Happy New Year!!

Here it is, almost 2009. The years are flying by so fast it is almost hard to keep up with them. I remember when we moved in 2000 and now it seems just like yesterday and is going into the 9th year. We just passed our 8th Christmas in our new place. Three grandchildren have gotten married in that time. Four of them have had new babies added to their family. Two of our children became Grandparents for the first time this year.

It seems like a lot has happened this year and yet it is had to remember everything. Some family members were lost in death in those 8 years, others went to nursing homes, many moved to different cities and states. There were many many changes in 8 years. What will the next 8 years bring? Will we be here to see what happens over the next 8 years? Sometimes it is good not to know the future.

Japan's Central Bank Cuts Rates

Everyone in the world seems to be having money problems, not just the United States and the stock market. Japan's central bank cut its key interest rate to 0.1 percent from 0.3 percent. They joined the U.S. Federal reserve in lowering borrowing rates to nearly zero. This is during the ever-worsening outlook for the global economy. It was the bank's second cut in less than two months and was widely expected so it was no surprise to anyone.

The Bank of Japan has offered a dismal outlook for the world's second-largest economy. Therefore, they introduced steps to thaw a growing credit crunch for companies. They are buying commercial paper and stepping up their purchases of government bonds to $15.7 billion per month. It is seems just like bowling. you knock down one pin and it knocks down another and it just goes all the way around the world. Scary, isn't it?

Pampered Chef

We got several gifts from the grandchildren that came from the Pampered Chef. I have heard of them but never owned anything from them. These are great sturdy utensils that we will make good use of. One is great for breaking up hamburger for hot dishes and the other is a great spoon to stir and has many uses.

We also got a wonderful smelling candle that will make the house smell like fresh cookies baking. Those are always so great, especially in the winter when you can't open windows and let fresh air in. You can make the house sell soooo good. :0)

Bathroom Lighting

There is nothing so irritating as having poor bathroom lighting. When my husband shaves or I put on my makeup, we want to see what we are doing. So in replacing our poor lighting in the bathroom, we checked out various websites and found this secure website with the lowest prices. Their light fixtures are just what we need and are beautiful.

Coilovers

When buying new coilovers you want to be sure you go to a good authorized dealer. Just take a look at those offered at this website and then you can call in to their toll-free phone number or order right online to get what you need. You will see a huge selection here for a great many brands and I am sure you will find what you need. They have great customer service, so why not give them a call.

The Fog

I believe it was Carl Sandberg that said in a poem "the fog comes on little cat feet" and it sure did today. One minute it looked a little fuzzy a far out and the next minute there was pea soup fog right up to the kitchen window. I went to town to the post office and I could only see about a block and a half either way when turning corners or crossing streets.

I was glad I didn't have to get out of the car because it was slick underneath. It warmed to 40 degrees today and I think the huge piles of snow might have sunk down a bit but there is so much, and now it is going to be colder tomorrow. That is good because then the fog has to go. But there may be freezing drizzle to replace it and that's not good. I did get out of the car to get the mail and there was about 2" of water to walk through to get it. Should have worn my boots. Didn't think of that.

Growing Older - The Sensible Age

Is there anyone out there who is in retirement and has reached the point where they say to themselves “I wish I had dusted more” or “I wish I had cleaned the house more”. If you have, you are nuts. The older I get, the more I realize no matter how much you dust, it sneaks back up on you as soon as you turn your back. You can vacuum until you wear it out and you still need to vacuum. It never ends. You mop the floors and 10 minutes later, you spill something, someone walks in with snowy shoes, sometimes even a little mud and what good did it do? For 5 minutes the floor was squeaky clean.

Yup, I have decided to let the dust rise to a level where I can write notes to myself in it so I won’t forget to get butter next time at the grocery store. And I’m going to give the vacuum a rest (really giving my back a rest and it needs it) and forget the floor. Take a damp paper towel and wipe up the spots and it looks like I mopped it. I’m going to enjoy retirement to the fullest. How about you?

Diverticulosis

My husband had an attack of diverticulosis, but we didn't know what it was. He has so much bloating and such a sore stomach. He lost his appetite but didn't lose any weight. He had to have blood tests and a catscan and it showed the diverticulosis. He had to go on antibiotics for 10 days and it has been a hard 10 days. I think at times he feels a little better and then again he doesn't. I will be glad when he is through all this and feels like himself again. It makes cooking hard because you don't know what to make for meals.

