50 Smartest Things to Do With Your Money

Just another interesting article to peruse to help guide you in your quest (however meager it may be) to become a millionaire without inheriting, winning the lottery (Megabucks? Powerball?), marrying Paris Hilton, or becoming a top notch executive (with perks and multimillion dollar kickbacks) at Martha Stewart Enterprises.

Money Magazine's 50 Smartest Things to Do With Your Money

My thought -- a diploma requirement for every student in their senior year, is to take a mandatory course on Personal Money Management (balancing a checkbook, understanding interest and fees, how to save, budgeting, learning some simple investments, understanding loans and insurances, how to manage credit cards and debt, what does bankruptcy really mean?), before going off to college.  Maybe we will not see so many bankruptcies.

 

09.28.06 (2:21 pm)   [edit]

46 Things I Wish My Mom Taught Me About Money

I ran across this article of money tips for women and thought it was a great basic guide for anyone! All the more better if you are young and starting out, gives you some ideas on how to think for your bank account. If you are a bit older, maybe it may help you get financially organized.  It is never too late.

There are more interesting articles on this site (Women's Personal Finance) under categories also, so get your surf board out!

The list of 46 Things -- Money Tips for Women

 

09.27.06 (9:28 am)   [edit]

Harry Potter Power Magic Needed

Image removed due to bandwidth theft.
Harry Potter work your magic!

There is news that Emma Watson, true friend to the characters of Harry and Ron, may not sign on for the fifth movie in the series titled: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix".

They have started filming and are in actor contract negotiations.  I cannot imagine her not being part of the whole HP scene.  I am not to sure I would like to see someone else in the role since she has grown with it and has done am absolutely wonderful job.  I do understand that she has to look forward to other things in a normal life off camera.

One of the articles said that Daniel Radcliffe got a hair cut to make his character look aged.

It is nice to see them grow up and into the roles just as the book characters have.

Sounds like the film may be released next year, when? June or November?

Side notes: If you want to see a very young Daniel Radcliffe, PBS Masterpiece Theatre& nbsp;did Dickens "David Copperfield" and he played young David.  It was this film that led an interest of the Harry Potter film crew to cast him as Harry Potter. Rent it if you can.

About the books: Believe it or not, Harry Potter books are banned in some places due to the type of magic they use.  They may not be allowed in some schools, school libraries or town libraries.

More on Harry Potter banned books - Look Out Harry Potter!

Banned Book Week September 23-30 2006 (you can find out how books get challenged, criteria they must meet, and what books have been banned)

A very good thing about the books -- they got kids reading again!!

Best HP Spoof -- On Nickelodeon's "All That" a few years back.

Harry Potter and the Wavering CoStar (Newsweek 10/2/06)

Interview Question and Answer style with Emma Watson (Newsweek 9/24/06)

Are you a Harry Potter fan?  Who is your favorite character?

Earn a knut (aka "tbuck") for a comment, a very fair exchange indeed!

09.26.06 (8:10 pm)   [edit]

Video File Sharing Tips

So you have some home movies/videos you wish to upload and place in your blog.
Here is a list of steps to do to upload into your blog entry and below is a list of free online video sh aring/file upload sites you can consider to use.

1. Find a site to use for uploading your videos.
2. Read the TOS (terms of service) or COC (code of conduct) carefully. Open an account by registering.
3. Upload your files into your account from your computer.
4. If you opt for privacy, click off the appropriate button.  Examples: Privacy meaning your videos are yours and whom you wish to share with OR disable embedding which means you do not want anyone else to embed your video on their site.
5. Once uploaded, copy the embedding HTML code.
6. Open up your editor on your blog, at TBlog you will have to go to the Advanced Editor and open the HTML box.
7. Paste the code into the HTML box and close it.  You should see your video on your post.  You can highlight it and center it.
If you cannot see the video, nothing is there, then maybe the code is not supported on the site you put it on. (This happens at MSN.) It is useless.

Other Tips for embedding Videos: 

Even if you find a video to add to your blog, you just need to embed the HTML code into the HTML box in the advanced editor of your blog editor.

You can add videos to your HTML boxes here at TBlog.

You can resize them to fit by adjusting the width and height in the code. You need to play a bit to get it right.

The free online video file sharing list:
(Tip: make sure you review carefully all the features and functions available and they have what you want.)

YouTube – probably the most popular service with lots of  visual distractions on the screen.

VideoEgg – my friends tell me that this one is really nice and very reliable. Privacy options.

BlipTV – high kudos for this place. Simple, neat and clean looking. Lots of features.

Grouper – you need to download a program to use the service.  After getting to know the features, easy to use.  Pastor Dave used this service.

Yahoo – some say it is a copy cat service of You Tube and not very original creation in it’s own right.
Scroll down to "Be Discovered" you can upload your videos there

File Den – 500mbs of space per account, 50mbs max upload

Ripway – another file sharing site.  Does have some limatations so read the fine print carefully.

Putfile (you get a very nice looking homepage!) Main page is simple and has file types and size that are acceptable.

Uploading.com – get an account to keep track of what you upload, or upload one at a time and keep the URL.

PhotoBucket – they have video upload service, but I don’t see too many people using it.

Wikepedia’s Article on Google Video (over all description, pros, cons, etc.)

Hope this helps someone.
If you know of another site, please post it in the comments.
You will have to write it as in this example: "name of site (dot) com/org/net".

Thanks for visiting.

09.26.06 (12:36 pm)   [edit]

Search Notes

There are a lot of people looking for the Frostie, Blizzard, and McFlurry top secret recipes that I posted a few weeks ago.  I checked the search links provided in my TBlog stats, one was from MSN. I clicked it on for a sneaky peeky look.

WOW -- they are redoing their search engine (now MSN Live Feature) and show a webshot thumbnail of the first six or nine sites that show up.  Unfortunately, my site does not get a little icon, probably no TBlog site does yet.  You can also remove your site from having a thumbnail by installing a code in your HTML box or as a meta tag on a webpage.

