ATTENTION BLOGGERS!!!!

DAD AND CHANCY HAVE THEIR OWN BLOG NOW!

Be sure to visit and leave some comments, here's the address:

http://chancyandme.blogspot.com/

He's the baby-daddy!

Now we can all go on with our lives!

Operation Gift Cards for Grammy
Emergency Fund

Don't know if you guys know this or not, but Grammy is running pretty low on money. She had to pay her homeowner's insurance this month and next month she's got to pay her property taxes. Mom said after both of those expenses are taken out she won't have any money left to live on. I guess her annuity is getting pretty low on cash too - and that's all the money she's got left to her name.

Just because she's got a nice home and wears nice clothes doesn't really reflect what's going on in her life. Any little thing we can do to help her, makes a big difference in her life.

She'd never tell us about this shortage of money - but it's real. Grammy always minimizes her situation - she doesn't want to be a burden on any of us, but she needs our help. So anything we can do to help her, makes a HUGE difference.

GRANDKIDS UNITE!!

I know there's not an occassion here to present her with a gift but I thought if any of you had a few extra dollars, maybe you'd buy her a gift card from Kroger or someplace to eat.

She'll appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

Rich and I are planning to dye Easter eggs with Livi and Manda. They are spending the night with us on Saturday. Not sure if we'll be able to recreate these eggs! Wow!These are traditional Sorbian style Easter Eggs at the Sorbian Easter Egg Market in Bautzen, eastern Germany. For more info and some more great pics, check this out:
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=103&article=44132

Looking at this makes me realize how much is going on in this world that I haven't seen. I want to go see the world! Don't you?

Happy Birthday
Livi-Love
!!!!!!

You're HOW old????

Once again, Walmart has some cool free samples offered on their website. Here's a link:
http://walmart.triaddigital.com/Free-Samples.aspx?fromPageCatId=11

Hit refresh on your browser a couple of times, the offers change. I'm getting some free lipstick, makeup and Alavert. If you need some disposable underwear - well - you can get that too!

Go getcha some!

Rich and I recently discovered

THE CURE FOR ANOREXIA!

McDonald's New Cinnamon Melts

460 calories and 19 grams of fat later - give anyone with anorexia this baby and they'll instantly bulk up and become addicted at the same time.

Ever tried the recipe called Monkey Bread? McDonalds has recreated monkey bread in a microwaveable, gooey, warm melted icing and crispy cream like bread of deliciousness!

PURE YUMMO!

Cinnamon Toast Doesn't Make You Fat, Lack of Sleep Does!

Sleep the Fat Off
By PsychologyToday.com

Imagine... shedding pounds simply by spending more time in never-neverland. Sounds like something out of a late-night infomercial.

But two studies show a striking connection between amount of sleep and levels of appetite-regulating hormones in the body. The findings suggest that chronic sleep deprivation could be making you fat.

American adults have cut their average nightly sleep time by nearly two hours in the last 40 years. And while we've lost sleep, we've gained weight: In 1960, only one out of four adults was overweight, and one out of nine was considered obese. Now, two out of three adults are overweight, and nearly one out of three is obese.

Previous research had shown an association between shorter sleep time and higher body mass index, but no one knew why, says Dr. Shahrad Teheri, an endocrinologist at Bristol University, and lead author of one of the two studies.

He and his colleagues used data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort, which has tracked the sleep habits of over 1,000 volunteers for 17 years. They found that those people who slumbered (on average) five compared to eight hours each night had a higher body mass index.

And when the researchers collected blood samples from the volunteers, they discovered that the sleep-deprived had higher levels of ghrelin in their blood. Ghrelin is a hormone produced in the stomach that sends out hunger signals to the brain, which then commands you to be interested in food.

At the same time the sleep-deprived had high levels of hunger-stimulating ghrelin, they had lower levels of leptin. Leptin is another appetite-regulating hormone; it's produced by fat cells and delivers satiation signals to the brain. The particular hormonal ratio of high ghrelin/low leptin was likely encouraging the group to load up on unnecessary calories.

"Before this, people thought obesity was the result of sitting on your butt and stuffing your face," Teheri says. "But it turns out sleep has an influence. It makes sense to me personally, because when I was a sleep-deprived resident, I always had the munchies."

The second study hails from the University of Chicago's sleep laboratory. It shows that sleep loss has an immediate effect on the body's levels of ghrelin and leptin. A few nights of insomnia could thus trick your brain into thinking your body needs more food.

