There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’Life Is a Gift

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,’Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’ The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: ‘Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.’

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Today before you say an unkind word -
Think of someone who can’t speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who’s crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life -Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children -Think of someone who desires children but they’re barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn’t clean or sweep -Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive-Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job -Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another -Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down -Put a smile on your face and thank GOD you’re alive and still around.

APPLES: protects your heart;  prevents constipation; Blocks diarrhea; Improves lung capacity; Cushions joints

BANANAS: Protects your heart, Quiets a cough, Strengthens bones, Controls blood pressure Blocks diarrhea

BEANS: Prevents constipation, Helps hemorrhoids, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Stabilizes blood sugar

BEETS: Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones, Protects your heart, Aids weight loss

BLUEBERRIES: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Boosts memory, Prevents constipation

BROCCOLI: Strengthens bones, Saves eyesight, Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure

CANTALOUPE: Saves eyesight, Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Supports immune system,

CARROTS: Saves eyesight, Protects your heart, Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Promotes weight loss

CAULIFLOWER: Protects against Prostate Cancer, Combats Breast Cancerm Strengthens bonesm Banishes bruises, Guards against heart disease

CHILLI PEPPERS: Aids digestion, Soothes sore throat, Clears sinuses, Combats Cancer, Boosts immune system

FISH: Protects your heart, Boosts memory, Protects your heart, Combats Cancer, Supports immune system

FLAX: Aids digestion, Battles diabetes, Protects your heart, Improves mental health Boosts immune system

GARLIC: Lowers cholesterol, Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, kills bacteria, Fights fungus

GRAPEFRUIT: Protects against heart attacks,  Promotes Weight los, Helps stops strokes, Combats Prostate Cancer, Lowers cholesterol

GREEN TEA: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Helps stops strokes, Promotes Weight loss, Kills bacteria

LEMONS: Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure, Smoothes skin, Stops scurvy

LIMES: Combats cancer, Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin Stops scurvy

MANGOES: Combats cancer, Boosts memory, Regulates thyroid, aids digestion, Shields against Alzheimer’s

MUSHROOMS: Controls blood pressure, Lowers cholesterol, Kills bacteria, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones

OATS: Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer Battles diabetes prevents constipation Smoothes skin
olive oil Protects your heart Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Battles diabetes Smoothes skin
onions Reduce risk of heart attack Combats cancer Kills bacteria Lowers cholesterol Fights fungus
oranges Supports immune systems Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Straightens respiration

PEACHES: Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Helps stops strokes, aids digestion, Helps hemorrhoids 

PEANUTS: Protects against heart disease,  Promotes Weight loss, Combats Prostate Cancer, Lowers cholesterol, aggravates
diverticulitis 

PINEAPPLE: Strengthens bones, Relieves colds, Aids digestion, Dissolves warts, Blocks diarrhea

PRUNES: Slows aging process, prevents constipation, boosts memory, Lowers cholesterol, Protects against heart disease

RICE: Protects your heart, Battles diabetes, Conquers kidney stones, Combats cancer, Helps stops strokes

TOMATOES: Protects prostate, Combats cancer, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart  

WALNUTS: Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, boosts memory, Lifts mood, Protects against heart disease

WHEAT GERM: Combats Colon Cancer, prevents constipation, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, improves digestion

WHEAT BRAN: Combats Colon

I LOVE a great salon. What respectable woman doesn’t? Just to go in, get the latest juicy gossip, be pampered and come out looking even better than when you went in…yes, definately a great thing. So when we went to see Suzette Audia at Suzette Audia Hair Group in Plano, we weren’t disappointed. Hugs all around and among a dozen customers there was plenty of laughter and banter. Just makes your day feel so much better. Every woman needs a good laugh, and we had plenty while we were there. Makes you wonder doesn’t it. Is it really our hair that we obsess about when we HAVE to see our beautician, or is it just the company and quality of friends? In any case, a nice color, wash, trim and style has the ability to put you in an amazingly good mood, don’t you agree. My assistant, Shasta, refused to have her long locks cut shorter. Don’t you worry though, because Suzette and I have a makeover planned for her in the near future. That will be an event in itself, and Im planning on having it video taped and before and after pictures. We are going to give her a chic new style and a new color, so be on the lookout for updates on that! If you are in the market for a new beautician, make your way over to Suzette Audia Hair Group, 4105 Spring Creek Pkwy, Suite 606A in Plano. You will find her salon nestled in the Stone Creek Professional Center. As an ex-trainer for Matrix colouring, she’s the best at what she does and only takes clients by appointment only, so call her and be sure she can get you in!

