Feeling a bit insecure?

Today I'm celebrating Computer Security Day!

Computer Security Day was started in 1988 to help raise awareness of computer-related security issues. Its goal is to remind people to protect their computers and information. You can participate by changing your passwords, checking for computer viruses, protecting against static electricity, backing up your data, deleting unnecessary files, installing power surge protectors, and updating your antivirus program. You could also help others by volunteering to speak about computer security at a local computer club or school or helping a novice computer user to backup their files. There are over fifty suggested activities described on the Computer Security Day website. There are also other useful links on the site, like the FTC's identity theft site and an online identity theft quiz.

Things to think about today:

• In view of all the deadly computer viruses that have been spreading lately, Weekend Update would like to remind you: when you link up to another computer, you're linking up to every computer that that computer has ever linked up to. ~Dennis Miller
  
• If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked. What's more, you deserve to be hacked. ~White House Cybersecurity Advisor, Richard Clarke
  
• The only truly secure system is one that is powered off, cast in a block of concrete and sealed in a lead-lined room with armed guards. ~Gene Spafford
  
• In God we trust. All others, we virus scan. ~Unknown
  
• Treat your password like your toothbrush. Don't let anybody else use it and get a new one every six months. ~Clifford Stoll

Remember, everyone online is not always who you think they are. A perfect song for today is Online by Brad Paisley. You can view the winning music video of Online selected from YouTube as submitted by DevinGotGame below:


Today I'm reminded of the times when someone had a virus you'd offer them some Pepto Bismol; when someone was hacking, you'd offer them a cough drop; and when phishing, you'd ask about what bait they used. Take a moment today to think about your computer and information and what you can do to make it secure.




Image credit: Illustration by Kate Simon in The Sydney Morning Herald

Put your feet in the air and move them around

Today I'm celebrating Square Dance Day!

Square dancing is an American folk dance which is called, cued, or prompted to the dancers. It involves couples dancing in circles or square formations. It is very popular in the US, with 19 states naming it as their state dance. California reports that it leads the nation with more than 200,000 residents square dancing weekly. I've been told that it's lively, quick, and fun. I'm never been much of a square dancing fan. Maybe it's that dress! Or maybe it's my two left feet! Anyway, I'd much rather cut the rug with a fun Texas two-step or a line dance instead.

This is one holiday that I almost passed until I found the two following videos. You just can't pass without peeking at these videos. One is of a square dance that you're not likely to find at your local community center. The second is actually a Christmas square dance in Japan. You can also visit YouTube to see another Christmas square dance from Florida.

Tractor Square Dancing


As posted on YouTube by PCNTV

A Christmas square dance in Japan

As posted on YouTube by wetravel2dance

Fred Astaire once said, "I have no desire to prove anything by dancing. I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself. I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around. " One of my favorite songs is I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack and you can see her video below and on YouTube.

My wish for you today is that you not sit it out, but rather you find the time during this holiday season to simply put your feet in the air and move them around, giving faith a chance and celebrating life -- even if square dancing is not your thing!

I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack


As posted on YouTube by virgilcain

Reference and image credit: California State Library

The sounds of the season

Today I'm celebrating the music of Christmas!

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. There is so much great music to fit within a short month. To kickoff the Christmas holiday season, I've updated the site playlist. Hopefully your holiday favorite is on the list. Post a comment with your favorite and I'll try to add it too!

I'm revving up for the holiday, but can't help but feel a bit on pins and needles (even though that was yesterday's holiday) knowing what is left to be done before I can really celebrate the holiday with gusto.

My thoughts today:
The turkey's gone but bags still left to unpack
A big work backlog but I can't look back
3 rehearsals, 1 service, and 2 concerts this week must do
Before decorating, greeting cards, and shopping for you!
~just_tonya

A favorite quote from Emily Matthews:
From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another
The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.

Today, my wish for you is that through the hustle and bustle of the holidays, moving from home to home and one place to another that you will find the warmth and joy of Christmas!

On pins and needles!

Today I'm celebrating Pins and Needles Day!

The original purpose of this day was to commemorate the opening of the pro-labor 1937 hit Broadway musical Pins and Needles on this date in 1937. This play was written by Harold Rome and commissioned by the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union. Originally envisioned as an amateur musical review, it became a musical sensation of Broadway, playing 1,108 performances, a record not broken until 1945 by Oklahoma. However, over time, this day has rather been recognized as a nervous and anxious day. It's a day of eager anticipation, awaiting an event or something to happen.
Perhaps you can recall times when you anxiously awaited:

• an exam
  
• the results of a medical test
  
• the end of a surgery
  
• the response to an important question (maybe your first date, a proposal for marriage)
  
• the reply to a note or e-mail you sent
  
• the successful performance at a musical recital
  
• you breaking your leg in a dramatic production
  
• the end of the long day when you know there will be a layoff

During this holiday season, you may be on pins and needles about:

• your cake rising to perfect height
  
• the arrival of the gifts you purchased online
  
• the delivery of the gifts you mailed to family and friends
  
• the actual arrival of the many guests you invited to your party
  
• a special gift that you hope to receive
  
• a visit from Santa, even if you travel to Grandma's house
  
• the granting of your Christmas wishes!

Of all the special days on the calendar to celebrate, this one could be rather nerve-wracking. It's to celebrate those times when you're on pins and needles until the event or occasion successfully unfolds and resolves itself. Today, if you run across someone who's a little edgy or prickly or if you are on pins and needles, perhaps the following will help:

• An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25
  
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
  

For you guitar fans, here's a music video Frets on Fire to Billy Talent's Pins and Needles

Posted on YouTube by corporalgregg

For those who prefer a little Country, you'd likely enjoy hearing Reba McEntire sing There Ain't No Love/Pins and Needles about a special one who loves her, even when she might be on pins and needles.

I hope that you had a happy, calm, and relaxing Pins and Needles Day!

