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July 31, 2005
my creative side appeared today
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we have graduated from a waterbed to a grown up bed. I think I told you that the bed is very high. Well, some of our critters are upset because they can no longer make the jump up to our bed, especially our rather aged Black Lab and a couple of the elderly/overweight cats.
John and I thought about getting a pet ramp
Well, we will do about anything for our critters, but I'm trying to keep a budget, so I decided against spending money on that.
Instead, I designed my own pet ramp and built it!
I'll post a picture tomorrow - but it cost a whole lot less to make a sturdier ramp than they were selling anywhere else.
So, John and I went to Home Depot, bought a couple of 16" X 96" MDF pre-painted shelves, a couple of hinges and some 2"x2" boards and some stuff 3M makes as safety tread for outdoor use.
So anyway, I spent the afternoon making my creation, and I'm very happy to say that not only does it work, but it doesn't look too bad at all!
And I guess I spent about $35 for the wood parts and about 15 for the safety tread stuff, and it is much sturdier than what they are selling anywhere else.
Of course, now my knees ache from kneeling on the floor whilst drilling and screwing (the screws, dammit - get your minds outta the gutter!!!) - and the hinges worked perfectly and to make things even better, if I want, I can fold the whole dang thing up and slide it under the bed!
What did you all do this weekend?
Posted by Beth at 08:06 PM
July 30, 2005
Beatiful New Addition to MSG Keith's family
MSG Keith
has a beautiful new little granddaughter. You must look at the pictures. Just makes me want to pinch those cute little cheeks!
Congratulations, Papa Sarge!
Posted by Beth at 10:19 PM
July 29, 2005
Airport Blogging
Well, I got to the airport three hours early only to find there is no earlier flight from Houston to Kansas City.
So, I thought I'd just give you all my opinions on lotsa stuff -
1. Despite what the Administration wants, we are most definitely in a war on Terror - not a struggle against violent behaviour - geeeze!
2. Fox News need to let Natalie go - I don't care who did what - and why do they only pay attention to suburban rich blonde girls who can afford to go to exotic places?
3. I don't care about the guy who dissappeared from a cruise ship on his honeymoon, either.
4. I don't care about what any athlete or actor or singer or comedian thinks about how the world should be run.
5. I mean really - most of the above listed famous people didn't go to college!
6. Food, drink and tobacco busybodies should just worry about themselves. I don't smoke, but I'm offended by the attempt in New Jersey to keep people from smoking in their own private cars.
7. More daylight savings time? Dumb - school kids have to walk to school in the dark by the end of October as it is - countless people drive to work in the dark in the autumn until daylight savings time - lotsa accidents.
It makes sense in the summer for many of us, but not in the winter!
8. I think it is very good that dark chocolate is possibly good for lowering blood pressure. I would happily volunteer for a study to verify the findings of Chicago researchers!
9. I had a fantastic dinner last night at a new Mexican Restaurant in Houston called Santos - the owners worked for Ninfas for many years - and this food is better than Ninfas. And I had the best ever margarita there - oh it was so smooth and good!!! The waiter said it contained Patron and Cointreau and the juice of one lime and 1/2 an orange - lovely stuff!
Posted by Beth at 03:37 PM
Yay! The London bombers have been caught!
This is good news. Now lets hope that both the American and British investigators find more cells - before they make an attempt.
Posted by Beth at 02:55 PM
Carnival of the Recipes
The Carnival of the Recipes #50 is over at Christina's place today. Yum!!!
And last week I had a huge brainfart - I sent everyone the link to the Carnival of the Recipes #49, but I failed to post it. I'm so sorry David - I was only home for one day last weekend because of work, and I was running a horse show on that day.
Mea Culpa!
Posted by Beth at 07:54 AM
By the way
Despite what the Administration says - this is a war, not a struggle!
We are not 'wrestling' with Islamofascism. We are in a fight to the death with it.
Posted by Beth at 07:24 AM
8 Explosions in London
Looks like they are at it again. This time, in the Notting Hill Area. Hopefully it is just the police have found the bad guys and are blowing up all their bombs - hope our dear English readers are safe and sound!
