Oh Joy...! (+) Tom Delay On "Dancing W/The Stars".

Okay, this "gift" was more than expected! *Thank you my sweet baby kitty... which ever one it was.* I found it yesterday behind my bathroom door in front of the shower. I thought I'd share it since I know how you all love that sort of thing. *LOL*

Love the close-up? ;) That is a rat, isn't it? I've never seen a real live wild rat. I think that's what it is.



Monday I was mowing the lawn and hit an ant hill... those red biting ants. I got bit up pretty good all around my ankles. It was pretty nasty, had to break out the witch hazel, now I have all these ugly scabs!

Nathan came walking by shortly after I started mowing and pretty much finished it up... it started getting dark, so there was a section I finished up the next day. Thank you, Nathan... that was a big help and I very much appreciate it. He said he remembered moving me in... that, I believe, was the first time I met him. At that time I really didn't know him... he was just one of my niece's friends that came to help. I didn't get to know him until later.

~ ~ ~ More Cat Pics ~ ~ ~

This is Jack trying to fit his big butt into the casserole dish basket.

He's not that photogenic, he always looks so perturbed and irritated.

Missy in her chair that sits beside mine. She loves it when I twirl the chair in circles.

Here she is on the bathroom floor. I love the way she sprawls. It's pretty funny and so darn cute! That's her "I'm hot!" position. Sometimes she lays right over the vent. (The first pic is a little blurry.)

In case you missed it!

I don't watch "Dancing With The Stars" but I wanted to see how Tom Delay did and if he had a chance in heck of staying for awhile. So here you go... the second dance was more suited for his age, but I couldn't find it as a stand alone on YouTube.




You can see the second dance here... it's a version that is obviously edited but if you want to wait out the beginning you can see a clip of the second dance.

I HATE Spiders...

Especially the big ones... ewwwww! *shudder*

Here is a couple videos I came across... freaky, but funny! I don't know why he just didn't kill the darn things!












They are similar to this huge spider at my mom's house, although this one is curled up and dead.

I Love My Cats, I Love My Cats, I Love My Cats...

...but sometimes they just really take me there.

Having lived with cats my whole life, I have become accustomed to the "gifts" they drag in. The rabbits, mice, chipmunks, and birds... dead and alive. But I have to say... the "new gifts" and the consistancy that I've been dealing with it this past year, I don't know whether to laugh, yell, or cry. There is usually a lot of hmphing, groaning and eye rolling!

Missy Bug (how appropriate that name turned out to be) is the biggest culprit. She is constantly bringing in bugs of all sorts. The worst one... ohhh... was this big bug, I could hear it coming way before I knew she was bringing it. I could hear this noise... and this hissing... I didn't know what it was or where it was coming from. I was like, "What is that?", "What is that?" My head was up, kind of cocked, listening. Was it on tv, was it outside, what the heck is that?

Then she appears and drops it near me... this huge bug with what looked like pinchers at it's mouth. It was fighting back and hissing soooo loud! She tried to get hold of it again but it was biting or pinching her. I had to get a jar and chase it around a bit to capture it and take it outside. Not the highlight of my night!

Since then I have had multitudes of bugs, moths, lizards, and frogs. Specifically these little mini frogs, I thought they were just babies but they never seem to grow up. They are always that same small size. I'm finding them eveywhere, usually dead and dried up. I'm constantly vacuuming them up. Aaauuugh! And now these grasshopper looking things, but they are shorter, stouter, and very bright green with these strong wings.

Yesterday I saw a lump on the floor and thought, "What now?" It was a lump of clay. She had brought in a clay ball from under the deck. Guess that's what she was chasing all over the living room.

Tonight, oh tonight, never expected this... I heard her under the table playing with something. *eyes roll* Missy! I turned the overhead light on and I see something slim and stretched out... moving. Good Lord, she brought in an EARTHWORM! Have you ever known a cat to bring in an earthworm. I don't know what I'm gonna do with her! Thank heavens fall and winter is coming... hopefully I can get a little break from all this. I'm half afraid she's gonna drag a snake in next!

Missy Bug a year ago.

She has the softest, silkiest fur. And her fuzzy little paws... I adore it when she wraps them around my feet or ankles, it's so sweet. I want to hug and sqeeze and cuddle her all the time... but she absolutely HATES to be held. She squirms and fights and growls so loud you think she's gonna turn on you in a flash. But she doesn't... she's just a noise maker. I hug her and kiss her and love her all up, then I make a big production of letting her go. That way she knows she didn't have to struggle to get away, I let her go. She's a stray I took in from the wild when she was about 2 months old, so she has some issues. Before she would take off and put some distance between us. She wouldn't let me near for a little while. Now, I love her up and set her down... she'll look at me for a few then come over and curl up between my feet.

