Adoption!

Okay...here is what I promised you! It happened while I was checking in on Facebook & saw a post that my friend Jacy had placed http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/387943_adopt15.html?source=rss

I immediately was intrigued & viewed the post...while reading it I was overwhelmed with emotion...&...tears began to flow! Why you may ask?!? Because in my opinion adoption is one of the greatest gifts parents can give a child!

Here is a little story:

A baby was conceived in late January / early February of 74' to a woman who was about 17 years old! She was not married to the father & wasn't even sure of who he was! She also had another child at home who was just a little over a year old! Weighing all of her options...keep the baby, aborting the baby (Roe vs Wade had been in practice for about a year) or placing the baby up for adopting...she chose adoption feeling it was the right thing to do for the situation at hand! And, then on October 3, 1974...a baby was born in Sheridan, MI...a beautiful little girl...&...a few hours later the papers were signed & the baby was to be taken to D.A. Blodgett & placed for adoption!

At the same time a husband & wife in Hudsonville, Mi were looking to adopt a little girl having already adopted a boy almost 5 years earlier...they had been on a waiting list since their son had been about 2 when they finally received a call! They were told that they had a little girl who just arrived & wanted to know if they'd like to come & see her! And, they did! After talking it over it was decided this baby was the one & they proceeded to fill out the required paperwork! They had to wait 4 weeks before bringing her home but could visit in the meantime!

During this 4 week wait as the family prepared to bring the baby home the unthinkable happened. The husband received noticed that he was to be laid-off from his job! This was not good considering they still had to finish paying the adoption fees! What to do, what to do?!? The wife being from a rather large family, she was one of ten, called her sisters to cry about the situation at hand! They told her to pray about it & everything would be fine! The family all prayed! It wasn't too long after that...one of the other family members stopped by to see his sister...as he walked through the door he handed her $500...the money needed to finalize the adoption! He said "We are family & we don't turn away the chance at adding another baby to the fold...so use this & pay it back when you can." Hugs & tears followed!

Then sometime in mid to late November...a little girl all bundled up in winter garb was brought home to the warm house filled with love in the small town of Hudsonville, Mi! Plenty of family came by to see the new arrival & congratulate to parents once again!

And, that my friends is a miracle!

So no matter what people say about adoption it offers people who could otherwise not be parent the chance to bless other children with the love that they deserve! Other kids may choose to make fun of children who have been adopted...believe me on this...&...guess what...they can turn to them & say...your parent just had you...but my parents...CHOSE ME!Let me know what you think?!?

Sorry!

I know that I promised to tell you what the other thing my friend reminded me of & what a big affect that action in itself has played on my life...but...just like everything else...life happens! I got busier than expect & haven't had the time to give the story its just due! But I promise I will get on it asap...please be patient!

Mysterious

Growing up I always heard the quote "God works in mysterious ways"... & ... "He places certain people in your life for a reason"! I can honestly say that both of those phrases could not be truer! Recently when I was least expecting it God showed these truths to me once again in two seperate occassions!

The first one being I was just having an all around bad day, a poor, poor pitiful Michele day & was just not in a very good place! But, while fooling around on Facebook I reconnect with a long lost dear friend of mine who knew all about me...quirks included! I had the chat logged on while I was updating things & just like magic she started a conversation with me & we were chatting like we never missed a day! It was one of those no matter where I am in the world...I am still me & my friends are still my friends feeling! It made me give thanks to God for bringing her back into my life at the right time...He knew when that would be all along even if I did not!

The second situation was also via a Facebook encounter...during the recent campign process I posted on a few of the canidates discussion boards & while doing this made myself avaiable to anyone who wished to chat about our mutual canidate of choice! Through this I met 2 amazing people...how nice for me! And, even more amazingly is the one individuals Christan beliefs, values, out going personality & humours nature...makes me feel welcome! And, while reading something she posted the other day for another of her friends made me thank God for even more things...Thanx, Jacy!

Stay tuned to tommorows post for that story!

