Beefy Or Peachy

"The mother of a 9-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl who were fatally stabbed more than 200 times each inside their suburban Chicago home was charged Friday with two counts of first-degree murder, authorities said.

Tonya Vasilev, 34 -- a heavy bandage covering her left wrist -- appeared in court Friday afternoon and answered the judge's questions in a soft, shaking voice. The judge appointed a public defender to represent her and ordered her held without bail.

Investigators believe she was at home Wednesday night when Christian and Gracie Vasilev were killed. The children's father and a friend who had been living with the family discovered the bloody scene when they arrived home that evening.

Police found the boy lying just inside the front door and carried him outside, where they tried in vain to resuscitate him, said Hoffman Estates Police Lt. Rich Russo.

The little girl and the children's mother were both upstairs. The girl was dead, and her mother had what appeared to be minor cuts on her hands. Police recovered several knives believed to have been used to kill the children."

"It really doesn't get much worse than this," said Russo, who would not discuss a possible motive for the killings.

My God, how could a mother ever do such a thing? I am sickened by th is story. Our society is in trouble. Violence has gotten out of hand. People seem to have less and less coping skills period.

check out the 2 new links on my Favorites list. If they don't make you laugh, nothing will...grin.

Oh my, I have tears running down my cheeks after listening to these two!

Enjoy

Please do not copy this picture. If you'd like permission to use it, contact me and I will ask the photographer for her permission or put you in touch with her. Thanks!

After so many problems using IE and java problems, besides so many hackers knowing IE so well, I am grateful for the option of using another safer browser for my online work and play.

I highly recommend it to others to try :)

Wow, our vacation is coming up soon. Of course I hate to fly, my husband loves it, so I manage to do it gripping his hand like a vice for the entire flight. Of course I can't sleep cuz its my job to make sure the plane stays in the air, lol. Sheesh, he can just lay back and go to sleep. I envy people who have that ability.

We are looking forward to seeing and being with family, and visiting the coastline and beaches while we're there. The only thing I miss living in AZ is the ocean being within an hour or 2 drive away. Something so calming about it there.

Another dreaded thing to think about: packing! I usually bring enough for 5 weeks in stead of a week or two. This year I swear will be different.  Grin. My poor hubby has to carry it all, and then I usually end up wearing 5 or 6 things and washing them. So my new mantra will be... do not overpack, save my husbands' back! Smile.

Being a 'survivor' of childhood abuse has left me with many scars. Every day of my life I'm reminded of the 7 years of abuse that changed my life forever.

Recently I was asked, "what hurts you more today?" The abuse, or the anger? I sat and had to really think about that question. At first I was going to respond, well the abuse of course. But in all honesty, my answer has to be the resulting anger. I believe it stultified my personal growth in so many ways, and still does today, when I let it.

I suffer from fibromyalgia, which is a very painful connective tissue disease. They attribute this to my childhood sexual abuse. I imagine some of the readers here also have it. It use to be misdiagnosed all the time, sometimes as chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes Epstein Barr syndrome, sometimes people, including doctors would look at you as if you were crazy with some of the symptoms we suffer from. Now they can pinpoint the disease by detecting trigger points on your body along with your other symptoms. There are 18 points that can be affected on your body. I have them all.

Its hard not to feel sorry for myself some days. Its hard not to keep asking, why me? Its hard not to wonder ... I wonder what my life would be like had I not been abused, and for so long before I threatened my abuser. My abuse started at the age of 4. Being a mother, I can't imagine that happening to anyone at that age.

I've had extensive therapy treatments over the years, putting myself back together again, so to speak. The work still continues, and fortunately with an excellent therapist, and a wonderful husband, I am trusting more and more each day.

I've been told I have Post traumatic Stress Disorder.. the same diagnosis as if I'd been a Vietnam War survivor. That is also hard to imagine. Pain is hard to picture until you feel its manifestation taking place.

