Sunday, November 25, 2007

Liberty and Freedom for All

*Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. ~Abraham Lincoln
    *Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. ~Thomas Paine

    *No one is free when others are oppressed. ~Author Unknown

    *I prefer liberty with danger to peace with slavery. ~Author Unknown

    *Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition that no people ought to be free till they are fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim. ~Thomas Macaulay

    *Freedom is never free. ~Author Unknown

    Saturday, November 24, 2007

    Rivalry Saturday


    It shouldn't come as any surprize that BYU defeated rival Utah 17-10 Saturday after falling behind late in the game. As usual this season, BYU managed a comeback of its own when Harvy Unga punched the ball in from 11 yards out with less than a minute to play.

    Utah trailed most of the game, but late in the fourth quarter the Utes drove 69 yards on a 15-play drive that chewed up the clock and recorded the first touchdown of the day. Darrell Mack finished off the drive on a one-yard run that put Utah ahead and seemed to doom the Cougars.

    But starting with only 94 seconds left on the clock, BYU faced a fourth-and-18 on its final drive when quarterback Max Hall connected with Austin Collie for a 49-yard gain that gave the Cougars new life and culminated in Unga's touchdown run. He finished with 141 yards on 23 carries.

    The win gives the 23rd-ranked Cougars an outright conference championship for its second consecutive year, and improves the team to 9-2 on the season and 7-0 in conference play. Utah (8-4, 5-3) keeps its bowl hopes alive but misses out on any hope for winning a co-championship in the Mountain West. Sorry Ute fans... you LOSE!

    Friday, November 23, 2007

    Friday's Finds



    Yes, it's time once again, for another issue of Fridays Finds. The one day each week when I share with you some of the many unique places I find on the web.
    The sites listed could vary in content from funny to educational, or bizarre to just plain enjoyable. Some might be commercial sites selling unusual items and others might be freely sharing whatever information they have. Most of the time, I'll include a description with the link to give you an idea of what to expect. Sometimes, you'll be on your own. But, in most cases you should be able to figure out what to expect by the name of the site although some may surprise you. So climb aboard, fasten your seatbelts, keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times but please have fun!

    1. Where Elvis comes alive.
    2. Monitor Camera
    3. Christmas Lore
    4. Christmas Carol Sing-along
    5. How long til Christmas?
    6. Christmas shopping online

    Thursday, November 22, 2007

    Thursday's Thinkers


    Every Thursday, as a regular feature in my blog, I post at least one, but probably more, questions to get you thinking. You can leave your thoughts or comment on how others have responsed.


    Here's todays questions:

    1. What is the meaning of peace to you?

    2. Do you "think green?" Why?

    3. Where is home for you?

    Wednesday, November 21, 2007

    More Thanksgivng stories and jokes

    The PREGNANT TURKEY:
    One year at Thanksgiving, a woman was invited to her daughters house for the traditional feast. Knowing how gullible the daughter is, the woman decides to play a trick on her. She tells her daughter that she needed something from the store.
    When the daughter left, the woman took the turkey out of the oven, removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen, inserted it into the turkey, and re-stuffed the turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back in the oven.
    When it was time for dinner, the daughter pulled the turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something, she reached in and pulled out the little bird. With a look of total shock on her face, the mother exclaimed: “You’ve cooked a pregnant bird!” At the reality of this horrifying news, the daughter started to cry. It took the family two hours to convince her that turkeys lay eggs!

    Fact or Fable? I don't know, but I would have liked to have been there for that one.

    Here's more Thanksgiving fun:


    The turkey shot out of the oven

    The turkey shot out of the oven
    And rocketed into the air,
    It knocked every plate off the table
    And partly demolished a chair.
    It ricocheted into a corner
    And burst with a deafening boom,
    Then splattered all over the kitchen,
    Completely obscuring the room.
    It stuck to the walls and the windows,
    It totally coated the floor,
    There was turkey attached to the ceiling,
    Where there'd never been turkey before.
    It blanketed every appliance,
    It smeared every saucer and bowl,
    There wasn't a way I could stop it,
    That turkey was out of control.
    I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,
    And thought with chagrin as I mopped,
    That I'd never again stuff a turkey
    With popcorn that hadn't been popped.

