The local fire that killed a mother and 4 children really hit me hard. To help me cope I made this memorial slide show...please continue to pray for the families involved and community. And pray for the 10-year-old little boy who set the fire which as a result killed his own mother and sister and 3 live-in playmates.
The song I chose was "Jubilee" sung by Alison Krauss, not because the outcome was anything at all to be happy about....but because I still hope throughout all this tragedy and grief that the families and community can pause and reflect on the lives of their loved ones and some of the happier times spent while they were still here. The song expresses both the horror of loss and tragedy......and jubilee at remembrances of happier times with loved ones and how we all should embrace them while they last for we never know when they could be taken away from us.
Click here to watch 'Fire-Memorial'
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Silence...
It's not that words are not revolving within my head
On an endless merry-go-round they twirl about
The ride never ends but continues to spin
Day in, day out
Into the darkest hours of night
Sorting them out seems troublesome
Sometimes so overwhelming a task, I choose to not even bother
Instead I allow the merry-go-round
To continue its journey
Its endless motion
Round and round it goes
Spinning, making me dizzy with thoughts
Words mixed up, jumbled together
Forming partial sentences
Making little sense
I recognize the fact that I have all the words up there
But choosing the correct ones and correct order seems impossible
I can find one or two...but the third and fourth escape my grasp
They choose instead to continue their own ride
Spinning round and round in my head
Focusing long enough to capture a complete thought
Without it being intercepted with other thoughts
Seems too exhausting
So I don't even bother
Instead I sit
My head a swirling, twirling mishmash
Of words and thoughts unspoken
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
An amazing OSU game yesterday!
They beat Northwestern 58-7! WOW!
Today is the first official day of fall......and it is a beautiful day outside. However I am in a weird-ass mood. I cannot stand it when I am in this mood. No particular reasons why either which is even more frustrating.
Today is the first official day of fall......and it is a beautiful day outside. However I am in a weird-ass mood. I cannot stand it when I am in this mood. No particular reasons why either which is even more frustrating.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
OSU is leading 45 to zero going into the halftime!
WOW what an amazing team and game so far! Noah and I have squealed and yelled with each touchdown! They got like 2 touchdowns within minutes of game start..and 2 more within 8 minutes.
WHOOOO HOOOO! GO OSU!!!!!!!!
WHOOOO HOOOO! GO OSU!!!!!!!!
There is an Ohio State University game on tv today.......
and I am determined to watch it! I LOVE college football......and would even enjoy going to some high school games......but I have yet to make it to any. Next week is homecoming around here......so I will try to go I think. I enjoy that and the bonfires....FALL is very much in the air around here! I know when I was in school homecoming was NEVER until like November! I remember playing games up into December! Then it was moved to October........crap now you barely have school start and they do homecoming in September and many times football in high school is over by the end of October if it even makes it till then! I suppose because school starts so much earlier now in the year.
Today OSU plays Northwestern. I went and saw them play Northwestern AT Northwestern one year......it was a fabulous time.....even though it was sunny, rained, and snowed on us all the same day......we were freezing cold and icy wet.......
Sipping Candy Cane Lane tea this morning. About time for my midmorning snack.......tuna
I need to get back to work. Cannot focus or concentrate today.
AND now for a little something from the Best Damn Band In The Land!
Today OSU plays Northwestern. I went and saw them play Northwestern AT Northwestern one year......it was a fabulous time.....even though it was sunny, rained, and snowed on us all the same day......we were freezing cold and icy wet.......
Sipping Candy Cane Lane tea this morning. About time for my midmorning snack.......tuna
I need to get back to work. Cannot focus or concentrate today.
AND now for a little something from the Best Damn Band In The Land!
Friday, September 21, 2007
sigh.........
Fall is approaching. I almost have all my fall decor out. When I am making that transition I really need to make sure to START it on the FIRST day of my days off......so I can finish it. I tend to wait till the end of my second day off.....and then can never complete it till the next week on my days off. This means my tables and house is a little disorganized till then.....which bugs the crap out of me. I just do not have the extra time needed to finish that type of job.
I have received my orders of teas. MY FAVORITE tea company by far is Celestial Seasonings.......wow......they have some amazing teas! I was already in love with their seasonal teas.......2 of my favs being Candy Cane Lane and Gingerbread Spice......but I also discovered they have some new ones out. Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride and Rudolph's Rockin' Raspberry and Santa's Candy Apple ...
AND they have some DESSERT teas......like English Toffee........Vanilla Hazelnut.....
I have tried some other teas and tea companies too recently......but Celestial Seasonings is by far THE BEST! Their teas actually taste naturally great without adding sugars or creamers.......and the flavors are not too strong but strong enough to really enjoy! The Candy Cane Lane tastes just like candy canes melted in hot water......with a slight tea taste. SO YUMMY! The BEST peppermint-flavored tea I have ever had!
Same for the other teas. The English Toffee tastes like melted English Toffee. Add a cinnamon stick and wow!
This makes giving up my coffee so much easier. I am really enjoying my teas and drink it all day long. They are all naturally decaffeinated though I do have a few that have some caffeine.....about half the amount coffee does.
mmmmmm.........I am sipping on my second cup of English Toffee now......
Otherwise all is well here. I am getting a lot done......been super busy. Hard to keep up sometimes. I am feeding a stray cat near my grandmother's house.....pretty much every day.....she is feeding it too. One day if we have the right place he can come live with us....and maybe the neighbor's dog can too.
Noah is doing pretty well in school. I am a bit tired today and in a strange mood......lots on my mind I suppose.
I have received my orders of teas. MY FAVORITE tea company by far is Celestial Seasonings.......wow......they have some amazing teas! I was already in love with their seasonal teas.......2 of my favs being Candy Cane Lane and Gingerbread Spice......but I also discovered they have some new ones out. Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride and Rudolph's Rockin' Raspberry and Santa's Candy Apple ...
AND they have some DESSERT teas......like English Toffee........Vanilla Hazelnut.....
I have tried some other teas and tea companies too recently......but Celestial Seasonings is by far THE BEST! Their teas actually taste naturally great without adding sugars or creamers.......and the flavors are not too strong but strong enough to really enjoy! The Candy Cane Lane tastes just like candy canes melted in hot water......with a slight tea taste. SO YUMMY! The BEST peppermint-flavored tea I have ever had!
Same for the other teas. The English Toffee tastes like melted English Toffee. Add a cinnamon stick and wow!
This makes giving up my coffee so much easier. I am really enjoying my teas and drink it all day long. They are all naturally decaffeinated though I do have a few that have some caffeine.....about half the amount coffee does.
mmmmmm.........I am sipping on my second cup of English Toffee now......
Otherwise all is well here. I am getting a lot done......been super busy. Hard to keep up sometimes. I am feeding a stray cat near my grandmother's house.....pretty much every day.....she is feeding it too. One day if we have the right place he can come live with us....and maybe the neighbor's dog can too.
Noah is doing pretty well in school. I am a bit tired today and in a strange mood......lots on my mind I suppose.
Monday, September 17, 2007
today was an odd day........
I got up to take Noah to school.....and had heard about a fire in a house that I could have sworn was across the street from his school. I figured when I took him to school I would find out. I was right......it was the house I thought it was. It was burned really bad. Five people died in the fire.......several of them children. It has stirred up emotions and Noah is worried that one of the children killed in the fire was his best friend Trevor. I don't know if it was or not. I did not even know Noah had a best friend till tonight.
Please pray for these families and the children in the school.
I then headed to the Saturn dealer to have my oil and filter changed. My bad cause I waited a little too long to get it all free as my extended warranty had expired about 2 weeks ago. Oh well.......I am thankful I got everything done that needed to be done and I am all ready for winter! New oil and filter and tires rotated.......new anti-freeze good to 40 below zero.....new wipers all around. EVERYTHING else on the truck is fine!
I did notice Saturn's new SKY roadster in the showroom. WOW......if money was not an option......I can see how that would be tempting to buy! It is a 2-seater convertible.....and it was gorgeous. I like convertibles a lot but do not feel particularly safe driving in one. Unless there is a roll bar over my head.......which this car did not obviously have. Looks good for cruising if you are the only one on the road.......going about 30 miles per hour (it can go 240 MPH). In other words.....if all was guaranteed which it is not....to be safe......it would be impractical but......a temptation.
After that I headed back to a cemetery to do a tombstone search.....then to some other errands. I hit up the local Goodwill store.........and the Dollar store and I even had to make a run to Wal*Mart which I try to avoid at all costs! I ended up at K-Mart too. Then to my grandma's house and back home again.
I have already started to put up my fall decorations and lights. It is very fall-like here already......and I was in the mood.
I am going to try to bust butt this week to see if I can work full-time hours in a part-time day. I need to generate several streams of income.......and more money....so we will see how this goes.