My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings, bought me a mood ring
the other day so he would be able to monitor my moods.
We’ve discovered that when I’m in a good mood, it turns green.
When I’m in a bad mood, it leaves a big red mark on his
forehead.
Maybe next time he’ll buy me a diamond … Dumb ass.

From the Pulpit

The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:

The first worm in alcohol - Dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke- Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.

So the Minister asked the congregation - What can you learn from this demonstration?

A little girl sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, “As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!”

That pretty much ended the service –

Eliminate cat’s ear mites.    All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat’s ear…Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat’s skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Kills fleas instantly…Dawn dishwashing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog’s bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor …Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Did You Know tha t drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately– without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional “pain relievers.”

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They’ll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 table s poon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly– even though the product was never been advertised for this use.

Honey remedy for skin blemishes .  Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus. Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection… To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer … If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can’t find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover.   Just pour a drop of Elmer’s Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt’s tomato paste boil cure ..cover the boil with Hunt’s tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters… To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine.   A powerful antiseptic.

Vinegar to heal bruises … Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief… It’s not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

Great Words of wisdom. . . Sad, but True

1) Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.
          -  Mark  Twain

2) I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
          - Winston  Churchill

3) A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
          -  George Bernard Shaw

 4) Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have  for dinner.
          - James Board, Civil  Libertarian (1994)

  5) Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries.
          - Douglas Casey,  Classmate of Bill Clinton at

                                          Georgetown University

6) Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
          - P.J. O’Rourke, Civil Libertarian 

7) Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:  If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize  it.
          -  Ronald Reagan (1986)

 8) I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
          - Will Rogers

  9) If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s  free.
         -  P.J. O’Rourke

 10) In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
          - Voltaire (1764)

11) Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you
        - Pericles (430  B.C)

12) No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
           - Mark Twain (1866)

 13) Talk is cheap … except when Congress does it.
          -  Unknown

 14) The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
          -  Winston Churchill 

 15) What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
          -  Edward Langley, Artist (1928 - 1995)

16) A government big enough to give you everything you want,

Next, if your Mapsco is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If in Denton

Dallas

There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Dallas

The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday’s rush hour starts Thursday morning.

If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot.  When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.

Construction on Central Expressway is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. We had sooo much fun with that, we have added George Bush Freeway and the High Five to the mix.

All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, “Oh, we’re in Fort Worth

If someone actually has his or her turn signal on, it is probably a
factory defect. Car horns are actually “Road Rage” indicators - and
remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas.

All old ladies with blue hair in a Mercedes have the right of way.
Period.  And remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas

Inwood Road, Plano Road, NW Highway, East Grand, Garland Road, Marsh Lane, Josey Lane, 15th Street, Preston Road all mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these are only a FEW examples). The perfect example is what is MOSTLY known as Plano Road . On the south end, it is known as Lake Highlands Drive, cross Northwest Highway and it becomes Plano Road, go about 8 miles and it is briefly Greenville Ave, Ave K, and Highway 5.  It ends 60 miles away in Sherman

The North Dallas Tollway is our daily version of NASCAR. The minimum acceptable speed on the Dallas North Toll Road is 85 mph. Anything less is considered downright sissy. It also ends in Sherman

If asking directions in Irving or SE Dallas, you must have knowledge of Spanish.  If in central Richardson or on Harry Hines, Mandarin Chinese will be your best bet. If you stop to ask directions on Gaston or Live Oak, you better be armed… and remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas

The wrought iron on windows near Oak Cliff and Fair  Park

It is possible to be driving WEST in the NORTH-bound lane of EAST NORTHWEST Highway

Interstate Loop

If it’s 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it’s 10
degrees and sleeting/snowing, the Fort Worth Stock Show is going on.