She still has issues with visitors but it's getting better. If someone walked up to the house or God forbid, came inside, she was out the cat door, across the yard, and under the neighbor's fence in a flash. She wouldn't come back for hours, and when she did, she would only come as far as the bush next to the fence. I would have to go out and coax her to me so I could catch her and carry her in (struggling and growling the whole way) to show her that is was now safe. Now she races into the guest room to hide under the bed or into my room under the dresser. If the visitor sits down and remains relatively still and quiet, she'll come out to visit... keeping her distance, of course. Only once did she come out and act relatively normal, sitting in the open and coming close. That was with my friend Pat. I used to work with him and once in awhile he stops in for a visit. She felt comfortable enough with him. He's a cat lover too and understands the situation. He doesn't go flitting about making loud noises or quick movements. My nephew, CJ, has done pretty good also. He sat still while she came in from outside and made her way into my bedroom.

Missy & Jack

Missy



Missy & Simon On The Deck

Simon On The Deck

Missy & Simon - Nap Mates





Three Of My Favorite Baby Missy Pics

She was so little.

Jackson

Major ACORN Update!

U.S. House of Representatives have voted to stop ALL Federal funds to ACORN!


The House voted 345-75 to strike ACORN funding from a student aid bill with two voting present.

The Defund ACORN Act prohibits any "federal contract grant, cooperative agreement or any other form of agreement (including a memorandum of understanding" from being awarded to or entered into with the group. It also prohibits federal funds "in any other form" from being provided.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, suggested the vote is essentially symbolic because the student aid bill did not actually provide any funding to ACORN.

However, the language refers to all federal contracts so it applies to any federal money.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who introduced the "motion to recommit" attached to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, said the decision followed a Senate vote on Monday to strip housing funds for ACORN and the Census Bureau's decision last week to cut ties to the group.

"The battle, however, to deny ACORN federal funding is not over until the president signs the bill into law. ACORN gave significant support to Democrats and Americans must remain vigilant to avoid backtracking or efforts to water down prohibitions denying Federal funds to this corrupt organization," said


At this time, however, I don't trust Obama to do what is right. On one hand, I think, how can he not sign it. If anything else happens, if anything more comes out or gets uncovered... it'll ALL be on him and him alone! Surely he wouldn't risk his presidency over such a corrupt organization? On the other hand, ACORN gave him a lot of support. Obama made ACORN promises of helping to shape his agenda and who knows what else. I do know Obama and his administration were throwing an awful lot of power and money ACORN's way. So, is he prepared to not just turn his back on them but pitch them overboard completely? And I certainly hope he doesn't try to use this situation to bargain through his health care agenda! A little tit-for-tat to garner Republican support! Only time will tell.


This part did not suprise me at all:

The 75 lawmakers who voted "no" and two who voted "present" were all Democrats.

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REPS that voted FOR cutting funds to ACORN:






REPS that voted AGAINST cutting funds to ACORN:




REPS that voted PRESENT (neither For or Against) cutting funds to ACORN:




REPS that DID NOT VOTE on cutting funds to ACORN:




Here's the link to the vote results: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll718.xml

Washington Protest - 9/12/09

Wish I could have been there...






Received an email with pics from the march. Loved the signs!





























WALNUT
Workers Against Lazy Non-Producers United Together


























Go here to read about it.

4th ACORN bust!

This woman goes even further, admitting to shooting her ex-husband and "laying the groundwork" before doing the deed. She then goes on to threatening her friend's life if he speaks to anyone about the prostitution situation.

ACORN Updates

- One major victory... The Census Bureau drops ACORN from doing the 2010 Census next year.

- The Brooklyn, NY ACORN office is being investigated by the DA, their tax exempt status is now in question.

- Senate votes 83-7 to end ACORN housing funding. HUD money blocked. Who are the seven who voted against this? Sens. Roland Burris, D-Ill.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.; Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., voted against the Senate measure. If these are your Senators, be wary, they obviously don't have a problem with corruption.

- Arrests in Florida of 11 ACORN workers accused of voter registration fraud.