Signing off.......my annoying nagging cough is wearing my butt out.
Please pray for these families and the children in the school.
I then headed to the Saturn dealer to have my oil and filter changed. My bad cause I waited a little too long to get it all free as my extended warranty had expired about 2 weeks ago. Oh well.......I am thankful I got everything done that needed to be done and I am all ready for winter! New oil and filter and tires rotated.......new anti-freeze good to 40 below zero.....new wipers all around. EVERYTHING else on the truck is fine!
I did notice Saturn's new SKY roadster in the showroom. WOW......if money was not an option......I can see how that would be tempting to buy! It is a 2-seater convertible.....and it was gorgeous. I like convertibles a lot but do not feel particularly safe driving in one. Unless there is a roll bar over my head.......which this car did not obviously have. Looks good for cruising if you are the only one on the road.......going about 30 miles per hour (it can go 240 MPH). In other words.....if all was guaranteed which it is not....to be safe......it would be impractical but......a temptation.
After that I headed back to a cemetery to do a tombstone search.....then to some other errands. I hit up the local Goodwill store.........and the Dollar store and I even had to make a run to Wal*Mart which I try to avoid at all costs! I ended up at K-Mart too. Then to my grandma's house and back home again.
I have already started to put up my fall decorations and lights. It is very fall-like here already......and I was in the mood.
I am going to try to bust butt this week to see if I can work full-time hours in a part-time day. I need to generate several streams of income.......and more money....so we will see how this goes.
Signing off.......my annoying nagging cough is wearing my butt out.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
fall....and campfires......
Fall is approaching. The last 2 days have been absolutely gorgeous! LOW TO ZERO humidity.......much cooler temps....down into the low 40s at night! Bright blue sunny skies during the day with a wonderful breeze.
I get antsy this time of year. I have what amounts to another spring fever in the fall. I come alive!! Fall reminds me of wonderful memories. I love the changing environment and smells of fires in fireplaces or campfires at night. This is the beginning of so many wonderful fall festivals...college football.....school days...
I find it difficult to concentrate and focus on anything. My mind drifts to sitting outside in the cool night.....ideally around a fire in a fire pit or campfire......with the one you love......lazily dreaming off into the dancing flames.......glancing occasionally at each others skin and eyes glowing gorgeously in the firelight. Sitting just close enough.....or even holding hands. Or snuggled together under a warm blanket.
The nights are all about snuggling. This is only the start of snuggling weather...and there would be nothing in the world like snuggling up against the man I love tonight.
tea.........
Well I have gone about oh 10 days or so I believe now without coffee. I have been enjoying my teas and discovered an even larger TEA world out there than I ever anticipated. I have always had a well-stocked cupboard of flavored teas and herbal teas. With the approaching cooler weather the urge for coffee has returned with a vengeance. I decided to do an experiment today. I decided to BREW some jo and see if I wanted it...or it still tasted good to me MINUS the cream. Well.....I did not really smell anything as it brewed.....and once done I poured some in a cup and smelled it. Then I just tasted not even an entire sipful.......BLAH! It tasted not all that great to me anymore....and was sort of bitter and nasty black. Maybe it was old......because I imagine my Gevalia would still be good.......but......the experiment proved something to me. I spit out the coffee and poured out the cup and pot...and brewed me tea instead. THAT really satisfied me and tasted much better to me than the coffee had.
A couple of advantages with the tea......they have a milder taste and are not bitter like coffee can be at times......especially when I drank it black. They have many flavors that give me just about the same feeling as my coffee did WITH creamer.
With the holiday seasons coming up I wantd to check to see if anyone carried pumpkin spice tea.......and one of my favorite flavors hazelnut......and was stunned to find BOTH easily in many different brands of teas. I also found eggnog and Christmas eve or Christmas morning teas......some tea that is similar to coffee but without the side effects......and some like hot chocolate. ALL of course zero to almost zero in calories or fat grams and sugar content. I like that!
Anyway......I found a couple of companies online.....and ordered .......well......a LOT of tea. I had already ordered some of my fav gingerbread spice from Celestial Seasonings and got that the other day.
SINCE do so.....I have discovered many tea companies out there specializing in GOURMET teas or dessert teas......and wow.......I had no idea! Candy Cane tea with bits of candy cane in it.........pumpkin spice......eggnog......on and on. I almost did not know where to begin but since I apparently can do nothing half-ass I just ordered some of everything I wanted to try.
AND there is just something I love about teapots and teacups and all that dainty stuff though I do not always get out my teapot or cups but instead will drink my teas while working from a coffee mug. BUT the photo above I adore. The colors....the shape......I can feel that cup in my hands and approaching my lips. It just makes the entire experience so much more enjoyable and I swear makes the teas taste even better!
I am weird....
of course I also love vintage......and these teacups remind me of something my grandma has......
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Sunday.........
Yesterday we had a belated birthday celebration for my nephew who turned 15 on August 27. I think we had one of the best visits in the family we have ever had. I am not sure why it seemed different but it did. Everyone seemed in good spirits and no one teased any one particular person overly much. I got some great photos while there which you can see on my photography blog if interested. The link is on the sidebar.
We had tremendous storms yesterday....and coming home the roads downtown were all closed and blocked off. Ambulances were all over the place. Not sure what happened....or if they had a car show or parade or something.....it was all very very strange. We finally got home and it stormed some more. We got a tremendous amount of rain but I am very thankful for it.
This will help us to have a beautiful fall this year. I don't mind mowing more often.......or anything like that. I do not enjoy the weeds but there will be plenty of time to pull them up and trim bushes. I am not letting things like that bother me too much this year and my summer has been much more enjoyable and carefree.
Today I have a lot I want to get accomplished. I just cleaned out the furnace and changed the filters....and swept and wiped the water heater down. I do that every so often anyway......and the filters I had let go a little too long this time. I WILL NOT let that happen again...they were filthy! The landlord still wants to come by with his shop vac and check the pilot lights on the water heater and furnace and make sure all is clean. I guess he has some tenants who never clean those things? I have always changed my own filters and kept my furnaces and such clean.
Well....I want to put some things away today and sweep really well......clean up the place a bit. I have a lot of paperwork to do also and I want to tackle MY room. I did Noah's room last week......and except for his closet his room is now back in order and all cleaned up. His closet is clean it just needs reorganized.
I need to organize this room and free up space and put it in order and clean it. My office area that is. SO far that is the one remaining room I do not have in order. Then I will put my fall decorations out. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival anyway so why not put fall decor around me? I love fall.
I have a chicken roasting in the oven.....and it smells wonderful. Noah and I will make some gingerbread cookies in a bit. I am hopeful that after today and tomorrow I won't have too much left to finish off in the house......to make it more streamlined and clean...ready for fall and winter. I think I have decided to hold off on a storage locker...making do with the space I have here and to cut that additional expense. I really need to just get a bigger place. I have always wanted a BIG place....a very large house.....so I have plenty of rooms to stretch out and not have to use a room for more than one purpose. SO I am looking around again......and hopeful the right place at the right price will pop up.
I need to go. Time for another cup of tea......so far I have had no coffee in a little over a week. The physical side effects have passed and to be honest most of the MENTAL ones which were even more difficult.....have finally passed.
OFF TO GET BUSY! Have a fabulous Sunday and remember to take time to ENJOY LIVING YOUR LIFE......and make sure those around you know you love them!
We had tremendous storms yesterday....and coming home the roads downtown were all closed and blocked off. Ambulances were all over the place. Not sure what happened....or if they had a car show or parade or something.....it was all very very strange. We finally got home and it stormed some more. We got a tremendous amount of rain but I am very thankful for it.
This will help us to have a beautiful fall this year. I don't mind mowing more often.......or anything like that. I do not enjoy the weeds but there will be plenty of time to pull them up and trim bushes. I am not letting things like that bother me too much this year and my summer has been much more enjoyable and carefree.
Today I have a lot I want to get accomplished. I just cleaned out the furnace and changed the filters....and swept and wiped the water heater down. I do that every so often anyway......and the filters I had let go a little too long this time. I WILL NOT let that happen again...they were filthy! The landlord still wants to come by with his shop vac and check the pilot lights on the water heater and furnace and make sure all is clean. I guess he has some tenants who never clean those things? I have always changed my own filters and kept my furnaces and such clean.
Well....I want to put some things away today and sweep really well......clean up the place a bit. I have a lot of paperwork to do also and I want to tackle MY room. I did Noah's room last week......and except for his closet his room is now back in order and all cleaned up. His closet is clean it just needs reorganized.
I need to organize this room and free up space and put it in order and clean it. My office area that is. SO far that is the one remaining room I do not have in order. Then I will put my fall decorations out. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival anyway so why not put fall decor around me? I love fall.
