tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22288387454516605332024-03-05T01:45:38.423-05:00Following My Bliss (or something like it)just my journal and a small attempt at bettering the world around meJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-67218393762322418892009-07-10T16:11:00.002-04:002009-07-10T16:14:34.005-04:00Long time no...<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Well, I did warn you about the ADD issue. But then I found <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span>. I think I am only able to do one web based thing at a time. I have only had one adoption since last we shared crazy cat lady stories :) My five kittens are going in to be altered next Friday, one girl is in today so hopefully things will start moving here in the next few weeks.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">On a different issue...does anyone get a constant error message about IE not being able to open the link to your blog? I get it constantly from my home computer. I don't understand...there is no help code or message about the error. Just says it can't open it. Now what??</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-7730847881448122252009-06-06T21:03:00.001-04:002009-06-06T21:04:43.569-04:00Great news!<span style="font-family:arial;">Both of my adult cats that I recently took in have found their forever homes. That sure didn't take long. They were great girls, so it is always great news.</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-36795457342367759072009-06-04T20:29:00.005-04:002009-06-05T05:59:43.213-04:00Lots of good news<span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I have adult ADD so when I start something (like this blog) the enthusiasm quickly subsides. However, since I was last engaged, I have taken in two adult cats and five kittens...and one was already adopted!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PQH6ZWwB2g6jDQzrJaiQVlCV0Qava4FSq2BZzHnjpED4Vsz0Gd3uWBRPwfbUZRC2u4ft2NwwPo-eiCzeSVVu8exdMaaWyx_stmfAUBdvZLdFudKIcxMV5w74jrYS4ZCjqu8w3Z6vnGU/s1600-h/P5220008.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343634842047502258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PQH6ZWwB2g6jDQzrJaiQVlCV0Qava4FSq2BZzHnjpED4Vsz0Gd3uWBRPwfbUZRC2u4ft2NwwPo-eiCzeSVVu8exdMaaWyx_stmfAUBdvZLdFudKIcxMV5w74jrYS4ZCjqu8w3Z6vnGU/s200/P5220008.JPG" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My sister-in-law found a stray in her neighborhood. Meet Pocahontas (aka Tess)...sweet as can be. She was declawed and hungry. Had to be someones pet. Well, we got her ready for adoption and tonight she went to her new home with a woman we think is very, very great.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Then I decided I had to take in another adult that had been taken care of by a wonderful woman who's husband was about to have to undergo medical stuff because of his severe allergies to cats.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Meet Dusty: a real character<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA722fkthJ0h2zXSioAN4hFPkBPex9vD46gxd7invRllQ0LiS6rCu_oDa6ur51w0wyPfyBpDX2Y9dUaU2Qk2OwLvVA_tqWRV9okHKmlKOaXNDichjZx42aY54km-XNMUMj1YlIxQ9izQ/s1600-h/P5290006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343635299700507282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA722fkthJ0h2zXSioAN4hFPkBPex9vD46gxd7invRllQ0LiS6rCu_oDa6ur51w0wyPfyBpDX2Y9dUaU2Qk2OwLvVA_tqWRV9okHKmlKOaXNDichjZx42aY54km-XNMUMj1YlIxQ9izQ/s200/P5290006.JPG" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This woman who called <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pawsohio.org">PAWS</a> totally vetted the cat, so she had received all of her vaccinations, had been tested and spayed. She is now at a local PetSmart waiting for someone to catch her eye.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">And not to be outdone, I picked up five kittens the other night. I need my head examined. What can I say, our waiting list was getting out of control and there were so many that needed so much help.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">And the last update, is that I started Twittering for PAWS! I don't know much about it so don't get too excited for me. But if you'd like to follow it is twitter.com/pawsohio.</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-64329991036445977142009-05-29T20:31:00.000-04:002009-05-29T20:32:11.218-04:00The best medicine<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vmHmksXPnug&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vmHmksXPnug&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-78513520219326443302009-05-02T09:03:00.002-04:002009-05-02T09:09:44.978-04:00Sad, sadder, saddest<span style="font-family:arial;">Well, I suppose these things happen, but it doesn't make it any easier. Yesterday, we had to put down one of the kittens. It was the little tabby and white girl, Discovery. What makes it worse is that because she had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_infectious_peritonitis"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FIP</span></a>, an infectious viral disease, more than likely her litter mates have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FIP</span>, too, it is just not presenting yet.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">She had stopped gaining weight and yesterday became very ill. It was tough to see that tiny little thing in that condition and there was nothing to do about it. There is no cure for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FIP</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">What makes this the almost unbearable is that I have exposed Rocky's healthy kitten to this virus and more than likely she will die as well. I can't believe it. Rocky will probably be okay because her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">immune</span> system is good. Apparently, older healthy cats to not get the virus or if they do, they will shed it after some time. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that somehow the other two kittens and especially Rocky's little girl come through this without contracting the virus.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-63810313805295128022009-04-29T22:20:00.005-04:002009-04-29T22:29:08.545-04:00I just couldn't take it any longer<span style="font-family:arial;">For anyone who knows anything about stray cats, spring is kitten season. So if you do any kind of animal rescue, you know about this time of year is when all of the calls start coming in for help with a mother and her kittens. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqASUXsIL5PezxoHKlB04qkLOTvWU1f7hHo8MPH4Ik0h01CY8KZg6zvoZ_wi7fo0VR3wZ_8Y1U_8hPpsDreQzQvN8qX_DzYrTmMsbfEhb9dg0SRATtE1pmSVmERWKOsYrEcV_d_D9IgY0/s1600-h/P4290005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330304673769809794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqASUXsIL5PezxoHKlB04qkLOTvWU1f7hHo8MPH4Ik0h01CY8KZg6zvoZ_wi7fo0VR3wZ_8Y1U_8hPpsDreQzQvN8qX_DzYrTmMsbfEhb9dg0SRATtE1pmSVmERWKOsYrEcV_d_D9IgY0/s200/P4290005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We were getting inundated with calls and I just couldn't take it any longer. The guilt that is. Enter Rocky and her kittens. Well, it just started with Rocky and her kitten - singular. But once the word was out that I had a nursing mother with just one kitten, that easy task would be no longer. It turns out that one of our volunteers works part time at an animal clinic on the east side of Cleveland. Someone came in with a box of newborn kittens and no mother. So Rocky now has four! They actually go perfectly with her and she is a good little mommy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Rocky is named after the woman who called in about her. She was found with her one kitten (the one on the far right side) at the construction site of the new juvenile justice center in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cuyahoga</span> county. So, her kitten is named Justice. The other three weren't from that site, but we're going with the theme so they are (from left to right) Judge, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Habeas</span> and Discovery.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I wasn't so sure about Rocky at first. She hid and hissed (not the combo you're hoping for in order to find her a new home). But after just a couple of days, she is a very affectionate sweet little girl. I am just hoping that the bulge in her tummy is a whole bunch of worms and not another litter. I don't think it is possible for her to be pregnant again when her kitten can't be more than a month old but you never know. Let's just all keep our fingers crossed!</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-37900014808647411562009-04-19T19:10:00.007-04:002009-04-19T19:32:16.873-04:00Paperback Swap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mC1HjI05iA0TiJkAxRjRcNa0QA-LkNrfA3j3jcJv28IkcRdUkUhgqXp__ny6JYjMXTphpGmfqooPhMltrurGAU7grGKTucHF-cna7WzAoCrjOMdlPouyST4woeL7F_AKqI5Z19qMfbQ/s1600-h/pbs_logo_xl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326544704189390418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mC1HjI05iA0TiJkAxRjRcNa0QA-LkNrfA3j3jcJv28IkcRdUkUhgqXp__ny6JYjMXTphpGmfqooPhMltrurGAU7grGKTucHF-cna7WzAoCrjOMdlPouyST4woeL7F_AKqI5Z19qMfbQ/s200/pbs_logo_xl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">So I was looking online for a book about this animal hoarder that was found with 552 dogs (okay so why would I be looking for a book like that - who knows but I'm seeking treatment) and came across this website for <a href="http://www.paperbackswap.com/">swapping books</a> with others that have registered on the site. Pretty cool, don't you think?!?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The only money you really spend is sending off the books, which in comparison, is definitely less expensive than buying the new ones. I just posted about 30 or so books today and already have four going out in the mail. When you post ten books, you receive two credits or something. Then for every book you send you get a credit. One credit = one book.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Hopefully this will let me avoid the overdue fees at the library :)</span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-59600115407660916902009-04-14T11:20:00.007-04:002009-04-14T11:55:28.369-04:00I'm in disbelief<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3NMCYLZR-T19hjyOFN7x8xoVR-VRg7zCOHcKmPdzHwba7qQsUzGpPBDZQwQke-rKfXGe4XURPeGZsLDuikKPwU0FIbLYTRrZpl1a7wr8lYaP8HwzgyOzisoB1bRwX9TxEKCbQHxyjXg/s1600-h/dhslogo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324574589732518226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3NMCYLZR-T19hjyOFN7x8xoVR-VRg7zCOHcKmPdzHwba7qQsUzGpPBDZQwQke-rKfXGe4XURPeGZsLDuikKPwU0FIbLYTRrZpl1a7wr8lYaP8HwzgyOzisoB1bRwX9TxEKCbQHxyjXg/s200/dhslogo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Our Director of Homeland Security no longer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">refers</span> to terrorist attacks or a war waged against those who want to inflict harm on our country or its citizens but would rather call them "man-made disasters." But she does want to brand citizens who stand up for the Constitution as outlaws or individuals for law enforcement for target. Read this <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/14/federal-agency-warns-of-radicals-on-right/">report</a> and be very afraid.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Wonder if my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag">Don't Tread On Me</a> car sticker will get me a ticket :)</span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-34713834932595593792009-04-12T09:07:00.003-04:002009-04-12T09:11:15.136-04:00Who's going to their tea party?