Aspartame & Aspartame Poisoning [diet sodas included]

Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used to make Nutrasweet / Equal and sometimes labeled as phenylalanine in products, has been the subject of heated controversy—both because of safety issues and the shady circumstances surrounding its approval. Considering possible connections between aspartame and diseases such as brain tumors, brain lesions and lymphoma, and taking into account alleged conflicts of interest during the approval process, you owe it to yourself to learn the facts—not just what the lobbyists and manufacturer want you to know.

Aspartame - the silent killer
Aspartame is marketed as NutraSweet, Equal Spoonful, Benevia, NatraTaste and since the patent on it has now expired it likely will come on the market under many different names.
Undoubtedly you have heard that Aspartame is a safe sweetener and people use it to loose weight. Unfortunately that information is criminally false and misleading.

Aspartame is made of 3 components, 50% phenylalanine, 40% aspartic acid and 10% methanol (wood alcohol). In the body methanol breaks down into formaldehyde (embalming fluid) and formic acid.

On the European Common Market, Aspartame is banned for all children's products. Why is this not the case in Canada and the U.S.? Because Monsanto - which owns the NutraSweet Company which manufactures Aspartame - pays off the FDA, the American Medical Association, The American Dietetic and Diabetic Associations, Congressmen and Senators and virtually anyone who gets in the way, and in other countries too. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation caught them red handed and aired a program where Monsanto was trying to bribe Canadian Doctors at Health Canada.

Monsanto is the world's largest manufacturer of poisons, not only of the citizens of the world but also of the environment. In 1995, Monsanto ranked 5th among US corporations in the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory, having discharged 37 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the air, land, water and underground.

How Robert B. Shapiro, President and CEO of Monsanto and the other members of the board, many of whom call themselves "Doctors" can live with themselves, knowing what they and the company are responsible for is incomprehensible. The entire lot should be prosecuted for mass genocide. Their track record of plain lying, falsifying and concealing data, bribery of officials, and the list goes on, is truly astonishing.

To quote the Toronto Globe and Mail reporting on the outcome of a three year trial, "The evidence of Monsanto's executives at the trial portrayed a corporate culture where sales and profits were given a higher priority than the safety of products and its workers..... They just didn't care about the health and safety of their workers. Instead of trying to make things safer, they relied on intimidation and threatened layoffs to keep their employees working".

Partial list of products containing Aspartame:
Diet Coca Cola (all varieties) Soft Drink
Coca Cola Zero (all varieties) Soft Drink
Diet Pepsi (all varieties)Soft Drink
Pepsi Max (all varieties)Soft Drink
Diet Irn Bru (all varieties)Soft Drink
Lilt Zero (all varieties)Soft Drink
Sprite Zero (all varieties)Soft Drink
Tango (all varieties)Soft Drink
Tango no added sugar (all varieties)Soft Drink
7up Free (all varieties)Soft Drink
Lucozade Sport (all varieties)Soft Drink
Schweppes Slimline Drinks (all varieties)Soft Drink
Fanta Zero (all varieties)Soft Drink
Fanta Orange Soft Drink
Dr Pepper Zero Soft Drink
Oasis Summer Fruits Extra Light Soft Drink
Oasis Citrus Punch Soft Drink
Ribena Really light (all varieties) Cordial
Robinsons Orange Squash Cordial
Robinson’s No added sugar range Cordial
Muller Light Cherry Yoghurt
Muller Light Blueberry Yoghurt
Muller Light Raspberry Yoghurt
Muller Light Banana and Custard Yoghurt
Danone Activia Cherry Yoghurt
Weight Watchers Fromage Frais Yoghurt
Weight Watchers Toffee and Vanilla Yoghurt
Wrigleys Airwaves (all varieties) Chewing Gum
Wrigleys Orbit (all varieties)Chewing Gum
Wrigleys Extra (all varieties)Chewing Gum
Walkers Sensations Sweet Thai Chilli
Walkers Sensations Lime and Thai Spices
Walkers Prawn Cocktail
Canderel
Silver Spoon Sweetness and Light
Silver Spoon Light Granulated Sugar
Cadburys Highlights (all varieties)
Options Hot Chocolate Drink (all varieties)

http://www.thenhf.com/articles/articles_747/articles_747.htm

According to Lendon Smith, M.D. there is an enormous population suffering from side effects associated with aspartame, yet have no idea why drugs, supplements and herbs don’t relieve their symptoms. Then, there are users who don’t ‘appear’ to suffer immediate reactions at all. Even these individuals are susceptible to the long-term damage caused by excitatory amino acids, phenylalanine, methanol, and DKP.

