The Government Giveth, The Gas Companies Take Away

So the government has been advertising this extra money we are all going to see on our pay checks. Wow. about $8 to $23 per check depending on how much you make. Not enough to really help me but I suppose it will seem good to some. Either way the price of gas just went back up over $2 so whatever the government gave us apparently the gas companies thought they were entitled to. Just my opinion. What do you think?

** Nothing But A Memory **

Anyone out there remember the first show of "Making the Band"? I do. I loved watching that show. I remember pulling for the guys and at the same time thinking why would anyone want to go through all this. Boy bands were very popular in the 90's and early years of this decade. This show first aired in 2000 which was what a lot of people felt was a new beginning. We had all survived the Y2K. New life and new promise as we started a new era. Little did we know that a year later we wouldn't just be looking at the new careers of such as these kids that became known as O-town, but we would also have 911. I guess that is what life is. A mystery that we have to wait each day for it to unravel. Either way as I was watching this show it was quiet obvious to me, as I'm sure it was to the shows producers, that even if this group got a hit album they would be short lived. Not because they didn't have talent, because they did, but they had two singers who wanted to be the lime light. Two who didn't want to share the stage with anyone. Two who thought they had their own thing to do and they didn't want anyone telling them how to perform their songs or their music. The funny thing is I think they were the least two talented of the group. Either way I loved listening to their music and even have a CD that I recorded one of their songs for fun on for just my entertainment. I have trouble singing these days due to losing my voice or my breath. A great new product of the last year of my life. This group sadly only did two albums and only one that is worth much. The second one I do not own but I have listened on line and it has maybe two songs worth anything. The first one was well produced and is golden. Almost every song is worth listening to. I'm going to put links to the two songs I enjoyed the most here so you can go take a listen at your leisure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZgwuhpZxa0

All or Nothing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dljyXelztCE

Liquid Dreams

I have lots of memories of these songs. Especially the first song. It brings back a flood gate of memories of friends and family and a beloved pet that are no longer here physically, but will forever be in my mind.

Let Them Eat Cake!

So there is no question that today was gorgeous outside. I would love to have done nothing more than stay off and enjoy the weather that spring was showing us; however, I was scheduled to work. Since I figured everyone else would be just as bummed to have to be at work as I was I decided to stop and get us all a snack to get us through the night. I was going to just stop at a store and grab some cookies or something but I was out by Sam's Club and so I ran in there to see what they had. They had the most beautiful chocolate cake with Yellow Roses (my favorite flower is yellow roses or carnations) so I decided to go with the cake. It had butter cream icing and it didn't fail to live up to the promise of something sinfully good. It was outstanding. Really rich though so one piece was enough. Not only was it good, but reasonably priced at just $10.73 and it was cut into 14 pieces and let me tell you we could have probably cut it into more because those were big pieces. Sigh so next time you need a treat, why not let them eat cake? Had to go there. You know I did.

Laugh A Little. Laugh A Lot! Just Laugh.

They say that laughter is the best medicine and if you've ever been feeling poorly or blah, you know they are telling the truth. One good crack up at something can change your whole demeanor and your whole day. There are tons and tons of studies out there to support that not only does laughing make you feel better but it also can help strengthen ones immune system and help us stay healthy or recover more quickly from an illness that we have. We all know people out there that need to loosen up and laugh a little, and no one is a lost cause because laughter is often contagious. Me? I try to listen to Cd's of people like Jeff Foxworthy or Bill Cosby. I find that keeping these in the car for a bad mood day can do wonders for me. There are also several websites that can help relieve your stress and make you smile or laugh. The www.DILBERT.COM website comes to mind for that one. This little guy pictured above also sits on my desk. I smile for two reason's when I look at him. One, he's smiling and shaking his head no. Gotta wonder about that don't you? Two, the day I bought him at Target the guy at the checkout lane had this look on his face that was just priceless as he asked me: "What is it?". Either way find a way to smile and laugh. It may add years to your life and it can't really hurt you. I mean I'd rather laugh than cry any day. For more on laughter and how it effects the human body go to: www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

Which Witch?