In closing, I want to remind you that people in your lives will come & go daily...it is in this time that you need to decided where they belong...some people are sent for friendship & others are not! God gives us only those people in our lives that can be used to lift us up...that is where the decision lies!

Let me know what you think?!?

Confessions Of A Blogaholic...

I have a confession to make...so lets do this as painlessly as possible...I am a closet Blogaholic...I love to read Blogs, Blogs & more Blogs...

Short blogs, long blogs, funny blogs, serious blogs...ridiculous blog & outrageous blogs!

I LOVE BLOGS!!!

It is becoming an obsession...not a bad one...I hope...but apparently an obsession none the less!

How did this start you might ask...or...whose to blame?!? See this is where it get tricky, because apparently there is no method to my madness...I started reading a blog when a friend added the link to her Facebook page...actually at the time she had 2 of them...a blog nibblet of sorts...then another friend suggested to me that her sister also had a blog...now we are up to a snackette of sorts...then during the election John McCain's middle daughter (eldest daughter of his & Cindy's) Meghan blogged about the campaign while on the trail with her dad...now I have a small course of sorts...then it happened...I found myself reading the comments on the aforementioned blogs & going to read the blogs of those posting comments....&...I am sure you can see how the cycle continues from there!

Then when that was not enough (Yes, I am very needy apparently) I found out you can hit the forward button & wha-la like magic...another blog appears for my viewing pleasure! The other day I literally spent over 10 hours on Blog Spot.com reading blogs...Umm, yeah that is TEN hours!

And, I can tell you I enjoyed every last minute of it! Although, I only follow 4 blogs religiously...I find almost all the blogs I read interesting, genuine & amazing in their own ways! So, I will leave you with a list of the 4 that I check in on daily...with baited breath mind you for my first nibblet of the day & quick overview of why they are my favorites:

http://the-swimming-cow.blogspot.com/

(aka: The Swimming Cow)
This is written by Ms. Molica~ someone I have known for years but after reading her blog got to know & understand her in a totally different way! She is very outspoken & more open minded then people think I would related to...but I love everything about this blog...from the boldness of it, to the shock value...to the sweet human aspect!

http://iwanttowritesgooder.blogspot.com/

(aka: The Crapper)

Another infamous blog by the beloved Ms. Molica & it is just what writers or writer wanna be's need...she is taking her time to give ya some the basics so you can also learn to write "gooder"

http://www.suziewrites.blogspot.com/

(aka: the sacred page)

This incredible blog is written by the sister of a dear friend of mine Jules. Apparently this blog has been an on going diary of the newly married Suzie for quite a while...it takes you back years & keeps you up to the minute! It also has a flair for the Christians as allot of her blogettes are bible based or related in some ways!

http://www.mccainblogette.com/
The name says it all...this is the blog that chronicled the 2008 presidential campaign of John McCain & his amazing family...it give you a rare look at the campaign trail with the right amount of love! It brings the man alive not as a presidential candidate but as a husband, father & friend! I was happy to see the election come to a close but sorry that Meghan has since went on hiatus for undetermined amount of time!

There is a glimpse at what I am reading...so tell me what you are reading?!? And, do you have any suggestions as to other blogs I may enjoy becoming a faithful follower of?!?
Let me know!?!

Yahtzee

I love this game! I have re found it after all these years on Pogo & I am loving me some Yahtzee! I don't know if it is the game as much as it is the memories that I get while playing it! My grandma Mildred Knight, my dad's mom, loved her some Yahtzee as well & from the time that I could sit at the table & roll the dice I was her little Yahtzee playing buddy! Grandma also had a life long friend named Gladys Ripley whom us kids affectionately called Aunt Gladys (I am sure you all have a few of them yourselves) & when her & her husband, Uncle Lloyd, were there for a visit...we had Yahtzee Tournaments while the men fished! I am not talking a game or two...I am talking all day & night...just breaking for cooking & eating meals...dishes & the occasional snacks! Other than that it was play, baby, play! And, now that I think back on it Yahtzee was more than a game...it was actually a learning experience cuz Grandma told me when I was about 3 that I had to learn to count for myself if I wanted to continue to play! Which I learned & quite quickly I might add...because when I entered Kindergarten at that age of 4 thanks to a persistent mother...I was only in the big "K" for about a month & they moved me right along...cuz, I was doing all the other kid's Math work! SCORE! Anyhow, now I have the game online...&...I am loving it!