If you know of someone who would care to share about this here or in private emails, please feel free to let me know.

I believe in healing. I believe in sharing. I believe in living and moving on. I believe in learning to trust again. I extend myself to anyone else who shares the same beliefs.

 

A man told police he kept his mother's corpse in a basement freezer for more than four years while he collected her Social Security checks, authorities said Monday. A body was found encased in ice, in a sitting position.

Philip Schuth, 52, told police his elderly mother, Edith, died of natural causes in August 2000, but that he didn't tell anyone because he was afraid police would blame him, according to documents filed in court Monday.

I am frightened by stories like this. I wonder where our world is headed? Why so much violence exists in our world. What can we do as caring citizens to claim a world back of thoughtful citizens, caring neighbors, cared for children?

One day at a time we can influence someone with kindness. One day at a time we can report a crime if we see one being committed. We can spend more time with our children or grandchildren committing ourselves to their healthiness, both physically and emotionally.

We have to stop being a mindless workaholic society and become more civic minded, more community minded, more loving in our nature.

If we reach out to others in this world, can we make a difference? Can we change our stars? I for one certainly hope so.....

I am still waiting for some intellectual comments and I am a very patient person, smile~

Please add your thoughts here among these pages. I do so welcome other peoples thoughts!

In a world that is constantly changing, one thing of late that is not changing is the amount of hate and anger that is acted out around the world.

Do people realize the destruction is not only to human lives,but to the fiber of our existence on earth? What compels people to think they are so omnipotent that they can take masses of human lives... for what cause? What in the eyes of God makes this right?

I'm so sick of turning on the news, reading the news, and hearing of more deaths around the US and the World.

When will the violence stop? When the world is ended by these hate groups? I am speaking of all hate groups, I am not picking out just one.

When thinking about this topic, I guess many things come to mind.

A day of feeling well. A day of going out to dinner and movie. A day of spending time with family and friends. A wonderful church service with loving meaningful conversations. A warm cuddle with your loved one. Holding a baby. A walk in the park, or along the beach. Viewing the stars on a clear night.

Watching your cat or dog do amusing tricks. Listening to great music. Having a wonderful meal. Sharing an intimate conversation with trusted friends. Going to a fantastic musical or theatrical performance. Christmas carols.

Overcoming a fear in your life. Making something wonderful happen for someone else. Peace in your heart.

Loving your soulmate.

I could go on and on. Perhaps someone else could share back with me? Now that would be delightful indeed!

 

 

 

I get so mad when I think of the Drs who prescribed this medication for me because of my fibromyalgia. I tried using it and felt worse, so stopped taking it. Thank God I did or I might have had a worse situation to deal with.

The doctor who wanted me to take it.. called me medication resistant... I'm sure he was paid to push the drugs.. but I didn't feel well on it. Some times we have to listen to our bodies and go with that.

I'm tired of hearing of all the problems with medications that are not really safe.

Ranting.....

Connecticut on Wednesday became the second state to offer civil unions to gay couples -- and the first to do so without being forced by the courts.

About an hour after the state Senate sent her the legislation, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed into law a bill that will afford same-sex couples in Connecticut many of the rights and privileges of married couples.

"The vote we cast today will reverberate around the country and it will send a wave of hope to many people, to thousands of people across the country," said Sen. Andrew McDonald, who is gay.

The state House passed the measure last week but amended it to define marriage under Connecticut law as between one man and one woman. The Senate approved the amended bill Wednesday 26-8. The law takes effect October 1.

"I have said all along that I believe in no discrimination of any kind, and I think that this bill accomplishes that, while at the same time preserving the traditional language that a marriage is between a man and a woman," Rell said.

Vermont is the only other state to allow civil unions. Massachusetts allows gay couples to marry. But those changes came about after same-sex couples won court battles.

Last summer, seven same-sex couples sued in Connecticut after being denied marriage licenses; the case has not been resolved.

Roman Catholics and other activists plan a big rally Sunday in opposition to the bill.