Image credit: LaborFest

'Til you drop!

Today I'm celebrating Cyber Monday!

Have you yet dropped from exhaustion from your busy shopping days? Then, today's holiday was likely created just for you! Just as the Friday following Thanksgiving is supposedly the busiest shopping day of the year (for the "brick and mortar" retailers), the Monday after Thanksgiving has become known as Cyber Monday, supposedly the busiest online shopping day of the year. However, it's been found that today is typically not the biggest online shopping day of the year, but historically ranks about the 12th busiest e-commerce day of the year. Cyber Monday was actually coined by a retailers association as a promotional scheme, as reported by BusinessWeek in 2005. There's debate about the actual busiest online shopping day. However, many retailers are likely springing into the promotion and offering online deals for those who have already "shopped 'til they've dropped" and landed at their computers. So, if you still have items on your shopping list from Black Friday and did not successfully complete your list on that Buy Everything Day or if you instead celebrated Buy Nothing Day and now you're in a bind, then today on Cyber Monday you may also be celebrating Shopping Reminder Day.

Here's just a little reminder of some things to think about, in case you've not yet completed your shopping:

• If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. ~George MacDonald
  
• You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
  
• The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket. ~Frank Hubbard
  
• The only gift is a portion of thyself. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
  
• The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. ~Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur
  
• May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown
  
• A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange. ~Author Unknown
  
• Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. ~Jean Anouilh
  

However, if you insist on hitting the streets or the online stores, think about the following:

• To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year. ~Elwyn Brooks White
  
• Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift.... The hangover comes the day after. ~Joyce Brothers
  
• The Christmas season has come to mean the period when the public plays Santa Claus to the merchants. ~John Andrew Holmes
  
• In God we trust; all others must pay cash. ~American Saying
  
• Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money. ~Author Unknown
  
• Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money. ~Author Unknown
  

What's left on your shopping list? a diamond ring? a gift or money card? Here's a song by The Beatles "Can't Buy Me Love" that may be humorous as you think about your shopping list this season.

As posted on YouTube by Weddle

With a thankful heart

Today I'm celebrating Thanksgiving Day!

One recipe for a happy Thanksgiving Day: Start with some traditional Peanuts, add one parade, and gather (or stir) all the family and close friends together. Share your blessings with one another and give thanks. Add some turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, and rolls. Top with some giblet gravy. Add some cranberry sauce. After about one hour, then finally cut the pies and serve. Sit and relax for an hour, then start your favorite football game!

There are several tradition songs of Thanksgiving that you can hear from YouTube, including the traditional hymn We Gather Together and a favorite Over the river and through the woods. Or, you may prefer the less traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Song by Adam Sandler from Saturday Night Live. However, a favorite of mine is Give Thanks and is featured here today:



Here's my version of the traditional song Over the river and through the woods:
Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandmother's house we go;
The Murano knows the way
On the long drive this day
To the warm, southern border we go!

Over the river and through the wood,
Passing cell towers on the way,
Oh, hear the cell ringtones ring
Ting a ling ling
Keeping touch with friends, even
on Thanksgiving Day!



Today is a day to give thanks...and today I'm thankful for so many things. I'm thankful for

• some of the basic things that you don't appreciate until you have to
  do without (like running water, electricity, and air conditioning
  during those long days following a hurricane)
  
• some of the purer things we enjoy, like music, smiles, and laughter
  
• some of the finer things, like chocolate and shrimp
  
• some of the priceless things, like friendship, love, and family
  
• some of the glorious things, like forgiveness and salvation
  
• and technology (a great high-speed connection, which I don't have over this holiday)
  

Thanksgiving is just the start of the holiday season. I encourage you to pause and give thanks on this day, between the
parade,

the lunch, and
the football game!

Post a comment and tell us what you're most thankful for on this day!









Image credits:
Thanksgiving meal by Kevin Sanchez / Getty Images file as shown on MSNBC
Macy's parade: http://www.nyc-photo-gallery.com/LargePhotos/thanksgiving-day-059.jpg
Cowboys' Tony Romo by: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Howdy, hi, and hello

Today I'm celebrating World Hello Day!

Today is the 35th annual celebration of World Hello Day. Anyone can participate by simply saying hello when greeting ten people on this day. The observance began in 1973 in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel with the hope that world leaders would use communication rather than force to settle conflicts. World Hello Day is observed in 180 countries.

It's interesting observing people and their greetings. 'Round these parts, you may here someone say "Howdy m'am" or maybe a "Howdy y'all" when with a group. Down under, you're likely to hear a cheery G'day! If you travel much in the South, you'll notice that the native Southerners greet everyone they meet with a quick hi or hello. This may seem odd to many of the Yanks whose eyes sometimes won't meet when passing along a sidewalk or down a hallway. When driving through the rural South, it's customary to give a quick little wave of the hand to the other cars along the highway that you meet as a friendly greeting.

Here's a video of the Beatles singing Hello Goodbye

As posted on Youtube by lexaownsyou

BTW, it's also Pumpkin Pie Day. So, why not say hello to your neighbors and ask them to drop by for a slice of pumpkin pie as you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

Today, I encourage you to participate in World Hello Day. Try to greet at least 10 people today with "Hello!" and share a smile.

Image credit: s. britt

They deserve a break today

Today I am celebrating World Children's Day!

Today has been set aside to create awareness of critical issues and children's causes around the world. 2007 marks the 6th year for World Children's Day at McDonald’s, an annual global fundraiser for children celebrated in more than 100 countries. Funds raised benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and local children’s causes in communities around the world. World Children’s Day at McDonald’s has been celebrated around the world throughout November but culminates today, Tuesday, November 20, 2007.