    A couple more jokes:

    Q. Why do turkeys go gobble, gobble?
    A. Because they never learned table manners.


    Q. What happened to the turkey that got in a fight?
    A. He got the stuffing knocked out of him.



    The Parrot

    A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."
    John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued,
    "May I ask what the turkey did?"

    Tuesday, November 20, 2007

    Successful eBay Holiday Sales Tips

    eBay selling is a challenge year round. For the most success this holiday selling season, make sure you are taking advantage of all of eBay's features to boost your holiday sales. Here are a few tips to help you increase sales and stay organized during the busy holiday selling season.

    • Add Best Offer to all inventory items. You never know what people will purchase once they have already bought something from you and are browsing your store for deals,or to take advantage of your combined shipping rate. Adding Best Offer will result in more sales. You don't have to accept the offers, but you will give your customer more options, appear to be a more flexible seller, and be able to capitalize on more opportunities to sell your items.
    • Use Buy It Now on all auctions from now until Christmas. Decide on what you will accept for a BIN price. As the holiday gets closer, people procrastinate, sometimes even panic, and don't want to wait for an auction to end. Offering BIN will result in more sales. (Just do your research and make sure you have your BIN price set high enough.)
    • Order packaging early. Go to the USPS website and order plenty of boxes and Tyvek envelopes. Take an inventory of what you will need such as bubble wrap and packing peanuts, and order it several weeks in advance.
    • Know the shipping date deadlines. Again, visit the USPS website to see a chart with all of the shipping deadlines for the various services. You may want to print out this table of shipping deadlines and post it by your computer.
    • Stay focused on operating your business. Complete your income producing activities first before getting caught up in holiday activities like baking, shopping, wrapping, and decorating. You still have a business to run.
    • Prioritize. Choose your top 3 business related tasks each day before starting to work, and stick to that list. To keep your eBay business running smoothly, accomplish your business tasks before getting involved with personal tasks.
    • Stay caught up with your shipping. It is very tempting to want to list more and more items when sales are hot. You don't want forget the customers who have already paid you and are waiting for their product. The USPS is slow enough over the holiday season - don't risk a neutral or negative because you aren't keeping up with your shipping.
    • Set your limits. If you are doing the "crazy toy thing" (going on the 2 AM Wal-Mart runs to purchase large quantities of the hottest toy), keep in mind that you can't be all things to all people. Select a few hot toys to concentrate on and don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Remember you are going to have to pack and ship everything in addition to listing, running your business, and preparing for your own family's holiday. A few hundred dollars in hot toy profit is not worth having a personal meltdown and ruining your own family's holiday time.

    Have fun and happy eBaying this holiday season!

    Monday, November 19, 2007

    Surviving the Holidays - Tips for enhancing the memories.


    Between the frenzy of school and holiday parties, shopping, cooking, and spending, sometimes the spirit of the season seems anything but happy. Stress, over-extended schedules, and concerns over how the money just seems to be flying out of the wallet can turn the season of joy to that of anxiety and hassle. But parents CAN turn the holidays into a time of family and cherished quality time. How? Here are eight ways to help families reconnect and enjoy the season.

    1. Serve others

    It's better to give than to receive, right? Then turn the saying into a true practice by volunteering TOGETHER as a family. Where? How? The options are endless. A best bet is to choose as a family. Here are some options to get the brainstorming started: Serving dinner at a homeless shelter, helping to sort and inventory items at a local food bank or clothing collection agency, or helping to groom and care for animals at a local shelter.

    2. Emphasis hand-made gifts

    Why would anyone want a homemade gift when money can buy the latest and greatest on the market? Parents, if your child thinks like this, then this is a value that really should be stressed this season. The holidays are the time to celebrate families and to show love and appreciation to those they love, and not just for the gifts. And what better gesture than a gift made by from hands and heart? Gifts can be as simple as a cherished handprint, a scrapbook, or a service such as housecleaning.

