On the Third Day of Christmas

On the Third Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Three Muppets Singing.....



Two
And a

Veteran's Day Tribute

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month......

The Great War, later to be named World War 1, ended.  An Armistice was called and the day was originally called Armistice Day until after the Korean War, when it was renamed Veteran's Day.

The day was named a federal holiday in 1938 (while still Armistice Day).

Please, remember our Veteran's who have suffered and died to keep us free.....

What should schools teach that they don't?

 Linda Ellerbee's take on education:

 What should they teach that they don't?

More art, more music, and media literacy -- how to be an enlightened, critical consumer of information.

To see the rest of the Q&A on Edutopia.com, click here.

Matthew Shepard

On October 12, 1998, a young man was murdered.  He was 21 and had not wronged any other person.  That did not stop two young men from murdering Matthew Shepard.


from The Matthew Shepard Foundation:

The story of Matthew Shepard began on December 1, 1976 when he was born to Judy and Dennis Shepard in Casper, Wyoming. He went to public school in Casper until his junior year of high school when he moved with his family to Saudi Arabia. Matt had to finish his high school education at The American School in Switzerland because there were no American high schools in Saudi Arabia at the time. In both high schools, he was elected by his peers to be a peer counselor. He was easy to talk to, made friends easily and actively fought for the acceptance of all people. Matt had a great passion for equality. His experiences abroad fueled his love for travel and gave him the chance to make many new friends from around the world.  Matt’s college career eventually took him back to Wyoming where he studied political science, foreign relations and languages at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The horrific events that took place shortly after midnight on October 7, 1998 went against everything that Matt embodied. Two men, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, lead him to a remote area east of Laramie, Wyoming. He was tied to a split-rail fence where the two men severely assaulted him. He was beaten and left to die in the cold of the night. Almost 18 hours later, he was found by a bicyclist who initially mistook him for a scarecrow. Matt died on October 12 at 12:53 a.m. at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado with his family by his side. His memorial service was attended by friends and family from around the world and garnered immense media attention that brought Matt’s story to the forefront of the fight against bigotry and hate. The life and death of Matthew Shepard changed the way we talk about, and deal with, hate in America. Since his death, Matt’s legacy has challenged and inspired millions of individuals to erase hate in all its forms. Although Matt’s life was short, his story continues to have a great impact on young and old alike.  His legacy lives on in thousands of people like you who actively fight to replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance.

- But why?  Because he was gay?

My Political Views: Abortion

I am a Libertarian and my views pretty much fall in line with the party.  So, I will be looking at each issue on their platform and then adding my two cents in red:

1.4    Abortion
Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.

I do not agree with this statement in that I believe that a baby in utero is human life.  Individuals do not have the right to murder for convenience.  I do believe that abortion should be allowed if the mother's life is in jeopardy, if a woman is raped (because she did not willingly have sex to create life), or in the case of incest, where chances of the child having health problems greatly increases.  In all other cases, abortion should be seen as premeditated murder, and both the mother and the doctor should be placed on trial.  The mother should be seen, not as a murderer because she is not performing the abortion, but as an accomplice, and punished as such.

My Political Views: Personal Relationships

The Libertarian platform is first, my viewpoint is in red.

1.3    Personal Relationships
Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the
government's treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption,
immigration or military service laws. Government does not have the authority to define, license or
restrict personal relationships. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices
and personal relationships.

I agree 100%.  All individuals have the right to get married.  Getting married is not a religious right.  If it were, then all marriages between atheists, all marriages performed by judges or other public officials, and all weddings performed outside of religious buildings would be null and void.  Marriage is a commitment that two people who vow to love each other under any circumstances enter into a contractual relationship.  Therefore, gay couples have the right to be married. Gay couples and individuals have the right to adopt and openly serve in the military, and so on.

My Political Views: Personal Privacy

The Libertarian platform is first.  My view follows in red.

1.2    Personal Privacy
Libertarians support the rights recognized by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons,
homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure should include records held
by third parties, such as email, medical, and library records. Only actions that infringe on the rights
of others can properly be termed crimes. We favor the repeal of all laws creating “crimes” without
victims, such as the use of drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes.

I agree with this statement 100%.  The Patriot Act is in violation of the Fourth Amendment.  The government has no right to listen to phone conversations or look at one's emails without the individual being officially accused of a crime and that person being notified.  I like to view the term victimless crimes as an oxymoron. If someone's choices does not infringe upon the rights of others, then there is nothing wrong with it.

My Political Views: Expression and Communication

The Libertarian viewpoint is first and my viewpoint is in red.

1.1    Expression and Communication
We support full freedom of expression and oppose government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology. We favor the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others. We oppose government actions which either aid or attack any religion.

As a parent, I am not 100% in agreement with the lack of regulation in communications media.  Children should not be subjected to condom commercials, foul language, etc. while watching a show they want to watch.  The only regulation I would put into place is to designate some broadcasting and some cable/satellite stations as children stations, where commercials would have to be child friendly.

Beyond that, religion or the lack thereof is a person's personal choice.  Where religious organizations hold their services can not be infringed upon.  I fully support the building of a mosque near Ground Zero; afterall, the notion that all Muslims are terrorists is just as true as all priests are child molesters. It's simply not true.

My Political Views: Personal Liberty

I am a Libertarian and my views pretty much fall in line with the party.  So, I will be looking at each issue on their platform and then adding my two cents:

Personal Liberty
Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. No individual, group, or government may initiate force against any other individual, group, or government. Our support of an individual's right to make choices in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices.

My Viewpoint
I agree with this.  I am not a very religious purpose, but I do believe that humans were given Free Will.  If an individual wants to drink, use drugs, etc. then that is their personal choice, and should not be prevented from doing so.  However, since these things are WANTS and not NEEDS, then they should be taxed. The government should only step in when one person's personal liberty is infringed upon by another's.

It's been a year!

Happy Anniversary to my younger sister, Julia and the guy I have always considered a brother anyway, Jeremy!

They have been married one year today!

What was your favorite subject?

From Brian Williams:

What was your favorite subject?
History.

I knew I liked him!

To read the rest of his Q&A with Edutopia, click here.

Is cloning okay?

If it meant saving an entire species of animal, would you be okay with cloning?

The San Diego zoo saved skin samples in the 1970s in hopes that one day it might help save species, and now with the advent of stem cell research, the hopes of saving species might be possible.

So what are your thoughts?

Here's the whole article: click here.

I used to sing this to Catherine....

In the beginning....

We were all born of African decent; therefore, it stands to reason that we are all one race. 

The human race.

Let's end the hate.  Let's end racism.  The color of one's skin is of no significance.  If so many white people "hate" black people, then why do many white people strive to have darker skin by tanning.

If you want to be a good racist, keep your pasty, white skin indoors, out of the sun.

September by John Updike

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."
-   John Updike, September

You Compare: Top 9 Group-Buying Sites

To paraphrase Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz," "Trends come and go so quickly here."

And the latest flash trend is -- envelope please -- online group buying!
Groupon started the movement by teaching coupon-loving consumers the joys of daily online deals. The big daddy of the group-buying sites had the field pretty much to itself for several years. It now serves more than 140 markets around the world
Then yesterday, second-place competitor LivingSocial sounded the battle call with the announcement it was adding 25 new markets to its roster. The expansion nearly doubled LivingSocial's service; for a total of 52 markets in the U.S., UK and Canada.

The model is simple: The group-buying sites find local businesses willing to provide large discounts in return for spreading their names to new customers. Consumers log on daily, check out their hometown's deals and either sign up or ignore the deal.

The sites vary in their business models: Some require a certain number of takers before the deal is sealed; while others reward shoppers based on how many others they lure into signing up.

Businesses like the group-buying process because they get a short-term boost that can to lead to new, long-term customers. The group-buying sites typically get a cut of the promotions.

Here's a look at the top nine sites and how they operate.

1. Groupon
Founded in Chicago in November 2008, Groupon offers a different daily discount for every city. Members receive the coupons by email and, if a pre-set quota of takers isn't reached, the deal is off. No harm, no foul -- except everyone involved is a bit sad.