I have a chicken roasting in the oven.....and it smells wonderful. Noah and I will make some gingerbread cookies in a bit. I am hopeful that after today and tomorrow I won't have too much left to finish off in the house......to make it more streamlined and clean...ready for fall and winter. I think I have decided to hold off on a storage locker...making do with the space I have here and to cut that additional expense. I really need to just get a bigger place. I have always wanted a BIG place....a very large house.....so I have plenty of rooms to stretch out and not have to use a room for more than one purpose. SO I am looking around again......and hopeful the right place at the right price will pop up.
I need to go. Time for another cup of tea......so far I have had no coffee in a little over a week. The physical side effects have passed and to be honest most of the MENTAL ones which were even more difficult.....have finally passed.
OFF TO GET BUSY! Have a fabulous Sunday and remember to take time to ENJOY LIVING YOUR LIFE......and make sure those around you know you love them!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
and just when I was thinking of drinking a cup of coffee with cream....
I realized I no longer had a bad headache or ringing in my left ear. The ringing in my left ear has completely resolved!! HUGE for me......it has been intermittently present since December 2005.
While I knew it was related to caffeine intake.....I never really curbed my coffee caffeine intake....which I guess was more than I ever cared to admit.
DAMN today I miss it a lot.....I know that sounds incredibly silly. BUT I miss it. My subconscious thoughts are fighting with my conscious ones telling me all the reasons why I should just go ahead and drink a cup.
While the physical symptoms of withdrawal have abated for the most part.....the mental aspects I imagine will be something I will have to deal with for some time to come!
ONE way I can get past it is to acknowledge the fact that perhaps one day I can make it a SPECIAL TREAT only and have it once or twice per year. However, in my house if it was available I have no control over it. I drink and drink and drink coffee with cream like crazy.
I am also tired of talking about something so absurd and silly that seems to be taking up a huge portion of my thoughts.....and it is making it very difficult to focus on my job....which is not a good thing. Life is so much more than coffee and creamer and me whining about not getting it. Damn....this has even taken precedence over my thoughts of not getting something else! I am not sure what that means....
sigh....come on Melinda.......get a grip.......get a life...shut up already and move on!
and the ringing in my left ear has returned......I guess it is continuing to be intermittent.
While I knew it was related to caffeine intake.....I never really curbed my coffee caffeine intake....which I guess was more than I ever cared to admit.
DAMN today I miss it a lot.....I know that sounds incredibly silly. BUT I miss it. My subconscious thoughts are fighting with my conscious ones telling me all the reasons why I should just go ahead and drink a cup.
While the physical symptoms of withdrawal have abated for the most part.....the mental aspects I imagine will be something I will have to deal with for some time to come!
ONE way I can get past it is to acknowledge the fact that perhaps one day I can make it a SPECIAL TREAT only and have it once or twice per year. However, in my house if it was available I have no control over it. I drink and drink and drink coffee with cream like crazy.
I am also tired of talking about something so absurd and silly that seems to be taking up a huge portion of my thoughts.....and it is making it very difficult to focus on my job....which is not a good thing. Life is so much more than coffee and creamer and me whining about not getting it. Damn....this has even taken precedence over my thoughts of not getting something else! I am not sure what that means....
sigh....come on Melinda.......get a grip.......get a life...shut up already and move on!
and the ringing in my left ear has returned......I guess it is continuing to be intermittent.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
day #4 no coffee.......
and I am feeling caffeine withdrawal symptoms......my head has been hurting pretty much now for about 3 days........ yesterday was the worst......and it is not as bad as it could be because my vitamin has caffeine in it......my migraine pills I ended up finally taking also have caffeine in them.
BUT......instead of going cold turkey with no coffee.......I am thinking I perhaps should have weaned myself down and then off it......something....I don't know.
My tea has been good but does not fill me up and satisfy me like my coffee did. My coffee gave me an extra kick and satisfied feeling......but I am sure a lot of that was the flavored creamer and not so much the coffee.
I know getting away from the creamer was a good thing......and one day maybe I can ration it out.......but it is doubtful. The coffee........I am not sure what to make of that yet.
anyway.....off to bed I go.........with a pounding headache.......and I have already taken migraine pills....
BUT......instead of going cold turkey with no coffee.......I am thinking I perhaps should have weaned myself down and then off it......something....I don't know.
My tea has been good but does not fill me up and satisfy me like my coffee did. My coffee gave me an extra kick and satisfied feeling......but I am sure a lot of that was the flavored creamer and not so much the coffee.
I know getting away from the creamer was a good thing......and one day maybe I can ration it out.......but it is doubtful. The coffee........I am not sure what to make of that yet.
anyway.....off to bed I go.........with a pounding headache.......and I have already taken migraine pills....
One of Pavlov's dogs....
Your voice is so soothing to my soul
My heart's rhythm swoons with sweet sighs
And skipped beats
Whenever you speak
Thoughts of you
Turn me into one of Pavlov's dogs
Your voice is the bell
Which upon hearing
Instinctively causes me to drool
Though not from my mouth
I become like a bitch in heat
Hot, sticky sweet with sweat
Pacing the room, running myself ragged
My body screaming to be rubbing against yours
My flesh upon your flesh
My mouth upon your mouth
My tongue upon your tongue
My breaths becoming your gasps
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Gingerbread tea/suicide...
Okay.......two days now I have enjoyed my teas.....my favorite for substituting coffee is Gingerbread Spice.....a seasonal tea flavor made by Celestial Seasonings. I was afraid I could only get it at the holiday time......but I can order it direct from Celestial online......guess who is going to be stocking up?
yeah......
I smelled my bag of coffee I just bought the other day at the store........and to be honest......the smell of the beans for some reason this time did not smell all that great to me. AND this is coming from someone who has loved coffee and has been drinking it since I was like 14 years old.
Anyway.......it did not smell all that great to me......but the tea did! HUGE progress....even the thought of coffee soured my stomach......so I naturally avoid anything that would sour my stomach.
NOT having the same amount of caffeine however HAS affected me physically. I have walked around in a daze and have been very sleepy. I do NOT like that but I know I can substitute MOVING my body and even other sources of caffeine if I must to boost my energy again. I realize it is a process and will take some time to make the adjustments. NO incredible caffeine withdrawal headache yet either.........not a real bad anyway.
Today I just found out someone I knew in Colorado.......a very young, confused man named Ben.......committed suicide last week. This has really upset me.....and I wish I could have had a more positive influence in his life.......maybe he would not have chosen to kill himself. Life is so very precious. We tend to think so little of it or even of ourselves. I wish this young man could have had a better chance at life and realized his potential and experience even a glimmer of hope.
We never realize the many ways we might influence someone else's life.......so we should strive to make it the most positive we can. I now feel like I have failed somehow with Ben.
If you can any prayers for his family during this time would be greatly appreciated.
Otherwise I hope you all have a great and safe Labor Day Holiday....
yeah......
I smelled my bag of coffee I just bought the other day at the store........and to be honest......the smell of the beans for some reason this time did not smell all that great to me. AND this is coming from someone who has loved coffee and has been drinking it since I was like 14 years old.
Anyway.......it did not smell all that great to me......but the tea did! HUGE progress....even the thought of coffee soured my stomach......so I naturally avoid anything that would sour my stomach.
NOT having the same amount of caffeine however HAS affected me physically. I have walked around in a daze and have been very sleepy. I do NOT like that but I know I can substitute MOVING my body and even other sources of caffeine if I must to boost my energy again. I realize it is a process and will take some time to make the adjustments. NO incredible caffeine withdrawal headache yet either.........not a real bad anyway.
Today I just found out someone I knew in Colorado.......a very young, confused man named Ben.......committed suicide last week. This has really upset me.....and I wish I could have had a more positive influence in his life.......maybe he would not have chosen to kill himself. Life is so very precious. We tend to think so little of it or even of ourselves. I wish this young man could have had a better chance at life and realized his potential and experience even a glimmer of hope.
We never realize the many ways we might influence someone else's life.......so we should strive to make it the most positive we can. I now feel like I have failed somehow with Ben.
If you can any prayers for his family during this time would be greatly appreciated.
Otherwise I hope you all have a great and safe Labor Day Holiday....
Friday, August 31, 2007
okay.........
So I knew the coffee creamer was something I needed to stop buying let alone drinking in every cup of coffee I drank. SO......what do I do? I go on a shopping spree and stock up on creamer. I may as well have put a straw in the creamer bottle and forgot the coffee altogether as much as I was drinking.
Tonight I dumped all the bottles of creamer I had down my kitchen sink. I have a feeling this will cut my coffee consumption down tremendously......or at least until I get used to drinking it black again like I always did for many years before I discovered the creamer. Funny when I was pregnant I could not stand coffee. It made me sick to smell it let alone drink it. For that entire time I never had a cup. NEVER! I did not miss it either.