    3. Help Kids Learn About Dollars and Sense

    Children can start learning about the value of money at a young age, and a good time to teach about budgeting and finances is around the holidays. Letting children shop for an inexpensive gift is a great way to teach how far--or not--a buck will go. It's okay for parents to talk about how much things cost. Educate kids that spending is a choice, and that there is a difference between a "want" and "need."

    4. The Gift of Time

    Many parents trying to force holiday spirit on their family through movies, shopping, extra activities, and often with the result of overload. The best gift a parent can give is time! Kids love evenings by a fire with hot cocoa and reading holiday books, and may prefer a holiday video watched together as a family than waiting in line at a busy movie theatre. Family games, walks in the park, and even looking at holiday lights while listening to seasonal tunes are what memories are made of.

    5. Making memories and establishing traditions

    Does you family have a special holiday tradition? If not, add one, and enjoy how it adds to the sense of family tradition and togetherness. How about sharing memories during a special meal? Decorating the tree as a family? Opening one special gift with just your family that has special meaning? Starting a journal with contributions by each member? Have a family PJ night. Building traditions can add to the holiday joy and strengthen families.

    6. Reflection and Goal Setting Made Easy

    Regardless of the holidays on the calendar, families should embrace the end of the year and new year that lies ahead by setting a direction for the future. Family members can brainstorm together and develop common goals, or at least share personal goals and ask for members' support. Whether it is to eat together more often, to make healthier choices, to limit extracurricular activities, or to work smarter, share your dreams and focus for the new year.

    7. Let There Be Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

    Stir up some fun in the kitchen this season for family togetherness. Make a gingerbread village each year, with each member crafting an individual cottage. Or, bake up sugar cookie cut-outs and use imagination with the decorations. Consider stringing popcorn and cranberries while enjoying some home-cooked soup and bread around the fire at the same time. Cooking together brings family members together, and is a great way to combine food, fellowship and fun!

    8. Learning to say "Thank You" From The Heart

    Kids don't just "know" how to be grateful. It's a taught behavior from parents and other adults. A child's natural tendency is to think selfishly, but parents should emphasize an equal amount of selflessness. While it's natural for children to possess a case of the "greeds" around the holidays, parents should use the season to teach manners, respect for elders, grace, giving, and gratitude.


    I hope these ideas give you some ways to improve your holidays and make them more enjoyable and meaningful. Happy Holidays!

    Sunday, November 18, 2007

    Happiness


    "You can get everything money can buy without a lick of character, but you can't get any of the things money won't buy - happiness, joy, peace of mind, winning relationships, etc., without character." --Zig Ziglar

    Saturday, November 17, 2007

    Thanksgiving Jokes and Fun

    Sometimes the silliest jokes are the funniest. Especially when you're seated around the table and no one is expecting it. It gets even sillier when you can follow it up with another and another. The kids will laugh and the teens will groan. The adults will look at you like you've lost your mind but everyone will be having a good time. Keep a few of these in mind for when the conversation gets slow at your Thanksgiving dinner.

    Q. Why does a pilgrim's pants always fall down?
    A. Because he wears his belt buckle on his hat!

    Q. If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for?
    A. Their age!

    Q. What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
    A. Boy! I'm stuffed!

    Q. If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
    A. Pilgrims!

    Q. Why did the police arrest the turkey?
    A. They suspected it of fowl play!

    Q. Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?
    A. Yes, the Empire State Building can't jump!

    Turkey Warning Poem:

    Tell me, Mr. Turkey,
    Don't you feel afraid
    When you hear us talking
    'Bout the plans we've made?

    Can't you hear us telling
    How we're going to eat
    Cranberries and stuffing
    With our turkey meat?

    Turkey, heed my warning:
    Better fly away;
    Or you will be sorry
    On Thanksgiving day.
    -Author Unknown

    More Jokes:

    Q. What are the feathers on a turkey's wings called?
    A. Turkey Feathers!

    Q. Why did the turkey cross the road?
    A. It was the chickens day off!

    Q. Can you make a turkey float?
    A. Sure but you need 2 scoops of ice cream, some root beer and a turkey!

    Q. Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
    A. The outside!

