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Remember all those that lost their lives, that responded with extreme prejudice to defend us, all veterans past and present, and all military service men and women still defending us today. We fight over there to keep things like this from happening here, and may we smite our enemies with furious proficiency in the face of terror and evil. Let us not forget the hostile world we live in, that freedom and liberty may endure as a god given right lived out for all humanity.

And, for god sake, buy American whenever it is possible. Foreign interests are killing us, as they swamp our country with imported items. Do you think anyone that suffered through what is pictured jumps to buy a Mitsubishi car? No, 'cause it was that company that built the machines that killed our people at Pearl Harbor and around the world. Our asian/pacific trade "partners" are not our friends, people. They enjoy watching our country and society and finances crumble before them. This is not panic or conspiracy theory, it is truth. Many of us have grown complacent to this and live happily day to day with all our made overseas junk. They are the ones getting our money. They are not loosing their jobs and having problems feeding their families and paying their bills. Their houses are not being forclosed. We've got to take a stand! Some things we have to buy that are imported, but items like cars do not have to be purchased. Ford has cars that are so much better than imports today. Reorganized domestic companys are listening and making changes and offering a variety of vehicles and price ranges. Why buy a car that in 1941 could have been metal in an attack plane that killed American and military civilians at Pearl Harbor? Our nation paid in blood! now, we are paying in the loss of our jobs, homes, savings, and, ultimately, the ability to maintain our national identity and freedoms. Think about it like this... every time you buy an import you take the job, home, and standard of living away from an American worker and his/her children. Think about it.
 
 

This really sucks in my book. If you are a licensed driver in the State of NC, be aware of the new law that went into action this week!

It is now illegal to have a license plate frame or covering on your car's license tag. in NC, unlike some states (like VA for ex.) we only have the rear license plate and not one on the front and rear, and thank god. It is probably coming, as NC is seeking to raise money any way it legally can. As of this December 1st, if you have a decorative frame or protective covering over the rear plate it is a $100 fine plus court cost. the NC State Highway Patrol has been instructed to give first time warning citations through the month of December. A second offense in December, and fully without any warning citation starting in January 2010, you'll get fined, have to go to freakin' court, and pay court costs. Car dealerships in NC are being advised not to provide frames on new or used cars to licensed NC customers for the rear plates, and just the front only, if any.

We can have a tag on the front of our vehicles with a decorative frame and protector in place, but not on the rear. I was told by a LE Officer today that if someone were even to place a chrome or colored moulding around the edge of the plate, as in door edge trim  for example, it will result in the same offense. All of this comes about as the state is trying to "squeeze blood from a turnip" as we say here, as they need money. The legislature says that freeing the plates from frame covers is a necessity for law enforcement to do their jobs in properly identifying, reading, and checking license plate validity and issuance.

So, my $30+ chrome Mustang frame around my personalized tag, with the cool little Pony tr-bar logo cap covers, comes off the Stang or I am open to being pulled and written a citation. My frame does not cover up anything and I do not use a plastic covering on the rear plate. This is a load of bull and a money scam. As wel, it is oppressive government.

Friends... beware and make the changes. I don't have the money to pay the fine and cost of court. This really stinks!

I read a news article today talking about a theft that floored me. Get this... someone stole over $100,000 in toys and gifts and items, along with 20,000 pounds of food, from a charity in California with the focus of helping the homeless and families with unemployed providers that are struggling.  It said that it is believed the robbery took place between last Friday night and this Monday morning, as an employee of the charity found the emptiness at the location Monday morning.

So, I guess the cops should be looking for someone with a trucking and shipping company? How in the crap do you pull off a heist like this? So, do you look for someone opening up a new Christmas store front in the mall with 20,000 lbs. of food and $100,000 worth of gifts?

This is crazy! People are struggling enough as it is. Many who make donations to such charities are pinching their own pennies really hard to make it month to month. Then, you read the paper or watch on the news where a charity is wiped out. That inspires you to give, but it is hard to give when you've already given so much out. Who in the world would do such a thing? The logistical challenges of such a heist will hopefully lead police to the grinch that carried out this charity crippling plan.

I have heard of a money jar for a fundraiser being stolen off a counter at a store or even some items being stolen from a charitable cause, but nothing as massive as this take. Think of the effort and resources one would have to expend to make this theft possible. If they would put such effort in doing good, then maybe they'd have no need to lower themselves to stealing.

It makes me sick inside to hear such stories.

One thing I have no regrets in doing is choosing to go to massage therapy from this past September to present. Having a back back is no fun, of which I have old injuries in my lower and upper back. Having re-injured my lower back this Spring and suffering all summer, not to forget all the doctor appointments and tests and scans, I had two epidural injections into my lower spine and these took a lot of the pressure off. But, I was sent to physical therapy, which I had bad experiences with before, and I was not willing to go through so much pain again. So, I decided to try massage therapy and found it most affordable, as a local massage center offered $25 deep massage therapy with or without heated stones. I'm so glad I did this.

My lower back has little to no pain at all. I am more aware of myself and limitations, as well, and take measures not to re-injure myself. My upper back and neck still gives me some headaches, but it is nothing like it was. And, I am noticing that I sleep much better and sounder now.

The first session left me walking out in a euphoric mood, really loose all over, and it progressed all day. I was some kind of mellow! With increased pressure in subsequent visits, my range of motion really increased. I have had the least amount of stress in my life ever, as stress melts away in the kneeding. The lights go low, the temperature is perfect, the room goes to a gentle low lite and soft instrumental music with natural sounds play. I do not get the full massages, but rather the focus is on the back and neck and shoulders. Facing up, the massage starts under my shoulders and works up to my upper shoulders and neck. After getting relaxed, I roll onto my stomach and the therapist works magic up and down my spine and back, having focus on the identified spots, and using her fingers, forearms and elbows progressively. After this period, the focus goes back to a lighter focused massage into my neck and shoulders, then it eases out to end the session.

