Font Tutorial - Part Three

I found a cool font site. What do I do now?

Click on the graphic for the font you want to download. The download should start automatically.

A little gray screen will open called File Download. It asks, What would you like to do with this file? Your two choices are: Open or Save. Click the button next to "Save it to disk." Then click ok.

Then a window will appear called Save As. Choose the directory where you want to save the zipped font file, such as the new folder we created in the first section. Click the drop-down menu at the top of the Save As screen. Choose (C: ). Then double-click the folder where you want the font file saved.

The file name should be in the "file name" bar near the bottom. Click save. Then your computer will start the saving process. Click OK to close the download window.

Congratulations, you just downloaded something! Now, to find it again...

The Last Lecture

This video is life changing and uplifting in a way that helps everyone to appreciate life's circumstances from a positive perspective. This is very a touching video and I think its great to have such courage to talk about your last days without complaining.

http://www.sonnyradio.com/lastlecture.html

The Gratitude Campaign

While traveling around the country, a man has been approaching soldiers in the airports and thanking them for their service. The soldiers have always appreciated being thanked. However, this man started to think it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without having to directly approach the soldiers. This man did some research and found the sign that can be found at the Gratitude Campaign website.

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org

Watch the touching movie and check out the sign so you can thank a soldier today.

Catalog Choice

Only One Purpose

Catalog Choice was formed with one primary purpose: conserve our planet’s precious natural resources by reducing the enormous amount of unwanted catalogs mailed every day.

Catalog Choice is a free service that allows you to decide what gets in your mailbox. Use it to reduce your mailbox clutter, while helping save natural resources.

Catalog Choice is a sponsored project of the Ecology Center. It is endorsed by the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council, and funded by the Overbrook Foundation, the Merck Family Fund, and the Kendeda Fund.

The mission of Catalog Choice is to reduce the number of repeat and unsolicited catalog mailings, and to promote the adoption of sustainable industry best practices. We aim to accomplish this by freely providing the Catalog Choice services to both consumers and businesses. Consumers can indicate which catalogs they no longer wish to receive, and businesses can receive a list of consumers no longer wanting to receive their catalogs.


http://www.catalogchoice.org/

Check out my Slide Show!

Around the 'Net - Free Rice

When did FreeRice increase the amount donated for each correct answer from 10 grains of rice to 20 grains?
For its first seven weeks, FreeRice gave 10 grains of rice for each correct answer. On November 28, 2007, we were able to increase this to 20 grains. We hope to be able to increase this again in the future. Here is how we look at it: Your part is to play and donate the rice. Our part is to increase the amount you can donate!

Who pays for the donated rice?

The rice is paid for by the advertisers whose names you see on the bottom of your vocabulary screen. This is regular advertising for these companies, but it is also something more. Through their advertising at FreeRice, these companies support both learning (free vocabulary for everyone) and reducing hunger (free rice for the hungry). We commend these companies for their participation at FreeRice.

If FreeRice has the rice to give, why not give it all away right now?
FreeRice is not sitting on a pile of rice―you are earning it 20 grains at a time. Here is how it works. When you play the game, advertisements appear on the bottom of your screen. The money generated by these advertisements is then used to buy the rice. So by playing, you generate the money that pays for the rice donated to hungry people.

Does FreeRice make any money from this?
No, it does not. FreeRice runs the site at no profit.

Who distributes the donated rice?
The rice is distributed by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The World Food Program is the world’s largest food aid agency, working with over 1,000 other organizations in over 75 countries. In addition to providing food, the World Food Program helps hungry people to become self-reliant so that they escape hunger for good. Wherever possible, the World Food Program buys food locally to support local farmers and the local economy. We encourage you to visit the United Nations World Food Program to learn more about their successful approach to ending hunger.

How to Play

Click on the answer that best defines the word. If you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word. For each word you get right, we donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. WARNING: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades, job performance... and much more!



http://www.freerice.com/

Do You Remember?

Here's a little quiz to see how much you remember about some
less-than-important things from a few decades back. It's just for fun,no scoring involved. Even the wrong answers may bring back a memory or two.

