Walking Well Is a Good Thing. A Very Good Thing.

About 2 weeks ago I went online and decided I wouldn't get off until I found a cure for my leg pain and 24/7 leg cramping, which had become so intense that it kept me from sleeping each night. I'd wake up continously and I needed to take several naps during the day just to keep my sanity.

On the Internet, I found all sorts of nonsensical suggestions to solve the problem ("Put a bar of soap near your feet when you go to sleep and the cramps will stop"), but one I kept running into was to increase my calcium/magnesium/zinc intake.

I was tossing that idea around and told a friend I met for lunch that I was on to check out a GNC or Vitamin Shop to find something to stop the pain in my legs, when she said "Why don't you take calcium and magnesium? That'll help you--in fact, I have a new bottle right in my bag, why don't you take it? Here..." NOW, HOW WEIRD IS THAT? It seemed to me a confirmation that I should give this combination a try. Couldn't hurt...

So I did. By the next day, I felt 40% better. By the day after that, I felt 80% better. One day later I felt 100% better. Sometimes the pain comes back, but rarely. For anyone with leg pain, remember calcium and magnesium. Does wonderful things!

So now that my legs are in such great shape after causing such intense, horrific pain for almost a year, I've been out and about and neglecting my blog. Who could blame me? And as of Friday, the long-lasting faucet dispensing 12, 14, and 16 hours of work daily has shut (as it shuts every single year for about 2-3 months) and I am free to enjoy life far more than I did beginning last September when life consisted of getting up, going right to the computer and working from 9 am to 2 am the NEXT morning (with a few naps in between and a 15-minute break for each meal). Each day I'd sleep for a few hours, then start the routine all over again. I deserve more, and I'm going for it...

I'll be around my blog, maybe more than usual, maybe less, but I'm going to get out as well, clean closets, do all the long-neglected stuff I need to do, and LIVE LIFE. I'm free, and I'm going to enjoy it.
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Hey, it's snowing in the Tri-State tonight! I see white! I'm going out to throw a snowball tomorrow morning. Right at YOU! :)

Famous Bald People, Past and Present

There are no words.

The George Washington/Abraham Lincoln Quiz

How much do you know about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln? Not much? Me neither. So let's fail this test together:

1. The story about young George, the hatchet, and the cherry tree is fiction. True or false?

2. George had a terrible temper. True or false?

3. George lived frugally. True or false?

4. George was 6 feet 3 and weighed more than 200 lbs. True or false?

5. George was born to a family of great wealth. True or false?

6. George and his wife Martha had 10 children. True or false?

7. George wore a white wig. True or false?

8. What president decided to stop the national celebrations of the individual birthdays of Lincoln and Washington and make one holiday: President's Day? Name him.


9. Before becoming president, Lincoln was the postmaster of New Salem, Illinois, and usually carried letters in his hat. True or false?

10. Who was buried with Lincoln following the funeral process by train from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Illinois?

11. When was Abraham Lincoln born?

12. How many children did Abe and his wife Mary have?

13. Recite the Gettysburg Address backwards. Ha! Bet you can't even recite it forwards! lol Or can you? Yes or no?

14. Was Mary Todd Lincoln present at Abraham's assassination?

Okay. I'm done.

For number 13 above I'll get you started:

"Four score and seven years ago our forefathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in .... "

FROM MEMORY, can you fill in the next line or so? Anything???

You Mean You Have to Take a Bath More Than Once a Year?

Sent to me by a friend, who had it sent to him by a friend, who ... never mind:

THE 1500's

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children--last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained, it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs." There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.

This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold."

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day.

Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old. "

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and "chew the fat."

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or "upper crust."

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake."

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be "saved by the bell" or was considered a "dead ringer."

Great stuff!

Fluffy

Yes, indeed it snowed. It's so white and fluffy. S'bout time!

Where's the Snow?

We barely have snow so far (why God why?), yet my sister Teri, in the post below, has threatened to throw a snowball at me. Ha! Lord knows the woman has no pitching arm and there's not much snow on the ground anyway. Who can make a snowball out of these flurries?