Groupon wisely builds in a few incentives to spur interest. Users are encouraged to spread the word via the usual social networks. If a friend buys into a coupon within 72 hours, the one who sent the link gets $10 worth of Groupon credits in their account. If a referred friend subscribes to Groupon within 72 hours, the person who sent the referral gets $10 worth of Groupon credits when their friend makes their first Groupon deal.

Tuesday's Denver deal offered $7 for 12 issues of the popular 5280 magazine (Denver is 5280 feet above sea level, thus the name of the magazine.) That's a 50-percent discount off the usual $14 subscription price. 3,331 people had purchased the deal when I logged in and the tipping point of 100 purchases was reached at 5:55 a.m.

2. Living Social
As mentioned above, LivingSocial is closing in on Groupon. Their model is somewhat different as they don't require a minimum number of orders before users can take advantage of daily deals. (Take that, Groupon!)
Discounts can't be used, however, until the deal's run-time has expired (shown in a clock on the home page).

Daily deals are available for exactly 24 hours each weekday. Like Groupon, LivingSocial uses incentives to encourage deal sharing. If a user shares a link via Facebook, Twitter or email and three people join via the link, the original person gets their deal for free.

Tuesday's New York deal was $50 worth of food and drink for $25 at Zenkichi, a Tokyo-style Japanese brasserie in Brooklyn. There's a limit of one coupon per table, which means you've got to eat a heck of a lot of sushi to get your money's worth (or maybe I just don't know the price of Japanese food in New York).

3. Tippr
Tippr (apparently not named for Tipper Gore) claims to offer deals in 25 major cities, although I had trouble accessing more than nine cities. Unlike Groupon and LivingSocial, Tippr gives users a choice of three deals on its home page, with at least one new deal each day.

Incentive discounts get larger as more people sign up for the deal, though there's a limit to how much the discount increases.

Two deals were offered the day I checked the San Francisco site. The first offered 50-percent off a pair of fairly ugly rings at a jewelry website that will go unnamed. The second offered $95 worth of tanning for $40, something that might come in handy during a San Francisco summer. (As Mark Twain once famously didn't say, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.")

4. 8coupons
8coupons culls 79 group-buying daily deals from sites across the country, which can total close to 400 promotions on a given day. While this is the ugliest daily deal site I've seen, it does offer a wide selection of savings and is easy to search.

In just one search of my Colorado home town I found 30 active restaurant deals, not all for chain restaurants. One even offered a free second margarita at my favorite authentic Mexican restaurant.
Many coupons are aggregated from direct-mail companies and coupon sites, and while I would be tempted to use a Pearl Vision coupon, I'm not too sure about those dozens of Supercuts coupons.
5. BuyWithMe
New York City-based BuyWithMe went essentially the same route as Groupon. There's a new deal every day, each available for a pre-set time limit of about a week. Cities presently served include New York, Boston, San Diego and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand into 20 markets by the end of the year.

Six deals were available yesterday in Washington, D.C., but perhaps the most enticing was 50-percent off a 60 minute, "stress-busting, pain-zapping massage." Total cost - $35. I call that a good deal because there apparently are a lot of stressed out people in D.C.
6. Gilt City
I don't know about this site's slogan: "Bright lights. Gilt City." Perhaps it should be "Guilt City," since their deals are quite expensive.

Presently only available in New York City, each of Gilt City’s deals lasts for seven days and are updated weekly. Instead of trying to sell as many of their deals as possible, Gilt City’s inventory for each of the discounts appears to be limited, and can sell out, much like the sales on sister-site Gilt.com.

Yesterday's deals included up to 60-percent off a "lavish day on the links" at the Hampton Hills Country Club on the tip of Long Island, or up to 48-percent off an eight-to-10-dish dinner at the Double Crown restaurant in New York's Bowery District.

7. Juice in the City (JITC)
Calling all coupon-loving moms: Juice in the City will soon cater to your need for fun activities (and only activities). It's a smart mommy model and sets JITC apart from the growing crowd. So far, juicy juice only displays what appear to be potential daily deals within the San Francisco and Seattle-Tacoma areas and is operating without outside funding.

This week's proposed Seattle activity looked like a lot of fun: Get your hair colored and cut at SEVEN Salon while listening to music spun by a DJ and sipping an espresso or latte. The come-on must be pretty enticing to tired moms: "When you walk in, you're greeted and immediately whisked away as though you were Shiloh's mommy showing up at preschool…"

8. We Give to Get (WGTG)   
Sadly, only Windy City citizens can take advantage of the unusual We Give to Get buying site -- so far.

Here's their unique model: Each person who creates an account also automatically registers with the charity website ActOfGood.org. Whenever you buy a "GO-GO" coupon, 10-percent of the money you spend while using the coupon is donated to the ActOfGood charity of your choice.

It seems like an unusual idea to connect a money-saving action to a money-giving one, but as they say, “opposites attract.”

WGTG doesn't require a minimum number of people to sign up in order to make the deal valid, and the coupon is sent to the buyer by email after the purchase is completed.

My favorite deal for yesterday included two sessions with a personal trainer for $60 (regularly $160), and not just because former accountant Mark Beier is one hot hunk.

9. CrowdSavings.com 
This Tampa-based site has chosen some rather interesting cities in which to start-up. You'll present find daily deals in Albany, N.Y.; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Denver; San Francisco; and Tampa Bay, Fla.

CrowdSavings features one local business per day and doesn't have a minimum target for people to take advantage of the deals. Many vouchers can be given as gifts and some are good for up to six months.



from http://www.couponsherpa.com

Historical Markers

Have you ever driven through Pennsylvania and seen the Blue and Yellow Historical Markers?  Ever stop to read them?

If you ever wanted more information on them or to go to a dedication of a new marker, check out:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/history_of_pennsylvania_state_historical_markers/300870

People in glass houses....

Could you imagine living in this house?  Sure, it looks secluded, but I am not sure how comfortable I would feel, living in a house where every exterior wall was made of glass.

Click here for the link to the article.

9/11

On this date, 9 years ago, the largest terrorist attack to occur on American soil was committed by radicals from several Middle Eastern countries.

Please take this day to remember those we lost.

8 Ways to Maximize Gas Mileage

Kelli B. Grant describes 8 Ways to Maximize Gas Mileage on the site http://www.smartmoney.com.


Americans drive more during the summer than during the rest of the year because of summer vacations and road trips during the three seasonal holiday weekends, says Christie Hyde, a spokeswoman for AAA. More people than usual are hitting the road this year, according to AAA. Memorial Day traffic was up 5.8%, and Fourth of July traffic 17.7%, for a total of 28 million and 31.4 million people on the road, respectively.

Gas prices have held steady this summer, with national averages in the neighborhood of $2.70 per gallon. But driving a vehicle that isn’t at its most fuel efficient can cost the driver the equivalent of an extra $2 or more per gallon, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
There’s no single automotive fix to dramatically improve fuel efficiency, says Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer at the Union of Concerned Scientists. But a few tricks used collectively can lower the cost of filling a gas tank by as much as 50%, he says.

Pack light

Clearing out the junk from a trunk can offer some quick savings. Every 100 pounds of added weight in the back of a car can reduce its fuel economy by as much as 2%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Hauling a cargo carrier, skis, kayaks or other gear atop the car is more taxing and can lower a car’s fuel economy by about 5%. “There’s going to be air resistance,” says Karl Brauer, a senior analyst for Edmunds.com.

Swap vehicles
Consumers with multiple vehicles should drive the more fuel-efficient one whenever possible. The difference in miles per gallon is especially obvious on long trips.

Keep up with maintenance

Following the car’s recommended maintenance schedule can help keep it operating at maximum efficiency. An engine in need of a tune-up operates about 4% less efficiently, according to the DOE. Drivers who have followed the schedule and don’t see the phrase “service required” or “check engine” on their dashboard are probably in good shape, Brauer says.

