Picture it. Yesterday. The girls department at Walmart. A mother and her son are rummaging through the discount racks of summer clothing looking for purple shorty-shorts and a plain, purple stretchy t-shirt. The son is sixteen, and on the dance squad for the Powder Puff football game on Saturday. The purple shorts and t-shirt is the costume they are required to wear.
The boy has been practicing for two weeks, every day after his own football practice to learn the dance moves that the squad will perform during half time of the girls' Powder Puff game. He can be seen at any given time, practicing his booty shaking and split jumps at home.
The mother, proud and somewhat embarrassed at the same time, watches as he practices his moves. She laughs and shakes her head.
While the son runs from rack to rack searching for the right outfit, people in Walmart watch and wonder what the two are up to. Who are they shopping for? Why is the son so excited by what he finds? Why is he holding the girls' clothing up to himself, as if checking for size? It's a comical scene, and the two are having a blast.
In the dressing room, the boy tries on his choices, looking for the shortest shorts and the tightest shirt. The mother sits outside the dressing room waiting to see each outfit so she can laugh at the absurdity of it all. The fitting room attendant watches, not sure whether she should laugh at this muscular sixteen year old boy in small girls clothing. She looks a bit concerned, and tries to mind her own business. It's hard for her to concentrate on her work.
The son makes his choice of outfit, and leaves the rest for the fitting room attendant to put away. The mother wonders if her son had actually stretched out the clothing he tried on and rejected. The two leave the fitting room and the attendant. The attendant goes to work, folding and hanging the purple rejections as the mother and son leave, laughing. She's never seen a boy try on girls clothing, and wonders.
The mother and boy in this story is me and Tristan.
The high school is putting on a Powder Puff game this coming Saturday. The Juniors against the Seniors. The girls will play flag football, and the guys will perform the half time show. It's something the school does every year, and it's a great time!
The Juniors have named themselves the Junior Jokers. The guys are dressing up in purple outfits with green ties and painting their faces to look like the Joker from Batman. I'll be sure to take pictures and video this Saturday and post it! 
Picture It
UGG Boots
Have you ever slipped your feet into a pair of UGG boots? If you haven't, you have no idea what you're missing. If you have, then you know that there is nothing better or more comfortable for your feet. Once you slip a pair on, you won't want to wear anything else! UGG Australia is the world's premier luxury brand of authentic sheepskin footwear.
As one of the largest authorized dealers for authentic UGG footwear, Footwear etc. has a huge selection of UGG footwear. Browse through hundreds of styles, colors, and sizes in womens, mens, and kids footwear. They even offer free shipping on UGG orders over $59.98! If you're in the market for a new pair of boots for winter, have a look at Footwear etc. Their prices are hard to beat, and you'll be happy you did. Your feet will thank you for it!
Whey Protein To Supplement Your Training
A couple of months ago, fellow blogger David Stanhope of Whey Protein King, contacted me about exchanging links. I was more than happy to do so. We also discussed having him write a short article for this blog about weight training and the use of whey protein. Tristan is into this, and I was interested to learn more, so I invited him to be a guest blogger. The following article has some great information on how to use whey protein and why. I hope you enjoy it!
Whey Protein
As someone who is very dedicated in their weight training, you always aim to broaden your knowledge on the field to achieve the best possible results for yourself. This means you will no doubt come across the mention of supplements, to take alongside your training. The other recurring thing you will see is the importance of protein in your diet. This is where whey protein comes in.
Whey is a natural product (a bi-product of cheese) and is available in the bodybuilding world as whey protein powder. This powder is then mixed with water or milk to take as a supplement. A common question, certainly one I thought to myself when I first started, is when to take it? Whey powder can be taken at various times, on workout days and also rest days. On workout days it can be taken twice, both pre and post workout. Pre workout is usually a lower dose, roughly around 10 grams. This dose can prolong muscle activity whilst training. The larger dose, approximately 40 grams is taken post workout. Here, it begins to help muscle repair and growth, as it does when taken on rest days. The rest day dose is around 20g grams.*
Approximately 30% of the daily uptake should be protein. Whey is a great source for this and is quickly absorbed into the body, another reason why it is so effective pre and post workout. Whey protein then however is not the best source of protein to take for overnight benefits as it is quickly absorbed and short acting. A slower absorbed protein, for instance Casein, would be better for this. Whey should also not be used as a replacement source of protein, just an extra alongside natural sources.
Supplements are key in weight lifting or training, if you are looking for muscular hypertrophy (or muscle growth.) Do your research though and do always check manufacturer’s labels for special dietary advice and for how much protein is being delivered per scoop. This is important, as brands can vary, as can the delivery method i.e. there will be more protein available if it is taken with milk rather than water.