- ACORN Illegally Operating in Maryland: by Mike Roman
Last week, we saw some pretty disturbing activities revealed in the undercover footage from ACORN Housing’s Baltimore office. By any measure of conduct, the actions of ACORN’s employees should never have happened. It turns out the actions shouldn’t have happened for another, very simple, reason: ACORN can’t legally operate in the state of Maryland.

According to the following documents, ACORN, Inc.–the parent organization of all things ACORN–forfeited its corporate charter in Maryland in 2006. ACORN Housing forfeited its corporate charter in 2008. Any ACORN office in the state of Maryland is potentially operating illegally.

The Maryland Attorney General has made noise about prosecuting the intrepid journalists who undercovered the misdeeds of ACORN employees. Perhaps he should focus instead on how ACORN was able to operate without a license in his state.










(view documents)

Yet Another ACORN Bust!

First bust exposed was Baltimore, MD, second bust was Washington, DC, and now it's Brooklyn, NY. Sounding more and more like a systemic problem not a "few rogue employees" scenerio.

What is going on? I guess we're starting to see just what it is "community organizers" do!

The women from the first two busts have been fired, let's see if these women are also let go.

Another ACORN Bust!

I can't believe these women don't even bat an eye over what is being suggested... this is basically child slave labor, human tafficking, child abuse, child endangerment, abuse of human rights just to name a few. Not only didn't they bat an eye, they encouraged and gave tips on how to get away with it. I'm appalled! Just goes to show you... women in power are just as dangerous as men. This is an embarrassment to our government and to our country... that so much corruption in one organization has been allowed to continue for so long. I am disgusted and angry that they receive tax money to continue their corruption.

Step back and take a look at the bigger picture. These women's reactions, comments and aid suggest that this isn't the first time they've come across this. Even if it was, and if this situation wasn't undercover... they aided and abetted criminal acts! They just put our government, our tax dollars, in the business of human trafficking, slave labor and child prostitution. Just think about that for a minute... you, as a taxpayer, are subsidizing this venture! Does this make you proud to be an American?

There needs to be a major investigation into ACORN and all tax dollars and stimulus funds need to be halted until that happens!

ACORN Corruption Continues - Caught On Video

Whoa baby!!

After all the corruption surrounding ACORN during the election last fall, with nothing really being done about it... I figured, given enough time, they'd burn their own house down. You can hide that much corruption for only so long! They were getting too big, too arrogant, getting too much money and too much recognition from this Administration.

Obama is gonna have to pitch 'em overboard or risk being pulled down with them. What did he say last year while campaigning... something about the people he surrounds himself with. Yep, I keep taking note of those surrounding him as they pop up over and over again in the news... investigations, stepping down, caught on video... Is this what is meant by Chicago-style politics? Surround yourself with the most corrupt, liberal, socialistic people/groups you can find? Sort of a Russian roulette, throw the dice kind of thing? Fool the people and get away with it all by slight of hand or go down in flames?!













Is the public and the media finally going to admit just how corrupt this organization really is? Only time will tell!

Obama's Latest Health Care Speech: In My Opinion

Personally, I found the speech inflammatory. For a speech meant to bring both sides together in agreement on what should be done (or so I thought)... the President's remarks were partisan and very offensive.

On the issue, it is my opinion that the President must think we are a bunch of idiots to believe that this will not cost any more tax payer dollars... that it will be funded by waste and fraud saved in other programs! If there is that much waste and fraud, and if it's that easy to find, why hasn't something been done already?

Look at all the government-run programs that are broken and running out of money: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the govt-run health program for Native Americans on reservations. Do you really think this will be any different? REALLY?! There is one thing I know for sure.... the government cannot manage money!!!

And just so you know whose perspective you're getting here.... I have no health insurance, I am laid off and I can't afford health insurance, and I have cancer! But I am not about to get on THIS health care reform bandwagon! Not until the liberal left get a little realistic. Nothing will change if it HAS to be done in one fell swoop! Make changes that make sense and start there.


Changes I can get on board with:

- Health Insurance oversight.
- Tort Reform is a must.
- Cleaning up fraud and waste.
- Open health insurance across state lines.
- Make it illegal to to turn down or water down coverage for individuals for pre-existing conditions.
- Make it illegal to terminate individual's coverage because they are ill.
- Tax break for companies that provide employee's with coverage.