Check the tires

A spring tire pressure survey from the Rubber Manufacturers Association found that only 17% of vehicles had all four of their tires properly inflated. Under- or over-inflated tires change the way the car handles, adding drag and speeding wear, which can reduce fuel efficiency by about 3%. When inflating, don’t go by the figure stamped on the tire -- that’s the maximum it can handle, Hyde says. Look to the driver's side door panel or owner's manual for information on proper inflation levels.

Use the right motor oil

Check the driver’s manual for the proper grade, Kliesch says. Using the wrong one can lower fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%.

Create a fuel-efficient route

Plot out errands for the shortest route possible around town, Brauer says. On longer trips, try to factor in weather, construction and traffic to avoid periods when the car is idling -- which gets you zero miles per gallon. Many GPS units offer alternate route plotting; Google Maps also shows traffic conditions.

Drive responsibly

The government estimates that the most fuel efficient driving speed is between 40 and 60 miles per hour for most vehicles. Drivers who begin following the speed limit should see dramatic improvements in fuel economy, Kliesch says. Speeding and rapid acceleration and braking can collectively reduce fuel efficiency by up to 33% at highway speeds and by about 5% at slower, local speed limits, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. When possible, set the cruise control for steadier speeds.

Skip premium fuel

Aside from high-end sports cars that list premium fuel as a requirement in their owner's manuals, most cars will do fine on regular unleaded. The national average price for a gallon of unleaded is currently $2.72; a gallon of premium, $2.99, according to AAA. The difference amounts to roughly $5 per average tank.

Do you know what this symbol means?

1/3 of all drivers do not understand what this symbol on their dashboards mean.

It's a tire pressure sign.  For tire and car safety, please read this short article: click here.

4 Splurges That Make Sense

So, look to spend some money, Farnoosh Torabi has four suggestions.  The article comes from http://moneywatch.bnet.com

Ever find yourself justifying an expensive pair of shoes or a pricey pair of jeans by promising yourself you’ll “wear it forever”?

Often, we’re just kidding ourselves - it just makes sense to go for the lower-priced alternative, especially if you’re in the market to save. But believe it or not, some merchandise (and some memberships) can be be well worth the splurge. Here are five examples, including some ways to save on the splurge:

1. Designer Perfume

Lusting after a $100 per ounce eau de parfum? If you purchase and commit to just this one bottle, you can potentially save close to $50 over the course of two years. How? Cheap scents aren’t formulated to last. At best, they’ll last a good two or three months before becoming distorted or running empty because you’ve been spritzing so much to get the same high-end effect.

Higher-quality fragrances tend to contain higher-grade oils and less alcohol, so that the scent lasts longer and does not become distorted during the day or over time in the bottle, according to Polly Blitzer, founder of BeautyBlitz.com. Splurging on a pricey classic eau de toilette can last you at least two years (or 15 cents a spritz) when used once day. With the cheap stuff, you’ll be running back to the designer-imposters counter four times a year.

Savings tip: Add more life to the perfume by requesting a few free samples of the scent. You can use them before moving on to your actual bottle.

2. Unlimited Music Plans

Services like Rhapsody and Napster, which offer unlimited music for a monthly fee, can be worth the splurge if you’re a major music lover. You pay $10 or $15 for Rhapsody’s unlimited music streaming, for example - but if you’re buying 20 songs a month off iTunes or in stores, you’re already spending north of $20. You have to pay extra to actually download the music files - but if that’s OK by you, Rhapsody can save you at least $5 a month and get you tons more songs. Potential savings: $60 a year.

3. Quality Sneakers

If you’re an avid runner, high-quality sneakers are more likely to wear better and last longer because of high-end construction and support. Most shoes over $80 are considered performance running and generally will last between 350-500 miles, depending on the size of the runner and the surface they’re running on, according to Dan Griffin, a rep for Brooks Sports. At best, that’s just a little more than 6 cents per mile. Good running shoes are designed to protect you from injury. For example, they may better cushion the repetitive pounding that would otherwise wear on your joints. Cheap sneakers on the other hand, may mean spending more money down the road to repair the aches and pains … not to mention calluses and blisters.

Savings tip: Ask the salesperson for shoes with “improved cushioning and stability.” Those are the keywords that mean “quality.” Generally, the higher the price, the more cushion and/or stability the shoe will provide. Then, test-run the shoes outside the store for a bit. This isn’t a purchase you want to do in a hurry. Invest at least a half-hour in making sure they offer comfort and fit.

4. Video Game Rental Clubs

Have kids who go bananas over the newest and latest games? At Gamefly you can rent two games at a time for $23 a month. If you normally buy at least five games in a year (at $60 a pop), you would actually end up saving you around $24 a year at Gamefly and you can play dozens more games.

Savings tip: First-time members can sometimes get a trial run that’s either free or much lower than the standard fee. For example, at Gamefly, if you sign up for a 1-year gift certificate (2 games out a time) you get 20% off the regular price, so it’ll cost you around $18 a month, instead of $23.

9 Things Teachers Want from Parents

click here for the full article....

1. Don't be a stranger!

2. Learning doesn't stop at 3:15.

3. Stay involved — even when you don't know the material.

4. Keep your child organized.

5. Let your child make mistakes.

6. Raise a good reader.

7. If the teacher deserves a good grade, give her one.

8. The teacher's on your side — give her the benefit of the doubt.

9. There is a secret to better grades.

The end of a Philadelphia Icon? Le Bec Fin

Have you ever eaten at Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia?  Well if not, you might to do so soon, if you can afford it.  The owner may be selling in 2011.

This article was originally taken from http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100724_C_est_fini_pour_Le_Bec-Fin_.html

Georges Perrier is going to say "Au revoir!" to Le Bec-Fin, his landmark Center City French restaurant, some time next year.

Unless, of course, he changes his mind. Which he might. Unless he doesn't.
"I'm a little tired of doing the same thing. I think we will probably close in the spring," Perrier said last night.

Moments later, he added: "I don't know. You never know. You can always change your mind."
What is known for sure is that Perrier put both the restaurant business and its building, at 1523 Walnut St., up for sale earlier this week.

And Perrier held an emotional meeting with his staff yesterday, where he announced that he intended to close the restaurant.

It was a gut-wrenching decision for the celebrated chef, who opened Le Bec-Fin in 1970.
A decade later, the 5-star restaurant was recognized as one of the best in the country, and it helped transform a once-seedy section of Walnut Street into the revered Restaurant Row.

But the times changed - don't they always? - and the fancy, three-figure meals Perrier offered at Le Bec-Fin fell out of favor.

In a bid to stay competitive, Perrier eased the restaurant's formal dress code and high prices. It was forced to give up one of its Mobil Travel Guide stars because of the changes.

Last summer, he offered four-course tasting menus with a twist - customers were allowed to pay whatever they wanted. Currently, the restaurant is offering a $40 four-course menu to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

"I want to do something different," Perrier said, noting that he is working on three new restaurant projects. "I feel I have given a lot to this town. My head is high."

Perrier also owns Georges' in Wayne and a catering operation, and along with business partner Chris Scarduzio opened Table 31 at the Comcast Center and Mia in Atlantic City.

Patrons of Le Bec-Fin last night expressed a mix of sadness and reverence.

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Dr. Rhoda Maister, who was walking into the restaurant for dinner with her husband. "It's a very nice restaurant, different for Philadelphia."

"He just kissed my hand! He was so nice," Joann Manuel said of Perrier as she left after dinner.

"That's like a Philadelphia icon," she added. "How could they do that to us?"

Legal or illegal? You decide!

The question at hand is, should it be illegal to say that you were a veteran of war?  The article below describes the situation:

This article was taken from http://www.military.com



DENVER -- A law that makes it illegal to lie about being a war hero is unconstitutional because it violates free speech, a federal judge ruled Friday as he dismissed a case against a Colorado man who claimed he received two military medals.

Rick Glen Strandlof claimed he was an ex-Marine who was wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star, but the military had no record he ever served. He was charged with violating the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have won a military medal.