Adverse reactions and side effects of aspartame include:

Eye
blindness in one or both eyes
decreased vision and/or other eye problems such as: blurring, bright flashes, squiggly lines, tunnel vision, decreased night vision
pain in one or both eyes
decreased tears
trouble with contact lenses
bulging eyes

Ear
tinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound
severe intolerance of noise
marked hearing impairment

Neurologic
epileptic seizures
headaches, migraines and (some severe)
dizziness, unsteadiness, both
confusion,
memory loss, both
severe drowsiness and sleepiness
paresthesia or numbness of the limbs
severe slurring of speech
severe hyperactivity and restless legs
atypical facial pain
severe tremors

Psychological/Psychiatric
severe depression
irritability
aggression
anxiety
personality changes
insomnia
phobias

Chest
palpitations, tachycardia
shortness of breath
recent high blood pressure

Gastrointestinal
nausea
diarrhea, sometimes with blood in stools
abdominal pain
pain when swallowing

Skin and Allergies
itching without a rash
lip and mouth reactions
hives
aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma

Endocrine and Metabolic
loss of control of diabetes
menstrual changes
marked thinning or loss of hair
marked weight loss
gradual weight gain
aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
severe PMS

Other
frequency of voiding and burning during urination
excessive thirst, fluid retention, leg swelling, and bloating
increased susceptibility to infection

Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all
death
irreversible brain damage
birth defects, including mental retardation
peptic ulcers
aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets
hyperactivity in children
severe depression
aggressive behavior
suicidal tendencies

Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Epstein-BarrPost-Polio Syndrome
Lyme Disease
Grave’s Disease
Meniere’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
ALS
Epilepsy
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
EMS
Hypothyroidism
Mercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillings
Fibromyalgia
Lupusnon-Hodgkins
LymphomaAttention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Chickweed

Yep....it's that pretty little plant most people consider a weed. Try adding some to your sandwich instead of lettuce.


Chickweeds
Stellaria media, Stellaria pubera, Other Names: Common Chickweeds, Star Chickweed, Mouse-ear Chickweed

Habitat: Chickweeds are an annual herb, widespread in temperate zones, arctic zones, and throughout, probable origin Eurasia. Chickweeds have established themselves all over the world, possibly carried on the clothes and shoes of explorers. They are as numerous in species as they are in region. Most are succulent and have white flowers, and all with practically the same edible and medicinal values. They all exhibit a very interesting trait, (they sleep) termed the 'Sleep of Plants,' every night the leaves fold over the tender buds and the new shoots.

The cultivation of this one is not necessary it is abundant and easy to find. Gather fresh edible plant between May and July, as soon as flowers appear, it can be used fresh or be dried for later herb use.

Properties

Chickweeds are Medicinal and edible, they are very nutritious, high in vitamins and minerals, can be added to salads or cooked as a pot herb, tasting somewhat like spinach. The major plant constituents in Chickweed are Ascorbic-acid, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Coumarins, Genistein, Gamma-linolenic-acid, Flavonoids, Hentriacontanol, Magnesium, Niacin, Oleic-acid, Potassium, Riboflavin, Rutin, Selenium, Triterpenoid saponins, Thiamin, and Zinc.

The whole plant is used in alternative medicine as an astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, refrigerant, vulnerary.

It is also used to relieve constipation, an infusion of the dried herb is used in coughs and hoarseness, and is beneficial in the treatment of kidney complaints. as an astringent, carminative, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, refrigerant, vulnerary.

A decoction of the whole plant is taken internally as a post-partum depurative, emmenagogue, galactogogue and circulatory tonic.

New research indicates it's use as an effective antihistamine. The decoction is also used externally to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers. It can be applied as a medicinal poultice and will relieve any kind of roseola and is effective wherever there are fragile superficial veins or itching skin conditions.

Folklore
Chickweed water is an old wives' remedy for obesity.
RecipesMedicinal tea: To 1 tbls. dried herb, 2 if fresh, add 1 cup boiling water steep for 10 min. Take in ½ cup doses 2 to 4 times daily, during a cold or flu.