It's 1:00 am and I'm going to sleep anticipating a huge snowfall overnight. It better be here by morning is all I can tell you, or someone (weatherpersonwise) will pay! Think it over weatherpeople!

It's Really Going to Snow. Honest. I Wouldn't Kid You!

Tomorrow, it's going to

Snow
.
.
.
Snow
.
.
.
S N O W

This is will be the first real snowfall this winter.
In the tri-state, we've been patiently waiting for snow for OVER 4 MONTHS.

Oh, sure it'll be a mess for a day or so.
Been there. Done that.

But who cares? It's going to snow!! Yippee!

This Guy Needs a Valium

Toronto CityNews reporter Peter Silverman attempts to investigate optical frame fraud and meets a guy heavily in need of soothing anti-convulsant, anti-anxiety medication. Valium? Halcion? Rescue Remedy?

Click HERE.

And Now, a Spectacular Guest Post from SushiBoy...

The following is a spectacular guest post by my friend Sushiboy about Utah. He definitely outdid himself! Big hug sent his way...

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Utah:
As seen through the eyes of Sushiboy

Back in November the World Famous Zed asked me (the not so famous Sushiboy) to write a guest post about Utah, my home state. So in typical Sushiboy fashion, I have it done 3 months later.

Now as far as states go, Utah is often seen as the red-headed step child; awkward, misunderstood and a little weird. The 2002 Winter Olympics did wonders for the state's image. I still think, by and large, Utah is misunderstood. Hopefully if I show you a little of what Utah is, it will also become easy to see what Utah isn't.

Utah is a Ute word that means, Top of the Mountains. I, personally, don't know of a state that is named more aptly than Utah. Utah is beautiful! Utah has almost every type of terrain you can think of: dry deserts, mountain peaks, green forests, fertile plains, rolling hills, salty lakes, steep canyons, white water rivers, lofty plateaus, sculpted rock formations, and scenic mountain valleys. The list could go on an on. My favorite feature of Utah, and one of the most commented on by its visitors, is the mountains. Most anyplace in Utah will offer breathtaking view of a mountain. Whether one is towering overhead, or on the horizon seeming to float over the dusty desert air. Mountains dominate Utah's landscape and offer vista's second to none. When writing this post, I had a hard time narrowing down the pictures I would include with it. I chose the one to the right above because it is my backyard. I chose it because this is the kind of scenery that Utahans, and our visitors, enjoy daily.

There is a lot of things to do in Utah. As I am writing this I am watching the snow drift slowly down outside my window, Utah powder, the best snow on earth! The biggest draw of tourism to the state is the skiing (and snowboarding). I really enjoy the slopes of Utah when I have money and time. There is a lot more to see the slopes. There is excellent mountain biking, hiking, camping, golfing, hunting and 4 wheeling to be found all over the state. In addition to outdoor activities we have plenty to see outside of the elements. Superwoman and I go ballroom dancing every Friday, there is a excellent Symphony, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Temple Square, the Utah Jazz, soccer, arena football, hockey, baseball and great venues for concerts and other entertainment such as the USANA Ampitheatre, the Energy Solutions Arena and the E-Center. As far as food goes you can get anything you want. Due to the amount of missionaries the LDS church sends out, Utah is a hotbed of ethnic cuisine. My favorite is sushi, no surprise there, but you can find food of any ethnicity from 5 stars all the way down to ethnic home cooking. One of our (Superwoman and I) favorite things to do is trying new types of food (whether by dining out or cooking it ourselves).

Mormons makeup 75% of the states population. Most of the misconceptions about Utah spawn from the rumors that float around about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Despite what you may of heard, Mormons are pretty normal. Mormons don't shun technology, cars or other modern conveniences. Mormons don't have 50 wives. Mormons are pretty much like any church congregation, a few of us are overzealous, a few judgemental self-righteous punks, but most of us are normal people trying to follow and serve Christ. My purpose in writing is not to promote my faith, but, I would like to impress upon Zed's readers that Mormons (and Utah) are not as weird as we are often made out to be. If you are interested in knowing the facts from the stereotypes, PBS will be airing what looks to be an objective look at the LDS faith, where many of the positive and the negative aspects of the faith will be explored.

