New Years Resolution

In a perfect world there would be no losers. We’d all be able to walk down the street without a second glance. People would treat each other with equal respect and tolerance. Our children would be happy and secure in knowing it’s who you are that counts – not what you look like. But we don’t live in a perfect world – nor are any of us truly perfect people.

Growing up I was always told – “you’d be so pretty if you just lost a little weight.” Didn’t they know that I was already pretty? What a beautiful person I was in my heart? I think ever since then I’ve been self conscious of who I am – always doubting myself and I don’t want to do that anymore! I’m a strong person – I am intelligent – and damn it I am beautiful!

When I was 27 my doctors finally diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. Finally – a reason for the slow metabolism and overall sluggish feelings I’d been living with so long! But – it’s been ten years since then and I’m tired of this battle over my weight. I can keep blaming bad genetics for my problem, keep wallowing in self pity and eating to cover the pain. Or I can do something to change it all – to take that giant step and commit to getting fit for life.

I’m at a time in my life where I’m not working. Not by choice – trust me - I’ve applied to almost 100 employers in the past three months. I’ve had 7 face-to-face interviews of which I’ve been more than qualified. But you can see it in their eyes when you walk into the room. THIS thing wants to work in marketing? This person can’t represent the image I want for my company. I’m almost dismissed immediately as a person of intelligence or one who could offer anything of importance to a company. Since I’m not working for the first time in forever – I have the time to take off to dedicate to improving ME!

I’m a creative person – relatively smart – and I actually love to do research. I’m married to a man surviving Cystic Fibrosis and the many issues that come along with that disease. I’m the mother of a 15 year old son – what a truly wonderful person he is becoming! I’ve been fighting obesity for 15 years – and it is time to win the war! When I’m finished – forget becoming Donald Trump's next Apprentice! I'm going to take over the world!

I've been Tagged

I've been tagged by RevRee. Apparently I'm supposed to respond to the following questions - and then "tag" other bloggers to respond to the same ones. however -I don't know too many people to tag - so my list at the bottom will be pretty short.

You get one wish of anything, what would you ask for?
A cure for Cystic Fibrosis - that will also entail a cure for Hubby Hush and the ailments that come along with CF.

Wish for 6 more wishes:
1. I wish I worked for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
2. I wish I had enough money to not have to worry about "stuff"
3. I wish people would be nicer to one another - that tolerance was common place.
4. I wish for the ultimate gourmet kitchen
5. I wish I could end world poverty
6. I wish I COULD MEET BONO AND TALK TO HIM FOR JUST 5 MINUTES!

What animal would you be?
Panda Bear

Something you want to do in your life.
To make the world a better place - one moment at a time

One song you could listen to over and over again.
there are so many ..... Iris by the Goo Goo dolls is one of my favorites though. Kind of my theme song.

Coke or Pepsi?
Diet Coke - but I'll drink both depending on which is on sale at the grocery store.

Something you currently desire.
to meet Bono - my only unfufilled desire at this point in life

One good deed you've done lately.
I assisted under privelaged parents in shopping for gifts for their kids. In a three hour time period I met 5 wonderful women - and I'll never forget their stories and will always think of their struggles and wish them well.

A funny moment in your life.
How sad is this ... I can't think of anything funny in my life. At least nothing funny that would interest anyone else.

OK - so those are all the questions.

I'll have to tag the following people:
Denaliluna
The Adventures of Chad Cleanly - if you can?
East Coast Producer

OK - that's all I know who blog and havn't been tagged yet.

Snuggly Warmth - Electric Blankets!

I have returned from the Frozen North! We had a relaxing vacation at the mother-in-laws cottage - and had fun playing in the snow. But I am so very glad to be back home! It's funny - you look forward to spending time outside your normal environment and crave that vacation time. Yet, when you get to your vacation destination you end up craving home.

Hubby Hush has pneumonia. It's not so serious he's in the hospital - but it is a big worry. He spent most of our vacation trying to catch his breath. {He's picking up the dog and cat from my father-in-law this morning - then he's off to the doctor once again!} He was unable to get very much sleep on our trip and I think this might be one reason we were eager to return home. I sure slept 100% better last night in my own bed!!!

