies to everything.

I live with an engineer ( my Fiance)  and his partner ( another brilliant engineer) that works in his shop with him-for like 14 hours a day, on a project that has taken over a year.

For me, I  am not an engineer and have been here the whole time-it is similar in watching a pregnancy.
And like waiting for the baby to be born.

I am the A-type of personality waiting to launch and sell, said product.....to a waiting market.

We actually have participated in shows for this industry-where we are gradually testing the response to our product  and have had people come up to our booth and ask for many -- asa they are finished. A waiting list---emails of people anxious to have one.

They ( the engineers)  are prototyping a very cool product for the Conceal Carry Industry-our own( product) ...(I, too, am a partner, along with two other very amazing people---making it a total of five).

It has remarkable features-unseen to date-by anyone in this field.

And I assure you-we, the non-engineers ( partners) involved-are on the edge of our seats..waiting.

So, patience has become necessary-as each detail is designed-made-and re-designed....goes on and on....until perfection is achieved.

However, Everything is better when it is done. Trust me on this.

Who will pay? Trust me, it does matter.

I am listening and reading so much about what is going on with the current Health Care issue before the Supreme Court, dubbed Obamacare. Why is there such a fuss?
Because alot of money and power is at stake.
What are the benefits?
What are the problems?
That's what the highest court in the land will determine-give their attention and answer to.
Who will pay? What will they pay?
Well, you can, after the decision is made----go on their web-site and read all about the pros and cons.
Google: Supreme Court of the United States.
It is an interesting view-----the Biographies of the Justices will keep you busy, also.
It will be  a major factor of our future life in these great United States.Their decisions always are.
So well worth keeping apprised of the issue at hand.
We need to do this on every level. Pay close attention.
Ask our own Congress members about the issues that matter to us.Find out who that is??maybe??
Go to their web-site. Be aware of what they are doing?::::: house.gov
Whitehouse.gov is a cool read also.
DO NOT listen, for important information-that will affect your future life--to a pundit-pontificating blowhard-provocateur-or an entertainer.
 They all have their own agenda.....Think for yourself....read and do your own due diligence.
And do not let others make you feel guilty for your feelings and beliefs..........EVER.
American lives have been lost-so that you may be free to choose.
 Believe in yourself. God Bless us all.
From the great to the small...oh wait.....no one is, small, that is. We ALL matter.

A real treat! Check out your local Library.

I want to post a notice to people that it is so easy to find and order movies-dvds-and books at your local
Library----absolutely FREE.

It is really awesome to be able to go and use their computers, also....if you are having a glitch with yours.

You can fill out and receive your Library card right away, usually. Or get a temporary one to use for that day.

I go online to see what the most recent book is, that a favorite author has written, or an old movie I would love to see again, and then go online and request it from the Library.

Sometimes there is a wait ( other people have requested the title----- book-dvd-movie ahead of you doing so)-and pleasantly enough, sometimes not.

And you can have all ordered titles sent to whatever branch is closest to you.
I go to three different branches ( locations) , and also pretty much go online and request new titles-re-new movies and books and explore what is available.

The Library also has some really intriguing offerings as well.
Myself and a friend, attended a "meet the author" night, for a man who wrote about prominent murder mysteries in Cincinnati.
Both unsolved and really gruesome.

We got some interesting facts about Cincinnati and other crimes ( possibly related to)  that had been happening during the period in which some of the murders had occurred.

So check out your local Library. You will be glad you did.
Do bear in mind that fines are imposed on items returned late or lost.
 If you find yourself in a pinch for time---call and ask for help.
I think they should sell coffee-have a cafe.....would bring in alot of money. Libraries do rely on funding...and the generosity of patrons.
I, unfortunately, have felt that I am one of the biggest supporters, financially, having  paid many fines and paying for  lost items-however, it is still  not as expensive as buying or renting items.

So enjoy!

Perspective and why? "It is" so important.

We all have moments where we loose it.
 If not, you just are not doing it right.
Kidding.
 I love to say outrageous stuff, as long as I do not hurt other's feelings.

I grew up in a large-by any standards-family. 12 kids......and we were all so individual. No clones, us.
And we had some unusual specimens-to say they worked outside the box-would be an understatement of fact.
They, my sibs, would tell you this was me. lol.
We were well cared for by our parents. Over-protected, you might say.
And loved and disciplined and taken to church.
And taught to feel grateful and blessed for our life.