The Ronald McDonald House program was created as a temporary residence, a home-away-from-home, for families of seriously ill children. The original house, inspired during the illness of the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles' tight end Fred Hill, was a partnership between the team, the McDonalds restaraunt, and Dr. Audrey Evans of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. For more than 30 years, the Ronald McDonald House program has provided families with a safe, supportive place to stay when their child receives treatment in a nearby hospital or medical facility. Often a prolonged stay at a nearby hotel would be impractical and beyond the means of many families.

The Ronald McDonald House program provides comfort and emotional support to these families. There are Ronald McDonald Houses in 30 countries around the world. They are supported by nearly 30,000 volunteers who annually donate more than 3 million hours of their time. More than 6,000 bedrooms are available for families every night. Through other core programs, a family room is provided in some hospitals and a mobile medical care program is available for underserved children in their own neighorhoods.

For more information about the charities and their work and World Children's Day at McDonalds, visit these websites:
Ronald McDonald House Charities
World Children's Day at McDonalds

Here's the Emmy award-winning song, Aren't They All Our Children After All, composed by David Foster and Linda Thompson as the theme song for a Concert for World Children's Day. It was originally performed in 2002 by a host of stars, including David Foster, Celine Dion, Nick Carter, Josh Groban, Enrique Iglesias and Yolanda Adams for the television special on ABC.



As posted on Youtube by pauly681

Families of seriously ill children need a break, or as Dr Phil would say "a soft place to land." Help give these families a break today. Drive by those golden arches and give today in celebration of World Children's Day.

Having a bad day?

Today I'm celebrating "Have a Bad Day Day!"

Today has been set aside as Have a Bad Day Day for those who shiver at being told to have a good day. As you meet these folks on this day you may be greeted with "Have a bad day!" instead of the usual, cordial greeting.

Almost everyone has a bad day every once in awhile. When having a bad day, some sing a sad song. Some retreat. Some watch a sad movie. Some read a sad story. Others try to spread their sadness to all they meet.

I've not heard it officially yet, but Daniel Powter's song Bad Day could possibly be the theme song of the day. Watch his music video or see him perform it live below:


As posted on YouTube by NicTwinS

So, you may ask, Why would someone who celebrates every day select such a day to observe? Walt Disney once said: "You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." You've also heard the saying what does not kill us, makes us stronger. As shown in the featured pic from one of my favorite sports, you know you're having a bad day when you suddenly find your vehicle upside down mid-air while traveling >200 miles an hour. But, Dario Franchitti amazingly walked away from that incident this season! I've learned over these years that no matter how badly my day is going, I can generally think of someone who is in worst shape, someone with huge problems, that seem almost insurmountable. When I'm having a bad day, I try to remember some good advice that I've heard. (No, it's not the simple message, "Don't worry, be happy!") Rather, try to work up a smile, think a positive thought, and do something nice for someone else to turn things around. I created this blog as a way to ensure that I always look for the silver lining in every day --- to find something to celebrate and to share. I was reminded in my pastor's sermon this weekend that regardless of how badly I think things are, I'm not alone. I have the assurance and comfort and know that all is well and will work out in the end. So, yes, I'm celebrating the day -- by vowing to tell all I see to have a great day and being ready to share the source of my joy and hope.

Here's one of my favorites, It is Well, with a more contemporary edge by 4 Him:


As posted on YouTube by esmerd.
You can also hear the amazing story behind these lyrics and David Phelps with the Gaithers on YouTube.

Today, I choose to celebrate this observance by instead wishing that you have a "Great Day" and that you can share the great message of hope and peace to those observing this day. A challenge for you: choose to have a GREAT day and to be a comfort to someone that you know is having a bad day.


Image credit

May your dreams stay big

Today, I'm celebrating making dreams come true on the birthday of Mickey Mouse!

Mickey Mouse is the most famous of the Disney characters. Mickey made his debut in "Steamboat Willie" at the Colony Theater in New York City on November 18, 1928. He starred in >120 different cartoons and his own "The Mickey Mouse Club" tv show. He's very talented too and you can see him playing the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minor in The Opry House cartoon (1929). Many a young star has been born on his show, including today's music star mouseketeers Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake. Mickey Mouse has been featured in Time, Newsweek, Life, National Geographic, and Good Housekeeping magazines. For someone who only stands two-and-a-half heads tall, he's well known worldwide and across generations. Mickey is recognized for his optimistic outlook on life, boyishly enthusiastic nature, and focus on positive values and integrity. Mickey holds the title of Chief Greeter at the Disney theme parks. What visit to a Disney theme park would be complete without seeing Mickey?

Mickey Mouse is the creation of Walt Disney. Here are some things that Walt is famous for saying:

• When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity.
  
• I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman
  
• I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse.
  
• When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.
  
• We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
  
• All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.
  
• If you can dream it, you can do it.
  
• The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

In celebrating this day, I could not help but recognize the importance of dreams and a positive, enthusiastic outlook on life, with priorities on positive values and integrity.

One of my favorite songs playing on this site is My Wish by Rascal Flatts. You can watch them singing the song on the CMA Awards show.

Today, my wish for you is that your dreams stay big. And, I challenge you: when you get the chance, help make someone else's dream come true.

Post a comment about your favorite Mickey Mouse or Disney memory.
Also, tell us about your dreams and those that have come true.

Just take a hike!

Today I'm celebrating Take A Hike Day!

The fall season is a beautiful time of year and perfect for hiking, especially if you live in an area where you can enjoy the scenery and see the changing colors of the season. I've been hiking a few times. I normally have a great sense of humor, but one of rare times that I lost it temporarily was on a steep hiking trail. If you're interested in hiking, I found a couple of neat sites that you may enjoy. The ABC-of-Hiking website is a portal for everything related to hiking, including the basics, getting started, techniques, equipment, safety, and a beginner's guide. More information on hiking is also available on The American Hiking Society site, including information on volunteer vacations to help build, maintain, and restore trails in 2008 and a trail finder. Here's a 90-second video of one person's hike on the Appalachian Trail that may inspire you.