<span style="font-family:arial;">You can always check to see where your <a href="http://www.teapartyday.com/">local gathering</a> is being held. Don't let Washington destroy the future for generations to come. Did you know that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CBO</span> estimates that by 2019 the interest paid on the ever increasing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">national</span> debt will be larger than defense spending? How can anyone prosper in that environment?</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And don't forget what has spurred on this exercise in free speech:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nISTWtpWZbw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nISTWtpWZbw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-76214109552082523962009-04-08T14:27:00.005-04:002009-04-08T14:45:14.032-04:00Please sign this petition!<span style="font-family:Arial;">I know I'm a glutten for punishment. Maybe sometimes I need to remind myself how absolutely rotten human beings can be. I'm just one of those people who doesn't naturally distrust people. Some time ago, I heard about a documentary called <em><a href="http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/dealingdogs/">Dealing Dogs</a>.</em> For some unknown reason, I had to see it. It was one of the worst things I've ever seen.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Basically, it has to do with what are called "Class B Dealers" that lawfully operate with a license from the government (Wow, the government doing something hideous?). Anyway, the state of Michigan lawfully allows dogs and cats from shelters to be sold to these so called dealers to then end up as scientific experiments. These are our companions!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Please take action and sign this <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/649021463?z00m=19754642">petition</a> to support Michigan H.B. 4663 to eliminate pound seizures in Michigan's animal shelters!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Here is the link: <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/649021463?z00m=19754642">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/649021463?z00m=19754642</a></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-10109368648592551762009-03-28T05:59:00.008-04:002009-03-28T19:08:54.207-04:00Foster Free!<span style="font-family:Arial;">Little Nick went to his forever home last night. He's not in a mansion by any stretch of the imagination, but home is now with a young couple who obviously love their animals. They had two cats, brothers just like mine, and one of their boys died due to kidney failure.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWU3gBiEd3QFHkn4_KXfP-u50mPugrnKRnx_UJHI23haZ-SWQHrAKa7Y9lCUbXv7qi5-5VhkCo3sSbqjb2xRkhdREAnIOkUvuIIHwF4SKhUkTMfWxIJaPfKKRVhyphenhyphenwZBfKb4c_GIzwBDM4/s1600-h/P3170005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318177208724910274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWU3gBiEd3QFHkn4_KXfP-u50mPugrnKRnx_UJHI23haZ-SWQHrAKa7Y9lCUbXv7qi5-5VhkCo3sSbqjb2xRkhdREAnIOkUvuIIHwF4SKhUkTMfWxIJaPfKKRVhyphenhyphenwZBfKb4c_GIzwBDM4/s200/P3170005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">They were looking for a new friend for their guy and spied Nick on the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pawsohio.org">PAWS</a> website. He's a rough and tumble guy who now has a safe home and won't be resigned to a life on the streets...not a very good life at that. I think he's going to do great!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">So eighteen cats have come and gone (well, okay seventeen since I kept one) since August! Sounds a little nutty, but they have all found great homes. If you think about it, that is a lot of cats and a lot of great people who have opened up their hearts to help these little souls. O</span><span style="font-family:Arial;">kay so I use the term "Little Nick" lightly obviously, but he was such a love bug! I'm just glad he is going to be in a place where he will get all the love an attention he desires! Here's to Nick!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am going to be taking a little bit of a break from fostering. Now, don't get me wrong, I do other volunteer stuff with PAWS: adoption screenings, helpline calls and most recently pr and marketing for an upcoming event.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">April is also Prevent Cruelty to Animals Month so I'm trying to get our executive director featured in some newspaper articles to further our cause. I'm sure the spare bedroom will have a new inhabitant sometime soon...they know I'm a sucker :)</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-57407192506578431932009-03-28T03:21:00.002-04:002009-03-28T05:41:19.275-04:00<p><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jXGrQ9uiLSo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jXGrQ9uiLSo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://taxdayteaparty.com/">Find one in your town</a></span></p>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-15900916055514163802009-03-26T20:11:00.004-04:002009-03-28T05:56:54.331-04:00Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act aka G.I.V.E. Act<span style="font-family:arial;">Be afraid...be very afraid. I'm sure the Germans didn't think anything of the Hitler Jugend Bund der deutschen Arbeiterjugend, either.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><br /><object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2TPi0gR-P8w&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2TPi0gR-P8w&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-1324344153080520862009-03-26T10:14:00.001-04:002009-03-26T10:53:40.816-04:00Wow, now that makes sense<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/94lW6Y4tBXs&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/94lW6Y4tBXs&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-15766158410013358332009-03-25T08:30:00.003-04:002009-03-25T08:36:58.831-04:00Fish fans anyone?