Today, On Facebook, I read an article and then, I shared it.
A little boy carrying a gigantic jug-going for water.
And the burden put on this child, brings tears to my eyes.
The article was intended to make us think, indeed, feel. And it worked.

We, all the readers of said article and many like them, respond to whatever the author writes or displays-
Nicholas---from the New York Times.

I said that alot of people in the USA have similar fates-poor ravaged areas of poverty---children and pets suffer most when times are hard.

We do not have a continual and desperate sense of loss due to war or war-ing factions.
War has only found a home here in NY. one time.
And blood has and will be shed for that deed, many times over.

The taxpayers provide through the government services to help the poor.
As do, American churches and charities. 

I commented on the President, in these tough economic times, allowing his 13 year old Daughter-to take a trip-to Mexico-with 25 Secret Service agents to protect her.
Paid for by the American taxpayer.

And the truth is, there are families that have more, much more,  than this type of wealth and exhibit it all the time.

Hollywood........California........yepper.
And we pay for that, too. Voluntarily.
By buying that movie ticket or dvd or a favorite cd or book or poster or piece of art or jewelry or magazine.

If we were not paying for gas at almost $4.00 a gallon and watching the rest of the world suffer-famine and disease...maybe that trip to Mexico would be put into perspective-a young lady enjoying the perks of being one of the most famous persons ( Mom and Dad's ) child.

I just don't know. What about you?

Cool Stuff......gotta have it.

I have a friend, who always posts the coolest stuff, on Facebook. She is pretty cool herself.
Today she got-free-a cake, from a place called Great Spirit Baking Company ( she posted a picture of the box) ...a neat mini Bundt cake for two-Mocha Double Chocolate Chunk-with Patron XO Cafe Tequila Coffee Liqueur---I mean it made me go to their web-site-( google-d ) and wow!
Really-really hating the diet thing-ie right now-but will be keeping this on favorites.....I mean it.
 I Will re-visit this later. Oh yeah.......count on it.
This is one of many-many neato things she shares.
I join almost everything. It is Free!!!!!!
One is:
 Alice.com---an online company that delivers  to your door, by mail-dry goods-complete with coupons  and savings.
 Also, on Facebook-if you "like" some of the companies-or join their e-mail list-----you get offers and savings and samples.
One place that does this is:
 Aveda......there is one at the  Kenwood Towne Center. I like to just go into this shop and inhale. lol.
 Another is L'OCCITANE-I get samples of new products mailed to me all the time, or well, as often as they get new products in the store.
A  French product line-from Provence......a wittle bit of Heaven.
I have mentioned Sephora before----great sales people, too. Very helpful.
And, if I have not said:
Nordstroms allows you to sample-as in take one home-of any product-perfumes-cosmetics-etc.
I joined a cool company called, "It Works" and I did so, after viewing their stuff, by a blip, placed by a friend, on Facebook.
 Body Wraps--that work, mind you----minus 4 inches on the old tummy and counting-that would be me.
I will keep sharing fun and cool places that I find, or am made aware of.......Enjoy!

Happy-happy......ever after???????at least while you are here.

I was at a business meeting and had a woman strike up a conversation about illness.
She had Lupus...had been diagnosed early in life, as a young woman. She is in her 50's now.
She wondered what would help with muscle cramps?
I told her-calcium-magnesium---with a fat-starter-like vitamin E or cottage cheese.
I favor---in every possible instance-using Holistic methods for treatment of any ill.
Is it a fact-that over time- an organ will be destroyed by continual usage of pharmaceutical drugs?
Seems like. What quality of life/health does that provide?
Read the warnings.........the Company producing the drug-gives you...
I was in a sick building in my 30's. I was told I needed a mood elevating drug-it would help elevate pain-very real pain-from my condition.
( Raise my endorphins......to help ease pain.....well guess what else does that?????Laughter......Love.....and a natural product called 5HTP).
After reading all the warnings..for the mood elevating drug....I came to the conclusion that if I had even one side effect listed, I would be in more pain than I was already in.
A very bad thing. So, I looked for a healthy alternative---and low and behold-found it-without the side effects----how, you ask?
Because, it was a natural product. 5HTP
Alot has been said about the safety-strength-etc. of natural products.
And  No FDA approval, in many instances.....
And I will counter with----Find a good-great quality Holistic practitioner---and see what can be achieved for your life-continued good health-----great health....and without the scary side effects of drugs.
After all-all medicines fall in the category of DRUGS. Says it all, doesn't it.