    Friday, November 16, 2007

    Friday's Finds

    This is our 100th post. A small milestone but one we are happy to have reached! Help up celebrate by leaving your comments and impressions of our 1st 100. What do you like about our blog.. what can we do better?

    But now, it's time for another issue of Fridays Finds. The one day each week when I share with you some of the many unique places I find on the web. The sites listed could vary in content from funny to educational, or bizarre to just plain enjoyable. Some might be commercial sites selling unusual items and others might be freely sharing whatever information they have. I'll include a description with the link to give you an idea of what to expect if I have the time. Otherwise you'll be on your own. But, in most cases you should be able to figure out what to expect by the name of the site although some may surprise you. So climb aboard, fasten your seatbelts, keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times but please have fun!

    1. THE BUREAU of MISSING SOCKS
    2. The Worst Jobs
    3. Cockroach Catalog
    4. 100 Words a Day
    5. Easy traditional Thanksgiving Recipes
    6. Diabetic Thanksgiving Recipes
    7. Thanksgiving Traditions

    Thursday, November 15, 2007

    Thursday's Thinkers


    I'm making this a regular feature. Every Thursday I'll post at least one, but probably more, questions to get you thinking. Leave your thoughts or comment on others responses. Let's have a dialog! Here's todays questions:

    1. There's a kid in all of us. What does yours want to be when he/she grows up?
    2. What was the last thing you ate?
    3. What talent do you wish you possessed?
    4. Which is worse? Stepping in dog poo or sitting in gum?

    Wednesday, November 14, 2007

    Bringing Life, Happiness & Joy To Our Lives

    Bringing Life, Happiness & Joy To Our Lives
    By Jim Rohn

    Any day we wish, we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.
    We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, 'The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.' We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.
    We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives. And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life--if you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life--and it all begins with your very own power of choice.

    Tuesday, November 13, 2007

    eBay Tips & Tricks

    Bling! It is a new software product designed to help eBay, Amazon and website sellers create dynamic product images that make your photos look like the big guys. Don't get confused by the name.. Bling! It, is actually useful for lots of product applications besides Jewelry.

    On eBay and in any competitive online environment, the best product shots get first notice. With Bling! It, your high quality product shots will help you make sales and gain attention.
    Bling! It offers extreme ease of use for even the most casual eBay seller to create high-quality web-ready product shots that can compete with large sophisticated sellers. In the past, only the most seasoned Photoshop professional could create product shots like this, but with the availability of Bling! It, even a novice user can create “shot in the studio” quality product images in minutes. All that is required is a digital camera and a few clicks of the mouse. No Photoshop and no complicated layering, outlining, or hours in front of the computer.


    Here is some of what the software can do:

    • Sharpen product appearance without hiding a product’s characteristic imperfections
    • Add drop shadows to provide a depth-of-field to the image
    • Use the “Highlight Brush” to lift the image highlights to create a “shot-in-the-studio” feel
    • Enhance product resolution independently from the background to make the product really stand out
    • Embed a logo to make product shots even more professional and protect your image from being stolen
    • Adjust the edge blending between the product and the background to preserve the warm feeling of a sweater or the furry softness of a teddy bear
    • Customize the position, size and rotation of the product relative to the new background with the easy-to-use handling points
    • Optimize the final image for use on various preset e-commerce sites such as eBay or Amazon

    Here are a couple of shots that show what you can do:

    Before After:













    Bling! It is software that downloads to your computer. My readers can get a 15-day Free Trial download at this link.

    Monday, November 12, 2007

    Fun But Useless Facts


    The internet is such an amazing tool. You can find information on just about anything you want. So here's a sampling of information that I'm sure you'll find interesting. The problem is, I don't know if any of it is useful. Nevertheless I'm sure you'll enjoy these Fun But Useless Facts:



    • If you multiply 111,111,111 by 111,111,111, you get 12,345,678,987,654,321.

    • In Chinese, the words "crisis" and "opportunity" are the same.

    • Denver, Colorado consumes less prune juice per capita than any other city in the United States.