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil

2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
D. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay

3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, "We have met the enemy and...
A. It's you.
B. He is us.
C. It's the Grinch.
D. He wasn't home.
E. He's really mean.
F. We quit.
G. He surrendered.

4. Good night, David.
A. Good night, Chet.
B. Sleep well.
C. Good Night, Irene.
D. Good Night, Gracie.
E. See you later, alligator.
F. Until tomorrow.
G. Good night, Steve.

5. You'll wonder where the yellow went,
A. When you use Tide.
B. When you lose your crayons.
C. When you clean your tub.
D. If you paint the room blue.
E. If you buy a soft water tank.
F. When you use Lady Clairol.
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.

6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend,
A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo

7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar.
B. Your nose is growing.
C. Pants on fire.
D. Join the choir.
E. Jump up higher.
F. On the wire.
G. I'm telling Mom.

8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...
A. Wheaties.
B. Lois Lane.
C. TV ratings.
D. World peace.
E. Red tights.
F. The American way.
G. News headlines.

9 . Hey, kids, what time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear.
B. It's time to do your homework.
C. It's Howdy Doody Time.
D. It's Time for Romper Room.
E. It's bedtime.
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour.
G. Scoopy Doo Time.

10. Lions and tigers and bears...
A. Yikes.
B. Oh, no.
C. Gee whiz.
D. I'm scared.
E. Oh, my.
F. Help Help.
G. Let's run.

11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone...
A. Over 40.
B. Wearing a uniform.
C. Carrying a briefcase.
D. Over 30.
E. You don't know.
F. Who says, "Trust me."
G. Who eats tofu.

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings.
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Stauback
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway

13. Brylcream...
A. Smear it on.
B. You'll smell great.
C. Tame that cowlick.
D. Greaseball heaven.
E. It's a dream.
F. We're your team.
G. A little dab'll do ya.

14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins.
B. With my man, Bill.
C. Down at the mill.
D. Over the windowsill.
E. With thyme and dill.
F. Too late to enjoy.
G. On Blueberry Hill.

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by
A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno

16. Name the Beatles
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, wonder, who...
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish
A. Cause I eats my broccoli.
B. Cause I eats me spinach.
C. Cause I lift weights.
D. Cause I'm the hero.
E. And don't you forget it.
f. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
g. To outlast Bruto.

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today...
a. Smile, you're on Candid Camera.
b. Smile, you're on Star Search.
c. Smile, you won the lottery.
d. Smile, we're watching you.
e. Smile, the world sees you.
f. Smile, you're a hit.
g. Smile, you're on TV.

20. What do M & M's do?
a. Make your tummy happy.
b. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
c. Make you fat.
d. Melt your heart.
e. Make you popular.
f. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
g. Come in colors.

Now for the answers.

1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is Us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebbs
7. C - Pants On Fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh My
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George , Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand

How did you do? Let us know in the comments section what your score is.

Our Favorite Recipes -- Slow Cooker Lasagna

This is one of my favorite slow cooker meals. Enjoy.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (12 ounce) package lasagna noodles
12 ounces cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic untill brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorported. Cook untill heated through.

In a large bowl mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles. Break to fit noodles into slow cooker. Top noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.

Cover and cook on low heat in slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours.

Convert Your Favorites

Convert Your Favorite Recipes To the Slow Cooker


You can adapt many conventional recipes for the slow cooker. Any oven or stovetop recipe that has some moisture in it--whether from water, broth, wine, sauce, or canned soup--should work beautifully in your favorite appliance, just keep these things in mind:

Cut all liquid amounts in half when adjusting for the slow cooker.

The low heat setting is approximately 200 degrees F (95 degrees C) and high heat is about 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

For every hour you'd cook something in the oven or on the stove, allow 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. (When in doubt, turn it on low and leave it all day or overnight.)

