SURFING the INTERNET

Good Morning!

Most of us use the Internet - for business, pleasure, and social media... Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook are a few of the popular choices. For people like me who live twenty miles from 'town,' it is a connection to ALL things! It is a wonderful way to network, find old and new friends, long lost relatives, and play!

However, it is important to be safe by being a responsible "web surfer." There are predators surfing the Internet, too, trying to steal identities for unlawful purposes. Therefore, you must be conscientious with the personal information that you supply on a profile page, following these tips will help to deter online hackers.  Simply skip these questions or be very broad with your answers:

1. Do not post your birth date. Instead use Baby Boomer, Gen X, etc.

2. Do not furnish your mother's maiden name, EVER. 

3. Do not list current or previous addresses. Instead use a location -  Northeast, Southwest, Coast, Middle America, etc.

4. Do not share the school you attended. Instead be a smarty pants and say, "Yes, I attended a school!"

Another piece of information Internet thieves look for is, "We'll be out of town this weekend." If you gave your actual address - basically, you have invited them to steal from you! Another rule to make a habit, do not open any e-mail from someone you do not know.  Also, do not click a link that is unfamiliar. Hackers use this method quite often to gain access to your account and/or spread computer viruses.

All of this information is common sense and we know to beware, but it never hurts to be reminded.

Do you shop on Craigslist? If you do, first go to Craiglook.com. Here, the classified items are organized by photos, which saves opening all the ads to find your items. A great time saver!

The Internet can help if you are feeling "blue" and need a laugh - go to: ItsNature.org/category/cute where you will find super, funny animals. To find humor - go to: MyHumor.org or CleanJoke.com. Want to watch a funny video? Go to: KidFriendlyVideos.blogspot.com or with supervision for children go to: TV.com for episodes of shows like America's Funniest Home Videos. Most TV shows are available here and are not all PG!

Now, if you need a good cry and missed Extraordinary Measures when it was in theaters - rent it! It stars Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser, and Keri Russell trying to find a cure for a rare genetic disorder their two children have. Be sure to have tissues!

Well, now you will surf the net safely; have a shortcut to shopping on Craigslist; three links to make you smile, and a movie to make you cry... I hope these make this a great MONDAY.

Next time, gardening in raised beds... it's not to late, if we hurry!

Remember, "Y'all come back, ya' hear!"

 

April Fool's Day plus two...

The first day of April came and left without any jokes played. Whew... Today was GOOD FRIDAY and Sunday is EASTER. Remembrance of Jesus raised up after death on the cross for our sins. The story of Easter is found in Matthew, chapters 27, 28; Mark, chapters 15, 16; Luke, chapters 23, 24; and John, chapters 19, 20, and 21 in the King James Version of the Bible. Jesus crucified. And then April continues... as people were taxed in Jesus' time... taxation continues today. April Fifteenth... Are you ready? If not, you have only TWELVE days left to prepare and submit your income tax returns to "UNCLE SAM."

Related articles by Zemanta:

• Reflections about Good Friday
• Defining Easter
• Easter in the Holy Land

Enjoy this special time with family and friends... Remember, "Y'all come back, ya' hear!"

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010

Today is "Hump Day". Affectionately called this because it marks the middle of the week - a symbol to all that the end of the week is in sight! For employers and employees, this is like a 'second wind' to allow the best work to continue, knowing there is the reward of a weekend without the office, the commute, the meetings, the deadlines, endless phone calls, emails, conferences (face-to-face, web, or phone), and late night work to do. Weekend. It emits an unique feeling just by saying it out loud. It brings forth memories of stress-free time spent doing what is loved, needed with family and friends. Special times. Special places. Relaxation, time clearing the mind and regaining perspectives. Spring is here. Many have "spring fever" and must participate in outdoor activities, feeling the warmth of the sun, smelling the fragrances of cut grass and blooming flowers, and enjoying playing in the dirt! In the Southeast, especially the SC coast, the next five days will be fantastic - sunshine, pleasant temperatures, no rain, and not yet tourist season. Of course, there will be college kids on Spring Break and families spending Easter on the beautiful beaches; however, this makes the time here even better. Sharing in the fun, the memories being made, getting caught up with old friends and making new ones, and experiencing the joy of Easter in such a beautiful setting. So... If you can, come to the beaches of SC and make a memory. There is light at the end of the tunnel... a weekend to regroup. In addition, a celebration of Jesus' resurrection after death on the cross for our sins, giving each of us life everlasting with our Lord and Saviour! Hallelujah! Remember, "Y'all come back soon, ya' hear!"