Another view of the observance
Some think of this day a bit differently, by taking the opportunity to tell someone to take a hike. Although that's usually not something to celebrate, I found a variety of approaches people use to end relationships. I guess I'm celebrating their creativity today.

Here's a favorite video by Toby Keith singing A little too late where
he's trying to end it

As posted on YouTube by dselig

If country music's not your favorite, here are two other choices you might
enjoy:
Burn by Usher
Potential Breakup Song by Aly & AJ

Image credit: Alps Photo by Christian Arnal, Maison de la France on France Hiking by Bugbog

Everywhere I am, there you'll be

Today I'm celebrating my Dad's birthday and what he meant to me...

A little over two years ago, my Dad lost his courageous battle with cancer after more than 10 years of lung problems, colon cancer, and lung cancer. Today while I want to celebrate his life and his influence in my life, I also want to acknowledge Lung Cancer Awareness month.


Precious memories with Dad

• watching him lay the foundation of my childhood home in that open field
  


• fishing early mornings out on Dad's Lake, drinking Barq's rootbeer in a bottle and eating "nabs"
  
  
• traveling with Dad as he walked acres of land carrying a persimmon branch while he magically found water for folks to dig wells
  
  
• leading Old Bill the mule from Grandpa's to the house for working our garden
  
  
• finally being old enough to drive the tractor from Grandpa's to the house
  
  
• learning to work the garden, from planting those tiny tomato plants, hoeing, to harvesting the crop
  
  
• riding home with Dad after work as he picked me up from the church after the bus dropped me there after school for organ practice each day
  
  
• stopping by the Quickstop with Dad and getting a rootbeer before heading home
  
  
• eating his delicious homemade chocolate ice cream
  
  
• watching Indy car and Nascar racing
  
  
• learning to drive the Volkswagon beetle around the yard
  
  
• being taught high-speed driving at 16, because he wanted to make sure I could get him back to the hospital in town if he had another heart attack
  
  
• learning to parallel park the truck in the front yard and being aggravated by my little sister while she moved the drums
  
  
• time in the darkroom, loading film and developing black and white photos in his lab
  
  
• building the theater pipe organ together at the house and hearing that doorbell ring each time I found the right wires to connect before soldering
  
  
• watching him serve as an usher and deacon in our local church each Sunday
  
  
• watching him hunt down a local homeless man on Thanksgiving Day to provide a hot lunch
  

Things my Dad taught me

• Trust in the Lord
  
  
• Always be faithful
  
  
• Never eat without first asking a blessing for the meal
  
  
• Always tithe
  
  
• Serve - use your talents
  
  
• Always tell the truth
  
  
• Be confident in who you are and what you know
  
  
• Always be kind
  
  
• Be your best: always give 100% in everything you do
  
  
• Family is important
  

Here's a special song There You'll Be sung by Faith Hill that I hope will
remind you of those who have been special in your life


As posted on YouTube by giangcoicoi

What my Dad missed ...

• His 50th anniversary with Mom
  
  
• Cheering at the ballpark as the grandboys play football and baseball
  
  
• Grandparents' Day at the elementary school with the boys
  
  
• Holidays and vacations at the farm, complete with shrimp boils, homemade icecream, going to eat catfish in Rocky Creek, and fishin'
  
  
• Enjoying retirement and growing old with Mom
  
  
• Being a VIP at Fandango at Texas Motor Speedway while watching his son being recognized as the lead detective in recovering the stolen Earnhardt racing uniform, his first case as a detective
  
  
• Going to an IRL and Nascar race with me
  
  
• One last walk down that aisle to a wedding march (yes, there's still hope)
  

This month is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. It's hard for me to understand why people still smoke. It will kill you. It will first start with a nagging cough, then frequent bronchitis, being winded and short of breath, frequent pneumonia, COPD, need for periodic oxygen, dependency on oxygen, surgery and radiation for lung cancer in one lung (and then the other), and then your final days on a respirator. In spending those 3 months with Dad while he was in ICU and long term critical care on the life support he needed to breathe, I saw his respiratory care team smoking outside the hospital on break. Since those days, I have wanted to stand on a corner with a breathing machine holding a sign warning people of what can happen if they continue to smoke. Don't miss the precious moments with your family, become aware of the hazards of smoking and exposure to toxins (e.g., chemicals, asbestos). Stop smoking now and bank those minutes for precious memories for your family!

Here are some links that you may find helpful:
Lung Cancer Alliance
LungCancer.org
LungBlog

To Dad, Everywhere I am, there I know you'll be

Image credit: LungBlog

Livin' in the fridge

Today I'm celebrating Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day!

I understand that this observance was likely targeted to help people get the refrigerator cleaned out in preparation for the holiday cooking next week. I don't plan to cook next week. However, I already knew that I had a problem before I saw this observance on the calendar. There were several clues that stared me in the face as I stood in front of the refrigerator door. I could be a charter member of the "refrigerator clutter anonymous" group, for those with multiple UFOs (unidentified fridge objects). OK, I've done the deed and have cleaned out my refrigerator tonight to prepare for this blog entry -- it was horrifying! I've appended a list of what I found, but you'll have to read ahead to see it. :)

I think that you can tell a lot about a person by opening their refrigerator door. I usually tell my friends when they visit --- if a door's not open, then don't go there! Well, that's how I feel about my refrigerator most of the time. Once my little brother thought he would eat some delicious cupcakes he found in my fridge -- only to look down and to his horror see some green stuff growing on them. In my defense, I was both working full-time and attending graduate school full-time too. Then, I did not know whether it was night or day and was always on the run. He now cautions his kids to "never get anything out of Aunt Tonya's refrigerator without asking first!" That's really sad, I know. I live a busy life. There are far more important, and fun, things to do than work on that refrigerator. I eat out a lot too and I just know that I will microwave those leftovers and enjoy that meal later. When I cook, not wanting to waste anything, I'll put the smallest amount remaining in some plasticware and store it in the fridge for later. Also, I have a bad habit of saving ketchup bottles, even if there's just a drop left in it. You never know when you will need it!