Some famous Utahans (not necessarily Mormons): Steve Young (football), The Osmonds (singers/entertainers), Rosanne Barr (comedian/actress), Maude Adams(actor), Shawn Bradley(Basketball), Wilford Brimley(actor), J. Moses Browning(Gunsmith), Tom Chambers (basketball), Butch Cassidy (outlaw), Steven R. Covey (self-help guru), Merlin Olsen (football), SHeDaisy (Country Music Kassidy, Kelsi and Kristyn Olsen), Gene Fullmer (boxer, a relative of Superwoman's), Philo T. Farnsworth (inventor of TV), Jake Garn (Senator Astronaut) and many others.

So this is Utah, the Top of the Mountains, place of beauty and my home! I love it here. I hope you enjoyed our trip around the state together. I'd like to thank Zed for letting me share a little bit about my home. If you have any questions or remarks please share them in the comments. That's it from me, thanks for reading!

-Sushiboy

Poor Danielynn, May Life Get Better for Her

Poor Danielynn, 5-month-old daughter of Anna Nicole Smith.

Three days after her birth, her brother dies in her mother's hospital room from a deadly combination of drugs (methadone, Zoloft and Lexapro). Five months later, Danielynn's mother dies in a hotel room from what will surely prove to be a deadly combination of drugs (TrimSpa, methadone, and God knows what). Not a great start to life for this baby girl Danielynn.

Now Anna Nicole's long-time lawyer and short-term "commitment" partner Howard K. Stern (pictured above with Anna Nicole and Danielynn) as well as Anna's former lover, Larry Birkhead, a reporter/photographer, are fighting for custody of Danielyn, who stands to inherit millions. Should get ugly. Oh, and this morning, Zsa-Zsa Gabor's husband (a small-time prince of who-knows-where and an old man) claims HE might be the father, since he had been having a 10-year affair with ANS, and wants to take paternity tests as well. It's a circus. Poor Danielynn.

May her life get infinitely better from this point on--it can't get any worse. Poor Danielynn. Poor little baby.

The High School Meme

High School Meme (stolen from Lynda of Lynda's Great Journey, who stole it from Shelli of Shelli's Sentiments who stole it from ...)