Manage Your Debt Effectively

I know what it is like to have too many bills left over at the end of the money. It causes fights over money between you and your spouse or significant other. It upsets the kids, if you have some, because they hear Mom and Dad fighting all the time about money. You are unable to buy the Christmas presents you would like to buy for your family. The washer goes out and you don't have money or credit to buy a new one. You can't keep your mind on your job because all the time thoughts are running through your mind as to how you are going to get the bills paid with what you are making. Should you change jobs? That's not the solution either.

What you really need is good Debt Management and this is the place to find out how to handle your debt crisis. They have several tests you can take to find out just what the proper steps would be to help you through your debt crisis. Take the test and let them tell you what to do next. Wouldn't you love to reduce your monthly payments by 65 percent? It would be heaven to have a monthly payment you could handle and return to more normal living. You will be happier and your family will be happier. It is a win win situation.

Susan Lucci Finally Gets a Handprint Ceremony

Thursday Actress Susan Lucci appeared at Planet Hollywood in New York's Times Square. She was celebrating her career with a handprint ceremony on Thursday. She has been on the daytime soap opera for years and years. And I don't know how many times she was nominated for an Oscar before she finally won one.

I like her and think she is a very fine actress. I have watched her in many movies and she has always been the best. She really knows her acting and can play the woman you love to hate. She is really good in my opinion. I feel she deserves every award she receives and then some.

Win a Gift Box of Ferrero Chocolates

There is a great contest going on at Jenna's blog between now and Monday, Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m. Check it out. She is going to give away 7 Ferrero Chocolate Christmas tree gift boxes filled with Ferrero chocolates and all you have to do is leave a comment on her post with your e-mail address. Then on Monday, December 22, at 5:30 p.m. CST, she will randomly draw 7 winners and they will get an e-mail immediately. Who wouldn't want to win a prize like that. I know I would. So hurry over to her website and get your entry in to win that box of chocolates.

The great part of this giveaway is that the Ferrero Company is in their second straight year of partnering with Share Our Strength. This is one of the nation's leading organizations working to make sure no child grows up hungry in America. So far they have given $150,000 to this organization and you can add to that amount as well. It is easy. All you have to do is go to Share Something Sweet and "send something sweet". That is a customized e-card, and then Ferrero will donate another $1 per card sent. They will match this up to $10,000, In addition to that, for every person who joins the Ferrero facebook page, "Ferrero Lovers Unite," they will donate another $1 to Share Our Strength - up to $1,000. Let's all help the hungry children of our country, the good old USA and get a chance to win a lovely box of Ferrero chocolates.

Sony Cutting Workers

Along with so many other companies, Sony Corp. is slashing 4 percent of its worldwide work force. It is reining in spending and shutting plants as it tries to ride out a looming worldwide recession that is battering Japan's export-reliant manufacturers. Tokyo-based Sony, which is cutting 8,000 of its 185,000 jobs, said it will shut five or six plants or about 10 percent of its 57 factories. It seems every day we hear of more plants closing and more jobs being cut. Where will it end?

Monex Precious Metals

I know you have heard about investing your funds in gold, silver and other precious metals. However, you do not completely understand it. That is why Monex Precious Metals have produced a number of videos that you can watch that will explain all your questions. This fine company will not only assist you in making wise purchases of precious metals but they will also arrange for your safe storage of your purchases. Gold has been a valued possession for centuries and Romans, Greeks and Egyptians knew that and had many beautiful possessions made of gold in those days. I remember learning in history of so much gold that the Incas had many years ago.

Riots in Greece

Gangs of youths smashed their way through central Athens, Thessaloniki and other Green cities. They were torching stores, buildings and cars in the third day of mayhem after the fatal police shooting of a teenager. This was the country's worst rioting in decades. Dozens of shops, banks and even luxury hotels had their windows smashed and burned as youths fought running battles with riot police. Black smoke rose above the city center, mingling with clouds of tear gas.

This has threatened to topple the country's increasingly unpopular conservative government. Mounting calls for Prime Minister Costas Karamantis to resign are coming forth. Police fired tear gas on protesters following the funeral of 15 year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos, who was laid to rest in an Athens burial attended by about 6,000 people. Karamantis, age 52, has already faced growing dissatisfaction over financial and social reforms at a time of deep anxiety over growing economic gloom. The economy is not only affecting the United States but countries throughout the world.

Jay Leno to Prime Time on NBC

Not only is Jay Leno staying at NBC, but he is moving to prime time. The network announced That Leno will host a show five nights a week at 9 p.m. Central time, after he leaves the "Tonight" show next year. He is moving into a time slot where I watch a number of great programs and I was afraid I was going to lose them. But they say the will move Law & Order and ER to other time slots. I hope so because I like them both.