Update - looks like the police in London are raiding a building where one of the terrorists from 7/21 is believed to be. The explosions are reported to be tear gas grenades, perhaps.
Posted by Beth at 06:59 AM
Happy Birthday to The Armorer
Today is John the Armorer's birthday. Go wish my handsome husband a very happy birthday over at his place - Bill has opened a post just for that purpose!
I'll be home tonight, John!
Posted by Beth at 05:58 AM
July 28, 2005
I have to stop using so many exclamation points!!!
I just glanced at my blog and realized that I am a definite overuser of exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by Beth at 06:45 AM
New blog!
FBL, a really nice and smart woman I met a couple of weeks ago has finally started her own blog -Fuzzilicious Thinking.
FbL will have a lot to say, I betcha!
Posted by Beth at 06:09 AM
July 27, 2005
BeeBee!
I had lunch and a lot of talk with BeeBee today. I'm telling you, BeeBee is one wise, funny, smart woman! I just love her. I feel like I've known her for quite awhile.
The next time I make it to Houston, I'm going to sit out in BeeBee's Secret Garden with her and watch SpeedoMan! That would be lots of fun!
BeeBee has wonderful stories about her childhood - I hope she gets them all written down, even if they are not all polictically correct. Heck, she could write a book and I bet it would be a best seller.
If I was really rich, I'd take all my favorite female bloggers to a fancy spa for a weekend - Tammi and Teresa and Barb and Joanie and BeeBee and Rosemary and Beth and Nerdstar and Boudicca and Ala and Punctilious. We could sit in a hot tub and have some drinks and tell stories.
Of course, by the time I shut up, everyone would be all pruny from being in the water that long!
Posted by Beth at 10:34 PM
July 26, 2005
Oh, boy, oh, boy!
I just talked to BeeBee on the phone. We are going to meet for lunch tomorrrow. I am so excited! I bet you are all jealous of me!
BeeBee is an incredibly interesting woman. We talked on the phone for a long time, and I'm sure we will have a fine time tomorrow when we meet at one of my favorite Houston restaurants!
Posted by Beth at 08:26 PM
Jane Fonda - go to Hell
Hanoi Jane is going to go on an anti-war bus tour of the country. Can you imagine Jane with a sword in her hand cheering kidnappers and beheadings?
Posted by Beth at 06:16 AM
July 25, 2005
Damn, I have to study!
I expected to go to some seminars this week. I did not know that I have to pass a certification test, though! When I was in high school and college, tests were easy. I never worried about them.
Now, 30 years after graduating from college, I'm getting nervous!!
Posted by Beth at 10:31 PM
This is a must read
So go and read it already!
Posted by Beth at 01:16 PM
I'm back in the Ecosystem!
Thank you NZ Bear!!!
I'm no longer nonexistent.
If only local governments responded to complaints so quickly!
YAY, NZ!!!
Posted by Beth at 05:43 AM
Poor John
I leave town for a week of seminars and meetings and poor John has to deal with Petey the Wonder Horse, version 2, who stepped on a nail. John pulled the nail from Petey's frog and has to bandage and cushion his foot and soak his foot several times a day.
If I was home, I could have taken a few days off to take care of our little Paint Horse. But I'm not, and the responsibility falls to my incredibly wonderful husband.
Thanks, handsome, for taking care of Petey!
Posted by Beth at 05:37 AM
July 24, 2005
Biggest mistake of my life
Way back in 1993, I had an internet relationship with a guy named Don Lewis. He was funny and clever. We began talking on the phone, and I sent him a picture of myself.
He never sent me a picture of himself. He wrote me love letters and sent me cassette tapes of music he liked. He decided to come to see me, and the day before he flew in, he told me that he was over 300 pounds and he was embarrassed to meet me..
Well, I figured that what is inside a person is more important than what is outside, so I told him it didn't matter, I still wanted to meet him.
And if nothing else, it was very easy to figure out who he was when he got off the plane.
Anyway, Don ended up being kinda odd. After that weekend, we never saw each other again. We had some rather upsetting phone conversations, and in a few weeks, he dumped me, which was okay with me, as he had a big problem with alchohol and drugs.
Not long after that, I met John - the love of my life. One would think that there the story ends, no?