1. Who was your best friend (in high school)? V.C. We remained friends throughout part of our twenties, but I headed off to live in France and being the world's worst communicator that I am, I never wrote. She moved to another area of the state, I moved back to a different address, and I only saw her once again in a restaurant quite a few years later. Oh well, life goes on.
2. What sports did you play? Sports? In high school? Are you crazy? I was far more into boys, makeup, gossip, and fun! Sports? What could you be thinking?
3. What kind of car did you drive? In senior year, my father allowed me to drive his old bright yellow Buick with the fancy tail-lights. It was a dinosaur, but it drew attention.
4. It’s Friday night, where were you? At a party, in the stands of a football game, a basketball game, a baseball game, etc., etc. I wasn't there for the SPORTS. I was there for fun!
5. Were you a party animal? No, not really. I went to many parties, but didn't "live" for them. Didn't do drugs.
6. Were you in the “In Crowd”? I pretty much was. Not the fast crowd, but I was well known because I was involved in so many extracurricular activities including modeling at a large local department store, school government, the football queen contest, booster club, blah, blah, blah, blah.
7. Ever skip school? No. I was way too good for that. :)
8. Ever smoke? Yep. That's what the In Crowd did. Stupid me.
9. Were you a nerd? No. But I became one over time though--in my late 20s. It's never too late!
10. Did you get suspended/expelled? No way!
11. Can you sing the alma mater? I don't think we had one. School song? What school song?
12. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Cucchio was my favorite. He was young, kind, good looking, and took it easy on the girls schoolwork-wise
13. Favorite class? English.
14. What was your school’s full name? Won't say online. Sorry.
15. School mascot? A roaring tiger
16. Did you go to Prom? Yes, I went to the Junior Prom with a young man whose hands and face sweated all night as he held my hand. Cute now that I look back at it. Yucky then. For Senior Prom, I went with the football captain. Sound good? It wasn't. He was a total jerk and big-time groper. I spent a lot of my prom saying "For the 200th time, get your hands off of me!"
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? I think so. And I'd like to do it better and smarter.
18. What do you remember most about graduation? It was very hard to keep the hat on (I pinned it, but the wind kept blowing it off).
19. Favorite memory of your Senior Year? I was co-director of the Senior Play. What fun!And the lead male role was played by the love of my life, HK. :) Great times!
20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall? A couple of times, for a couple of reasons: student government elections; football queen contest, blah, blah, etc.
21. Did you have a job your senior year? Yes, I worked after school and weekends as stock girl for a very upscale women's clothing store. The owner, a 73 y/o, literally chased me around the desk daily or walked up behind me and groped me. In this generation, he would have been arrested (I was underage: 17). I have the same feelings for him as for my date to the senior prom (see #16 above).
22. Who did you date? The guy I WANTED to date was of another religion and his parents wouldn't let him date anyone who didn't hold the same faith. Sigh. So I dated a series of nice guys who were so completely kind and sweet to me that they sort of creeped me out. It was too much for me. Please, I've already tried to work this out in counseling for a few years--okay??? lol
23. Where did you go most often for lunch? A local deli with tables outside; to a small, nearby park with friends; or home.
24. Have you gained weight since then? What's it to you? Hasn't everyone? Short answer: yes.
25. What did you do after graduation? I went to Scotland for almost a year, and then toured the European continent for 6 months or so. Finally came home and went to college.

I invite anyone who wants to do this meme to do it either here in the comments or on your own blog. Have fun!

To My Spanish-Speaking Spammer

Spanish language recalled rom Mrs. De Leon's 10th-grade Spanish class, many moons ago:

Buenos tardes! Bienvenido a me blog! Como esta usted?

Elvis Presley is muerto. Elvis es muy muy muy muerto por muchos anos. Es verdad. No comprendo, usted no leer lo periódico cada dia?

Donde esta el bano? Donde esta el museo? Felíz año nuevo! Feliz cumpleaños! Adios! Muchas gracias, mon amigo!

Te amo mucho.


*A reply to my Elvis spammer in the previous post. I might have mixed in a bit of French--me perdona! It's a sad day when a blogger attempts to make friends with her spammers.

A New Exciting Job for Me

There was a time, not so long ago, when weathermen and weatherwomen could predict the weather. They knew when it would rain and they knew when it would snow, almost right down to the exact minute a weather event was about to happen.

Here in the tri-state, they had fine-tuned their predictions so precisely that they could say "it will rain in Teaneck at 3:54 pm, in Englewood Cliffs at 4:01, in Manhattan on the Westside Highway at 4:07 and on the FDR/Harlem River Drive at 4:11. Then this rapidly moving storm will head out over the Bronx, then the north shore of Long Island at 4:19. Groton, Connecticut, will see the storm by 4:29." And everything happened right on schedule.

Now, precision is a thing of the past. On Wednesday night they said it would snow overnight. NOTHING. On Thursday morning they said it would snow by 4:30 p.m. NOTHING. Then they changed their minds and said it would snow and there would be black ice by 5:00 a.m. this morning. Did you see snow? Did you fall on black ice? I didn't. And it still hasn't snowed. Whatever happened to Doppler Radar to lend accuracy to predictions?

I might as well get up there in front of a camera with a pointer and a big map and make up things about the weather as I go along:


"A tornado will be coming through here, somewhere in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, at about 9:15 or perhaps 11:30 and it will last however long it wants to."