<span style="font-family:arial;">A few years ago, I was in Fort Lauderdale for one of our national sales meetings. For some reason, everywhere I went, Grouper was on the menu. It has swiftly become one of my all time favorite fishes! Although I have not made this yet, it sounds outstanding and I think it will be on the menu very soon (from <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipes">Cooking Light</a>):</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Margarita Grouper Fillets</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">6 (6-ounce) grouper fillets</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3/4 teaspoon salt, divided</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1/4 cup chopped onion</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 tablespoon sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded serrano chile</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">3 tablespoons fresh lime juice</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 tablespoon tequila</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 tablespoon vegetable oil</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">1 garlic clove, chopped</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Cooking spray</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Chopped fresh chives (optional)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">Lime wedges (optional)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><br />Place the fillets in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, cilantro, and the next 7 ingredients (cilantro through garlic clove) in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Pour cilantro mixture over the fillets, and turn to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once.<br /><br />Prepare grill.<br /><br />Remove fish from dish; discard marinade. Place fish on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Garnish fish with chopped chives and lime wedges, if desired.<br />Note: Store cooked fillets in refrigerator for up to 1 day.<br /><br />I think this would be absolutely awesome with one of my favorite rice dishes:<br /><br />4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water, divided<br />1 cup basmati rice<br />1 cup chopped fresh cilantro<br />2 poblano chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped<br />1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil<br />1 cup finely chopped onion<br />1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper<br />1/4 cup chopped green onions<br />1 garlic clove, minced<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br /><br />Preparation<br /><br />Combine 2 cups water and rice; let stand 30 minutes. Drain well.<br /><br />Place 2 tablespoons of water, fresh cilantro, and poblanos in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, green onions, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add poblano mixture; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in rice, 2 cups water, and salt; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.<br /><br />Anyone who knows me, knows I'll find just about any reason for rice :) But seriously, this rice is phenominal! If you make it before I do, let me know what you think!!</span><br /></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-86831235936210399492009-03-21T14:35:00.003-04:002009-03-29T09:46:09.518-04:00Common Sense<object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jeYscnFpEyA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jeYscnFpEyA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-25315425228649751382009-02-23T18:52:00.005-05:002009-02-23T18:57:41.932-05:00At long last, little Tim gets his forever home!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMlWedszQe6wkL0o5fFtZ61nUxBDHOuiWiDVJQfQkC0NXHzQ7R3P7H-pIOGaBPZfRC_drFnqHttB4Gi-KWTVffF4hr5XKtuhCNrAGf-egQo1Cbmptbg38ksVYQ1VEfNpSjndMxwp2LYw/s1600-h/P1020034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306145649815300994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMlWedszQe6wkL0o5fFtZ61nUxBDHOuiWiDVJQfQkC0NXHzQ7R3P7H-pIOGaBPZfRC_drFnqHttB4Gi-KWTVffF4hr5XKtuhCNrAGf-egQo1Cbmptbg38ksVYQ1VEfNpSjndMxwp2LYw/s200/P1020034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Little Tim was a tough one. He was really cute (as you can see), but just a scared little boy. I had him by himself for the last couple of weeks here in my office and that seemed to help him quite a bit. His new mom, I think is perfect for him. She understands his skittish behavior and knows how to work with him. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">For the first time since August, I would have been foster-less, but alas, our big orange boy entered the domain. We're happy to have him!</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">On another note, time to really get serious about this diet thing. I don't know what in the world I've been doing but things have definitely gotten out of hand! I'll keep you posted.</span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-30290124355262923802009-02-22T09:23:00.003-05:002009-02-22T09:29:23.311-05:00Who doesn't love a big orange boy?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET9rM4NOHiNfVaSZFCi4toaZXP1jPkFtJc2jp5LL5Mms4JrLJnTtMogYfvr3nGZnhJjtts0ahm-EsHxjsT4ZNqvgILJE4JYpEAoTjZIO-y6bGLFB30Jj6uRWAWtfArVRZPIDuHgQcOXA/s1600-h/P2220002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305627743569798242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET9rM4NOHiNfVaSZFCi4toaZXP1jPkFtJc2jp5LL5Mms4JrLJnTtMogYfvr3nGZnhJjtts0ahm-EsHxjsT4ZNqvgILJE4JYpEAoTjZIO-y6bGLFB30Jj6uRWAWtfArVRZPIDuHgQcOXA/s200/P2220002.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Yes, I'm talking cats here. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I mean can we get real? There is something very special about big orange tabby boys. They always seem to be the nicest. Meet Nick:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Poor Nick just doesn't seem to know what to make of the home environment. He has a big gash on his front leg and, as you can see slightly in his picture, is sporting a pretty good cold (upper respiratory infection in the cat world but basically the same thing). He received some antibiotics for his wound but no doubt will have to have oral antibiotics for his URI.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">He's definitely afraid (under the bed as you might not be able to tell). But he loves affection and will eventually come out and start to purr, which then gets him a little congested. I'm sure this poor boy has had little or no inside experience but he's surprisingly good tempered. He let me clean up the goo-goo on his face and clean out his wound a little as well. All in a day's work. I know when he's healthy he'll be adopted. Everyone loves a big orange boy, right?</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-22735984225898232682009-02-21T05:52:00.005-05:002009-02-21T06:17:03.664-05:00It's a great day for Natalie!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZHZzNmhrvBY7GT5andQYt3xa9RkP0o3St4V4qmyOMt_V941MMMzFJRkQE-ZHVSVYc9yTBUO93m79b4BUcPf8GxWyVapmFFMY7IKnyPC18AGll9IJCXY0mVoPqzNbLKeFmTnSH4TR4DE/s1600-h/Natalie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305207891204192786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZHZzNmhrvBY7GT5andQYt3xa9RkP0o3St4V4qmyOMt_V941MMMzFJRkQE-ZHVSVYc9yTBUO93m79b4BUcPf8GxWyVapmFFMY7IKnyPC18AGll9IJCXY0mVoPqzNbLKeFmTnSH4TR4DE/s200/Natalie.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">At long last, Natalie is going to her forever home! A good friend of mine has finally succumbed to the pressure of a young girl she has been tutoring for a couple of years now. Natalie couldn't be going to a better home. She'll be the only pet in the home and in a perfect position to be the queen of the castle. I mean, come on, you expect that face to share attention with anyone?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I think the two independent girls will make a perfect pair. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">So, sixteen down, one to go. Poor little Tim is the sole remaining foster yet to find a home. He is going out to PetsMart today so hopefully someone will see him and just have to take him home!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I also happened to pick up another - I've told you haven't I? They know I'm a sucker. Apparently, our director saw this orange tabby in her neighborhood (notorious for an overpopulation of stray cats) and started feeding him. He turned up a couple of days ago with a bad wound on his leg. He went to the vet to tend to his wound (bad bite) and now he's in my house. I can't figure out if he is just really, really scared (he's full grown so this could be interesting) or feral. He seems to like being petted on his head, but there are some signs that he might be feral.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Feral cats tend not to make a sound if trapped. If he is feral, we have a plan for that but I'm hoping that after ten days of recuperation and being fed that he'll come around...only time will tell!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">But back to the most important part of the post...Natalie is going home!</span></div></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-7639360505645740032009-02-13T09:34:00.011-05:002009-02-13T09:46:21.886-05:00Yea for Emily!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMXs5BOYSEkL6DEEj69nuV-76y7xFwyEBezla-XpVUax4ftCthoOVQB11FKbxKiMdOoG7734Uyknp-XJyIeAcLiOjBZW4Jza1JbR_xK9aA3rF6G6suikVbp4jmwhSWz7hWDF_WgmTZQQ/s1600-h/P1290023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302291360661880866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMXs5BOYSEkL6DEEj69nuV-76y7xFwyEBezla-XpVUax4ftCthoOVQB11FKbxKiMdOoG7734Uyknp-XJyIeAcLiOjBZW4Jza1JbR_xK9aA3rF6G6suikVbp4jmwhSWz7hWDF_WgmTZQQ/s200/P1290023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Same song, different words. Little Emily went to the same home with Max. I think they're going to have a great time. Okay, Emily will probably stay a little crabby, but Max has a playmate in the new owners other cat :)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have been thinking that since August, I have taken in seventeen cats and fifteen of them have found new homes. That is a pretty great number if you think of it. We're left with just Tim and Natalie to find their forever family. Hopefully an adoption event tomorrow will help us do just that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rdczKjXyG2FR4xzoxH5AsCdOnX678RoVzmrVWTwqKWvXfbKEPtU_KhmA2ajSmGWtu8g_kT2i42d8TJIyx3IQUT4kRCByAhp2wkj5xc5_8zXNWVOTudQo1QsWX4i0DGTloNnC31RzPDM/s1600-h/Natalie1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302291542796739362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rdczKjXyG2FR4xzoxH5AsCdOnX678RoVzmrVWTwqKWvXfbKEPtU_KhmA2ajSmGWtu8g_kT2i42d8TJIyx3IQUT4kRCByAhp2wkj5xc5_8zXNWVOTudQo1QsWX4i0DGTloNnC31RzPDM/s200/Natalie1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRCXohq_hFR7v6-A2aU5S32bnJaCOnTT_s_Rj9q3c00gnNzSOrb5K4ww-dLM-tu8I-VpNR0LpaAV9NvuY1SThUA8LnRWNNc3eFeOFuK38UStmca3Z0PO8AtA46QixGgj_XoNeYxRP2zA/s1600-h/P1120048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302292008672850274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRCXohq_hFR7v6-A2aU5S32bnJaCOnTT_s_Rj9q3c00gnNzSOrb5K4ww-dLM-tu8I-VpNR0LpaAV9NvuY1SThUA8LnRWNNc3eFeOFuK38UStmca3Z0PO8AtA46QixGgj_XoNeYxRP2zA/s200/P1120048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Strangely enough, Tim and Natalie are married in real life so isn't it a funny coincidence? Natalie's maternal instinct never really kicked in. We think that she is probably Tim's mom (they have the exact same markings), but she didn't really like him all that much (eek). Anyway, Tim loved Abe, as you can see by the snuggle session.