I wish you all successful training and hope you reach your goals.
• Amounts can vary depending on the plan you are following. Please check carefully and consult a medical practitioner before undergoing any exercise plans.
Do You Know Your Acne Treatment?
I for one, can understand the effects that acne has on a person. I'm in my thirties, and still dealing with acne. As a matter of fact, it's worse now than when I was a teenager. But, such is the way of things, and we have to find ways to deal.
There are many acne treatments on the market. Each claims to clear acne and leave you with glowing, soft skin. The truth is, many don't work, and if they do clear your skin, it is left less than glowing and soft. Many treatments leave skin very dry and peeling. Take Differin, for example. While it may work over time, most users noticed a dramatic worsening in their acne before it got better. It also drys the skin to the point of peeling. If you can get past these problems, it may actually work for you in the long run.
There are other treatments out there that do work as they claim, and are safer to use. AcneCuresRevealed.net has all the information you need to make an informed decision as to which acne treatments work, which ones don't, and which ones are safe. They also list retail prices in addition to the lowest price available on the Net. You no longer have to guess and spend hundreds, or even thousands, on treatments that don't work.
Bill Gates: America's Richest Man Once Again
While working ChaCha this morning, I found out that Forbes has once again named Bill Gates America's richest man. Do you have any idea what he's worth? Any guesses? Come on, give it your best shot!
OK, I'll tell you. The man is worth $57 billion. That's BILLION.
Now, while that's all well and good for Bill Gates, all it does for me is makes me sad. When someone has money, it's common to talk about "how much that person is worth". I just realized that we can't say that we're worth anything. Paycheck to paycheck does not a wealthy person make. If anything, we're worthless. Worth less than Bill Gates, that's for sure!
What does a person do with that kind of money? Obviously bills are not an issue, so what do you do with it? I can't even fathom that number, much less what I'd do with that much money. I know money doesn't buy happiness, but it sure does buy a lot!
If I won the lottery tomorrow, I don't think I'd change much. Of course I'd pay off my bills, and probably remodel my house, but I wouldn't be extravagant about it. That's what I'd do.
What would you do if you had that kind of money, or anything upwards of a million dollars?
She's Growing Up
At the end of last week, the weather was unseasonably warm. I noticed that Rebecca was wearing long pants, and complaining about how hot it was at school. When I asked her why she didn't wear shorts, she informed me that she didn't like to wear shorts to school because she had "man legs". I didn't quite catch her drift, but she pulled her pant leg up to show me the thick growth of hair on her legs. "See? Man legs!"
I went with my first reaction and told her that she was too young to start shaving her legs. "But, all the other girls in my grade are shaving theirs!" she whined. I stuck to my guns and told her no. She wasn't too terribly upset, but she still chose to suffer the heat in her long pants.
Over the weekend, our conversation kept coming back to me, and a memory from my childhood came back to me. I remember being right around 11 or 12, Rebecca's age. The girls at school were making fun of me because of my hairy legs. My mom wouldn't let me shave my legs, either, and I was mortified. I remember begging my mom to let me shave them, but she wouldn't budge. One night in the shower, I shaved them anyway. Being young and stupid, I didn't have the sense to hide what I had done, and later that night, my mom discovered what I had done.
She was mad, really mad. She grounded me for a week for disobeying her, but I didn't care. I had already decided that whatever punishment my mom could dish out was far better than the ridicule I was getting at school. I served my grounding, and from that moment on, I shaved my legs whenever they needed it, and my mom didn't stop me.
Having remembered how I felt at that point in my life, I decided to let Rebecca shave her legs. It seems like such an insignificant task, but to a young girl (and her mother!) it's a big deal. It means she's growing up. For the girl, it's exciting. Another step toward womanhood. For the mother, it's one more step toward independence, one more piece of childhood we have to let go.
I took her into the bathroom last night, and showed her how to do it, and then I left her to finish the job herself. It took her a while. I'd imagine she took her time, so as not to cut herself with the razor. When she was done, I had her put lotion on to avoid razor burn and dry skin.
When she finally came out of the bathroom, there was a grown-up "glow" about her. She seemed to walk a little taller, and she had exchanged her long pajama pants for a pair of shorts. "Look, Mom! No more man legs!" she said smiling, and then she hugged me.
iPods For Christmas
You see them everywhere, especially where ever kids are. They listen to them while doing their homework. They listen to them in the car. They listen to them when you're trying to talk to them. What am I talking about? iPods, of course! All the kids have them, in every color imaginable.
