Beefy Or Peachy

Well from what I have seen so far the performances have been mixed, some good, some that should have been skipped by people whose talent has passed. However, this is really more about remembring Diana and her contributions to those she loved and her compassion for her charities.

No matter how much time passes there seems to be a real sadness for the loss of Diana in the world. I can only imagine what it must be like for her sons to be a part of this tribute and to see all the footage about their mother with many in the world looking on.

Sadness and love prevails....
Aly

I know that many of her fans would say of course we should feel sorry for her. Being a fan does not mean we ignore what is right and wrong in a person's behavior in this world. She committed a crime that all people are sentenced for and should be as far too many people die needlessly by people driving under the influence of alcohol. My former in laws lives were changed forever when they had to be removed from their vehicle with the 'jaws of life' from their car after a drunk driver driving without a license hit them after a basketball game. I am sure their injuries shortened their lives.

Something must be done to send the message to people that if you are going to drink stay home or have a designated driver!!!

Per the news, "Paris Hilton was sent screaming and crying back to jail Friday after a judge ruled that she must serve out her rentence behind bars rather than in the comfort of her Hollywood Hills home.

Hours earlier, the 26-year-old hotel heiress was taken handcuffed from her home in a black-and-white police car, paparazzi sprinting in pursuit and helicopters broadcasting live from above. She entered the courtroom disheveled and weeping, hair askew, without makeup, wearing a fuzzy gray sweat shirt over slacks.

She cried throughout the hearing, dabbing her eyes, and her body shook constantly. Several times she turned to her parents, seated behind her in the courtroom, and mouthed, "I love you."

BEIJING (Reuters) - A man in southeast China says 40 years of swallowing tree frogs and rats live has helped him avoid intestinal complaints and made him strong.

Well I have suffered from many a tummy ache but I could never ever in my life imagine eating live frogs or rats or anything of the like!!!

Today was spent doing laundry, putting away dishes and clothes, cleaning off hubby's nightstand and a few other various items. We are getting excited about picking up my son in the morning. I do hope I can sleep normally tonight as I will need to get up earlier then usual for me.

I did get through to my insurance company and they have approved the gel injections for me. Have any of you had them, and if so, did they help you?

We also found a car online through a dealership in Tucson that looks really nice so we will be taking a trip down there over the next few days to see if we can make a deal. I sure hope so as ours is barely running.

Have a good evening all,
Aly 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S.-led soldiers control only about a third of Baghdad, the military said on Monday, almost four months into a security crackdown during which troops are dying at rates not seen for more than two years.

I couldn't even bear to read this entire story. I can't believe how many people have died and will continue to die in a war that should never have started. My heart grieves for them all.

Odin, a five-year-old, 445 pound white Bengal tiger dives for a piece of meat during a performance at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif., Wednesday, May 30, 2007. Odin was born at the park and was hand raised.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)  

What a great shot they took of this Bengal tiger! What a powerful looking animal this is.

"The argument for secession is that the U.S. has become an empire that is essentially ungovernable — it's too big, it's too corrupt and it no longer serves the needs of its citizens," said Rob Williams, editor of Vermont Commons, a quarterly newspaper dedicated to secession.

"We have electoral fraud, rampant corporate corruption, a culture of militarism and war," Williams said. "If you care about democracy and self-governance and any kind of representative system, the only constitutional way to preserve what's left of the Republic is to peaceably take apart the empire."

Well this news certainly caught my eye first thing today and I must say they do state sentiments that I am sure many American citizens must share at this point in time. Some may agree and some may be just starting to lean this way as many of the reasons they state for this act you simply can't argue with. Are citizens finally fed up with the way things are going here in the US? Are the principals that once made us a great nation being comprimised by fraud and corruption, and a war many feel we should never have started?

I guess we will all see as this little state... makes a statement!
Aly

9 tips to save money at the pump!

1. Find a bargain.

If you're taking a summer road trip, plan out your route before you go. Identify gas stations along the way that have the lowest prices.

When I stopped in a beach town last week to fill up my car I didn't plan like I should have (I almost ran out of gas), and it cost me the most I'd ever paid for gas -- $3.85 a gallon. Next time I'll go to GasBuddy.com, a site that lets consumers share gas price information easily, and find a better deal before I head for the beach.

