I’ve got a goodie for you this morning…

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you all know that my techkie buddy, Hooterville, knows all the good stuff.  Well, she’s done it again.  I was complaining a few days ago about not having a good online tv grid to check upcoming television shows.  I have been using Yahoo’s tv grid, and the one from TV Guide, and they’re both pretty lame.

So she tells me that I need to be using TitanTV.  She told me how great it is, how you can create an account, save all your preferences, then log in from any computer to view your lineup.  It’s really customizable,  here’s a link to a quick overview.   One feature I really like are the drop down menu’s.  For instance, you can change and view choose the day and time you want to view a grid from a drop down, instead of having to right arrow and scroll, which takes forever.  I also like how you can set up different folders with saved stations in them, so you can quickly view a lineup instead of having to go thru the whole enchilada.  It will also send alerts to your mobile phone, reminding you of upcoming shows.

Here’s a screen shot of my default screen.  Hop on over to TitanTV, register, and give it a try.  It’s really amazing… Pinkie swear.

~ jan

The Good Wife, it was actually good!

I have such a hard time with television programs.  Nothing appeals to me, and every fall I’m on a mission, trying to find something that is interesting.

I had read positive reviews about “The Good Wife” on CBS, watched it last night, and really liked it.  OMG, I really liked it!!!!!

Juliana Margulies is excellent, and her law firm’s in-house investigator, played by Archie Panjabi, yep, Archie is a girl, is quirky, edgy, just perfect for the role.

So, it looks like I have a solid Tuesday night lineup for this fall.  Dancing With The Stars and The Good Wife.  How about that!!!!

Something you may not want to try….

In a misguided attempt to rid myself of the mother of all sinus headaches, I not only swallowed a Sudafed and two Excedrin, simultaneously, but also consumed multiple cups of coffee, three glasses of iced tea,  a caffeinated Diet Coke and a Monster Energy Drink.

I can now say that I have not been this edgy since beginnning my last menstrual cycle which was more years ago than any of us care to remember.

Lord have mercy, whatever was I thinking?  I’m about to jump out of my ever lovin’ skin….

Don’t know what to cook, tonight?

This is a great site, you just put in what you have in your kitchen and it generates recipes.

Setting this up works best if you have two people, one typing the ingredients in your kitchen that you want to add, the other telling you what you have in your pantry and fridge.  It’s much faster if you do it this way.

The first thing you need to do is create an account at SuperCook, so that they remember your choices, then you simply add the ingredients, and then when you want to make a dish, you just click on the ingredients you want to use and recipes are generated on the right side of the page, as shown in the screen shot of what I have  in my kitchen.  You then can save these to recipe boxes, it’s like a cookook.

From just my three ingredients, red beans, chili power and red peppers, this program generated 126 recipes!  Pretty neat, huh???

You’ll love this, pinky swear, click here to give it a try…

~ jan

What was your favorite school cafeteria food?

 

Oh, this was an easy answer.  It was hands down, sloppy joes.  The ones I had in elementary school sparked a love of this gooey sandwich that I still enjoy to this day.  I have fond memories of sloppy joes, not only in school cafeterias, but at country auctions, and church socials, as well.

It’s a tradition in our household to fix sloppy  joes and potato chips on halloween.  We’ve done it since John and Ryan were little boys, and now they do it in their homes.  I have a killer recipe, too, from my neighbor Susan, in Denver.  It’s one that I’ve published before, and will again at halloween, this year.

Unfortunately, other than sloppy joes, my other memories of cafeteria lunches were not good.  I remember things like cornbread and beans, with cornbread so dry you choked on it, and cheese sandwiches, with hugely thick slabs of cheese between white gummy bread, no doubt a government commodity, that just tasted horrid.  We also had inferior peanut butter that they slathered on the bread, no jelly, no honey, just dry bread and lots of peanut butter.  Blecht!  One year there was a surplus of the stuff, the cooks put peanut butter in meat loaf to bind it, we had cookies and cake, you name it, they made it with peanut butter.

They would also serve us instant potatoes and a sausage patty.  Oh, that was not good, either.  The taste was vile.  When high school came along, I quickly abandoned the mandatory school cafeteria for lunches at the local diner, Alice’s Cafe.  I happily ate a hamburger, french fries and a coke, for a total of fifty-five cents, every single day for four years.

But oh, those sloppy joes, maybe I’ll make them this week…

Do you want to hear Jennifer Aniston sing?

She is such a cutey patootie.  I saw her new movie, Love Happens, this weekend, and really liked it.  She was adorable, her name was Eloise, and she had a flower shop and drove this cute old Falcon hippie van. It’s worth seeing the movie just to see the fleurs.  There were lots and lots of huge cabbage roses, the prettiest I’ve ever seen.

Here’s the Ellen clip.  Egads, she needs to do something about her hair, though, it was in her face constantly, and drove me crazy watching her constantly flipping it back…

Thirty-four years ago this morning….