    • Polar bears are left-handed.

    • The first toilet ever seen on television was on "Leave It to Beaver."

    • Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

    • Hitler was claustrophobic. The large elevator leading to his eagles nest in the Austrian Alps was mirrored so it would appear larger and more open.

    • "Moon" was Buzz Aldrin's mother's maiden name. You know Buzz Aldrin. He was the second man on the moon.

    • Paper was invented early in the second century by Chinese eunuch.

    • Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump.

    • Insects outnumber humans 100,000,000 to one. (Not so hard to believe on a warm summer night)

    • Termites are affected by music. They will eat your house twice as fast if you play loud music.

    • The Titanic was running at 22 knots when it hit the iceberg.

    • The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets.

    • The first owner of the Marlboro company died of lung cancer.

    • The song with the longest title is "I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with my Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-o, Beat-o Flat-On-My-Seat-o, Hirohito Blues" written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1943.

    • During an average lifetime, a man will spend 3,350 hours shaving away 8.4 meters of stubble.

    Saturday, November 10, 2007

    Pathways



    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

    Fall Football

    I totally love watching football in the fall. However, since moving to Texas in the winter of 2006, I haven't been able to watch more than a couple games of my favorite college team. I am required to pull up the internet broadcast from ksl.com and listen to the radio online.

    I fully enjoyed the thumping the BYU Cougars gave to TCU on Thursday night and I looking forward to next weeks game at Wyoming and then the big game with the whinning Utes. So to get us all in the mood, here's a highlight video of last years game.



    And of course, the final play of last years game against the University of Utah. I think Harline is STILL open!



    BYU Football, Fun for the whole Family. Go Cougars!

    Friday, November 9, 2007

    Fridays Finds


    It's time for another issue of Fridays Finds. The one day each week when I share with you some of the many unique places I find on the web. The sites listed could vary in content from funny to educational, or bizarre to just plain enjoyable. Some might be commercial sites selling unusual items and others might be freely sharing whatever information they have. I'll include a description with the link to give you an idea of what to expect if I have the time. Otherwise you'll be on your own. But, in most cases you should be able to figure out what to expect by the name of the site although some may surprise you. So climb aboard, fasten your seatbelts, keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times but please have fun!

    1. Adopt a virtual pet

    2. Bizarre auctions

    3. Life Bets

    4. Meridian Magazine

    Thursday, November 8, 2007

    Thursdays Thinkers


    I've made this a regular feature. Every Thursday I post at least one, but probably more, questions to get you thinking. Leave your thoughts or comment on others responses. Let's have a dialog!

    Here's todays questions:

    1. What food best describes your spouse?
    2. If they were coming for you, where would you hide?
    3. Who would you like to be stuck in an elevator with for three hours?


    .

    Tuesday, November 6, 2007

    eBay Tips & Tricks: Bundling

    I have often found that it's easier to sell several items bundled together rather than trying to sell them each separately. However, one of the most common mistakes sellers make on eBay is selling too many things together as a "lot."
    One of my favorite eBay anecdotes involves a single auction for a large lot of model trains, for which the seller had originally paid approximately $800. He then turned around and sold half the collection, all told, for about $800. He estimated the value of the remaining items to be around $1,000, all of which he effectively got for free because he had already sold enough to recoup his costs.
    The most direct approach is to research completed auctions and to compare the expected value of a collection with the total expected values of the separate items. But this can take a lot of time, and you'll be hard-pressed to find another auction with exactly the same items.

