Survival of the Fittest > Love You First!

This month, I choose to be aware of my thoughts. It is my goal to only choose those that contribute to my well-being and that make me feel good and stimulate my creativity. I make a point of praising myself and rejoicing in my ever-growing talents and abilities, and each day I spend time thinking delightful thoughts. I truly love myself. -- LLH (compliments of Elle Wittelsbach)

It's survival of the fittest in today's world, and that starts with taking care of yourself! Yes?

The Back Story on Pauperism -- How One Gets to This State

Interested in the background and names of who caused this global mess stemming from the USA's economic -- read banking and financial -- collapse? I'm watching "Inside Job." Very concise and in laymans' (i.e. consumers') terms. I've never seen so many grown men who are supposed to be "intelligent" and "astute" financial leaders/executives chase their tails so much in trying to answer basic inquiries...and just blubbering their answers, most of which consist of a string of "uhs." Then there's the group of executives who didn't even have the cajones to be interviewed, such as Alan Greenspan among many others. Lovely!

Greed never bodes well, and these rancid, soul-less men are GREEDY beyond your wildest dreams! This film is well worth a watch...and these assholes are well deserving of an ass-kickin' by everyone in America whom they've hurt with their selfish decisions and by turning their collective "blind eyes" even when warned and called on the proverbial carpet in the beginning of the end of the collapse they so eloquently orchestrated!

What's the worst part? Obama is still cajoling with them all, has appointed quite a few of them to high-level offices in his presidency, and none -- as in not a single one -- of them have been sent to jail for their blatantly criminal activities. That's the grand ol' USA for ya!

Patrick Inspires the Country and World -- Needed in These Times

I am IN LOVE with this dog! Patrick is a survivor -- he lived through being starved by his "owner" Kisha Curtis and then thrown down 19 floors in her Newark, NJ, apartment building in the garbage chute -- saved by the janitor who saw the trash bag move minutes before the trash compaction.

Most amazing? Patrick is STILL extremely gentle and loving despite the months of abuse, and STILL loves humans! Humans could take away a lesson here!

Let's start with the good news as of April 9, 2011:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110408/ap_on_re_us/us_dog_in_trash

The US and world has responded with support, so much so there are thousands wanting to adopt him when he is healed. Also, the vet clinic treating him has stopped taking donations because so much was received; they ask now that donators contribute to local shelters or rescues in Patrick's name.

I might add, again, the power of Facebook makes this possible; word spreads fast and furious. Dog lovers respond worldwide with donations, emails and calls to relevant officials. The media picks it up. Legal punishments handed down in court become more severe for the abusers (charges get upgraded, jail time increases, bond increases, fine increases). All a very good thing!

G'night Patrick!!! ;-) Power on handsome buddy! Much healing to you...

SIDEBAR: To everyone that has fallen in love with Patrick and wants to adopt him, PLEASE go to your local shelter and adopt one of thousands of adorable Pitties or any desperate dog that so wants to live with a loving family but is instead on the euthanasia list! Save a local "Patrick" instead! :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjHycjq08Qo&feature=player_embedded

http://www.ohmidog.com/2011/03/31/patrick-a-video-update/

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/NJ-woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-pit-bull-abuse-1314103.phphttp://www.newstimes.com/news/article/NJ-woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-pit-bull-abuse-1314103.php

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/owner-of-patrick-starved-newark-pitbull-facing-felony-charge

Photos from two weeks ago when Patrick was found and now>>UNREAL!

 

April 4, 2011>>

 

Capt. Mike Nicholls, in Iraq for the third time, says Patrick's physical state is worse than anything he has seen in war -- very moving letter>>
http://www.facebook.com/notes/patricks-law/inspirational-email-from-capt-mike-nicholls-stationed-in-iraq/203399549678838

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

I am a Soldier (and avid dog lover) currently deployed to Iraq.  I, like many people, was deeply moved (to the point of sobbing uncontrollably) when I first saw pictures and read about young Patricks plight.  As I type this email, it is hard for me not to begin to cry at the thought over what has happened to this poor defenseless soul, as well as what is happening to others.  I am currently on my third tour to Iraq, so to say the least- I have seen some pretty disgusting acts of human depravity.  The pictures that I have seen in regard to Patrick have made me shudder with a complete emptiness inside that actually made me question us as humans.  I have been following this story since it was first put out on FOXNEWS.  Thankfully they actually picked up the story as other major news agencies did not- and have created such an outcry of support for the creation of tougher animal cruelty laws.  As I was glued to finding out how Patrick was coming along, I found more and more like me who were as moved as I was about this story.