My kids spend hours online downloading music to put on their iPods. One likes Country music, one likes Rock. The other one is on a Michael Jackson kick right now. It's endless, and it never fails. When I need to talk to one of them, or need their attention, they don't hear me because their ears are plugged with whatever kind of music tickles their fancy this week.
Christmas time is coming up fast. It's time to start thinking about gift shopping. To make the shopping season easier and less stressful, Buy.com has ipods available for purchase at great prices! If you've got someone that is a music lover, an iPod would make a perfect gift! Just think, that's one less gift you have to fight the crowds for!
To Inspire: Groceries
It's been a while since I've posted anything inspirational. I like to do that once in a while to make people stop and think about their actions, and to raise spirits. This inspirational story was emailed to me today, and I was really touched when I read it. Hopefully it touches you, too.
'Some people!' snorted a man standing behind me in the
long line at the grocery store.
'You would think the manager would pay attention and
open another line, 'said a woman. I looked to the
front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw
a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine
to accept her credit card. No matter how many times
she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.
'It's one of them welfare card things. Damn people
need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man
standing behind me. The young woman turned around to
see who had made the comment. 'It was me,' he said,
pointing to himself.
The young lady's face began to change expression.
Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the
counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone
in the checkout line watched as she began running to
her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove
away.
After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use
food stamps, I had learned never to judge anyone,
without knowing the circumstances of their life. This
turned out to be the case today.
Several minutes later a young man walked into the
store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had
seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told
him that she had run out of the store, got into her
car, and drove away.
'Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in
the line looked around at the fellow who had made the
statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the
Welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't
have said. I'm sorry,' said the man.
'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was
killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three
young children and she has taken on that
responsibility...she's twenty years old, single, and
now has three children to support,' he said in a very
firm voice.
'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied,
shaking both his hands about.
The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to
the shopping cart full of groceries. 'It wouldn't take
her card,' the clerk told him.
'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had
made the comment.
'Yes, she goes to our church.'
'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front
of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his
credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card.
PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to
ring up the young woman's groceries.
Hold on,' said the gentleman. He walked back to his
shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto
the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three
kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line.
Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast
moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food
and placing it into separate carts. 'Go back and get
two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she
looked at the man.. 'NO,' yelled the man. Everyone
stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became
quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys,' yelled the
man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.
When all was said and done, the man paid a total of
$1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to
the side, pulled out his check book, and began
writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near
the front of the store for a writing surface. He
turned around and handed the check to the young man.
'She will need a freezer and a few other things as
well,' he told the man.
The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is
really very generous of you.'
'No,' said the man 'Her brother was the generous
one.'
Everyone in the store had been observing the odd
commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that
day feeling very American.
New Window?
First, let me start by saying, my house is clean. While it may not be spotless, the necessary things are done on a regular basis: vacuuming, dusting, dishes, etc. Some of the bigger, more time consuming things don't get done but for once or twice a year. My house definitely has a lived-in look.
Yesterday, with fall just around the corner, I decided that the windows needed to be cleaned. So, I spent a few hours cleaning all the windows on the first floor. I took all the curtains down to wash them, and cleaned all the windows. I didn't get the curtains back up before I ran out of energy, so the windows stayed bare overnight.
I was on the computer last night when Tristan came home from football practice. He came into the room and asked, "Hey Mom, did we get a new window over the kitchen sink?"
When I finished laughing, I told him that I only cleaned it, and didn't get the curtains back up yet.
"Oh. Well, it looks good," he said.
Whoops! Maybe doing the windows should be a more regular chore around here.
Promote Yourself!
If you're looking for a great new way to promote your business or school, why not try using promotional products from USImprints? From pens to umbrellas to backpacks, you could have your name printed on some great products to be given away. Promoting yourself by giving away fun products with your business or school name on them can really get the word out about your products or services.
USImprints has a wide variety of products. Even if you don't see what you're looking for, they can create it! USImprints even has a low price guarantee. They will beat any competitors prices! Check out their website for some great back to school items or even holiday products. Halloween is just around the corner!
Still Suffering With Back Pain
Well, it's not exactly back pain anymore. Now, it's more of a pain in the right butt cheek and the calf of my right leg, combined with numbness and tingling in the second and third toe of my right foot. The muscles in my butt and calf are so tight, it almost feels like that leg is shorter than the other. Even the muscle relaxers don't help entirely.
I've done some research online about my type of pain, and came up with Piriformis Syndrome. It's kind of a catch-all phrase, but it includes all the symptoms I have. I don't know how any of this information really helps me, but at least I can put a name to the pain. There isn't much to do to treat it, but if it doesn't get better soon, I'm going to have to go back to the doctor to check for any herniated disks and such.