Now I have all of the vacation laundry to contend with. My son will sleep until noon I am sure - we didn't get home till 1:30am and he was still awake when I got to bed at 2am. But - he will be forced into labor to help me get all the laundry done by the end of the day. I don't mind doing laundry - ten times better than cleaning the house - it is just a full day event after vacation and I'm not looking forward to it. I also have to go grocery shopping - there's no real food in the house. I really shouldn't spend too much time here! Oh yeah - and I have to return a call about an interview with the local PBS station - which would be fantastic if I got that job and returned to TV!!!

But before I go - let me rant about the pleasures of an electric blanket. The cottage is over 100 years old - and the heating isn't the best. Add on the exuberant cost of heating oil this year and the thermostat was set at 65 degrees at night. To this Floridian that is just too darn cold! Yet I always looked forward to crawling under the blankets at night - because we had an electric blanket!! That thing keeps you nice and toasty warm! I was so snuggly I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. I'm seriously thinking of investing in one for our bed. This way hubby can keep the thermostat as low as he wants and it won't matter! I'll be warm! I highly recommend everyone run out today and buy an electric blanket.

Hacking into NWA World Club Internet Connection!

Yes - I am typing to you from the frozen North - Detroit Airport. I've hacked into the NWA World Club internet connection and avoided the $7.95 fee the concourse connection is charging.

I just wanted to let everyone know - IT's FREEZING UP HERE!

More updates on flight status and snow forecasts upon arrival at our final destination.

SEND WARM BLANKETS!

Old-Fashioned Goodwill

THE WHOS down in Who-ville
Were a tolerant lot:
Who Christians, Who Muslims ? a Who melting pot.
Who Hindus! Who atheists! Who Buddhists, Who Jews!
Who Confucians, Who pagans,
And even Who Druze! The Who 1st Amendment's Establishment Clause Said, "No creches in courts," and the Whos loved their laws.
Because somehow ? they worked. The Whos rarely fought, Mostly, each Who did just what he ought.

Every Who down in Who-ville
Loved the Consti-Who-tion a lot.
But the O'Reilly, who lived up in Fox-ville, Did NOT!

The O'Reilly DETESTED the Who Consti-Who-tion, He thought it was some sort of liberal pollution.
Now, please don't ask why, for I really don't know.
Perhaps it had something to do with his show.
It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.
Or it could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all May have been that his RATINGS Were two sizes too small.

Well, whatever it was, bad ratings or tight shoes, He stood there one Christmas, just hating the Whos.
"They're so multicultural," he sneered, "and wherever they're from, They lack the good sense to just launch a pogrom!
There's no Who ethnic cleansing, no Who Inquisition, If this PEACE can't be stopped, I may lose my position.
Those sensitive, tolerant Whos! It's quite grating.
I must think of something to fix my show's ratings!"
Then he said with a smirk, "I know just what to do To destroy all the joy in the land of the Who!

I think I can end that PC Who peace.
This year, not one Who will enjoy his Roast Beast!
"Here's just how I'll do it:
I'll tell each Who Christian
That the liberal Whos have devised a new mission To take away Christmas!
To mock and destroy
Till no little Who Christian is left with a toy!
And when secular Whos ? most likely Who Jews ?
Attempt to deny it? Why,
I'll just SPIN THE NEWS!

"I'll bluff and I'll lie; I'll sow seeds of mistrust.
Soon they'll form battle lines into
Who 'THEM' and Who 'US,'
Based on which Whos prefer
To sing out, 'Merry Christmas'
And which Whos say, 'Kwanzaa!'
Or 'None of your business!'
"They'll get so confused and so MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD That they won't even notice the way They've been HAD!
They'll be so busy squabbling
They won't notice the war!
They won't care if Who rich
Start to trample Who poor!
"Forget torture, and terror, and taxes, and health!
They'll waste all their time on some red-hatted elf.
"And the Who Consti-Who-tion?
They'll stretch it or burn it!
If it came as a gift, they would try to return it!
"The Who Christians will think that they fight the good fight, They won't know that they're puppets of the Fox-ville Far Right.
They'll forget all that DRIVEL about faith, hope and LOVE And say 'Merry Christmas' with a sneer and a shove.
"But I? I will prosper! My ratings will soar, And maybe at last they'll forget I'm a BOOR.
Then for every Who Christmas tree
A most fitting adornament:
My O'Reilly MUG on the tackiest ornament!"