Lately I have only seemed to enjoy it most when I have creamer in it. AND then it sours my stomach. I can feel my esophagus burning. It is not worth it. AND I just bought more coffees.....
I also kept peanut butter on hand so every so often I could have a spoonful.....a small spoonful........
Well.......I imagine that is not great to do either.....so I tossed it.
I have made a commitment to a lifestyle change and taking the best care possible of my body. Those items will not contribute to that goal so they have to go.
Sigh............as I sit here typing this I am already wondering where my next fix will come from.....I must be slightly crazed from all the creamer!
The coffee creamer does not own/control me.......neither does the peanut butter....though I doubt anyone around me would have seen that.
Reality is what it is......no matter how much you try to see it differently.....it remains reality. AND my reality has changed for the BEST and I will only allow positive things in to contribute to that and continue to remove any negatives I discover along the way. I will do this always.....for my lifetime.
My life is worth so much more than a quick, one-night-stand-temporary-fix from coffee creamer or peanut butter!
Tonight I dumped all the bottles of creamer I had down my kitchen sink. I have a feeling this will cut my coffee consumption down tremendously......or at least until I get used to drinking it black again like I always did for many years before I discovered the creamer. Funny when I was pregnant I could not stand coffee. It made me sick to smell it let alone drink it. For that entire time I never had a cup. NEVER! I did not miss it either.
Lately I have only seemed to enjoy it most when I have creamer in it. AND then it sours my stomach. I can feel my esophagus burning. It is not worth it. AND I just bought more coffees.....
I also kept peanut butter on hand so every so often I could have a spoonful.....a small spoonful........
Well.......I imagine that is not great to do either.....so I tossed it.
I have made a commitment to a lifestyle change and taking the best care possible of my body. Those items will not contribute to that goal so they have to go.
Sigh............as I sit here typing this I am already wondering where my next fix will come from.....I must be slightly crazed from all the creamer!
The coffee creamer does not own/control me.......neither does the peanut butter....though I doubt anyone around me would have seen that.
Reality is what it is......no matter how much you try to see it differently.....it remains reality. AND my reality has changed for the BEST and I will only allow positive things in to contribute to that and continue to remove any negatives I discover along the way. I will do this always.....for my lifetime.
My life is worth so much more than a quick, one-night-stand-temporary-fix from coffee creamer or peanut butter!
God's Cricket Chorus.....
SO cool........go check this out. They have taken the sound of crickets and slowed it down to make music.......go give it a listen! CLICK ABOVE!
World Clock
A powerful live clock that allows us to see how rapidly life on earth is changing, from population growth to species extinction to global warming. CLICK ABOVE!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Lord help me.......I'm a coffee creamer junkie...
I have come to the final realization......I am indeed ADDICTED to flavored coffee creamer. Holy crap when and how did this happen? I used to enjoy a flavored coffee treat only seasonally when Starbucks came out with their HOLIDAY cappuccinos.....and then I would maybe have those ONLY 1-2 times for the entire season.
Around that same time holiday flavored coffee creamers came out on the market.....and I tried them. Oh oh......this meant I could have access to my seasonal TREATS year-round. DAILY if I wanted.....all I had to do was go to the store and BUY the stuff and pour it into my daily coffees.
Well I love coffee. I can drink at least 2 cups every day.......and sometimes 4.......though I think I am in denial even about that. I make coffee twice per day........10 cups each time. I notice according to my coffee pot......only 4 cups are usually left in the pot when I am done drinking it.....so gee Melinda.......6+6=12 cups according to simple traditional math..but I justify all that because I know I never finish drinking the entire amount of coffee that is in my cup each time I pour one. I drink about half.....then it starts to get too cold and I end up dumping the rest. Okay....maybe I am in denial about that too. I DO sometimes finish most of the cup.....but I know it is sounding now like I make too much and dump too much hence I am wasting too much.
BUT BACK to the creamer problem. I LOVE HAZELNUT COFFEE CREAMER! Mixed in with my coffee or flavored coffee.......holy crap! I almost start to drool just thinking about it. This is sad people...freakin' sad!
I came to the realization that I was perhaps adding MORE than a mere 1 Tablespoon per cup the other day. (1 Tablespoon has 35 calories I believe.......5 gm sugar.....zero fats.....but still) when I started to notice I was buying 2 big bottles of creamer.....and they would be gone within five days. HELLO.......that is obviously WAY MORE than 1 Tablespoon per cup if each bottle has 63 -one Tablespoon servings! According to that ratio ONE bottle of creamer should be lasting me at least a month! More or less.
Somewhere along the way I have turned into a coffee-creamer junkie. I tried to wean off a month or so ago. I actually went through withdrawal symptoms....I was cranky.....okay perhaps even a bit bitchy.......and I really missed that cup of coffee with cream in it..especially in the late afternoon early evening as that was like a treat for me.....and made me feel good.....I needed my fix!
I drank my coffee black again which I can do and used to tremendously enjoy.......but found I did not enjoy it as much anymore.....and in fact.....many days went by that I did not drink any coffee at all. I just felt like why bother......it tasted too bitter and nasty most times without my creamer. (CRAP I can hear a whine when I type this which is so annoying)
I broke down and bought more cream. I realized I had a problem last night when I noticed Kroger had a sale on the creamers and I frantically grabbed 4 BIG BOTTLES!. FOUR!!! It is not cheap......and the rate I am going through it is sheer craziness.
Today I decided to see exactly HOW much creamer I really do add to my cup of coffee. I got the measuring spoons out.......and added ONE Tablespoon.....added the coffee.....tasted.......CRAP that was nasty! I could tell by the color even before I tasted it ...that it was NOT going to have enough creamer in it. SO I added ONE more Tablespoon......STILL not the way it normally tasted or looked to me. I added a third......and then a fourth. FINALLY it was about the same as I had been drinking it.
SO......I did some quick math without a calculator and realized EACH of my freaking cups of coffee was costing me at least 100+ calories now since I was adding the creamer to it! OVER ONE HUNDRED CALORIES!!! never mind the sugar content.
SO I know what I need to do.......I just am not sure how to do it. My subconscious brain is screaming out how UNFAIR it is to yank the bottle away from the baby so to speak....while my health conscious aspect is screaming LIVE LONGER damn it! I know I am going to have to wean......a COLD turkey approach did not work last time I tried it. SO these last four precious bottles of flavored coffee creamer are going to be milked for all they are worth. I will have to MEASURE my creamer in my coffee......and slowly decrease till I am off it.
How embarassing this whole subject is. How mortifying to see how quickly something can become addictive and it feels like something I need to have to just get through my normal day! I have to change this daily routine of treats back to ONLY 1-2 times per YEAR. I used to be able to drink all my coffees black......whether they were flavored or not. I need to get back to that. I need to drink more of my teas......I need an entire wing at a Betty Ford-like treatment center for coffee creamer junkies.....
Lord help me......and I say that SINCERELY......
Around that same time holiday flavored coffee creamers came out on the market.....and I tried them. Oh oh......this meant I could have access to my seasonal TREATS year-round. DAILY if I wanted.....all I had to do was go to the store and BUY the stuff and pour it into my daily coffees.
Well I love coffee. I can drink at least 2 cups every day.......and sometimes 4.......though I think I am in denial even about that. I make coffee twice per day........10 cups each time. I notice according to my coffee pot......only 4 cups are usually left in the pot when I am done drinking it.....so gee Melinda.......6+6=12 cups according to simple traditional math..but I justify all that because I know I never finish drinking the entire amount of coffee that is in my cup each time I pour one. I drink about half.....then it starts to get too cold and I end up dumping the rest. Okay....maybe I am in denial about that too. I DO sometimes finish most of the cup.....but I know it is sounding now like I make too much and dump too much hence I am wasting too much.
BUT BACK to the creamer problem. I LOVE HAZELNUT COFFEE CREAMER! Mixed in with my coffee or flavored coffee.......holy crap! I almost start to drool just thinking about it. This is sad people...freakin' sad!
I came to the realization that I was perhaps adding MORE than a mere 1 Tablespoon per cup the other day. (1 Tablespoon has 35 calories I believe.......5 gm sugar.....zero fats.....but still) when I started to notice I was buying 2 big bottles of creamer.....and they would be gone within five days. HELLO.......that is obviously WAY MORE than 1 Tablespoon per cup if each bottle has 63 -one Tablespoon servings! According to that ratio ONE bottle of creamer should be lasting me at least a month! More or less.
Somewhere along the way I have turned into a coffee-creamer junkie. I tried to wean off a month or so ago. I actually went through withdrawal symptoms....I was cranky.....okay perhaps even a bit bitchy.......and I really missed that cup of coffee with cream in it..especially in the late afternoon early evening as that was like a treat for me.....and made me feel good.....I needed my fix!