Anyway, I was pleased to see that there is actually a medical name for a pain in the butt!
No More McDonalds!
With the start of school and all the extracurricular things the kids are in, we are rarely home at supper time. We find ourselves eating out at least twice a week, and sometimes more than that lately. Where we live, and travel to for sporting events, there isn't a big variety in places to eat at. We're limited to McDonalds or Subway usually.
Of course, if given a choice, the kids usually pick McDonalds. I have to say, I'm getting rather sick of McDonalds. You'd get sick of it too if you ate it a couple of times a week! But not only that, I've found that lately, McDonalds has gotten lazy. Their food isn't as good as it used to be, and their choices are limited. The menu never changes, and frankly, I'm bored of it.
Subway is getting old, too. We've had that more times than I care to lately, too. You can only eat a Chicken Bacon Ranch sub so many times before it loses its allure.
I think I'm going to have to break out the crock pot and get some homemade recipes going that can cook and stay hot while we're away. That way, we can save money and eat something better when we get home. Anyone have any good recipes they'd like to share for the crock pot? I'm open to suggestions, please.
High Energy, Low Calorie Protein Bars
Since starting my diet, I'll admit I haven't been as dedicated as I could be. It's hard to go from eating whenever you want, whatever you want, to limiting yourself to meals, and meals only. It's a big adjustment, but for the most part, I've managed to stick to it.
There are times, though, that I get so hungry between lunch and supper. My energy levels drop, and I could just lay down and take a nap. Like I said, it's tough. Sometimes I'll grab something small to eat just to tide me over, but then I feel guilty about the extra calories I'm consuming. Just because it's small, doesn't mean it's healthy.
Something I found on the Internet has caught my eye, and sounds like a good alternative to the typical snack. It's called the Promax 70 Calorie Health Snack Bar. It's a protein-packed bar, with 5g of protein to give you the energy you need to get through the day. It only has 70 calories, so there's no need to feel guilty about "cheating" on your diet, and it's all natural! Coming in flavors like cookies and cream, double fudge brownie, and nutty double crisp, they even make healthy snack bars for kids!
These bars sound like a great way for me to stick to my diet. When I get hungry between meals, or am craving something sweet, I can grab one of these bars and curb my cravings without feeling guilty. It's a win-win situation all the way around!
Sopapia Cheesecake
I thought I'd share this simple recipe with you all since it gets rave reviews every time I make it. It's an easy dish to make if you're going somewhere and need a dish to pass. I make it for Tristan's football dinners, and the guys (coaches included!) just love it. There are never any leftovers, and they request it every time.
Sopapia Cheesecake
2 cans crescent rolls
2 8 oz. boxes softened cream cheese
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick melted real butter
1 tbsp. cinnamon
Lay one can of the crescent rolls in the bottom of a greased 9X13 pan. Cream the cream cheese, 2 cups sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until well mixed. Spread mixture over the crust in the pan. Top with the second can of crescent rolls to form top crust. Melt stick of butter in microwave. Add 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp. cinnamon to butter and mix well. Pour mixture evenly over top crust. Bake in a preheated 350º oven for 30 minutes. Let cool before cutting and eating. Refrigerate any leftover portion.
Vacation of Pleasure
The summer is just about over, and it's time to start planning your vacation for next summer. Where will you go? What will you do? The possibilities are limitless!
I have an idea to help you decide. What if you went to Jamaica or The Bahamas, and spent a week indulging yourself? What if your every pleasure was top priority? Everything goes at Hedonism Resorts.
I have never been to a place like this, and I can only imagine what might go on there, but the thought that pleasure is the top priority, has me intrigued. Spending a week doing what I like to do, without a worry in the world sounds very tempting, doesn't it?
For discount vacation packages, you'll have to visit the website to choose your poison. If you're not quite sure about spending an entire vacation here, you can get a taste of what a Hedonism resort is like by purchasing a daring day pass, or a naughty night pass. Spend a few hours and see if it is something you'd like to explore further. I have a feeling that after spending just a couple of hours, you'll be cancelling your reservations at the hotel down the road and spending the rest of your vacation here!
Who Are You Voting For?
Has everyone decided who they're voting for in the Presidential election? I'm still undecided as to whether I'll even vote. I know, I know. Everyone should vote. But, while I know I do not want John McCain to get into office, I just don't know about Barack Obama. There's just something about him that I'm not comfortable with. I can't put my finger on it.