U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn dismissed the case and said the law is unconstitutional, ruling the government did not show it has a compelling reason to restrict that type of statement.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Denver said prosecutors are reviewing the decision and haven't decided whether to appeal. The spokesman said that decision would be made by the U.S. Justice Department in Washington and prosecutors in Denver.
Strandlof's lawyer, Bob Pepin, said he hadn't spoken to Strandlof since the ruling was issued. Pepin said he would advise Strandlof not to comment publicly because the case might be appealed.
"Obviously, we think this is the right decision, or we wouldn't have been making the objections to the statute to begin with," he said. Pepin said Strandlof has been living in a halfway house in Denver while his case is in the courts.

The law has also been challenged in California and in a case now before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Denver attorney Christopher P. Beall, who filed a friend-of-the-court brief for the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, said the Stolen Valor Act is fatally flawed because it doesn't require prosecutors to show anyone was harmed or defamed by the lie.

"The government position was that any speech that's false is not protected by the First Amendment. That proposition is very dangerous," Beall said.

"It puts the government in a much more powerful position to prosecute people for speaking out on things they believe to be true but turn out not to be true," he said.

Beall said the ACLU was not defending the actions Strandlof is accused of, but took issue with the principle behind the law.

Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., who sponsored the Stolen Valor Act in the House, predicted the decision will be overturned on appeal.

"This is an issue of fraud plain and simple," Salazar said in a written release. "The individuals who violate this law are those who knowingly portray themselves as pillars of the community for personal and monetary gain."

Pam Sterner, who as a college student wrote a policy analysis that became the basis of Salazar's bill, said the issue isn't free speech but misrepresentation. Sterner, a former Coloradan who now lives in Virginia, said authentic medal winners' credibility suffers when impostors are exposed because the public becomes suspicious of even true stories of heroism.

 

© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Birthday etiquette

I would like your opinion on this:

Is it improper to send an e-card to family and close friends on their birthday instead of giving them a paper card?  My opinion is that e-cards are more creative and paper cards kill trees.  I would actually prefer e-cards because all I do is throw the paper card away (sorry, recycle) within a week anyway.

In addition, is it improper to send e-vites or e-thanks to people you are inviting to a party or thanking for coming to the party?  I know someone disagrees with me on this (no names), but it saves money, time, and trees.

Now weddings might be different.  What is your opinion about all three when it comes to weddings?

Edgar Muller: Pavement Chalk Artist

I love pavement chalk art, and Edgar Muller is one of the best in the world in my opinion.  Click here to see the rest of his gallery.

What is your idea of a perfect teacher?

From the words of Suze Orman:

What is your idea of a perfect teacher?

- It would have to be one who inspires you to be more than you ever dreamed you could be.

To see the rest of her Q&A with Edutopia, click here: 

A Neat Desk vs. A Messy Desk

To honor my first day of work for the 2010-2011 school year:

The article in this link pretty much says that you should have a neat desk in order to look professional.

I am more organized in a mess than I am with a neat desk.  In fact, when I clean up, I have trouble finding things.....

How about you?

The Road Not Taken

The Road not Taken by Robert Frost

One of my favorite poems ever:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

9 Years Old!!!

Cailin "Pumpkin" Lendzinski is 9 Years Old today!!!!

Happy Birthday, Cailin!

The Anyway Challenge

This blog is two fold today.  First, I would like for you to read the Paradoxical Commandments and then I am going to ask you to take the Anyway Challenge.

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.



I UNDERSTAND THE PARADOXICAL COMMANDMENTS AND I ACCEPT
THE ANYWAY CHALLENGE
This is my pledge to live the Paradoxical Life.
I will love people anyway, do good anyway, succeed anyway, be honest and frank anyway, think big anyway, fight for a few underdogs anyway, build anyway, help people anyway, and give the world the best I have anyway.
I WILL FACE THE WORST IN THE WORLD WITH THE BEST IN MYSELF.
Signed: _______________________ Date: _________

L's View: Mumia Abu Jamal

Sometime last month, I made a comment about Susan Sarandon being an awesome actress.  I reserve the right to think that.

I then found out that she supports the freeing of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu Jamal, financially.  Well, I did some digging and found out who else supports Mumia:

1. Ben and Jerry.  Does that mean I will stop buying their ice cream?  No.
2. Ed Asner.  Does that mean, that I will stop watching the shows he is in?  No.
3. Martin Sheen.  Ditto to Asner.
4. Rage Against the Machine.  Will I stop listening to their music?  No.
5. Whoopi Goldberg.....
6. Beastie Boys
7. Nelson Mandela
8. Danny Glover

And the list goes on....

Here's how I see this.  My brother is a cop.  A few of my friends are cops, including my former college roommate, a few friends from North Catholic, two friends' fathers, etc.

I support the police.  They have a tough job, one I thought about doing at one point, but ultimately decided to go another way.  According to the courts (and Mumia's case has been appealed and the same results given), Mumia guilty of killing Officer Daniel Faulkner.

I get that.  I am anti-Mumia.  That does not mean that I am going to stop watching movies with Mumia supporters in them, or stop buying ice cream from Mumia supporters, and so on.  I know this might make me a villain, but this is my view.

I oppose the criminal, but other people should not be criminalized for supporting a criminal.  Would you want to be criminalized for supporting a family member who was convicted of a serious crime? 

I don't think you would, but then again, I can't speak for you.  If a family member or friend were convicted of a crime, that they swear they did not commit, I will support their decision to appeal to the highest courts that would allow it, and if I were rich, I would financially support that decision.

Now, I know that all the people I listed above did not know Mumia, but they support his Constitutional rights.  And I can support that.  Some people are going to think he is innocent.  From what I have read up on, the evidence does not look supportive of Mumia's claims, but then again, there was controversy surrounding the original court case.  I will reserve my judgment of Mumia because that is not my job.  I am not God and I was not on that jury, nor was I the judge in that case. 

We all know that there are people in prison who don't belong there because they did not actually commit a crime, but were found guilty anyway.  Again, let me reiterate that it appears that Mumia is guilty.

But that doesn't mean I will stop watching Susan Sarandon movies.

3 Years Old!!!!

Erin "Berry Bear" Lendzinski turns three years old today!

Happy Birthday to my little girl!

10 things kids just don't need

Notice the key word there....don'y NEED.  So, if you are trying to save money, please take a look at this article from http://www.walletpop.com.

If there's something on which most parents can agree, it's that there is an over-abundance of goods and services available today for infants and kids that just aren't necessary.

With a lot of more affluent, older parents around, the market for luxury clothing for infants, toddlers and preschoolers alone is worth $14.5 billion annually, according to the Boston Consulting Group. Parents are increasingly spending adult prices for clothes for their kids, thinking nothing of dropping $103 for a pair of size 6 True Religion jeans.



And even though most of us remember simpler times, when we were happy playing in the sandbox in our Toughskins, we have to admit that we're intrigued by the explosion of offerings for our wee ones. Even if we're unwilling to open our wallets to buy them.

There are so many choices in children's clothing and toys that many companies are turning to private online sales to get the word out about their brands. One such site, www.zulily.com, offers 145 different styles of product every day, said Chief Executive Officer Darrell Cavens.

Even its promoters admit that the fledgling members-only site, which offers products at up to 70% off retail prices, is "basically an entire multimillion dollar market being built by things kids don't really need" such as tutus, Italian-designed shoes and organic clothing. But parents love it.

"We generally don't disclose member numbers," said Cavens. "It's grown much faster than we anticipated. On Alexa, the best free data source for growth of traffic, we were the 4,000th most popular site in the U.S."

A look at 10 extraneous things that our kids could live without and never know the difference:

10. Early reading kits for babies. Even some toy sellers say they don't see the value in DVDs and flashcards sold online for $14.95 for a 30-day trial. "It's a perfect example of parents putting pressure on their children to be the first to read so they have bragging rights to their friends," said Gwen Austin, a mom and toy industry veteran.