It also stated that the thumbnails are not available in all areas yet or on all systems.

I will have to go check out ask.com to see what their little binoculars will show as a preview.  Gosh I miss seeing Jeeves, hope he is enjoying himself in retirement.

Check it out. -- depending on your area or system, you may or may not see the thumbnails.

A very short post -- no scroll longer than the Dead Sea Scrolls.  LOL

 

09.25.06 (9:12 am)   [edit]

Decadent Chocolate Sauce

My Decadent Chocolate Sauce -- great on ice cream or brownies.

4 oz unsweetened chocolate (Hershey's)

1 stick butter DO NOT SUBSTITUTE MARGARINE

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (sift if lumpy)

2 cups sugar

5 oz can evaporated milk

3 oz whole or 2% milk

1/2 tsp vanilla pinch salt

If you have a good, heavy-bottomed pan, use it, otherwise a double boiler is will suffice...

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat or in double boiler over simmer simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth. Whisk in cocoa powder, stir until smooth. Gradually stir in sugar. The mixture will be the texture of wet sand. Cook covered on low heat/double boiler for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, open the evaporated milk and pour into a 1 cup measure, top off with regular milk to 1 cup line. Warm milk slightly in microwave to keep things moving. Gradually stir warmed milk into chocolate mixture about 1/4 to 1/3 cup at a time, stirring to blend completely.

Continue cooking for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved. This is absolutely to die for delicious! It becomes nearly solid upon refrigeration, and is thicker than corn syrup even when warm. You can stir in Grand Marnier or Amaretto for a personalized flavor.

To reheat: Place desired amount in a small dish and microwave on medium or low power, for 10 second intervals, stirring each time, until pourable.
*Be careful not to scrape the pan sides during final cooking phase as this will introduce sugar crystals that will make sauce turn grainy if stored.
Makes about 1 quart. I put it into jelly jars and give as Christmas presents. Recipe can be doubled (use 12 oz can of evaporated milk)

 

09.24.06 (1:54 pm)   [edit]

Home Made Ice Cream

Here is a former article of mine on homemade ice cream making followed by some online sources to get you started. Enjoy.

The Joy of Ice Cream by Matthew Klein published by Barron.
It is like a bible of ice cream making.

You can probably find this at your library or ask for it on inter-library loan.

There are over 100 recipes for ice cream, sodas and sundaes, parfaits, drinks, cakes, molds, bomb-es and also toppings, sauces, and syrups.
There is a huge section of conversion charts too, very handy.

I have made many of these recipes in my Donvier ice cream maker (useless cumbersome tool) or I mixed them up and put them in Rubbermaid containers (easiest and frequently used) and then pop them into the freezer. I check and churn them a few times as they set up. It takes a day at least to freeze and the ice cream is rock solid so I make it a day in advance.

A couple of things, one being that making your own is more expensive (ingredients) than buying it in the store. Use exactly what they tell you in a recipe, no skimping on ingredients or it will be a wasted effort and you will have to throw it out.
Secondly -- the ice cream you make is extremely rich so if anyone has a dairy issue or a diet calorie intake, just beware.

When getting it out of the container, set it out for a while to thaw a little and then have some hot water in a measuring cup near the ice cream and dip the scoop into the hot water before you scoop it out.

We have found that a scoop and a half of homemade ice cream was extremely filling.

My own Homemade Ice Cream Recipe - the 2 coffee can churned recipe:

You will need two clean coffee cans, a small can (1 lb size approx) and a large can (3 lb size) both with lids. Lids should fit secure on the can, no slits on the rims. One should fit inside the other.
You will also need some duct tape.

You can freeze the cans (lids optional) the day before you make the ice cream just so that they will be very cold and help freeze your ice cream as you "churn" it..

Ingredients:
1 pint of half and half (regular milk or heavy cream, whipping cream can be used, depends on how rich you want it.)
1/2 cup of white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 egg beaten (optional, adds richness for that old time flavor)


Additional flavorings:
For Chocolate (choose one): 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup OR 1 heaping teaspoon of cocoa dissolved in a bit of hot water, OR ¼ cup of Nestle’s Quick.
For Strawberry: ½ cup of frozen strawberries in juice OR regular fresh strawberries
For Coffee: 1-2 tablespoons of freshly brewed OR instant dissolved in hot water OR 2 tablespoons of coffee syrup.
Naturally, you can add or subtract any flavoring ingredient to your taste.

Put all ingredients into the smaller can and mix. Place the cover securely on top and add a strip of duct tape over the entire top to secure the covers tight. You can add a second duct tape to make an x if you so desire.

Place the smaller can into the larger one.
Add in around the smaller can, crushed ice and rock salt.
Place the cover on the can. You can secure if you wish.
Roll the can around on the floor back and forth at a 4 foot distance. (A great activity for the kids.).

Do this for about 10 minutes and check the ice cream thickness.
Drain any extra water from the larger can and add more crushed ice and rock salt.

Continue rolling the can around for another 8-10 minutes.
Your ice cream should be done. Serves 4—6 people.
Keep in mind the temperature. If it is very hot out, it may take a bit longer to set up.

Online:
Two more easy to do recipes:

Ice Cream in a Bag (Family Fun)

Ice Cream in a Bag (a science experiment)

More recipes:

Turkey Hill Ice Cream Recipes

Ice Cream dot com – this site was interesting with lots of fun historical facts in addition to all the recipes.
I learned about "penny lick" ice cream glasses. Interesting.

Better Homes and Gardens Ice Cream Recipe Extravaganza (pages of recipes)

As always -- Enjoy!

09.24.06 (1:38 pm)   [edit]

Housecleaning Tips for Internet Junkies

Sweeping and Mopping the floors -- Have dog sweep floors with tail and lick up all crumbs.

Vacuuming -- Call for demo from salesman. Have him show you how the vacuum works in all parts of the house. Tips for success: Don't always call same company ... keep a chart and rotate.