It's time for a change, and another Republican in office is not the direction we need to be going. President Bush has done nothing positive while in office, and I have nothing good to say about him, so I feel that another Republican is asking for more trouble.
What I don't like is that Obama wants to raise taxes. As if we're not paying enough as it is, and can't afford to live comfortably anymore. Raising taxes would be detrimental to a lot of people, including us. He's got some good ideas, I'll admit, but I just don't know.
I suppose the lesser of two evils would be Barack Obama, and that's who I'll probably vote for, in order to try and keep McCain from winning the election. It's just really tough to make a decision when whoever gets in has so much control over so many lives.
Blue Nile Diamonds
My and Mike's anniversary is coming up next month, and I've been hinting around for months that I'd like a new wedding set. My old one is OK, but it wasn't what I really wanted since money was pretty tight twelve years ago. I've pointed out a few sets that I really like, but I don't think he's been paying too much attention. I think it's time to turn it up a notch.
Blue Nile Diamonds has quite a selection of beautiful wedding sets, in addition to other Fine Jewelry. They even have a build-your-own-ring feature where you can pick the setting along with the diamond shape. I like that feature best!
I was pleasantly surprised by their prices, too. Their philosophy is to offer quality diamonds and fine jewelry at outstanding prices, and they mean it! They even offer free shipping on all orders, and they usually ship the same day.
Founded in 1999, Blue Nile Diamonds has grown steadily and become the largest online retailer of certified diamonds. Their website offers more than just diamonds. They offer education. Educate yourself on the different kinds of diamonds, gemstones, and pearls. Learn about the different metals used to make the settings. You'll make educated choices to design the perfect ring for you.
I think I'm going to email this site to Mike so maybe he'll get the hint, and I'll receive something extra special this year for our anniversary. I might even shop myself for a little something for him from The Blue Nile. I was noticing the mens rings. They are quite beautiful, too. What the heck. He's worth it!
September 15, 1997
I was nine months pregnant with my second child. Tristan was five years old, Mike and I hadn't even been married a year yet, and I was miserable. I couldn't wait for this baby to be born.
As I lay in bed on the night of the 14th, I was restless. By some miracle, I managed to drift off to sleep. Some time after midnight I awoke, wet. Something was running out from between my legs and I was powerless to stop it. I yelled for Mike to wake up.
"Wha....what?" he asked, half asleep.
"I think I'm peeing the bed, but I can't stop!" I scream.
"I think my water just broke," I say, climbing out of bed and waddling to the bathroom.
Mike jumps out of bed, turning in circles while he tried to comprehend what I just said. "Hurry up! Get dressed!" he yells at me through the bathroom door. "We have to get to the hospital!"
I come out of the bathroom with a towel between my legs, and look at him. He's trying to put his clothes on. He's got his shirt on around his neck, and was trying to pull his pants on. The shirt was inside out, and the pants weren't cooperating. It was a comical sight, and I laughed at him.
"What's so funny?" he asked me. "We have to go!"
"You are funny," I say. "Settle down. I'm not even having any pains yet. We've got time."
He apparently didn't hear that last part. He was still running around, throwing on clothes, and grabbing my suitcase as he flew out of the bedroom. I preceded to get dressed, putting on clean dry clothes. Mike kept rushing me, telling me we had to go.
I finally got dressed, and we headed out the door. The hospital was a good twenty minutes away, but I wasn't worried. I hadn't even had one contraction yet. Mike, on the other hand, wasn't so calm. I could tell he was freaked. He kept talking really fast, as if that would make us move faster. His eyes were practically bugging out of his head, and he cussed anyone that happened to be in front of us on the road. No one moved fast enough. I had to remind him to watch his speed more than once. The speedometer would creep up over the speed limit until I would tell him to slow down.
At the hospital, they called the doctor on call who informed us that since I wasn't having any contractions yet, the odds of this baby coming that night were slim. I would have to wait until the next morning at 8am to be induced if nothing happened before then.
So, into a room I went to sleep the rest of the night. Of course I didn't sleep. I was too excited, and scared.
Right on time, I was induced at 8am on the 15th. Four hours later, with Mike, my mother, my mother in law, and my sister in law beside me, Rebecca was born. She came into this world weighing just a little over seven pounds. A perfect baby girl. The little twist to this story is that she came into this world on my mother's birthday.
This coming Monday, Rebecca will be eleven years old. Almost a teenager, and quite the young lady. I'm proud of her. She's a good kid. I look at her, and see a lot of me in there.
Today, as a surprise for her birthday, Mike and I went to the pet store and bought her the hamster she's been wanting for months now. We bought all the accessories for him, and had everything put together by the time she got home. She had no idea, and was thrilled! Her new hamster's name is Cookie, and has made his new home in her bedroom.