</span></div>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-71104607059896599182009-02-09T15:57:00.009-05:002009-02-10T06:30:46.319-05:00Yea for Max!<span style="font-family:arial;">Nothing makes a day better than when one of your favorite foster cats is going to what you know is going to be a great home. In addition to answering messages on the organization's helpline and fostering cats, I am also an adoption <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">screener</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzdyjTWiY4ryqjzTreYCaeVPrUkQ2Wj2OPTm862k5jbCdGfXFf9Vf0ys5bu5-xuLYyZZ365x5LqJp3KBLvvQJBaoODek8_uV6ddAzJndAajbMDYxeXnEI-1wsVNBuoEbrjJcm4WXJatg/s1600-h/Max+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300906315916619634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzdyjTWiY4ryqjzTreYCaeVPrUkQ2Wj2OPTm862k5jbCdGfXFf9Vf0ys5bu5-xuLYyZZ365x5LqJp3KBLvvQJBaoODek8_uV6ddAzJndAajbMDYxeXnEI-1wsVNBuoEbrjJcm4WXJatg/s200/Max+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>To follow in the footsteps of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potter_Stewart">Associate Justice Potter Stewart</a>, although I can't tell you exactly what makes a potential adopter not the right fit <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">even though</span> all of their answers are correct, I know it when I talk to them. Max's soon to be new mom, was not at all like that...she was great!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">He was the sweetest boy from day one and I couldn't be happier that he's going home tonight. Here's to Max!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">And a good recipe for when it gets colder, or not if you're a soup fan like I am. I have made this and it is surprisingly easy and really good!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Golden Potato-Leek Soup</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">From Cooking Light</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">Yield 8 servings (serving size: about 1 cup soup and 1 toast)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Soup:</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1 tablespoon butter<br />3 cups thinly sliced leek (about 3 medium)<br />6 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potato (about 2 1/4 pounds)<br />2 cups water<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />2 (14-ounce) cans organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic)<br />2 thyme sprigs</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Cheddar Toasts:<br />8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut sourdough French bread baguette<br />Cooking spray<br />1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese<br />1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Remaining Ingredients:<br />1/3 cup fat free whipping cream<br />1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<br />Thyme sprigs (optional) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Preparation<br />Preheat oven to 375°. To prepare soup, melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leek; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally (do not brown). Add potatoes, water, salt, broth, and 2 thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />To prepare cheddar toasts, place baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 7 minutes or until toasted. Turn slices over; coat with cooking spray, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon cheese over each slice. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle evenly with red pepper.<br /><br />Remove pan from heat; discard thyme sprigs. Partially mash potatoes with a potato masher; stir in cream. Sprinkle with black pepper. Serve with cheddar toasts. Garnish with thyme sprigs, if desired.<br /><br />Nutritional Information<br />Calories: 299 (25% from fat)<br />Fat: 8.6g (sat 4.7g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.6g)<br />Protein: 7.5g<br />Carbohydrate: 48.4g<br />Fiber: 3.9g<br />Cholesterol: 25mg<br />Iron: 2mg<br />Sodium: 660mg<br />Calcium: 113mg </span></span><br /><br /></span></span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-38980407069987541172009-02-04T17:14:00.002-05:002009-02-10T06:31:47.058-05:00These are the people running our country<object height="419" width="518"><param name="movie" value="http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/eyeblast.swf?v=yduz6UZuZu"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/eyeblast.swf?v=yduz6UZuZu" allowfullscreen="true" width="518" height="419"></embed></object>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-34953857193951709512009-02-03T20:16:00.003-05:002009-02-03T21:21:24.467-05:00Please help Snoopy and vote!<p><object id="WNVideoCanvasDEFAULTdivWNVideoCanvas" height="355" width="650"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="wmode" value="windowless"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="movie" value="http://wjw-video.trb.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf"><br /> <embed src="http://wjw-video.trb.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="windowless" width="650" height="355" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="isShowIcon=true&affiliate=WJW&affiliateNumber=850&backgroundAlphas=100,100,100,100&backgroundColors=eeeeee,eeeeee,eeeeee,eeeeee&backgroundRatios=0,25,130,255&backgroundRotation=270&borderAlpha=100&borderColor=aaaaaa&borderWidth=1&clipId=3407799&playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDobject&closecaptionPaneLabelText=&closePaneLabelText=&commercialHeadlinePrefix=Commercial&controlsBackgroundAlphas=100,100&controlsBackgroundColors=eeeeee,eeeeee&controlsBackgroundRatios=0,255&controlsBackgroundRotation=270&controlsBorderColor=212121&controlsBottomPadding=8&controlsButtonLeftBorderColor=c7c7c7&controlsButtonRightBorderColor=656464&controlsHeight=40&controlsOffFaceColor=828282&controlsOverFaceColor=454444&controlsSidePadding=8&defaultStyle=flatlight&disableTransport=false&domId=WNVideoCanvaswn42divWNVideoCanvas42&emailErrorBorderColor=ae1a01&emailErrorMessageFaceColor=ae1a01&emailFormFieldAlphas=80&emailFormFieldColors=dddee0&emailFormFieldRatios=0&emailFormFieldRotation=90&emailInputFaceColor=454444&emailMessageLabelText=&emailPaneLabelText=&emailSentConfirmationMessage=&errorMessage=&fullScreenControlType=none&hasBevel=false&hasBorder=true&hasBottomBorder=true&hasFullScreen=true&hasLeftBorder=true&hasRightBorder=true&hasTopBorder=true&helpPage=http://www.fox8.com/video-flashhelp&hostDomain=wjw-video.trb.com&idKey=wn42&imgPath=http://WJW.images.worldnow.com/images/static/video/flash/&invalidRecipientFieldMessage=&invalidSenderFieldMessage=&isAutoStart=false&isMute=&landingPage=http://www.fox8.com/video/&loadingMessage=&offFaceColor=828282&overFaceColor=454444&overlayBackgroundAlphas=92&overlayBackgroundColors=b6b6b5&overlayBackgroundRatios=0&overlayBackgroundRotation=90&overlayOffFaceColor=454444&overlayOverFaceColor=ffffff&pauseButtonText=&playAtActualSize=0&playButtonText=&playerHeight=355&playerWidth=650&recipientEmailLabelText=&sendEmailButtonText=&senderEmailLabelText=&senderNameLabelText=&shareListItemHighlightBorderColor=ffffff&shareListItemOffFaceColor=828282&shareListItemShadowBorderColor=b1b0b0&shareListListItemOverFaceColor=828282&sidePadding=3&smoothingMode=auto&staticImgPath=http://WJW.images.worldnow.com&summaryGraphicMessage=&summaryGraphicScaleStyle=stretchToFit&summaryPaneLabelText=&tabBackgroundAlphas=100,100&tabBackgroundColors=e6e6e6,e6e6e6&tabBackgroundOverAlphas=100,100&tabBackgroundOverColors=eeeeee,eeeeee&tabBackgroundOverRatios=0,100&tabBackgroundRatios=75,255&tabBackgroundRotation=90&tabBackgroundSelectedAlphas=100&tabBackgroundSelectedBorderAlpha=100&tabBackgroundSelectedBorderColor=aaaaaa&tabBackgroundSelectedBorderWidth=1&tabBackgroundSelectedColors=eeeeee&tabBackgroundSelectedHasBevel=false&tabBackgroundSelectedHasBorder=true&tabBackgroundSelectedHasDropShadow=false&tabBackgroundSelectedRatios=0&tabBorderAlpha=100&tabBorderColor=aaaaaa&tabBorderWidth=1&tabFontSize=10&tabHasBevel=false&tabHasBorder=true&tabHasDropShadow=false&tabHeight=26&tabLeftBorderColor=e5e5e5&tabOffFaceColor=828282&tabOverBorderAlpha=100&tabOverBorderWidth=1&tabOverFaceColor=454444&tabOverHasBevel=false&tabOverHasBorder=true&tabRightBorderColor=868686&tabShadowColor=333333&topPadding=3&videoSliderBackgroundColor=cccccc&videoSliderKnobBackgroundAlphas=100,100&videoSliderKnobBackgroundColors=cccccc,cccccc&videoSliderKnobBackgroundRatios=0,255&videoSliderKnobBackgroundRotation=90&videoSliderKnobBorderColor=959495&videoSliderKnobOffFaceColor=444444&videoSliderKnobOverFaceColor=212121&videoSliderKnobShadowColor=5a5a5a&videoSliderLoadIndicatorColor=828282&videoSliderProgressIndicatorColor=454444&volumeSliderOffColor=cccccc&volumeSliderOverColor=828282&"></embed></object></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">I swear our Executive Director is always all over. I don't know how she does it. Anyway, <a href="http://www.fox8.com/wjw-nursing-home-cat-fight,0,549507.story">this is a local story</a>, but please pass this story along and vote so Snoopy can stay with Ansje!</span></p>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-69485258623280330642009-02-02T12:13:00.005-05:002009-02-02T13:03:18.508-05:00They're joking, right?<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3333ff;"><em>“Make no mistake, tax cheaters cheat us all, and the IRS should enforce our laws to the letter.”</em> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3333ff;">Sen. Tom <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Daschle</span></span>, Congressional Record, May 7, 1998, p. S4507.</span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I wonder what would happen to me if I didn't pay over $120,000 in taxes. Okay so that would take me a while, it's true, but seriously. What is going on? Doesn't something seem a little out of whack? You can't make this stuff up. So one of my elected officials is George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Voinovich</span></span>. Get this quote from one of the pages on his website:</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em>"Gone are the days when public officials are measured by how much they spend on a problem…public officials are now judged on whether they can work harder and smarter, and do more with <span style="color:#3333ff;">less."</span></em></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"> – George V. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Voinovich</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I mean is he kidding? I gave his office a quick jingle and suggested that they might tweak that a bit...all things considered :) </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Checking out my other Senator's website, I was noting that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sherrod</span></span> Brown was supporting the "Buy American" clause of the <em>Stimulus</em> package. If Senator Brown (and I use that term <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">loosely</span>) had ever taken an econ class in college or perhaps read Applied Economics as suggested below, he might understand that the impact of that type of <a href="http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=318212344208655">legislation is negative</a>. Now, don't get me wrong. I am totally for supporting American industry. I've never owned a car made by a foreign manufacturer and never will, but having a government policy to that effect just doesn't work. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act">History</a> shows us that.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I don't want to get into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nitty</span></span> gritty here (mainly because it is probably boring and kind of a downer in general), but it is really shocking to me that these idiots don't understand the first thing about business. And I can't even balance a checkbook :)</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">History has shown us so much that is wrong with what our government is about to do here. It is really hard to believe that they think we are that dumb. Maybe you should tell them we're not!