I drank my coffee black again which I can do and used to tremendously enjoy.......but found I did not enjoy it as much anymore.....and in fact.....many days went by that I did not drink any coffee at all. I just felt like why bother......it tasted too bitter and nasty most times without my creamer. (CRAP I can hear a whine when I type this which is so annoying)
I broke down and bought more cream. I realized I had a problem last night when I noticed Kroger had a sale on the creamers and I frantically grabbed 4 BIG BOTTLES!. FOUR!!! It is not cheap......and the rate I am going through it is sheer craziness.
Today I decided to see exactly HOW much creamer I really do add to my cup of coffee. I got the measuring spoons out.......and added ONE Tablespoon.....added the coffee.....tasted.......CRAP that was nasty! I could tell by the color even before I tasted it ...that it was NOT going to have enough creamer in it. SO I added ONE more Tablespoon......STILL not the way it normally tasted or looked to me. I added a third......and then a fourth. FINALLY it was about the same as I had been drinking it.
SO......I did some quick math without a calculator and realized EACH of my freaking cups of coffee was costing me at least 100+ calories now since I was adding the creamer to it! OVER ONE HUNDRED CALORIES!!! never mind the sugar content.
SO I know what I need to do.......I just am not sure how to do it. My subconscious brain is screaming out how UNFAIR it is to yank the bottle away from the baby so to speak....while my health conscious aspect is screaming LIVE LONGER damn it! I know I am going to have to wean......a COLD turkey approach did not work last time I tried it. SO these last four precious bottles of flavored coffee creamer are going to be milked for all they are worth. I will have to MEASURE my creamer in my coffee......and slowly decrease till I am off it.
How embarassing this whole subject is. How mortifying to see how quickly something can become addictive and it feels like something I need to have to just get through my normal day! I have to change this daily routine of treats back to ONLY 1-2 times per YEAR. I used to be able to drink all my coffees black......whether they were flavored or not. I need to get back to that. I need to drink more of my teas......I need an entire wing at a Betty Ford-like treatment center for coffee creamer junkies.....
Lord help me......and I say that SINCERELY......
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Diary Of A Mad Black Woman...
OKAY......I actually watched a movie last night and it was this one. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SEEN IT......you MUST! It is an excellent movie and very funny and I felt sent a superb message.
Helen McCarter has everything a woman wants: a nice house and rich husband. However her husband Charles throws her out of the house after admitting to an affair. A distraught Helen turns to her mother, grandmother Madea and cousin Brian who take her in and turn back to God. Helen learns for the first time in her life to stand up on her own two feet and is ready to remove herself from her relationship with Charles and move on with Orlando. But when her husband is almost killed by a vengeful client, Helen wonders if she has the heart to forgive him despite everything.
OKAY...DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING EXTENDED PLOT IF YOU WISH TO SEE THE MOVIE AND DO NOT WANT TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS
The movie starts at a banquet for Charles who is a prominent Atlanta lawyer. As he accepts his award he thanks his lovely wife Helen of eighteen years for supporting him. As they arrive home he throws her out of the car while letting it be known that he hates her. In the morning she goes to his office and asks to see him because she brought him some lunch and suddenly she sees him with another woman named Brenda. He tells her to go home. Back home she discovers all her clothes being loaded into a U-Haul.
She goes inside to ask the maid what is going on and the maid tells her that Charles ordered her to pack up Helen’s things and to put these things in their place. Helen, thinking that the new dresses are hers puts on one and waits for Charles to come home and thank him. Little does she know that Charles is kicking her out and moving in his mistress, Brenda. Helen has nowhere to turn except to Madea a gun toting, grandmother figure who is a part of her extended family.
The next morning Madea and Helen go to Charles' house and tear it up. Charles and Brenda come home to their surprise and Madea nearly shoots Charles but instead cuts everything in half with a chainsaw claiming that half of everything belongs to Helen. They end up in court with Helen being released on bond and Madea being placed on house arrest. Madea has a house party where Brian introduces Helen to his friend Orlando. Helen and Orlando have already met since Orlando was hired by Charles to pack and move Helen out. Madea makes Helen find a job so that she can learn to be independent.
The cousin Brian is introduced and he has a wife Debra who is a drug addict and no longer lives with him or their two kids. It is revealed that Charles received his money through drug deals, and by buying off judges, when one of the people he helped forces him to be his lawyer.The client ends up shooting him because he couldn't get him acquitted. In the meantime love develops between Orlando and Helen and soon Orlando proposes to Helen. But when she finds out Charles is hurt she leaves and goes to the hospital without saying yes or no.
At the hospital the doctor tells Helen, Brian, and the mistress that Charles might be paralyzed or worse. The doctor asks them what to do if something should go wrong. The mistress tells him to let Charles die but since Helen is still legally his wife she tells him to do everything he can to save Charles. Charles is paralyzed and so Helen lets him know exactly what she thinks of how he treated her. She lets him sit in the same spot for days and then later comes in and tells him that he stinks. She gives him a bath by throwning in to the tub and he nearly drowns.
During these incidents she lectures him and later Charles tells Helen how much he loves her and wants to be with her. The next Sunday they are in church and Charles and Debra walk down the aisle to accept Jesus into their heart. Afterwards, the family gathers to celebrate and have lunch. At lunch Helen tells Charles that she loves him and that they will always be friends and then hands him the divorce papers signed. Helen runs out the door and Madea asks Helen where she is going and Helen says "I am going to get MY MAN!" She goes to find Orlando at work and there she professes her love for him and the two kiss and Orlando shouts “Hey everyone, This Woman wants to MARRY ME!”
SOME will think it corny and too religious related.....but I adored it. I am going to have to ask for this one for Christmas because it is one I could watch again and again.
Here are some clips:
SUPERB!
sigh...
DAMN!
Monday, August 20, 2007
I have become a gingerbread cookie-making machine....
Noah loves them.......and every couple of days it seems I am making another batch. Tonight was one of those times......I just finished 4 cookie sheets of another batch.....iced them too.
I know fall is on its way cause we have had a ton of rain and thunderstorms and it is getting dark very early.
I am starting to poop out.....I have had a busy day that started early......
hope everyone has a great evening
I know fall is on its way cause we have had a ton of rain and thunderstorms and it is getting dark very early.
I am starting to poop out.....I have had a busy day that started early......
hope everyone has a great evening
Sunday, August 19, 2007
I want to paint you...
With my fingers...
As I close my eyes and move my hands
Across your body
Feeling the ripples in your muscles
And squeezing your hardness
I want to paint you
With my tongue...
As I trace an outline
Of every inch of your body
Taking time to rest
On all your pleasure points
And tease them with the tip of my tongue
I want to paint you
With my lips...
Kissing your neck
Your chest, your stomach, your thighs
Caressing your skin with my softness
I want to paint you
With my pussy...
Using your body as my canvas
And my wetness as the paint
I create powerful, rhythmic strokes
Brushing again and again
Until together we surrender and paint a masterpiece
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
As I close my eyes and move my hands
Across your body
Feeling the ripples in your muscles
And squeezing your hardness
I want to paint you
With my tongue...
As I trace an outline
Of every inch of your body
Taking time to rest
On all your pleasure points
And tease them with the tip of my tongue
I want to paint you
With my lips...
Kissing your neck
Your chest, your stomach, your thighs
Caressing your skin with my softness
I want to paint you
With my pussy...
Using your body as my canvas
And my wetness as the paint
I create powerful, rhythmic strokes
Brushing again and again
Until together we surrender and paint a masterpiece
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Sunday........
I am planning on taking Noah to the county fair today......but so far it has been pouring down rain. SO......we may or may not at this point. I do feel a bit better today than I have so that is a plus!
It is very cool outside......and I have noticed it gets dark a lot earlier in the evenings now....so I know fall is not too far off. I love the fall and winter...I love the changing seasons........but getting dark so early takes some adjusting.....and I am not sure I ever get totally adjusted to it.
Stopped in at Hallmark yesterday. I LOVE Hallmark stores....they have so many amazing things out for fall already. I had to pick up a couple and some more candles. I am obsessed with candles. THESE are from Swan Creek Candle company and smell absolutely amazing. They are the kind of candle that smell so good you think you could eat them! I found a lemon shortbread cookie one.......something like that. OH MY.......I also got one of my favs carmelized pralines.....another BIG YUMMY!
sigh.......well......this will be short and sweet. Lots to do on my end.....and I think I see the sun trying to peek out.
It is very cool outside......and I have noticed it gets dark a lot earlier in the evenings now....so I know fall is not too far off. I love the fall and winter...I love the changing seasons........but getting dark so early takes some adjusting.....and I am not sure I ever get totally adjusted to it.
