Archive for December, 2007
December 31, 2007 at 10:29 am · Filed under General
The next time you hear a politician use the word “billion” in a casual manner, think about whether you want the “politicians” spending YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.
A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.
C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were
living in the Stone Age.
D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.
E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.
A look at some taxes that never existed 100 years ago:
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Perm it Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
Something definately to think about this election year 2008.
December 31, 2007 at 9:12 am · Filed under General
I thought on this New Year’s Eve, it might be interesting to look back 100 years ago.
The year is 1907.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1907
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The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles
Of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1907 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year,
and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard. ”
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas , Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
Hadn’t been invented yet.
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the
local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion,
gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a
perfect guardian of health.”
Eighteen percent of households had at least
One full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !
December 30, 2007 at 2:12 pm · Filed under General, Personal
Andrew: Mama, Zack and I are going to safeway…can we get you anything?
Me: Cow brains if they have it.
{silence}
Me: Ok, pork brains if they don’t have it. We have shopped all over today and can’t find either anywhere.
Andrew: okaaaay……..we will ask for you.
The Catalan recipe of Canelons is meat filled pasta rolled into a tube shape in a bechemel sauce.
It’s very filling, but very equisite and rich.
For years, with the recipe given to me, I thought one had to have cow brains (or pork would do) for a success.
In the past they were hard to find but not impossible.
This year proved impossible.
So, I decided to try yesterday, without them, as it’s one of Enric’s favorite dishes, and, it still tasted amazing.
So I share the recipe with you all.
Canelons (A la Mercé)
Soak canelon pasta in water or use manicotti shells and prepare as usual
Ingredients:
2 strips of bacon, cooked
3 pork chops, cooked
1 lb ground veal, cooked
1 container of beef brains, cooked
1 container of chicken liver, cooked
Cooked chicken or turkey (great to use up holiday leftovers)
When all the meat is cooked, grind together, put in a big bowl.
Add some onion flakes and pepper to the meat mixture
Next add some of the Bechemel de Canelons (below) to the bowl with meat.
Bechemel de Canelons
2 and1/2 cups milk
2 t. chicken boillion
1 t. onion flakes
2 T. cornstarch
2 T. butter
Pinch nutmeg
1/4 c. white cheese (like parmesean or mozarella)
Cook all in a pan to simmer.
Fill pasta tubes with meat mixture in a pan
Top with bechemel de Canelons sauce
Sprinkle with cheese and butter and put in a 350° broiler.
~~~
We had a delicious meal, then played 16 rounds of Scattergories.
Good fun with my sweet family!
December 29, 2007 at 2:36 pm · Filed under Personal
Well into Enric and Miranda’s stay here, we decided on an informal get together
with my sister and her husband, as well as Mrs. Moore. With this time together,
I thought it would be nice for Enric to play piano, a mini concert of sorts, so Miquel
could tape it for us to listen to again and again.
We had a little light food, some cookies, nuts, Flavio’s cheese and crackers.
And then, we were treated very nicely…
…as Miranda, baby Silas, and we all watched and listened…
…and as Miquel taped…
Later, with loved ones and friends cuddled in the living room watching Ice Age, they waited for
Lamb chops to cook.
I love this.
Our home, welcoming young people, filling it with all their noise and chatter.
December 29, 2007 at 1:58 pm · Filed under Personal
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Going with near 10 years tradition now, Australia came to Maryland in the form of a big,
heavy package filled with surprises and a complete color coded gift guide.
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Calendars, lollies, and stubby holders cushioned the package well around other presents…
Miranda admires the echidna for baby Silas
Laura opens up a Tee-Shirt
The guys are excited over their boomerangs
 
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Miranda and Laura pose with their gumnut earrings
 
Mom poses with one of her birds
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Me, I got the silver bag with the gold chain and a pair of gumnut earrings for my own!
 Thank you, John.
We loved our package from Australia.
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December 28, 2007 at 9:43 am · Filed under Personal
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
~Colossians 3:2
Hardly recovered from all the Christmas festivities and we were out again Wednesday night.
This time to hear Enric preach for Anchor’s Wednesday night service and prayer meeting.
A joy for this mama, I can assure you.
His topic? Christlikeness.
He stated that the one goal found throughout scripture is Christlikeness and that we often miss this message.
It’s a persuit every believer should have. It’s active, not passive, and guess what, it’s done while here on earth.
How can we accomplish this? Enric pointed to the gospels, to study Christ.
Jesus was a servant
               meek
               humble
He surrendered His own will and
you can read how He talked to others.
In a world where we seem to give in quickly to our appetites and desires for pleasure, there is little room to imitate Jesus and persue Christlikeness. In Phillipians 3:11-19, Paul warns us not to live this way.
Edit: You can hear Enric’s sermon HERE
“…in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” Â
~1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB)
December 27, 2007 at 10:40 pm · Filed under Personal
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My sister and her husband hosted Christmas this year.