Computer Tips #1 - Top Methods Scammers Use to Find Email Addresses and How to Avoid Them

Every day, I receive dozens of emails claiming that I've won millions of dollars from a Yahoo lottery or that Bill Gates want to get rid of some of that cash burning holes in his pockets. How do scammers get hold of my personal email address to send me scams? Here are some of the top methods that they use.

1. Harvesting Data from Fake Sweepstakes Sites

Scammers like to target people who are most likely to fall for their sweepstakes scams. This means that if they can get their hands on email addresses and other personal information from people who actually enter sweepstakes, they might have a bit more success with their scams. One method that they use to get this information is by setting up a fake sweepstakes site. They might even give away a small prize, but their primary goal is to harvest your personal information and use it to contact you with scams.

How can you avoid this kind of trap? Learn how to recognize legitimate sweepstakes before you enter. You should also review how much information to share on entry forms.

2. Buying Email Lists from Sweepstakes Sites

It's possible that a company could hold a legitimate sweepstake and then decide to make some extra money by selling the personal information that it collected. In that case, scammers could easily get hold of a large list of sweepstakes entrants without having to take on the time or expense of running their own sweepstakes.
To protect yourself from having your information sold to other companies and scammers, check out the privacy policy of the sweepstakes that you enter. If the privacy policy is missing, untrustworthy, or it says that your information might be resold, do not enter the sweepstake.

3. Buying General Email Lists

While sweepstakes scammers love to get their hands on lists of people who enter sweepstakes, they will also be perfectly happy to take the chance that someone who doesn't enter sweepstakes might respond to their scam. In fact, those people might be less savvy about the warning signs of scams, making them easier targets. So scammers might buy email lists from any type of company, not just sweepstakes.

For this reason, you should read the privacy policy of any site that collects personal information. Furthermore, you should use a separate sweepstakes email when entering contests, so that you'll know automatically that any win notifications that come to your other email addresses are not legitimate.

4. 'Scraping' Email Addresses from the Web

If you've left your email address in a signature, in a comment on a public forum, on a winner's list, or anywhere else that is publicly accessible, scammers can use programs to comb through the internet and harvest those email addresses.

To protect yourself, avoid leaving your full email address anywhere on the net. Don't use your email address as a username for a forum or website. If you need to share your address online, make it difficult for programs to read by writing it out: myemail AT mydomain DOT com for example, is easy for humans to understand but difficult for computers. Ask sponsors to use only a portion of your email address on winners lists.

5. Sending Scams to Random Email Addresses

Sweepstakes scam emails cost nearly nothing to send. That means that criminals can afford to send blanket emails to random email addresses and hope that someone will receive them. To do this, the scammers start with a popular email service - say Hotmail, Yahoo, or AOL - and then generate massive lists by combining common words and names. For example, the scammers might send mails to the top 100most popular names and each birth year for people between the ages of 18 and 90. If your email address is something like john1970@yahoo.com, you'll get one of these mails.

It's difficult to avoid this method of harvesting emails. The best thing to do is not to respond to these mails, so that the scammers don't get confirmation that the address is active.

6. Hacking Into Online Databases

Some sweepstakes scammers get their email lists by hacking into online databases that have inadequate security to protect your information. This is a dangerous, expensive, and high-risk method for hackers to get email addresses compared to any of the other methods listed here, but it happens in some cases.

To protect yourself, check the privacy policies of the websites you use to ensure that personal data is stored in a secure method, and that your information is not kept for longer than is necessary.

Most Email Addresses Will Receive Sweepstakes Scams

Remember that it might not be possible to avoid scam emails altogether. Learning to recognize the warning signs of a scam will help you avoid any problems from those mails that do sneak through. But following these tips can help prevent you from being overwhelmed with sweepstakes scams.

FDA Blocks Nutro Pet Food Shipment from Entering U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) blocked more than 100 Nutro Products -- various styles and flavors of its dog and cat food -- from entering the United States.

ConsumerAffairs.com learned the FDA took that action at the Port of Los Angeles -- and listed Nutro’s pet food on its Import Refusal Report -- because the products appeared to contain poisonous substances and unsafe additives.

