Mardi Gras - Galveston Style.
Grab Your Beads
We have all "kinds" of floats
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Mardi Gras Galveston
This has not been a good week for us. Both of us have been under the weather and it's a struggle to do almost anything. So we decided to throw up a few pictures of "our" Mardi Gras here in Galveston. Maybe Galveston is not in the same league with New Orleans, but we want you to know that we are really "on top" for great family fun. Hope you enjoy this.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Why All The Hype About Steroids In Sports?
With all the media focusing on the steroid sports scandal, we decided to wade in with our quick take on the subject. No, we are not going to talk about Clemens, or Tejada, or any particlar "star". What we are going to say is about steroids and good health.
Steroids are a medical tool. Yes, body builders jumped in and started to take steroids when they found that they could achieve great results and "win" weight lifting events. They also found that without proper medical advice and control, there were serious consequences including death. It also had adverse effects on the body over time.
Doctors perscribe steroids in a number of instances to help healing and, in some cases, allow other drugs to work more effectively. They, of course, monitor the usage and effects. This is the best way steroids are used. But, if steroids are used as in the case of sports, your good health just took a nose dive.
Steroids used properly under a doctor's supervison is good. Used improperly and your health is effected often times very adversely. So is the media hype about promoting good health? NO!
Everybody involved has an ulterior motive.
Congress jumped in because it's an election year. Show you are outraged at this "cheating" and you get votes since "your heart is in the right place".
The media is playing it up because they need a bigger audience and that means more money from advertisers.
Sports officials allowed all this to gain control over the players and the unions involved.
And the players now being investigated started the whole thing so they could be the "best" to extend their careers or just to make more money. Why does someone who hits a ball or throws one deserve millions?
What this boils down to is that our children are effected by this hype. Some will find a way to get steroids to become a superstar to earn big bucks but ruin their health. Some will think that cheating is all right if you don't get caught. Morally and healthwise very wrong.
What we need is to promote good health, show that steroid use is wrong (unless prescribed by a doctor), and get everyone back on track for good morals. We are advocates of good health, but what we are seeing is that maybe it's time to not only look at health very, very wisely, but also to promote morals along with it. Maybe you should go to church today and talk to God.
Steroids are a medical tool. Yes, body builders jumped in and started to take steroids when they found that they could achieve great results and "win" weight lifting events. They also found that without proper medical advice and control, there were serious consequences including death. It also had adverse effects on the body over time.
Doctors perscribe steroids in a number of instances to help healing and, in some cases, allow other drugs to work more effectively. They, of course, monitor the usage and effects. This is the best way steroids are used. But, if steroids are used as in the case of sports, your good health just took a nose dive.
Steroids used properly under a doctor's supervison is good. Used improperly and your health is effected often times very adversely. So is the media hype about promoting good health? NO!
Everybody involved has an ulterior motive.
Congress jumped in because it's an election year. Show you are outraged at this "cheating" and you get votes since "your heart is in the right place".
The media is playing it up because they need a bigger audience and that means more money from advertisers.
Sports officials allowed all this to gain control over the players and the unions involved.
And the players now being investigated started the whole thing so they could be the "best" to extend their careers or just to make more money. Why does someone who hits a ball or throws one deserve millions?
What this boils down to is that our children are effected by this hype. Some will find a way to get steroids to become a superstar to earn big bucks but ruin their health. Some will think that cheating is all right if you don't get caught. Morally and healthwise very wrong.
What we need is to promote good health, show that steroid use is wrong (unless prescribed by a doctor), and get everyone back on track for good morals. We are advocates of good health, but what we are seeing is that maybe it's time to not only look at health very, very wisely, but also to promote morals along with it. Maybe you should go to church today and talk to God.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Your Energy Diet - Some Final Thoughts
We are amazed at how things are going in our world today. 20 plus years ago, oil companies were in trouble and begging for help which, to a degree, they received. Today, those same oil companies are laughing all the way to the bank. Car companies haven't figured out what they are doing with all the gas guzzlers they produce and now looking to lay offs as a way to survive. Power companies are on one hand "uping" their rates, and on the other, offering you advice on saving energy. Strange? No, irresponsible.
We can't twist your arms or force you to be "energy wise". We can only appeal to you to do the right thing and work on saving energy and saving this world we live in. Boardroom dummies aren't going to help you. Their life revolves around the bottom line and what they can squeeze out of you. You have to act. Here are a few things you can do that we haven't mentioned in our previous posts.