No. Not long after I started blogging, my Golden Retriever died. Somehow Don must have been googling for me or my dog and he found my blog. He left obscene, rude comments. I would block his IP and he would not bother the blog for awhile. Then he would pop up again, with more rude, uncalled for comments.
It has been probably 9 or 10 months since the asshat had managed to leave comments. Then this afternoon, after I checked into my hotel room and turned on my laptop to do some work, I found that he had left another comment. This time, he went after John - making rude remarks about the fact that John is a disabled veteran, and his typical remarks about how undesirable I am.
Now, my friends - think about this. What kind of a man stalks a 52 year old female blogger that he spent one weekend with in 1993?
What kind of a man thinks that it's fun to make fun of someone's disability.
I will tell you this - John with his disabilities and all - is 100 times the man Don Lewis has ever been - in every way.
So, ladies, if you meet some smooth talking Southerner on the internet and his name is Don Lewis - run, run, run. The man is obviously mentally disturbed.
Before you agree to meet someone, insist on a picture. Better yet, see if you can find out more about him - pay to have a check done on him. You never, ever know what kind of a nut someone might end up being.
It's been over 12 years since I last saw this guy. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Posted by Beth at 10:22 PM
Off to Houston
I am getting ready to fly to Houston. I will be there all week long for a conference and some seminars. If I'm lucky, I'll get to meet BeeBee while I'm there - any other Houston bloggers around?
Posted by Beth at 08:33 AM
July 22, 2005
What is wrong with these people?
Charmaine Yoest has discovered that the idiots on the left are spreading rumours that Judge Roberts is gay.
The leftist rumour-mongers are basing their accusations on the fact that he attended an all-male Catholic High School, wore plaid pants in the '70s, was a wrestler and was in theater and sang in the choir. And apparently, some of these assholes are planting the idea into the very small minds of their followers that the Roberts' beautiful adopted children are somehow proof of his gayness.
As an adopted graduate of an all-female Catholic High School, where I wore plaid, played field hockey and sang in the all-female choir and also did some theatre, I must be gay, too - at least according to the small-minded bigots on the left. Oh, and I guess my Daddy must have been gay, too.
Sheesh.
Posted by Beth at 09:19 AM
Another incident in London?
It looks like something is going on at another location in London. I'm watching Fox News while packing my stuff to get ready to head home. They are reporting something going on around N. Harrow Street in London - bomb disposal units appear to have been called to an Internet Cafe house. Robin is liveblogging the happenings here.
Posted by Beth at 08:36 AM
Good for the Brits!
The London Police have killed a suspected terrorist.
Update - the man killed was not a terrorist. This is very sad and tragic. Yes, he was acting suspiciously, and he lived in the same building that British cops raided over the weekend - finding more terror suspects and evidence - but he was apparently an innocent victim of terrorism. I cannot blame the police for reacting as they did under the circumstances.
Posted by Beth at 07:31 AM
July 21, 2005
Why does NZ Bear dislike me?
I used to be in the Ecosystem, but now, I'm not there anymore. And if I try to add my blog, I can't get there.
I'm very sad.
I'm not even a bacteria.
I'm nothing.
sigh.
Posted by Beth at 09:27 AM
More on London
The London Police say there have been 4 total explosions - 3 in the Underground and one on a bus. So far, it looks like the explosions were very small in comparison to what occurred two weeks ago. In fact, it appears that the detonators went off, but the actual bombs did not go off.
Interestingly, they have cordoned off University College in London. There is some word that there may be a man in the hospital wearing a backpack with wires sticking out of it.
One report from Sky News via Fox indicates that some stations were being closed down even before the explosions.
Several eyewitnesses described a man running onto a train, dropping off a rucksack and then running off the train - apparently, the good Londoners chased the man, but were unable to catch him.
By the way, I love London.
Update: The London Police have just arrested a Middle Eastern man near Downing Street.
Posted by Beth at 08:59 AM
Oh, Shit, the bastards are at it again!
It looks like the fricking Islamic terrorists are at it again in London.
If any one has any doubts that we are in a world war, well, they must not be paying attention at all.
I'm watching Fox News, and it appears that there have been several incidents on the Underground and a bus. They are evacuating the Underground. No reports of casualties as yet.