In the sleep lab, a small group of young men were forced to function on four hours of sleep a night for six days. The next year, they returned to the lab, but were allowed a full night's rest for six nights, so that researchers could directly compare their hormone levels and appetite.

During their sleep-deprived week, the men not only showed lower levels of leptin and higher levels of ghrelin, but they also reported stronger cravings for sweet, fatty and salty foods. Sound familiar?

"While there is a lot of attention on diet and exercise [for weight loss], these two studies underscore the importance of adequate sleep," says Terry Young, co-author of Teheri's study and professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin.

"Unfortunately, people think of sleep as an irresponsible activity. It's as if they are being macho, and want to prove how busy and important their lives are. I predict someday that attitude will be as socially unacceptable as smoking."

With Leland as good as on his way to a Mexican prison, I thought it was time for me to look for his replacement.

I found him!!! I found him!!!!!

Alli, you probably know this guy too. But I'm sorry, he's mine and I'm not sharing!

If any of you watch Miami Ink, this is Ami James - I think he owns the shop.

He's mine. Back off.

I read something once that said, "You always sell to the heart, not the head."

Yesterday Becky asked me to write an ad for a dog they'd had in foster care for 9 months. Clifford, an older dog, had a few health issues, but his cute, little face told his story.

So I channeled my inner Clifford and conjured up a heart-string-tugger of a story for an ad.

We posted the new ad yesterday and Clifford went home to be with this forever family in Zionsville today !!! Yeah for Clifford!!!!

If you want to read Clifford's ad, I think it's still online: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7818731

Need a good laugh?

Go to http://www.thisisbroken.com/

This blog lists packaging, advertising and all kinds of stuff that's not quite right. Here are a couple of examples that gave me a good chuckle:

Broken: Lowery Park Zoo flyer

The pricing scheme is on the back of a flyer for the Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa Florida:

Adults ( ages 12-49)
Seniors (60+)
Children ( Ages 3-11) Ages 2 and under are FREE

How much is admission for people that are between 50-59? Or are people between the ages of 50-59 not allowed to visit the zoo?



Broken: Triple thick shake
Robert Lee observes:
McDonald's advertises a "Triple Thick® shake". I've been trying to locate the National Shake Thickness Standard to verify that these shakes are three times thicker than the standard. [Maybe not "broken", but an apparently unprovable promise...]

The Girls of TechPG

Mom was in Noblesville auditing one of their agents this week. We met her there and ate lunch - then did a little shopping before heading back to work.

Terri (aka the Boss Lady) is on the right and Mary Ann (our recruiter) is on the left.

Is it possible to fall in love with a plumbing fixture?

If so, I think Rich and are are head over heels. The plumbing crew was out today to finish the slab leak clean up stuff. While they were here we had them install new faucets. Rich called me at work to tell me how much he loved the new one we got for the kitchen. I knew I hated our old one and sure didn't think I'd form an emotional attachment to a plumbing fixture.

Oh, but I have.

I'm in love with my faucets......heard faintly in the background.... "Hi I'm Andrea and I'm addicted to plumbing ammenities."


We've always wanted one of those restaurant sprayers for our kitchen but knew it wouldn't HELP sell the house in the long run. So we compromised and got a cool pull down faucet. We can't quit playing with it tonight. It's sad.



We also got new bathroom fixtures. I love it, but I can only have one TRUE love going at a time, so the kitchen wins out.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JAN AND JILL!!

CORRECTION!!

Thank you Alli-Gal - you little quality checker you! The April show's actual date is April 27th. This is the 10 year anniversary of the show, there will be a spill over event on Saturday, but the actual show (if you want to get your hands on anything good) is Friday the 27th.

The April Show

Left: Snowy Church by Connell

Every year, Rich's brother displays his art in a show called the April Show. It's usually held the first Friday in April and nearly every year it rains.

So in an effort to win out over rain, they moved the show to April the 28th. Here's a website about the show: www.aprilshow.org

If you want to go, get there early. This show is held in a man's home. It's becoming more and more popular every year. It draws an enormous crowd - Wall to Wall, Body to Body. It's packed and usually pretty hot in the house. But it's worth it. The art is great!

Come one, come all!

Hot Water Fest

2007

It's baaaack! We've got hot water again. They were here about 6 hours today, digging through our floor, digging out pea gravel to get to the pipe that was leaking.

They filled the hole back with the pea gravel and then concrete on top. I wanted to carve something into the concrete like, "here lies my mother in-law" or "never thought you'd look here!" - you know something a skosh deranged. Here's why: eventually, we'll get off our butts and move. Some day, someone will want to replace the carpet. When they pull up the carpet and pad they will see this repair - so.....why not make em wonder!