2. Keep your tires fully inflated.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average driver can improve mileage by 3.3 percent simply by inflating their vehicle's tires regularly.

In fact, according to the AAA, under-inflated tires are the No. 1 way we waste gas. One out of every four cars and one out of every three pickups, vans, and SUVs have at least one extremely low tire. So pick up a tire gauge at your local auto parts store and check your tire pressure whenever you pull into a service station for gas. Your car's owner's manual will tell you the recommended PSI -- pounds per square inch -- rating.

3. Get a tune-up.

A vehicle in need of servicing is wasting gas in more ways than one. According to the Department of Energy, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10 percent, while fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve gas mileage by an unbelievable 40 percent.

So kick off your summer by getting that tune-up you've been putting off. Check your owner's manual, or download a free service and maintenance schedule at CarCare.org.

4. Fill 'er up with regular unleaded if possible.

If premium gas isn't absolutely required by your car's manufacturer, then opt for regular unleaded. According to AAA, one out of five gallons of gas pumped in the U.S. is premium -- yet only 10 percent of vehicles require this higher octane fuel.

The truth is that you may not even notice the difference when you drive your car with regular gas instead of premium, and the cost difference can be as much as 40 cents per gallon. If your car doesn't require premium unleaded, you're wasting your money -- premium doesn't improve performance.

5. Adjust your driving habits.

Speeding, excessive accelerating, and sudden braking all waste gas. A more relaxed driving style not only improves safety, it also improves gas mileage by 33 percent for highway driving.

Idling your engine for long periods can also waste up to a gallon of gas per hour. Also, think twice before blasting the air conditioning. According to the Department of Energy, operating your car's air conditioner on its maximum setting can reduce your miles per gallon by 5 to 25 percent compared to not using it at all.

6. Clean out your trunk.

Unnecessary cargo weighs your car down. A hundred extra pounds can reduce your miles per gallon by 2 percent.

Going on vacation? Try to avoid storing luggage on your roof. The increased wind resistance will reduce your mileage as well.

7. Carpool.

You'll literally save thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs if you share a ride to work. Here's an example: If you commute to work 40 miles per day round trip, work full-time, drive a vehicle that gets 24 mpg, and pay the national average for gas, your estimated yearly cost to commute is $5,124.

But if you carpool with one other person, you'll save an estimated $2,562 a year. Carpool with three other people and you'll save an estimated $3,843 a year.

Plug your own commuting numbers into the CommuteSmart cost calculator to see what you can save by carpooling. Then find a rideshare buddy in your area by visiting eRideShare.com.

8. If you're buying a new car, make fuel efficiency a priority.

There's so much to consider when purchasing a new car that fuel efficiency can get lost in the shuffle. By law, however, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) fuel efficiency rating for new cars is posted in large black numbers on a sticker in the window.

Due to the way vehicles (including hybrids) are tested, those EPA ratings didn't used to reflect real-life conditions. But according to a recent Consumer Reports article, the EPA is using a more accurate method for determining fuel efficiency for all 2008 vehicles. So whether you're shopping at a dealer or comparing EPA estimates online, some quick calculations will help you find a fuel efficient car that's right for you.

9. Buy a hybrid, get a tax break.

Driving a hybrid, which runs on a combination of gas and electric power, will significantly increase your miles per gallon. Hybrid cars are becoming more affordable, too.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, in the past it took up to 15 years for the cost savings on gas to offset hybrids' higher sticker prices. But now buyers are seeing a significantly shorter length of time to recoup their investment -- for some models, the break-even period is less than a year.

The government is even offering tax incentives when you purchase certain hybrid vehicles. To find out the details, visit the IRS web site. To read more about hybrid cars, visit Yahoo! Autos.

 This is just too precious!!!

The cubs, whom officials at the Jinan Paomaling Wild Animal World in Shandong province are so far just calling "One," "Two" and "Three," have been nursed by a dog since they were rejected by their tiger mother shortly after birth, said Paomaling manager Chen Yucai.