Whoops se doodle!

I have to say....I look at some of the stupid stuff that is going on in the name of politics and I just want to hurl.

Try to remember----two of the only reasons some people (name withheld to protect the innocent-right) hold or want to hold public office is : ta...da: POWER and MONEY!!!!!

And some of the Evil stuff-corrupt-that is done to obtain votes is just sick!!!!!
And, it is EVIL!

And we are seeing stuff-that doesn't matter come up as tho it were AMAZING fodder for the mill----when all of the truly IMPORTANT stuff is being swept aside in it's wake.

Guess what? Time to wake up!

Gas prices are too high!

The constitution doesn't need to be deleted or re-written.

If you were elected to  serve this country-----SERVE THIS COUNTRY----not the one you want it to be. You were not elected to fool people until you got in office and then you are going to re-vamp.......NO!

The American taxpayer doesn't want to bankroll your vacay. We are struggling to feed ourselves and pay for the high gas prices....

This is so sad.....and will not fly for very long.....

Just Sad...........

Scary and makes you wonder?

Okay, I want to talk about "Talk Radio".

Politically driven talk, with hosts like, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
Conspiracy theory......to the max. Could scare you to death if you believed one half of what they say.

Mr. Rush is getting a ton of negative backlash for calling a Young woman a 'slut' on his program.

He later apologized-however, he should never have said it 'on air' to begin with.
And I wonder if she will sue him or if they have reached an agreement? Or no? hmmmm.
 I would have sued him.

I will not, for this exercise say whether I like or dislike anyone mentioned, however, I will say I Do NOT like men who call women names, because they disagree with them.
 Or do not have control of themselves ( it is called decorum) enough to behave.

Maybe?  this is because the same men are constantly being called names, for their "performance", by other people, all the time.
Then they lose perspective?

According to "Glenn Beck", the end of the world as we know it, is an imperative that we cannot waylay without much pandemonium or the election of a new president.

Now, I DO NOT like high gas prices and I DO BELIEVE that the government DOES have something to do with that.

And if gas prices get lowered before the presidential election this year-----I will feel my belief confirmed.....and will not believe gas prices will not go right back up-even higher-after the election, if the current president is re-elected.
Some things are just common sense.

Let them eat oil......this is in reference to OPEC-----or pay us the equivalent of the cost of a barrel of oil for a bleeding soybean. I do mean this.
The American people do not deserve to suffer ( yes, some families do) to pay for gasoline.
And all this time. It is utter nonsense.

Everyone is asking: are you better off than before Obama took office---and the answer is NO.
Are  all of the ills assaulting us his fault? NO!
Do you believe he can pull us out of this mess? I don't know.
 I wish he would get on with it-if so.

I will tell you a story.
I do not like the royal family in England. Never have.
I feel they have an unbelievable advantage over their own people and many people.
 It is just wrong.
 Money and power....and they spend so much money just taking turns around doing their entertainment spots----Feed somebody for God's sake.
 Stay home in your f--ing palace and let the servants wait on you and send the money to a food bank for God's sake or for the sake of the poor people in your country.
But-it is true that some peeps would be so upset if they could not see their Queen.
 And the entertainment business would take a hit---what is it-"The Tattler"?
I look at people starving in Africa and just cringe. Truly, I do.

So, when I hear about the First Lady of the USA taking vacay after vacay and using Air Force One to do them......I cringe. If this is true????????
 We are in terrible trouble here.....in our country...and I do not need the media entertainers to tell me that.
 I simply need to look around to know that the "B/S and smoke" you are seeing produced by the media,who feel the first family can do no wrong, is misleading.

What is the answer??
 Do your own due diligence.....listen to what you are hearing.....and then use the God-given intelligence you have to decipher--
Can a family who have an income of 'x' amount of money----take that many vacays?
I mean it cost so many mils. every time Air force one takes off..... or is that true?