And what happened then?
Well, the rest's up to you.
But I know what I'd like this holiday season:
A little less NOISE and a little more reason.
So Who Christians! Who Buddhists! Who Muslims! Who Jews!
WHOever you are, just say NO to Fox "News!"
If you don't want to lose the whole Who Consti-Who-tion It's time to reject the Far Right Revolution.
So turn off O'Reilly and everyone shrill,

Let's have some peace
And old-fashioned GOODWILL.



Rosa Brooks
LA Times

The Politically Correct Holiday Greeting

To friends, family and bloggers alike - a happy winter solisctice celebration!

"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes
for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress,
non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice
holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the
religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your
choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or
traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or
secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful,
personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the
onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but not without
due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose
contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply
that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the
only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the
race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual
preference of the wishee. By accepting these greetings you are
accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or
withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the
original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually
implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is
void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion
of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within
the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or
until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes
first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Time Man Of The Year 2005

They couldn't have picked a more deserving person to honor!

Since posting this at Medialine.com, I've received some pretty negative feedback on the Gates and Bono being named Persons of The Year by Time magazine.

I'm not going to step up onto my soap box and defend Bono and his work. That is what you all expect - and I'm not going to do it. I'd be preaching to those who have already made up their minds. And there is pretty much nothing you could say at this point that would change mine. That would be a fruitless argument - and not worth the time.

But I have to ask - before you criticize others for the work they have done - what it is that you have done to make a positive change in the world? Either in your local community or on a more global basis. And I'm talking about doing something much more than writing a check for the cause.

Until you can tell us that you've done as much as you could to make a positive impact - you can not criticize.

Bono and The Gates have stepped above their wealth and notoriety to do something good. Every other major event this year seemed to have pulled us apart as people – these humanitarian efforts seem to be the only attempt at bringing the world together. And that is worthy of Persons Of The Year status in my opinion.

Ford Reverses Decision

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday said it will run advertisements in gay publications, reversing a decision last week to pull all advertising of its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands from that sector.

In a letter to some gay, lesbian and human rights groups, Ford said it has decided to run corporate ads for all its eight brands, including its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands, in the targeted publications.

"It is my hope that this will remove any ambiguity about Ford's desire to advertise to all important audiences and put this particular issue behind us," Joe Laymon, Ford's group vice president for corporate human resources, wrote in the letter, which was posted on Ford's web site.

A Letter Boycotting Ford Motor Company

Mr. Manny Messeguer
Vice President &
General Manager
Tropical Ford
9900 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Florida 32837

Mr. Messeguer:

It has come to our attention that Ford Motor Co. recently engaged in talks with the conservative group the American Family Association (AFA), and as a consequence of these meetings, agreed to withdraw advertising dollars from publications that cater to gay and lesbian people. Although Ford’s current position is that the ad cuts were a result of cost cutting, it smacks of bigotry, discrimination, and exclusion, and achieved exactly what the AFA was looking for. Observe the following quotes:

• "Ford Motor Co.'s decision to cease advertising in gay publications for its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands is part of a truce between the auto maker and the American Family Assn. (AFA) Ford has agreed not to sponsor any future gay and lesbian events." - Wards Auto, 12/7/05
  

• "When asked if the advertising was being discontinued because of the threatened AFA boycott, [Ford Spokesman Mike] Moran said, 'Ceasing advertising is an outgrowth of those meetings.'" - Metro Weekly, 12/8/05
  

• "They are acting on our concerns." - AFA Chairman Donald Wildman, New York Times, 12/5/06
  

In 2004 my family purchased two new Ford vehicles from your dealership—a Freestar and a Focus. However, these will be the last vehicles we purchase from or have serviced by a Ford dealership until this policy of discrimination espoused by the AFA and rubberstamped by Ford is reversed.