The FDA has authority to block and detain any regulated products from entering the United States if they “appear to be out of compliance with The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”

Some of Nutro’s pet food on the Import Refusal List include its Adult Turkey with Chicken Liver, Choice Adult Cat w Turkey & Duck, Choice Complete Care Kitten Rich in Chicken with Liver, and Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice.


By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.Com

You can find the full story at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/08/pet_food_recalls69.html.

My Heart to Yours

Since last week's NIU shooting, I have found myself again faced with fears I haven't felt for a while.

I'm not normally a fearful person, but when 9/11 happened in 2001 and the increasing number of school shootings since then, it brings about something within me that only another mother would understand.

I remember a night, about 10 years ago, after I brought my son home from the hospital. I found myself in the dark of the night weeping tears that I had never experienced before. As a new, single mother I suddenly found myself with a new perspective. I began to see the world in a different way. I no longer had only myself to consider, I now had the responsibility of another life.

For the first time in my life, I began to see the realities of the world that I had brought this child into. Suddenly the report of a murder on the evening news brought with it a new emotional experience. A story about a child missing was almost too much to watch. And world news that included the talk of war or conflicts with other countries was very unsettling.

As time continued and I added two more children to my home, I found myself coming to terms with the good and the bad in this world that we live in. Each time I added to my family, those old thoughts would creep in, but they would quickly subside as I became wrapped up with the daily responsibilities of motherhood.

That is, until September 11th. Suddenly I found myself back in a familiar place. Like a mother bear who protects her children I found myself feeling very protective with the lives of those I love. Each news report of the terrorist attacks brought about an emotional response in me that only comes from being a mother. When carrying the responsibility of another life, our viewpoint changes. We see death, destruction, and world conflict from the perspective of responsibility. It is a feeling that only another mother can understand.

All of these events cause me to pause and consider what it is I need to equip my children with to live in this crazy world. What can I give them that will keep them strong when the winds of chaos, and even destruction, blow throughout the world? What can I pass on to them that will keep their feet firmly planted in hope when hopelessness prevails around them? What gift can I give them that will allow them to find stability in an unstable world?

I have only one answer to those questions. The answer is faith.

It is faith that will calm their fears. It is faith that will give them peace in the midst of chaos. It is faith that will help them sort through the lies of this world. It is faith that will show them the next step when it seems too dark to walk ahead.

You see it was faith that got me through that first night of tears when I contemplated this messed-up world as a new parent. My faith helped me replace my own fears with God's promises. My faith is what allows me to learn to let go as my children grow older. My hope for the future of my children can't be based on their relationships in this world, but rather their relationship with the God of the universe.

If you have been rocked by all that is happening in the world, you're not alone. The security you and I can give to our children begins with our own relationship with Jesus Christ. Once your faith relationship is established, pass on the gift of faith to your children. Open up the Bible and read it for yourself and then share with your children what you are learning. Make church a priority each Sunday. Pray for and with your children every day.

While the world changes around us, God never changes. And when we give our children the gift of faith, we are giving a gift that will last a lifetime.

The Ultimate Blog Party - Don't Forget

Are You Coming to The Ultimate Blog Party 2008?

During the week of March 7-14, 2008, the blogosphere will be party hopping - jumping through the Mr. Linky list of participating bloggers, meeting new friends, and partying blogger-style at The Ultimate Blog Party 2008 at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Last year’s Ultimate Blog Party was a blast with almost 1,000 participating bloggers, so make sure you don’t miss out on this one. It is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your blog to a bunch of new people and to find new blogs that you will want to read regularly.

The Ultimate Blog Party features tons of prizes. The prize list is constantly growing. For more about prize eligibility read on and visit 5 Minutes for Mom's prize page.

So how do you party with us?

This is how it works for bloggers who want to participate in The Ultimate Blog Party 2008 and be eligible to enter the prize draw:

Invite your friends

Sorry boys… this party is for women bloggers only. All women bloggers are invited regardless of parental status, religious affiliations, etc. This party is about having fun with friends and meeting new people.