9. Rubber bands shaped like sharks, cars, dinosaurs and palm trees that sell for $4.95 for a 24 pack. "Talk about adding to landfills. Oy!" exclaimed Jen Maidenberg, a mother of two boys and owner of Mindful Living NJ. (Full disclosure: My three-year-old loves these and they are currently encircling bags of pretzels and frozen peas in my kitchen.)

8. Designer diapers available in jeans styles -- from Huggies -- and Cynthia Rowley-inspired madras and pastel prints from Pampers. The new nappies -- being trumpeted by their makers as limited-edition finds -- sell at Target for 60% more than regular brands.

7. Suri Cruise-inspired high heels for little girls. The four-year-old's gold and silver sandals kicked off an online backlash against dressing kids like little adults and prompted a British moms group to ask retailers in the U.K. not to sell products that "prematurely sexualize young children."

6. Manicures, pedicures and spa treatments for kids -- like Gwen Stefani's son, Kingston, who recently got his fingernails done up in Vampire-like black in anticipation of his four-year-old birthday party -- who are just as likely to leave the salon and head right for the nearest mud puddle.

5. Yoga for young ones. I can see benefits this exercise would provide kids in terms of relaxation and stress reduction. But at my seven-year-old's elementary school they substitute yoga for active gym pursuits, asking young boys to do the downward dog without making gross noises in the process. Kids should be chasing balls during their weekly 45-minute "psychomotor" class - -which has unfortunately replaced gym at our school - -instead of sitting on mats stretching.

4. A $900 birch Bauhaus dollhouse, complete with garden, pool, pool house and Beech furniture.

3. Organic bedding sets for infants and kids that sell online at $295 for a twin bedding set and $380 for a Udaipur crib set.

2. Diaper wipe warmers. This item is often mentioned on popular mommy blogs as unnecessary, even though Babies R' Us would have to-be parents believe otherwise.

1. 3D movies for kids. Every single preview of the five shown before a recent outing to Toy Story 3 advertised an upcoming picture in 3D. This is a trend that's gone way over board, especially for kids who don't feel comfortable wearing the special glasses every time they hit the theaters.

10 Gourmet Meals For $10 or Less

This article was taken from http://www.mint.com.

Eating cheap is easy. Given $10 to buy ingredients for a meal for four, even the most hopeless home cook could whip up grilled cheese and tomato soup or a simple spaghetti-and-meatballs combo.
But putting together a gourmet dinner for under $10 is more challenging. So we asked food and finance bloggers, as well as home cooks, to send in their best suggestions. (We’ve shared them below with recipe details, or, where available, linked to their blogs.)

Now Frugal Foodie has a challenge you: what’s your best super-cheap yet gourmet meal? Post it in the comments, and don’t forget to “like” your favorite submissions.

(All cost estimates are based on non-sale New York City supermarket prices. If it’s a cheap meal inNYC, we figure cooks in most other places in the country will spend even less. Prices are also adjusted for quantity: if a recipe calls for half an onion, you’ll probably find something to do with the other half. Finally, estimates don’t take into account basic ingredients you likely already have, like flour, olive oil or dried spices.)

One Pan Chicken and Rice

by Hilary Allard of Sliced and Diced
Cost: $5.73, or $1.43 per serving.

Allard’s sauté uses one pot and is finished in the oven, minimizing dishes as well as cost. Even better, cooks can swap out Mexican flavors (black beans, cumin, scallions and tomatoes with green chilies) for Indian and Mediterranean variations without affecting their bottom line.

Caramelized Cauliflower Fritatta

by Michael Natkin of Herbivoracious
Cost: $7.08, or $1.77 per serving

Fresh herbs give Natkin’s frittata zing, but can make a big dent in the budget if you’re not already growing your own. (Those who are would pay just $5.59, or $1.40 per serving, and be able to include as many types of fresh herbs as Natkin suggests instead of using just a $1.49 bunch of parsley, as we calculated.)

Monday Spinach Rice Medley

by Katie Clark and Telly Kousakis of More Dough Than Dollars
Cost: $7.15, or $1.79 per serving

Inspired by a kitchen cleanout project, Clark’s meatless dish could easily be upgraded for a few dollars more by adding cooked, sliced sausage (her suggeston).

Strawberry Chicken Salad

by Frugal Foodie of Mint.com
Cost: $8.49, or $2.12 per serving

Marinate a pound of chicken in a little olive oil, lemon juice and ground black pepper. Grill until cooked through, slice and set aside to cool. Tear up a head of romaine, and top with the chicken, sliced strawberries and a slices avocado. For a dressing, puree some of the remaining strawberries with a splash of balsamic vinegar (or alternately, a splash of olive oil and lemon juice) and some black pepper.

Venetian Chicken

by Nina Hoffman of RecipeLion.com
Cost: $8.95, or $2.24 per serving

Go ahead and buy a bottle of wine to add the optional two tablespoons in this slow cooker meal. You’re saving enough cash to justify the splurge.

Classic Turkey Chili

Maris Callahan of In Good Taste
Cost: $8.96, or $2.24 per serving.

Another great one-pot meal, Callahan’s chili could also be prepared in a slow cooker for a super-easy weekday dinner. Prepare it to your taste with different veggies and spices.

Polenta Pie

by Julie Arnheim of Rubbing Nickels
Cost: $9.58, or $2.40 per serving.

Ground turkey, polenta and fresh herbs are the most expensive ingredients in this take on shepherd’s pie, but you can economize further by preparing your own polenta (saves $2).

Cuban Shredded Beef

by Art Ginsberg of MrFood.com
Cost: $9.60, or $2.40 per serving

Shred this slow-cooked beef dish before serving it over rice or on a roll. (Frugal Foodie’s mom makes a version of this that subs out the green bell pepper for a few sliced white mushrooms.)

Ginger Chicken Lettuce Wraps & Srirachi Peanut Sauce

Renae Simeon of $10 Buck Dinners
Cost: $9.82, or $2.46 per serving.

The key to this kicky dish: a spicy Asian-style marinade. Substitute peanuts for the pine nuts, or eliminate the nuts altogether to cut $3 from the bill.

Taco Salad Bar

Jenetta Lea Penner of Frugal Freebies and Deals
Cost: $9.98, or $2.50 per serving

A family friendly taco bar can easily come in at less than $10, especially if you’re shopping the sales for ingredients, Penner says. Her picks for this version: ground beef (browned at home in your choice of spices), a tomato (chopped), cheddar (bought in block form and grated), a head of lettuce (torn), a can of black beans (drained and warmed) and a jar of salsa. It’s enough that you’ll probably have leftovers, too.

10 Products to always buy generic

original article is from http://www.walletpop.com

The main reason for buying generic products -- saving money -- is simple enough. But there's also the satisfaction of not giving in to the marketing hype and buying something just because a company promotes it everywhere.

The generic labels may not be as fancy as the brand-name products, and the taste of generic items, such as soda, may not appeal to you depending on your tastebuds, but it's worth trying generic brands to see if you like them. The savings can add up over a lifetime, as a savings calculator can quickly show you. And if the savings isn't enough, or the brand name is much better than the generic, you can always go back to the branded product. You can even buy popular brands from the past.

But remember the power of brands. Since the same manufacturer of a brand-name product often makes the generic product with the same ingredients, what the company selling the branded item is selling is the perception of something better. Consumers don't buy generic products because they think it makes them look bad, said Jason Gurwin, CEO of Pushpins, a mobile coupon company.

"People don't buy generic because it's a reflection on their personal wealth and it's a reflection on their personal taste," Gurwin told WalletPop in a telephone interview.

If you're ready to put that feeling aside, or at least fill that old bottle of expensive olive oil with a cheaper generic brand, here are 10 products you should always buy generic because they're just as good as the branded items and will save you plenty of cash:

1. Over-the-counter medications.
Since the Food and Drug Administration requires generic medications to have the same active ingredients as the patented medications they replace, over-the-counter medications are the best way to save money by buying generic. No one wants to skimp on their health, so you'd think that a generic brand might be iffy. But that's not the case, said Cathy Rosenbaum, a pharmacist and CEO of Rx Integrative Solutions, Inc.