1. If you sincerely need a new car, get an energy efficient model with the highest MPG rating. If you don't need a new car, make sure you do all the maintenance necessary. This will allow a modern vehicle to last 10 years minimum.
2. Try to do as many errands you can in one trip rather than numerous trips.
3. Make sure you don't leave any doors or windows open during the winter by accident.
4. Use microwaves and small appliances when you can instead of an oven or stove.
5. Make sure you keep the refrigerator door closed (educate the kids), and, if you use the oven, keep the door closed as much as possible without a lot of peeking.
6. During the summer, open the doors and windows and use fans to circulate the air. Use the a/c when it is very warm but try, if at all possible, to reduce the dependency.
7. If you can, try to get your employer to alter your hours to avoid rush hours. Also, if your job involves heavy computer usage, see if you can do some or all of your work at home. There are a few quality companies that will allow this (if they have good supervisors and managers).
Most modern businesses (that includes hospitals, schools, governments, etc.) will only act when their bottom line is threatened. With our many years of "making a living" before our retirements, we have met and known many prominent people. Most don't live up to their hype when they profess that "the customer is always right". Politicians during election years hype what they will do "for you" if elected. Well, just look at this polluted world and you can see what they have done.
Now it's left for you to help yourself. Your health, your pocketbook, your children's future will only be helped if you start today to "GO GREEN". We hope you will join us in our quest to improve the environment.
We can't twist your arms or force you to be "energy wise". We can only appeal to you to do the right thing and work on saving energy and saving this world we live in. Boardroom dummies aren't going to help you. Their life revolves around the bottom line and what they can squeeze out of you. You have to act. Here are a few things you can do that we haven't mentioned in our previous posts.
1. If you sincerely need a new car, get an energy efficient model with the highest MPG rating. If you don't need a new car, make sure you do all the maintenance necessary. This will allow a modern vehicle to last 10 years minimum.
2. Try to do as many errands you can in one trip rather than numerous trips.
3. Make sure you don't leave any doors or windows open during the winter by accident.
4. Use microwaves and small appliances when you can instead of an oven or stove.
5. Make sure you keep the refrigerator door closed (educate the kids), and, if you use the oven, keep the door closed as much as possible without a lot of peeking.
6. During the summer, open the doors and windows and use fans to circulate the air. Use the a/c when it is very warm but try, if at all possible, to reduce the dependency.
7. If you can, try to get your employer to alter your hours to avoid rush hours. Also, if your job involves heavy computer usage, see if you can do some or all of your work at home. There are a few quality companies that will allow this (if they have good supervisors and managers).
Most modern businesses (that includes hospitals, schools, governments, etc.) will only act when their bottom line is threatened. With our many years of "making a living" before our retirements, we have met and known many prominent people. Most don't live up to their hype when they profess that "the customer is always right". Politicians during election years hype what they will do "for you" if elected. Well, just look at this polluted world and you can see what they have done.
Now it's left for you to help yourself. Your health, your pocketbook, your children's future will only be helped if you start today to "GO GREEN". We hope you will join us in our quest to improve the environment.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Your Energy Diet - Modify Your Lifestyle
We Americans in particular are a very wasteful bunch. We waste time and money all in the name of convenience. Much of this comes from a bit of jealousy ("my neighbor just got a..."), bombardment of advertising ( nearly 40% of TV progaming is ads and print media has ads on every page), and the predominate thinking that some new product we have never needed before will improve our lives. Could it be that we need to modify our lifestyle to not only overcome this but also to improve our environment.
Our wasteful attitude begins with our government which wastes more money and time than any other entity on this Earth. Congress passes law after law after law to "improve" our lives. Then it allocates money (which it doesn't have) to institute these "laws". Result? More rules, more regulations, more bureauracy, AND MORE TAXES. The people's reaction is then spend more to get more (if Congress can do it, why can't I?). Ooops, the credit cards just got used.
And what are we buying? Hey, see that ad? There is a new cell phone out that can play games, see videos, turn on my lights, start my car. We exaggerated a bit, but you get the idea. Why get a car that gets 40 miles to the gallon if I can get that 16 cylinder, shiney monster that all my buddies will envy that "only" costs 2 years pay and only gets 10 miles to the gallon? Mindset, friends, mindset. We have a very poor mindset when it comes to our lifestyle and our world is suffering.