YAHTZEE!

Brown's Country Store & Restaurant

Today's blogs finds us in Benton, AR a relatively large town outside of Little Rock! And, why the stop in Benton you may ask?!? Hows about to indulge in my husbands favorite past time...eating!

BROWN'S COUNTRY STORE & RESTAURANT:

Opened in the summer of 1973 & has been going strong ever since! The buffet is over 100' long & offers a variety of down home southern treats! With all of their food being made homemade & expertly prepared nobody can ever complain about the excellent quality! They also have a desert bar which is to die for! If you leave Brown's hungry it is your own fault!

Brown's also has an amazing country store which host a variety of hand crafted items, homemade foods & candies! It is a perfect place to shop for the person who thinks they have it all!

If you are interested in learning more about Brown's you can visit the following website:

http://www.brownscountryrestaurant.com/

Christmas Cards!

Once again it appears that the holiday season is fastly approaching us...ugh! It is not the I don't love the holidays...it just seems that they occur earlier & earlier every year! Apparently the adage "Time Flies" really applies more the older that you get!

That brings me to the conundrum at hand...let me know what you think! For years I have been doing the whole Christmas card mailing thing...basically to my life long friends, close family members & of course last but not least the in-laws! But this year I really don't know if I want to put my time, effort & money into doing something that seems to just be taken for granted!

So, my question is this: Is it tacky to send people E-Christmas Cards? I mean most everything else is done via the net these days! But how tacky and/or impersonal would I appear if this was my chosen delivery for Christmas cards this season?!? I guess if I was ever questioned on the subject I could always say that I was doing it for the environment...less waste & all that jazz?!?

Let me know what you think?!?

Zicam...

I am not one to really go all gung-ho about something unless it is absolutely amazing & those people that know me well know that it takes a helluva allot to impress me but I have been so impressed by an "over the counter" cold & flu medication that I wanted to share it with the masses! Since cold & flu season are unfortunately upon us & in full force what better time than the present to tell you all about my new found medical miracle...

Zicam!

There's a lot of products out there which claim to help you get rid of your cold faster, but this is the only product that truly works. My husband & I have been using the Oral Spray version & we swear by it! Since we travel & are among the masses on a daily basis you never can tell what you are going to come into contact with! We now recommend this product to everyone we come across with a cold. If you feel the symptoms coming...use it right away!

If you are interested but still a skeptic...you can check out their website for the product line & information! They also offer a printable money saving coupon...what could be better?!?

If you decided to try it...come back & let me know what you think!

Vote!

No matter who you choose to vote for voting is one

the most influential ways to make your

choice known! Whether you are Demoncrat,

Republican or even Independent...your vote does

matter & it does count! So, if you care about your country

& the people who will be at the helm

for the next 4 years...if you care what happens in America!

Then you need to...

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!

YoVille

Okay, it has been made quite apparent...I HAVE NO LIFE! I may be a little late realizing this myself but it became quite apparent to me the other day when I literally got sucked into a virtual world called YoVille!It is another fabulous application brought to us by our friends at Facebook! And, since I have joined I have gone completely nuts! Since most of my Facebook friends are not YoVillians...I have resorted to becoming "friends" with total strangers in cyberland so I could create a large enough crew to make the "big money"...

For those of you still confused about YoVille...basically it is a VIRTUAL LIFE...I have an apartment which I can run over to YoDepot to purchase things to decorate it with! I have a job at the Widget Factory...lol! YoVille also has a Dinner, Casino, Night Club, Furniture Store & Flower Shop...so far! I mean my YoVillian has nicer digs than me...and hell yeah I am jealous of her! Anyhow, if you need another life...YoVille is the place to be...lol!

Lyle Oakes

Mr. Lyle Oakes

When someone you love becomes a memory the memory becomes a treasure.