Posted by Beth at 07:48 AM
July 20, 2005
Ouchy, ouchy, ouchy
Our friend, Joanie, DaGoddess, had back surgery yesterday. Go tell her how much you love her!
Posted by Beth at 09:09 AM
More on our Public Schools
Last week, Michelle Malkin linked to the NEA's website. It listed all the different things they discussed and voted on during their annual meeting. I also wrote rather briefly about it here.
I had a couple of commenters who defended the NEA and one in particular stated that he believes that teaching only reading, writing and arithmetic would not prepare today's children for tomorrow's world. One in particular really dislikes the No Child Left Behind act.
Now, I'm not a teacher. I have relatives who have been teachers, and a brother-in-law who is a teacher and friends who are or have been teachers. But, you know, I still have a strong interest in education. Why? Because I am a parent and a citizen. It is in my best interest that all American children learn to read English, write English and understand Math. These kids are our future leaders.
I should probably add that I believe science and history are also very important, but kids cannot understand either until they get the math and the reading down. And we cannot know if they understand it until they get the writing down.
Too many kids have never diagrammed a sentence. Too many children do not know basic grammar rules. Too many kids can't figure out how to divide a pie.
To prepare children for a grown-up life, we should be teaching them these skills first so they can present themselves well to future employers and others.
All American kids need to understand and read and write in English. I am all for teaching foreign languages (not second languages, NEA!) like French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Latin! But again, until a child can understand proper English, it will be very difficult to learn a different tongue.
To encourage children to speak in a language other than English is to limit their future to living and working in a ghetto where only that language is spoken.
As for children with special needs - special needs children need special education if they are unable to learn in a classroom with non-disabled children. I grew up in St. Louis County. The county had a fabulous Special Education District. People from all over the country with disabled children would beg their companies to transfer them to St. Louis so they could get the benefits of the special school district.
Someone, somewhere, decided that only 'mainstreaming' special needs kids must be accomplished in all cases. I truly believe that a special needs kid in a normal classroom is great - for the normal kids - because they learn that children who are disabled are still kids, and great kids.
But, I saw a young boy with Down's Syndrome in my son's 5th grade class disrupt the entire class by screaming and throwing tantrums that would take precious time out of class. Perhaps he would have been better served if he had a lower teacher to student ration - but in a normal classroom, there is no way a teacher can devote all of his or her time to a child who needs constant attention unless he or she completely neglects the education of the other kids.
Another thing - History - back when I was in High School, I had to take American History and study the Constitution and even the Missouri State Constitution before I could graduate - that was a state law back then.
In many public schools, American History these days makes all kinds of value judgements about white Americans. We are all eviiiiilllll. Even those of us whose families did not show up on these shores until 20+ years after the end of the Civil War.
Let's teach complete American History. In fact, let's teach complete World History - but tell the truth, people - don't downplay the role that Western Man has played in science, art, medicine and Democracy.
Well, I need to hit the hay now. I might continue with this tomorrow, or not!!
Posted by Beth at 12:01 AM
July 19, 2005
Get those recipes in!!
It's David's (The Glittering Eye) turn to put together everyone's recipes this week. So get those recipes in - send your link to recipe.carnival( at )gmail.com by midnight, Thursday.
Posted by Beth at 08:34 AM
Traveling again
I'm in Southern California this week. My flight here was interesting. A mom and dad and their three year old girl sat next to me. They had purchased a ticket for the little girl, and there was one empty seat in the plane, but they decided to put the little girl on their lap and crowd in on two seats.
Now, I know some of you are thinking - why didn't you offer your window seat up to these people so they could all sit together instead of bitching.
Well, I'll tell you why - this family was late. They were the very last people on board. The guy who was originally sitting next to me gave up his seat for them.
(I was in the first group on board, and I went for my favored seat, the window seat in the last row).
I can be comfortable in a window seat or an aisle seat, but not in a middle seat - and that was all that was left.
I don't get to the airport in time so I can have the worst seat in the plane. 3+ hours of sitting next to 3 people with crayons, books, dolls, etc., getting thrown on me was not fun.
So people, if you are flying with your children, get to the airport early and preboard, so you can get comfortable without making some other poor soul miserable.
