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- Lending Rates 3/04/2010Posted on: 2010-03-04Lender 30 Year 15 Year
Coldwell Banker 4.875% w/ 0.75 pt 4.25% w/ 0.625 pt
Bank of America 4.875% w/ 0.875 pt 4.125% w/ 1.375 pts
Wells Fargo 4.875% w/ 1.0 pt 4.25% w/ 1.0 pt
Citi Mortgage 5.0% w/ 0.50 pt 4.25% w/ 0.875 pt
Chase 5.0% w/ 0.875 pts 4.375% w/ 0.625 pt
- Home SalesPosted on: 2010-02-02Worst months for home sales:
1. January
2. February
3. December
4. November
If your home is on the market, hold on. March is not far away. - Rat poison report from a neighborPosted on: 2010-01-28
Vivian -
I was hoping you could put out the word to our neighbors that when they put rat poison out to get rid of the pests that are finding their way to our homes from the fields around us, those rats die and our pets and children find them in our yards! The poison doesn't stop with just the rat. When a dog or cat get hold of one, the poison is passed to the pet , who then gets sick and very likely dies. I know they are a pain to get rid of. I had to fill holes, use traps and tape and sonic devices as well - but I did not put out poison for fear of harming a child or my own or someone elses pet. I now am dealing with extensive vet bills myself to save a beloved pet who may been accidentally poisoned. Please ask our neighbors to find another way to get rid of the rats....Thanks -
(I have 2 rats I see on my back porch. I thought I was the only one with this problem. I going to get a trap I guess. I'd thought about poison and decided against it but this letter tells why it's best not to use it.)
- Three Men on a HikePosted on: 2010-01-24Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large
raging, Violent river. Needing to get to the other side, the first man
prayed: ' God, please give me the strength to cross the river. '
Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim
across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.
After witnessing that, the second man prayed: ' God, please give me
strength and the tools to cross the river '
Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he
was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.
Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed: ' God,
please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the
river '
Poof! He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one
hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.
GO AHEAD, SEND THIS TO A WOMAN WHO NEEDS A GOOD LAUGH AND TO ANY MAN WHO
CAN HANDLE IT!
If at first you don't succeed, do it the way your wife told you!*
- Recent Vandalism on N. Ranch Estates Jan. 2010Posted on: 2010-01-24We had a truck window smashed, nothing stolen. The police have really been driving up and down. My understanding is this is not an isolated incident.
- How Homestead and Senior Exemptions affect youPosted on: 2010-01-20School taxes.......................$15,000 off home's appraisal
65 or disabled....................$10,000 more off school taxes
Lateral roads....................1% plus $3000 off appraisal
65+ disabled/lateral roads.........another $7000 off appraisal - Right turn on Stop SignsPosted on: 2010-01-20My friend was on Union and turning right on San Antonio Street. No one was around so instead of coming to a full stop she just rolled around the corner where she got a $400 ticket.
- Ole and SvenPosted on: 2010-01-20
Full view
Fwd: Ole and Svenþ
From: Russell Tufvander (russellt@guam.net)
Sent: Sun 1/17/10 9:11 PM
To:
Ole and Sven die in a snowmobiling accident, drunker than skunks,
and go to Hell.
The Devil observes that they are really enjoying themselves.
He says to them 'Doesn't the heat and smoke bother you?
Ole replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve're from nordern Minnesooota, da
land of snow an ice, an ve're yust happy fer a chance ta varm up a little bit,
ya know.'
The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns
up the heat even more.
When he returns to the room of the two guys from Minnesota, the devil
finds them in light jackets and hats, grilling Walleye and drinking beer.
The devil is astonished and exclaims, 'Everyone down here is in
abject misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves?'
Sven replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve don't git too much varm veather
up dere at da Falls, so ve've yust got ta haff a fish fry vhen da veather's
dis nice.'
The devil is absolutely furious. He can hardly see straight..
Finally he comes up with the answer.
The two guys love the heat because they have been cold all their lives. The devil
decides to turn all the heat off in Hell. The next morning, the temperature is
60 below zero, icicles are hanging everywhere, and people are shivering so bad
that they are unable to wail, moan or gnash their teeth.
The devil smiles and heads for the room with Ole and Sven. He gets there and
finds them back in their parkas, bomber hats, and mittens. They are jumping
up and down, cheering, yelling and screaming like mad men.
The devil is dumbfounded, 'I don't understand, when I turn up the
heat you're happy. Now its freezing cold and you're still happy. What
is wrong with you two?'
They both look at the devil in surprise and say, 'Vell, don't ya
know, if hell iss froze over, dat must mean da Vikings von da Super Bowl' - Making a livingPosted on: 2010-01-16I have some young boys in the neighborhood helping me deliver the flyers I send around. They are good workers and like to make money.
One of them says he spends some money he makes and has save $4000 (not from me). Another said he spends his on vidio games. The next said he gives his to his parents becase they need it to buy food and gas. I try to hire that boy next....he always says he need to work. - This came off the internetPosted on: 2010-01-16Good idea .. . one light bulb at a time . . . .
Check this out . I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China . The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking ..
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job . So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track . Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy . I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now.. I do not buy it any more.
My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico ... now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything ..
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets .. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, 'Everyday Value . ' I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price .. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland , Ohio .
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here ..
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets . .. . yep, you guessed it, bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
(We should have awakened a decade ago .. . .. . . . )
Let's get with the program . . . .. help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U . S . A ..
I Passed this on ........ will you ??????? - HaitiPosted on: 2010-01-14I was going to send a donation to the Red Cross but decided to send to the Savation Army instead.
It bothers me a lot to learn that before the earthquake only 1/3 of the island was getting clean drinking water. In this day and age?! That's what should be addressed as soon as possible. - Curry and Mac and CheesePosted on: 2010-01-14Last night I made Mac/Cheese and added mushrooms and tuna. Tried some curry powder on a little bit and it was really good. Curry is supposed to be good for you.
- A Good StoryPosted on: 2010-01-07A six year old goes to the hospital with her grandmother to visit her Grandpa.
When they get to the hospital, she runs ahead of her Grandma and bursts into her Grandpa's room...
'Grandpa, Grandpa,' she says excitedly, 'As soon as Grandma comes into the room, make a noise like a frog!'
'What?' said her Grandpa.
'Make a noise like a frog…… because Grandma said that as soon as you croak, we're all going to Disneyland '
Kinda brings a tear to your eye, don't it?