I realize that I need to be more organized and focused on that fridge. After all, I could be more productive in the end --- saving the time that I typically must spend hunting for items lost in the fridge. Or, I'd save time by not shopping and purchasing things I already have, but could no longer see in the fridge. I would also save a lot of money too. I wish I had a dollar for every piece of Rubbermaid or Tupperware that I just chunked into the trash, very afraid to open it! Plus, I have found numerous expired items in the fridge that had never been opened.

Here's my quick list of when you know it's time to clean out your refrigerator:

• when the door will not close easily
  


• when you must triple stack things on the shelves because there's no more room
  
  
• when you open the door and things fall out
  
  
• when you rush to shut the door before things fall out
  
  
• when you're looking for ketchup, you find 3 bottles and 2 are practically empty
  
  
• when the lettuce you stored in the crisper is now mush
  
  
• when the cheddar cheese is green
  
  
• when the milk in the cartoon looks like cottage cheese
  
  
• when you see a hairy green thing lurking on the back of the top shelf
  
  
• when you find UFOs (unidentified fridge objects) on the shelves
  
  
• when you're totally out of Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers
  
  
• when your Mom's coming for a visit!
  

Here's a video created for the funny song "Livin' in the Fridge" by Weird Al Yankovic:


As posted on YouTube by roscoetoon


Seriously, here are some sites that may have information helpful to you:

• How to Clean a Refrigerator
  
• How much is disorganization costing you each year?
  
• When to throw away those things we store in our refrigerator
  
• Clean your fridge

Obviously based on the following items that I had to toss tonight, it appears that I have plenty of reading and organizing to do, along with some shopping to replace my expired goods! My confession follows....

First the good news: Recovered - 1 pot and 2 glass containers

Now the bad news:

What I tossed:
5 rubbermaid containers
1 old jar of pizza sauce (date unknown)
4 bottles of ketchup, 3 with only traces remaining
1 old jar of bacon bits, barely a taste left
2 partial 12 oz. Coke Zeros
2 containers of take-out hot sauce
1 slice of pizza
2 homemade brownies (previously frozen)
2 tortillas, take-out variety
1 box of Cheerios cereal with only crumbs remaining
1 Yoohoo, partial
1 unidentifiable left-over casserole serving

Expired in 2007:
2 packages of carb balance tortillas
9 eggs expiring in April-May
6 eggs expiring in October
1 container of sour cream
2 jars of bread and butter pickles (1 unopened)
2 bottles of barbeque sauce
1 bottle of worcestershire sauce
1 bottle of teriyaki sauce
1 box of Stovetop stuffing (unopened)
1 jar of mayo
1 box and 3 bags of fat free croutons
4 bags of cheese (1 unopened; 1 very "green")
1 jar of picante sauce
4 sticks of margarine (unopened)
1 carton of EggBeaters (unopened)
2 partial bags of dry lima beans
1 partial container of pepperoni
6 snack-size containers of applesauce
2 partial bags of corn meal mix
1 juice box

Expired in 2006 (yes, very scary!)
1 bottle of syrup
1 bottle of soy sauce
1 jar of coffeemate (bought for an overnight guest in '06)
1 jar of picante sauce
1 bag of low sodium Goldfish
1 jello cook-and-serve pudding box

Expired in 2005 (yes, terrifying!)
1 jar of grated parmesan cheese
2 boxes of taco shells (1 unopened)
2 jello cook-and-serve pudding boxes
1 bag of dry lima beans

I now have a clean refrigerator and am starting with a clean slate and intentions to be better! If you've made it this far, post a comment on this page describing the worst item that you found buried in your refrigerator.

Crunchy or creamy?

Today I'm celebrating Peanut Butter Lovers Month!

Peanut butter is the leading use of peanuts in the USA. It was first introduced to the USA in 1904 at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis by C.H. Sumner, who sold $705.11 of the "new treat" at his concession stand. Peanut butter was the secret behind "Mr. Ed," TV's talking horse. Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth. The world's largest peanut butter and jelly sandwich was created in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on September 7, 2002. It weighed nearly 900 pounds and contained 350 pounds of peanut butter and 144 pounds of jelly. The amount of bread used to create the sandwich was equivalent to more than 400 one-pound loaves of bread. Sixty percent of consumers prefer creamy peanut butter over crunchy. The amount of peanut butter eaten in a year could wrap the earth in a ribbon of 18-ounce peanut butter jars one and one-third times. Americans eat enough peanut butter in a year to make more than 10 billion peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Women and children prefer creamy, while most men opt for chunky. People living on the East Coast prefer creamy peanut butter, while those on the West Coast prefer the crunchy style. Personally, I'm a creamy fan!

Here's a short quiz: how much do you know about peanut butter?

1. How many peanuts does it take to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter?
   
2. How many peanut butter sandwiches can be made with one acre of peanuts?
   
3. What percent of USA households consume peanut butter?
   
4. How many jars of peanut butter are churned out by the world's largest peanut butter factory each day?
   
5. Approximately how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will the average child eat before he/she graduates from high school?
   
6. How much do Americans spend on peanut butter each year?
   
7. When was the patent for peanut butter awarded?
   
8. How much peanut butter does the average American eat each year?
   
9. How many pounds of peanut butter are eaten by Americans each year?
   
10. What two peanut farmers have been elected President of the United States?
    
11. Approximately how long does it take to manufacture peanut butter?
    

While you're thinking about your answers, watch the music video of the cute Peanut Butter Song by Joe Raposo from Sesame Street :

As posted on YouTube by kidsongstvshow

The Answers: how did you do?