Dusting -- Only do what is at eye level or below. And only right before someone is coming over!

Laundry -- First find a good place to hide it! If you have to do it... like you have no underwear... (heck who needs underwear).

Cleaning toilet -- Close the lid.

Cleaning Shower -- Close the shower door or curtain.

Cleaning the rest of the Bathroom -- Close the door.

Taking out the Trash -- If you can't find anyone in your house to take it out... bribe a neighbor ... say you hurt your back or some other sob story... that one might be good for getting at least a few sympathy dinners out of the neighbor as well! Try not to use it too often ... they might get suspicious.

Dishes -- Dishwasher...if it doesn't come off run it again and again if that doesn't work ... throw the dish out and start fresh. Better yet ... paper plates, plastic utensils and plastic cups are far better way to go... (as long as your neighbor is taking out the trash).

We hope you find our list helpful in allowing you more and more online time. As we have all learned frozen dinners and take out foods are a life saver on those days that you just cant seem to get your butt outta the 'puter chair ... good luck... We hope to see more of you online soon!

09.22.06 (2:53 pm)   [edit]

House Cleaning Poem

HOUSE CLEANING POEM


I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess.

He asked if I'd been 'putering',
And I had to answer "yes."

He told me to get off my butt
And tidy up the house.

And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick...
I was just admiring my work...

I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found
A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into...
I was into it all night. <<SIGH>>

Nothing's changed except my mouse
It's very, very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess...

While I sit here on my hiney.

09.22.06 (2:30 pm)   [edit]

Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee

I like this poem and thought I would share it with you on International Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Enjoy! 

Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee

Mildred Plew Meigs

Ho, for the Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee! 
He was as wicked as wicked could be, 
But oh, he was perfectly gorgeous to see! 
The Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee.
  



His conscience, of course, was as black as a bat, 
But he had a floppety plume on his hat 
And when he went walking it jiggled - like that! 
The plume of the Pirate Dowdee.  
His coat it was handsome and cut with a slash, 
And often as ever he twirled his mustache 
Deep down in the ocean the mermaids went splash, 
Because of Don Durk of Dowdee.
  

Moreover, Dowdee had a purple tattoo, 
And struck in his belt where he buckled it through 
Were a dagger, a dirk, and a squizzamaroo, 
For fierce was the Pirate Dowdee.
  

So fearful he was he would shoot at a puff, 
And always at sea when the weather grew rough 
He drank from a bottle and wrote on his cuff, 
Did Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee.  
Oh, he had a cutlass that swung at his thigh 
And he had a parrot called Pepperkin Pye, 
And a zigzaggy scar at the end of his eye 
Had Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee.
  

He kept in a cavern, this buccaneer bold, 
A curious chest that was covered with mould, 
And all of his pockets were jingly with gold! 
Oh jing! went the gold of Dowdee.  
His conscience, of course it was crook'd like a squash, 
But both of his boots made a slickery slosh, 
And he went through the world with a wonderful swash, 
Did Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee.  
It's true he was wicked as wicked could be, 
His sins they outnumbered a hundred and three, 
But oh, he was perfectly gorgeous to see, 
The Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee.
09.19.06 (7:34 pm)   [edit]

Talk Like a Pirate Day

 Shiver me timbers me hearties!
Today was International Talk Like a Pirate day - savvy!

I am just enjoying this now ---arrrgh! Had some "cackle fruit" for breakfast. Too bad it did not happen on my birthday but it is every September 19th. I could have had a pirate party (pin the sail on the ship?) with a treasure chest booty of Ring Dings. Oh and the Ring Dings don't come individually foil wrapped anymore, there are two to a package and no little cardboard to sturdy them in the package so some of them were smooshed.

This is amusing because yesterday, I was looking at an old newspaper and there was an article about pirates and how the British used Pirates to keep the Spanish and French away from their land claims or resources. The pirates were very welcomed into the ports because the British liked them spending their "tourist dollars".  At times they were loved or hated depends on which day you are talking about and the social climate at the time. LOL

It also mentioned that Sir Francis Drake was a pirate too -- hated by the Spanish and French but loved by the English. I guess he was a fancy pirate since he has been portrayed in history books more of a romantic man of the sea than a pirate who plunders.

Privateering was popular during colonial times in America.  Some of the privateering made some of our historical political figures rich!  I live in the New England area, and there are plenty of privateer colonial mansions for the tourist to visit.

Walking the plank was something in a Robert Louis Stevenson story, not an actual activity that pirates engaged in.  So Robert had a vivid imagination and started this fictional tradition AFTER the golden years of piracy died down and out.  I do believe walking the plank appears in Peter Pan too.

I went and took a pirate name quiz and my pirate name is Dread Pirate Flint with the following description:
"Like the famous Dread Pirate Roberts, you have a keen head for how to make a profit. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!"

The HTML code was not working for me so I could not post the box.

So what is your pirate name?  Could make a good TBlog name too! Sink me!

I missed the Pirate Mom last night on Wife Swap, not that I was that interested in that, arrgh. LOL -- I would have rathered walk the plank.

Pirate Dictionary

More Pirate phrases

Edward and the Pirates -- a great picture book to read to kids.  Edward is reading a book about pirates at bedtime and they appear in his room demanding he give them the book but he finds out their deep dark secret!  A very entertaining and creative adventure book.

Literary Pirate: noun - 1. literary pirate - someone who uses another person''s words or ideas as if they were his own ... plagiarizer, plagiariser

Fair Winds! Godspeed!
A tbluck doubloon for your comment, matey! Or you can walk the plank! Or sing a shantey!


 

09.19.06 (7:15 pm)   [edit]

Happy Birthday to Me!

 

 

I am starting my celebration early and you are invited to attend my TBlog birthday bash. 
All you need to do is "sign" my blog birthday post with a quick comment.

My birthday is Monday the 18th.
I really don't want anything because I don't want something I have to store or take care of!

I don't need things. I have enough. I don't need more.
(I could use blog comments though, that would be nice.)