- Veteran's DayPosted on: 2009-11-11Got up early to help the American Legion put up flags. I was one of the first ones there so went around with my screwdriver opening up the pole holes. I know people were thinking, 'What's that old lady running around the streets with a screwdriver up to?' It was fun.
I went to give blood yesterday thinking they wouldn't need it because after Ft. Hood so many donors came. Well, the San Antonio blood bank had sent their platelets up to Ft. Hood and there was a shortage of platelets. I'd never done this because it takes 2 hours. They put you on a heating pad and wrap you in blankets and give you a movie to watch. I did it but I was so worn out afterwards. - Sales this year in our neighborhood.Posted on: 2009-11-07Last year from jan. 1 to Nov. 1 there were 103 sales.
This year we had a 110 for the same time period. -
New HomePosted on: 2009-10-20I listed a home in Quail Valley last week . Well maintained single story. $165,000. Great landscaping!
You can walk to the new elementary school. - Garage SalePosted on: 2009-10-19Patti and I went garage sale-ing. I got an antique mirror ($10), rocking chair ($15), large framed print for office ($2), small table cloth ($.25). The weather was so great and we had a great time. My rule is $5.00 but I was wanting these things so I went over budget.
Vivian - Maybe I shouldn't rant but this really upset mePosted on: 2009-10-16I got so upset yesterday and I'm not quite over it. I was showing property and these 3 Hispanic young men walked down the street. They were obviously coming from swimming in the river. My buyers went into panic mode and jumped in the car and drove off. Of course, there was no danger. Later I thought, if there had been danger, they'd run off and left me alone! Racism and stupidity go hand and hand!
- BananasPosted on: 2009-09-10After Reading this, you will NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!
Bananas Contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructoseand glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas containtryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel better.
PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex England ) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness
Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B-6 and B-12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes:
According to research in 'The New England Journal of Medicine,' eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death from strokes by as much as 40%!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!
Footnote:
If your roses are covered with Aphids, drape banana skins over the branches, it's amazing, but in a day or less, they are GONE! I've tried it, and I couldn't believe it, no more aphids, as long as I save my banana skins for the rose bushes!
Impressed? Well then, PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS!
Unzip a BANANA today!
- Lithium BatteriesPosted on: 2009-09-08How to treat your batteries
Most digital cameras, cell phones, laptops, and other portable devices run on lithium-ion batteries. These popular, lightweight batteries hold a charge very well. Here are some tips for their use.
Charge them whenever you want. Lithium-ion batteries don't suffer from 'memory effect,' which describes other types of batteries' tendency to hold less charge if not fully discharged regularly.
Don't let them run too low. There is a point at which a lithium-ion battery suffers damage from discharging too much power. Most devices have built-in safeguards to shut down before the damage occurs, but it's good practice to recharge your battery before your phone stops working..
Don't let them get hot. Heat is a lithium-ion battery's worst enemy. The batteries degrade over time regardless of their use, but their performance will quickly deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures.
Store them with a partial charge. You're better served to alternate between two batteries rather than storing one. A lithium-ion battery degrades over time whether it's used or not, so consider getting some use out of it. However, if you decide to store a lithium-ion battery for a few months, give it at least a half-charge.
- New Court House............VivianPosted on: 2009-08-25Just came from Lions' meeting where the speakers talked about new courthouse being built. I was overwhelmed to hear they sometimes do 85 prisoners and hold court almost every day. I had no idea we had that much crime in the county.
- Stuffed animals............................VivianPosted on: 2009-08-25I went garage selling Saturday. When I would see stacks of stuffed animals I'd say: 'We collect these for the shelters, police and fire department and if you don't sell, I will pick up donations.' Every place said, 'Take them now!'
- Tuna Sandwiches from BOBPosted on: 2009-08-24Did you ever try putting jalepenos on your tuna sandwich? Vivian got me to try this and it is so good. Oh the bliss of moving to Texas!
- Ben Franklin from TreyPosted on: 2009-07-27As Ben Franklin said: 'In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria. '
- You Won the Race......................from DavidPosted on: 2009-07-26This is suppposed to be a joke but when you think about it, it really means a lot. It means you are a winner.
When you were just a sperm, you beat out hundreds of others to the egg. - The Music ManPosted on: 2009-07-19I went to see The Music Man last night at Barton Springs in Austin. It’s free. You take a picnic and something to sit on. It was a great show. There is a free show there every summer.
We went to Sun Harvest in San Antonio and bought tons of fruit and vegetables cheap. Large, sweet white cherries $1.97 a pound. They are almost gone now.
- Home salesPosted on: 2009-07-19We are overloaded with homes. Coldwell Banker sales are averaging about 100 days on market...............60 days faster than our nearest competitor.
- Price it rightPosted on: 2009-07-12Talked to a lady who hadn't been able to rent out her house for 2 years. She said it was a nice home but she thought the rental agent had priced it way too high.
Well................duh! - Abe LincolnPosted on: 2009-07-08Things may come to those who wait…but only the things left by those who hustle.”
-Abraham Lincoln
- Negative Reactions submitted by EdPosted on: 2009-07-06Negative Reactions
Zig Ziglar
Whether you respond or react is the biggest indicator of your attitude toward life. If you can learn to respond to situations, you are going to have a much happier life. When people chew you out, it's not always because of something you have done. In many cases, it is because they are hurting. The question is, do you respond or react?
Have you ever been driving when suddenly someone pulls in front of you? You hit your brakes and your horn as well. Then, you give the irresponsible driver a piece of your mind. 'You dummy, I could have run into you! Just you wait -- you'll get yours!'
You get to the office and tell the first person you see about that idiot who almost ran you off the road. Then, you tell the second, third and fourth person about your near miss. Meanwhile, the driver of the other car rides merrily along, unaware that you even exist -- and yet he is in complete control of your attitude. Telling you how to think, how to feel, affecting your relationship with the people under you, over you, above you and around you. In short, he or she is in complete control of your future. It is the ultimate put-down.
Do you respond or react to life? When you respond, that means you are in control. When you react, that means that you have surrendered control to someone else. Let me give you an embarrassing example of not just reacting -- but overreacting.
I went out to eat with a large group of people, and we had a very long delay in getting our orders taken. I got upset because I could only see one waiter for our group of 36 people. I had asked in advance of being seated if we were going to have two waitpeople, and they said, 'Absolutely.' Ten minutes later, when nothing had happened, I asked them if they were sure we were going to have two waitpeople, and once again they said, 'Absolutely.' I asked a third time, and they said yes. When the young man started to take the orders, I asked him about the second waitperson. He said no, we were just going to have one. And besides, it wouldn't save any time at all if we had two.