1. About 540
   
2. 30,000 sandwiches
   
3. 89%
   
4. 250,000 jars
   
5. 1,500
   
6. Almost $800 million
   
7. In 1895 to Dr. John Harvey Kellogg
   
8. 3 pounds per person
   
9. More than 700 million pounds
   
10. Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter
    
11. About 3 hours
    

What's for lunch today? Have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to celebrate Peanut Butter Lovers Month. Toss in a Nabisco Nutter Butter cookie too! Before you leave the site today, post a description of your favorite memory about peanut butter or your favorite recipe that requires peanut butter.


Credits: Special thanks to the National Peanut Board and Peanut Advisory Board for fun facts.

Kindness....pass it on

Today I'm celebrating World Kindness Day!

This week is World Kindness Week and today has been designated by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to practice kindness and to “pass it on” to others. The foundation encourages random acts of kindness as positive acts to bring all types of people together. Thousands participate, some offering spontaneous acts of kindness and others creating planned activities. Visit their site for more information and to get ideas on forming a Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) club, on planning a kindness event, for suggested activities, community projects, and MORE! You may also send an e-card to someone from the site with a quote related to kindness by Aesop, Helen Keller, Anne Frank, Margaret Mead, William Penn, among others. There's even a quote by Whoopie Goldberg, who is celebrating her birthday today! You may also find some interesting downloadable "free stuff" on the site.

Some things others have said....

• No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted (Aesop)
  
• Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses (Confucius)
  
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32, New International Version)
  
• I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. (Ettiene De Grellet)
  
• Friendship is a living thing that lasts only as long as it is nourished with kindness, empathy and understanding. (Author Unknown)
  
• Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolutions. (Kahlil Gibran)
  
• That best portion of a good man's life
  His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love
  (William Wordsworth)
  

For World Kindness Week, I thought that you'd like the following music video and movie clip:

The Wilburn Brothers singing Glen Campbell's hit Try A Little Kindness during one of their tv shows in the '70s

As posted on YouTube by hungerford1

A clip from the movie Pay it Forward

As posted on GodTube by hapeman


Your challenge of the day:
Be kind.
Make a difference by passing it on.
Kindly post a comment describing how someone was kind to you or a way that you have celebrated World Kindness Week
Here are some suggested things that you can do.
.

All the way, with one exception

Today I'm celebrating National Pizza with the Works except Anchovies Day!

I'm not sure how such became an observance on the calendar, but I'm always glad to celebrate with a pizza!

• I grew up in the country. In my teenage years, Sunday night was often a pizza night. If you were lucky, you'd get a ride into town with some others in the church youth group to the Pizza Hut.
  
• My Grandma Mac knew how much we loved pizza and would buy frozen pizzas to keep in the freezer for us grandkids when we would go visit her. As a young adult, she would also suggest that we stop by the local Pizza Hut when I would drive her into town for her doctor's appointment, rather than swinging into the Sonic, her usual stop on the way home.
  
• My Aunt Pat also bought frozen pizzas, but she would "doctor 'em up" by adding more sauce and pepperoni to the top.
  
• At our house, we made "homemade" pizza -- right out of the Chef Boyardee box and, of course, adding our own toppings. I later learned how to use spices with tomato sauce to mix my own pizza sauce. I also now own a stone baking dish for making pizza.
  
• When in graduate school in Aggieland, we'd often work after midnight at the main data center to use the mainframe computer systems to run our programs for free. (Yes, there were days when you were actually charged for your time on the computer!) On many of those nights, we'd call the local pizza joint and request a delivery. We would rotate who had responsibility for standing guard down in the locked lobby -- watching for the delivery guy.
  
• In my first year at work, my team would go out to lunch each Friday. We often would eat at the Crystal's Pizza, mostly because some of the girls wanted to watch All My Children in their theater room during lunch.
  
• When my folks moved to a town in south Texas and I would visit on holidays, we'd often order pizza. I'm pretty good at remembering numbers -- and I had a standing bet with my Dad -- he'd pay for the pizza if I could recall the phone number of the local Pizza Hut up the road. I'd always win! Today when I visit home, Friday night is pizza night. My brother and his family come to visit Mom and we all order pizza -- but they have switched to Domino's now. I really miss Dad and always recall that bet when we order pizza.
  
• When going to the farm on vacation, it's a long drive to town for pizza. So, occasionally we would buy pizza from the counter in the back of the local little video rental store in the next little community. Funny, we started noticing that brand of pizza in most of the local gas stations. Now, at the farm we just buy frozen pizza, which is as good or better! Or, plan a drive into town....
  
• I frequently order pizza with my friends today. We all have favorites. We typically order from I Fratelli (where they say you should never trust a round pizza) for home delivery while we watch a movie or something Tivo'd. We occasionally go to the restaraunt in Valley Ranch also. We often go as a group to Vito's also. They have largest pizzas I've ever seen. A small is huge. I can generally only eat a single slice, but sometimes two. It's a popular place for us pageant folks, who need a place to unwind after a long rehearsal or to celebrate after a performance. We've almost filled up half the restaraunt at times. I've noticed that we all have favorite toppings. Anita likes everything, but would rather not have pepperoni. Jeff likes everything, but he'd really prefer a pepperoni pizza. Ginger always orders Canadian bacon and green olive. I like it all -- but if ordering on my own, I will order the works or a pepperoni/beef combo. We often get multiple pizzas with half-of-this and half-of-that. It's a lot of fun!
  
  Thinking about this holiday, I recall the numerous times that I would order pizza "with the works" and then quickly add "except anchovies." I'm not sure that they even have anchovies as a topping selection at my local pizzeria. I've never tasted an anchovy on a pizza and have never seen one. I've learned from Wikipedia that anchovies are in a family of small but common salt-water fish. An anchovy is a small green fish with blue reflections. They are noted as an important food fish, both popular and infamous for the strong flavor. They are a key ingredient in Caesar salad and Spaghetti alla Puttanesca. Because of the strong flavor they are also an ingredient in several sauces, including Worcestershire sauce and many fish sauces. They are marketed in small tines, either as "flat" fillets or rolled around a caper. They are quite salty. They are also marketed in jars and tubes as a paste to use in making sauces. Anchovies are also used by fishermen as bait for larger fish, such as sea bass and tuna.
  