NBC didn't want Leno moving to another network and competing with Conan O'Brien who is taking over the "Tonight" show. Also, it has the potential to be a big cost savings for NBC. A talk show is considerably cheaper to produce than the dramas that usually air at 9 p.m. Central time. I always liked his monologues but I didn't want to stay up that late. Now I can watch them earlier if I wish.

In addition, they say with the advent of DVR's that dramas have been fading in recent years. That is because people are watching more shows that they taped earlier. Leno's last "Tonight" show would be on Friday, May 29, 2009 and O'Brien will take over the following Monday, June 1, 2009. Jimmy Fallon is taking over the 11:30 p.m. Central slot that O'Brien is vacating.

Retired and Need More Cash?

How many times have you heard people say that if they had realized it would take so much money to live in retirement, they would have done more when they were younger in order to have enough money to enjoy retirement. Often they barely make ends meet and if any medical bills arise, they are strapped for cash and it comes down to paying bills or buying prescriptions that are necessary, or buying food to exist. It is no laughing matter to find yourself in retirement, and practically broke.

We have been hearing a great deal lately on television with Robert Wagner, the movie star, telling us about reverse mortgages but how much do we actually know or understand the concept of Reverse Mortgage Benefits ? I know that we do not quite grasp how this works so what we need is good qualified expert advice. We need to find out just how much equity we have in our home and just how much we can borrow against that equity. By taking out monthly payments, we are really borrowing from ourselves, so there are no monthly payments and no interest to be paid on a loan each month.

We also needed to know who the best lenders are and where to go to find the best reverse mortgage. By checking into this online website reverse mortgage California we got all the answers to our questions. We found we only had to qualify in two ways and that was to be at least 62 years of age and have equity in our home and property. They have the expert advice on payment options, what the benefits are, typical costs and how it works. I feel there are many of you out there over 62 and in retirement that need more answers too and this is the website to get those answers.

Do Healthy Brains Deserve a Pill Boost?

I just read an article that caught my eye. It said that some scientists have said that healthy brains deserve a pill boost. I thought we take enough drugs as it is but guess they have a good reason. They said healthy people should have the right to boost their brains with pills, such as those prescribed for hyperactive kids or memory-impaired older folks. This is a rather provocative commentary to say the least.

Did you know that college students are already illegally taking prescription stimulants like Ritalin to help them study and the demand for such drugs is likely to grow elsewhere? This is what this group wrote in an opinion piece published online by the journal Nature. They said we should welcome new methods of improving our brain function and doing it with pills is no more morally objectionable than eating right or getting a good night's sleep. The commentary also called for more research and a variety of steps for managing the risks. In addition, as more effective brain boosting pills are developed, demand for them is likely to grow among middle aged people who want youthful memory ability. I still think we are over medicated as it is.

WAY Below Zero Today

Wow! Was it cold today and tomorrow isn't going to be much better. It was 11 below zero when we got up this morning with a wind chill of -34. We really had no intensions of venturing out in this stuff for a few days as the week is supposed to be very cold. It may reach zero in the morning tomorrow. Whoopee!!

Schools were delayed 2 hours due to the terrible wind chills. It would be bad if the buses quit for any reason out there in the country picking up kids. We saw a car get a flat tire on our way to town this afternoon and that is a bad thing to happen when it is so bitter cold. That is where cell phones are definitely a real blessing to have with you.

Wedding Website

We married off three daughters and what I would have given to have been able to check into this online Wedding Website to find out the things I needed to know about planning a wedding. I did not realize that there could be so many different florists and various arrangements of flowers.

I also did not know about registering for gifts and this website has a complete list of wonderful places for the future bride and groom to register for wedding gifts. It would be great if someone would give them some gold bullion to start off their married life.

From the bride's dress, right down to her jewelry, that special cake and first of all, invitations, this website has all the information you need.

Oprah Winfrey Weight Struggles

Oprah Winfrey is embarrassed. She says she has fallen off the wagon of healthy living and has ballooned to 200 pounds. Oprah, age 54, in January's "O" magazine, details her recent struggles with an out of balance thyroid and how the condition made her develop a fear of working out. She says she has gained 40 pounds since 2006, when she only weighed 160. She said she looks at her thinner self and thinks, how did she let this happen again?

Oprah, the talk show queen, says in the article provided to the Associated Press that this is how she feels. She says she has abandoned trying to get thin. I know it isn't easy as it has been a fight all my life and I can relate to her. She just wants to be strong, healthy and fit. She said, "when it comes to maintaining my health I didn't just fall off the wagon. I let the wagon fall on me".