There are no words to really describe the man pictured above accept to say that he loved life & above all else he loved his family!

He was a lot like a second dad to me...he was a very comfortable fixture in my life! I knew him for 25 years...through his daughter...April & in those years I got to know him in allot of different ways!

He was a jokester...OMG...did he love to tell a joke & most of the time they were funny!

He was a hard worker...&...was always willing to help out on a project if need be...I remember when April & Thomas were building the deck on the "house" in Tamarac...& good ole' Lyle was right there beside Thomas putting it together piece by piece! Lyle was smart...he sent us woman folk on a supper run!

He loved SPORTS...I can remember multiple times during our middle school & high school years when he'd load April & I up & take us to the Wildcat home games! And one year when we made it into the play-offs he even drove us all the way to Zeeleand, MI for a game!

He was a damn good cook of sorts...he made the best fried fish & morel mushrooms...which I might add that he hunted & picked himself!

Yes, he was also a hunter as well!

Lyle was also a damn good father...he loved his daughter April with his whole being & that was quite apparent every time you saw them together! He was also an amazing father to Angi...who wasn't his by blood but she was "his" none the less!

He was a wonderful grandfather...or Ya-Ya! Samatha & Zachery loved him dearly & you could always see the love in his eyes when he was with them!

Most of all Lyle...was Lyle! He never expect more of anyone than they could offer! He always based his opinions on facts & he never judged you no matter what!

He was loved by many, many people & he will be sadly missed by us all!

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.

I'm Back!

Yeah, yeah I know it has been awhile...&...I almost didn't decided to write today...but a friend sent me a message & the subject line read "No More Blog?!?"

At first I figured no one read the blog anyhow...who'd miss it?

But apparently once again I was wrong...which is not shocking!

So, I figured it this way...if ya don't like what I say...who care...this is MY online diary of sorts that I have "INVITED" you to read!

When I first started this I thought I was quite anal about it...but I have since realized that even though I may not be as gifted as writer as Ms. Molica or able to bring things to light as poignantly as Mrs. Burden...I still have things that I want share

&

I shall do so in my own way...like it lump it!

I AM WHO I AM

I WANT WHAT I WANT

I LIKE WHAT I LIKE

Michael Landon

I love to read...I love to read...did I mention that I love to read!

And, biographies are one of my favorite things to read...maybe it is because like many others I have that curious nature that makes me want to know if the person that I saw for instance on TV was anything at all like that in their personal or maybe it is because I am just plain nosy...I guess will have to declare it is probably more the later of the two!

Anyhow, I recently read one of many biographies of my "Little House" himself...Micheal Landon or should I say Eugene Maurice Orowitz! This particular biography was not completely favorable of the man but it did share an abundance of his life's works & personal struggles! It covers a great amount of his 54 life span but was published 4 years prior to his untimely death in 1991!

All in all if you are interested in learning about Mr. (Orowitz) Landon than it is a pretty good read!

Yummy...Fried Pickles...Yummy!

FRIED PICKLES

When I first saw Fried Pickles on the menu of BW3's (Buffalo Wild Wings). I thought they sounded disgusting. But curiosity got the best me & I later finally decided to just try them & WOW, was I glad we did! They are the most unusual things, but surprisingly very tasty. They are a bit addictive too.. I'd find ourselves talking about going to BW3's just to get the pickles.
So I figured out a recipe so I could make them at home...of course, they are not as good as what I got from the restaurant but sadly they stopped serving them awhile ago but that did not stop my hankering for them! Here is my version of the recipe!

Enjoy

Ingredients:

1 pint sliced dill pickles, undrained

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika Vegetable oil

Directions:
Drain pickles, reserving 2/3-cup pickle juice.

Press pickles between paper towels.

Combine 2/3 cup pickle juice, egg, 1 tablespoon flour, and hot sauce.

Stir well and set aside.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour with ground red pepper, garlic powder, salt, and paprika.

Blend well.

Dip pickles in egg mixture, then dredge in flour mixture.

Fry coated pickles in 375-degree oil until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels.