It makes me a little sad to think she's growing up so fast. I want to keep her by my side and keep her safe, but she's becoming quite the independent person. She has her own ideas and her own tastes. She doesn't need me as much as she used to, although we do have fun time and fix each other's hair and makeup once in a while. She's my only girl.
So, happy birthday, baby girl! I love you very much!
Brad Cooper: Back Up Your Claims
In a new development in the Nancy Cooper murder investigation, Nancy's husband Brad, is asking her friends to back up their claims of emotional abuse and extramarital affairs.
Nancy's friend, Jessica Adam, was the one to call police and report her missing on July 12th. In her 911 call, she made claims that Brad may have hurt his wife. Also, in affidavits from Nancy's friends and family, they claim that Brad is an absent parent, who is mentally unstable, withheld money from his wife, and may have had up to four extramarital affairs.
Brad Cooper's attorneys subpoenaed more than a dozen of Nancy Cooper's friends to hand over emails, text messages, letters, telephone records, and other correspondence and evidence to prove their claims. His attorneys are also asking for evidence about any extramarital affairs the couple may have had.
Speakers For My Laptop
The speakers on my laptop are good for....well, nothing. Even turned up all the way, I can hardly hear anything coming out of them. So, I ordered a set of speakers from The Speaker Company. I was expecting a couple of small speakers that plug in to my laptop. You know, computer speakers. Small, compact, not the greatest sound, but better than what you already have.
I got them in the mail today. Just let me say, I was pleasantly surprised. Apparently, I hadn't read the description very well, because the speakers came with a subwoofer and a wired remote control! Bonus!
So, I unpacked everything, and got it all hooked up. The only thing I can say I didn't like is the fact that they didn't come with a manual. A manual, you ask? Yes, I'm going to admit to being temporarily stupid. I got everything hooked up, turned it all on, found some music to play, and......NOTHING. I checked my connections, checked my settings on the laptop, everything. Still no sound. It was about fifteen minutes before I figured out that the left and right speakers have to be connected in their left and right places on the subwoofer. I had them backwards. Once I changed it, I had sound.
See, I could have went online to their website and looked up the manual, but I was too lazy. If I had had the manual right here with me, I would have spent much less time figuring out the problem.
Anyway, they sound great. They even have a control to turn the bass up or down. I love that feature because some songs just sound better with more bass. They look great too!
So, I'm very pleased with my new speakers. Now, I can watch the videos on Hulu, and not have to yell at the rest of the family to shut up so I can hear!
What Were You Doing?
Do you remember what you were doing seven years ago today? Does that day linger in your memory, like it does mine? Are the details of that day as clear as yesterday's?
I remember what I was doing that day. I had gotten the kids off to school, and was chatting with a friend on MSN when she asked me if I was watching TV. I wasn't. I hadn't even turned it on yet.
I went to the TV and turned it on. The picture that appeared was one I couldn't believe. There stood the World Trade Center, the first building on fire. It was chaos. The reporters didn't know what was happening. Something was said about an airplane or a bomb. It wasn't quite clear. You could hear people screaming, but it wasn't clear where the screaming was coming from. Maybe in the streets below the World Trade Center. Maybe from inside the World Trade Center. Probably both.
As I stood there staring at the TV, I saw the second plane. I saw it come in from the side and smash into the second tower, a ball of flames and smoke appearing instantly. It suddenly became clear as to what had happened to the first tower. Both towers were on fire. People were jumping out of windows. Papers and office supplies were floating through the air. Nobody knew yet why the planes ran into the towers.
It wasn't long before we heard about the Pentagon and the plane that crashed in the field. And it wasn't long before we realized we were under attack.
I never did go back to the computer that day. I sat and watched the events as they unfolded. I'm not an emotional person. I don't cry easily, but I cried that day. Sitting alone in my house, I cried for all those poor souls. How they must have suffered. And I cried for their families. The husbands and wives and children that lost their loved ones. I cried, and then I was angry. Angry that I couldn't do anything about it. Angry that someone could do something like this. When the rest of my family came home that afternoon, I hugged them all and told them that I loved them. The children knew what was happening. They had been watching the coverage at school. I just hugged them and was thankful to be where we were.
Today, the memories are still fresh. I still feel sad, and I'm still angry. I still feel sorry for all those people and the families they left behind. It was so senseless. It didn't have to happen.
Do you remember what you were doing that day?
Diet Pills: Information And Reviews
When it comes to diet pills, I'm in the dark. I couldn't even begin to decide which ones are best, or which ones actually do what they say. There are so many out there, you have to wonder.