Newgard and co-author John McConnell collected data on 67,284 drivers and front-seat passengers involved in car crashes. They found that while air bags were effective for people of medium height -- from 5 feet 3 inches tall to 5 feet 11 inches tall -- they were actually harmful to people shorter than 4 feet 11 inches tall and those more than 6 feet 3 inches tall. Body weight was not a factor in injury rates.

"If you are of short stature or tall stature you may be putting yourself at risk for injury by riding in the front seat of a vehicle that has an air bag," Newgard said. "Right now, there is no federal safety guideline regarding occupant size for adults and air bags."

Something to think about!

The first forever stamps are selling for 41 cents apiece, but they won't have a price printed on them and they will remain valid for sending a letter regardless of any future increases.

While the first-class rate will rise from 39 cents to 41 cents for the first ounce, people sending heavier letters — such as wedding invitations — will see a reduction in the price. That's because each additional ounce will cost just 17 cents, down from the current 24 cents. That means a two-ounce letter will cost 58 cents to mail, compared with 63 cents now.

International rates are also going up so be ready for that increase also!

Have a good Monday everyone,
Aly

Well now that spring is here of course the gas prices have gone to ' GREED ' stage and now we are all faced with outrageous prices for gas. For some reason gas gouging seems to still be allowed in our great nation. Are you contacting the elected officicals in your state to see what they are doing about this situation? Do we have NO VOICE?

To help you find the cheapest gas prices in your area I have added a search tool under my favorites section on my sidebar. I hope this helps you deal with this chronic problem.

Have a good Friday everyone,
Aly

March 30, 2007 – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory to inform the public that Zelnorm is being taken off the market because it has been found to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and worsening heart chest pain.

My brother was just taken off this medication and his doctor wouldn't tell him why! Well I and Google did a little research and quickly came up with the reason why so if you or anyone you know is on it please discuss this with your prescribing doctor.

Stay safe. Do your homework on drugs prescribed to you. Since my personal injury from taking Levaquin you can rest assured nothing passes my lips before I know the possible side effects given my medical history. Not enough tests are done before these drugs are released and not enough warnings either!

This headline on Yahoo this morning sickened me!

URL Buyers hope to cash in on tragedy!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_hi_te/virginia_tech_domain_names;_ylt=AmfZ80IwGmmpsojvtkyBHB8DW7oF

That is the URL and I hope people take the time to read it and voice their dismay and disgust for someone taking advantage of the sensation of young dead college students!!! How DARE HE??? If I were the parent of one of these young students who lost their life that horrible day I would be LIVID with him! What if one of those kids was HIS child? Would he then be so eager to make a BUCK off their death? I am beginning to wonder what has happened to the CORE VALUES of the people that make up our once great nation! What is becoming of us? Have we become so docile that we don't dare to speak out against what is blatantly WRONG?

And since I am on this bandwagon this morning how many of you have taken the time to watch 'HACKING DEMOCRACY'. If you do nothing else this weekend watch that documentary and you will be amazed at the answers these people found about our polling systems!

Well now that they are down to the top 6 how many of you think you know who will be the next American Idol? With this show so many people have the chance to change their life. This is an example of the American Dream come true.

I heard a talk show host this morning saying they think Jordin Sparks will be the winner and she's only 17! Who is your choice????

Well on one hand I feel that airing this kind of material could serve a purpose in raising the consciousness of the powers that be to the fact that GUN CONTROL in the US is very lax and needs to be revamped. I do NOT believe everyone should have the right to bear arms. The fact that the world is becoming an increasingly unsafe place for our children and ourselves, I do believe the people need to take a stronger stance with the people in power making the decisions about who should be able to purchase guns.

The other side of me is the feeling side that can only feel horror if I had just lost a child during this massacre and had to witness seeing this man on TV spewing his hatred. If I had a choice I would choose not to watch it. I chose not to watch it as I already believe very strongly that he should never had the ability to purchase the guns period. I also believe there were many warning signs that the University and the people around him should have reported him to the proper people, the police, anyone who could assess this young man's ability to stay sane or not. If he was on medication then most certainly a counselor must have known this man was a threat to others as well as to himself!