I've eaten in restaurants a few times and clearly understand that two people can serve 36 guests faster than one person can, so I lost my cool right there. I said, 'You have got to be kidding.' He said, 'Absolutely not.' I said, 'Man, I just flat don't understand that. We need two people.' I was really upset.
Now, that was a serious mistake on my part. As a matter a fact, my administrative assistant got a telephone call the next day. The caller reported that Mr. Ziglar was rude, inconsiderate and not thoughtful. He said the young man was doing the very best he could under the circumstances, and that Mr. Ziglar was at fault.
The caller was right. I lost control and, in all probability, I lost any opportunity to ever have a positive influence on the person who called, the young man who was serving our group and anyone who happened to see me lose my cool. You need to understand that when you lose control, you impact a lot more people than just the individual who is directly involved. Because people look to teachers for direction and leadership, they hold them to higher standards. Which is why I have to confess that I am terribly embarrassed as I reflect on the whole incident. I still have plenty to learn and more than enough opportunities to practice what I love to teach. Respond instead of react: You -- and everyone around you -- will have something to smile about if you do.
- Things to know...................submitted by LorainePosted on: 2009-07-04
I Sure Didn't Learn That in School!
Zig Ziglar
The name of Bill Gates is known throughout the world. Most people look at what he's accomplished and the fortune he's accumulated with fascination and, in many cases, jealousy, wondering how on earth one man could amass so much money. Well, in his book, Bill Gates shares a list of the 11 things not generally taught in school -- I think he is right on:
Rule 1: Life is not fair; get used to it.
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will NOT make a large sum of money the year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He or she doesn't have tenure.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping; they called it 'opportunity.'
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try 'delousing' the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades; they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off, and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Good stuff! Here are a few other things that you don't learn in school:
- Butter / margerinePosted on: 2009-06-30
Pass The Butter, Please
This is interesting . . .
Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back. It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavorings..
DO YOU KNOW.. the difference between margarine and butter?
Read on to the end...gets very interesting!
Both have the same amount of calories.
Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams compared to 5 grams.
Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.
Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.
Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few
only because they are added!
Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods.
Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years .
And now, for Margarine..
Very high in Trans fatty acids..
Triple risk of coronary heart disease ..
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)
Increases the risk of cancers up to five fold..
Lowers quality of breast milk.
Decreases immune response.
Decreases insulin response.
And here's the most disturbing fact..... HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!
Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC..
This fact alone was enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).
You can try this yourself:
Purchase a tub of margarine and leave it in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will note a couple of things:
* no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something)
* it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value ; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic. Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?
Share This With Your Friends.....(If you want to 'butter them up')!
Chinese Proverb:
'When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.
- Another internet threat from VivianPosted on: 2009-06-25You may know this already but it was news to me.
Yesterday I attended a class on social net working, (Face Book, Twitter and blogs, etc.) I've been contacted recently from friends and joined up in Face Book so I was very interested in this. Some of my friends wanted to put me on their 'Birthday' lists and I'd given them my birthday. In the class they emphasized not putting details like that, spouse's name, where you were born, as this made it easier for people to steal your information.
I have 3 basic passwords that I use all the time. This is a no-no. Even though they may vary a bit, if a hacker gets one he may go to banks, credit card companies, and other financial places and in just seconds generate hundreds of variables around your name and password and get into accounts. Apparently, many people like me simplify their lives by using the same password over and over.
Now I'm trying to get set up in Face book. I've already seen some information on my distant family and news from around the world........some boring stuff also. If you want to join me, or coach me through this, let me know. It looks to be fun and informative..........just have to be careful. - Block telemarketers on cell phone from RonPosted on: 2009-06-23Dear Family & Friends:
In the event you have not heard, the telephone number (both hard-line & cell) you registered with the National Do-Not-Call Registry - to stop telemarketers from bothering you - is permanently registered, effective with legislation (Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007) that became law in February, 2008; previously, the registration expired after five (5) years.
If you have not done so, or would like to pass-on the procedure to your friends, here's the 'skinny'. You may register your telephone number(s) two ways:
1- On-line by going to the Website www.donotcall.gov
a- You may, also, verify your registration at this Website.
b- You may, also, file a complaint at this Website.
2- By telephone - dial 888.382.1222.
a- In this option, you must use the telephone instrument having the assigned number you wish to be blocked, either hand-line or cell.
PLEASE NOTE: Placing your telephone number in the Do-Not-Call Registery does not prohibit businesses with which you have an account-relationship from calling you and, therefore, their call is not a violation of the Act. In order to prevent these types of calls, you must opt-out by contacting each individual business/entity, i.e., Banks, Department Stores/Retail Outlets, Cable TV, Credit Card, etc.
Here's wishing you some peace in life; my phone has gone silent since I registered in November, 2007.
My Best,
Ron - Scam alert on Paypal from a County Line NeighborPosted on: 2009-06-17Hi Family & Friends:
I just discovered a new twist to the continuing problem of someone trying to steal an individuals personal identity for their gain; Here's the scam, so be alert and careful about who you provide your personal identity information, even if the 'Company/Indivdual' is familiar to you and 'appears' legitimate.
Most people I know will, from time-to-time, make purchases over the Internet and use their credit card as the payment instrument; many websites offer the option of making a secure purchase through PayPal - I, for one, have done this several times, without problem.
I opened an e-Mail yesterday, dated Saturday, June 13, 2009 @ 6:07PM, from paypal@10558.com (with the recognized Company Logo - PayPal). This e-Mail began with the words, Security Center Advisory, and went on to state 'PayPal is constantly working to ensure security by screening accounts daily in our system .... we need you to verify information to help us provide you with secure service. Your access to sensitive account features will be limited or terminated ... for the following reason(s):'
'June 09, 2009: We have reason to believe that your account was accessed by a third party ...' etc,etc,etc. Great (I thought), PayPal is on top of the situation! Then, there was the click-on line (you know, the one underscored and printed in blue):
Click here to Remove Account Limitations
It went on to inform me, 'Completing all of the checklist items will automatically restore your account to normal access ...'
When I clicked-on and began filling-in requested information, i.e., Name, Address, Telephone Number, etc., the red flag went up when I came to a request for (1) Credit Card Account Nbr, and (2) Social Security Number: PayPal already had my account nbr, and nobody needs my SSN. Obviously, I deleted all information (Name, etc) and shutdown the page.