Thanks to Sybervision.com, you can find diet pills that work. They've done all the dirty work for you, researching all the different diet pills on the market, and compiling a list from best to worst. They provide reviews of each product with information, so you can decide for yourself which one might work best for you.
What's really cool about Sybervision is that not only do they review diet pills, they also provide reviews on wrinkle creams, colon cleansers, and acne products. It's easy to buy products that work when you have information before you buy!
Search Warrants Unsealed In Nancy Cooper Murder Investigation
It's been a while since I've posted anything about the Nancy Cooper murder investigation, but quite frankly, there hasn't been any new developments to talk about. That is, until today.
The search warrants that were originally sealed for sixty days were released yesterday. Although they don't really reveal much in the way of who might have killed Nancy Cooper, they do raise some speculation. In the search warrants are affidavits from the investigators that say that Cary Police were suspicious from the first day they talked with Brad Cooper, two days before her body was found face down on the bank of a storm pond in a cul-de-sac less than three miles from her home. They say his story was inconsistent with what they heard in interviews with family and friends.
A search warrant affidavit also said that on the day they first talked with Brad, he had "small red marks with scratches on the back side of his neck." While Brad did not explain the marks, he did say that he had spent the morning scrubbing and cleaning the house because of an argument he and Nancy had had earlier about the condition of the house.
Brad also told investigators that he had recently cleaned his car because he had spilled gasoline in the trunk. Investigators noted that although the trunk was cleaned, with no odor of gasoline at all, the inside of the car had not been cleaned. The front of the car had not been vacuumed, and there were numerous items in the passenger seat.
Among the items seized from the home were: a green dress, a black sports bra, a red shirt, blue and gray tennis shoes, high-heel shoes, a pink object thought to be a fingernail, a pillow, bed linen, “documents and writings,” two cameras and three computers. Police also seized items from Brad's office at work, including computers and external hard drives.
Authorities have stated that Nancy's homicide is not a random act, but they have still not named any suspects or persons of interest in the case. They haven't revealed her cause of death, either. The only thing the search warrants do say is that she died under "suspicious circumstances."
Brad Cooper said that Nancy went jogging on the morning of July 12 around 7am, but never returned. The search warrants to show that Nancy's cell phone and keys were still in the house, which according to her friends, was unusual since she always took her cell phone and keys with her for protection. A friend reported Nancy missing hours later when she failed to show for an appointment with her.
Nancy's body was found two days later on July 14th by a man walking his dog, less than three short miles from her home.
Nancy's family still has great confidence in the Cary Police Department, and applaud their efforts.
Colon Cleansing
At some point in our lives, most of us will suffer, or has suffered, from constipation or diarrhea. The bloating, abdominal cramps, discomfort, and nausea may seem normal, a part of life. But in actuality, you don't need to suffer anymore. It's relatively easy to fix these conditions. With a routine of colon cleansing, the discomfort of constipation and diarrhea will be a thing of the past.
With the aid of a colon cleanser, you'll soon be feeling better all over. Colon cleansing detoxifies and rids your body of dangerous toxins. It cleanses and purifies your system to increase vitality and energy. The result will be a beautiful body, clearer skin, and a feeling of well-being all over. Users even report weight loss as the backed up toxins are flushed from their bodies.
If you've been feeling tired, bloated, and just not up to par, try a colon cleanse to improve the quality of your health.
Here We Go!
It's only the second week of school, and already I have a kid home sick. Rebecca started with a sore throat over this past weekend, but managed to go to school this week. Now, Timothy has the sore throat and a headache. He stayed home from school today.
It never fails. The kids are healthy as can be all summer long, but as soon as school starts, the illnesses start. It's like the kids at school can't wait to share the wealth! This is only the beginning. With winter on the way, there will be more days like this. And when one is home sick, it's a sure bet that the others will follow suit before the virus runs its course.
Following In My Footsteps
I'm really excited! This week, I've taken a trip down memory lane with Rebecca. She has started playing the clarinet (MY clarinet, to be exact), and volleyball.
I used to play the clarinet when I was in school. I played from fourth grade on, and was quite good, if I do say so myself. I really enjoyed it, and it was fun tonight when she came home with her new book and had to practice three new notes. I actually played a note or two myself, to show her how it should sound, of course.
I also used to play volleyball at her age. I remember one time while trying to serve the ball, I hit it, and it went behind me and into the basketball hoop. Everyone laughed, and at the time, I was really embarrassed, but now, it is funny to look back on it. She had her first game last night, and even though they lost, she had a blast, and I really enjoyed watching her.