For dipping you can use anything that suits your fancy...but...a few of my favorite recommendations are Ranch, Honey Mustard or every Horsey Sauce...

to each there own I guess!

Raisin' McCain

RAISIN' MCCAIN

Country superstar...singer, songwriter, musician & tv personality decided on whom he was casting his vote this November & he wanted to make sure his fellow Americans did not have question decision by putting it in song!

This super talented artist who has won many musical accolades said it best when he said:

"Well we’re all just raisin’ McCain

Everywhere across the USA

You can get on the train or get out of the way

We’re all just raisin’ McCain
And we’re all just raisin’ McCain

Everywhere across the USA

You can get on the train or get out of the way

We’re all just raisin’ McCain
Well he got shot down in a Vietnam town

Fighting for the red, white and blue

And they locked him up in the Hanoi Hilton thinking they could break him in two!
He stayed strong, stayed extra long

‘Til they let all the other boys out

Now we’ve got a real man with an America

We’re going to put him in the big White House
Well we’re all just raisin’ McCain

Everywhere across the USA

You can get on the train or get out of the way

We’re all just raisin’ McCain
Play that American guitar, son

And we’re all just raisin’ McCain

Everywhere across the USA

You can get on the train or get out of the way
We’re all just raisin’ McCain

I said we’re all just raisin’ McCain

Everywhere across the USA

You can get on the train or get out of the way

We’re all just raisin’ McCain
Well you can get on the train or get out of the way

We’re all just raisin’ McCain"

You Might Want To Be A Redneck...

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years.

It's time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God.

If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up.

Tire irons, squirrel guns & grit -- that's what rednecks are made of.

I hope I am one of those. And, I hope after you read this you will think twice about how you view rednecks in the future!

You might be a redneck if:

It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God.'

You might be a redneck if:

You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public

places.

You might be a redneck if:

You still say ' Christmas' instead of

Winter Festival' or 'Merry X Mas'

You might be a redneck if:

You bow your head when someone prays.

You might be a redneck if:

You stand & place your hand over your heart when they p

lay the National Anthem.

You might be a redneck if:

You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, & always have no matter what.

You might be a redneck if:

You've never burned an American flag, nor intend to.

You might be a redneck if:

You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if:

You respect your elders

&

raised your kids to do the same.

You might be a redneck if:

You'd give your last dollar to a friend in need.

If you are redneck be proud of who you are & know this if we had a whole country of rednecks it would be a damn better place to live!

Picture this....

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!

9/11

I am not going to linger on what happened because I am sure it was a day America will not long forget! But I could not let the day pass by without giving some recognition to those who died on that horrendous day 7 years ago!

I can still vividly remember the images as they played out over my television!

I remember the great amount of loss & devastation I felt not for myself but for those who within the blink of an eye...lost all that was near & dear to them~

I can still see the horror on people faces, hear the screams in their voices & watch the life drain from their bodies as they heard the news or watched as it played out before them! It almost looked like a movie you'd see on tv...but it was not just on one channel but everywhere...it was not a dream but an unbelievable horrendous reality!

"Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? Out in the yard with your wife and children? Working on some stage in LA? Did you stand there in shock at the site of that black smoke rising against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger or fear for your neighbor? Or did you just sit down and cry? Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones? And pray for the ones who don't know... Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble! And sob for the ones left below! Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue...the heroes who died just doing what they do...did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer and look at yourself to what really matters...

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? Teaching a class full of innocent children...Driving down some cold interstate...Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her? Did you dust off that bible at home? Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened? Close your eyes and not go to sleep! Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages? Speak with some stranger on the street? Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow...go out and buy you a gun? Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching...and turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns? Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger? Stand in line and give your own blood? Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?

Thank God you had somebody to love"

...Alan Jackson!

Rodney Carrington!

RODNEY CARRINGTON...

My husband & I were able to finally get to see Rodney Carrington this past Saturday night at Sam's Town in Tunic, MS...aka Southern Vegas & it was awesome...