"There's a public perception that generics are cheap and bad," Rosenbaum said in a telephone interview with WalletPop. "Typically the generics are just as effective as the branded products, and they're typically cheaper." Sometimes over-the-counter medications may be used to replace prescription medications with the advice and consent of your doctor and pharmacist, she said.

In general, generic cough and cold medicines are much cheaper and just as effective as branded medications, she said. While generic works for most over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicine is something that shouldn't be switched back and forth between generic and brand names, she said. Absorption of prescription, as well as over-the-counter, medications could be different between different products, so sticking with brand or generic and not switching back and forth, especially with prescription medications, is important, she said.

Insurance companies prefer that doctors write for generic prescription medications instead of branded medications because the generics are cheaper, but if the branded label works better for the patient, a doctor can write to the insurer and explain that the branded product is needed, Rosenbaum said. Be persistent, communicate with your doctor and pharmacist, and stick with one pharmacy for all your prescription medications so the pharmacist has an accurate history of all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as dietary supplements you are taking, she recommended.

2. Cereal.
Cereal is one of the biggest values when buying generic, said Pushpin's Gurwin, equaling 25% to 50% in savings. A $5.50 box of brand-name cereal can cost $2.99 generic, and usually comes in a bigger package for less money, he said.

"The taste is very similar, and they look exactly the same," Gurwin said. For parents of children who insist on the brand, he suggests buying it once, then when it's empty, replacing it with a generic bag inside the branded box.


3. Pantry staples.
Flour, sugar, salt, spices and other single-ingredient items are all the same. Really, they are. Government regulations require the same production and storage for generics as they do for brands, so buying a label is like giving money away for something you use every day. And since the brand-name versions are rarely on sale or have manufacturer's coupons, generic is the best way to go.

4. Soda.
This is the one item Gurwin says goes against his principle that items that are cheap to produce don't save a lot of money when bought generic, but that the most money can be saved on generic items that are expensive to make. Soda is cheap to produce and the generic versions are often much cheaper than the brands, he said.

But as with all generic foods, give this one a taste test before buying cases of cheap cola. I can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi in a blind taste test, but Gurwin says most people can't tell the difference between a generic cola and a name brand. Whatever you call it -- soda, pop, coke or something else -- it's a bias that you may be surprised to learn that the generic tastes the same as your favorite brand.

5. Gasoline.
Just like pantry staples and other generics, buying "off-brand" gas gets your car essentially the same gas as name-brand stations. The price difference can be about 20 cents a gallon. Some off-brand stations often get their gas from the same tank trucks that deliver to the brand-name stations.

6. Electronic cables.
If you're going to spend $1,500 on a new TV, why not $100 or so on HDMI and other cables to connect it? At least that's what you hear from the salesman. Because $9 cables will make the same connection and work just as well, Gurwin said. People are afraid they'll screw their TV up if they don't buy the highest-priced connecting cables, and sales people pounce on that fear. The copper conductors on the expensive cables are claimed by the manufacturer to give a better signal transfer, but in reality any cable will work just as well, Gurwin said.

7. Makeup and other beauty products.
Drugstores have learned that they can duplicate brand leaders' beauty products and still make a profit, while saving consumers half what they would have spent on the branded products. If the technology isn't patented, there are no rules against making an exact copy of a beauty product as a generic one. A list of store-brand beauty products that stand out includes items at Target and many of the big drugstores.

8. Batteries.
Brand name batteries, from Duracell to Energizer, advertise that they last longer than other batteries, including generic ones, which they normally do, but the cost isn't worth it. An unscientific study by batterytruth.info found that while the branded batteries provide more hours of energy, their high cost makes generic batteries a better deal.

It found that the Thunderbolt Magnum batteries hold less power, but are nearly 57% cheaper than the next best value, Duracell CopperTop batteries.

9. Salad mix and produce.
Lettuce is lettuce and an apple is an apple, no matter if it has a brand name selling it or a private label or generic label. As with all produce, check for freshness and you'll be in good shape. But a sticker on a banana saying its from Chiquita isn't going to guarantee a better banana than the cheaper banana without the sticker.


10. Baby formula
Like medicine, this is another area where people don't want to skimp because everyone wants the best for their baby, and think that because it costs the most, it must be the best. Wrong. The Infant Formula Act requires specific procedures be followed in making infant formulas. Paying $13 more for a can of Enfamil or Similac over a generic brand is a waste of money since both are certified by the FDA as good and healthy for your baby.

As Wisebread reported, there are minor differences between generic and branded baby formulas, but they come down to texture and taste. Take a look side-by-side at the ingredient labels, and you won't see much, if any, difference. And like some medicines, choose one and stick with it. Your baby's digestive system will thank you.

Welcome Baby Lily Rose Lendzinski

Today is the big day, or so we hope.  Catherine is being induced today at 6 AM and we will be welcoming Lily Rose Lendzinski into the world.

I will be updated as much as I can.

Time to get to know the face of "evil"

I have been a teacher for seven years, and in that time, I have gotten to know PEOPLE who come from various backgrounds.  I have known Muslim students, gay students, poor students, homeless students, etc.  Every religion, every sexual identity, every level of wealth, skin color, ethnicity, etc.

These students are PEOPLE!  They are not terrorists.  They are not here to take away YOUR family values.  They are not lazy, thus homeless.  They are just like you and me.  So, instead of hating or making fun of, or tearing down a person.  Get to know them.  What you find may just surprise you.

I am going to ask you, do you oppose the mosque that a Muslim religious organization plans to build near Ground Zero?  If so, I ask you why you oppose this mosque?  Do you personally know THESE people? THESE Muslims?  Do you know the history of Islam?  Do you know the Muslim culture?  Are you friends with someone who is Muslim?  Have you ever attempted to get to know someone who is Muslim?

Will one act create your definition of who a Muslim is?  Yes, on 9/11, the people flying the planes were Arabic.  They were Muslim.  But do 23 people speak for an entire religion?

Do 23 people speak for your faith? 

Do 23 people speak for a race of people?  Do 23 people speak for your race?

We have to ask ourselves, are all Muslims terrorists and are all terrorists Muslim?

Which religion was the world greatest terrorist?  Adolf Hitler was a Christian?  If you are Christian, did he speak for you?  Did his followers speak for you?

These are questions that I believe should be answered before we label this mosque as a dangerous addition to the "hallowed" ground that is Ground Zero.

We have to ask ourselves, should the world have prevented Germany from erecting Christian churches near the Death Camps?  Or should we open ourselves to be educated about what really is going on in our world.  A world where Muslims, Jews, Christian, Atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, and every religion in the world is bonded by one simple truth. 

We are all related.  We are not a mixture of different races.  We are but one race: THE HUMAN RACE.

A race that has different beliefs.  A race that has different skin color.  A race that has different intellectual abilities.  A race with different socio-economic statuses (stati).  A race that has different variances in height and weight.  A race that is separated into two genders.  A race that has different sexual preferences.

ONE RACE.  ONE FAMILY. 

United?  Divided?

You decide.  Are you willing to be that blemish in our race?  Are you ready to be that embarrassing family member?

Who is it that you really want to be.

Reality is perception.  Perception is yours to change.

7 Stupid Retirement Myths Exposed

Liz Pulliam Weston describes 7 Stupid Retirement Myths.  This article originally came from http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com.

Half of American workers haven't tried to figure out how much they need to save for retirement.

Nearly one-third aren't currently saving for retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's latest retirement confidence survey, and half of those who have saved have less than $25,000.

It's a pretty sorry state of affairs, especially if any of the following myths are what's preventing you from saving:

Myth No. 1: 'I've got plenty of time'

It's later than you think.

If you don't start saving by age 35, you'll have a tough time accumulating enough for a typical retirement. You'll have less time to accumulate cash before you quit work, and what you save has less time to earn compounding returns. The earlier you start, the better: Someone who begins at age 22 could have 30% more in her retirement kitty than someone who starts even five years later.

That doesn't mean you won't be able to retire if you start late, but either you'll need to save a prodigious amount of your current income (20% or more) or you're likely to have to live on less in retirement.