Amen!!!

He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past...
Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one...
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke...
But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today...

He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life..
He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today...

When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung...

Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man?...
Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life?...

The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives...
While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them, For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, Went to battle, but we know,...
It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand?...
Or would you want a Soldier-- His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end...

He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start...

If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days...
Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."...

20 Ways ObamaCare Will Take Away Our Freedoms

http://www.infowars.com/20-ways-obamacare-will-take-away-our-freedoms/

FireAndreaMitchell.com March 23, 2010
With ObamaCARE now passed, containing the Cornhusker Kickback, Gator-Aid, the Lousiana Purchase, and other shady deals, Investors Business Daily gives up 20 ways that ObamaCARE will take away our freedoms. IBD’s sections described below are taken from HR 3590 as agreed to by the Senate and from the reconciliation bill which takes out the Cornhusker Kickback and Gator-Aid as displayed by the Rules Committee.
An autographed copy of the bill after the House passed Obamacare in Washington, Sunday, March 21, 2010.

1. You are young and don’t want health insurance? You are starting up a small business and need to minimize expenses, and one way to do that is to forego health insurance? Tough. You have to pay $750 annually for the “privilege.” (Section 1501)

2. You are young and healthy and want to pay for insurance that reflects that status? Tough. You’ll have to pay for premiums that cover not only you, but also the guy who smokes three packs a day, drink a gallon of whiskey and eats chicken fat off the floor. That’s because insurance companies will no longer be able to underwrite on the basis of a person’s health status. (Section 2701).

3. You would like to pay less in premiums by buying insurance with lifetime or annual limits on coverage? Tough. Health insurers will no longer be able to offer such policies, even if that is what customers prefer. (Section 2711).

4. Think you’d like a policy that is cheaper because it doesn’t cover preventive care or requires cost-sharing for such care? Tough. Health insurers will no longer be able to offer policies that do not cover preventive services or offer them with cost-sharing, even if that’s what the customer wants. (Section 2712).

5. You are an employer and you would like to offer coverage that doesn’t allow your employers’ slacker children to stay on the policy until age 26? Tough. (Section 2714).

6. You must buy a policy that covers ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services; chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care. WHETHER YOU NEED/WANT IT OR NOT!!

You’re a single guy without children? Tough, your policy must cover pediatric services. You’re a woman who can’t have children? Tough, your policy must cover maternity services. You’re a teetotaler? Tough, your policy must cover substance abuse treatment. (Add your own violation of personal freedom here.) (Section 1302).

7. Do you want a plan with lots of cost-sharing and low premiums? Well, the best you can do is a “Bronze plan,” which has benefits that provide benefits that are actuarially equivalent to 60% of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan. Anything lower than that, tough. (Section 1302 (d) (1) (A))

8. You are an employer in the small-group insurance market and you’d like to offer policies with deductibles higher than $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families? Tough. (Section 1302 (c) (2) (A).

9. If you are a large employer (defined as at least 101 employees) and you do not want to provide health insurance to your employee, then you will pay a $750 fine per employee (It could be $2,000 to $3,000 under the reconciliation changes). Think you know how to better spend that money? Tough. (Section 1513).

10. You are an employer who offers health flexible spending arrangements and your employees want to deduct more than $2,500 from their salaries for it? Sorry, can’t do that. (Section 9005 (i)).

11. If you are a physician and you don’t want the government looking over your shoulder? Tough. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to use your claims data to issue you reports that measure the resources you use, provide information on the quality of care you provide, and compare the resources you use to those used by other physicians. Of course, this will all be just for informational purposes. It’s not like the government will ever use it to intervene in your practice and patients’ care. Of course not. (Section 3003 (i))

12. If you are a physician and you want to own your own hospital, you must be an owner and have a “Medicare provider agreement” by Feb. 1, 2010. (Dec. 31, 2010 in the reconciliation changes.) If you didn’t have those by then, you are out of luck. (Section 6001 (i) (1) (A))

13. If you are a physician owner and you want to expand your hospital? Well, you can’t (Section 6001 (i) (1) (B). Unless, it is located in a country where, over the last five years, population growth has been 150% of what it has been in the state (Section 6601 (i) (3) ( E)). And then you cannot increase your capacity by more than 200% (Section 6001 (i) (3) (C)).

