Quitting Smoking

Here are my stats to date...

Time Smoke-Free: 5 days, 8 hours, 9 minutes and 39 seconds

Cigarettes NOT smoked: 133
Lifetime Saved: 1 day
Money Saved: $21.88

The number of cigarettes not smoked is nasty, huh?

Crushing a Democrat?

OK. It is official.

I kept seeing television political spots for someone running for congress. The name was rare and the name of someone I had a crush on for three plus years growing up (middle school years). I googled him today and sure enough it is the same person.

And...he is running on the democratic ticket...

Oh well. Good luck Tommy. Sorry, I will not be voting for you.

10 New Uses for Coffee Filtes

Use Coffee Filters to:

1. Diffuse the flash on a camera. When you’re taking a close-up, soften the brightness by placing a coffee filter over the flash.

2. Strain wine from a bottle with a broken cork. Place the filter over a pitcher or a carafe and slowly pour the wine into it.

3. Serve popcorn or other snacks. The filters act as disposable bowls, so there’s no dishwashing.

4. Make yogurt dip. Use a rubber band to secure a paper coffee filter over the mouth of a deep cup or jar. Slowly pour 8 ounces of plain yogurt onto the filter. Let drain for one hour. In a bowl, mix the thickened yogurt with 1 small minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.

5. Heat up leftovers in the microwave. Use a filter as the protective covering over a bowl or a plate.

6. Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.

7. Prevent scuffs and scratches on fine china. Use flattened coffee filters as spacers when you stack your dishes.

8. Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess-free.

9. Serve pita sandwiches. A circular filter is the perfect size for carrying a sandwich on the go.

10. Clean windows and glass when you’re out of paper towels. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise over again,

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

-Diana Loomis

Since Halloween is on it's way...

...here are a few tips to survive a horror movie (more to come)...

• When it seems that you've killed the monster, never check to see if it's really dead.


• If you find that your house is built upon or near a cemetery, was once a church used for black masses, had previous inhabitants who went mad or committed suicide or died in some horrible fashion or who performed necrophilia or satanic practices, move away immediately.


• Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.


• Do not search the basement, especially when the power has just gone out.


• If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they do not know, or if they speak using a voice other than their own, shoot them at once. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. Note: it's unlikely they'll die easy, so be prepared.


• When you have the benefit of numbers, never pair off or go off alone.


• If the gang plans a fun midnight party in the town's old abandoned mansion, don't tag along. Especially don't tag along if everyone's going as couples, except you're the odd guy/gal out. And if you're the gang's jokester, you may as well write up your last will and testament while you're driving with them to the place.


• As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.


• Never stand in, on, above, below, beside, or anywhere near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, or other domicile of the dead.


• If you're searching for something which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, leave the room immediately if you value your life.

Living With An Addict - Part 3

Well, as my husband continues to relapse with alcohol from time to time, it was recommended to me that I begin to attend Al-Anon meetings. So far, I have not been able to make it to a face to face meeting, but I have joined an online meeting and so far it has been very helpful. I realize that I cannot control anyone but myself, especially not an alcoholic/addict. I also cannot rely on anyone but myself to make me happy. So, I am starting my path to serenity. I am trying to remove his chaos from my life (and the lives of the smaller two). I will not try to control him. I will keep a peaceful house. He can either choose to join us in serenity or remain alone in chaos. That is what I can do for all of us to show my love for myself, my kids, and my husband.