You didn’t have anything to do with this? I suggest you contact the Ford Motor Company and take it up with them.

Sincerly,

HushHush and Hubby Hush

A Florida Girl Treks to The Great North

As some of you know, my family and I will be traveling to the Frozen North for the holidays next week. We'll be visiting my mother-in-law in a little town called Lake Carey - close to Tunkhannock, PA. This morning mom-in-law sent an e-mail to Hubby Hush letting us know that the temperature had just dropped to 8 degrees.

Was that 8 degrees Fahrenheit - I asked.

Yes - 8 degrees Fahrenheit.

But that's below freezing, I said.

Yes - that is below freezing I was told.

So I am now in a panic. Sure - I wanted to bring my son up North for Christmas. He's 15 years old and has NEVER seen snow. I thought it was about time for him to experience a White Christmas. Of course - I never thought that the temperatures would have to fall below freezing in order for it to snow!

Now, before you go calling me a 'sissy' and 'wimp' for fretting over the temperature - let me explain. I grew up in Scotland. I should be used to the cold - and I know that playing in the snow is a lot of fun! But that was over 25 years ago! I am now an official Floridian - if the temperature drops below 40 we pull out our heavy sweaters and our winter coats. We celebrate when the mercury hits 35 degrees because that means we can show off our favorite "winter" attire that day at the office. But it only stays that cold in the morning - and only for one or two days!

Not only am I now a Floridian - I also suffer from an auto-immune disease called hypothyroidism. There are many symptoms - but the main symptom that I suffer from every year is an intolerance to cold temperatures. Last night the temp inside the house fell to 71. My nose was so cold I thought it was going to fall off! I was almost in tears as I was watching television because I couldn't warm up.

How am I going to survive 7 days in Lake Carey, PA if the temps don't warm up past 20 degrees?!?!?!

Dyckersonville Membership Drive

For a limited time all members of the Keep It Down Now Blog are invited to become members of the DYCKERSONVILLE forum - FREE OF CHARGE!

That's right! Anyone and everyone who is not already a member of Dyckersonville has a rare opportunity to become a member of the all exclusive - famously humorous - Dyckersonville.

Have you been wanting a forum where you can just let your hair down? A place where everyone knows your name - but they just don't care?! A place where you can find companionship and comadre - or complete ignorance of your existance in life? Well then - Dyckersonville is the forum for YOU!

For a limited time - anyone who signs up as a member at Dyckersonville is eligible for a very special prize! Here's what you need to do:

#1 - sign up as a member of Dyckersonville
#2 - post a new topic at the visitors center naming HUSH HUSH as your referring member
#3 - wait for a special message from me giving you details on your prize!

That's it! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

So log on now! You have until Sunday at 9pm to take advantage of this special offer!
Dyckersonville your forum home away from blogger!

{Don't forget to post a thread at the Visitors Center telling everyone that HUSH HUSH sent you!}

* special prize is only available to those bloggers nameing HUSH HUSH as their referring member, and is available for a limited time while supplies last. Estimated retail value of this special prize is $0.00 and can not be exchanged for any other prize. HUSH HUSH is not responsible for the content of the Dyckersonville forum and can not bbe held liable for any actions that take place at the forum. By becoming a member of the Dyckersonville forum you waive all rights to pretty much everything.

Logic Puzzle Solution

Click the picture to see the compelte grid!


The German owns the fish!
Home #1 would be on the far left, and home #5 on the far right.

1- Norway
Yellow
Dunhill
Cats
Water

2-Dane
Blue
Blends
Tea
Horses

3-Brit
Red
Pall Mall
Milk
Birds

4-German
Green
Prince
Coffee
FISH

5-Swede
White
Blue Master
Beer
Dogs

Logic Problem

I absolutely LOVE solving Logic Problems. I stumbled across this one by Einstein today - and accepted the challenge. It took my a little over 30 minutes to solve. See if you can beat my time. I'll post the answer Wednesday night.