Silence is NOT GOLDEN when a threat is at hand. Think of all the lives that could have been saved if people didn't joke about his hateful ways but had kept complaining about their concerns and their safety to the proper authorities.... I am not a firm believer in blame and shame, however, I am a believer in doing the right thing even if you might be going out on a limb to do it. Sometimes our lack of action is worse then anything in the end. It is the same thing if we let a wound go untreated.. it only gets infected and spreads.

As a people we need to be standing up more for what is right and what is wrong here in the US. We are at a crossroads on many issues now facing this great nation. How long will everyone keep silent and just continue letting needless crimes and bad decisions be the faceplate for this great nation?

May courage and strength follow our deeds,
Aly

With all the news stories and articles online and in the papers and on TV we are left wondering " if this young man was so very troubled and that some of the school professors and counselors were aware of this fact " then why wasn't more done about this to either help him or stop a nightmare event that occurred perhaps due to lack of action by those who could have either helped or prevented this act of violence?

I read where they said they did all they could do and 'there is no handbook or manual for this sort of thing' and while I agree with that statement to a point, all Universities should have some training for this kind of potential threat to their schools and students! This is not the first time there have been killings at a school. What does it take in order to make those people in power at these institutions to take precautions and perhaps even to run classes on this kind of threat?

Perhaps it takes an event like this to wake people up to what a violent world we are living in. With 'the right to bear arms' and how easy it is for people to get their hands on them it seems, then we can only expect more of these types of events. Other countries have taken much stonger stances on the ability to get firearms. When is AMERICA going to wake up and see that guns can't be in the hands of everyone who wants one? I think we need much stricter regulations on guns and the ability to get them. I hope I am the voice of many and not of the few!!!!

May all the families that lost their son(s) or daughter(s) find some peace somehow. Right now they must be outraged and in shock over all this senseless and perhaps preventable massacre!

May Love and Peace find a way to their hearts,
Aly

Well this is beginning to look like a 'real 3 Ring Circus' here with 3 different men claiming to be the father of Anna's baby girl. The tragedy is over the baby girl and who will she end up with and care for her and love her as she deserves to be loved. Anna obviously suffered from a very troubled life to live life the way she did. May her soul rest in peace.

Money and greed changes all people almost all the time. Sometimes people get it.. you can't take money with you and it doesn't make your days filled with more real love either.

Oh well we can only wish for the best for her daughter now. 

"It's now illegal to feed the homeless in Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas enacted a similar law at the same time as Orlando. Tourist towns think alike."

For the first time anyone in Orlando could remember, not only would panhandlers find themselves in the crosshairs of the law, but so would those trying to help them.

I know that this is a tough issue to deal with and there are arguments to support each side of thought here, however, what is the world coming to when it is becoming illegal to feed a hungry person, or a hungy family with small children with nowhere to live, except in the streets?

What is the answer to this problem? It is not just going to go away. My aunt lives in Ft. Lauderdale and she helped organize a soup kitchen for the homeless under much protest from her church. Fears of personal harm or the church being vandalized came to the forefront instead of doing what is right for those less fortunate. She tells me their stories of personal loss of jobs, of being alienated from their families, of children going hungry, and I can only commend her efforts to serve them food, to serve them kindness in a world that is becoming increasingly cold and callous.

May Peace, Love, and Courage follow our footsteps,
Aly

Mood: horrified

A mother was arrested on suspicion of murdering her newborn daughter by microwaving the baby in an oven. China Arnold, 26, was jailed Monday on a charge of aggravated murder, more than a year after she brought her dead month-old baby to a hospital. Bail was set Tuesday at $1 million.

"We have reason to believe, and we have some forensic evidence that is consistent with our belief, that a microwave oven was used in this death," said Ken Betz, director of the Montgomery County coroner's office.

He said the evidence included high-heat internal injuries and the absence of external burn marks on the baby, Paris Talley.

Arnold was arrested soon after the baby's death in August 2005, then was released while authorities investigated further. Betz said the case was difficult because "there is not a lot of scientific research and data on the effect of microwaves on human beings."

The death was ruled homicide by hyperthermia, or high body temperature. The absence of external burns ruled out an open flame, scalding water or a heating pad as the cause, Betz said.