However, instead of a cake, I think a box of Ring Dings (similar to Ding Dongs) will suffice.  I will be happy with that. Chocolate Cream would be the best, if that can be found.
I have not had Ring Dings for years so this will be interesting. Will they taste the same?  Will they bring back memories of my youth?

And maybe some Ben and Jerry's Triple Chocolate with brownies ice cream, or a mocha chocolate chip ice cream, or Fenway Fudge ice cream. (For the regular readers who have requested, I will publish an easy home made ice cream recipe on Sunday.)

So now I will reminisce of a birthday past. Years ago, my parents came to visit me (a two hour drive for them) with a yummy looking Black Forest Cake -- a larger concept of a Ring Ding -- chocolate cake, layered with whipped white frosting, drizzled chcolate, and cherries on top.  It looked so pretty and delicious but when we tasted it, it was awful!!  We laughed it was so very very bad.  My Mom got it at a bakery on her way on over here. We just could not eat it.  My Mom suggested I give it to the birds. They left laughing.

A great idea! My idea was to chop it up into little bird beak sized pieces so I decided to put it in my Cuisinart Food Processor and just chop it all at once.  Well, the Cuisinart is a powerful tool and after dumping chunks of the cake into it, I turned it on for 5 seconds, and I seemed to have turned into a muddy thick paste instead of the crumbs I thought I would get.  It was a mess and not something the birds would eat but bugs would love.

I ended up trashing it, scrapping the muck with a spatula, then putting it in a deli container and into the trash laughing the entire time.  My Mom asked me about "the disposal" and I told her what happened, and she laughed so hard, she could hardly talk and continue the phone conversation. She hung up.

So now, a Black Forest Cherry Cake has new meaning for me and most likely the real reason I would prefer Ring Dings since they are wrapped individually to maintain guaranteed freshness, and come in a box.
No cherries but that is ok by me.

Well, the cake story is much better than dead skunk under my car story on another birthday. I will leave it at that.

Happy Birthday to me!

Comments welcomed, kind words are the greatest gift you can give anyone -- you get a Ring Ding and a tbuck. LOL

Hangar's 18  amusing two paragraph review of Ring Dings - "if you cannot afford drugs, then go for the Ring Dings".

 

09.16.06 (12:39 am)   [edit]

Gift from the Sea

  Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg (wife of Charles)
50th Anniversary Issue.

This book is a must read for all women of any age (younger ones will reap the greater benefits of the written word) who need a roadmap guide and need some thoughts to balance their hectic lives. It compares and is reflective of things of the sea to real life as observed by the author during one summer vacation.
If you are interested in the quality of your life or improving the quality, this book is for you.

The book was published in 1955 but the words, thoughts, and ideas are timeless for women who all struggle with their relationships at work, with spouses and children, with friends, and relatives. The book suggests that through all the daily strife one faces, that a woman should take time in solitude for herself, and take time to be creative. These things add to the spirit of her mind, body, and soul, and calms her inner self to be able to nurture others generously and stay sane through it all.

This is a wonderful and sentimental book with timeless themes of woman and the role they play fitting into society that can change the way she thinks, feels and maybe influence her life and how she lives it.
It is an ideal gift to a young woman whether it be for a special occasion such as graduation, Christmas, birthday, or shower, or any time "just because" the giver cares deeply about her happiness, solitude and contentment.

If you don’t wish to buy a copy, check it out from the library.

Quotes by Anne Morrow Lindberg

Wikipedia Bio

The Lindberg Foundation – (offers Grants for the advancement of technology with low impact on environment)

09.14.06 (10:41 am)   [edit]

Musings

Someone -- give me a little cheese with my whine!

Ok, I just published The Missing Man Post (below) then checked my blog.  Now all my fonts have gone wonky on me in my other posts along with spacing issues.

Guess the Missing Man walked off with my fonts and spaces.  LOL

Geesh -- someone (anonymous poster) put a comment in my blog about my posts being longer than the Dead Sea Scrolls but this is ridiculous.

Why? why? why oh why?

I will whine and share my cheese with you.  LOL

So sorry loyal, devoted and fanatical r eaders of my wondrous blog.

I apologize profusely.
Oh, and by the way, since I am authoress of thousands of articles, I thought I just might begin to post them here one by one.

Dah-lings - How divinely eclectic and entertaining!
Wow! My blog will be about anything, everything, somethin g and nothing at all!
I like fluff!  It is fun.

Cheers and clink clink!
As always thanks for visiting!

 

09.13.06 (5:46 pm)   [edit]

The Missing Man: An Optical Challenge



There are 13 men but when the picture moves,
one man goes missing.
Where did he go?
09.13.06 (5:21 pm)   [edit]

What is Success?

I like this and thought it would go well with my other Inspriational and Motivational postings.

What is Success
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

PSX makes a rubber stamp with this poem on it.

09.12.06 (1:56 pm)   [edit]

On Frosties, McFlurries, Blizzards and more . . .

 I like ice cream drinks so here I have put up the "secret recipes" (not so secret any more!) with my take and notes on each one.  Mix and Match, experiment, the texture is still the same.  Enjoy your treat! 

Yummy Ice Cream Treats to Make!

 

Wendy’s Frosty

Two different recipes here – you can adjust accordingly – add more milk, add less Quick – experiment!
You can even use a different flavor of ice cream and eliminate the Quick.
You would still have the same texture.

One serving:
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of Nestle’s Quick
3 cups of vanilla ice cream

Two servings:
¾ cup of milk
¼ cup of Nestle’s Quick
4 cups of vanilla ice cream

Let the ice cream soften. Add milk and Quick. Mix.

Variations:

Use a different flavor ice cream, you may have to eliminate the Chocolate Quick.
Use Strawberry Quick.
Instead of Quick – use Carnation Instant Breakfast.
Add brewed coffee (liquid).
Add to coffee a teaspoon of cocoa for a mocha shake.
Add more milk if you want a thinner product.
Use low cal ice cream and skim milk for less calories.