Stopped in at Hallmark yesterday. I LOVE Hallmark stores....they have so many amazing things out for fall already. I had to pick up a couple and some more candles. I am obsessed with candles. THESE are from Swan Creek Candle company and smell absolutely amazing. They are the kind of candle that smell so good you think you could eat them! I found a lemon shortbread cookie one.......something like that. OH MY.......I also got one of my favs carmelized pralines.....another BIG YUMMY!
sigh.......well......this will be short and sweet. Lots to do on my end.....and I think I see the sun trying to peek out.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
a restless night......
I heard wind and rain and hail about 2:00 a.m. and saw a lot of lightning and heard a lot of thunder.....so I got up to look outside. The wind was blowing the trees all around.....knocking things over across the street. I was thinking there might be a tornado close by so I turned on the television and checked the weather report. We were just under a severe thunderstorm warning but my oh my!
We got a ton of rain and high winds in a very short time.....LOTS of lightning and thunder.....some hail......and it continued for quite awhile.
I did not get too much sleep until the first severe storm passed through.....Noah woke up and was a bit alarmed.....so he came into my bedroom. I fell back asleep......but another storm hit a little bit later.
The backyard today has so much water near the house it is STANDING in the grass. I guess I should have mowed yesterday as I doubt I will be able to today......maybe tomorrow......but more storms are on their way.
We got a ton of rain and high winds in a very short time.....LOTS of lightning and thunder.....some hail......and it continued for quite awhile.
I did not get too much sleep until the first severe storm passed through.....Noah woke up and was a bit alarmed.....so he came into my bedroom. I fell back asleep......but another storm hit a little bit later.
The backyard today has so much water near the house it is STANDING in the grass. I guess I should have mowed yesterday as I doubt I will be able to today......maybe tomorrow......but more storms are on their way.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Egg Beaters versus REAL eggs.....
okay.....Egg Beaters professes to be REAL EGGS...just the BEST part they say......the eggwhite! Of course since the nutritious YOLK was removed they then doctor up the leftover eggwhites with lots of vitamins and nutritents, not to mention it has been pasteurized and homogenized.
Yeah.....well.....I LOVE eggs. They fill me up......give me lots of energy and have lots of wonderful protein which I crave. BUT......eating eggs every day and the yolks which I LOVE.....may not be the best choice.
SO lately I have switched to mostly eggwhites......with 1/2 a yolk added occasionally. I had heard about Egg Beaters and figured well in between the REAL EGGS to eat MORE eggs I could try them.
I wish I had saved my money. YUCK ...YUCK......YUCK!
They smelled good cooking up.....but when the egg-filled fork hit my tongue..... YIKES! I just about gagged. They have a SLICK/SLIME-LIKE consistency.......they taste greasy....almost like badly fried donuts in old grease when they leave a film of grease on the roof of your mouth!?
WELL....these did the same thing. NO taste......NO flavor. I was stunned....though not totally surprised. I am going to see if maybe my grandma wants the rest of these. IF NOT......they are getting dumped down the drain and I will continue eating the REAL THING....much more flavor and much better taste.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
canned green beans recalled...
Some 15,000 cases of French Style Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans made by Lakeside Foods, and bearing some 20 different brands are being recalled in the US and Canada as a precaution against potential foodborne illnesses such as botulism. As yet no illnesses have been reported.
The announcements were made on Wednesday and Thursday this week by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Lakeside Foods Inc of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, US, the producer of the affected product.
The food producer found food safety had been breached during a routine inspection: some cans may have been underprocessed (not enough heat) and some may have leaks, allowing possible contamination by dangerous organisms such as Clostridium botulinum which causes botulism, a potentially deadly form of food poisoning.
So far, none of the cans tested shows signs of botulinum toxin, and according to a statement from the FDA and the producer, the "company continues to test out of an abundance of caution".
The producer said in a prepared statement that it had "identified and corrected the condition that resulted in its decision to voluntarily recall the cans in question" and that none of its other products is affected.
Food poisoning from Clostridium botulinum can kill and starts with the following symptoms: general weakness or feeling of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dry throat, headache, dizziness, double vision and difficulty speaking or swallowing. Other symptoms include trouble with breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distention and constipation.
If you have these symptoms go and see a doctor. If you know anyone who has these symptoms, suggest they see a doctor.
Product Identification
If you have bought any of the products described here, throw it away, even if when you open the can it looks or smells OK.
The products affected are the "French Style Green Beans" in 14.5 oz cans and contain one of the following codes in the top line of the can code:
EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227 and ECB5307.
If you have any cans like this you should return them unopened to the place you bought them from.
Brands
The product is sold under the following labels:
ALBERTSON'S
HAPPY HARVEST
BEST CHOICE
FOOD CLUB
BOGOPA
VALU TIME
HILL COUNTRY FARE
HEB
LAURA LYNN
KROGER
NO NAME
NORTH PRIDE
SCHNUCKS
SHOP N SAVE
SHOPPERS VALU
CUB FOODS
DIERBERGS
FLAVORITE
IGA, and
THRIFTY MAID
Distribution
According to the FDA and food producer's statements, the cans were distributed in the following regions:
In the US (20 states): AL, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, TN, TX, VA, WI.
In Canada: according to the CFIA, the product was also distributed in Ontario and the Western provinces.
Further information
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-466-3834, Ext. 4090.
Contact Canadian Food Inspection Agency at at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
Click here to keep up to date with this product recall (food producer's website).
Click here for more information on foodborne illnesses (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
Click here for FDA (US).
The announcements were made on Wednesday and Thursday this week by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Lakeside Foods Inc of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, US, the producer of the affected product.
The food producer found food safety had been breached during a routine inspection: some cans may have been underprocessed (not enough heat) and some may have leaks, allowing possible contamination by dangerous organisms such as Clostridium botulinum which causes botulism, a potentially deadly form of food poisoning.
So far, none of the cans tested shows signs of botulinum toxin, and according to a statement from the FDA and the producer, the "company continues to test out of an abundance of caution".
The producer said in a prepared statement that it had "identified and corrected the condition that resulted in its decision to voluntarily recall the cans in question" and that none of its other products is affected.
Food poisoning from Clostridium botulinum can kill and starts with the following symptoms: general weakness or feeling of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dry throat, headache, dizziness, double vision and difficulty speaking or swallowing. Other symptoms include trouble with breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distention and constipation.
If you have these symptoms go and see a doctor. If you know anyone who has these symptoms, suggest they see a doctor.
Product Identification
If you have bought any of the products described here, throw it away, even if when you open the can it looks or smells OK.
The products affected are the "French Style Green Beans" in 14.5 oz cans and contain one of the following codes in the top line of the can code:
EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227 and ECB5307.
If you have any cans like this you should return them unopened to the place you bought them from.
Brands
The product is sold under the following labels:
ALBERTSON'S
HAPPY HARVEST
BEST CHOICE
FOOD CLUB
BOGOPA
VALU TIME
HILL COUNTRY FARE
HEB
LAURA LYNN
KROGER
NO NAME
NORTH PRIDE
SCHNUCKS
SHOP N SAVE
SHOPPERS VALU
CUB FOODS
DIERBERGS
FLAVORITE
IGA, and
THRIFTY MAID
Distribution
According to the FDA and food producer's statements, the cans were distributed in the following regions:
In the US (20 states): AL, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, OK, TN, TX, VA, WI.
In Canada: according to the CFIA, the product was also distributed in Ontario and the Western provinces.
Further information
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-466-3834, Ext. 4090.
Contact Canadian Food Inspection Agency at at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
Click here to keep up to date with this product recall (food producer's website).
Click here for more information on foodborne illnesses (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
Click here for FDA (US).
Crickets outside my window...
As the hands of the clock approach the
My eyes gaze upon the flickering flames of a candle
My ears hear only what sounds like a million crickets
All chirping together in perfect rhythm outside my window
A breeze gently blows the curtains back across my naked skin
And the softness makes me catch my breath
My longing for you is intense tonight
It fills my eyes with stinging tears
It makes my throat tight and my heart heavy
How I wish I could turn around and crawl into bed with you
To lie beside you and softly speak about our day
How I wish these curtains caressing my skin
Were your hands
And the dripping wax from the flame of my candle
Our bodies melting and molding together as one
As we match the rhythm of the crickets outside my window
Sharing the secrets of each other's body
Until our eyes grow heavy with sleep
And our bodies give out from exhaustion
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Image Source: Yahoo ImagesSaturday, August 04, 2007
trust is shit...
One advantage of being a woman...
I am a lot smarter than most will ever realize
Does one honestly think for one minute
That what they display on the outside
To try to fool me into believing whatever absurdity
they currently choose
(Like how I can trust them completely)
Yet behind my back continue dabbling in other honey pots
Is something that goes unnoticed from my all-seeing eyes?
If I play "dumb" does it make one feel
as if they are getting away with it?