I notified the Security Dept of PayPal (that's their e-Mail Address in the Cc Line) and was informed that paypal@10558.com is not a good e-Mail Address for them and, furthermore, they never ask for a SSN.
Here's the key Red Flag's: 1- Social Security Number, and 2- Credit Card Account Number. If you are ever asked for your SSN, TERMINATE THE E-MAIL AND/OR TELEPHONE CALL IMMEDIATELY!
My Best, and, Good Luck,
Ron - In Flanders FieldsPosted on: 2009-05-22In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- 3 THINGS YOU MIGHT TRYPosted on: 2009-04-24
My son has complained of back pain since early childhood and I’ve spent a lot of money on Doctors and Chiropractors……to no avail. They weren’t doing any good. Finally I said “no more.” He tried an acupuncturist here in town over a month ago and has not mentioned his back since. So if you can’t get relief, it’s worth a try. Only $65 and seniors (65 or older) only
In other (REALLY IMPORTANT NEWS!), just joking. I bought Naegelin’s Bakery tortillas. The best I’ve ever had and from a German bakery.
And I’ve been going to the German restaurant, Frienhaus on Comal St. and buying their 4 grain bread. It’s $4.90 a loaf but so heavy and thick I seldom eat more than 1 slice at a time.
- Something to think aboutPosted on: 2009-04-03
If you want happiness for an hour - take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day – go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month – get married.
If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.
----- Chinese Proverb
- Computer tipsPosted on: 2009-03-27To Clean Out Your Tracks, Addresses and History: You can erase most of your tracks
from one place. Click Tools>>Options. To delete cookies, select the General tab. Click the
Delete Cookies button. When you're prompted to confirm, click OK. To clear your trail of
visited Web addresses, click the Clear History button. Then click Yes when you're prompted
to confirm. If you want to delete specific pages from the history instead, click the History
button in Internet Explorer's main window. You'll see a sidebar listing the sites that you've
visited. To erase an entry, right-click it and select Delete.To clean out the cache, click the
Delete Files button. Mark the 'Delete all offline content' checkbox and then click OK. When
you're prompted to confirm, click OK.To erase form information, select the Content tab.
Click the AutoComplete button. Then click the Clear Forms button. When you're prompted
to confirm, click OK.
- Got a Cough? ..............................LorrainePosted on: 2009-03-27A friend gave me a Brach's cinnamon candy when I was coughing. It works better than any cough drop.
After I spread the word, another person said mix honey and cinnamon. - Military uniforms and KiltsPosted on: 2009-03-22I was reading an interesting book and it said how much easier it was for solldiers wearing kilts to urinate. The Civil War uniforms had 10 buttons to undo and left the soldier vulnerable. Modern soldiers use zippers, (noisy), to strike matches on. In the Korean war, nylon uniforms made a contant swishing noise that allowed easy detection by the enemy.
Just thought I'd share that with you. After traveling through jungles and 3rd world countries with no modern conveniences, I thought a heavy cotton skirt with no underwear would be the best attire for women. - Helpful sitesPosted on: 2009-03-12
Great Weather Information Site: This National Weather Service site really offers some
useful tools for weather information. You can find different temperature scales, wind chill,
heat index, and that is just for starters! http://www.srh.noaa.gov/epz/wxcalc/wxcalc.shtml
A College Education Is Expensive: Cost of the textbooks can be a real challenge. It isn't
uncommon to spend upwards of $100 on a textbook. You may find used textbooks at the
school bookstore. But this isn't always the case. For example, a textbook may be new to
the school. That means you probably won't find a used copy. Check out the internet and
don't miss Chegg. A great place to buy and sell used textbooks. You can even rent your
textbooks! Chegg claims you'll save at least 65 percent by renting. That's great news for
parents and students. Also, Chegg will plant a tree for each book you buy, rent or sell. http://www.chegg.com/
Getting The News On Line: There are many advantages to news sites as they are constantly
updated. Because we can also read stories from around the world means we have a
broader understanding of what's happening in the world. But if you miss the printed
newspapers and scanning the front page, check out Newseum. At Newseum, you can
browse front pages from almost 700 newspapers! And it covers 72 countries.
Newseum presents you with a map. Roll your mouse over the map, and you'll see the front
pages appear. Just click to see a larger picture of the front page. Once you peruse the front
page of a newspaper, you'll want to read more. In that case, you can click through to the
newspaper's site. http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
Improving Our Financial Status: Fortunately, we can all take steps to improve our financial
situations. And the Internet is the best place to find help. At the Simple Dollar, you'll find
great tips for reducing expenses. You'll also find ways to make better investments. It also
can help you break bad spending habits. So, you'll be better prepared to weather future
financial difficulties. Many people feel a sense of hopelessness when it comes to their finances.
Check out: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/
- The dead cat Feb. 16. 2009Posted on: 2009-02-16A little boy in kindergarten told his teacher he saw a dead cat on the way to school.
How did you know it was dead? she asked.
I pissed in his ear and he didn't move.
You what???
You, know. I leaned over and said ' piss,' right in his ear. - Choosing Your Realtor.....Be Careful!Posted on: 2009-01-04Almost a year ago I talked to a neighbor wanting to sell her home. She told me up front that she had a friend who was a Realtor she would probably go with. I advised her to be sure her friend was a member of our local Multiple Listing Service.
Well, she listed her home and it was not put in our MLS. Then she listed with a discount Broker; it was not put in our MLS.
She talked to me last week and said she is going into foreclosure. She told me both Realtors had said it was not important to be in our MLS as everyone searches on the internet these days.
It's true people search on the internet. Then they go to a Realtor, usually here in New Braunfels if they are looking for a home here. The Realtor looks up homes on our MLS. The home on the San Antonio or Austin MLS doesn't come up. The buyer says, 'Don't worry about finding it. There are plenty of homes to see.'
Many of you who have homes on the market believe you are listed locally. Many of you are not. If you are not sure, call me, I'll check for you. You want to sell your home, make sure you're listed locally. - Tomato RecipesPosted on: 2009-01-04Tomato Flowers
Corn Salsa Stuffed Tomatoes - Serves 8
Submitted by Sherri Crews of Vilano Beach, FL
8 medium sized tomatoes ½ tsp salt
Salt and pepper to taste 1 to 2 tbsp finely chopped jalapeno pepper
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro + 8 whole cilantro leaves
1/3 cup chopped purple onion 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed or fresh corn off the cob
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
Combine all ingredients except tomatoes in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Remove from refrigerator about 30 minutes before assembling tomatoes.
