Thursday, August 31, 2017

Dogs of Summer 3: Tony Bennett & Happy, the Maltese

Singer Tony Bennett owns a Maltese dog; and because of the sweet dog's  personality, was given the name of "Happy".
He was carried on stage by Mr Bennett as he took his final bow at the Ravinia concert. Hubby was in the restroom of the time -- trying to beat the sold-out crowd and all -- so my official Photographer with his much-nicer camera was nowhere to be found.  Sorry for my poor-quality pictures of the big screen tv, but Happy deserves a post of his own.

Happy, the Pup, in Tony's arms

Waving bye-bye from the stage with Happy, the maltese

---> At the Ravinia concert of

pc: Tony Bennett, fb
pc: Tony Bennett, fb
I think our very own Shih-tzu might possibly have some part-MALTESE in her, hmmmmm.



Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2 Corinthians 7:1

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Homeschool: How American Students Measure-up via Charts

We are excited to have begun our 24th year of Home School!  Youngest high-schooler's focus has changed from Veterinary care to Criminal Justice.

Thankful for these:  
We've bought only a few materials online this year. We also make good use of books & supplies from previous years. Recently, we were given school material by our generous friends from CANADA. They are transitioning from having all 6 kids to no more kids in homeschool after this semester. I'll take anything that is free.

FYI, Home School History:
Homeschooled: How American Homeschoolers Measure Up
Source: TopMastersInEducation.com





Source: TopMastersInEducation.com




Monday, August 28, 2017

Margarine versus Butter

Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back.
It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavorings....
photo by SpooSpa

Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams; compared to 5 grams for margarine.
Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.
Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.
Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only because they are added!
Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods.
Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years .
And now, for Margarine..
Very High in Trans fatty acids.
Triples risk of coronary heart disease ...
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)
Increases the risk of cancers up to five times..
Lowers quality of breast milk
Decreases immune response.
Decreases insulin response.
And here's the most disturbing fact... HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!
Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC... and shares 27 ingredients with PAINT.
These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).
Open a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things:
* no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something)
* it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value ; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow.
Why? Because it is nearly plastic . Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?

Jeff Passofaro:  Do You Know the Difference?

Sunday, August 27, 2017

This Diamond Ring

It's finally mine! Years ago (7+ years), I caught sight of this gorgeous Ring at the Macys website. I then went to my local Macy's Jewelry counter and put it on. Gasp. What a beauty. It was hard to resist the friendly Filipino saleswoman's prompting to buy... Now... While on sale...


I manage to resist. Out of sight, out of mind, but I saved pictures and the link. Fast forward to earlier this Summer. Macy's and Sam's prices were still too high.  eBay had two 2 rings on auction. One had a Best Offer option. Incredibly, Seller accepted my best-offer. Hooooorah!!!

Seller must have eventually realized that she had let this expensive ring go at a bargain price. After the deal was sealed and the ring delivered --and for only the second time in my long history on eBay-- she offered to take it back if I were to change my mind.

Sorry, but I'm not sorry, dear eBay Seller.  Let's stick to our binding contract.  You've got my hard-earned cash. I've got my longed-for pretty Ring.  It's a done deal. Let's each move on!

What's next on my jewelry bucket list?  Squirrel by Effy! It is available at Macy's, but at full price. May eventually show up discounted on eBay, Lord willing. Good things come to those who wait, right?





Macy's Diamond Ring

Sam's Club Ring

PINK! Priciest Diamond Ever Sold