The McDonald’s McFlurry is basically the same idea only with a bit of crunch.

Basic recipe:

2 cups of vanilla ice cream
¼ cup of milk

Chill a bowl and a 16 oz glass in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Remove from the freezer – add the crushed crunchy ingredients or the frozen crushed candy to the bowl first.
Crush by putting in a bag or between wax paper and roll over with a rolling pin to get chunky shards. Don’t overdo it and make them too small.
Add the ice cream and milk then mix.

Put in the chilled glass and eat with a spoon.

Ingredients you can add (more or less as you desire):

1 chilled and crushed Butterfingers bar.
2 chilled and crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter cups
M&Ms – 1 mega tube of M&M minis or ¼ cup.
Reese’s Pieces – ¼ cup
Oreo (or any other type of cookie) 3 cookies (remember Oreo’s come in different flavors!)

Swamp Sludge McFlurry: chunks of chocolate fudge brownies and moss green M&Ms (you can custom order this color)

In the UK they use York Peppermint Patties (2 per McFlurry), or Rolo Candy (unspecified but add as many or as few as you desire)

Mint McFlurry served around St. Pat’s Day: mint extract ¼ to ½ teaspoon, a few drops of green food coloring and maybe you can add 2 Oreo cookies crushed.

Variation:
Use a different flavor ice cream rather than vanilla.
Use a light ice cream and skim milk.

Dairy Queen Blizzard

1 candy bar frozen and crushed (as previously described)
2 ½ cups of vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup of milk
Hot fudge topping

16 oz glass

Blend in blender all ingredients till mixed.
Use a flexible spatula to remove all from the blender.
Don’t over mix or it will thin out.
Put the Hot Fudge topping on the top of the mix in the glass. (YES!!!)

You can also layer the hot fudge too creating a parfait. (YUM!)

Blizzards can be made with Oreo’s (two cookies), Heath Bars (or Skor), Reese’s Peanutbutter Cups, Soft Chocolate Chip cookies.
Add mint extract and green food coloring with the Oreo’s.

Arby’s Jamocha Shake (my all time favorite but no more Arby’s around here!)

Makes 2 – 16 ounce drinks! (Always nice to share with a friend!)

1 cup of cold coffee
1 cup of low fat milk
3 tablespoons of granulated (white) sugar
a dash of salt
3 cups of vanilla ice cream
3 tablespoons of chocolate syrup

Combine the coffee, milk, sugar, and salt.
Add the ice cream and chocolate syrup.
Blend and pour.

Jack in the Box Oreo Cookie Shake

3 cups of vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 cups of milk
6 Oreo cookies crushed

Put ice cream and milk into a blender and mix thoroughly.
Crush the cookies into chunks and add to the blended ingredients.

Notes:
You can use any flavor of Oreo cookies or Double Stuf Oreos for this shake.
You can also use chocolate ice cream or mint chocolate chip instead of vanilla.

Interesting Tidbits – McDonald’s redesigned the McFlurry container tops because too many nosy baby hedgehogs were getting stuck in discarded containers when they entered through the cap opening then could not get out after having a treat. They ended up dying if someone did not rescue them. This protest for a new design came from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society who campaigned for the change for five long years.

Each McDonalds decides if they wish to carry the Strawberry Shake or the Coffee shake. Most stick to the vanilla or chocolate. You can always get some coffee and pour it into either shake if you desire a custom flavor.

Enjoy!
09.10.06 (12:52 pm)   [edit]

Halloween

 


I love Halloween. 
Not the gorey scarey stuff, but the fun stuff.
Halloween is a big holiday next to Christmas.
In Wales, I read they call it Dappy Door Night. Cute.

I enjoy making costumes. I like going to costume contests and winning prizes!
The past several years, I have won for best group costumes.  Prizes were a case of Red Hook beer (I don't drink though.), tickets to sports events or shows, gift certificates to the Mall or resturaunt and more!

So you are wondering what costumes won the goodies?

Ghostbusters (recycled materials made up the power pack) and the Dustbuster (feather duster, white gloves and a can of End Dust, easy and no frills) and Mr. Clean (looked tough and folded his arms).

The Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol -- my crew all decked out in blue blazers, white turtlenecks, jeans. Each of us had a prop, a dozen red roses, old VCR camera (yardsale find $5.00), Fisher Price Microphone, and a huge homemade check and we all had red, white and blue balloons, three each.  The van was even decorated and when people saw us coming, it was really fantasic.  People are so funny.  A couple of college guys were giving out fortunes at the party in a dark room and when we came in, they just could not stop with the compliments.  Very very funny, we were a bit overwhelmed by their memorable verbal enthusiastic assault. They precidicted we would win the costume contest.

 

Last year we dressed up as Scooby and the Gang (tops and props, all wore jeans) and of course, the van became the Mystery Machine.  I found at one yardsale a reddish orange sweater for Velma, and a purple one for Daphne (50 cents total and the inspiration), at Good Will I found a huge stuffed Scooby Doo with a ghost hanging from his mouth ($2.00). We found cheap wigs although Fred had a surfer dude look. Shaggy (lime green shirt and brown cords (could later wear as regular clothing) and had perfect natural Shaggy hair!) held Scooby, Fred (white shirt, red scarf) and Velma (wore nerd glasses) had huge toy magnifying glasses (50 cents from yardsales) looking for clues, Daphne (me with the scarf and headband) had a box of Scooby Snacks ($2.00) that the dogs got later on. We meet up with an adult Scooby and a baby (3 or 4 months old) Scrappy Doo in a carriage, both store bought costumes. Copy Cats! LOL

This year -- I have an idea. I know we will win again! Huge yardsales tomorrow so i get to look around for props. Very exciting!

It is fun to see all the little kids at the door. Our town has a specified two hour Trick or Treat night.
One child had a remote radio type thing in her sack and her dad stood by the street demanding lots of candy be put in the sack.  Clever.