Host a party at your place

The Utimate Blog Party 2008 is all about meeting people and getting your blog noticed, so throw a party that showcases your blog and your style. Add some pictures, music, video, slide show, decoration, include recipes, stories, make your guests laugh -- whatever you want. Be creative and have fun!

And, of course, make sure you introduce yourself.

Sign the Mr. Linky at 5 Minutes for Mom

After you have your post ready and published, come on over to the central Ultimate Blog Party Post at 5 Minutes for Mom and add your link to the Mr. Linky.

It will be a week long bash from Friday, March 7, 2008 to Friday, March 14, 2008. The prizes will be announced on Monday, March 17th.

The Mr. Linky will go live at Friday March 7th, 12:01 am Eastern Time and participating bloggers who have their party post up can add their link any time during the week of the party. (The Linky will stay permanently in the post, so you can come back later and catch up on any blogs you may have missed.) Obviously linking earlier in the week will result in more people visiting your party, but you do not need to have your link in the Mr. Linky until March 14 at 12pm Eastern to be eligible for the draw.

Only party guests (bloggers who signed the Linky and invited guests via a post and Invitation Button OR non-bloggers who have attended and commented on at least 20 participating party posts) will be eligible to win prizes. The prizes will be drawn from the comments at the main 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party 2008 party post, so make sure you leave a comment. All prizes will be awarded by a random draw.

If you have any questions, just contact Janice or Susan at 5 Minutes for Mom.

We can’t wait – see you soon!

http://www.5minutesformom.com

The Ultimate Blog Party 2008 - Are You Coming?

Thanks to the courtesy of my friend, Jennifer, I discovered the blog in time for the Ultimate Blog Party 2007. Janice and Susan are the sweetest, dedicated mothers and bloggers.

Join the fun and join us for a blog party. More details about the party at 5 Minutes for Mom and the prize giveawy for All Things Cherished will be posted later.

Make a Difference

The Animal Rescue Site
Make a difference today! Click on the purple button and give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary -- at no cost to you.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/tpc/ERA_021508_ARS

The Child Health Site
Make a difference today! Click on the blue button at The Child Health Site and make health services possible that will save and improve the lives of children living in poverty. It's free.
http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/tpc/ERC_021508_CHS

The Hunger Site
Make a difference today! Click on the yellow button at The Hunger Site and give acup of food to the hungry at no cost to you.
http://www.thehungersite.com/tpc/ERH_021508_THS

The Literacy Site
Make a difference today! Help give free books to kids today! Simply click the orange button at The Literacy Site to help fund free books for underprivileged children.
http://www.theliteracysite.com/tpc/ERL_021508_LIT

You can even sign up for emails to get daily reminders so you can Make a Difference every day!

My Champ

This is Champ, my Chihuahua. As small as he is, now about 6.5 pounds, he keeps me warm and toasty at night. He is superior companion because he doesn't judge me and loves me no matter what I did or what my mood is. Thanks, Champ, for being a part of my life.

Font Tutorial - Part One

Creating a Font Folder

Creating a folder on your computer for only font downloads makes it much easier to find the files after you've downloaded them. You can also download a bunch at a time, and unzip and install them at your leisure (very necessary for font addicts).

To create a new folder:

Click on My Computer/Computer in the Start Menu.

Click on the (C: ) Drive.

Choose File from the Menu Bar and then click New.

Choose Folder. Then type in the word "font."

Hit enter. You now have a folder on your computer where you can save your fonts and find them again.

Font Tutorial - Part Two

Do Not Delete These Fonts

Recently, at my scrapbooking forum, a member said she had over 900 fonts installed on her computer, and was wondering if it would be safe to delete some. She asked if there were any fonts that should not be deleted. There definitely are, and the list follows. This list would be a good one to print out and keep for reference!