And we are billions-trillions-gazillions in federal $$$$$ behind. SHUDDER!

And we cannot take a vacay, to drive anywhere, because of the high gas prices.....SHUDDER.

And it is all the banks fault. Nah......they do have alot to answer for...THEY DO! this is not it.

And if you say: Solyndra-Fast and Furious---NO ONE other than a Talk Radio 'listener' knows what the heck you are talking about??? Why?

The Obama's are not perfect. And their actions are not sacrosanct.
Still, I would love to zoom around the World living it up-while the rest of the country "eats cake", huh?

Maybe I am just jealous? Nah.......I like to believe I would feed some starving folks.....

Oh, back to the Royalty in England----during WWII bombs were being rained down on London and the surrounding area and alot of folks sent their children out into the country to stay with strangers, fearing for their safety.....and guess what?
The King, Queen, and two young Princesses stayed with their loyal subjects.....while the bombs rained down.
So......... maybe the Queen feels she has put in her time??? Just a thought. Need I say more?

When folks are sick......everyone stresses.

As we get older, and I am talking about middle age, and older, the likelihood/chances of getting sick or having a hospital visit goes way  up.

Even for those of us that are "health" conscious-----no smoking-moderate or no drinking-eating healthy foods  and exercise.....and with vitamins also, we can still be prone to illness.
Diabetes with weight gain-------cancer ( there is a gene pool that makes this a real danger) and unfortunately, the list goes on.

I will say that for the folks doing the healthy lifestyle-versus not-----your stay and recovery will be quite different, depending, of course, on what is wrong.

My Father-God rest his soul, ( he made old bones-84)  had a very apt saying-having sat with and observed my Mother (she did not( make old bones) -continuing to smoke and  she predeceased him by 2 years and was 10 years younger)  for her many-many hospital stays and it was simply this ,
"It really is wise-to do all in your power to never have to go for a hospital stay".

I concur. The cost-the time-the stress on you and your family members. It all adds up.

As a matter of fact......your family really suffers. The stress and time they feel they must spend with you takes it toll on their schedules. If you have more than one hospital visit...double the stress and toll.

So a word to the wise. Take care of yourself. Good Care of yourself. And hopefully no one else will have to. Smiles.

Important to tell them....Now! as in Today!

Some people in our lives are so very very special and important and we love them very much.
Here we are talking about friends, family and yes, even pets.

We go through our day and our times of work and play, and may never say how very important these folks are to us.
To our happy existence. To our continued sense of well-being.

I have heard over and over-at funerals and when folks are sick, that the person looking in-wished that  they had shared the love they feel, with that person.

And I will tell you right now-and will not listen to advice to the contrary:
you cannot ever tell your children that you love them, too much.
Ditto, your relationship with your significant other.

And where family are concerned, I have siblings I get to see once  or twice a year.
And I come from a very large ( by today's standards) family.

It is equally important to get things off your chest.
If something is bothering you---tell the person concerned. Don't wait until it is too late and end up in counseling for a year, okay maybe longer.lol.

I have heard the expression, " Home is Where the Heart is". It is accurate.
We have love in our hearts for alot of people and we need to tell them, from time to time, in most instances and often, in others, how special they are to us.

So, sharing this on Facebook-----I am telling those who read this post...and hope they pass it on!

Books to read.....and more!

Okay, I am a mystery stories fan...but, I also love history, ancient history, the classics, poetry, and well, the list could go on to infinity and beyond.
Anything dealing with Egypt and the Pyramids, I could possibly be a knowledgeable expert.

Ever wonder what some of the American greats are writing now?

Robert Frost is probably over his "snow phase" in Heaven......altho maybe it is snowy, but, not cold.......hmmm.... or cold, but not unpleasant like here???? the "what ifs" can go on forever......we will just have to wait and see.

Back to some very favorite Authors:
Other than Conan Doyle-(Sir Arthur) and Poe and ....here we go again....list can go on and on and on....

Mystery:
I am reading a delightful series ( there are three different ones by this author) about murder in a Virginia town-with the Fox Hunting crowd.
 So cute.
Rita Mae Brown......and also....Rita Mae Brown, with Sneaky Pie Brown-a cat she rescued .
This series has the requisite murder---but, it also has all of the animals who talk-Fox Hounds-Pets-Birds-Foxes-Horses-and tells so much information in passing about southern manners-relationships-and how to care for animals.