Marie Hilliard, executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference, said the civil union proposal "got more legs than we ever hoped it would get." About 44 percent of the state's 3 million residents are Roman Catholic.

Brian Brown, head of the Family Institute of Connecticut, said his group intends to keep the issue squarely before the public.

"Our mission will be to let every person know in the state of Connecticut which lawmakers voted to redefine marriage, and which lawmakers voted to protect marriage," he said.

Anne Stanback, executive director of Loves Makes a Family, said her group would probably begin talking to lawmakers about gay marriage -- though she acknowledged it's not likely the issue will be taken up next session.

"As important as the rights are, this is not yet equality," she said.

Reflecting a continued shift of U.S. population to the South and West, Florida, California and Texas will make up nearly half of total U.S. population growth between 2000 and 2030, the Census Bureau said Thursday.

In new state population projections, the bureau said Florida, now the 4th most populous state, should edge past New York into 3rd place by 2011, while California and Texas will continue to rank 1st and 2nd, respectively, in 2030.

These three states would each gain more than 12 million people between 2000 and 2030, accounting for 46 percent of total U.S. population growth during the period. Arizona, meanwhile, is projected to add 5.6 million people, and North Carolina, with 4.2 million, would round out the top five numerical gainers.

As a result, Arizona and North Carolina would move into the top 10 in total population by 2030 with Arizona rising to 10th place from 20th place in 2000 and North Carolina would rise to 7th place from 11th place. Michigan and New Jersey are projected to drop out of the top 10.

The bureau said the projections were produced by its Population Division based on data from the 50 states and the District of Columbia from the 2000 census. They represent the result of a mathematical projection model that assumes the continuation of current state-specific trends in fertility, mortality and domestic and international migration.

The projections indicate that the five fastest-growing states between 2000 and 2030 would be Nevada, at 114 percent over the period, Arizona at 109 percent, Florida at 80 percent, Texas at 60 percent and Utah at 56 percent.

Being that we live in Arizona, we can attest to the unbelievable growth that continues here along with the prices of homes due to the high demand of properties.

Disco night on 'American Idol'' nearly proves to be the last dance for Anthony and Scott, but it's music teacher Anwar who fails to make the grade by Michael Slezak.

When even your core fans can't think of anything nice to say about you, you know your time on American Idol is coming to an end. And so it was for music teacher Anwar Robinson, whose performance of Earth, Wind & Fire's ''September'' got panned by not only Simon Cowell but also the majority of EW.com readers.

''I've been an Anwar supporter, but he gets worse each week, rather than better,'' wrote Katie. A reader named JS agreed, arguing that while the ever-smiling contestant seems like a nice guy, his performances didn’t warrant the praise heaped on him by judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

Not to worry, a lot of the critiques of Anwar on our Idol message board were downright Simon-esque. ''I couldn't watch Anwar flailing around toward the end of his song — it was scary and embarrassing,'' wrote Donn. Meanwhile, Shingo noted that while Anwar's song choice was fabulous, his ''cheesy delivery of said song'' was not.

Dozens of you not only correctly predicted Anwar's ouster but also guessed that he would be joined in the bottom three by Scott Savol and Anthony Fedorov (the producers didn't reveal which one was the second lowest vote getter). But while most of you were rooting for Scott's demise in the competition, there appears to be a sudden groundswell of support for Anthony in the wake of his hip-swaying rendition of Tavares' ''Don't Take Away the Music.''

But if Scott survives one more week, I'm worried some of you might take to the streets with picket signs. ''With Scott's bad attitude, bad wardrobe, and just plain ole lack of good taste,'' asked Wanda, ''how does America continue to keep him alive?''

Another reader, a self-described fan of both Idol and The Amazing Race, compared Scott to the latter show's older duo of Meredith and Gretchen: ''Consistently bad, but one other singer manages to be worse each week. This week's chum — Anwar.''