In short, I am extremely interested in volunteering for "Patricks Law."  Currently I have already sent off multiple letters to my Governor: Chris Gregoire (D-WA) and the Governor of New Jersey and City Council of Newark.  I have also sent an email to my Congressman.  I have also put out the word to all of my friends/family to donate money (in these tough economic times) to their local humane society.

Thank you so much for starting this- it is extremely sad that it took a heinous act such as this to grab the attention of our species.  Please let me know what I can do to further help- I am passionate about animal cruelty laws.  [email address redacted]

I have enclosed the letter that I drafted for my Gov/Congressman.

Thank you again for going forward with this.  You are a true hero as are the people who saved this dogs life.


March 28, 2011

To the Honorable Chris Gregoire:

Ma’am,

I cannot tell you enough how much a certain news story happening in New Jersey has won over hearts of people literally around the world.  I came across the (nationwide) story of Patrick “the miracle dog” http://www.gsvs.org/news/patrick.asp ;  http://www.ahscares.org/showarchive.asp?id=772 while checking the news over my morning coffee while at work three days ago.  Needless to say, after reading about this sickening and heartwrenching story I could not concentrate all day and found myself leaving my work area constantly to find a private area where I would uncontrollably weep for this very strong and very lucky young dog who I felt an unusual conection to.  I find myself constantly thinking about Patrick and checking the updates almost hourly to see how he is coming along.

Where this letter may surprise you, is that I am currently deployed to Iraq for the US Army.  It does not matter who I am really or what I do, but what you need to realize is that this young pups story has won over the heart of a Soldier- A Soldier who has seen the worst of the worst of humanity, and can still not find anything that comes close in my own memory as that which I saw pictures of Patricks inhumane treatment.  Believe you/me, in my time I have seen some pretty disgusting and inhuman deeds done to our own species. The pictures I witnessed on various news sources (in regard to Patrick) were similar to famous pictures reminding me of a dark period of our history of inhumanity- Nazi Germany.  Luckily this story has a happy ending  that truly shows the better side of humanity.

I know that you as a state leader are not responsible for the actions of the criminal element of our state (and without a doubt this act is criminal).  However, you are the people who are responsible for seeing that sick individuals like those who did this to poor Patrick be brought to justice.  Furthermore, you are the ones who MUST see that the animal cruelty laws in our great state goes farther than what it currently is.  In short-the current Washington State animal cruelty laws are not strong enough to keep heinous acts like these from happening in our own wonderful state.  These laws are unbalanced, inequitable and completely unfair to animals that go through pain such as what Patrick endured.  We Americans consider ourselves a “civilized people” yet we cannot even give fair justice to those we were put on this Earth to protect.

We as humans are absolutely responsible in my mind for those other living creatures who bring us joy and love to our life.  My wife and I (both from Washington State) have a labarador retriever who we make sure is responsibly taken care of and loved.  We as humans have a further responsibility to care for animals such as Patrick, not unlike I have a responsiblity as a Soldier to ensure that the Citizens of the United States are protected every day.  I implore you as a leader contacting another fellow leader, that you ensure that these changes begin to take shape in our great state before depravity like this happens.  I thank you for your time.  For further information regarding this story and animal cruelty, look into “Patricks Law” a growing grassroots effort to try and safeguard our pets.

CPT Mike Nicholls
710 EOD CO
Camp Liberty, Iraq

Go. Do. Now.

Life is short. Break the rules. Go. Do. Now. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I have another relevant theory that seems to work more often than not. If you want something, ask. So, what if you hear "no"? Whatever it is you want, you didn't have to begin with. Nothing lost. You might be surprised how often you hear "yes." ;-) Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Funny Funnies Women Will Like ;-)

Sorry guys! We all need a laugh these days! These are compliments of Anna Bellin!