Rich didn't want me to. So I carved our initials and the date in it. It's still really soft so if any of you have a good idea - shoot it my way. I have about a 2x2 ft area to work with. hehehehe

An Experiment in Amishism

I don't know how they do it, the Amish.

How do they live without electricity? Without hot water? Without so much that we take for granted?

Rich and I have been living an Experiment in Amishism, though reluctantly.

Our slab leak is going to be fixed tomorrow. It's none too soon. (I promise pictures of the jackhammered part of my closet floor! Check back soon!!!)

We've been turning off the hot water heater so it doesn't leak out into the slab. I get up about 2 hours before I need to actually get up to turn the hot water heater back on so if I'm lucky, I'll have luke-cold water to wash my hair in and take a sink bath with.

The hot water leaks out into the slab just about as fast as the hot water heater can produce it. So you play a game of hot water roulette every morning - gotta get to the bathroom at precisely the right moment, or the luke warm water has all escaped and the bathroom floor, though not heated, is now toasty warm.

Oh yes, kids, the Amish have something in them that I lack. Though I admit, I know the difference between icy cold water and luke-cold water now. And the difference is big, let me tell ya.

Of course it's hot water that's leaking, not cold. So our light bill was $300.00 this month! What a shocker! Wouldn't you think the light company would send a little note with the bill.."hey we noticed your consumption of electricity shot to near record perportions- what's up over there?" ....but no. They happily sent the $300.00 bill and are now anxiously awaiting my check to arrive!

Our insurance adjuster has been all but non-existent. Her excuse for ignoring our phone calls? "She's single and is behind in her work." What? Did she just say she's single?

Anyway, the end is in sight. I can't wait to take a shower again.

I'll never take you for granted again Mr. Hot Water Pipe Under the House.

Remember little Ivan Stevens from Camden, New Jersey? Who could forget this little guy's face & story, right?

I just talked to his minister, Rev. David King (http://www.dkingministries.com/)

Guess what???? Someone donated money to Habitat for Humanity and they are building Ivan and his family a brand new home! It will be complete in 6 months.

Ivan's mom, Precious, is employed now too and they are still receiving packages at the church daily for Ivan and his family. I wasn't the only person touched by this little guy. He said they've received hundreds of calls and emails and have been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring. Ivan now has everything he needs and soon he'll have his own home to go home to.

Rev. King said there are lots of little "Ivan's" in Camden and he's trying to raise money to open an after school center across the street from the church. He wants the kids from a nearby elementary school to be able to come there for a hot meal.

Rev. King was out on the street ministering to people when 20/20 came up to him - that's how Ivan's story and other's ended up in the documentary.

Everyone please pray for Rev. King - this man is not taking a salary and is handing out money he really doesn't even have. He's doing great things and says he's already touched thousands of lives since coming to the church in Camden - but there are lots more that need his help and he knows it's his calling to help other people. Actually I think the Bible tells us - it's the calling for each of us to reach out and help others who need it.

I'm going to get a Walmart giftcard for him to use for anyone or even himself. Anyone interested in donating to his church or to the needy in Camden can do so by sending a giftcard or money to:

Community Baptist Church

1529 Mt. Ephraim Ave.

Camden, N.J. 08104

Do you want to watch this video?

Cancel or Allow

For those heavy PC users now suffering through the whole Vista upgrade thing, the cancel and allow that Microsoft thrives on does get a little old. This commercial nails it. I love how PC guy sounds so defeated when he says "allow" at the very end of the commercial. To be honest though, Vista does have a few really cool features. We're experimenting with it at work right now.

Too funny!

More Fog on the Blog

I had a chance go through my camera and get the rest of the fog pictures off of it.
These are some of my favorites.

Here's my pick for this season's American Idol.

Yep, I'm stepping out and predicting the winner before the show even really begins. This is Lakisha Jones from Flint Michigan. I LOVE THIS GIRL. She's a bank teller with a little 4 year old girl. They both cried and cried when she made it to Hollywood. She really wants to change her life and the fire in her belly is obvious as she sings.

Lakisha, girl, you can SANG!

FOG ON THE BLOG!

I snapped some cool fog shots on the way to work this morning.
Here are the best of the best.

Duane Petition

I know you've probably all read on Rosie's blog - the dog and is crew (including my future husband Leland) may have to go back to Mexico to stand trial. Here's a petition to sign from Dog's site. Let's try to keep the Dog free! Andrew Luster was the scum of the earth and deserves to be behind bars!!!