Overall, I agree with this comment I saw on a blog:

"Hmm…. Looks like some folks think government is built to deliver health care. Now that is insane. The more weighty matter is that DOH already is so massive it already threatens our ability to put more to constructive defense spending and innovation. Last time I checked the founding fathers put the government to defend the people not run the nations medical industry. Ask yourself a question – when is the last time government was efficient? When was the last time it wasn’t political?"


So, there you have it... my thoughts, my opinion, on the subject of Health Care Reform.

Migraines

I had a friend who suffered with migraines. For reasons still unknown to me, she decided to cut me out her life a few months ago; but, when I saw this article it caused me to pause since it had become a bit of habit to keep my eye out for migraine help. So I decided to post it here in hope that others may find it helpful.


Foods that could trigger a nasty headache

My friend Charlene pinged me. She had a miserable headache over the weekend. It wasn't just any miserable headache -- it was a miserable headache caused by citrus.

After retracing her day, Charlene realized that the three delicious tangerines were the culprit. She thought she was just enjoying a very tasty, healthy snack, but she was also triggering pain.

Some experts say that citrus and other foods may trigger headaches because the people consuming them may have an enzyme deficiency. The enzyme they are lacking is necessary for neutralizing amines in foods. Some foods have large quantities of amines, and without the enzyme, headaches (and even migraines) can be stimulated.

Still, gobbling up an orange (or three) might seem harmless. If you are one of the 28 million Americans who suffer from migraines, taking note of how foods affect your body could be critical in preventing future headaches. One new theory is that craving certain foods could also signal a coming migraine. These kinds of migraines are also made more unpredictable because eating the food may not trigger pain every single time, and because food could team up with other triggers (like bright lights or stress) to induce a migraine.

Some other foods and beverages thought to trigger headaches include:

• Aged cheese and those cheeses containing tyramine, a natural substance that builds up as food ages. Tyramine in high levels has been shown to cause hypertension, which is a particular concern for people who take MAO inhibitor medication to treat migraines. Blue cheese, brie, cheddar, Stilton, feta, gorgonzola, mozzarella, muenster, Parmesan, Swiss, and processed cheeses often contain high levels of tyramine.
  
• Other salted, cured, processed, and canned foods that are high in tyramine. Take note of how your body reacts when you eat pickles, olives, and canned soups. Beans can also contain headache-triggering tyramine, especially fava, pinto, garbanzo, and lima beans.
  
• Alcohol, which could prompt headaches as it is metabolized in the body. Pay particular attention when you drink red wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne, which have been identified as triggers.

There is a long list of foods that headache and migraine sufferers say cause their pain. Some of them might surprise you, including:

• Peanuts and peanut butter
• Potato chips
• Pizza
• Fresh fruits like kiwi, plums, and raspberries
• Bread and crackers

Have you had a miserable headache or migraine that you thought was caused by food? What was the culprit?

Do you avoid common foods like these that could prompt pain?


Read more:
Surprising cures for migraines
5 things you didn't know about headaches
One more reason to lay off the caffeine

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Foods that trigger migraines

Migraine headaches are a disease that affects a lot of people and it is not yet known what are the exact causes of migraine headaches. A lot of research institutes identified a number of migraine headache causes and among those causes they include food as a major factor. Food can certainly play an important role for the existence of migraine headaches. This article is about foods that trigger migraines and what you can do to prevent the crisis.

The food seems to affect the frequency and intensity of migraines in some people. Often, people with migraines are sensitive to some foods. However, the exclusion of specific foods is not a formally accepted treatment for migraines.

Why do some foods trigger migraines?

One theory is that some foods may release certain chemicals, which can lead to migraines. The tyramine (found in cheese), the fainylaithylamini (found in chocolate), the tyrosine, glutamic mononatrio (used in Chinese food), aspartame, caffeine, sulphites – nitrites (found in processed meat) appears to be involved in causing migraines.

Also, different types of food cause varying degrees of vasodilatation or vasoconstriction, which can cause headaches. Another theory argues that some foods stimulate specific regions of the brain, leading to migraines. Nevertheless, the scientific literature does not lead to the formulation of clear conclusion.

What foods can trigger migraines?

A study of 577 people suffering from migraines showed that the foods more closely associated with their headaches was cheese, chocolate, red wine and beer. Another research found that the headache was common in patients with no resistance to gluten, with or without histological findings of intestinal lesions. Also other foods that trigger migraines are all nuts, the peanut butter, vinegar, prepared sauces (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise), the avocado and animal intestines.