Core tomatoes. Slice each tomato from top to bottom leaving about ¼ -½ inch uncut at the bottom. Turn tomato and make another cut to make a cross. Cut tomato two more times to create 8 even slices but leave slices attached at bottom. Sprinkle tomatoes lightly with salt and/or pepper as desired — I like both.
Place each tomato in a decorative colorful bowl and fan out the tomato for stuffing. Put one large spoonful of corn salsa inside each tomato. Add a leaf of cilantro for decoration.
Also good with grilled shrimp on top for a light lunch.
- Over pricing your homePosted on: 2008-12-21I get upset when I see homes put on the market at a price not a little too high but way too high. We all want the best price but we need to be realistic.
Don't base the price you set on the tax records. The government wants the most money it can get from you. It has nothing to do with a lender's appraisal who is going to look at what the homes around you have sold for.
Look at the information I send out about sold homes. If you have a very nice inground pool add $5000-10,000. Do not add the price of the pool.
Almost all our homes have some upgrades such as extra tile, ceiling fans, covered porch, wood floors, crown molding, and granite counter tops. If you have a lot of high quality upgrades you can increase the price some but don't try to recover your cost. Remember, you got to enjoy these.
When you know you will be selling in the near future, start going to open houses. Look at their price, upgrades, and how well they show. Then keep an eye out for what price they did sell and how long it took.
Houses increase in our neighborhood about 3-5% a year. Call me if you want a market analysis. It's free and you'll have a better idea of a selling price.
- It's a Wonderful TimePosted on: 2008-12-16Abe Lincoln said, “People are as happy as they make up their mind be”. Mr. Lincoln said that during the Civil War. Half the nation hated him. Southern Confederate soldiers wanted to do him harm. His wife was bipolar. He had a child die.
This is a wonderful time to count your blessings. Albert Einstein said, “Things that count, can’t be counted. And, things that can be counted, don’t count”. There is a reason for every season. - Sales since July 2008 VivianPosted on: 2008-12-12From July1 to Dec 12 there were 44 homes sold through the multiple listing service in our neighborhood. Only 17 were re-sale. In 2007 in this same time frame, 66 homes were sold and 38 of them re-sales. So summer/fall sales were down 50% this year. Last year re-sales were 0.575 and this year .38. This may also be a partial “community growing old” phenomenon.
- Yes, sales are down even in New BraunfelsPosted on: 2008-11-10I searched the mls for sold homes in the County Line Neighborhood for last year from 1/01/07 to 11/07/07 and there were 121 homes sold.
For the same period this year there were 89.
Homes are still selling; 89 is good considering the economic situation. If you price your house competively and keep it very clean, it will sell. - Got a complaint ?Posted on: 2008-11-07One of our neighbors is in dispute with another. Here is where i was told you could go to file a complaint.
http://www.nbtexas.org/forms.asp?FID=79 - Do you have children from a former marriagePosted on: 2008-10-23Another reason you need a will. You are in a second marriage, your children may even be adults and on their on, and Texas is a community property state.
You buy a house together and one of you dies. The house does not go just to the surviving spouse but also to the children. If you don't have a will, you need to have signed a 'joint tenancy with right of survival'. - Why you should raise your credit scorePosted on: 2008-10-21My credit score is fairly high so I haven't had any need to raise it. This morning I was looking at how a credit score can greatly change the amount of your monthly payment.
I was told that there is often 20-30% errors on credit reports; you should get any cleaned up when getting a loan.
If you have basically good credit, my understanding is you can raise your score just by increasing the limit on your credit cards.
When you can get a loan that saves you $50 t0 $150 a month on your mortgage, it's worth looking into. - Don't tick off the nursePosted on: 2008-10-21NEVER TICK OFF A NURSE
A big shot attorney had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. He was a royal pain to the nurses because he bossed them around just like he did his staff. None of the hospital staff wanted to have anything to do with him.
The head nurse was the only one who could stand up to him. She came into his room and announced, 'I have to take your temperature.' After complaining for several minutes, he finally settled down, crossed his arms and opened his mouth.
'No, I'm sorry,' the nurse stated, 'but for this reading, I can't use an oral thermometer.' This started another round of complaining but eventually he rolled over and bared his behind.
After feeling the nurse insert the thermometer, he heard her announce, 'I have to get something. Now you stay JUST LIKE THAT until I get back!'
She left the door to his room open on her way out. He cursed under his breath as he heard people walking past his door, laughing.
After a half hour, the man's doctor came into the room.
'What's going on here?' asked the doctor.
Angrily, the man answered, 'What's the matter, Doc? Haven't you ever seen someone having their temperature taken?'
After a pause, the doctor confessed.....
'Not with a carnation.'
- Recent Home salesPosted on: 2008-10-17Home sales are still going on but I've had 4 cash closings lately.........3 of them very expensive homes. I had one sale fall through because of higher lender requirements.
I did close one in Dove Crossing recently. It was only on the market a few weeks before it went under contract. As there were several homes of the same plam availale at similar prices, it was a relief to sell it. The deciding factor was a whirlpool tub. Other houses had other upgrades but they wanted the tub. The house was super clean and that was a big factor, also.
If you're selling, remember, super clean and competitive prices.
The lender/mortgage problem is hitting us, the middle class homeowner the hardest, I believe. I'm hoping with the bail-out and election things will pick up soon. - Quote of the DayPosted on: 2008-09-23
Napoleon Hill, Author
'The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results.' - Did you know? from MarshaPosted on: 2008-09-14On the little packets of 'Splenda' there are sayings. They're cute. I've been using them forever and just found out!
- Tip about car keys from Ron NeilPosted on: 2008-08-24Makes sense to me.............I never thought of using them for help.
Tip About Your Car Keys...
Great Idea!!!
YOU NEED TO PASS THIS ONE ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT
Tell your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your parents,
your neighbors, your Dr
Office, the check out Girl at the market, everyone you run across.
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside
your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic
button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will
continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come
home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:
It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires
no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside
your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until
you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you pa r k
in your driveway or garage If your car alarm goes off when someone is
trying to break in your house, odds are the burgl ar rapist won't stick
around... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out
their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't
want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in
a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.....
This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it
could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is
fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart
attack, where you can't reach a phone.
