Snow!!! Flooding

Can you believe it? It is a week into Spring, the Robins have returned and today we had about an hour of the biggest snowflakes we have seen in awhile. One thing about it, the ground is warmer now and it melted as fast as it fell but it sure looked like a little blizzard for a bit. Poor North Dakota and South Dakota too. Not only do they had lots of snow but now the Red River is flooding big time. It is just terrible to see it on the news.

North Korea

Two American journalists were missing Friday. They were reportedly detained by North Korea for ignoring warnings to stop shooting footage of the reclusive country. Laura Ling and Euna Lee are reporters for former Vice President Al Gore's online media outlet Current TV. They were seized Tuesday along the Chinese-North Korean border.

Although a third journalist with the group, Mitch Koss, apparently eluded capture, however their Chinese guide also was detained. United States officials expressed concern to North Korean officials about the reported detentions and said they were working with the Chinese government to ascertain the whereabouts of the Americans. I hope they are able to find and rescue them.

Patio Furniture

Those beautiful day of Spring and Summer are just about here. It is time to get the deck and patio cleaned off so you can spend your free time languishing away the days with your new patio furniture. Yes, don't you think it is just about time to get rid of that old stuff you have and shop for some new furniture that will make enjoying your deck or patio just that much better. No matter what style is your favorite, they have any styles to choose from so you may want to change yours to a new style. It will raise your moral. And don't miss out on FREE shipping on all outdoor living products.

Sale

I just viewed a great video of Howie Mandel talking about Buy.com and their Sale. They don't have just one, but a great many discounted items and another perk of shopping here is free shipping. Howie is so funny but he gets across the truth of this great website with his humor. It makes you just want to get right over to the website and see what's on sale that you have been looking for. It is very enjoyable.

Mortgage rates Down

The Fed drives down the mortgage rates. They fell to historic lows on Thursday after the Federal Reserve's sudden decision to print $1.2 trillion and pump it into the economy. This move also triggered warning signs of inflation. We now have a weaker dollar and the highest oil prices of the year. We just can't keep printing money without any backing behind it. Now wonder the price of gold is shooting up.

The national average rate on a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.94 percent, down nearly a quarter of a percentage point from a day earlier. This was according to financial publisher HSH Associates. Since 1979,when the publisher first began keeping records, this was the first time the average had fallen below 5 percent.

Even with this, mortgages were not being given out freely. Lenders remain extremely strict about who qualifies. One mortgage broker in North Carolina, said the real storyy was that the low rates are only available to solid gold borrowers.

Grocery Store

Our grocery store is being completely remodeled. It has been going on since last fall and they are still working at it. They have completely re-done the parking lot and put in lights and stands for the grocery carts to go into. They have put a new sign on the front that really looks nice. It won't be long and they will be working on a new entrance. They are probably leaving that for last when it gets warmer outside.

They have added a new overhang so people can drive up and the helpers bring the groceries out to the car without anyone getting wet. That is a great addition. They have changed grocery carts too and have both huge and small ones. I love the small ones for quick trips to get a few things.

Right now they are working overhead in every other aisle putting in new heat and air conditioning runs. There will be new lighting too. They took some of the aisles on the south side and moved them to the north side. Presently they are building on a larger area so that the dairy section can expand out farther. It is really being modernized and we love it.

Weekend Getaways

We live in such a cold area of the United States and it would be so wonderful to spend some weekend getaways here in a beautiful warm place. Sunning ourselves on the white sand beaches, shopping, and just enjoying the gorgeous scenery and flowers would be such a delight. You can get a free 2009 vacation guide with coupons, a map and suggestions for lots of things to do. Check into this website now and plan a great weekend or more.

Wonder Woman

Remember beautiful Lynda Carter in the part of Wonder Woman. She was Miss American at one time and made a gorgeous Wonder Woman. Now she has officially passed the Wonder Woman baton to actress Eliza Dushku. Lynda insisted she would make a great comic book heroine. She played the iconic character on TV in the l970's and insists the world needs a new Wonder Woman. So if reports are right, that Joss Whedon is set to launch a new franchise with Dushku as Wonder Woman, the original star would be thrilled. Lynda said that she has always liked Joss and Eliza would make a great Wonder Woman.

Gift Ideas for Women

My best friend's birthday is March 21 and I need some gift ideas. For a couple of years I got her flowers. It is very hard to buy other women perfumes unless you know it is exactly the fragrance they love. However, at this website they have a wonderful selection of other cosmetics and body care products that would just fit her or anyone else on your list perfectly.

She works very hard in a Human Resources Department and I know something to relax at home with would be fun for her. The Ninendo wii would be a wonderful gift that she could enjoy with her family too. They have family get-to-gethers quite often and she could also entertain and play with her Grandchilden, as well.

Another great gift for her would be a laptop that would enable her to sit in the living room with her family without being isolated to their home office with the computer. She would absolutely be thrilled to get such a gift. I know I am not going to have any problem finding different gift ideas for her this year.

Birthdays

We had 3 family birthdays this past week. Our daughter-in-law, my sister, and our sister-in-law all had birthdays in the same week just 4 days apart. I went to the store and got a bunch of birthday cards and anniversary cards too. It won't be long and it will be graduation cards too. It's a good thing I have everything written on the calendar or I would probably forget one of them.

Four Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

That is the advice we need here in the Midwest where winter never seems to end. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD happens to many people cooped up inside and so many cloudy days. First of all, let there be light. The best thing to do, if you can, is dress warmly and get out in all the sunshine you can. You can buy special lights at your hardware store that can help you soak up some rays.

Secondly, be sure you get your Daily Dose of Vitamin D. Take it regularly. Our bodies produce Vitamin D when the sun's rays hit our skin but it is also found in foods such as fish, eggs, fortified milk and you can take cod liver oil.

Next, Work it Out. One person said they need to exercise to the point of sweating. A study of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that 20 minutes of sustained, vigorous exercise a week can help reduce depression. Besides that, it good for everyone to exercise regularly for good health.

And Fourth, watch your carbs. Some doctors say that their SAD patients have a particular taste for carbohydrates. On a rainy or cloudy day, you often find yourself wanting to make casseroles, homemade bread, etc. Other healthier carbs like vegetables, whole grains and fruits will keep you energized.