Weight Loss Pills

So you have made up your mind that you want to lose that excess weight? There are many of us out here so you are in good company. But we have also heard that some of the weight loss pills are downright dangerous, so how do we distinguish between them. It is easy. Just go to this website where they have done all the work for you. They will tell you the top 10 and what they will do for you or to you, in some cases. You do not want to take one that has dangerous side effects so check them out first. Play it safe and check with this company before you buy.

Performance Parts

You are a backyard mechanic and a good one. Now your vehicle is in need of parts but you want to get the right performance parts that are going to last and do the job for you. Before you go anywhere else, check into this website. National Speed has a neat thing they call reverse auction. They have a deal of the day and if it doesn't sell, they lower the price. It might just be the part you are looking for. If not, I am sure they will be able to fill your order. Check out their performance parts now and don't forget to check the deal of the day.

Diet Pill

I know. You ate too much at Thanksgiving and now Christmas is less than 2 weeks away and you are surrounded by goodies at the office. You may be baking at home and making all that wonderful fudge and other candies and you know you have gained a few pounds. So it is time to head to the store for a diet pill.

But which diet pill is best? Are they safe? Who can take them safely and who can't. You have gobs of questions and no answers. But now you can turn to this website for the answers. They have all the diet drugs listed from A-Z and they have done all the work for you. They have checked through all the information on safe ingredients, actual weight loss potential, guarantee and more. This is the place to start before you shop.

Scientists Find Nuts May Cut Heart Risks

Scientists found that eating a handful of nuts a day for a year, along with a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish, may help undo a collection of risk factors for heart disease. Now that sounds like a tasty way to help yourself to a more healthy heart, don't you think? Almost everyone loves nuts and we always knew they were good for you.

Now Spanish researchers found that adding nuts worked better than boosting the olive oil in a typical Mediterranean diet. Actually, both regimens cut the heart risks known as metabolic syndrome in more people than a low fat diet did. What is most surprising is that they found substantial metabolic benefits in the absence of calorie reduction or weight loss. This was according to Dr. JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Harvard's Brigham and Woman's Hospital.

The study appeared Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine. It said the people who improved most were told to eat about three whole walnuts, seven or eight whole hazelnuts and seven or eight whole almonds. They didn't lose weight, on average, but more of them succeeded in reducing belly fat and improving their cholesterol and blood pressure. I think it is really kind of amazing, isn't it?

However, Dr. Manson, who wasn't involved in the study, cautioned that adding nuts to a Western diet, one packed with too many calories and junk food, could lead to weight gain and more health risks. She did say though that by using nuts to replace a snack of chips or crackers is a very favorable change to make in your diet. I can do that easily enough.

Gas Prices Drop to Five Year Low

At last, the gas prices are going down. We are down to $1.69 in our town and I know it is lower in the larger town 30 miles away. The average price of U.S. gasoline fell 22 cents a gallon during the past two weeks, bringing it to its lowest level in nearly five years. This was according to a national survey released Sunday.

The average price of regular gasoline Friday was $1.75 a gallon. The price of mid-grade was $1.90 and the price of premium was $2.02. March 2004 was the last time gas was cheaper. The national average then was $1.74 for regular. The all time high was on July 11, 2008, when the price peaked at $4.11 a gallon. I guess we here in the Midwest were lucky, even though we didn't feel like it, because our gas never got to $4 a gallon.

They surveyed some cities and the nation's lowest price was $1.46 in Cheyenne, WY. The highest was $2.54 in Anchorage, Alaska and the highest in the continental United States was $2.10 on New York's Long Island. It feels good to have the prices down again. People are driving more again. I know we cut down on our driving when prices were so high.

Online College Courses

How many times have you said to yourself that you wished you had finished college and gotten your degree? Now you have responsibilities and a job and it is hard to find the time to take online college courses. But now there is a way that you can take those courses and finish your degree and study for your Masters. However, another problem arises and that is the problem of paying for those courses. Where is the money going to come from? Well Capella, the fully accredited online university has the answer. They have put out a podcast in regard to financial aid for their working students. Over 75% of their students receive financial aid and it is working well for them. Why not check it out and get going on that degree and move on up to a better position and advancement.

This post is based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive. com.