HALOS...

HALOS

At the bottom of this page is a YouTube video about this organization, HALOS. It was brought to my attention through my youngest daughter because her best friend since 2002 is now working for the group in Charleston, SC. It touched my heart, please watch it and the others included there, it will touch your heart, too. Listen to your heart and do what it is telling you to do. HALOS is ... Charleston HALOS (Helping and Lending Outreach Support) provides resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children and their caregivers, involved with Charleston County ... Thanks. Have a blessed day...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2010

Hump Day...

is on Wednesday. Add to that the wintry weather, and all workers look forward to making it to "Hump Day" because it is downhill to the weekend! Everyone calls Wednesday "Hump Day", but does anyone know what caused the 'label'? Wednesday is the third day of the week and ls between Tuesday and Thursday with three days in front and three days behind, thus it's 'hump day'. This is an American-English idiom, a reference, as expressed earlier, to making it through to the middle of the 'work week' as getting 'over the hump.' And, for this week, each of you made it - over the hump! Which makes this Thursday and us much closer to the 'weekend.' The weather is cold and brisk today in SC. Once again tonight the temperature will drop into the low twenties. For all outside activities, bundle up and enjoy the sunshine! On Sunday, it might rain - get the outside 'stuff' finished before Sunday. Sunday will be a good day to start off in Church, comfort food for lunch and a good book snuggled in front of the fire, or watching a good movie with the family in the comfort of your home. Another choice could be getting ready for the big day - SUPER BOWL SUNDAY! This year it falls on February 6Th. Plan your snacks, get them from the store and be sure your guest list is complete. Keep it simple, the focus will be on the game, so finger foods are a must. Here are two recipes for your consideration: BLOODY MARY MIX for a CROWD 3 qt tomato juice 1 tsp Pickapeppa Sauce* 1/4 c Worcestershire Sauce 3 tsp sugar 1 1/2 T fresh lime juice Salt to taste 3 c vodka small celery ribs In a gallon container, mix together all ingredients, except vodka. Refrigerate until chilled. Add vodka and stir well; adjust seasoning. Server cold in chilled glasses without ice. * Pickapeppa Sauce is Jamaican and is found in supermarkets, near the ketchup and steak sauces. Makes about 1 gallon MARINATED SHRIMP 2 lb. jumbo or large, boiled 2 red onions, sliced 1 red or green bell pepper, sliced 1/4 c chopped fresh tarragon 1 T capers 2 1/21 c olive oil Dash of Tabasco Salt and black pepper to taste Peel and de-vein shrimp, boiled Place shrimp in a bowl with onions, peppers, tarragon, and capers. Place oil, vinegar and Tabasco in a jar and secure lid. Shake vigorously until well blended. Pour oil and vinegar mixture over the rest of the ingredients and toss well. Salt and pepper to taste. Marinate for 4 hours or overnight. 12 to 24 shrimp per pound Remember, enjoy the weekend, but "y'all come back, real soon ya' hear! Still Sexy at Sixty...

Catching up...

How quickly the last 30 days passed! I did not pass my class, number one. We enjoyed a wonderful visit with our youngest daughter, from Maine, over Thanksgiving, number two. I did not cook for Thanksgiving. Our third daughter with help from two of her sisters, cooked. It was delicious! I took the class over and passed, but my GPA fell to a 3.50, sad. I enrolled in the second concentration for my Bachelor of Business Administration degree with Health Care Management and Management. Say a prayer! Mill Run looked this way in November. It, still, looks this way in December; however, the temperature at night is in the thirties. It feels like Christmas! Will we have a 'white Christmas', probably not. My oldest and youngest, one in NH - one in ME, certainly will! Neither one is coming home for the holidays. The house will feel empty. This weekend will be spent putting up the tree, the house is divided on where to put it. I will try and upload a photo of it and its location and post here. My wish for you and your family is a warm, wonderful, respectful, and peaceful Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus! Merry Christmas from my place to yours!