It's really nice to have a girl. A girl that likes to do the same things I used to enjoy doing. I love to watch the boys play their sports, but being able to help Rebecca with the things she's chosen to do is so much fun! I can't wait for her first recital. She's going to be a great clarinet player!
Running Around Like A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off
The school year has begun, and they have wasted no time in throwing the kids into their extra-curricular activities. We're gone every night of the week, either to a practice or a game of some sort. Our schedule is as follows:
Monday: volleyball games (Rebecca) football practice (Tristan)
Tuesday: football practice (Timothy) football practice (Tristan)
Wednesday: volleyball practice (Rebecca) football practice (Tristan)
Thursday: volleyball practice (Rebecca) football game - JV (Tristan)
Friday: football game - Varsity (Tristan)
Saturday: football games (Timothy)
Sunday: day of rest (thank goodness!)
Somewhere in all this mess, the kids have to get their homework done, eat supper, spend time reading, and Rebecca has to practice her clarinet. Rebecca and Timothy get home from school around 4pm, and go to bed at 9pm. The five hours between is spent getting everything done. There isn't much time for rest and relaxation before bedtime, that's for sure!
I knew having three kids was going to be hectic as they got older, but this will take some getting used to. This is the first year that all three of them have something going on, and I'm not used to having to run every single day. Usually I can keep track of everything in my head, but this year, I had to start keeping track of everything on a calendar. It's just crazy!
I Have Just About Had It!
Does anyone have any idea how to get rid of back pain? Actually, it's more of a pain in the butt, extending down my right leg and into my toes, making them numb.
I've been dealing with this pain for almost a month now. It's not getting any better. This past Saturday night, it got so bad that I had Mike take me into the ER, just so I could get some relief and some sleep. They told me that I probably have a slipped disk that is pressing on nerves. All they did for me was give me a shot of painkiller and muscle relaxer and sent me home. I do have a prescription for some pain/muscle relaxer meds, and while they do help, they aren't fixing the problem.
You want to know the frustrating part? It wasn't like I was doing anything strenuous when it happened. I was cleaning the toilet, for goodness sakes! I stood up, and something ripped across my lower back. I've been down ever since.
So, for this reason, I haven't been able to post much because sitting at my computer makes my back hurt so bad. I think if it isn't somewhat better by the end of the week, I'm going to go back to the doc for some pictures. Who knows? Maybe I did something serious. I don't know.
I do know that I'm going to delegate the bathroom cleaning to one of my children from now on. They have young backs that can handle such chores as cleaning the toilet. *Sheesh!*
Aflac Commercials
Have you paid attention to the Aflac commercials on TV? I absolutely love them! That duck is hilarious! My favorite one features Yogi Berra in a barber shop. Check it out, and see what I mean!
Which Acne Products?
If you've ever wondered which acne products are the best for your skin, or whether they are safe or effective, GetAcneTreatments.com can answer all of your questions. They take the time to research some of the most popular acne treatment products on the market to find out which ones work the best, whether they are safe or not, and a host of other areas that may or may not make a great product.
On their website, you can read and compare information on many types of acne treatments to decide which ones might be the best for you. Read reviews of each product, including price, to find the best of the best when it comes to acne treatment. GetAcneTreatments.com should be the first place you visit when you're looking for a treatment for you acne problems.
It's So Quiet
Not that I'm complaining. I just haven't experienced true quiet since before school let out last year.
The kids got on the bus this morning without issue. Everyone popped right up out of bed, got dressed, ate their breakfast, and were ready on time. This is the beauty of the first day of school. It's all down hill from here, I know it.
By the end of the week, getting them out of bed will result in crabby children. Making sure they are ready on time to catch the bus will be a challenge that I have to face whether I want to or not, each and every morning.
At any rate, school has begun. Getting back into the routine of it all will require a little bit of time and effort, for both the kids and me.
I am enjoying my time alone today, though.
Home Theater Furniture
If you've ever dreamed of having a theater in your home, stop dreaming and make it a reality. StargateCinema.com makes it possible to bring the theater to you with home theater furniture. From theater seating to home theater lighting and carpeting, you'll swear you've paid to see this movie! Your home theater will be so authentic, your friends will beg you to invite them over for a weekly movie night. You might even have to start charging an entry fee!
First Day of School
Tomorrow is the first day of school for the kids. I have mixed emotions. I've been waiting all summer for them to get back to school so I could have my peace and quiet back during the day. But, now that it's time for them to head back, I'm kind of sad. The peace and quiet that I've waited all summer for
Nevermind.........
They're fighting. Again.
That peace and quiet is sounding better and better.