Anthony's bottom-three placing, however, is likely to provoke a mixed reaction among EW.com readers, since most of you either love his performances or hate them. As a result, he takes home this week's prize for most divisive contestant.

''Anthony was awesome last night,'' wrote Mandy. ''He shows range, and can sing and dance at the same time.'' Hadical agreed, arguing that ''Anthony is slowly rising to the top with what was last night's best performance.'' Broadway Baby, on the other hand, tabbed Anthony's Tuesday-night performance as one of the two weakest, while Chloe from Ft. Myers called him ''mediocre at best.''

Another emerging trend from our message boards: A lot of you are saying this season's competitors don't compare to the previous three sets of Idol finalists. ''No one seems to want to win it this year,'' wrote Tim. ''In previous seasons, you could tell that as the weeks went by, the contestants stepped it up a notch, but not this year! Safe song after safe song!''

A reader named Rita concurred: ''No one has been really bringing it, improving each week, showing their versatility, and being able to change it up as a live performer,'' she wrote. ''In seasons past, the best performers like Kelly, Clay, Kim Locke, and Fantasia would really work hard and it showed on stage; this year it seems as if simply the exposure on national TV is enough.''

Or, as TMH put it, ''None of the contestants are anywhere near as good as last year's. I mean, come on, no one can top Fantasia. The only one to come even close [Mario Vazquez] left when he had a chance to be in the top 12.''

Frequent poster LKD, however, sees it differently: ''I'd like to know what some people think this season is lacking. We've got two contestants unlike any other we've seen before (Constantine and Bo), one Stepford wife/Barbie doll fembot, a larger-than-life and sweet mail-carrier (Vonzell), a Ukrainian who embraces the cheesy, the kind and sincere schoolteacher Anwar, and the controversial, wrong-side-of-the-tracks boy who people feel sorry for (Scott). What's not to love about this season?''

Well, for one thing, bloated tributes to irritating host Ryan Seacrest, and his inexplicable new star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. How much do you think those things are going for on eBay, anyhow?

Oh, and while we're on the subject of Mr. Seacrest, in case he (or clueless Carrie Underwood) happens to be reading this column, our insightful reader Fran would like to give you a little primer on the meaning of those tricky ''MacArthur Park'' lyrics, so pay attention: '' 'Someone left the cake out in the rain' means that you had a good thing and it's ruined. 'I'll never have the recipe again' means that you can't recreate that wonderful experience. Okay, Ryan? Okay, Carrie?'' School's in session, people!

What do you think? Did Anwar deserve to go home this week, or did another contestant catch a lucky break? And what musical genre would you like the show to cover next?

http://www.ew.com/ew/package/0,12938,266575_3_0_,00.html

168 moments of silence, victims of the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history were remembered Tuesday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Some 1,600 people inside the First United Methodist Church fell silent at 9:02 a.m. (10:02 a.m. ET), the moment the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed exactly 10 years ago.

Some brought teddy bears and flowers to be placed at the memorial.

"All of us respect you for the way you've borne tragedy over the last decade and for your great devotion to the memory of those who died here," Vice President Cheney told survivors and loved ones.

"That spring morning 10 years is still deeply etched in our memories," he said.

"Goodness overcame evil that day," said the vice president.

Here's the new Pope!



Pope John Paul II's closest confidant and as many analysts are saying he will provide continuity to John Paul's theological beliefs. He may not have the same charisma, but time will tell.

He's 78 years young which I found to be a bit surprising. He certainly has his work cut out for him.

What are your thoughts on their choice?

 

Inspiring thoughts for a friend

 

1. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
   
   
2. When the door of happiness closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
   
   
3. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
   
   
4. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also
   true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
   
   
5. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you  back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
   
   
6. Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
   
   
7. There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!
   
   
8. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be.
   
   
9. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
   
   
10. Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it
    probably hurts the other person, too.
    
    
11. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
    
    
12. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
    
    
13. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.  Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and  everyone around you is crying.