14. You are a health insurer and you want to raise premiums to meet costs? Well, if that increase is deemed “unreasonable” by the Secretary of Health and Human Services it will be subject to review and can be denied. (Section 1003)

15. The government will extract a fee of $2.3 billion annually from the pharmaceutical industry. If you are a pharmaceutical company what you will pay depends on the ratio of the number of brand-name drugs you sell to the total number of brand-name drugs sold in the U.S. So, if you sell 10% of the brand-name drugs in the U.S., what you pay will be 10% multiplied by $2.3 billion, or $230,000,000. (Under reconciliation, it starts at $2.55 billion, jumps to $3 billion in 2012, then to $3.5 billion in 2017 and $4.2 billion in 2018, before settling at $2.8 billion in 2019 (Section 1404)). Think you, as a pharmaceutical executive, know how to better use that money, say for research and development? Tough. (Section 9008 (b)).

16. The government will extract a fee of $2 billion annually from medical device makers. If you are a medical device maker what you will pay depends on your share of medical device sales in the U.S. So, if you sell 10% of the medical devices in the U.S., what you pay will be 10% multiplied by $2 billion, or $200,000,000. Think you, as a medical device maker, know how to better use that money, say for R&D? Tough. (Section 9009 (b)).
The reconciliation package turns that into a 2.9% excise tax for medical device makers. Think you, as a medical device maker, know how to better use that money, say for research and development? Tough. (Section 1405).

17. The government will extract a fee of $6.7 billion annually from insurance companies. If you are an insurer, what you will pay depends on your share of net premiums plus 200% of your administrative costs. So, if your net premiums and administrative costs are equal to 10% of the total, you will pay 10% of $6.7 billion, or $670,000,000. In the reconciliation bill, the fee will start at $8 billion in 2014, $11.3 billion in 2015, $1.9 billion in 2017, and $14.3 billion in 2018 (Section 1406).Think you, as an insurance executive, know how to better spend that money? Tough.(Section 9010 (b) (1) (A and B).)

18. If an insurance company board or its stockholders think the CEO is worth more than $500,000 in deferred compensation? Tough.(Section 9014).

19. You will have to pay an additional 0.5% payroll tax on any dollar you make over $250,000 if you file a joint return and $200,000 if you file an individual return. What? You think you know how to spend the money you earned better than the government? Tough. (Section 9015).
That amount will rise to a 3.8% tax if reconciliation passes. It will also apply to investment income, estates, and trusts. You think you know how to spend the money you earned better than the government? Like you need to ask. (Section 1402).

20. If you go for cosmetic surgery, you will pay an additional 5% tax on the cost of the procedure. Think you know how to spend that money you earned better than the government? Tough. (Section 9017).

Tea Party

OK....so I'm a "domestic terrorist". I happen to believe the politicians and government are suppose to work FOR us, not try to take away our rights and control everything we do!! We have become sheep following the almighty dollar. Get a backbone, people!! When you do, tune in to the radio broadcast....

http://www.hottearadio.com/

http://teapartypatriots.org/

Enough of Uncle thinking we are irresponsible children that can't take care of ourselves. They are for their own bulging pockets and don't care if we go hungry or lose our homes.

RETIRED!!!

Well, boys and girls, the old bat finally did it....I retired. This poor old body and brain just couldn't handle the corporate BS any longer. It was a scary thing to do, since I am single and there will be no income for a few months but it was also well worth it!

Since leaving the rat race, St John's Wort is no longer needed to get thru the day, I'm sleeping better, my hands no longer shake and I finally have the time to finish all those projects I started years ago. Note that I "have" the time....that's not saying I will. Knowing myself like I do, there will probably be more unfinished projects laying around. Oh well....I'm retired....I don't HAVE to do anything I don't want to do. :>))

Dandelion

(Taraxacum officinale, Weber, T. Densleonis, Desf; Leontodon taraxacum, Linn.)

Ahhhh The “lowly” dandelion. This has to be the most common “weed” in the world. Many people spend countless hours and hundreds if not thousands of dollars trying to get rid of it and, I must confess, so did I. It’s impossible to be totally without these hardy plants when the wind will blow their seed in from neighbors and empty lots. After spending an entire Spring and Summer working to get rid of them, only to have them back the next year, I finally gave up and adopted the saying, “If you can’t beat em….eat em”.

The Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Its leaves are often used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines.

The blooms are very sensitive to weather conditions: in good weather, all the parts are outstretched, but when rain threatens the whole head closes up at once. Dandelion flowers are a much more accurate weather forecaster than the news!! It closes against the dews of night, being prepared for its night's sleep, opening again in the morning.

The young leaves of the Dandelion make a healthy addition to spring salads and are often eaten in Europe, especially in France. The full-grown leaves should not be taken, being too bitter, but the young leaves, especially if blanched, make an excellent salad, either alone or in combination with other plants, lettuce, shallot tops or chives.

--Culinary Uses--
Young Dandelion leaves make delicious sandwiches, the tender leaves being laid between slices of bread and butter and sprinkled with salt. The addition of a little lemon-juice and pepper varies the flavour. The leaves should always be torn to pieces, rather than cut, in order to keep the flavour.

In Wales, they grate or chop Dandelion roots, two years old, and mix them with the leaves in salad. Dandelion can be blanched in the same way as endive, and is then very delicate in flavour. If the flower-buds of plants, in a corner of the garden for salad purposes, are removed at once and the leaves carefully cut, the plants will last through the whole winter.

The young leaves are less bitter and may also be boiled as a vegetable, spinach fashion, thoroughly drained, sprinkled with pepper and salt, moistened with soup or butter and served very hot. If considered a little too bitter, use half spinach, but the Dandelion must be partly cooked first in this case, as it takes longer than spinach. As a variation, some grated nutmeg or garlic, a teaspoonful of chopped onion or grated lemon peel can be added to the greens when they are cooked. A simple vegetable soup may also be made with Dandelions.

More Dandelion recipes from Mountain Breeze

WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T TAKE MEN SHOPPING

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like most women- she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Target.

Dear Mrs. Samsel,
Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samsel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.

July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away! This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lose time and costing the company money.

August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on layaway.

August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he, began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were called.

September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.

September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.

October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

And last, but not least:
October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here. ' One of the clerks passed out.

Favorite links

http://pamelaparnell.homestead.com/files/doorofeverything.htm

Fighting Fair

I don’t care how well matched two people are, they are going to have disagreements, arguments or plain old fights. It’s the human egos nature to defend it’s views even when it knows it is wrong.

Since we are all human and disagreements are bound to happen, just how do you deal with them? The best advice I can give is to cool down before saying ANYTHING. Easier said then done. So….since that is not likely to happen, at least have the common sense to realize your partner is in the same boat. He/she will lash out with things they don’t mean, too.

Second best advice is to forgive. Don’t just forgive your partner….forgive yourself, too. Again, we are human and sometimes our emotions suppress common sense. If someone hurts you, it is normal to want to hurt them in return. Unfortunate but true.

Ok….so your ’other’ says something that hurts you. Hopefully the two of you came up with a keyword that lets the other know that all is NOT well in Paradise. You can always go for “Time out”. If you can, (without yelling) give your other a clue as to what is amiss. Don’t just storm off leaving him to wonder what in the world he did or said to upset you. Whatever you come up with, say the word or phrase and walk away. Go to different rooms, take a walk, go for a drive. COOL OFF. Then examine what was said and WHY it upset you. Is it really a legitimate hurt? A blow to your pride? Something that was triggered from a past relationship? Only you can answer those questions.

When you realize what hurt you and why, go back and calmly tell him. If you don’t want to face him, write it down and give it too him. Or send an email. Sometimes it’s embarrassing to face the one you care about when you realize you were wrong. No matter how you do it, do it!! Relationships are something to enjoy, not dread.

After the thunder stops and you both cool down, sit and TALK. Calmly and coolly tell your partner WHY you said what you did or ask why he said what he did and exactly what did he mean by it. Swallow your pride and TELL him/her what hurt you. None of us are mind readers and the old, worn out saying “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you” is one of the most destructive things in a relationship. Of course they don’t know!!! Do YOU know? Didn’t think so.

There is another article with Rules for Arguments on The Lost Art of Romance blog, written by Romeo. I would recommend reading those, too. The link is under “My Blog List” in the right column.

Cats

You gotta love em!! I must admit tho that they do have attitudes and definate personalities.

There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast.

Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.

Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.

Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later.

Cats aren't clean, they're just covered with cat spit.