</span></div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Have you contacted your <a href="http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm">Senators</a>? </span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2228838745451660533.post-76080734861947588262009-01-31T07:25:00.003-05:002009-01-31T08:03:32.153-05:00Turning 40<span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, so I'm older than 40...sue me. Part of marking that milestone was a celebration of sorts...a trip with old college friends. The celebration took a back seat when we learned that our dear friend, Natalie, was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm sorry but what the &%^#??? We're 40 years old! I wanted to vomit. Actually, thought I would vomit. It is a good thing that Nat has a long history of thinking "outside the box." So to speak :) And it seems as though she brought that thinking to her fight.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Anyway, she is taking steps not only to stop her own cancer but to help who knows how many others. I can't explain the extent of my admiration for her. </span><br /><br /><br /><object id="WNVideoCanvasDEFAULTdivWNVideoCanvas" height="380" width="604"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="wmode" value="windowless"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="movie" value="http://video.wgntv.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf"><br /> <embed src="http://video.wgntv.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="windowless" width="604" height="380" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="isShowIcon=true&affiliate=WGN&affiliateNumber=404&backgroundAlphas=100,100,100,100&backgroundColors=eeeeee,eeeeee,eeeeee,eeeeee&backgroundRatios=0,25,130,255&backgroundRotation=270&borderAlpha=100&borderColor=aaaaaa&borderWidth=1&clipId=3397268&playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDobject&closecaptionPaneLabelText=&closePaneLabelText=&commercialHeadlinePrefix=Commercial&controlsBackgroundAlphas=100,100&controlsBackgroundColors=eeeeee,eeeeee&controlsBackgroundRatios=0,255&controlsBackgroundRotation=270&controlsBorderColor=212121&controlsBottomPadding=8&controlsButtonLeftBorderColor=c7c7c7&controlsButtonRightBorderColor=656464&controlsHeight=40&controlsOffFaceColor=828282&controlsOverFaceColor=454444&controlsSidePadding=8&defaultStyle=flatlight&disableTransport=false&domId=WNVideoCanvasDEFAULTdivWNVideoCanvas&emailErrorBorderColor=ae1a01&emailErrorMessageFaceColor=ae1a01&emailFormFieldAlphas=80&emailFormFieldColors=dddee0&emailFormFieldRatios=0&emailFormFieldRotation=90&emailInputFaceColor=454444&emailMessageLabelText=&emailPaneLabelText=&emailSentConfirmationMessage=&errorMessage=&fullScreenControlType=none&hasBevel=false&hasBorder=true&hasBottomBorder=true&hasFullScreen=true&hasLeftBorder=true&hasRightBorder=true&hasTopBorder=true&helpPage=http://www.wgntv.com/pages/videohelp&hostDomain=video.wgntv.com&idKey=DEFAULT&imgPath=http://wgn.images.worldnow.com/images/static/video/flash/&invalidRecipientFieldMessage=&invalidSenderFieldMessage=&isAutoStart=false&isMute=&landingPage=http://www.wgntv.com/pages/video/&loadingMessage=&offFaceColor=828282&overFaceColor=454444&overlayBackgroundAlphas=92&overlayBackgroundColors=b6b6b5&overlayBackgroundRatios=0&overlayBackgroundRotation=90&overlayOffFaceColor=454444&overlayOverFaceColor=ffffff&pauseButtonText=&playAtActualSize=0&playButtonText=&playerHeight=380&playerWidth=604&recipientEmailLabelText=&sendEmailButtonText=&senderEmailLabelText=&senderNameLabelText=&shareListItemHighlightBorderColor=ffffff&shareListItemOffFaceColor=828282&shareListItemShadowBorderColor=b1b0b0&shareListListItemOverFaceColor=828282&sidePadding=3&smoothingMode=auto&staticImgPath=http://wgn.images.worldnow.com&summaryGraphicMessage=&summaryGraphicScaleStyle=stretchToFit&summaryPaneLabelText=&tabBackgroundAlphas=100,100&tabBackgroundColors=e6e6e6,e6e6e6&tabBackgroundOverAlphas=100,100&tabBackgroundOverColors=eeeeee,eeeeee&tabBackgroundOverRatios=0,100&tabBackgroundRatios=75,255&tabBackgroundRotation=90&tabBackgroundSelectedAlphas=100&tabBackgroundSelectedBorderAlpha=100&tabBackgroundSelectedBorderColor=aaaaaa&tabBackgroundSelectedBorderWidth=1&tabBackgroundSelectedColors=eeeeee&tabBackgroundSelectedHasBevel=false&tabBackgroundSelectedHasBorder=true&tabBackgroundSelectedHasDropShadow=false&tabBackgroundSelectedRatios=0&tabBorderAlpha=100&tabBorderColor=aaaaaa&tabBorderWidth=1&tabFontSize=10&tabHasBevel=false&tabHasBorder=true&tabHasDropShadow=false&tabHeight=26&tabLeftBorderColor=e5e5e5&tabOffFaceColor=828282&tabOverBorderAlpha=100&tabOverBorderWidth=1&tabOverFaceColor=454444&tabOverHasBevel=false&tabOverHasBorder=true&tabRightBorderColor=868686&tabShadowColor=333333&topPadding=3&videoSliderBackgroundColor=cccccc&videoSliderKnobBackgroundAlphas=100,100&videoSliderKnobBackgroundColors=cccccc,cccccc&videoSliderKnobBackgroundRatios=0,255&videoSliderKnobBackgroundRotation=90&videoSliderKnobBorderColor=959495&videoSliderKnobOffFaceColor=444444&videoSliderKnobOverFaceColor=212121&videoSliderKnobShadowColor=5a5a5a&videoSliderLoadIndicatorColor=828282&videoSliderProgressIndicatorColor=454444&volumeSliderOffColor=cccccc&volumeSliderOverColor=828282&"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For anyone reading this blog (and I know there aren't many but hey, forward this post on to all of your friends), I hope you might join in the fight and support the <a href="http://www.ocrf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=63&Itemid=301">Ovarian Cancer Research Fund</a>.</span>Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06854737607392803597noreply@blogger.com2