Actress Beverly Garland Dies at 82

Most of us remember Beverly Garland as the mother on "My Three Sons" many years ago with Fred MacMurray. She died in her home after a lengthy illness, according to her son-in-law. She made her film debut in the l950 classic D.O.A., launching a 50 year career that included 40 movies and dozens of television shows. She gained cult status for playing gutsy women in low-budget exploitation films such as "The Alligator People" and a number of Roger Corman movies including "Gunslinger", "It Conquered the World" and "Naked Paradise". She showed her comedic side as Bing Crosby's wife in the short-lived sitcom "The Bing Crosby Show" in the mid 60's. Then she went on to be cast as the second wife of MacMurray's widower Steve Douglas in "My Three Sons" during the last three seasons of the popular series that aired from 1960 to 1972. Many a good lesson was learned from that program in raising a family. We could use more good clean shows today with good morals such as they had.

Nikon Binoculars

When you need a pair of binoculars you want to get a good pair. This is the place to check out all the Nikon binoculars. They have a huge selection of all types and there is no tax and free shipping on all of the Nikon brand. They have a real special on the ATB binoculars that includes a $50 Nikon Pro-Gear Gift Card. You can use it at www.nikonprogear.com but it is only good until December 31, 2008 so you want to hurry and get in on this fabulous deal. There are several great buys to choose from. That way you can use your Gift Card and pick up more gear you have been wanting. And don't forget there is free shipping on every purchase above $99.

Paula Abdul to Sell "American Idol" gifts on HSN

Paula Abdul doesn't let any "American Idol" contestant leave empty-handed, even though they might not go home with a recording contract. Each season she designs and distributed jewelry for the aspiring singers as a keepsake of their experience. Isn't that a neat thing to do for them? Abdul's fans will be able to buy similar items on HSN beginning this month.

Paula has made jewelry since the first season of "Idol" in 2002. She previously sold a limited jewelry collection on QVC. Now, the new HSN Forever Your Girl line, debuts Saturday, and also includes handbags and other accessories, with a price range of $29 to $200.

She said that she pretty much wears her jewelry all the time now, but she ends up giving it away. She has taken it off her wrist or neck and given it to someone who liked it. That is so sweet and generous. You and Paula's fans will have to check out HSN to see the collection.

Extreme Weather

We have been having extremely cold weather for our area. We are quite a bit below normal and you can sure tell it. I don't even like to run to the store in this weather but yesterday I did. The northwest wind was blowing so hard, it almost took me off my feet once. The wind chill is -5 this morning and the temperature is 8. I guess it should be about 20 and the wind makes it even colder.

We are staying in this morning, although we really hate missing church. We are watching several great preachers on television. Television is a real blessing on days like today. It sounds like a big snow storm is headed our way on top of this bitter cold from Canada.

Elf Yourself

We got the cutest emails today of our two little great grandchildren who are both a year old and only 2 weeks apart. They were dancing elfs to Christmas songs and it is the cutest thing you ever saw. This is one of the little elfs checking out her first Christmas tree. She was "Helping" Mommy with the Christmas lights too. Once it was done we got to see their tree and it is beautiful. Email is really a great invention and isn't technology wonderful?

Kentucky Executes First Inmate in 9 Years

Kentucky has executed a confessed child killer who resisted all appeals. In the state's first execution in nine years, 37 year old Marco Allen Chapman was given a lethal injection at the Kentucky State Penitentiary. I am a firm believer in the death penalty. Those who are against it because they think it is inhumane are not taking into consideration what happened to the victim. What kind of inhumane treatment did they receive? God says if a man shall take the life of a man, he shall give up his life.

Chapman pleaded guilty in 2004 to killing two children in their northern Kentucky home in a 2002 attack that wounded their mother and another child. He asked to be put to death and fought for the right to fire his attorneys to clear the way. I feel he did the right thing. I also believe if the death penalty was brought back in all 50 states and they were given no more than one appeal and were put to death within the year, there would be a great many less murders. As it is now, most killers know they won't die but will live out their lives in comfort in prisons with color television and dope being smuggled in to them, along with plenty of cigarettes that the taxpayers are probably paying for. Did you know the average person on death row in California has been there 18 years?

Brad Pitt Hates the Paparazzi

Who can blame him? They are like vultures. Brad had some strong words for the paparazzi in an interview on NBS's "Today" show. He said: " Let me be very blunt: I hate them. I hate those people. I don't understand.. that they do that for a living." He also said there should be laws against celebrity photographers who "climb over your walls wearing camouflage and calling out your kids' names as you're trying to take them to school."

The actor appeared Tuesday to talk about his humanitarian work in New Orleans, but the conversation turned to his famous family. Pitt said he doesn't like talking about Angelina Jolie and their six children. I feel they deserve some privacy. I know they are public figures but this is ridiculous to climb walls, dressed up like that.