My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car k eys with him in
case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car
alarm from anywhere in the yard and then she'll know there's a problem.
****GREAT IDEA****
GOD BLESS AMERICA
- Jokes from FlorencePosted on: 2008-07-30
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Jokes
For You
Wednesday July 30, 2008
•
•
Airline Fixes
I have a friend who is a very nervous flyer. During a recent trip he took from California to Indiana, it didn't help that his connecting flight from Denver was delayed twice because of mechanical problems.
Then, after he was aloft, he noticed the cabin lights were flickering. Losing his peace of mind, he decided to mention this to a flight attendant.
'I'll take care of it,' she said. Moments later the lights went out. Clearly she had solved the problem by turning off all the lights.
A passenger across the aisle who had been watching my friend leaned over and said, 'Whatever you do, please don't ask about the engines.'
What Really Matters
At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, 'Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?' The little boy nodded in the affirmative.
'Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?'
The little boy nodded yes.
'So,' the coach continued, 'when a strike is called, or you're out at first, you don't argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?'
Again the little boy nodded.
'Good,' said the coach.
'Now go over there and explain it to your mother.'
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Driving Instruction
A few years ago the battery in my beat-up VW Beetle had died because I left the lights on overnight. I was in a hurry to get to work on time so I ran into the house to get my wife to give me a hand to start the car. I told her to get into our second car, a prehistoric oversized gas guzzler, and use it to push my car fast enough to start it.
I pointed out to her that because the VW had an automatic transmission, it needed to be pushed at least 20 mph for it to start.
She said fine, hopped into her car and drove off. I sat there fuming wondering what she could be doing.
A minute passed by and when I saw her in the rear-view mirror coming at me at about 30 mph, I realized that I should have been a bit clearer with my directions.
- Lyme Disease and micePosted on: 2008-07-21My friend's dog is very ill with lyme disease. He lives on the hill where they have deer, perhaps this is a factor.
I bought some ant poison but now I'm thinking I may not want to kill the ants as they kill ticks which carry the lyme disease.
There's a mouse in my garage, very fat so maybe pregnant. My son told me to get the little traps that catch them and then you can let them go free. Well, it closes with any jiggle so no mouse yet. I'm going to read the directions very carefully and then it's back to the old mouse trap. I don't want mice. - Memorial Day and 4th of July FlagsPosted on: 2008-07-16Thanks to all those who put out flags. Shiree Kirby and girls covered almost all of Cornerstone subdivision.
Others, Henry hahn, Valerie Baker, Verlea Potter, Stephanie Sonnier,Sue Andrews, Marshe Caballero, Elsa Cranford, Monique Lassiter, Dawn Lanum, Jennifer Norene, and Robert put out flags on their streets. They really looked good and honored all the people who serve and have served our country. - Would you like to be on my e-mail list?Posted on: 2008-06-16I send out 2-4 e-mails a month when I get a really interesting article, pictures or joke.
I just received an e-mail on what families around the world eat in a week and what it costs. It's pretty interesting.
E-mail me at vfurlow@cbharper.com and I'll add you to my list. I keep my list private and don't spam.
Vivian - Snake in TreePosted on: 2008-05-25I thought the grackles were attacking a monkingbird's nest in my lemon tree as there was a lot of activity there.
I yelled at the grackles to go away and they did. A few minutes later I went to check on the nest and a huge snake was there. It was so fat I don't think my thumb and forefinger could have encircled it at its fattest part.
We looked at each other. I went inside and when I came back out, it was gone. Having lived on Guam for 23 years, I've killed countless snakes but not in a tree. Actually, I don't like killing them but it sort of looked like a rattlesnake.....(do they climb trees?).....I don't want them in the yard. - Bumped off the Herald ZeitungPosted on: 2008-05-23I've had an ad in the Herald Zeitung running off and on for years. Wednesday they called and said since we, 'CountyLineNeighbors.com' have a classified section they can no longer advertize our web site. We are competition. Good grief!
- The Old Days 1500'sPosted on: 2008-04-29
LIFE IN 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
fall 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 the 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. And
that's the truth. Now, whoever said
History was boring ! ! ! Educate someone. Share these
facts with a
friend.
- Topping Off GasPosted on: 2008-04-29As gas prices rise, we're probably all guilty of topping off to get that extra dollar. It may seem like we're saving, but we're hurting our wallets and the environment. When you top off, you're paying for the gasoline that is fed back into the station's tanks because yours is full. Topping off also increases your chance of spilling gas, which releases harmful vapors into the air. These gasoline vapors are had to breathe and a source of toxic air pollutants.
- 10 Most Useless Body PartsPosted on: 2008-04-02
Lists
Top 10 Useless Body Parts
By The Science Channel
When you're sick you may feel that certain body parts are more trouble than they're worth. And in some cases, you'd be right. While the human body has evolved and adapted significantly since the caveman days, a few biological traces of our prehistoric ancestors still remain with us in the form of freeloading body parts we lug around with us, but have no use for. Take a gander at the top offenders!
10. Plica semilunaris
You may not know it, but you have a third eyelid. Pull open the two more noticeable eyelids and take a look -- it's located right in the corner by the tear duct. This small third eyelid is left over from what's known as a 'nictitating membrane,' which is still present in full form in some animals including chickens, lizards and sharks.
9. Body hair
No doubt we were once hairier. Up until about 3 million years ago, we were covered with body hair. But by the time Homo erectus arrived, the ability to sweat meant we could shed our woolly ways.
8. Sinuses
Doctors don't really know much about sinuses -- only that we have a lot of them. Possibilities for their function range from insulating our eyes to changing the pitch and tone of our voice.
7. Adenoids
Adenoids trap bacteria, but they're also prone to swelling and infection. Just ask any 7-year-old. Luckily, our adenoids shrink with age and are often removed, along with ...
6. Tonsils
Also prone to swelling and infection. If you still have them when you reach your 30s, it's almost an accomplishment.
5. Coccyx
More useful as a game-winning Scrabble word than as part of the anatomy, the coccyx or tailbone, is made up of several fused vertebrae left over from the olden days when we had tails.
4. Arrector pili
When we were hairier (see No. 9), the arrector pili made the hairs stand on end when we needed to appear bigger and scarier. Now, it just gives us goose bumps.
3. Wisdom teeth
Back in the day, when we ate mammoth meat off the bone and didn't floss afterward, our teeth tended to fall out. Therefore, when those reserve molars, aka 'wisdom teeth,' came in, they were welcomed. Nowadays, fluoride and dental plans have made them just a huge pain.