I had just given birth to Ryan.  And now he’s about to become a father.  I feel like life is coming full circle…

It’s a good day, the anniversary day of your children’s births.  My world is peaceful this morning…

Guiding Light, it’s all over, now…

Oh, this was a great soap in it’s day, I was such a fan in the 80's, tuned in regularly, and then lost track of it.

I watched the final episode today, the acting was not good, the actors, aging and tired,  it was time for it to go.  It made me sad to watch it, though, there wasn’t a lot of dignity in it’s adieu.

Except for Josh.  Oh my, that man has aged like a fine wine.  Just looking at him was a treat.   Oh my, goodness, will somebody bring Scarlett a fan, I do believe I’m a bit flushed…

Here’s a clip of the “Farewell.”  I thought some of you might enjoy seeing the familiar faces.

Mary Travers died today

Peter Paul and Mary, they were hugely popular in the sixties…  She passed away today from leukemia at the age of seventy two.

From MORE Magazine, What is wrong with Acting Old… if you are!

By: Anne Armand

There is nothing more ridiculous than an older person trying to look young or 'cool'. An old guy in a backwards aseball cap is funny. Why can't we just look like a nice version of ourselves. I have written a story called CHANGING, which I am waiting for MORE to publish. Basically, it is about aging. Please look at my picture. I am going to be 70 in November. So What? The old face matches my old body. They are a set. Does that mean I don't wear becoming clothes which are both age and figure appropriate? I am beginning to get annoyed with the emphasis on youth in a magazine that is supposed to be for women over 40. Perhaps they meant 41. Several of the women with whom I have exchange messages have been commenting on this for a while. In my story, I also mention that my brother-in-law was a cosmetic surgeon. I turned down his offer of a make-over. It's like a dead end street. You can't make me look totally young. Just bits and pieces that wouldn't match. You'd have to start with my toes and work up. I am what I am, and if I talk about the past, it is because I was there. If I talk about wisdom, it is because I have some. If I talk about my grandchildren, it is because I am an N'annie. Truthfully, I do the best with what I've got. My clothing is not LOFT it is TALBOTS. I follow the old rule: If you've worn a mini-skirt at an earlier age, you probably shouldn't wear one again. Old is Okay. If you take good care of yourself, you are going to get there too. Go gracefully, and don't worry about what people think. There is far more to a life well lived, than how you look. We place too much emphasis on appearance. So for those of you who have years to go to catch me, I will be on the golf course or on my computer. I sit by windows with lace curtains as I look out at the world. It is muted and soft. I like it that way! I have nothing MORE to prove, but oh, so many things to do.

Read her entire story, Changing, by clicking here.

This is pretty amazing…

I was watching Shep Smith on FOX News this afternoon and he said that one out of every twenty-two adults is now on Facebook, and the majority of them are over thirty-five.

I believe it, Facebook is kind of like going to a reunion without having to  lose any weight.   It’s the most fun I’ve had online in years.  If I’m not listed as your friend, I would love for you to add me.  Hey, it’s worth it just to see the M&M’s photo album!   Just email me by clicking here, and we’ll set it up.

~ jan

Yikes, can anti-perspirant really cause breast cancer!!!!

I just got the following email from my friend, Peg.  I don’t know if this is true or one of those false rumors that goes around, but it is certainly something to think about…

Why breast cancer is usually found near the armpit?

Some time ago, I attended a Breast Cancer Awareness seminar and I asked why the most common area for Breast Cancer was near the armpit.  My question could not be answered at that time. This e-mail was just sent to me, and I find it interesting that my question has been answered. I challenge you all to rethink your every day use of a product that could ultimately lead to a  terminal illness.  As of today, I will change my use. I showed it to another friend going through chemotherapy & she said she learned this fact in a support group

The leading cause of breast cancer is the use of anti-perspirant.
*What ???*

*Yes,*  *ANTI-PERSPIRANT*

Most of the products out there are an anti-perspirant /deodorant combination, so go home and check . Deodorant is fine, anti-perspirant is not!

Here's why :- The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins ; behind the knees, behind the ears, groin area, and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration.

Anti-perspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits.

These toxins do not just magically disappear. Instead, the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it cannot sweat them out..
Nearly all breast cancer tumors occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area.

This is precisely where the lymph nodes are located.. Additionally, men are less likely (but not completely exempt) to develop breast cancer prompted by  anti- perspirant usage because most of the anti-perspirant product is caught in their hair and is not directly applied
to the skin.

Women who apply anti-perspirant right after shaving increase the risk further because shaving causes almost imperceptible nicks in the skin which give the chemicals entrance into the body from the armpit area.

PLEASE pass this along to anyone you care about.
Breast cancer is becoming frighteningly common.
This awareness may save lives.

Old Girls Lawn Party….

Hooterville told me about this earlier today. I needed a laugh, this did the trick. Nothing like silly old women. Enjoy!