I encourage anyone to give this a try. Other therapist in the area charge up to $45 for an hour like this, but it is worth it to try. Dealing with a lot in your life? Stressed out? Or, do you just need to relax? Go for at least a light pressure Swedish massage to start and you'll reap the benefits quickly. If you do so, make sure you do not have a lot to go back to get involved with, as taking it easy that day or afternoon or evening is part of the experience.

We all need a stress break from time to time. This stress break has benefits that are definitely holistic (mind, body and spirit). No girly stuff or hippy movement here, as I'm a car guy, don't mind getting my hands dirty, married, and intense in most things I'm involved in. I suggest it to anyone! Give it a try! You'll get addicted. My weekly visit will end this week, as I plan to step down to every other week begining in January and then maybe less to follow or just as needed. All I can say is that it makes a big difference for me and it has kept me from being in pain and stressed out.

PLEASE REPOST!!!

Here is something I worked on and it was a REAL pleaser this past Thanksgiving. The result is a ham that has a really balanced taste in natural flavor plus a sweet-melt-in-your mouth flavor!

You'll need:
~ 1 10lbs. to 15lbs. spiral sliced ham.
~ Crystalized brown sugar.
~ Margarine or butter.
~ Teaspoon each of salt, white or black pepper, paprika, fine garlic.
~ Four tablesppons of local honey.
~ Large golden apple.
~ Bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey (or your favorite).

Follow the cooking directions for your ham as given in the packaging, which is usually 325 - 350 degrees and 10 minutes per pound with the pan with 1/2 inch of water to keep it moist. Prior to putting the ham in the oven, cut the apple and place the slices all around the base of the ham.

Melt approx. 1/2 a cup of butter in a microwave safe measuring cup (2 cup capacity works good). Add in the tablespoons of spices and mix well. Add in the honey. Next, add in the brown sugar, using 1/3 a cup. Pour 1/4 cup of Whiskey into the mix and stir it well.

When the ham is 1/2 way, remove it from the oven and pour on 2/3 of the mixture directly onto the ham and into the spiral slices. Return it to the oven to complete cooking. Once completed, remove the ham from the oven and pour on the remaining 1/3 of the mixture directly onto the ham and into the spiral slices, return it to the oven at 425 degrees for five minutes and remove it and cut and serve, basting the cut ham in the juices.

If your ham came with a spice packet and you wish to use it, as well, wait until the very end and follow the preparation instructions for the spice mixture, adding in Whiskey to mix it. Then, apply as a final glaze over the ham at 425 degrees for 5 minutes.

It smells and tastes AWESOME! 

As some know, I have been diabetic for almsot two years now ever since I had an episode of pancreatitis. When that happened, I was out of work for weeks. My blood sugar, which is normally around a reading of 105 - 130, was at 579. My vision was blurry, which was actually kind of worrisome, and I had no energy and weakness, extreme thirst, and body aches. After a couple of weeks, and good medical care, things came back near normal for me and I was on insulin shots and medications for some time in following. Management at work cared less, as all they wanted was a warm body there. Most friends did not understand or just avoid the subject all together. Family knew what it was all about, as my late father had diabetes bad, but they were more in denial and were pushing it under the rug. thank god for my wife and her care, plus she has been a diabetic since she was a child.

Things got back to normal as possible, of which I was cleared by the doctor to stop taking insulin shots and my medications were reduced. That lasted a good while until last September when my readings went into crisis, ranging upwards to 400. It invovled another doctor visit and more insulin and increased meds. for over a month and then back down again to near normal, no more insulin, and reduced meds. We had changed our diets to a lower carbohydrate intake, so it made no sense why the crisis happened. And, my understanding managers were thrilled with my missing more work, even though I had plenty of time booked up and medical leave signed by a doctor. That burden on my mind sure took a toll on me physically, too.

I still would enjoy a snack or dessert or regular soft drink, but I had to watch my carb intake and I did so very well. With the crazy hours of my job then, there was no way for me to get any form of consistent exercise. But, I tried my best. Things went well for my health in my wife and I moving to be live in caregivers for my chronically ill mother. The new doctor was very open to my condition and started working with me to get to the point of no longer needing such a strict diet and regime.

You guessed it! Yet another blood sugar crisis that went over 600 this time. I was some kind of sick, too, and would have been admitted to the hospital if my wife were not an RN-BSN with diabetic experience helping me. Things normalized after the regular cycle of meds and insulin, with the concern of my liver possibly playing a role in all of this. sure enough, the liver panel blood work they did showed it was double and then came a scan and more tests. Luckily, cancer has been ruled out. Problem is, there is no clear answer still.

For the past 10 days I have now battled blood sugars ranging from the upper 100's to the upper 300's, swinging high and then back down. I'm back on increased meds x3 daily, more painful insulin shots x3+ daily, have mroe blood work tomorrow, and see the doctor on Friday. Isn't that just lovely. I'm not a big thanksgiving day person, but I really did not get to enjoy it much at all this year when it came to the food. And, I cooked a lot of it and had to smell it and watch everyone else enjoy it. But, seriously, it stinks to be in the cyclic struggle that infringes on daily life so much. But, I fight on and have hope and do my part.

If you are diabetic, hang in there, too! It is not easy at all. If you know someone who is diabetic, then please support them with patience, listening, and real understanding. Advice is not necessary. Look it up and find out about this disease, so that you can see what people are fighting. Be there and be a friend.