Sign Here to Free the Dog (and Leland too)

spray paint art.wmv

You won't believe this. What an amazing artist! It's long but so worth it. Check it out. Thanks MOM for sending it to me!

Here's our view outside "Livie and Manda's" bedroom window





















Our neighbors across the street

Old Man Winter.......Welcome to Indiana!!!!!

Looking out our back door

A Giant Drift at our Front Door

A drift on the East side of our house

The drift on the West side of our house

Hey, it's Old Man Winter at my front door!!!!
Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Last night was "game night" at our house. We had Kellie and Brian come over and we played games all night. We started with a rousing tournament of Connect 4, then moved to basketball (one of those little b-ball goals that hooks on a door) then played 5 card stud poker, then name that tune, we moved on to our slot machine from there. It was a really fun night!!!

Here's a picture of our slot machine. We bought it from my boss. It takes quarters or tokens (it came with a huge amount of tokens).

Stop by and drop some dough in our slot machine some time!

This pretty much says it all........

The colts praying in Miami after winning the SuperBowl!!!!

TONY DUNGY
AND THE COLTS!!

We're proud of you!

How cute is he?????

Thanks for making us proud Tony! If there's a coach who deserves it more, I can't think of who it would be. Tony is such a cool, good guy!

It sure is fun living in Indy right now. The city is totally buzzing with excitement! I was downtown first thing this morning (Monday) and it was almost like a ghost town. So many people took the day off work to hang out and celebrate. It was cool seeing all the people and buildings decked out in blue and white and all the Colts signs all over town. At night, most of the buildings around here have had blue lights shining on them.

Finally! They did it!

Way to go Colts!

IT'S GAME DAY!

GO BEARS!!!!!

DA BEARS!!!!!!

Rich's Shrine to His Beloved Bears!!!

Update on Ivan:

Found this in an Philadelphia newspaper

The Camden children who broke America's heart on network television with a view into their desperate poverty and their dreams of a better life are being showered with gifts from across the country.

On ABC's 20/20 Friday night special "Waiting on the World to Change," Diane Sawyer introduced eight endearing children struggling in what has been called America's poorest city.

Viewer response to the program has been overwhelming, said leaders of two organizations featured in the special.

"It's astounding. The phones have been ringing off the hook," said Shannon Oberg, development coordinator at Urban Promise Ministries, a faith-based educational campus in East Camden, where several of the children attend programs.

Urban Promise is acting as coordinator for donations for the Camden children.

One of the featured children, a 4-year-old homeless boy named Ivan Stevens, told Sawyer that he wanted to be Superman so he could help his family.

On Monday, stacks of Superman comics - along with Superman pajamas and Superman blankets - began to arrive at the Urban Promise complex.

A 13-year-old girl in Massachusetts sent Ivan a note, along with $200 of her bat mitzvah money. A woman in Texas, writing on an ABC Internet message board, offered to adopt him.

A man offered Ivan and his family a house, said the Rev. Tony Evans, spokesman for the city of Camden. Unfortunately, the house was in Knoxville, Tenn., the man wasn't going to pay to move Ivan to Tennessee, and Ivan and his family have no intention of leaving New Jersey.

Yesterday, producers from 20/20 remained in Camden, helping Ivan's mother, Precious, look for a house.

"They want to make sure it gets handled right," Oberg said. "I'm sure by Friday he'll have a house. In the meantime, all his needs are being met.

Ivan was basking in all the attention Saturday at church, said his pastor, the Rev. David King.
"He was singing 'Down by the Riverside' at the top of his lungs in church on Saturday," King said.

"They're going to get a home. I'm just praying that other good things come out of this, too."
Urban Promise has received 3,500 donations and gotten 20,000 hits on its Web site, urbanpromiseusa.org, since the program aired.

Trust funds have been set up for the children and area lawyers have donated services to create them, Oberg said.

The outpouring of charity doesn't appear to be limited to just the eight children spotlighted on the Sawyer special.

Urban Promise has asked people to consider pairing with some of the 700 other Camden children their program serves. Many have complied.

The city yesterday announced its own Camden Youth Enrichment Fund to take donations for needy Camden children.

Thousands of e-mails have been received at ABC, said Claire Weinraub, who produced the show.

"I've been really impressed at the number of kids across America who saw the program and see it as a call to action," Weinraub said. "I was really touched by it."

A teenage girl in Orlando, Fla., wrote that she planned to start a club at her high school to draw attention to poverty in Camden, Weinraub said.

A boy in Monroe, N.Y., said he wanted to do whatever it takes so that any kid in Camden could be "a regular kid like me."