Happy Valentine's Day

Maybe...God wanted us to meet the wrong person before meeting the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

Maybe...when the door of happiness closes, another opens; but, oftentimes, we look so long at the closed door that we don't even see the new one which has been opened for us.

Maybe...it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Maybe...the happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes their way.

Maybe...you should dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you dream of and want to do.

Maybe...there are moments in life when you miss someone -- a parent, a spouse, a friend, a child -- so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real.

Maybe...the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Maybe...you should always try to put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the other person, too.

Maybe...you should do something nice for someone every single day, even if it is simply to leave them alone.

Maybe...giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart; but, if it doesn't, be content that it grew in yours.

Maybe...you shouldn't go for looks; they can deceive; don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Maybe...you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.

Attorney's Good Advice

AN ATTORNEY'S ADVICE
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. AND TODAY IS SOMEDAY. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company:

"The next time you order checks, have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone.

If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.

We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.

Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this)..

Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.

There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend. (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.

The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Explain (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trains Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. Pass this information along. It could really help someone you care about."

Household tips

I make no claims that these really work but if you are desparate, they can't hurt. Use at your own discretion.

1. Beer conditions the hair. Pour on hair after shampooing and rinse out...unless you want every man that likes beer following you around....then don't rinse it out.
2. Cooking spray will dry finger nail polish
3. Whipped topping will condition your hair in 15 minutes
4. Mayonnaise will kill lice and/or condition your hair
5. White kids glue will remove dead skin & blackheads. Wipe on your face, let dry and peel off.
6. Spike your hair with tooth paste
7. For shiny hair, use brewed tea
8. For sunburn, empty a large jar of instant tea into your bath water
9. Toothpaste helps minor burns
10. Burn your tongue with coffee or tea? Sprinkle sugar on it.
11. Meat tendorizer takes the bite out of bee stings
12. Cornstarch helps athelete's feet
13. Creamy peanut butter for scratched CD's?? Don't know about that one, but if it's already scratched, what the heck....
14. Non stick cooking spray limbers sticking bicycle chains & makes aluminum windows slide easier.
15. Vinegar helps control dandruff
16. To make body paint, heat solid cooking shortening in the micro until it melts, pour into a container and mix with food coloring. Let cool before using. I have not tried this one so don't know if the food coloring will stain the skin. You could also try cake frosting.
17. A few new uses for maxi pads....stick to the palm of your hand and clean windows & floors. Spray with furniture polish and do your dusting. You can even use them as knee pads or a sweat band in a hat!!
18. Remove carpet stains with club soda. Blot with towel to remove liquid.
19. Wine spilled on carpet will soak into salt if you catch it quick enough.
20. Cheap hairspray removes grease from carpet. Spray, rub lightly and dab up.
21. Labels on glassware come off if you rub them with peanut butter.

Reality

I am a firm believer that we create our own reality and experience. That's not to say that I am always happy and care free. It's much easier to say than to do. But...we CAN choose how we will react to every day annoyances. We can choose to let things upset us or not. We can be happy with what we have or make ourselves miserable wanting what we don't have.

I choose today to be thankful that I have a home, a job and the intelligence to keep that job. I have food and a car. There are many in this world that have none of those, so I am indeed blessed. I have a fiance' whom I love and he loves me. What more could I ask for?

Mom & Papa John

They are both in their 80's, live in a beautiful home on 5 acres and do most of the work themselves. Someone forgot to tell them that they are suppose to be old, feeble and spend their days in a rocking chair.
Which brings up a topic. It is said that every cell in the human body renews every 7 years. So why do we get old?? It is my personal belief that we age because we believe we are suppose to, not because we HAVE to!! Our bodies are made to live a healthy life for hundreds of years. The only reason they don't is because, over countless generations, we have come to believe the opposite. If that is true, then thinking otherwise should reverse (or at least halt) the process of aging. Psst....Peter Pan is my role model. [Now where did Tink go???]

Valentines Day

Valentines Day fast approaches but the love you have for someone should be shown not for just one day but all year round. I for one am very fortunate, my lady is the sweetest most wonderful woman alive and I intend to show her every day how much I love her.

Relationships

Trying to change a person into someone they are not won't happen. Either you love them the way they are, for who they are, or move on. If you attempt to "modify" them, they are sure to resent it.