Posted by Beth at 08:23 AM
July 17, 2005
Carnival of the Recipes
If you have not yet checked out this week's Carnival of the Recipes, you should head over there now, and plan your week's meals.
To check out all the past carnivals, click here
Posted by Beth at 04:25 PM
My past catches up with me
Thanks to Barb for the link to the test!
Posted by Beth at 11:41 AM
July 15, 2005
Ugh
Because I travel so much, work has decided that I must carry a cell phone. It was delivered today. It is very complex. It has some kind of windows mobile on it. Apparently it is a PDA too. I used to have one of those, but I never used it so I gave it to John.
I'm supposed to load software on my computer to use the phone. I can't find the software.
I don't really want to spend all weekend figuring this thing out.
I think I'll just go have a drink instead.
Posted by Beth at 05:06 PM
Go say Hi to Acidman
Acidman's Blog, Gutrumbles is nearing 2,000,000 visitors, so everyone should go and link to him. And visit him, too.
Posted by Beth at 04:57 PM
I have to blog about this before John does!
I went to the eviiiillllll Wal Mart this morning. I needed to pick up some storage boxes and a couple of new pillows and a cordless drill.
So, I found a Black and Decker 12 Volt Cordless Drill for about $39.00 and I bought it.
It had a really tough thing keeping the handles shut that I had to cut open - the only thing I had handy was a nail clipper. But it worked. I opened the case that the drill came in and put the nail clipper down (in the case, I was not paying attention).
I picked up the charger and the nail clipper had somehow managed to get itself around the cord to the charger of the 'cordless' drill.
I picked it up and for some unknown reason, I clamped down on the handles.
Of course, now the cordless drill now has a cordless battery charger.
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
I figure the best I can do is go and buy a different black and decker 12 volt cordless tool and let John open it - then we will have one charger that will work for both.
Damn. damn. damn.
Posted by Beth at 03:13 PM
House work
John and I have been sleeping on a waterbed since we met. I have been thinking it's high time we got rid of it and got a nice, real bed. It takes me years to make a decision like that, but I finally decided a few weeks ago that I want a new bed. The waterbed's heater broke some months ago, and as a result, I have been sleeping on top of a pile of blankets to keep from freezing, while John, of course, loved the cold and slept under the blankets.
Not conducive to snuggling and stuff, if you get my drift.
Last weekend, I decided that this weekend we would get a new bed. But then yesterday, I thought I'd check out our local furniture store to see what they had.
The nice thing about a local store is that they will deliver the same day.
Anyway, I drained the waterbed. The mattress, box springs and frame were delivered. After going out to dinner and visiting Bed Bath and Beyond for proper sheets and bedding, and much fussing about taking the old waterbed apart, we have a new bed.
When did they make beds so high? When I sit on the side, my feet don't even touch the ground!
Posted by Beth at 09:35 AM
July 13, 2005
John should not read this one
Michelle Malkin linked to the NEA's Annual Meeting pages on the web today. Michelle is nice to the NEA, she only complained about 3 of their action items out of 92 items.
Oh, my God. No wonder my sister-in-law and her husband (president of the teachers union where he works) have such crazy ideas.
Let me give you a few samples of what the NEA thinks teachers should be doing besides ... teaching Reading, Writing and Arithmetic:
New Business Item 78 NEA will urge its members that they "do not shop" at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club due to Wal-Mart's anti-union, low-wage, low-benefit policies that have left its employees in need of hundreds of million of dollars in public aid for various health care and social safety net programs.REFERRED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
New Business Item 73 NEA will work to form coalitions with university deans of education, parent-teacher, business, student (education student) organizations and NCATE to consult on changing curricula at America's universities, and how teachers teach teachers to reflect our changed student populations.REFERRED TO THE PRESIDENT AS AMENDED
It's not enough that the NEA has ruined education at the elementary and high school level - now they want to ruin universities!
New Business Item 75 The NEA will declare a designated area of the NEA/RA and related meetings and activities a fragrance free zone.REFERRED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING REVIEW COMMITTEE AS MODIFIED
I hope they include BO as fragrance!