A few sacks of candy broke and we had candy all over the front lawn so keep some extra bags by your door if you get lots of kids. I liked the trail of candy left by some little kid between our house and the neighbor's house in the street.

I dress up differently at the door dishing out the candy -- I have been Miss America (recycled the roses from the Prize Patrol and a gown bought at a yardsale along with some trophies), Barbie (the original one with the pony tail and the cat glasses only I wore a gray pencil skirt, white blouse, and heels), WonderWoman (the same Barbie outfit recycled only had a bun and nerd glasses) and one year I recall, I was "Myself". How original!

I don't decorate the house.  Too much work although Martha Stewart magazine a few years ago had window sized ghosts cut out of sheer fabric then place in your windows, that looks like an easy idea to do. Maybe.

So tell me, what was your favorite costume you wore or you saw any Halloween?
What do you think you will go as this Halloween? Or don't you go to any parties?
Any funny incidents you wish to share?
Favorite candy you loved to get?
Favorite Halloween memory as a kid?

Readers please post so some people can get some Halloween ideas to use!
Halloween is next month! Let's get organized so we can have fun!

Comments to my post are always welcomed.  Thanks!

09.08.06 (1:34 pm)   [edit]

Carrot, Egg or Cup of Coffee?

I got this as an email but I thought it was well worth sharing with all my readers.
All I thought of was WOW!  This is a great analogy of how we think and could change a reader of my blog's life!  I am sure someone could use this. Enjoy! 

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee.
You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asks, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.
She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile.
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however, after they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" She asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?
Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

 
09.07.06 (9:14 am)   [edit]

The Memory Project

Last night on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, I saw this moving news story and just thought what a great idea and a good cause so I just had to blog this most exceptional program.

Ben Schumaker started The Memory Project, drawing portraits of children living in ophanages in poor countries.

He said that he was very moved by a Guatemala man who told his story of his forgotten childhood since he grew up in an orphange and had no pictures of himself in his youth or even his family.

Ben set out to make a difference in the lives of these children and The Memory Project was born. Now he has high school students participating in the program drawing the portraits of the orphaned children.

It seems that the students doing the drawing become very attached to their subject especially when drawing their eyes.

On the back of each portrait, the artist's picture and a little note is attached and the whole project is laminated.

I think this is a truly wonderful project.

A little time and effort to give one child a life long memory as a keepsake to value the rest of their lives. It also gives MORE than you can ever imagine in the long run.

Below are the links to the news story article. There is also a picture documentary you can look at.

CBS News Story/Article
09.06.06 (10:06 am)   [edit]

National Piano Month

September is National Piano Month

I just thought I would share my piano with you.
It was a yardsale find.
I was in the right place at the right time. (Thank you Angels!)
It was a moving sale yardsale.  I saw a pricey keyboard.  I asked how much and the lady said $10..  The keyboard was an expensive model.  I said I would take it but I was really dreaming of getting a piano.
She said they had one they were thinking of selling and told her daughter to take me into the house to see it.

I could not beleive it!  It was exactly what I wanted, cherry with Queen Anne legs and a console. Happy Birthday to ME!
I asked the price and she said they needed to get a appraisal they would call me.
It is a Baldwin and they only had it for six years and paid $5000. for it new.  The daughter did not like taking lessons.
This piano was made by the original Baldwin company long before Gibson Guitar bought them out.

A l-o-n-g month later, they called with a very low price of a few hundred dollars since they just needed to get rid of it.
Meanwhile, I did all the research with the serial number and the market price.  This was a super deal!  I had been on a used piano list for a while with no results for what I wanted.

A few days later, it was delivered (another story in itself).  The lady also included ALL of the sheet music and books they had.  WOW!  I was playing for days.

I have playing spurts. (That sounds like a disease!)

A piano comes in handy when we lose power.  You don't need the electricity to operate it and if you know your keyboard, you can play for hours in the dark till the electricity comes back on and things are back to normal. It is fun.

I tend to play more around Christmas time.
I use the keyboard when I feel like playing some rock and roll. LOL
I bet that girl now regrets not taking lessons, if not at this time, when she is older.
However, her lack of interest turned into a great find for me and a great birthday gift especially during National Piano Month!

09.06.06 (9:56 am)   [edit]

I am a Star!!!

You Are The Star

You represent the ultimate in truth and purity.
Insightful and illuminating, you provide guidance for others.
You also demonstrate unselfish, unconditional love.
You posses many spiritual gifts, including the ability to heal.

Your fortune:

Your future is looking brighter by the day.
The near future will be a time of both hope and healing.
Luck is about to come your way, perhaps the best luck you have ever seen.
Life is about to get a lot easier and much better!

 

What an accurate word description of me!
Wonder what luck will be coming my way.
I will keep all my dedicated readers posted and share with you my good fortunes.
LOL
Sweet dreams to you all!
(filing this under entertainment!)
09.05.06 (11:09 pm)   [edit]

Compliments to LadyG!

  Shortly after reading LadyG's post on "What Makes a Person Attractive", I came across this poem and thought it would be a nice compliment to LadyG's blog entry. Enjoy!

Some folks in looks take so much pride
They don't think much of what's inside.
Well, as for me, I know my face
Can ne'er be made a thing of grace,
And so I rather think I'll see
How I can fix th' inside of me
So folks'll say, "He looks like sin,
but ain't he beautiful within!"

Written by John Kendrick Banks, 1862-1922.
He was the humor editor of "Harper's Magazine", "Harper's Bazaar", and "Harper's Young People".
He also was editor of a political humor magazine called "Puck" which was very popular in it's day satirizing politicians and society issues of the times.

More on Puck Magazine

09.05.06 (11:48 am)   [edit]

Oreo Treats: Coffee Cake, Cheese Cake (no bake), Cupcakes, Oreo Brownies, and MORE!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes using Oreos as the base ingredient and a story.
I like the no bake Oreo Cookie and Cream cake the best. I am making it for my birthday. But first my story.