Today my brother and I went to see "Race To Witch Mountain". It opened on March 13, 2009 (last Friday). I bring up the actual date, because curiously to me, all three "Witch Mountain" movies opened in March of their Year. The original "Escape To Witch Mountain" opened March 21, 1975. I remember loving that movie when it came out. I loved the flying RV. The second movie "Return From Witch Mountain"
opened March 10, 1978. It was a good movie, but the second is probably my least favorite of the three.

"Race To Witch Mountain" proved to be a much better movie than I would have thought. I often feel follow up movies done so long after the original lack connection with the old movie. They usually try to beef them up to modern times. Although there were some kick butt graphics in this movie they did stay true to the nature of the original movies. The movie had some great theatrics, but nothing could beat the lines in this movie that the man character, "Jack Bruno" (Played by Dwayne Johnson) dished out. Where as in the other movies the male character had well written parts, this character in this movie is very well developed and well suited for his role in helping these teens. I won't give away all of the movie or the great lines but I will say that this was my favorite scene:

"Jack Bruno is being accosted by a thug. The thug says to him: 'Do you have a death wish?' At this Jack answers back with: 'I drive a cab in Las Vegas.'"

Although I doubt this movie will win any awards and may even go unnoticed by many, I would have to give it two thumbs up or four out of five stars. It kept my attention, although way too many chase scenes, and it held true to the nature of the original shows. So if you are looking for a good movie, no foul language and no one dies no matter the damage so it's family friendly, I would definitely say this is one worth checking out. My favorite is still the original of all time, "Escape to Witch Mountain" of course I haven't seen it in years either. So which Witch do you like best?

Don't Forget Your Green...

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Whatever you do today... Don't forget to wear your green. Not that I know of any real superstition with not wearing it. I do know I've been pinched a few times in my days from not wearing green though. If memory serves I seem to recall a belief though that wearing green on St. Patrick's day would bring one wealth. Boy is that just a myth. I wear it most years and I can't say I'm wealthy by any means. There is one reader though that tempted the fates of Friday the thirteenth last week though that might want to make sure that everything he wears is green including his socks and underwear. It might just be worth a try anyhow. Perhaps someone can find me the leprechaun with that lovely pot of gold? One pot will do. I'm not greedy.

When Life Deals You Lemons...

What is that old saying: "When life deals you lemons, make lemonade."? To tell you the truth I am not all that found of lemonade. Pink or raspberry lemonade yes, regular lemonade, not so much. I do get the meaning of the saying though. Life deals us all tribulations and trials that we must figure out how to get through. How we get through them is up to us. We can sit around and mope about what may or may not happen, or we can make the best of it and do our best to keep our chins held high. I mean I can think of a dozen people with their own problems right now that could bum the heck out of them. Two of them have no jobs and no place to live. Two of them are going through divorces and we all know how much fun that can be. One was robbed and is trying to get past that Erie feeling of being violated. One has a car that is costing way more than he has to give at this time to repair. Me? I'm on a wait and see for August on the do I have breast cancer or not trail. One is lonely since his wife died last year and he has no family left. He's old and trying to still live life every day to it's fullest even though he has no one. There are so many people I could name, all with their own issues. No issue less important to than the other because to each of us our immediate issue of concern may seem over whelming. To get through it we all turn to whatever means of support we have. Family, friends, God. We try to keep our minds off of the problem. To get through it you must look for what is positive in your life, kind of a glass half full approach. If you do the other it will drive you insane. So if life is making you lemonade and you don't like lemonade, I guess I would suggest adding more sugar, a little vodka or flavoring. It's a part of life. One that we all have to deal with like it or not. You can try my approach too. I told you life won years ago. Everyone else has to get to the end of the fricken line. So if life tells me to get up and get moving I listen. Also for those out there that worry about your looks. If you drink the lemonade sour it may cause frown lines. "WINK WINK!"