Second, the interruption of use of caffeine may cause headaches in some people, so consumption should not be exaggerated. The interruption of even a cup of coffee (or 2 cups of tea or 3 soft drink of type cola) can cause muscle pain, fatigue, fainting and headache.

Other established research about foods that trigger migraines showed that the following foods types are suspects for a migraine headaches crisis.

The chocolate
Cheese
Spirits
Coffee
Seafood
Citrus

Many experts also believe that those who manifest migraine after consumption of these foods may have an enzyme deficiency in fainolsoulfotransferasi (PST).

This enzyme has the capacity to neutralize a group of substances called amines that exist in large quantities in the above foods. But when the enzyme is missing from the body, then the levels of amines increase, stimulating the platelet agglutination (blood) in the brain, giving a mandate to initiate migraine.

The rates with which different foods trigger migraines are:
74% chocolate
47% cheese
30% citrus
18% fat and fried
15% tea and coffee
14% meat, especially pork
10% of seafood


Supplements to help reverse the effects of foods on migraine headaches

In the treatment of migraines a lot of supplements has been used including riboflavin, magnesium, and Tanacetum parthenium. The large doses of riboflavin (400 mg / daily) were well tolerated with minimal side effects and were quite effective, since their headaches decreased significantly. The effect is maximized after taking the supplement for at least 3 months. High dose of magnesium (600 mg / daily) can reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraine by 40% after 12 weeks. The most secure form of the supplement is considered the magnesium citrate. Finally, the investigations so far do not lead to a safe conclusion about the effectiveness of Tanacetum parthenium in the treatment of migraine.

Furthermore, it is believed that omega-3 fatty acids of fish and ginger can help those who suffer from migraines because of antihistamines and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to do to identify which foods help trigger migraines

The first step is to keep a food diary. Record what you eat and drink, but all your natural symptoms. It is very important to note the time you eat. After a month, read your calendar and look for recurring patterns. If you believe that you have discovered a link between eating and headaches, try to restrict the food for a month and watch the progress of symptoms. Keep in mind however that the various food manufacturers add different materials e.g. chocolate, explaining why a brand can cause you headache, and another not.

Foods that help prevent migraine headaches

The salmon, spinach, the ginger, mushrooms, according to several established research could help prevent migraine headaches crisis.

Other factors that can trigger a migraine headache crisis are:

Alcohol and red wine in particular.
Smoking.
Stress and fatigue.
Abnormal vision, misapplication of eye glasses.
Physical and sexual activity. (The headache after orgasm is usually harmless, but if it is intense and persists may indicate bleeding)
Changes in sleeping and eating hours.
Changes of time, weather, long journeys.
Hormonal changes. Menopause. Replacement therapy with estrogen.
Strong lights, strong noise, strong perfumes, and polluted air.

There are a lot of types of foods that trigger migraines. It is important to keep a dairy and log what you eat and drink before the emerge of a migraine headache crisis. You can then remove temporarily those foods from your diet and see if the problem still exists. In any case you need to get consultation from a professional doctor to help you find the right treatment for migraine headaches.

The Stoning of Soraya M

The Stoning of Soraya M, a film based on the true-life story of a woman who was unjustly accused of adultery in her Middle East village and violently killed. Stars Shohreh Aghdashloo, the Academy-Award nominated actress of The House of Sand and Fog and Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ), is expanding to theaters across the country this weekend. I will caution you that the film is a brutally honest portrayal of the persecution of women who cannot fight for themselves in many Islamic countries.

Steve McEveety, who produced the film, says he made the movie because he is "pro-woman, pro-freedom, and pro-life." In a letter to audiences, he writes, "Some will argue that the violence in this picture is too much, but I would argue that if I didn't show this brutality, it would be a disservice to the women who have fallen victim... When you see this film, you will help bear witness to one woman's legacy and help save others from experiencing such atrocities."

A Journey Home

I came across this in an AFA (American Family Association) email and I thought I'd check it out. I started watching and wasn't sure if I would continue, it didn't seem like my thing... and 45 minutes!

After the first couple minutes I was hooked, it drew me in! I found it fascinating... a hard life, but a loving and worthy life. To give up a life that you had known and move your family to begin a new and unfamiliar life. What courage! It is worth watching.


A 45-minute inspirational movie.

"Winner of the Jubilee Award for Best Documentary at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, A Journey Home tells the story of the extraordinary path traveled by Tommy Waller, his wife Sherri, and their 11 children."

http://www.afa.net/journeyhome/index.htm