2. Appendix
Darwin claimed the appendix was useful for digestion during our early plant-eating years; it's dwindled down to little since we started eating more digestible foods.
1. Male nipples
Because, why?
- It's Time to BuyPosted on: 2008-03-15
Buying Opportunities: Three Ways to Play the Market
Ø Trading up. If you're hankering after a larger home or a house in a better neighborhood, this could be your chance to trade up on the cheap. Like any thrifty shopper, you want to buy when there's a sale -- and that is what today's market offers.
Ø Doubling down. Instead of trading up, you might be eyeing a vacation home. The bottom line: If you think you'll get a lot of use from a second home, go ahead and buy.
Ø Helping hand. You might give your kids an advance on their eventual inheritance, so they have enough money to make a down payment. Yes, that means they will start to incur the housing costs, including property taxes and maintenance expenses. But your children will also replace their monthly rent check with a monthly mortgage check, and that will allow them to start building home equity.
-- 'Playing the Housing Slump: Is It Time to Make Your Move?,' by Jonathon Clements, RealEstateJournal.com, March 11, 2008 - Attempted home invasionPosted on: 2008-03-08One of our neighbors in the Sungate subdivision was awoken at about 5 a.m. when someone kicked in their door.
As there were several cars at the address it wasn't a likely place to rob. As soon as they kicked in the door, they left.
The family who live there think someone might have had a grudge against someone but had the wrong address.
Please call or e-mail me if there is any problem in the neighborhood so I can put it on the website.
Vivian
830-608-5437
vfurlow@cbharper.com - Bit of ExcitmentPosted on: 2008-02-26I was heading to a meeting at one of our local nursing homes last night when I saw an elderly woman coming down the street in a wheel chair. I felt sure this was not what she should be doing so I stopped and asked her where she was going and could I help her.
She said she was going to her parents house because she wanted to see them.
I talked her into getting in my car and put her wheel chair in the trunk and took her to the nursing home.
It's just sad. - HandbagsPosted on: 2008-02-25disease/purse.asp
HANDBAGS ...
Have you ever noticed gals who sit their handbags on public toilet
floors, then go directly to their dining tables and set it on the table?
Happens a lot!
It's not always the 'restaurant food' that causes stomach distress.
Sometimes 'what you don't know will hurt you'!
Read on...
Mom got so upset when guests came in the door and plopped their handbags
down on the counter where she was cooking or setting up food. She always
said that handbags are really dirty, because of where they have been.
It's something just about every woman carries with them. While we may know
what's inside our handbags, do you have any idea what's on the outside?
Women carry handbags everywhere; from the office to public toilets to the
floor of the car. Most women won't be caught
without their handbags, but did you ever stop to think about where your
handbag goes during the day.
'I drive a school bus, so my handbag has been on the floor of the bus a
lot,' says one woman. 'On the floor of my car, and in toilets.'
'I put my handbag in grocery shopping carts and on the floor of the
toilet,' says another woman 'and of course in my home which should be
clean.'
We decided to find out if handbags harbor a lot of bacteria. We learned
how to test them at Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake, and then we set out
to test the average woman's handbag.
Most women told us they didn't stop to think about what was on the bottom
of their handbag. Most said at home they usually set their handbags on
top of kitchen tables and counters where food is prepared.
Most of the ladies we talked to told us they wouldn't be surprised if
their handbags were at least a little bit dirty.
It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty, even the microbiologist
who tested them was shocked.
Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly all
of the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful
kinds of bacteria. Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus
aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found
on the handbags could make people very sick.
In one sampling, four of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and
that's not the worst of it. 'There is fecal contamination on the handbags'
says Amy. Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than cloth
handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role. People with kids tended to
have dirtier handbags than those without, with one exception.
The handbag of one single woman who frequented nightclubs had one of the
worst contaminations of all. 'Some type of feces, or possibly vomit' says Amy.
So the moral of this story is that your handbag won't kill you, but it
does have the potential to make you very sick if you keep it on places
where you eat.
Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets, and don't put it on
your desk, a restaurant table, or on your kitchen countertop.
Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair
of shoes.
'If you think about putting a pair of shoes onto
your countertops, that's the same thing you're doing when you put your
handbag on the countertops ' - Your handbag has gone where
individuals before you have sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated, emptied
bowels, etc!
Do you really want to bring that home with you?
The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a handbag will help. Wash
cloth handbags and use leather cleaner to clean the bottom of leather
handbags.
- Weight Loss TipsPosted on: 2008-02-2525 Little Tips for Big Weight Loss
Article By: Karen Hammonds
Feel like you need a boost? Perhaps you've hit a plateau? Now is the perfect time to take stock of your life and to make some long-overdue changes. But adjusting eating and exercise habits can seem so daunting, it's no wonder that some of us never make it beyond the first day! So what's the best way to get started?
Read the article below
ADVERTISEMENT
The surest way to succeed is making small changes. Think in terms of manageable baby steps, like swapping the half-and-half in your morning coffee for fat-free or low-fat milk. There are lots of little changes you can make—in your food plan and daily routine—that will add up to a lot of weight loss over the long haul.
Take a look at our 25 tips below for eating healthfully, fitting exercise into your busy day and revamping your daily routine. Start by picking five changes that you're sure you can tackle and practice them this week. Then try another five next week (click the 'print' link above to print this out for easy reference).
Not every idea is right for everyone, so experiment and see what works for you. Lots of little changes can yield big weight-loss results—and a healthier new you!
1. Good things come in small packages.
Here's a trick for staying satisfied without consuming large portions: Chop high-calorie foods like cheese and chocolate into smaller pieces. It will seem like you're getting more than you actually are.
2. Get 'water-wise.'
Make a habit of reaching for a glass of water instead of a high-fat snack. It will help your overall health as well as your waistline. So drink up! Add some zest to your six to eight glasses a day with a twist of lemon or lime.
3. Herb it up.
Stock up your spice rack, and start growing a small herb garden in your kitchen window. Spices and herbs add fantastic flavor to foods without adding fat or calories.
4. Slim down your soup.
Make a big batch of soup and refrigerate it before you eat it. As it cools, the fat will rise to the top and can be skimmed off the surface.
5. Doggie-bag that dinner.
At restaurants that you know serve large portions, ask the waiter to put half of your main course in a take-home box before bringing it to your table. Putting the food away before you start your meal will help you practice portion control.