A winner?
I wonder why one feels it necessary to cast a fishing line for many
Are they saving for a rainy day? For a "just in case" scenario?
Is my constant stroking of their ego not enough?
Are they an ego stroking junkie....constantly seeking the next fix?
Does one truly believe my persona going near-totally ignored
By the one expressing undying love
Would ultimately make me feel as if they were the least bit truly interested
In me?
I laugh out loud at the sheer madness of it all
That someone who professes such love
Could be so blind as to not see
All that stands before them
Waiting only to be genuinely noticed
I grow tired of the antics and back flips I've mastered
Trying to draw attention for even a moment
In my direction
Yet even when I succeed.....I have to ask myself
"Is it genuine?"
Why is it one can trust me
Yet feel perhaps I cannot trust them?
Why do little white lies seem only "stretching the truth" in their minds
Because they have convinced themselves to believe it is still "truth?"
We all know they are the first to boast they are not a liar
They have nothing to hide
They are not doing anything even remotely inappropriate
That seems to be a bit hypocritical to me
And yet the blindfolds come out
The game continues
Even if we grow weary of playing
We choose to see only what we choose to see
Ignoring all other bites of reality
Hovering in our peripheral vision.
Most do a pretty good job
At convincing another they are completely trustworthy
Yet in reality they fall short
Along the way they change the rules
To benefit only them
What was once shared is taken away and becomes hidden
Tucked down inside a pocket that fits only their hands
Done perhaps they espouse "to protect" another.....
Because everyone knows what the other does not know won't hurt them right?
Or maybe it is done to "avoid" stirring up conflicts
Not realizing they are simmering a potful
All these things ultimately become "secretive" all over again
One does not feel they can share "all" with another
In the end this makes their trust mean shit.
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Friday, August 03, 2007
Loving you...
How much do I love you?
Words barely describe it
You have become the air that I breathe
You fill me with sweet sighs of contentment
My heart leaps inside my chest and skips beats
Whenever I hear your voice or see your face
I lose all control of my body
Whenever I think of you touching me
I am driven toward you
There is no escaping it
I don't wish to escape it
You are the peak of my climax
A perpetual high
A tidal wave of euphoric bliss
That I wish to surf forever
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Words barely describe it
You have become the air that I breathe
You fill me with sweet sighs of contentment
My heart leaps inside my chest and skips beats
Whenever I hear your voice or see your face
I lose all control of my body
Whenever I think of you touching me
I am driven toward you
There is no escaping it
I don't wish to escape it
You are the peak of my climax
A perpetual high
A tidal wave of euphoric bliss
That I wish to surf forever
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The end of the day...
The end of the day....
Right before bedtime, is the hardest for me.
It's when I miss you the most
And I wish you were here or I there
I pretend I am your pillow or mattress
And imagine what it would be like to feel your full body weight
Lying on top of me
Your movement creating contours in my being
I think about you during the day
Most hours spent wishing I were your pencils
Feeling the caress of your fingers wrapped tightly around me
Holding me securely yet carefully
Creating gentle strokes across your paper in brilliant colors
I sometimes wish I were your cat
Able to lie across your chest purring my delight
Flicking my tail across your skin
As your hands rhythmically pet and coax
Or the lemons you eat
The rush they must feel
As you grasp their skin tight between your lips
And you suck their juices from their pulp
Or that glorious bar of soap
As you lather it across your skin
Each sudsy bubble cascading in ripples
Down your muscles and hard body
Because throughout each of my days
My bar of soap becomes your hands
The food touching my lips...your tongue
My chair....your lap
My music....your voice
My pillow...your chest
My fingers...yours
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Right before bedtime, is the hardest for me.
It's when I miss you the most
And I wish you were here or I there
I pretend I am your pillow or mattress
And imagine what it would be like to feel your full body weight
Lying on top of me
Your movement creating contours in my being
I think about you during the day
Most hours spent wishing I were your pencils
Feeling the caress of your fingers wrapped tightly around me
Holding me securely yet carefully
Creating gentle strokes across your paper in brilliant colors
I sometimes wish I were your cat
Able to lie across your chest purring my delight
Flicking my tail across your skin
As your hands rhythmically pet and coax
Or the lemons you eat
The rush they must feel
As you grasp their skin tight between your lips
And you suck their juices from their pulp
Or that glorious bar of soap
As you lather it across your skin
Each sudsy bubble cascading in ripples
Down your muscles and hard body
Because throughout each of my days
My bar of soap becomes your hands
The food touching my lips...your tongue
My chair....your lap
My music....your voice
My pillow...your chest
My fingers...yours
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
I respond...
As I share a meal with my family
I sit in an almost drunken state
My body is present but my mind wanders with thoughts of you
I lift the fork to my lips
And wonder if anyone around me notices
The smile turning up the corners of my mouth
To them it must look like my fare is exceptional
I am thankful they cannot read my mind
Because as the fork enters my mouth and presses against my tongue
I think of your tongue pressing against mine
When my taste buds water at that first bite
I grow wet between my thighs
And wonder if anyone will notice
Or be able to see
How even when you are absent
My body responds to you
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Monday, July 30, 2007
the SPIDER finally showed himself!
Remember a couple weeks back when I talked about a spider running in the front door when I opened it and headed toward my love/seat sofa? AND I could not find it........was afraid he was IN the furniture? Well.....ALL this time went by.....I had not seen it.....I moved furniture.....swept everything......looked. NOTHING.
THEN this morning Noah came running to me and said he got his face in a spider web when he sat on the loveseat! I SCREECHED WHAT???????? with a look of horror on my face! I figured it was a small web or dust or hair.......but decided I better go look.
OH - - MY- - LORDY!!!!! I had sat there last night and NOTHING.....today.......was a HUGE tunnel spider type web on the arm/back of the loveseat! I FREAKED......the spider was there peeking at me.........HOLY SHIT!!!
SO I am trying to figure out HOW to kill him or get him captured to take him outside....and decided to grab my little sweeper and attach the hose and suck him up in the clear plastic bagless filter......the timing had to be perfect......the hose had to be poised and ready because I was afraid the sound of the sweeper might scare him DOWN inside the furniture well.....I turned the sweeper on and SUCKED HIS tiny ass and WEB and up INSIDE the bagless plastic filter cup..........I swirled him around good......figured I could flush him down the toilet......
BUT THE LITTLE BUGGER was ALIVE! He lived through all that.........was I am sure pissed as he was dizzy........so I turned the sweeper on again.....(not sure what possessed me to do that).....and I watched his tiny body fly around in circles some more....... and HE LIVED through that again. I decided if he survived all that he was a fighter and deserved a chance to live so I took him far outside and dumped him out! I HOPE he does NOT decide to come back!
MEANWHILE......I am totally freaked about sitting on my furniture.....or heaven forbid LYING down on it........oh my....I have seen stories where spiders crawl inside people's ears or noses and mouths! SHIT!!! BUT.....that was the only one........my house is thank goodness pretty bug free. AND I am thankful I was able to catch this spider.......I KNOW it was the same one I had in here from the front door!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
I want to sleep with you...
I want to sleep with you...
So close our bodies' heat radiates against each other
Causing us to sweat
I want to lay my head on your chest
And feel the vibrations against my ear and cheek when you speak
The rise and fall of each of your breaths
I want to hear your heart beating
At the same time I feel mine racing
I want to rise up and watch you sleeping
So peacefully and soundly, so content
And as my curves begin to brush against you
Your body responds and your hardness begins to poke against me
Moving on its own accord toward me
Seeking me out....I pull you in
Causing us both to gasp out loud
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Image Source: Yahoo Images
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Drive me...
I want you to drive me home tonight
And make my heart pound like two fists on a drum
Where I can hear no other sounds but our bodies and breaths
I want to feel burning hot under your caress
As your tongue travels along all my routes of pleasure
And mine along yours
Discovering hidden, untraveled paths
Driving deep and fast down our highways
Pushing us past the point of no return
Sending us over that line
And as we fly off that edge
Our fingers tightly entwined
We will hear no other sound
But our souls screaming in ecstasy
As our breaths catch and our hearts leap
And as we begin to fall
Instead of moving faster
Our pace slows
Our breaths calm
Our heartbeats soften
Till once again....we are on a Sunday drive.
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
And make my heart pound like two fists on a drum
Where I can hear no other sounds but our bodies and breaths
I want to feel burning hot under your caress
As your tongue travels along all my routes of pleasure
And mine along yours
Discovering hidden, untraveled paths
Driving deep and fast down our highways
Pushing us past the point of no return
Sending us over that line
And as we fly off that edge
Our fingers tightly entwined
We will hear no other sound
But our souls screaming in ecstasy
As our breaths catch and our hearts leap
And as we begin to fall
Instead of moving faster
Our pace slows
Our breaths calm
Our heartbeats soften
Till once again....we are on a Sunday drive.