Myth No. 2: 'I won't live to see retirement'
If you're alive now, the chances are overwhelmingly good you'll make it to your 60s and beyond. Eight out of 10 males and nearly nine out of 10 females born in the U.S. make it to 65. Sixty percent of men and 73% of women are still alive at 75.

Death is unlikely to release you from your obligation to save for retirement, so you'd better get started.

Myth No. 3: 'I won't ever want to retire'

You may not have a choice, honey. The typical retirement age hovers around 62, and nearly four in 10 retirees say they were forced out of work earlier than they'd planned because of layoffs, poor health or the need to take care of a loved one, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Social Security is experiencing a surge in applications for benefits as laid-off workers seek early retirement, even as others are trying to work as long as possible to restore depleted retirement accounts.

Even if you love what you do, it pays to accumulate a "Plan B" retirement fund.

Myth No. 4: 'I need to pay off my debt first'

It could take you years to pay off what you owe. In the meantime, you're missing out on valuable tax breaks, company matches and the power of compounded returns. Every $1,000 you fail to save this year could cost you $10,000 to $20,000 in lost future retirement income.

That's why saving for retirement needs to be the top priority for most people, and other goals should be made to fit around it. Yes, that means it will take you longer to pay off your credit cards, because the money that could pay down that debt faster is going into your 401k. But ultimately, you'll be richer for it.

Myth No. 5: 'I don't make enough money to save'

If you're living at or near the poverty line, this may be true -- but some people manage to save even on small incomes. How do they do it? By making savings a priority. The one factor that explains most of the variation in household savings isn't income, but the amount households choose to save.

Freeing up money for savings may require some lifestyle changes and serious spending adjustments, but your elderly self will thank you for making the effort. For more on constructing a budget that allows you to save, read "How much you should spend on . . ."

Myth No. 6: 'Investing in this market is too scary'

The stock market's a roller coaster, all right, but most of us will need the inflation-beating returns stocks offer if we want to retire comfortably one day. The good news is that the market will eventually recover and rise; in every 30-year period since 1928, stock market returns have averaged out to at least an 8% annual increase.

If you're new to investing, consider a "lifestyle" or "target date maturity" fund that distributes your money among stock, bond and cash options. (Bonds and cash help insulate your investments from stock market gyrations.) If you really can't handle the idea of investing in stocks at all right now, you should still be contributing to your retirement funds. Just choose one of the low-risk, low-return options such as money market funds or stable value funds, until you educate yourself enough about investing to try equities.

Myth No. 7: '401k's are a rip-off because of their high fees'

Some plans do have egregiously high fees, and investors pay the price: For every 1% increase in fees you pay, you can wind up with 17% less cash in retirement. If you work for a large company, however, your 401k plan often gives you access to institutional funds that actually charge less -- sometimes much less -- than similar funds offered to retail investors.

In any case, the solution to high fees is not to boycott your plan, because you'll miss out on tax breaks, matches and compounding. The solution is to contribute and agitate for change. If your employer hasn't shopped for a plan provider in recent years, consumer advocate Bob Sullivan recommends asking your company to put the plan out to bid. The market for plan administration has gotten more competitive in recent years, said Sullivan, the author of "Stop Getting Ripped Off," and your employer could realize significant savings.

Best Bargain Booze: 7 Top Picks From Bar Experts

I am not a drinker, but here is an article from http://www.thekitchn.com for 7 Top Bargain Booze.

   1. Gordon's London Dry Gin ($9-13/750 ml)
Recommended by: Paul Abercrombie, author of Organic, Shaken and Stirred (reviewed on The Kitchn here)
Why: “You can get a liter of it for about $15 and it's surprisingly good. Not great; but good. It's also a little lower proof than most gins (80 proof as opposed to 90-something of most London Dry style gins).”
Ways to Enjoy: “It's best used in drinks where the gin doesn't take center stage. It's particularly good when you want to batch up a bunch of drinks for a party, as I did recently at the beach on Longboat Key, Florida, where my father-in-law has a condo. I made big pitchers of Singapore Slings for a few dozen friends and family.”
2. Canadian Club Sherry Cask Whisky ($25-30/750 ml)
Recommended by: Ethan Kelley, head spirit sommelier and beverage director for the Brandy Library
Why: “My first instinct was to go with any bottle from the Dickle family, always more and more impressive. However, I think that if you want to find some amazing bargains you just have to look outside the standard categories. For whiskies, I think it is always unfair that we overlook Canada.”
Ways to Enjoy: “[Canadian] whiskies tend to be sweeter and lighter which makes them ideal candidates for mixing. Even Grandpa liked some CC in his Manhattan, and I do too. The Canadian Club Sherry Cask works amazingly well in any number of cocktails that call for bourbon, rye, or even non-smoky scotches.”

3. El Dorado 3 Year White Rum ($13-16/750 ml)
Recommended by: Stephanie Moreno, sales manager/spirits buyer, Astor Wines & Spirits
Why: "El Dorado 3 Year is full of aromatics, which is something you usually don't expect from a white rum: milk chocolate, creamy coconut, vanilla and citrus. A real steal at this price. It'll take your white rum-based drinks to a whole new level."
Ways to Enjoy: “I use this for all my white rum needs, particularly Daiquiris.”



4. Sobieski Vodka ($12-16/750 ml)
Recommended by: James Mulcahy, blogger, NYbarfly
Why: “Why pay more for premium vodka when the base spirit is essentially the same? It’s about $16 a bottle (compared to say $25+ for something like Grey Goose) and it’s absolutely just as good. I think you can get a whole liter for around $20.”
Ways to Enjoy: “I use Sobieski for my base in home cocktails, and I’ve used it when I’ve had parties to mix batches of Cosmos and other drinks. It’s cheap and tasty. The only thing I wouldn’t use it for is a straight up Martini, but that’s because I’m picky about those things.”

5. Sauza Hornitos Reposado Tequila ($25-30/750 ml)
Recommended by: Kara Newman, spirits reviewer for Wine Enthusiast magazine, and author of Spice & Ice: 60 Tongue-Tickling Cocktails
Why: “Reposado ("aged," or "rested") tequila is often pricier than its unaged counterpart, Silver or Blanco. But this aged, 100% agave tequila is definitely a bargain - it's even less expensive than many silvers on the market. And yet, it's no firewater: aging mellows the rough edges, leaving a smooth, medium-bodied spirit with a hint of vanilla in the aroma. Excellent for mixing bold-flavored Margaritas.”
Ways to Enjoy: Blood Orange-Jalapeño Margaritas (you can find our review of Kara’s spiced-up recipe here).

6. New Amsterdam Gin ($12-14/750 ml)
Recommended by: Selena Ricks, blogger, The Dizzy Fizz
Why: "New Amsterdam Gin is a great value because it has none of the juniper heat that you would expect for a gin at its price point. It's soft on the palate with bright citrus and floral notes. I wouldn't use it in a Martini, but it mixes well in fruit-based cocktails and is perfect for summer."
Ways to Enjoy: "My favorite way to use it just so happened to win me their recent cocktail competition, in my "Greenmarket Smash": 1 1/2 oz. New Amsterdam gin, 1/2 oz. liquified honey, 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur, 1 oz. fresh orange juice, 1 oz. cranberry juice, and muddled basil."

7. W.L. Weller 12-Year-Old Bourbon ($25-30/750 ml)
Recommended by: Liza Weisstuch, spirits writer
Why: "Distilled at the much celebrated Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, this wheated bourbon is named for the distiller who, as legend has it, inspired Bill Samuels, founder of Maker's Mark, to create his iconic brand. The sweetness here is discernible, but this is no flaccid, smooth whiskey. You get that no-nonsense, fiery yet clean finish that evokes older bourbon."
Ways to Enjoy: "It's best appreciated over ice, but use it to mix a bourbon smash and you'll get a drink that's got a bit more backbone than if you used a lesser bourbon."

Amazon Rainforest Relaxation and Meditation

This video is a little longer, but it is very good, especially for those who find peace while camping:

What You Need to Know About Telecom Packages

Jeff Bertolucci wrote this article for http://kiplinger.com.