6. Listen to your cravings.
If you're craving something sweet, eat something sweet—just opt for a healthier nosh (like fruit) instead of a high-calorie one like ice cream. The same goes for crunchy cravings—for example, try air-popped popcorn instead of high-fat chips. It's just smart substitution!
7. Ease your way into produce.
If you're new to eating lots of fruits and vegetables, start slowly. Just add them to the foods you already enjoy. Pile salad veggies into your sandwiches, or add fruit to your cereal.
8. Look for high-fat hints.
Want an easy way to identify high-calorie meals? Keep an eye out for these words: au gratin, parmigiana, tempura, alfredo, creamy and carbonara, and enjoy them in moderation.
9. Don't multi-task while you eat.
If you're working, reading or watching TV while you eat, you won't be paying attention to what's going into your mouth—and you won't be enjoying every bite. Today, every time you have a meal, sit down. Chew slowly and pay attention to flavors and textures. You'll enjoy your food more and eat less.
10. Taste something new.
Broaden your food repertoire—you may find you like more healthy foods than you knew. Try a new fruit or vegetable (ever had plantain, pak choi, starfruit or papaya?).
11. Leave something on your plate at every meal.
One bite of bagel, half your sandwich, the bun from your burger. See if you still feel satisfied eating just a bit less.
12. Get to know your portion sizes.
It's easy to underestimate how much you're eating. Today, don't just estimate things—make sure. Ask how much is in a serving, read the fine print on labels, measure your food. And learn portion equivalents: One serving of pasta, for instance, should be around the size of a tennis ball.
13. Don't give up dips.
If you love creamy dips and sauces, don't cut them out of your food plan completely. Just use low-fat soft cheese and mayo instead of the full fat stuff.
14. Make a healthy substitution.
Learn to swap healthier foods for their less-healthy counterparts. Today, find a substitution that works for you: Use skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk; try whole-wheat bread instead of white.
15. Bring lunch to work tomorrow.
Packing lunch will help you control your portion sizes. It also provides a good alternative to restaurants and takeaways, where making healthy choices every day can be challenging (not to mention expensive).
16. Have some dessert.
You don't have to deny yourself all the time. Have a treat that brings you pleasure, but this time enjoy it guilt-free be—sure you're practicing portion control, and compensate for your indulgence by exercising a little more or by skipping your afternoon snack.
17. Ask for what you need.
Tell your mother-in-law you don't want seconds. Ask your other half to stop bringing you chocolates. Speak up for the place with great salads when your co-workers are picking a restaurant for lunch. Whatever you need to do to succeed at weight loss, ask for it—make yourself a priority and assert yourself.
18. Improve your treadmill technique.
When walking on a treadmill, don't grip the rails. It's fine to touch them for balance, but you shouldn't have to hold on. If you do, that might be a signal you should lower the intensity level.
19. Simon says... get fit.
Here's an easy way to fit in exercise with your kids: Buy a set of 1 lb weights and play a round of Simon Says—you do it with the weights, they do it without. They'll love it!
20. Make the most of your walks.
If your walking routine has become too easy, increase your effort by finding hills. Just be sure to tackle them at the beginning of your walk, when you have energy to spare.
21. Shop 'til you drop...pounds!
Add a workout to your shopping sessions by walking around the mall before your start spending. And try walking up the escalator—getting to your destination faster will be an added bonus.
22. Walk an extra 100 steps at work.
Adding even a little extra exercise to your daily routine can boost your weight loss. Today, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or stroll down the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an email or calling.
23. Brush your teeth after every meal and snack.
This will be a signal to your mouth—and your mind—that it's time to stop eating. Brushing will also give your mouth a nice fresh taste that you'll be disinclined to ruin with a random chip. At work, keep a toothbrush with a cover and toothpaste in your desk drawer.
24. Clean your closet.
First, it's great exercise. Second, it's an important step in changing your attitude. Get rid of all the clothes that make you look or feel bad. Throw out anything that's too big—don't give yourself the option of ever fitting into those clothes again. Move the smaller clothes up to the front to help motivate you. Soon, you'll be fitting into those too-tight jeans you couldn't bear to part with.
25. Take your measurements.
You might not like your stats now, but you'll be glad you wrote them down when you see how many inches you've lost. It's also another way to measure your success, instead of just looking at the scale. Sometimes even when the numbers on the scale aren't going down, the measurements on your body are.
Next Steps
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- Giving Blood-Cholestrol-HEB gift cardPosted on: 2008-02-15In December I gave blood at the Market Place on a Monday. If you give on a Monday, they give you a cholestrol break down, instead of just a score. That was nice.
I don't know if they do it all the time;it was a surprise to me. I got a $10 gift certificate to HEB.
So...give blood on Monday at Market Place.
- Book Review 'How I Got Published'Posted on: 2008-02-14I picked this book up while browsing at the library and it is so interesting. 1 to 4 pages by different authors on how they managed to get their books published. I'd heard that there were many rejections and re-writes but I simply had no idea of how many.
What makes this book good for anyone, especially all salesmen and Realtors, is the lesson that persistance and refining your skills is necessary for success. - From My Friends in MinnisotaPosted on: 2008-02-09
Thought for today...
When it's winter in Minnesota
And the gentle breezes blow
About 70 miles an hour
And it's 52 below,
You can tell you're in Minnesota
'Cause the snow's up to your butt,
And you take a breath of winter air
And your nose holes both freeze shut.
The weather here is wonderful,
So I guess I'll hang around.
I could never leave Minnesota
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground. - Cough remedyPosted on: 2007-12-26My friends from Minnisota says this really works. When your child gets a bad cough, put Vicks Vap-o-rub on the soles of the feet, cover with socks, and in a little bit, the coughing stops.
Please try this and let me know how it works......608-5437. - Safety tip on selling your house yourselfPosted on: 2007-06-30Try to have a second person at home with you.
Keep the people together. If one wants to use the restroom, make sure it's the guest bathroom. Have everyone wait. Just say 'I want to keep the group together.' This lets them know up front you don't want them scattering. - Green Bags workPosted on: 2002-01-30I tried those green bags they advertise on T.V.
They work. Put your veggies in dry and you can re-use them. - Happy New YearPosted on: 2002-01-28We are getting more calls at the office in December it seems than we had in November. I get the feeling things are picking up.
These past two years of a poor economy and recession have really made it clear to me how we all need to make a living. It's not good enough that a few of us are doing okay or well; we all need to succeed.
God Bless Us, Everyone.