    So instead, just ask yourself this question: How likely is it that any single bidder will want all of the items I'm selling? Bidders who buy large collections or lots typically do so with the intention of reselling some or all of the items. Since they'd do this only if there were profit in it, it's unlikely that anyone would pay the full value of such a collection.
    However, if there's a good chance that a single person will want to keep all of the items you're selling, then you very well may get what they're worth.
    Never bundle unrelated or incompatible items. For instance, say you'd like to sell two camera lenses, each for a different brand of camera. It should be obvious that they should be sold separately, but even experienced sellers sometimes try to sell odd things such as these together. In this case, anyone who bids will likely be interested in only one of the lenses and, as a result, won't bid higher than what that single lens is worth.
    Accessories can go either way. Sometimes, adding $50 worth of accessories to an item will increase the desirability of the item by at least that much, if not more. Other times, it won't make a lick of difference.
    Take, for example, a $300 handheld computer, sold along with a $40 memory card, a $25 leather case, a $10 screen protector, and $150 worth of software. Here, knowledge of the market will save you time researching the value of each item. Accessories such as used leather cases (at least the cheaper ones), used screen protectors, and especially the software are all pretty much worthless when sold separately but will probably raise the value of the handheld. Why? Because it is likely that any single bidder will actually want all of those things and will pay more to avoid having to buy them separately.
    Naturally, the market for your particular item will be different, but this should give you an idea of the methodology used to determine the practicality of bundling related items.
    Leverage Dutch auctions. If you have a large quantity of an inexpensive item, you may be inclined to sell the entire lot in a single auction. But who is going to want 4,000 pairs of shoelaces, even if you offer them all at the low, low price of only $200? Naturally, it also doesn't make sense to list them separately at 5 cents apiece, but there are other options.
    Probably the best choice is a Dutch auction--but not necessarily the kind you might expect. The nature of a Dutch auction suggests that if you have 4,000 items, you enter a quantity of 4,000, wherein a single bid buys a single item. But then you'd be back where you started: handling up to 4,000 different customers at a nickel a piece. Instead, try selling 400 bundles of 10 for $4 each. So a single bidder would be able to buy 10 pairs of shoelaces for $4, 20 pairs for $8, and so on. You'll have to build only one auction, you'll get eight times as much money per shoelace, and you'll be much more likely to get any money at all for your bizarre collection.
    Remember, if you decide to bundle, group only related items. Clothing of the same size, etc. If you have odd items try doing a mystery box auction and reveal only a few of the better pieces. It can be fun to reveal new items or hints to what is in the box throughout the duration of the auction as the bid prices rise.
    Have fun and Happy eBaying!

    Sunday, November 4, 2007

    The Spirit of Christ


    “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God." - Moroni 7:16

    Saturday, November 3, 2007

    Daylight Savings Time - Why? Why? Why?

    Tomorrow morning (Sunday at 2 a.m.) it will be time to turn back your clocks an hour as part of daylight savings time. This year’s movement is one week later than years past in an effort by Congress to conserve more energy.
    Whether that has been successful is a matter of debate, but it did create quite a problem in many people’s homes last week. Many residents owned electronic appliances that were automatically programmed to make the change based on the old date of changing back the last Sunday in October rather than the new one of the first Sunday in November. Trick-or-treaters certainly were safer while on the streets of the region this week as a result of the change, as it remained light longer into the evening.
    Why do we even fool with changing the clocks twice a year?
    The concept first dates back to Benjamin Franklin. However, it wasn’t until 1918 that Congress — under pressure from the railroad industry — approved time zones as we know them today to help the railroads eliminate timetable confusion. Daylight savings time was instituted during World War I in the United States and much of Europe as an energy saving tool. It wasn’t until 1986, however, before Congress passed legislation authorizing the establishment of daylight savings time across the United States. Even so, some locations — such as Arizona — do not follow the daylight savings time practice.
    It's a topic of discussion every spring and fall with most people either loving it or hating it. Whichever way you feel about it enjoy the extra hour you’ll be gaining tomorrow morning and don't worry about it again until next spring.

    Friday, November 2, 2007

    Friday's Finds


    It's time for another issue of Fridays Finds. The one day each week when I share with you some of the many unique places I find on the web. The sites listed could vary in content from funny to educational, or bizarre to just plain enjoyable. Some might be commercial sites selling unusual items and others might be freely sharing whatever information they have. I'll include a description with the link to give you an idea of what to expect if I have the time. Otherwise you'll be on your own. But, in most cases you should be able to figure out what to expect by the name of the site although some may surprise you. So climb aboard, fasten your seatbelts, keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times but please have fun!