New Business Item 70 The NEA shall publicize the position of the Education International on the need for debt cancellation in underdeveloped countries.ADOPTED
New Business Item 69 Through existing publications and training programs, NEA will educate members and affiliate staff about potential problems arising from the move to paperless employment records. NEA will also provide state and local affiliates with advice regarding bargaining and lobbying strategies to insure that employees have the option either 1.) to receive written copies of all employment records (e.g. pay stubs, sick leave utilization, payroll deductions, etc.) or 2.) to access the employee's employment records through an employer-provided computer and printer, with no cost to the employee. In addition, NEA will provide advice on strategies to insure that adequate internet security is in place to protect employee confidential information.ADOPTED
Well, this doesn't surprise me - the teachers are afraid of technology!
New Business Item 61 The NEA calls on President Bush and Congress to:- support our troops by creating an exit strategy to end the U.S. Military occupation of Iraq and bring our troops home.
- provide adequate veterans benefits and meet the needs of our veterans for adequate jobs, education, and healthcare.
The NEA will:- support NEA members and their families called upon to serve in Iraq by identifying and providing information about resources and services to help meet their special needs, by advocating for their interests and by protecting their jobs, seniority, and benefits.
- advocate the reordering of national priorities toward peace and the human needs of our people.
ADOPTED AS MODIFIED
Oh, for goodness sake! Personally, I feel quite strongly that fighting the global war on terror is a basic human need of our people. I hate the smugness and self-righteousness of the NEA. I really do. It makes it very difficult for me to visit my sister-in-law and brother-in-law because these are the exact kinds of things that they espouse.
Go read the rest of this. I'm sure our tax dollars in some way pay for these 'educators' to meet.
Posted by Beth at 03:59 PM
Oh, no, Evil Soda Pop!!!
Okay, so there is this doctor, no, no, not a medical doctor, but Ph.D. kinda doctor (so why is he writing about soda pop and obesity?) by name of Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D.
He has a research paper, well, no, he has a paper out that basically says that soft drinks are bad and evil and nothing but liquid candy. And then he, the Ph.D. in busybodiness, lays out his corrective actions:
In part because of powerful advertising, universal availability, and low price, and in part because of disinterest on the part of many nutritionists and other health professionals, Americans have come to consider soft drinks a routine snack and a standard, appropriate part of meals instead of an occasional treat, as they were treated several decades ago. Moreover, many of today's younger parents grew up with soft drinks, see their routine consumption as normal, and so make little effort to restrict their children's consumption of them.It is a fact, though, that soft drinks provide enormous amounts of sugar and calories to a nation that does not meet national dietary goals and that is experiencing an epidemic of obesity. The replacement of milk by soft drinks in teenage girls' diets portends continuing high rates of osteoporosis. Soft drinks may also contribute to dental problems, kidney stones, and heart disease. Additives may cause insomnia, behavioral problems, and allergic reactions and may increase slightly the risk of cancer.
The industry promises that it will be doing everything possible to persuade even more Americans to drink even more soda pop even more often. Parents and health officials need to recognize soft drinks for what they are -- liquid candy -- and do everything possible to return those beverages to their former, reasonable role as an occasional treat.
Individuals and families should consider how much soda pop they are drinking and reduce consumption accordingly. Parents should stock their homes with healthful foods and beverages that family members enjoy.
Physicians, nurses, and nutritionists routinely should ask their patients how much soda pop they are drinking and advise them, if appropriate, of dietary changes to make.
Organizations concerned about women's and children's health, dental and bone health, and heart disease should collaborate on campaigns to reduce soft-drink consumption.
Local, state, and federal governments should be as aggressive in providing water fountains in public buildings and spaces as the industry is in placing vending machines everywhere.
State and local governments should considering taxing soft drinks, as Arkansas, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia already do. Arkansas raised $40 million in fiscal year 1998 from that tax.63 If all states taxed soft drinks at Arkansas' rate (2 cents per 12-ounce can), they could raise $3 billion annually. Those revenues could fund campaigns to improve diets, build exercise facilities (bike paths, swimming pools, etc.), and support physical-education programs in schools.
Local governments could require calorie listings on menu boards at fast-food outlets and on vending machines to sensitize consumers to the nutritional "cost" of sugared soft drinks and other foods.