  Well, I like Caesar salad and use Worcestershire sauce, but I still don't think I'm ready to put a little bait on my pizza tonight. I'm trying to cut back on salt anyway -- and a little achovy from that tin has 150 mg of sodium in it.
  
  If you're a 24 show fan, here's a great video about pizza delivery that you will enjoy:
  
  As posted on YouTube by 24HourPizzaDelivery
  
  Hopefully you have great memories too of days and nights enjoying great pizza. Have a pizza today and celebrate life! I plan to do just that! Post a comment and tell us about your favorite pizza.

Proud American proud of those who serve and protect our freedom!

Today I'm celebrating the freedom we have and honoring our veteran's on Veteran's Day.

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world celebrated the end of World War I as an armistice was signed. Armistice Day was originally a day set aside to honor the veterans of World War I, but in 1954, the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 striking out the word "Armistice" replacing it with "Veterans" for the day set aside to honor American veterans of all wars.

Thank you to all the veterans for making our country the amazing place it is today!

Here's a beautiful tribute to our American soldiers and a touching reminder of the price of our freedom.

I'm Proud to be an American - American Soldier Tribute video created to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA

Video posted on YouTube by Mushafugga

Video of Tim McGraw singing If You're Reading This

Video posted on YouTube by tweey157ch

Today, say a prayer for our soldiers and their families for their sacrifice and service.

Image credit: From Central Denver Blog

A Day to Remember

Today I'm celebrating Forget-Me-Not Day!

The Forget-me-not is the state flower of Alaska. Wikipedia notes that during the 15th Century in Germany, it was believed that the wearer of the forget-me-not flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. It also tells the legend from medieval times about a knight who fell into a river due to the weight of his armour as he was picking a posy of flowers for his lady. Tragically, the knight tossed the flower to his lady and shouted "Forget-me-not" while drowning. This flower has since been associated with romance and tragic fate, often worn by ladies as a sign of enduring love and faithfulness.

So today is a day to remember the special ones who have crossed your path in life. Some things to think about:

• Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget (Anon.)
  
• They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel (Carl W Buecher)
  
• Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them (Ogden Nash)

Tell your family, friends, spouse, or significant other that you love them. Surprise someone today. Tell that special person that you'll never forget what they mean to you and how they make you feel.

Don't forget me - tell me what you think
Post a comment today about someone who is special to you and you wish to never forget. Or, tell me about that special someone lost, but not forgotten.

Here are four of my favorite songs that speak of remembering family, someone loved, and a lost love. Enjoy!

Carrie Underwood singing Don't Forget to Remember Me
See her music video


The video of her singing on American Idol, as posted on YouTube by nylatinguy3000

Alan Jackson singing Remember When
See his music video


A video on The Notebook to his music, as posted on YouTube by EstrellaIvy

3 Doors Down singing Here Without You

As posted on YouTube by oceanus0005

Lucie Silvas singing Forget Me Not

As posted on YouTube by permentiermp

Guys, you have a 10-minute headstart at the sound of the gun!

Today I'm celebrating Sadie Hawkins Day!

This American folk event debuted in Al Capp's Li'l Abner comic strip on November 15, 1937. As the story was told, Sadie Hawkins was "the homeliest gal in the hills." Her father, Hekzebiah Hawkins, a prominent resident of Dogpatch, was worried that she would never find a husband and feared that Sadie would be living at home for the rest of his life. So, he declared the first annual Sadie Hawkins Day. On this day, in a foot race, the unmarried gals chased the town's bachelors. The rules were simple: all eligible Dogpatch bachelors stood at a starting line. When the mayor fired his pistol in the air, the bachelors would run for their miserable lives. Moments later, a second shot was fired and the town's unmarried women would take off in hot pursuit chasing after the men. The men who were dragged back to the starting line before dusk were required to marry their captor on the spot, a job carried out in relish by Marryin' Sam.

By the late 1930s, the Sadie Hawkins Day event swept the nation and became a national sensation. In 1938, Life magazine reported that more than 200 colleges held Sadie Hawkins Day events. It was not Al Capp's intention to have the event occur annually on a specific date. However, due to its enormous popularity and fan letters he received, the event became an annual event in the comic strip during the month of November for four decades. In the tradition of Sadie Hawkins Day, women and girls take the initiative and invite the man or boy of their choice out on a date. Sadie Hawkins Day Dances are still scheduled in many US high schools and colleges and retirement homes, especially in the Midwest and South.

Some advice for the ladies:

• Send a Sadie Hawkins Day e-card
  
• Read MSN's advice on how a woman can ask a man for a date
  
• To learn all the guys' secrets, read The Manual: A True Bad Boy Explains How Men Think, Date, and Mate -- And What Women Can Do To Come Out On Top

It's time for talkback! But, it's only fun if you participate! Post your comments!

• Tell us your favorite memory about Sadie Hawkins Day
  
• Guys, tell us what you really think about ladies asking a man out for a date
  

While you're thinking about what you want to post, watch the music video set to the song Sadie Hawkins Dance by the Ohio-based band Relient K, in which they discuss the anxiety of waiting to be asked to the dance by a girl.

Posted on YouTube by beautifuldreamer1289


Ladies, let's celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day this weekend together!
Men, keep those ringers on! Feel free to drop a hint to a special lady today about celebrating Sadie Hawkins Day!

Graphic credit: Sadie Hawkins' Day button designed by Frank Frazetta

Of all the stupid things!

Today, I'm celebrating Dunce Day!