1. Bundling is big. Bundles combine Internet service, cable TV and often phone service from a single provider and can be a better deal than buying each service separately. Telecommunications companies love them because they boost revenue per customer and lock users into long-term contracts, typically one to two years.

2. But not all bundles are bargains. Add-on fees can quickly turn a cheap bundle into a not-so-hot deal. For example, Time Warner Cable recently advertised digital cable TV with 200-plus channels (HD included) plus speedy 10-megabit-per-second broadband Internet for $75 a month, with free installation. What the ad didn't say, however, was that recording in HD with an HD DVR would cost an additional $18 a month, and a wireless router (if you didn't already have one) would cost an extra $5 per month. Tack on a few more dollars a month in taxes and fees, and that $75 deal could balloon to $100 a month.

3. Size up the competition. The more providers that serve your area, the more likely they'll offer inducements for you to sign up. Plus, many providers save their best deals for the Web. For example, Verizon was recently offering a $20-a-month discount to customers who ordered its FiOS Triple Play bundle online. AT&T was handing out prepaid Visa cards worth up to $350 to residential customers who purchased its U-verse TV or Internet services on its Web site. And Comcast, via its Xfinity brand, was offering $200 Visa cards to new users of its Triple Play bundle.

4. Don't be afraid to haggle. When your contract ends and it comes time to renew, tell your provider you want the special that's advertised for new customers only -- and threaten to quit if you don't get it. In January, one Kiplinger's editor lowered his cable bill by almost $23 a month by calling the company and announcing he was quitting because his monthly bill was too high.

5. You could go a la carte. Maybe you don't want a land-line phone. Then a triple-play package doesn't make sense for you. Or perhaps you'd rather not pay for 200 cable channels you don't watch. Choose a wireless-phone service and a broadband Internet provider, and then sign up with an online video service to watch movies and TV programs. For $9 a month, Netflix will stream an unlimited number of movies and TV shows directly to your TV or PC via your wireless home network. Or consider services from Amazon, Best Buy, Vudu and others that let you rent individual movies for $1 to $6 per title (see Net Movie Night).

6. Your smart phone just got smarter. Sprint is the first wireless provider to launch fourth-generation, or 4G, data service in the U.S. (AT&T and Verizon Wireless will follow in 2011). With download speeds of up to 6 Mbps, Sprint 4G WiMax rivals home broadband Internet. Sprint customers who own an HTC Evo 4G smart phone ($200; service costs $80 a month with a two-year contract) may use the device as a hot spot to connect up to eight wireless devices, such as a laptop and an iPod Touch, provided they're willing to pay an extra $30 a month. Such 4G service may provide an affordable alternative to slower DSL, which maxes out at about 3 Mbps.

5 Tips to Save up to $268 in Annual Utility Costs

Who doesn't like to save money?  Well, here is an article from http://squirrelers.com.


Many of us have had a time where we opened an electricity or water bill, and thought to ourselves something along the lines of “Wow, that’s a lot of money! I don’t want to spend that much again.”
I recently had one of those moments, looking at what I owed for the prior month’s utility services.  These things can happen, as variations in resource consumption do occur for a variety of reasons. That said, when you stop to think about just how much utilities are a part of our regular cash outflow, it makes sense to consider tips on how to trim some of these costs.

I looked for some ways to save money, and one place I spent a little bit of time was the ENERGY STAR site. I found plenty of infomation on energy efficiency, tax credits, and even some tips to reduce energy usage.
After going through the information, looking for simple ways to save that don’t involve significant change or a lot of time, I found 5 easy tips that can save money on resource consumption:

• Turn Off the Lights.If you leave a room, why keep the lights on? Cutting 8 hours of daily usage from a 60-watt incandscent light bulb can save $15 per year.
• Go Low-flow. A new, low-flow shower head can save up to $145 in energy annually. This is on top of the savings from reduced water consumption though using up to 5 fewer gallons of water in a 10-minute daily shower.
• Be Cold to Your Laundry. Hot water heating accounts for 90% of the energy a machine uses when washing clothes. Using cold water to wash clothes can save up to $40 annually.
• Watch Out for Overdrying. Instead of erring on the side of getting clothes overdry when starting the dryer, try to match the time you’ll really need to dry clothes. Using an extra 15 minutes of dryer time for every load can save up to $34 per year.
• Clean the Lint Trap. I remember being much younger and wondering why my clothes were no longer drying well. I thought there was something wrong with the dryer. Well, as it turns out, my practice of rarely cleaning the lint trap wasn’t optimal:) Now that I’m older, I clean it after every load. Funny how that makes such a big difference! It also can save you up to $34 per year.

These 5 steps are easy, requiring little effort or inconvenience yet yielding measurable savings. The potential savings: $268. 

There is a lot many of us could do with $268, don’t you think?

A Wedding Dress You'll Wear Again.....

Every time I see my wife's wedding dress, I tell her I am going to throw it out because she will never wear it again, but she protests and I give in.

For anyone who is getting married and is thinking that they will get into fights with their future spouse, here are some tips for reusable wedding dresses from Reyna Gobel.  (This article originally appeared on http://www.mint.com.


For many brides-to-be, planning the perfect wedding begins with finding the perfect dress. That often means spending hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on a dress that you’ll only get to wear once.
It doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re open to altering your dress — or going for one that doesn’t look too wedding-y to begin with, your dress could serve you for multiple events without anyone noticing. You will not get to keep a memory in a box or on a hanger, but on the flip side, you will make your wedding dress a permanent fixture in your wardrobe and extend its life indefinitely.
Here are a five suggestions to consider:

Convertible Dresses
When I was a bride-to-be two years ago, I chose a Butter by Nadia satin wrap dress that could be converted in to a million dresses just by how you tied the top half. The blue color was perfect for the aquarium setting in which we were married.

But convertible wedding dresses aren’t just for the ultra casual or theme weddings. StarDust Celebrations co-owner and co-star of “Girl Meets Gown” Marsha Ballard French says, many designers make convertible dresses where the top layer of the skirt portion of your dress zips off to create a dress that could be used as a cocktail dress for your wedding reception or other occasions. Two designers with convertible dresses in their line are Rina di Montella and Allure.

Convertible wedding dresses can be a great fit for brides who get married at a destination (such as Mexico or Italy, for example), but want to have a local reception as well for friends and family who couldn’t attend the ceremony. Just unzip the top layer and add a decadent hair piece, says Ballard French. Her bridal salon stylists have created wedding-worthy hairstyles consisting of caging with flowers and feathers to add flare to the slightly more casual frock.

Theme and Casual Weddings
If you’re getting married on the beach, you may want to go for a silk sarong dress that can easily be worn again without any conversion or alteration. For the wedding, add a hair accessory with tropical flowers.

If you’ve got your eye on a cocktail dress, add a beaded or lace bolero on top, says Ballard French. Accessories from your local or online wedding boutique can make your favorite dress wedding-ready.

Tailored to Perfection
A bell-shaped bottom is an instant wedding-dress giveaway. But with some tailoring, you can use pieces of the dress to make it new.

You can remove the bottom, for example, to create a bustier to be worn separately with a skirt or silk or satin pants, or add a new bottom half to make a new knee length dress, says Ballard French.
If you choose a different silhouette such as column or slip dresses, you can easily shorten it to knee length. “Most of the gowns nowadays can be shortened and made into a cute sundress,” Ballard French says.

Even easier is to remove the train, an obvious giveaway that the dress should be walked down an aisle (or a red carpet).

Color Added
Send your gown to be dyed another color such as black and you’ll have a beautiful non-wedding-dress-looking silk dress, says Ballard French. After the dyeing process, brides can further alter their dresses for length.

The Choice is Yours
You may decide your dress is a one occasion wonder for you and keep in in a box or on a hanger to occasionally admire and maybe one day pass on to your own daughter. But with choices in hand, you can decide your wedding gown’s fate: an heirloom, a cocktail dress, a sundress, or even the top of a designer pants suit.