OMG...

if you like comedy & can handle having a good time...Rodney Carrington is a funny bon ofa sitch...he is hilarious...he puts on one helluva a good show...he will tell ya a few jokes...then sing ya damn song:


"I've got a 12" ---- & a dozen roses & a pick-up truck...ah hubba hubba hey"...I have been singing these lyrics & yes these are the lyrics to the whole song...since Saturday night...thanx alot Rodney... I will be standing in line, sitting in a restaurant or just riding along in the truck & I break out with your lyrical re poor!

My husband & I had a blast & we would definitely do it all over again!



His bus was still there in the morning...I wonder if Mr. Carrington went & tried his luck in the casino...?!?

Dear Anonymous!

Dear Anonymous:

Let me start off by saying: Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog...I hope you where able to grasp a bit of knowledge when you were last here!

I take a great amount of pride in what I post for the perusal of myself & others whom wish to do so!

I appreciate the fact that you felt comfortable enough to leave comments but if you are so strong in your views & believe so much in what you had to say why is it that you did not feel comfortable enough to leave your name...is it because you are to unsure of your "own" viewpoint & beliefs to back it up & personalize those views as your own or are you only following some cookie cutter view that has been forced on you somewhere in society telling you which way to believe...what is it?

In response to that comments that you left: Sarah Palin may have some family problems but whose family doesn't...I can't look around anywhere anymore & actually tell you what a normal family even consist of...but...because her child is unwed & pregnant it is your opinion that her family is "messed up" ...then in my opinion you also do not have a clear view on normalacy either! And, could you please tell me where you found out that Bristol Palins fiance Levi Johnston, the self described "red neck" as you referred to him stated that he: "didn't want the kid to begin with" I'd be very interested to see that in print!

And, in regards to our future Vice President being to far right wing & a bible thumping neo-con...you lost me on that one! She is following the views & beliefs that allot of people in the country do & when is doing the "right thing" , following the rules instilled us by God wrong? And, if you believe she will be destroying "our civil rights"...well, Mr. Obama if given the chance will be doing the same thing maybe not the same rights will be affected but he too will be destroying some in the process!

We are in a country & in the process of an election where I am sorry that there is not a "clear choice" for a perfect president ...but when I look at all the options presented in front on me...I choose the lesser of the two evils...&...yes in my opinion Obama is evil in allot of his political & personal thoughts & views & will bring this nation to it knees...I feel that Obama will only provide this country with controversy & damnation!

In closing, my Dear Anonymous, I hope you continue to keep viewing my blog & feel free to leave comments & if you are as confident in your comments as you think you are...leave a name next time!

Questo è deliziosa!

I have found my new love & it is Caprese...in any way shape or form! This is a delicious Italian recipe that is fast becoming my new best friend...it is easy to prepare & not very expensive! And, apparently it is quite versatile because within the span of the last 3 days I have had it 4 different ways...

- Made into a sauce & served warm over your choice of pasta

- The original & always delicious salad (recipe included below)

- A pizza variation that was to die for

- Warm with grilled chicken thrown in the mix

And, yes my friends they were all delicious! So, if you like fresh, ripe tomatoes, mouth watering mozzarella cheese, fresh basil & EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) & balsamic vinegar then I have found a gem for you...

Here is my favorite version of the recipe (with a few extras added for my flavor):

Caprese Salad-Insalata Caprese

Ingredients:

3 large fresh tomatoes

16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese

1/2 small red onion, sliced thin or the ends of a bunch of green onions chopped up

1/2 cup sliced black olives, experiment with different kinds of olives and slice them up

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/8 cup fresh oregano

1/2 clove of minced garlic (optional - but tasty)

kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

Directions:

1 Slice Mozzarella Cheese into small slices.

2 Slice tomatoes thick. Be sure to remove all of the core and the bottom little black dot.

3 Combine tomatoes and Cheese with the remaining ingredients.

4 Toss Well and make sure everything is coated.

5 Chill for 1 hour ( minimum), although you don't want to leave in the refrigerator too long

--you don't want it to become to mushy.

6 When ready to serve, arrange tomatoes on a large platter, put some of the cheese slices/

chunks on each of the tomatoes.