School systems and other organizations catering to children should stop selling soft drinks, candy, and similar foods in hallways, shops, and cafeterias.
School systems and youth organizations should not auction themselves off to the highest bidder for exclusive soft-drink marketing rights. Those deals profit the companies and schools at the expense of the students' health.
The National Academy of Sciences or Surgeon General should review the impact of current and projected levels of soft-drink (and sugar) consumption on public health.
Soft-drink companies voluntarily should not advertise to children and adolescents. Labels should advise parents that soft drinks may replace lowfat milk, fruit juice, and other healthy foods in the diets of children and adolescents. Scientific research should explore the role of heavy consumption of soft drinks (and sugar) in nutritional status, obesity, caries, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
Italics are mine.
Now, many of you will disagree with me, but it is none of the government's business to decide what parents let their kids drink as long as it ain't alcoholic.
Besides, he thinks that fruit juice (also full of sugar) would be a good substitute for soda pop. Also, his 'research paper' does not pull out the sugar-free soda from his graphs, making the report very misleading.
I know that many of you moms think that soda pop causes all kids to be obese.
Obesity in children, I believe, is caused more from lack of exercise than anything else. Parents don't let their kids play outside with the neighborhood kids for fear of them being kidnapped or some such, and the kids sit inside and watch TV.
Schools have cut back on Physical Education to give that time to anti-drug and anti-alcohol classes. (When I went to grade school and high school, we had 90 minutes of phys ed every day - and we had a longer school day because of it).
I hate it when people tell me what to eat, not eat, drink, not drink and how to live the way 'they' believe is the 'right' way. Gee, kinda like the Islamic terrorists who want to make all of us live the way they believe is the right way.
Okay, that's a little over the top, but ....
Posted by Beth at 01:31 PM
I'm a bit of a nerd, but ...
This seems a bit extreme.
I have never played Dungeons and Dragons, for one!
Thank you, Barb!
UPDATE: I corrected my spelling error - I typed in Dragors instead of Dragons -
Posted by Beth at 01:06 PM
And now, a Moment of Kitty Zen
Sometimes, it is important to stop and smell the roses...
and if they smell good enough, it's a good idea to eat them!
Posted by Beth at 07:27 AM
July 12, 2005
Any Suggestions?
Barnacle, my tortoise shell Cat, has just ruined my power supply for my laptop. For the 3rd time.
This is getting expensive.
Barny doesn't bother any other electric cord. Only my laptop. I wonder if it because I'm paying attention to the computer instead of to her?
Does anyone know how to stop this unacceptable behaviour in kitties?
Posted by Beth at 09:21 PM
I'll Join This Fight!
There is a McCain / Feingold Insurrection going on. Free Speech is Free Speech. The FEC should not limit political free speech in any way, in my opinion. That is what the First Ammendment is all about!
Anyway, I'm going to post a flag on my sidebar that shows my solidarity with all bloggers right or left.
Thanks to Barb for posting about this.
Posted by Beth at 05:16 PM
July 11, 2005
Get those recipes in!
This week, VW of One Happy Dog Speaks is our hostess for the Carnival of the Recipes.
She is one busy women with two little ones, so if you could be so kind as to get at least some recipes in early, she'll be able to start on them during naps and such!
(her kid's naps, not hers!)
Posted by Beth at 04:36 PM
July 09, 2005
BeeBee's Back!
This is the best news I've read for awhile - BeeBee is back blogging!
If you have never read BeeBee's Blog, Angle of Vision, before, go read it now. She is a fascinating woman with fascinating tales to tell.
Posted by Beth at 01:35 PM
July 08, 2005
My God, I'm so angry!
I have been working a lot of hours this week. I've not had a lot of time to surf the web. I just took a break to read some blogs and I wish I had not. I cannot believe the vitriol that I'm reading.
For some bizzarro reason, a bunch of lefties think that it is our fault that London was hit by terrorists. Other so-called liberals seem to think that Israel is the cause.
Stunning stupidity surrounds us.
Posted by Beth at 12:49 AM
July 07, 2005
Oh, no!