If it has rained 6 inches in the last hour, the Byron Nelson Golf
Classic is in the second round (if it’s Spring) - and it is the Texas State Fair if it’s Fall.

If you go to the Fair, pay the $8.00 to park INSIDE Fair Park

Any amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, racetracks, airports, etc., are conveniently located as far away from EVERYTHING as possible so as to allow for ample parking on grassy areas.

Final Warning: Don’t Mess With Texas Drivers … remember, it’s legal to be armed in Texas.

All Americans are entitled to free credit reports every year from each of the three major credit bureaus. The credit reports used to cost as much as $9.50 each.

  Buying Groceries, The Safe Way

In todays society, we try to chose carefully what we are serving on the dinner table. But were you counting on the uninvited guests?

Bacteria and other pathogens can lurk in food, even if the ‘fresh’ ingredients were purchased from the grocery store a mere hour ago and cooked to perfection.

“Once something is contaminated, bacteria can grow very quickly,” said Urvashi Rangan, a senior scientist with Consumers Union, a publisher of Consumer Reports. And chances are fairly high that most of us carry home some kind of ‘surprise’ in our grocery bag.

Last year alone, there were 76 million cases of reported food poisoning in the United States reported the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 5,000 of those resulted in fatalities.

This year, the reports are rampant. Jeff Nelken, a food safety expert from California said “We do know that food poisoning is a big problem in this country.”

Additionally, many cases go unreported.

Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and fever that last from one day up to a week. The condition may become more serious for anyone with a compromised immune system.

Fortunately, there are several easy ways to lower the risk of becoming a victim to food borne illness while shopping at the grocery store.

Rangan advises these tips.

1. Beware of Temperature

• Grocery shopping should be the last errand on the list to make sure bacteria does not thrive in transit. For some foods, a temperature above 40 degrees can promote spoilage.
• Select the most perishable items (meat and dairy) after you have shopped for your non-perishables.
• Avoid meat, produce and dairy items that have been stacked too high in the refrigerators to remain cold.

2. Keep Track of Recalls.

• So far in 2007, the headlines read: E-coli found in burgers. Salmonella in peanut butter. Botulism in green beans. Stay in touch with the news and dispose of any possibly-contaminated brands.

3. Avoid Cross Contamination.

• Always bag your produce, and double-bag your meat. If there are no bags in the meat department, pick up some extras from produce.
• Do not place food in the shopping cart’s child seat. Chances are a toddler with a dirty diaper has sat there recently.
• Always wash fresh fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home.

4. Examine Purchases.

• Bruising does not necessarily indicate pathogens, according to Michelle Smith, a scientist with the FDA’s food safety office. However, stay away from produce, such as cucumbers, apples and peaches in which the skin is punctured.
• Beware of pests in the store. They indicate uncleanliness. “Flies, for example may carry bacteria, and roaches carry up to 25 to 30 different diseases,” said food expert Nelken. Bugs should be treated as a red flag to shop at another store.

While no one can completely eradicate their chance of food poisoning, we can all reduce the likelihood of getting sick, Nelken said. And the first step is at the grocery store.

Sleep, perchance to dream. I’m no Shakespeare but it’s estimated that almost 75 percent of adults experience some sleeping problems a few nights a week or more. Almost 40 percent get fewer than 7 hours. Is it any wonder that over 1/3 of adults are so sleeping during the day that it interferes with daily activities. Tivita’s Weekly Wellness Report is an excellent source of health and wellness information. It’s free and written by their chief science officer Dr. Minshwe, an M.D., naturopath and alternative health expert. To subscribe, go to www.trivita.com or call 800-991-7116. You can order their vitamins and other wellness products on line, by phone, or through their mail order catalog. Either way, you may be able to sleep tight, and sleep period.