I had a dog named Oreo, naturally he was black and white, part Cocker Spaniel and Beagle about 20-25 pounds. My friend got him and needed a ride to the SPCA to bring him in because her dad did not want another dog. My Mom just loved him so he stayed with us. He use to get loose once in a while and would track me (lived 2 blocks away)to my University classes. He would wait by the building door. Someone would always let him in the building and he would find me. Acted like he had not seen me in years and of course, disrupted the class. He did a good sit and stay though once calmed down.

Once I was driving home (night) and saw him running around, I stopped my VW bug(It was a real antique and a cheerful sunshiny yellow! my first car I bought myself!)in the middle of the road and called him. He came running over all excited to the car and hopped right in.

He also liked to be pushed around in my Dad's office chair, sit on my brother's motorcycle, and ride on the lawnmower. Crazy dog but fun. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Hope you enjoyed the story and enjoy the recipes. Thanks for visiting.

No Bake Oreo Cookie and Cream Cake
Three ingredients - freeze up to 3 days in advance!
8 or 9 inch spring form pan lightly greased
Makes 12 servings.

2 cups of whipping cream (like Cool Whip)
¼ cup of almond flavored liqueur
1 – 16 oz package of OREOs, or any chocolate sandwich cookies (approximately 42 cookies).

Mix the whipping cream and liqueur together.
Chill for 30 minutes.
Coarsely chop the cookies (put in a bag and smash into chunks with a wooden rolling pin), set aside.
Beat chilled whipping cream till soft peaks form when beaters are lifted from bowl.
Mix a half cup of cookie chunks into the whipping cream. Use a rubber spatula to combine the two.
Spoon one third of the mixture into the greased spring form pan and pat down to spread it evenly on the bottom.
Spread half of the remaining cookie chunks over the patted down whipping cream.
Spread half of the remaining whipped cream over the layer of cookie chunks.
Spread the remaining cookie chunks on the layer of whipped cream.
Spread the remaining whipped cream on the top.
The whipped cream should be your last layer.

Freeze for two hours.

Freeze for up to three days but make sure you wrap it up tightly before freezing.

One hour before serving, run a long thin knife along the edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Remove the sides of the spring form pan.

Place the cake in the refrigerator to thaw slightly.

Garnish the top of the cake with any of the following: cookie crumbs, shaved chocolate, jimmies, strawberries.

Serve the cake semi-frozen.

If you have cake leftover, put it back in the freezer wrapped properly after slicing what you need.

This cake is great with the other specialty OREOs such as chocolate middles, double stuf, the blue or green mint ones, Halloween OREOs even the Double Stuf.

Instead of the almond liqueur, I have used Kaluha especially with the chocolate middle OREOs.

Very easy to do and always a big hit.

OREO Ripple Coffee Cake
Grease a bundt pan -- Bake 350 -- One Hour

24 OREO cookies, coarsely chopped (put in a bag and smash into chunks with a wooden rolling pin)
1/4 cup butter melted
One package yellow pound cake mix
4 teaspoons milk
1/3 cup flour
1/3 semisweet chocolate chips (more if you desire)
1 cup powdered sugar

Mix chopped cookies with flour and butter (so they don't settle and clump on the bottom of the cake).
Stir in chocolate chips and set aside.
Prepare cake mix according to package directions using all ingredients specified on the box.
Pour half the batter into a greased Bundt pan.
Sprinkle 2 cups of cookie mixture evenly over batter.
Top with remaining batter and then cookie mixture, pressing cookies gently into batter.
Bake at 350ºF for about one hour. Test the cake.

Cool in pan for five minutes, invert the cake on a plate or wire rack and let cool completely.
Mix powdered sugar and milk then drizzle over the cake.

Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
No Bake! 9 inch spring form pan
Makes 8 servings

2 cups (24 cookies) crushed OREOs
6 Tablespoons of margarine, softened
Combine the cookies and margarine and press to make the crust bottom and sides (1 ½ inches up) into a 9 inch spring form pan.
1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
¼ cup of cold water
1 – 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar
¾ cup of milk
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
1 ¼ cups (approximately 10 cookies) chopped OREOs.

Soften the gelatin in water; stir over low heat until dissolved.
Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until blended.
Gradually add the gelatin and milk mixing until blended.
Chill until mixture is thickened but not set.
Fold in whipped cream.
Reserve 1 ½ cups cream cheese mixture; pour remaining cream cheese mixture over crust.
Top with chopped cookies and reserved cream cheese mixture.
Chill until firm.

Chocolate OREO Pie

This has a shortbread bottom with layers of cream cream, pudding with OREOs, more whipped cream, and topped with more crushed OREOs.
Remember,there are different flavors of OREOs so you can try this treat with any one you wish.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup Flour
1/2 cup Butter (softened)
1/2 cup finely chopped Pecans
2-8oz pkg Philadelphia Cream Cheese (or store brand)
1/2 cup Domino Powdered Sugar (10x/white confectioners sugar or the store brand)
1 1/2 cup Cool Whip (large container)
2 boxes Instant Chocolate Pudding mix (Jello or Royal, dark or regular chocolate)

20 OREO Cookies (crushed)

Creating the Layers:

Mix together the flour, butter and pecans to make a cookie like dough.

Pat the mixture into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Allow to cool.

Mix together the cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer.
Spread over the cooled crust. 
Spread half the Cool Whip Topping over the cream cheese layer.

Prepare the pudding per box directions. Add half of the crushed cookies into the pudding. 
Spread over the Cool Whip Topping Layer.

Spread the remaining Cool Whip Topping over the pudding then sprinkle the remaining crushed OREO cookies on top.