Do not delete the following fonts:
Arial (TrueType)
Arial Bold (TrueType)
Arial Bold Italic (TrueType)
Arial Italic (TrueType)
Courier 10,12,15 (VGA res)
Courier New (TrueType)
Courier New Bold (TrueType)
Courier New Bold Italic (TrueType)
Courier New Italic (TrueType)
Marlett (Windows 95/98)*
Modern (Plotter)
MS Sans Serif 8,10,12,14,18,24 (VGA res)
MS Serif 8,10,12,14,18,24 (VGA res)
Roman (Plotter)
Script (Plotter)
Small fonts (VGA res)
Symbol (TrueType)
Symbol 8,10,12,14,18,24 (VGA res)
Times New Roman (TrueType) -
Times New Roman Bold (TrueType)
Times New Roman Bold Italic (TrueType)
Times New Roman Italic (TrueType)
Wingdings (TrueType)
Any font with a red A for its icon.
Any font that begins with the letters MS.

*Marlett is a hidden system file and it will not show up in a search, however, it may show up in your program font lists.

Scrapbook Challenge

Join me for some scrapbooking challenges and lots of fun.The way these challenges will work... you do the challenge, share your project in the comments section by giving us the link for your project (whether its uploaded to a blog, scrapbook community, or online photo storage site). Everyone who completes the challenge will get their name put into a drawing to win a small prize package from me. Use a minimum of 3 ingredients and at least 2 colors from the list below (this list will change monthly) and create a layout of your choice.

Ingredients List:
Tag
Ribbon
Floss
Buttons
Eyelets
Pattern paper
Chipboard

Colors List:
Green
Rust
Yellow
Orange

Pepper Spray, Diapers, and Rejection

The opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference. Indeed, love and hate have much in common, including intense energy, focused attention, motivation, goal oriented behaviors, and craving. Because of the way the brain is built, we can feel both intense romantic love and deep “hate/rage” almost simultaneously. It’s a bad combination.

I say this, of course, in response to the tragic story of Lisa Nowak, esteemed astronaut who drove 950 miles wearing diapers so she wouldn’t have to stop, donned a trench coat and wig, and stalked her romantic rival as this woman walked to her car in an airport parking lot. Through a two inch slit in the car window, Lisa then sprayed her competitor with pepper spray. And after the woman sped away, she disposed of her cache of questionable utensils in a garbage can: a BB pistol, a steel mallet, some rubber tubing, several plastic garbage bags, a knife with a four inch blade, and $600.

Why are Americans transfixed by this story? Can we remember times when we, too, wanted to maim a rejecting lover or romantic rival? Do we feel that if an astronaut can “lose it,” maybe we might?

I have something to add. I and my colleagues have just completed a study of the rejected brain in love. We put 15 men and women into a brain scanner and watched what happens when a spurned man or woman looks at the photo of their abandoning sweetheart. Several brain regions become active: Among them is a region associated with taking big risks for big gains and big losses, as well as a brain factory that registers physical pain. Other areas that “lit up” included those for obsessive-compulsive behaviors and for controlling anger.

This brain circuitry is no excuse to terrorize an innocent human being. But in Lisa’s case, her brain centers for impulse control were no match for her romantic ardor, pain, and fury.

“Parting,” Emily Dickinson wrote, “is all we need to know of hell.” I suspect that many of us have felt murderous at some point in our lives, but we controlled ourselves. Othello, however, Shakespeare’s tragic character who murdered his adored wife out of jealousy, represents the many who have fallen prey to this primordial, powerful, and sometimes horribly destructive brain system: romantic love.

My Nympho Statement

This is my Nympho Statement. Just because you’re born a nympho it doesn’t mean you naturally know how to wear it. But now? Now I wear it with ease.

I am a nympho. I always have been, and always will be. A lot of people don’t get that.

This is about me and my sexuality, my sensuality, the essence of who I am. This is not a “slut” thing or an identity issue or an intellectual matter. It’s just me, pure, and raw.

No apologies.

Pansexual Defined

pansexual

1. Noun: One who perceives all activities and experiences as sexual.

2. Noun: One who believes that all consensual activities are ethical.

3. Noun. One who believes that all human behavior stems from the sex drive.

4. Adjective. Pertaining to a person, group, or idea fitting the above descriptions.

Derivation: From the greek "pan" (meaning "all") and the english "sexual"

Alternate forms: pansexuality, pansexualism, pansexualist, pansexualize.