We had a wonderful day: Photos HERE
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December 24, 2007 at 10:20 pm · Filed under Personal
Our Christmas Eve is always a special occasion, but this year so much more with Enric, Miranda and Silas with us.
We first had a Catalan Dinner that I prepared, and it was the BEST Fideus I had ever made.
Next, we went to Christmas Eve Service at Church.
Then we came home and open presents.
Photos HERE
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December 24, 2007 at 10:10 pm · Filed under Personal
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When I was growing up, there were many posters and sayings that began with “Happiness is…”
Remember those?
Lately I’ve been thinking that happiness is your grandson fast asleep in your bed.
December 24, 2007 at 4:24 pm · Filed under Personal
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I have always regarded Christmas Eve a special night.
Tonight with my whole family together, we will have a nice Fideus, go to church Christmas Eve’s service, then come home and have presents and enjoy being with each other.
My wishes are that my friends and all who read this blog have a very Merry Christmas, remembering who came for us, why He came, and why His birth is so special and worthy of celebration. Jesus-the gift to mankind.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
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December 21, 2007 at 11:11 am · Filed under Personal
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I have to admit it, and others will back me up on this, my mom’s fudge that she
makes every Christmas, is legend around these parts. It’s a tradition really. My
Grandmom made it, my mom made it, my sister knows how, and my friends and
I have tried but failed in most of our attempts. So, I thought a careful blog on
the subject would help me process the steps.
I could really tell stories about it, mostly centered on my best friends Chris and Donna,
but mom’s fudge was nearly the highlight of every Christmas.
Why only once a year?
It’s just THAT good.
You wouldn’t want to degrade something that wonderful and treat it like an everyday thing.
Nor should you.
This fudge is an explosion for all your senses!
Now this recipe isn’t a secret. In fact, it used to be on the back of every cocoa box once upon a time.
Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup Cocoa
1 -1/2 cups milk
salt
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Nuts chopped
Cook first set of ingredients. Stirring
It is supposed to be very bubbly.
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Cook until it forms a soft ball in cold water.
When it does…
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..take off heat and add butter and vanilla and let sit for 10 minutes until melted.
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Then beat hard with a big spoon.
Mom says it starts out shiny then when the shine is gone you should stop beating.
Take care. Beat too long and candy will be too hard.
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If you like add nuts. Mom likes walnuts.
My Grandmom always made two batches. One with nuts, one without.
The fudge plate.
Each year seeing this plate greased with a little butter always meant fudge to me.
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Pour fudge onto plate.
Let it harden. This is a good time to lick the spoon and pot.
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Cut into squares and then…have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
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December 20, 2007 at 9:28 pm · Filed under News Items
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In light of all the recalls, toxic fish, toys, cat food, and other dangerous lead filled products
coming out of China, my mom tells me of a report that some airplane manufacturing is being
sent to this nation which seems to have few standards in production of goods.
After some google searches, I found a few articles vallidating the report.Â
Airbus to China
Time Article
Herald Tribune Business
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December 19, 2007 at 4:18 pm · Filed under General
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If on our deathbeds we were given an opportunity to relive an aspect of our life over,
the writer of Hurtling Toward Oblivion is convinced most would all choose our relationships -
a chance to improve a connection with someone we love the most.
“Love is not the road to authenticity-it IS authenticity.
 Love is not just a good idea-it is the only idea.
 Love is not just the first step-its the alpha and the omega….….Without it we are nothing, and we gain nothing…
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…. Authenticity, then, means that we cherish, nourish, and protect our relationships…”
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December 18, 2007 at 10:50 pm · Filed under General
“Without a destination, there is never a favorable wind.”
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I am still reading the same book Hurtling Toward Oblivion. Each day that passes,
I like the book more. It’s not a long book by any means, so I am quickly
reaching the end of it.
As the writer comes to a close, and I frankly feel that he has in a very logical
way made very good points about the end being near, he naturally has some
things to say about living ready for it.
“If death came today and knocked on our doors, most of us would be inclined to respond:
‘Give me a month to get ready.’Get ready for what?
To straighten out our priorities? To begin living consistant with our beliefs? If that is what we
need-a month to prepare, then why wait for death or an end of the age? Why not get ready
now? Why not LIVE ready?
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Most of our days are spent in the stupor of routine, going down life’s treadmill on autopilot.
But a heart atack or cancer surgery–or a house fire, plane crash, or earthquake–has a way
of helping us replace the stupor with something more authentic. In this sense, confronting
the end of the age is an opportunity. It makes us look at the Big Picture and contemplate
needed change. The thought of an imminent interview with the Almighty has a way of
clarifying priorities in the direction of authenticity. It is a process that should not have to
wait any longer.”
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December 17, 2007 at 8:53 pm · Filed under General, Personal
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If God treats the tree like a tree, the machine like a machine, the man like a man, shouldn’t I, as a fellow-creature, do the same — treating each thing in integrity in its own order? And for the highest reason: because I love God — I love the One who has made it! Loving the Lover who has made it, I have respect for the thing He has made.