The Fox has never gotten killed on a hunt---American Fox Hunting doesn't do this if at all possible.....they actually try their utmost to avoid it and care for them, to boot. lol.

I started my love of Mysteries with Agatha Christie----this girl reviews it as AWESOME!

And also love:

Martha Grimes---Richard Jury/ Melrose Plant  series.....(British alert) .

Elizabeth George-----"Missing Joseph"-is fab. ( This is not the first book).

Joan Hess----The Maggody series or Claire Malloy series.-(a real hoot)!

I have read-front to back-everyone of these books-sometimes twice--and also read them in complete order........the best  way to do so.
 This is achieved by looking at the inside page, where all the books written are listed or going to the author's web-site.
I frequently go to the bookstore or web-site to see when ( impatient here) the next book is due out---it's like, come on!!!!!

James Patterson is another favorite----from "Kiss the Girls" fame.
 Some of his books can be SO graphic---and while I have read his books,
"There are" some books/authors--- I will not read because there is alot  of gratuitous yuk in them. Makes me ill.
One book that I recommend-that was a Christmas gift- I received-is:
 "A Thousand Splendid Suns"--( not a mystery)
It is violent and graphic---but, a good read nonetheless.

I also adore Caroline Graham----Midsummer Murders---on loan in DVD form at  your local library--or order from the web-site-online-----Barnaby is the Tops!

Another Brit---PD James----a Dame of the Empire.....lol....is a little tougher going...but still worth a gander.

Okay-that should get you going...

Remember:
You can order DVD's and Books from your library online-really popular ones have a wait list ( people who have requested them ahead of you)
And being overdue-taking them-(the books-DVD's) back late  can be a bit steep/costly.
Like $1 a day per movie---when you have 30 out in one week-this adds up fast-altho they have a cap on fees, usually.
 And you can renew items , using your library card and going online--or call the place ( library) ----the staff are generally wonderful and helpful.

Enjoy!!!!!! More to come-titles that do not involve Murder.
Have a good read!

One wedding...coming up.

My Daughter is getting married in May, and to say I am "Over the Moon" happy-would be an understatement.

Why? so excited?  you ask? Isn't it a normal occurrence?

Well, first of all, she picked the right guy. I love the kid. A lovely person.

And I had been informed a while before the announcement, that a ceremony would never occur.
 They didn't need a piece of paper to define their relationship......something like that.
 I don't remember the exact terminology, as I was trying to conquer the out break of hives in a public place......we were at a restaurant when I was informed of their decision........aghrrrrrr.

But, the real happiness comes from the idea and 'out and out' fun---of planning a wedding.
 Looking at all the pretty and cool stuff that goes with it.
Cake, Flowers, Decorations, Dresses, Tuxes, Colors---and God knows there will be SPARKLES! haha.

And yes, it does include exhaustion, but you simply need to pace yourself.

They are having it in a barn-okay when you say that, it sounds almost scary-NOT.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Where we live there is a historical building that has been named the ___Barn-to reflect where it was re-located.
A huge building, that with decor, will be quite elegant and lovely, for the outside ceremony and indoor reception.

The vowels will be said in front of the congregation and.... the friend of both the Bride and Groom-an Attorney, that went on line and got his certification to preform the ceremony???? I think I have that right.
He is an adorable man who reminds me of Jim Belushi in Animal House ( at least that is what he looked like when I checked him out on his Facebook page) He is much more handsome.
I get that they are going for fun and less fuss-but would it really matter that a Priest was looking in, on the nuptials, so to speak?
Guess not, going to happen. hmmmm.

My Daughter chose a dress-that reminds me of the Vintage dresses of Old Hollywood. So pretty-that is all I will say.

We all (Mothers-2 and the Bride and Groom)  went to "taste test" for the cake's----- ingredients-fillings-frosting's-design-colors....and it is a very complicated process---took four of us-lol.

My Daughter and I picked out the Flowers----so pretty.

It will be an event to remember as long as I live.......and I am so excited about all the fun and fanfare we will experience.
I wish everyone happy weddings for their children.....it is a remebrance that lives on forever......
Sweet kids. lol