Gas, it happens to even the strongest of us…

My friends all complain about beans.  Apparently, nobody can eat beans without consequences, except for yours truly.  I’m always telling people that I eat fiber daily, beans almost every single day, so I have no problems.  Never, none, nada…  Oh yeah, I’m really smug about it too, they are all complaining about the gas, and I’m telling them I’m used to it, no problem.

Well, apparently I don’t know what I’m talking about.   I made 15 bean soup, yes, fifteen beans in that damned soup.  And ladies, it hasn’t set well with the old fiber queen.  So I owe all of you an apology for not understanding your pain….

I’m miserable, I’m bloated, I’m uncomfortable, this takes me back to the time a few years ago that I was starving on some stupid diet,  and I ate a lot of sweet potatoes, cabbage and beans all in the same meal.  I thought I was going to die!  I called Ryan, who, after picking himself up off the floor,  howling with laughter, told me to go the the drugstore for Gas-X.  So I hotfooted it right down to CVS, omg, the consequences of the Gas-X were even worse than the misery I was feeling from eating all that fiber.

I know not to try that trick again, so I’ll just tough it out.  I’m thinking I need to just stick with one bean at a time from now on, ya think???

Anything bad that happens to a dog just devastates me….

Jessica Simpson’s Maltipoo, Daisy, was snatched by a coyote last night, and she saw it happen.

I just can’t imagine, it makes me nauseous just thinking about it.  It’s hawk season now in Heavensville, for the past few days there have been three of them circling overhead.  I dread even taking the girls out to potty.  Even when you’re watching things can happen, as it did with her poor Daisy.

And speaking of dogs, Molly started wheezing last night, this morning it was worse, it was almost like she was gurgling when she breathed, and of course, I was in a panic.  Even hubby was worried, something wasn’t right.  So off to the vet she went, I had to leave her so they could work her in, Laura called me about noon, her throat is swollen, her lungs are clear, her heart is good, there is no obstruction, she thinks possibly she swallowed something.  LC said he saw a wasp earlier, the only thing I can think of is that she ate it, but that’s not like her, Mags is the one that pokes her little nose into everything, not Molly.

She’s home now, napping on a pillow on my computer desk.  Dr. Laura gave her a steroid shot, and sent home antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds.  If she isn’t better by Thursday we have to do x-rays. 

She ate lunch, isn’t getting worse, so let’s hope the little imp did swallow something and that she will be better soon.  Maybe that’s why this story hit me so hard today, because my own little fur kid isn’t feeling the best…

Sometimes it’s really hard being a Yorkie mom…

R.I.P. Patrick Swazye

My two cents worth….

I seldom watch The View, because, quite frankly,  those women just annoy the hell out of me, but I did tune in today, and of course they were all over the Taylor Swift/Kanye West fiasco.

Sherry was trying to  be politically correct, heaven help it if she ever said anything negative about a black man.  Puh-leez, this man’s actions were inexcusable, and it just frosts my cake the way she pulled the reverse race card.  She is always front row center when a person of color is being discussed, instantly on the defensive, which of course, makes it that much more obvious.

There was no excuse for the way that idiot acted, I don’t care if the man was green.  He acted like a total jackass.  End of story.  Shame on you Sherry, for not having a stronger negative reaction to this totally disgusting, inappropriate behavior.

Here’s what Kelly Clarkson had to say about it on her blog.  Congrats to her for telling it the way it is!

Dear Kayne,

What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we're all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like sh*t.

I mean, I've seen you do some pretty shitty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, asshole ways. It's absolutely fascinating how much I don't like you. I like everyone. I even like my asshole ex that cheated on me over you which is pretty odd since I don't even personally know you. The best part of this evening is that you weren't even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??

I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her ... so why can't you be?? I'm not even mad at you for being an asshole ... I just pity you because you're a sad human being.

On a side note, Beyonce has always been a class act and proved again tonight that she still is. Go TEXAS!!

Taylor Swift, you outsell him ...that's why he's bitter. You know I love your work! Keep it up girl!

KC

This is one of those really special sites….

This morning my buddy, Carlene, sent me, quite possibly, the most amazing healthy food site I’ve seen yet.  It’s called, Eating Well, Living Thin, and the food looks simply to die for!

If you can’t find something here that interests you, you’re totally hopeless.  There are so many good things, I don’t know what to make first…

Check it out here, girlfriends, this one’s a keeper!

~ jan

A daily dose of cuteness…

I answered the phone a bit ago, and this little voice said, “Jan, do you want to see my dress?”  It was Larkin, my buddy Trish’s granddaughter.  Trish brought her over and I snapped her picture on the golf cart.  Isn’t she just precious???

And just think, in another month, I’m going to have one of these!!!

a fun read….

oh my, they used sixteen sticks of butter!!!!

When friends saw Julia Child’s exuberance, they decided it was time to have their own fun in the kitchen.

read entire article