    1. Huge Rabbit Visible from Space
    2. Scarecrows of the World
    3. Amazing Mango Falls
    4. MissOops.com
    5. Worth1000 PhotoShopped Galleries
    6. Article Directory


    Thursday, November 1, 2007

    What day is it?

    Do you ever wake up wondering what day it is? Do you go off to work feeling that you're missing out on something? Do the people aound you always seem to be celebrating, and you don't know why?

    Your fears and doubts are over. Here is the November guide to holidays:

    November 1: Nutty Pecan Day Now, why do people usually only eat pecans during the holidays? The are cholesterol and sodium free - and are also full of vitamines and minerals. Eating a handful every day is good for you, but don't forget to try out special pecan recipes, too!

    November 2: Piggy Bank Day During the Middle Ages, metal was expensive and rarely used for household utinsels. They used an orange clay called "pygg" to make dishes, pots and jars. And when people saved money at home, they put it in a "pygg jar". The name stuck long after the orange clay was forgotten. By the 18th century in England, the pygg jar had become the pig jar or pig bank. Eventually, potters cast the pig bank in the shape of this common name.

    November 3: Sandwich Lovers Day We honor John Montague, born in 1718, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich. Said to have been an avid gambler, he invented the sandwich as a time-saving way to eat while involved in a 24 hour card playing session.We like them because there are no dirty dishes!


    November 4: Sadie Hawkins Day Sadie Hawkins Day is an American folk event created by Al Capp in 1937 for the Li'l Abner comic strip. Sadie Hawkins was "the homeliest gal in the hills" who grew tired of waiting for the fellows to come a courtin'. Her father set up a foot race so the unmarried gals could chase the bachelors. You can get the whole story on the official Li'l Abner site. Li'l Abner

    November 5: Guy Fawkes Day On November 5, people in England celebrate a holiday called Guy Fawkes Day. Nearly 400 years ago, Guy Fawkes and other conspirators tried to blow up a British Parliament Building in 1605. After being apprehended they were convicted and beheaded in 1606. November 5th is now celebrated as the anniversary of the plot. Ever since, Guy Fawkes Day has been a time for merrymaking. The best part comes as darkness falls. Then, straw dummies are tossed into huge bonfires. Amid cries of glee, firecrackers pop and "the Guy" goes up in a blaze of fire.

    November 6: I Love Nachos Day Nachos! Nachos! Who's got the Nachos! Celebrate with chips and cheese sause!

    November 7: Bittersweet Chocolate Day Chocolate is said to cure all things including depression. And that's good enough for us.

    November 8: Harvey Wallbanger Day Apparently Harvey was a surfer with a passion for Galliano and walking into walls. This is one I probably won't be celebrating. Sorry Harvey.

    November 9: Neon Sign Day Neon is an inert, gas. British chemists Sir William Ramsey and Morris Travers discovered the element in the atmosphere in 1898 and named it neon for the Greek word that means "new". Little or no use was made of neon until 1910 when Georges Claude experimented with passing an electrical charge through the neon gas. He received a patent for the Neon Sign on this day in 1911.Las Vegas is so glad he did!

    November 10: Toothpaste Day The first known toothpaste was made by Egyptian physicians in 2000 B.C. They mixed powdered pumice stone with wine vinegar and brushed it on with a chewing stick. The Romans later used human urine instead of wine because they thought it whitened the teeth. They were right. Urine continued to be used in toothpaste and mouthwash until the 18th century. Modern toothpastes use ammonia to get the same cleaning action today.

    November 11: King Tut Day King Tutankahamen, Egypt's child-king became pharaoh at the age of 9 and died when he was 19 - more than 3,000 years ago. His tomb of priceless relics was discovered on November 4th, 1922. You're on your own to decide about the curse!

    November 12: Pizza But No Anchovies Pizza Day The word pizza comes from the Latin word picea which the Romans used to describe the blackening of bread in an oven. The world's first true pizzeria "Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba" opened in 1830, and is still in business today in Naples. An Italian immigrant named Gennaro Lombardi opened the first U.S. pizzeria in 1895 in New York City. Pizza is now consumed all over the world - with or without anchovies!