Cookies n' Cream Brownies

1 package of  Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix (1 lb 3.8 ounces)
Water, vegetable oil, and eggs as called for on the brownie mix package 
1 cup creme filled (like Oreo's) chocolate cookie crumbs
1/2 tub of Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy chocolate or vanilla frosting (2/3 cup)
2/3 cup of creme filled (more OREOs!) chocolate&nb sp; sandwich cookie crumbs

Mix according to package.  Into the batter add the 1 cup of cookie crumbs.  Mix thoroughly.
Place mix in a 13 inch by 9 inch pan.
Bake at 350 degrees 28 to 30 minutes
Cool completely
Frost with the frosting and sprinkle the remaining 2/3 cup of crumbs on top of the frosting.

Jack in the Box OREO Cookie Shake

3 cups of vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 cups of milk
6 OREO cookies crushed

Put ice cream and milk into a blender and mix thoroughly.
Crush the cookies into chunks and add to the blended ingredients.

Notes:
You can use any flavor of OREO cookies or Double Stuf OREOs for this shake.
You can also use chocolate ice cream or mint chocolate chip instead of vanilla.

Hot Fudge OREO Cheese Cake Cupcakes

12 OREO Cookies
2 - 8 oz packages of cream cheese softened
3/4 cup of sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup of sour cream
2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Line 12 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
Place a cookie into each cupcake liner.

At medium high speed, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
Add last four ingredients; beat till blended.
Divide mixture into the 12 muffin liners with OREO base.
Bake 25 minutes or until puffed.
Cool for 15 minutes.
Remove from pan.  Cool completely.
Top each baked cupcake with HOT FUDGE SAUCE.
Pipe whipped topping onto cupcakes.
Top each cupcake with a mini OREO.

Oreo Dirt Cake (put in a clean plant pot or glass bowl)

1 lg. bag Oreo cookies (any flavor but chocolate looks more like dirt)
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
2 lg. boxes of vanilla instant pudding
2 cups milk
1 - 8 oz. container Cool Whip (or store brand)
8 inch flower pot or glass bowl
Artificial flower, can be seasonal
Gummy Worms for decoration if desired 

Crush the bag of cookies in the blender, or food processor, then set aside.
Cream together the 1/2 stick butter or margarine 1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

In large bowl, mix 2 boxes of vanilla instant pudding according to box directions.
Add cream cheese mixture and 8 ounces of Cool Whip.
Beat together until mixed.
In an 8 inch flower pot or glass bowl, layer the cookie mixture, then the pudding mixture, then the cookie mixture, etc.
End with the cookie mixture as the final and top layer.
Add an artificial silk flower in top and a gummy worm or two.

Note: If using a clay pot, you can line it with tinfoil.

Oreo Dirt Cake Halloween Cemetary (no bake)

1 pkg. (16oz.) Oreo Cookies
3 1/2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4 oz. ea.) JELL-O Chocolate Flavored Instant Pudding (any chocolate flavor or use Royal Instant Pudding)
1 container (12 oz.) COOL WHIP whipped topping, thawed (or the store brand)

Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies for gravestones

Instructions:
Crush the Oreo Cookies by placing cookies in a zipper-like bag and using a rolling pin over the bag until cookies are crushed and crumbled.

Pour the cold milk into a large bowl.
Add pudding mixes. Mix for 2 minutes with whisk.
Gently stir in 3 cups of COOL WHIP and 1/2 of the crushed cookies.
Pour into a 13x9-inch baking pan.
Sprinkle with the remaining crushed cookies on the top.

Refrigerate for 1 hour till firm or ready to serve.

Cool Whip Ghosts: use a ziplock bag with corner edge cut diagonally or pastry bag with tip and squeeze out a ghost.

Or use pumpkin or ghost Peeps with toothpicks inserted in them then insert into the cake. Gummy worms can also be used.

Little spooky plastic fences can be added here or there.

Candy corn can be used as decoration also.

Oreo Cookie Peanut Delight (no bake freezer cake)

25 crushed chocolate Oreo cookies
1/2 gallon softened vanilla ice cream
1 jar of Mrs. Richard's fudge or chocolate sauce
Spanish peanuts
8 oz. Cool Whip

Crush the Oreo cookies in a bag with a rolling pin and press in a 9 x 13 inch pan.
Soften the vanilla ice cream and spread over cookie mixture.
Evenly spread fudge or chocolate sauce over ice cream layer.
Sprinkle Spanish nuts over fudge.
Top with Cool Whip.
Add sprinkles, jimmies, shaved chocolate to the top if desired.
Freeze overnight and serve the next day.
Serve frozen.

 

 

 

(updated 3/28/07)
09.03.06 (4:41 pm)   [edit]

Linguistic Profile

 

My Linguistic Profile:
45% Yankee
45% General American English
5% Dixie
5% Upper Midwestern
0% Midwestern
09.02.06 (1:14 pm)   [edit]

Adding TFriends!

Quickie posting then I gotta run -- 

Ok -- last night I got a few invites from other members (finally!) so I checked it out and it seems to be working again! Woo Hoo!

Five members accepted to be my TFriend I discovered this AM. THANKS!

I say, if it is working now -- then use it before it is broke again! (It was broken for months!)

TFruge1 -- unfortunately, it still says pending but I have not recieved your invite or you probably not mine.

I had this problem with a few other people too, can't remember the names right now because I have not had my java jolt this am yet.

Adding TFriends --

1. Log in to your account. Find the member's profile you wish to add.  You can click on a the little green dot on the TBlurt or if you are at their blog, click on their profile.
You can also find them by searching the users by username in the search box on the upper left hand corner of the main page.

2. Click on "Be My Friend" blue button under their avatar in their profile.

You are taken to a new page and just click on continue.

An automatic friend request TMail is sent to them and once they approve by clicking yes they are added to your friend list and yours to theirs.

You can always say no.

This is a great way to advertise your blog being a friend since members check out other member's friends page (must be logged in) from time to time just to see other people's blogs.

Start collecting your TBlog friends today!  LOL -- sounds like collecting those fast food promotional toys or something from a cereal box.

See ya later alligator.

Comments always welcomed as usual.  Don't be shy.

Updated at 1:52 pm.

09.01.06 (9:13 am)   [edit]