7 Work in olives and onions to make it pretty.

8 Drizzle remaining dressing over this.

9 Garnish with Fresh Basil Leaves and Oregano Leaves.

"Gaurd Shack"

In the industry that my husband works in we get to meet allot of different people from all fields of life...and that leads me into allot of interesting and humorous stories...there are also occasions when I am not sure how to handle certain circumstances...take this particular situation for example...we arrive at a meat plant in OK and as usual are greeted by and overpowered, underpaid guard...who proceeds to give us instructions on what necessary things need to be done to get our load...during this process he hands my husband a neon safety vest that is to be worn while out and about on the grounds...(he never wears them...never know who had this thing on before or what they had...anyhow he tosses it into the truck where I notice it is marked...cuz apparently stealing these things has become quite a problem here..."Gaurd Shack #2" now, don't jump me cuz I did not spell it improperly & had to make sure when spelling checking that it remained the same..."Gaurd Shack #2" apparently they haven't made a sharpie with spell check as of yet! Well, this is where my dilemma begins...what to do...do I grab my trusty dusty sharpie and nonchalantly change it...knowing that it will be quite noticeable or do I leave well enough alone...but then the question arises how many other people have seen it and not even noticed it was wrong...what to do....anyhow...not wanting to cause any waves with the powers that be in the outhouse with telephone...I left well enough alone...now what would you do?

Decide for yourself...

I love her what can I say...she is everything this country has been looking for...she is defiantly no Hillary Clinton & that is a good thing! She embodies everything that we need & I know a lot of us want in a Vice President...I can't wait till she takes office...&...here is a sneak peak of what we have to look for...

Are you tired of my political montage yet...well I did not really even give a care about this election until she entered the picture & let me tell you ladies & gentlemen...it is now a whole new ball game!

Follicle Faux Pas!

Eek...

Help...
I found not one...not two but several gray hairs...what to do...what to do?

Where, why, how & when? I mean come on I am only 33 years old...&...I have multiple gray hairs all over my head!

When I first noticed it, I told my mom Judy & she full out laughed at me...her baby girl & she laughed!

Then I thought to myself...it is only hair & when the light hits is it does give it a new type of highlight...so i guess I am ready to embrace my new found follicle friends...but there counterparts from...the wrinkle brigade will have to wait a few years to stop on by (I HOPE)! Hey, maybe I will get awesome gray hair like Jamie Lee Curtis...I may never have her body (insert whinny sigh here) but my we are follicle sisters in the same right!

Until later...

Judgemental, Hypocritical & Asinine Nation!

Do you know who these to people are? If you don't you must have been living under a rock these past few days...let me introduce you the future Mr & Mrs Levi Johnston...&...do you have any comments about that because I sure as heck do:

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Okay...I am pissed off...now....when did americans become such blatant, pias asses? It amazes me how perfect every damn american male or female thinks they are...apparently thy believe they are the perfect parents, have the perfect children & can not be judged otherwise....because otherwise they'd might think twice before all of the judging that they are doing! I know I am not perfect & I take to heart the saying "judge not lest ye be judged"...so let's get down to business....how many of you would be willing to put your families moral fortitude & values on the table for all the world to see...! Now, i did a little recapt into my own group or aquaintances & friends & out of them more than half have had or fathered a child out of wedlock...suprisng? Now how many of you have "tested the waters" before commiting for life...the only reason you may have not been in the same perdicerment is because you either took more precautions or you were just damn lucky! How many of you as teenages did things you knew your parents would flip over but did it anyhow & never get caught?

So, what Bristol Paulin & Levi Johnston are going to have baby...&...they plan to marry & keep it...&...this concerns you...how? are you directly responsible for them...I think not? At least they are doing the responsible thing by not aborting the baby...but...let's not give the proper credit where it is due that would be tooooo easy! You would have never even know anything about this situation had her mother not been running for VP...so why don't ya keep your noses to yourself & leave well enough alone!

The only reason you all have a damn problem with the whole situation is because it makes you see that these people are only human no matter what place they hold in the world!

I thank God that they have chosen to make the right choice & keep the baby...it is amazing thing & I wish them all the luck in the world!