For starters>

God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece. ;-)

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST
She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl. And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

WOMEN'S REVENGE
'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.
'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked.
'No,' she replied, 'but my husband refused to come shopping with me,
and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.'

UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)
I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,
pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root,
and still be afraid of a spider.

CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS
A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles..
The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him.
He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife.
She directs him down the correct aisle.
A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter.
She says, confused, 'Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife?
He answers, 'You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store
to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco
and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper.
So, I figure if I have to roll my own . so does she...
(I figure this guy is the one on the milk carton!)

WIFE VS. HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and
neither of them wanted to concede their position..
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' the wife replied, 'in-laws.'

WORDS
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day.
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?'

CREATION
A man said to his wife one day, 'I don't know how you can be
so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
'The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who
should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, 'You should do it because you get up first,
and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.
The husband said, 'You are in charge of cooking around here and
you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.'
Wife replies, 'No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee.'
Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.'
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says 'HEBREWS'

THE SILENT TREATMENT
A man and his wife were having some problems at home
and were giving each other the silent treatment.
Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM.' He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up..'
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

Onions for the Flu! Saves $$$!

This is a rather strange strange post but it will save you money on Tami-flu or other medicines! Also, see the bottom of the post re not eating leftover onions, and no onions for dogs! ;-) I'm not the author, but feel this is info worth sharing.

ONIONS

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people, there was a Doctor who visited many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it, and many died.

The doctor came upon one farmer, and to his surprise, everyone in the household was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different, the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a
dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one, and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work... (And no, she is not in the onion business.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year, and we never got the flu.

If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case...Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now there is a P.S. to this, for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but I do know that I contracted pneumonia, and needless to say I was very ill...I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion. Put one end on a fork, and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs. Sure enough, it happened just like that...the onion was a mess, and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

This is the other note:

LEFTOVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS!
I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge. Sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so I save the other half for later. Now with this info, I have changed my mind. I will buy smaller onions in the future. I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, makers of mayonnaise. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in the Mullins family. My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO.

Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. He's one of the brothers. Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.

Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)

Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. The author (not sure who originally wrote this) is going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.

*** Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.

*** Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day. It becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

Cutting-Costs Gameplan -- Proven Method

I am doing a little Facebook poll to see how everyone has cut costs in this recessionary economy; the ideas are all in a similar vein worldwide, and there are some good suggestions I have heard. Here is a synopsis of some of my changes. Feel free to also leave your "cut backs" in the Comment area of this blog post! Thanks! We're all in this together! ;-)

My appoinments I have held constant to for well over a decade changed accordingly>
Haircuts and foiling from every 6 weeks to every 7/8 weeks
Dogs' groomings/spa baths from every 2 weeks to every 5/6 weeks
Silk wrap nails and pedicures from every 2 weeks to DIY at home and maybe the salon every 6/8 weeks
Brazilians no more from a regular schedule (ugh!)
Brow waxing and tint from every 4 weeks to 8 weeks
Dining out at best once a quarter compared to several days/nights a week forever -- loveee cooking at home so this is fine with me! Make lots so have leftovers for days
Drinks out with friends -- same as above; Trader Joe's $3.99 Gaetano D'Aquino Pinot Grigio is a treasure find!
Shopping -- haven't stepped foot in a mall in Charlotte since March 2009 (shop in my closet and happy with "new" finds>see blog entry re this), plus if you never go out, who needs clothes?! ;-) ***How do I recall the date?! Because my ex-boyfriend Zack had a high-maintenance female friend visit us from Germany who spent all her money shopping while we shelled out $1,000 to feed and water her for the week so she could shop. He proposed having her visit and us doing the same thing in 2010; not on my dime or time again. Thus he is my ex! ;-)***
Socializing -- FB is a gem for this outlet! As is Skype and unlimited mobile-phone minutes, which Verizon finally got onboard with recently
Gas for car -- thank God for working at home. I need virtually no gas to speak of...
Entertainment -- Netflix always, and dogs at home! ;-)
Home heating costs -- a winter with an inside temp of 67F degrees compared to a usual 72-74F degrees, and sporadic gas fireplace use only on snow days

The Takeaway Here

When the $$$$$$$ rolls in again, and it is and will for all, trying to maintain some of these habits will bode well for us all! Yes? Carry on...