Struggle

As you might know, I am getting more and more involved in understanding personality, particularly all of the biological traits that we have inherited. I am searching to understand why you (and I) fall in love with one person rather than another--particularly how our biology steers us to "him" or "her." In this regard, a new scientific study landed in my email box yesterday that gives a remarkable clue to how we "read" others-- an essential aspect of choosing your future partner. As it turns out, the iris of the eye has two physical traits that have been linked to personality differences. The number of "crypts" or pits in the iris signal how likely you are to be warm, tender, and trusting. And the number of "furrows," or curving lines along the outer edge of the iris, signal the degree to which you are likely to be neurotic, impulsive, and willing to assuage your cravings. In both cases, the more crypts or furrows, the more likely you are to be, respectively, tender hearted or spontaneous. These traits develop in the womb. In short, we have evolved a remarkable and subtle biological strategy to signal who we are.

Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes. "We struggle all our lives to know a few basic things about ourselves that the most casual passerby can tell us in a moment." It seems that Mother Nature has produced many devises by which we advertise our virtues and our vices, enabling those around us to make careful choices in the game of love. No wonder sunglasses can be so disconcerting. No wonder some call the eyes the window to the soul.

Does Worrying about Money Help?

Does worrying about money help?

Let's look at this critter, "worry," for a few minutes. What does he add to our lives? I know when I am worried about something I focus on it, I think about it, I obsess about it, I loose sleep over it, I concentrate on it, I worry about it.

Hmmmmmm - what did that get me? The problem is still as clear as mud. I have a headache. I am tired. And I am still worried. Lot of good that worry did me. Lol!

Worry uses up our energies.

Worry takes away our sleep.

Worry takes away our appetite.

Worry solves nothing.

Worry can be addictive (it's easy to get used to worrying all the
time).

So, let's stop old man worry right dead in his tracks. There is no point in worrying anymore today. (If you really miss him, you can worry again tomorrow.

New Asthma Inhaler Approved for Children

TRENTON, N.J. - A new inhaled steroid treatment for preventing asthma attacks in young children has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the drugmaker Schering-Plough Corp. said Monday.

Its Asmanex Twisthaler is the first once-a-day, inhaled corticosteroid medicine for asthma — the most common chronic condition among children — that can be taken by children as young as 4.

The Kenilworth-based company got FDA approval two years ago to sell the product as a maintenance treatment to prevent asthma flare-ups in adults and children 12 and older. The dosage for children aged 4 to 11, 110 micrograms, is half the adult dose.

Competing products are approved for children as young as 6, or must be taken more times a day.

Asthma afflicts 7 percent to 10 percent of U.S. children under 18. It is blamed for more than 14 million missed school days and nearly 1 million emergency room visits by children each year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Flare-ups of the sometimes-deadly lung disease are triggered when allergens such as pollen or irritants like smoke aggravate airways, causing trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest.

Inhaled corticosteroids are now the cornerstone of asthma care, the first treatment given newly diagnosed patients because they go straight to the lungs rather than through the bloodstream like the ingredients in pills, said Mike Tringale, spokesman for the foundation. He said each new treatment is helpful.

"The broader sort of palette that a physician has to work with, the more customized their treatments can be, and that's a good thing," he said.

The new product should be available in the second half of 2008, said Schering-Plough spokeswoman Lisa Ellen.

Unlike standard inhalers, the Twisthaler does not have a propellant. It is activated when the patient puts the end in the mouth and takes a breath. A counter shows how many doses are left.

A small study in children 4 to 11 showed the Twisthaler reduced day and nighttime symptoms, plus "interruptions" of daily life such as emergency medical visits or missing school, significantly more than an inhaler with no active ingredient.

Asmanex has some significant side effects, like other inhaled corticosteroids: It can slow growth rate in kids, cause fungal infections of the mouth and increase risk of glaucoma or cataracts. More commonly, it can cause headaches, sore throat, respiratory infection, upset stomach and muscle, bone or back pain.

By Linda Johnson, AP Business Writer