Today is the anniversary of the November 8, 1308 death of Duns Scotus, a medieval scholar who was responsible for the introduction of the words "dunce" and "dunce cap" into the English language. As it turns out, the dunce cap comes from this 13th-century philosopher named John Duns Scotus, who, not surprisingly, was born in Duns, Scotland. This medieval scholar believed that cone-shaped hats actually increased learning potential. Here's the theory: knowledge is centralized at the apex and would flow from the point of the cap, down and into the mind of the wearer, making that person smarter. He was widely praised in his day, but eventually fell out of intellectual favor. His "duns cap" was a pretty obvious target of ridicule and came to symbolize stupidity. So, the logic of the dunce cap was that it would make slow pupils learn better, but it was later used to humiliate the wearer and motivate students to try harder.

Have you ever done something that you later felt was totally stupid? Maybe I'm the only one, but I've certainly had my share of acts or remarks where I'd like to make a short click back in time or request a quick do-over. They say practice makes perfect and some us just need a little extra rehearsal time to fine-tune things. I wish that John Duns Scotus' theory had been proven correct. I'd be the first in line at Target to pick up one of those caps to keep handy after a momentary lapse in my better judgment. :)

However, I'm especially thankful for my family and friends today who are forgiving of those times when I could have been a little smarter... could have 'bitten my tongue' before speaking... and could have made a better decision. It's those great family and friends who don't stick you in a corner in time-out, wearing a dunce cap, but rather often celebrate your uniqueness and are always ready to give a do-over!

After watching the CMA Awards earlier in the evening, a perfect song comes to mind on the day that we celebrate Dunce Day! Enjoy!

Song: Stupid Boy by Keith Urban , uploaded to YouTube by abbytink

(Image credit)

One country girl celebrating country music!

Today this country girl is celebrating Country Music. Wikipedia notes that country music is "a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States" with "roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, blues, gospel music, hokum, and old-time music." It notes that country music has produced two of the top selling solo artists of all time, Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks. Country music has evolved over the years and country rock and country pop are growing in popularity. Wikipedia also reports that as of 2007, country is the most popular radio format in America, reaching 77.3 million adults--almost 40 percent of the adult population--every week!

The Country Music Association annually recognizes country music artists and gives awards in the following twelve categories: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Horizon Award (similar to the "rookie of the year" award in sports), Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, Single, Album, Song, Music Event, Music Video, and Musician. Tonight the CMA awards will be broadcast. On my blog, a playlist of many of the artists nominated is available for your listening pleasure. My favorite picks are shown below using a cool widget from the CMA Awards site:

MySpace users get your own picks and widget here
© 2007 Country Music Association, Inc.

Some might say, what could there be to celebrate about country music? It seems so depressing. Country music is indeed often about how somebody done somebody wrong, who's cheating who, and other generally sad topics. It's often about outlaws and pesky in-laws. Country songs are often about fighting and drinking in honky-tonks. About heartaches and loves lost. However, country music captures the emotions and hearts of many people through music, both the good times and the bad. Looking down the Billboard chart today, you'd be advised:
DON'T BLINK as you travel FREE AND EASY DOWN THE ROAD and don't miss the things in life that are SO SMALL so that love will be MORE THAN A MEMORY. And, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, you might say "HOW 'BOUT THEM COWGIRLS in Texas who write blogs about celebrating life. I might just FALL over such a little FIRECRACKER and we'll be LIVIN' OUR LOVE SONG while her blog is playing OUR SONG." Insert laughter here.

Thank you Billy Graham

Today Billy Graham is celebrating his 89th birthday. He grew up near Charlotte, North Carolina where there is now a parkway named in his honor. Billy Graham was listed on The Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century in 1999. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine on October 25, 1954; November 15, 1993; and May 13, 1996. In the Billy Graham Crusades (1947-2005) through radio and television and in tents, stadiums, and arenas, he affirmed the fundamentals: the literal truth of the Bible: the virgin birth, atoning death and the bodily resurrection of Christ; the Second Coming; salvation purely through grace by faith and not works. He is often called "America's Pastor" having met with presidents and leaders around the world. His library was recently dedicated in Charlotte.

Here are two interesting quotes attributed to Billy Graham:

• My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world.


• I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right.

I'm reminded today for the reason that I can celebrate life. If you lack that peace and assurance, then reference the message from Graham's most important book "Peace with God" (1953) online by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association along with the prayer so often heard in the Billy Graham Crusades.


Here is the video "Thank You Billy Graham" as played from TBN by Pat Boone, featuring Bono, Larry King, Le Ann Rimes, and a host of other music personalities paying tribute to Billy Graham.


Image by Corbis-Bettmann and video uploaded on YouTube by TubeNumber3

Celebrating the life of The March King

Today, I'm celebrating the birthday of John Philip Sousa (1854-1932), a great American world-famous conductor and composer. Sousa was a leader of the US Marine Band. If you visit Washington DC in the summer, make it a point to watch the US Marine Band perform! Known fondly as The March King, John Philip Sousa composed 136 marches that are still performed today by some of the finest marching bands. Where would our Texas Aggie band be without the works of Sousa? Sousa also organized a civilian concert band. Sousa's Band was the most popular musical act in the world for over 30 years. It was the first American musical organization to go on world tour, the first to travel more than a million miles, and the first to perform for more than a million people. Sousa composed The Stars & Stripes Forever! which has been named as the official march of the USA. How could we celebrate with fireworks on July 4th without Sousa's music?!? The complete works of Sousa are available online for your listening pleasure. Below is a video to celebrate the freedom within our USA to the amazing music of John Philip Sousa.

Here's the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra performing Stars & Stripes Forever:


Video by tomcollinsworth from YouTube

I just wanna celebrate, yea yea!

My first posting...my work on this blog is best described by the following video:

Daily I hope to find and to post something to celebrate. Something hopefully that will bring a smile to your face. Looking forward to the challenge. Join me on this adventure!