**********************************************************************************

Here is a brainteaser Einstein left before he died. If you can solve it without any hints he claimed that your IQ was in the top 2%. Here it is:

There are 5 men of different nationalities living in a row of 5 houses. Each house is a different colour, each man drinks a different kind of drink, keeps a different kind of pet, and smokes a different kind of cigar.

THE BRIT LIVES IN THE RED HOUSE
THE SWEDE KEEPS DOGS AS PETS
THE DANE DRINKS TEA
THE GREEN HOUSE IS TO THE IMMEDIATE LEFT OF THE WHITE HOUSE
THE OWNER OF THE GREEN HOUSE DRINKS COFFEE
THE MAN WHO SMOKES PALL MALL KEEPS BIRDS
THE OWNER OF THE YELLOW HOUSE SMOKES DUNHILL
THE MAN LIVING IN THE HOUSE RIGHT IN THE CENTER DRINKS MILK
THE NORWEGIAN LIVES IN THE FIRST HOUSE
THE MAN WHO SMOKES BLENDS LIVES NEXT TO THE MAN WHO KEEPS CATS
THE MAN WHO KEEPS HORSES LIVES NEXT TO THE MAN WHO SMOKES DUNHILL
THE MAN WHO SMOKES BLUE MASTER DRINKS BEER
THE GERMAN SMOKES PRINCE
THE NORWEGIAN LIVES NEXT TO THE BLUE HOUSE
THE MAN WHO SMOKES BLENDS HAS A NEIGHBOR WHO DRINKS WATER

SO: WHO KEEPS THE FISH???????????????

Favorite Holiday Music

My favorite Holiday music is performed by Transiberian Orchestra. They are fantastic - and really make Christmas in Florida seem like Christmas!

Hubby Hush and I have named this our favorite song from this year: Christmas Cannon Rock
from their "The Lost Christmas Eve" CD. The clip doesn't do it justice - the full version is much better. Wizards In Winter is pretty good as well.

I think I'll run over to Target and buy the CD! See ya!

Creationism vs. Evolution - Why Not Both?

After reading Dan Brown's 'Angels & Demons' this very thought came to my mind. Why couldn't there be both a religious AND scientific explanation to the formation of the universe and life?

In Brown's book, the Big Bang theory is explained as a tremendous force of energy coming together to form all life. This 'force' was thought to be the engery of God. And then, after the Big Bang the forces of evolution took over and we developed into humans per Darwin's explanation.

It sounds plaussible. To date there is no other explanation for the Big Bang - so why not a force of energy so powerful it could only come from a higher being?

Let me explain myself - because often times my views may seem to conflict. This may be because I am fascinated over the study of cultural tradition, mythology, religion, and basic every day life. I keep an open mind to everything - because I can see the possibility in all the theories.

If you had to put a label on my "religion" I think the best way to describe it would be "LOVE". I feel the forces that guide us comes more from within than from above. I don't feel one religion should be seen as "the one true religion".

As I said in another post - I have a tremendous respect for religious leaders. That they have given up their own lives to assit others is the ultimate sacrafice - and they should be held in the highest regard.

This however does not mean I will always agree with religious people - or people with fundamentalist ideals. ANYONE who does ANYTHING to the extreme - should be approached with a great deal of caution. It's not because of their relgion - it's because they are so closed to any idea outside their own belief that they endanger the free thought of others.

I know I'm rambling ... but I wanted you to know where I'm coming from. You may see me argue against religious ideals - but it not because I hate religious people. It's because I don't see the theory as being plausible based on my own experience and studies.

There will be other times you'll see me agree with some religious ideals. Because I believe in mankind - and the goodness that is out there. I have hope for a peaceful world - and the morales that religion teaches will lead us in the right direction.

And there will be times where I make fun of religion. For example - when I posted pictures of the "fish" emblems for the back of my car. Those darn "Fish" emblems make me giggle!

When It Comes To The End

A little morbid - yes - but someone on Medialine mentioned planning for your own demise and it made me think.

I want to be cremated when I die. And I want my ashes spread over a field of wildflowers in Scotland. Perhaps close to a stream. And I want music to be playing when you do it. Bagpipes and a U2 song.

And everything I own should be passed on to my son.

That's it. Pretty simple - but that's what I want.

Just so you know.