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
In a fix...
It came to my attention today
That when I don't get time to play
My mood can take a turn any day...
For the worse!
I know so clearly what I want
Not getting it puts me in a funk
I never wanted to live life like a monk...
Are you kidding?
Just thinking about it makes me itchy
And then I get a little bit witchy
But most of all I end up bitchy...
And who wants that?
So I seem to be in quite a pickle
And it's making me feel very fickle
I really just want my man to tickle...
I better stop there.
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
That when I don't get time to play
My mood can take a turn any day...
For the worse!
I know so clearly what I want
Not getting it puts me in a funk
I never wanted to live life like a monk...
Are you kidding?
Just thinking about it makes me itchy
And then I get a little bit witchy
But most of all I end up bitchy...
And who wants that?
So I seem to be in quite a pickle
And it's making me feel very fickle
I really just want my man to tickle...
I better stop there.
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
in a MOOD..........
I had a great day yesterday.......and the summer nights recently have reminded me of summer nights when I was a kid. I have really been enjoying them.......as it cools off......a nice breeze blows up......and there is no humidity. VERY nice for being outside.....in fact...even during the day in a shady spot one could be outside dreaming on these wonderful summer days.
Today I woke up late........it was raining.......and nothing has been going as planned since. I have snapped at Noah twice.....and just I don't know.........am sorta like t his today!
Everything online seems to be running S-L-O-W today which tends to wear my patience thin. I try to STEP AWAY for some breaks.....so I don't BASH something in.......and that helps but only until I sit back down here and the process starts all over again.
It is frustrating.....but if that is my biggest pain today I am thankful.
Today I woke up late........it was raining.......and nothing has been going as planned since. I have snapped at Noah twice.....and just I don't know.........am sorta like t his today!
Everything online seems to be running S-L-O-W today which tends to wear my patience thin. I try to STEP AWAY for some breaks.....so I don't BASH something in.......and that helps but only until I sit back down here and the process starts all over again.
It is frustrating.....but if that is my biggest pain today I am thankful.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Beside you...
To stand beside you...
Creates such a charge
The fine hairs on my arm
Are filled with jolts of static electricity
The tiny hairs stretch out as high as they can
Trying to connect to the hairs on your arm
The heat created by our closeness
Pushes me to scoot closer
And press my skin against yours
To sit beside you...
I feel your hard thighs against mine
Each time you move
I am aware of your muscles contracting and releasing
Your legs feel rock hard and solid
Yet they gently rest against mine
As if kissing and caressing them, tempting me
To lie beside you...
Is like heaven on earth
As each night repeats itself
I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face
My skin radiating with love for you
The rhythm of your breathing matching my own
Until even our breaths rise and fall in unison
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Creates such a charge
The fine hairs on my arm
Are filled with jolts of static electricity
The tiny hairs stretch out as high as they can
Trying to connect to the hairs on your arm
The heat created by our closeness
Pushes me to scoot closer
And press my skin against yours
To sit beside you...
I feel your hard thighs against mine
Each time you move
I am aware of your muscles contracting and releasing
Your legs feel rock hard and solid
Yet they gently rest against mine
As if kissing and caressing them, tempting me
To lie beside you...
Is like heaven on earth
As each night repeats itself
I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face
My skin radiating with love for you
The rhythm of your breathing matching my own
Until even our breaths rise and fall in unison
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Sunday, July 15, 2007
my slide-show tribute to the "Fairy Forest"
The Song is "Carolan's Welcome" from "The Twilight Realm"
I also posted this on You Tube....FAIRY FOREST
Friday, July 13, 2007
does anyone remember the scene from the movie "The Birds" ....
where the birds all fly up and land on the playground equipment as Melanie is waiting for Cathy to get out of school?
Well...we have a lot of birds in the evenings that chatter and carry on and flock in the trees so badly......it sounds just like from that movie......AND the last couple nights when I walk out front......the birds start to fly from the trees and fill up the neighbor's tv antenna.....here is a shot of that.....it is rather spooky! I half expect them to start swooping me and I will be running down the street with a blackbird hanging on my back pecking my neck while I am screaming!
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-13
Well...we have a lot of birds in the evenings that chatter and carry on and flock in the trees so badly......it sounds just like from that movie......AND the last couple nights when I walk out front......the birds start to fly from the trees and fill up the neighbor's tv antenna.....here is a shot of that.....it is rather spooky! I half expect them to start swooping me and I will be running down the street with a blackbird hanging on my back pecking my neck while I am screaming!
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-13
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
AN AMAZING link I got on another blogging community I wanted to share here....
Visual DNA - test your personality DNA and compare with others you know......this is very accurate and a lot of fun to do!
VISUAL DNA CLICK HERE
VISUAL DNA CLICK HERE
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
In heat...
Back and forth I pace
Like a caged animal
Seeing you on the other side of the bars
Wanting to get to you
Yet unable to slip thru
My body slinks past yours
Ushering arousal with my scent
My eyes meet yours
As I lick my lips
I move closer
Anticipating you reaching out
Slipping your hand under there
Pulling me closer to you
Our bodies so hot
I swear I see steam rising when they meet
Your breath hot on my cheeks
Your kisses stinging my mouth
Your tongue driving me wild with passion
Nothing else satisfies
I can think of nothing else
I want only you
But......now
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Image Source: Luis Royo Flight's Prelude
Monday, July 09, 2007
Ah...ah...ah...ah...
Ah...ah...ah...ah...
Is what I want to hear
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Am I making it very clear?
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Send me screaming off the bed
Ah...ah... ah... ah...
Spilling out from inside my head
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
I want you on the floor
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Coming in or out the door
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
On the table or against the wall
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Won't you please give me a call?
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Doing it all the time with you
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Honey we're never gonna be through
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
On top or beneath the sheets
Ah...ah... ah... ah...
I consider you nothing but treats
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
You're anything but a bore
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Only you make me scream for more!
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Nasty thoughts... (slightly explicit)
As I grabbed the shaving cream
While in the shower today
My mind took off as usual
With thoughts of how to play
My cream-filled hands began to wander
So slowly they moved around
Applying thick, delicious cream
To my body without a sound
I thought of you as it covered me
In deep, delicious bliss
I only wish you were there
So eager I was to kiss
You anywhere on your body
Your face, your lips, your dick
I could think of many places
I certainly wanted to lick
The feeling sent me reeling
As the cream dripped down my thighs
I imagined you beside me
Your cock just starting to rise
Between my cream filled fingers
So squishy, soft and wet
The main goal in my mind
To make you the happiest yet
I wondered how it would feel
Smearing this between each other
Baby all I've got to say
Is you better run for cover
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Image Source: Google Images
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Thirsty...
Words used to pour forth from your lips
Like water gushing from a waterfall
Splashing on me and around me
Drenching me in their sweetness, their fluidity
I drowned many times over in your words
Such a strange sensation to be drowning yet elated
Floating, carelessly, supported by your words
With never any doubt in my mind of your feelings
Your intentions, your desires, your dreams, your fantasies
Somewhere over time that gushing waterfall
Transformed into a babbling brook
Still able to kiss my skin with sweetness
Showering me with your love
But no longer deafening, sometimes eerily quiet
Depending on the influx from your environment
Sometimes totally silent
During this season of change
I realize I have grown very thirsty
Once satiated, I now silently cry on the sidelines for a drink
Wondering if you even notice my thirst
Or see my parched lips and tongue
Begging for acknowledgment
From the one holding the pitcher to my cup
I remain poised, ready, with lips parted and hands outstretched
Waiting ... wondering if today your rains will return.
Copyright ©2007 man&SippingTheVastSpring
Image Source: Yahoo Images
some shots of bumblebees...
I am not a huge fan of purposefully hanging around anywhere there are bees....I have been stung many times and would like to avoid it in the future if possible...but when I was at my parent's house yesterday for a belated birthday my dad was telling me about these huge bumblebees that hang around in the yard by the sunflowers and other flowers...and while he was talking....here came the big-butt bees!
SO I had to try to snap a few shots....and standing from afar and zooming in did not capture the shots I wanted......so I decided to overcome my fears and stand as close as possible and use my camera's MACRO mode to "get up close and personal!" Below are a few of the results
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Here is a different bumblebee enjoying the sunflowers
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Check out the wing on this one....it reminded me of stained glass windows
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
SO I had to try to snap a few shots....and standing from afar and zooming in did not capture the shots I wanted......so I decided to overcome my fears and stand as close as possible and use my camera's MACRO mode to "get up close and personal!" Below are a few of the results
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Here is a different bumblebee enjoying the sunflowers
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
Check out the wing on this one....it reminded me of stained glass windows
Shot with DMC-TZ1 at 2007-07-08
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