I wake up here in Arizona and find that horror of all horrors, London has been hit by bombs. I look at the tv and I see streets I've walked down and subway stations I've been in. Oddly enough, despite the claims of an AlQuieda related group, CNN doesn't want to say it was an Islamic group.
We have to stop these people. We have to stop them now.
Update: Tim Worstall has a lot of information.
And of course, Castle Argghhh!! has appropriate links and observations.
Posted by Beth at 07:38 AM
July 06, 2005
Olympics go to London
Poor athletes. They will need to bring their own food. Despite all the English cooks on Food Network, British cuisine is an oxymoron. Worst. Food. Ever.
(well at least in London - there are Indian restaurants that are pretty good - but British food --- yuch!)
Posted by Beth at 07:34 AM
July 04, 2005
Independence Day
I hope everyone enjoys Independence Day and realizes how fortunate we truly are that we live in this country.
Those of you who are convinced that we are heading toward facism - well, all I can say is the trains and planes do not run on time, the government does not control industry and we do not have any gulags or concentration camps, or anything close to them. Catch up on history. we are the most free people on this planet, and face it, that is what pisses off so many other countries.
We are celebrating the fact that we govern ourselves today. We are not governed by the UN or the EU or anyother non-US entity. And that is the way it should be and should always be.
Go read Glenn Reynolds' article if you have finished with your cookout and you are waiting for the fireworks. For a lawyer, he has a pretty good understanding of what Freedom really means.
I'm not going to post anymore today - perhaps tomorrow night, once I get to Phoenix.
Posted by Beth at 04:25 PM
July 01, 2005
Carnival of the Recipes #46
The 46th Carnival of the Recipes is up!
Posted by Beth at 08:35 PM
More gadgets I love
Remember a few days ago when I revealed that John *finally* complimented my hairstyle for the first time ever?
Part of the credit goes to Lyndsay, my hair stylist. And the rest of it has to go to Revlon Ionic Hot Air Brush
The thing honestly makes my hair soft, yet thicker looking. You can ask John - I have at least 6 hot air brushes and 4 hairdryers in the bathroom. I have been trying for years to get something that doesn't make my hair go flat.
I guess I should go through away all the extras. Don't need them anymore.
Posted by Beth at 10:30 AM
I was not the only one disturbed by Nisssan's Ad
OL Whats New:Nissan Pulls Television Ad
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 29, 2005 – In response to a protest this week by Operation Lifesaver and its safety advocates, Nissan Motor Company has decided to pull a television advertisement for its Altima SE-R that showed highway-rail grade crossing gates shifting to block a train from crossing in front of a driver.“We are pleased to hear that Nissan shares Operation Lifesaver’s dedication to safety,” said Operation Lifesaver Inc. President Gerri L. Hall. “In addition to deciding to stop airing the commercial, Nissan officials have expressed a willingness to work cooperatively with Operation Lifesaver in the future. We applaud Nissan’s timely action in this matter.”
Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the nonprofit, national highway-rail safety education organization, objects to advertising or programming that depicts dangerous behavior around tracks or trains.
Operation Lifesaver wrote to Nissan’s President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, on June 28, explaining its objection to the commercial. “Even though most viewers will realize the scenario is unlikely, the overall effect is to reinforce people’s dangerously incorrect perception that trains can stop for vehicles in their path. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth – it can take a train the length of 18 football fields to stop after brakes are applied. The stark reality is that about every two hours in the United States, a vehicle or person is hit by a train,” Hall’s letter explained.
I'm glad that Nissan got the hint. I thought it was a very stupid and dangerous ad when I saw it.
Posted by Beth at 07:35 AM
Confessions of a Gadget Queen Part II
As I've mentioned before, I love gadgets of all kinds - especially gadgets that are supposed to make life easier.
Last summer, I bought a roomba
It works beautifully on hardwood floors with area rugs. It is a true time saver. I can turn it on, set its perimeters and then come back to my office to work, and an hour or so later, roomba
Glenn Reynolds has been harping about his bad experience with Roomba for a couple of years now. He had an older version. He really should give up his griping and go buy a new one. Of course, my area rugs are probably not as fancy as his rugs, me being a lowly technical consultant and all.
Posted by Beth at 06:14 AM