(Francis A. Schaeffer, Pollution and the Death of Man, Ch. 4)
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I am still reading Hurtling Toward Oblivion…
“Species extinction is reported at a rate one thousand times faster than any time in history.
Large sections of the great tropical rain forests are fighting for their lives. Over the last century,
deserts have increased 150 percent. The weather is measurably stormier…”
Is our world coming to an end? Richard A. Swenson, MD thinks so. The book so far, is a logical argument for the end of the age.
Other Reading:
The Red List of Endangered Species
The Shelter
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December 17, 2007 at 9:45 am · Filed under General
This was sent to my email today…
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Once upon a time there was this girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adored him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies.
She gave him nothing but the best.
She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms.
However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.
She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her.
Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.
The girls 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth
and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took
notice of him.
One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered,
I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.
Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and
showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’
‘No way!’, replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.
His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.
The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, ‘I loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you
follow me and keep me company?’
‘No!’, replied the 3rd boyfriend. ‘Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to marry someone else!’
Her heart sank and turned cold.
She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, ‘I have always turned to you for help and you’ve
always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!’, replied the 2nd boyfriend.
‘At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.’
His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.
Then a voice called out: ‘I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.’
The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered
from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the girl said, ‘I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!’
In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your life:
Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good,
it will leave you when you die.
Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.
Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you,
the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.
And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen
and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and
continue with you throughout Eternity.
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December 14, 2007 at 8:31 am · Filed under General
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 “Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it,
and others do just the same with their time.â€
    ~ Goethe
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December 12, 2007 at 1:43 pm · Filed under General
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At this time of year do you receive numerous “Non-Specified Holiday” catalogs that pile up and clutter your house?
Here is a fellow who is offended that few actually say Christmas Catalogs.
So, as he explains there are other months where we don’t clump special occasions together, say, Presidents and Valentines Day, he demonstrates what he does with “Holiday” catalogs.
He tosses them.
Play the movie HERE
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December 9, 2007 at 10:44 pm · Filed under News Items
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It’s been awhile since I have picked on Al Gore, but a headline criticizing him with a $6,000 a minute speech caught my attention.
The speech given at the Fortune Forum summit, was held at The Royal Courts of Justice and attracted world leaders, entrepreneurs and celebrity activists including Bob Geldof, Darryl Hannah and Jerry Hall.
Some of the guests were getting bored and began to talk amongst themselves during the speech.
“Al uses his position for great personal gain. He goes from event to event delivering a similar speech, earning a large fee, and a lot of the time he doesn’t actually inform the audience.
“He refused to speak to journalists and security would usher away VIP guests and the Press.
“He was being very precious and demanded his own VIP room before the event, where he held his own exclusive reception.
Even some of the charities benefitting from the event were unhappy with the actions of 59-year-old Mr Gore and his entourage, especially the way they treated invited guests.
Paul Hetherington, media relations manager for WaterAid, said: “Pictures couldn’t be taken and people were being moved out of the main hall so they couldn’t experience the event. It was very disruptive.
“We had to apologise to people who were invited. We wanted to say thank you for all the support that many people had given us, but some of them were asked to leave.
“Many guests were invited by the hosts, so why should the speaker have any control over these guests and removing the media? It defeated the object of trying to raise awareness of the cause.”
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Curious how people can pay so much and then lose interest in the subject so soon. At that price, I think I’d be hanging on every word and taking notes. Perhaps no one is really interested in the “truth” according to Al Gore, and neither side seemed anxious or alarmed about the prospects for earth’s future according to this article.
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December 9, 2007 at 9:48 am · Filed under Personal
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As I have been listing here for some weeks now, most know that I advertise for many merchants.
This brings in some revenue that helps me run my sites.
As a publisher, we often receive updates, coupon codes, changes of program agreements on our emails.
This time of year of course, we get Holiday specials they would like us to promote.
Yesterday however, I simply got a��greeting, wishing me to “Have a Decent Holiday.”
Decent???
You mean, as opposed to the INdecent one I was planning on?
It made me laugh.
Have we become so politically correct that we have to replace Christmas with Holiday and now people are at a loss for words on how to replace MERRY?
I can flow with HAPPY. Happy Holidays��one hears a lot. Joyous, Fantastic, Wonderful, and��Prosperous even.
But who on earth decided on Decent?
Even if they were Jewish and looking for a replacement for Happy Hanukkah, I still don’t get the “decent” word.
Is this possibly a run off from the 70’s when all the people would say, “Decent?” to say something was “cool’?
Is this possibly someone who reads the news and has decided we are too indecent for a Happy Holiday/Merry Christmas, and decided to make a statement? Hmmmm I will have to think about that one.
I am now waiting for a new string of Holiday songs with the word “decent’ and see how it catches on.
Me, I am going to try very hard to have a happy/merry/decent Christmas.
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