    November 13: World Kindness Day Healing the World By Practicing Random Acts Of Kindness"A long sentence that just means one person can do so much.We start by sending you big hugs!

    November 14: Spicey Guacamole Day Holey Moley! - Called ahuacatl by the Aztecs, avocados grew wild throughout Central America and Mexico as early as 900 AD. In fact, archeologists have found pottery with images of avocados from this time period. And they are SO good for you! It's a shame that Guacamole looks like baby dodo.

    November 15: Clean Out the Fridge Day It's not The Blob - It's not Ghostbuster's Slime - It's the leftovers in your refrigerator and now... they have a life of their own! Get them before they get you! TIP: An open box of baking soda will get rid of that smell!

    November 16: Quit Smoking Day Tobacco use is responsible for nearly one of every five deaths in the US. Make this the first day of your smoke-free life! Want To Quit? Get Free On-Line Help Here! Quit Smoking Help Tips

    November 17: Take a Hike Day Doctors say walking is the most important part of a healthy life! We care about you, so check out the Hiking and Walking Homepage - plus the Preventions Walking Club! GORP Hiking and Backpacking American Hiking Society



    November 18: Mickey Mouse Day MIC - KEY - M-O-U-S-E Mickey is looking really good for his age -he's in his 70's. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICK!

    November 19: Play Monopoly Day Parker Brothers launched Monopoly Today in 1935. The most expensive Monopoly Set was created by jeweler Sidney Mobell of San Francisco in 1988. The $2-million dollar set is 23-karat gold and the dice have 42 full cut diamonds for spots. WHOA!

    November 20: Peanut Butter Fudge Day It's Peanut Butter Fudge Day orYou Got Chocolate On My Peanut Butter!

    November 21: Hello World Day Celebrate World Hello Day By Saying "Hi" to at least ten people! I'm starting with you, so...HI!

    November 22: Thanksgiving Day It's down to the wire - did you forget anything? Dressing? Cranberries? Yams? Corn on the cob? Pumkin Pie? Opps.. what about the turkey

    November 23: Eat a Cranberry Day One of only a few native North American fruits, the cranberry was an important staple long before the Pilgrims arrived. Native Americans, who referred to cranberries as sassamanash, made cakes prepared with lean, dried strips of meat pounded into paste and mixed with animal fat, grains and cranberries.Because of the vitamin C content of cranberries, captains of the early sailing ships supplied their sailors with cranberries to prevent scurvy.

    November 24: Native American Day In recognition of the significant contributions the first Americans have made to the establishment and growth of our Nation. Native American History

    November 25: Shopping Reminder Day Only 24 more shopping days till XMAS!Okay, okay... we don't really know many days you've got to shop. Do you live where the malls are open on weekends - and how about nights? Still, it's time to make that Christmas list. YIKES!

    November 26: College Fraternity Day The first Kappa Alpha formed On November 26, 1825. If you are in college, ever went to college or just wanted to go to college, celebrate Fraternity Day!Now... if we can just figure out who first said, "Boola, Boola!"

    November 27: Pie In The Face Day Splat! Splat! You've been hit with a virtual whipped cream pie! But only because I love ya'. It's that kind of a day!

    November 28: Poloroid Camera Day Ok, who knows why they are called Land cameras? And, no, it's not because they don't work underwater. They are named after Edwin Land, the man who invented the process of instant photography.

    November 29: Turkey Leftovers Day It's been a week since Thanksgiving - and you still have turkey left over. Todays the day to use it or chuck it! Cooks struggling with the question of what to do with all of that turkey, deserve their own special day!

    November 30: Sacher Torte Day Austrians take their baking seriously - and the definition of a true Sacher Torte had to be decided in court. In the early 1800's, the Congress of Vienna ruled that a Sacher Torte was made of two chocolate cake layers separated by apricot jam with a chocolate glaze on the top and sides. The most famous Sacher Tort is made (of course)at the Sacher Hotel in Vienna, but you can makes your's at home.

    Thanks to Hidates.com for all this great information!



    Next week we'll be back with our usual Thursday Thinkers feature!