Our future VP: Sarah Palin!

Like it or not, I am who I am & I believe what I believe...I do not call myself a republican persay but I believe in what is best for this country that my father & many other men had served to make it the way it is today...I am an AMERICAN & I am sick and tired of people throwing this country down the damn drain...if you can't respect it or the people working their asses off to protect it & run...then do us all a favor...get the hell out...you don't belong here & we don't want you!

After that being said: I'd like to introduce to the next Vice President of the United States...people say they want "CHANGE" here she is!

Meet Sarah Louise Heath Paulin: born February 11, 1964 is the current governor of the U.S. state of Alaska, and is the Republican vice presidential nominee in the 2008 United States presidential election!

On December 4, 2006, Palin was sworn in as the governor of Alaska, becoming the first woman and youngest person to hold the office. She defeated incumbent Republican governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary and former Democratic governor Tony Knowles in the general election. Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, city council from 1992 to 1996, then won two terms as mayor of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002. After an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor of Alaska in 2002, she chaired the Alaska Oil & Gas Commission from 2003 to 2004 while also serving as Ethics Supervisor of the commission.
On August 29, 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain announced he had chosen Palin as his running mate. She is expected to be formally nominated at the 2008 RNC in St. Paul, Minnesota. She would be the second woman to run for vice president on a major-party ticket and the first Republican to do so.

FAMILY!

Palin eloped with her high-school boyfriend, Todd Palin, on August 29, 1988, when she was 24 years old. Todd works for the oil company BP as an oil-field production operator and owns a commercial fishing business. He is a champion snowmobiler, who has won the 2,000-mile (3,200 km) "Iron Dog" race four times. The family lives in Wasilla.
The couple have five children: sons Track (19) and Trig (4 months) and daughters Bristol (17), Willow (14) and Piper (7) Todd and Track Palin are registered to vote as independents ("undeclared"). Track Palin enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 11, 2007, subsequently joining an infantry brigade, and Palin has said he will be deployed to Iraq on September 11, 2008. Palin's youngest child, Trig, has Down syndrome. Palin has said that she feels blessed that God chose them to raise a baby with Down Syndrome. The pro-life community has applauded her decision to have the baby.
Palin's announcement in March 2008 that she was seven months pregnant generated publicity and surprise, as did the circumstances of Trig's birth. More than a month before the baby was due, she was about to deliver the keynote address at a conference in Texas when she began leaking amniotic fluid. She delivered the speech before flying back to Alaska, giving birth seven hours after her return at the Mat-Su Valley Regional Medical Center. Palin returned to work three days later.
Three days after being chosen as McCain's running mate, following internet rumors that Trig Palin was actually Bristol's son, Palin and her husband announced that Bristol was five months pregnant, and that she intended to keep the baby and marry the father. The McCain-Palin campaign stated that McCain was aware of these facts, but decided they would not affect his choice of Palin as his vice-presidential nominee.

This is link to an interview Mrs. Paulin had with Glenn Beck...give it a view!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jnbiHAMuY&feature=email

POGO!

Alright I know addiction is a "bad" thing but when it comes to games...I am totally addicted to POGO...the greatest thing about this website it that it is fun for ALL ages...&...offers a large variety games...POGO.com is a very popular gaming website that offers a variety of free casual games, from card and board games to puzzle, sports, and word games (such as SCRABBLE). The website is free, due to advertising sponsorships. Players can also sign up for Club Pogo, a subscription service that includes premium benefits and does not include advertisements! Upon starting an account on POGO you get an avatar & as you obtain tokens by playing the various games you can due some ultra amazing things with them! You can also if chose add a profile along with your avatar to let people know what you are all about! All of the games on POGO also offer an chat area that allows to you to talk to other players online! If you are looking to relax & want a great place to go & do it online I highly recommend POGO! Also, if you choose to try POGO & want to see what the premium membership is like just drop me a message & I will hook you up with a free 2 week trial membership so you can test those waters! In case you are interested...I am Chodarling on POGO...if you get on there...look me up!

www.pogo.com