If we have the mindset that "going green" is too much bother, or too much work, or "it's not my fault" for the mess we are in, then folks, we are in real trouble and it's all down hill from here. The climate is changing and the weather is getting more extreme. The ice caps are melting and the ocean levels are increasing. The photo above was taken from our deck. We are only about 150 yards from the water. BUT, we were almost 200 yards from the water just 3 years ago. Yes, we have an ulterior motive for "going green" because we can see the effects every day.
You can bury your heads in the sand and continue to believe that it's not your problem or your fault. OR, you can change your mindset and start to help to reclaim the healthy world we had some years ago. A clean world is a healthy world and your health is directly related to how your environment is now and in the future. What can you do? Change your lifestyle a small amount to help.
Little changes will help. Turn off the lights when you don't need them. Get your kids to appreciate the outdoors and limit their use of the TV and computers. If a light bulb burns out, replace it with an energy efficient bulb. In fact, change all of your bulbs. Check out all of our posts about "Your Energy Diet" and begin to use our recommendations. What we suggest will save you money, help improve your health, and improve the world we all live in.
OK, we've been on our soapbox because the picture above illustrates where we are today. If the present situation continues, in a few years the row of houses in front of us will be gone. Just 50 yards more and the houses will be on the beach which violates Texas law and they will be removed. Our view will improve, but the beach will be much closer and it won't be that long until we will be "on the beach".
We need your help. We need cleaner air. We need to reverse climate change. We need less dependency on oil. We need to recycle. We need to be active in reclaiming a healthy life. Do join us in doing what you can on a daily basis to "GO GREEN". Your kids will appreciate it in the years ahead.
Our wasteful attitude begins with our government which wastes more money and time than any other entity on this Earth. Congress passes law after law after law to "improve" our lives. Then it allocates money (which it doesn't have) to institute these "laws". Result? More rules, more regulations, more bureauracy, AND MORE TAXES. The people's reaction is then spend more to get more (if Congress can do it, why can't I?). Ooops, the credit cards just got used.
And what are we buying? Hey, see that ad? There is a new cell phone out that can play games, see videos, turn on my lights, start my car. We exaggerated a bit, but you get the idea. Why get a car that gets 40 miles to the gallon if I can get that 16 cylinder, shiney monster that all my buddies will envy that "only" costs 2 years pay and only gets 10 miles to the gallon? Mindset, friends, mindset. We have a very poor mindset when it comes to our lifestyle and our world is suffering.
If we have the mindset that "going green" is too much bother, or too much work, or "it's not my fault" for the mess we are in, then folks, we are in real trouble and it's all down hill from here. The climate is changing and the weather is getting more extreme. The ice caps are melting and the ocean levels are increasing. The photo above was taken from our deck. We are only about 150 yards from the water. BUT, we were almost 200 yards from the water just 3 years ago. Yes, we have an ulterior motive for "going green" because we can see the effects every day.
You can bury your heads in the sand and continue to believe that it's not your problem or your fault. OR, you can change your mindset and start to help to reclaim the healthy world we had some years ago. A clean world is a healthy world and your health is directly related to how your environment is now and in the future. What can you do? Change your lifestyle a small amount to help.
Little changes will help. Turn off the lights when you don't need them. Get your kids to appreciate the outdoors and limit their use of the TV and computers. If a light bulb burns out, replace it with an energy efficient bulb. In fact, change all of your bulbs. Check out all of our posts about "Your Energy Diet" and begin to use our recommendations. What we suggest will save you money, help improve your health, and improve the world we all live in.
OK, we've been on our soapbox because the picture above illustrates where we are today. If the present situation continues, in a few years the row of houses in front of us will be gone. Just 50 yards more and the houses will be on the beach which violates Texas law and they will be removed. Our view will improve, but the beach will be much closer and it won't be that long until we will be "on the beach".
We need your help. We need cleaner air. We need to reverse climate change. We need less dependency on oil. We need to recycle. We need to be active in reclaiming a healthy life. Do join us in doing what you can on a daily basis to "GO GREEN". Your kids will appreciate it in the years ahead.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Your Energy Diet - Home Tips Continued
Real catchy title for this post, isn't it. Well, catchy or not, the considerations here will make a difference in your energy bill, improve your wellbeing physically and mentally, and in due course, make your world healthy. Let's continue.
By this time, if you followed our advise, you have cut the drafts from the outside, and have insulated the attic. Before you leave the attic, don't forget to insulate the attic access. Also, make sure that there is no paper on the insulation next to heating ducts or chimneys. Heated paper can burst into flames after a period of being over heated.
If you have a basement, you need to insulate the basement ceiling and the basement walls. If you have a crawl space, that too needs to be insulated. Also, vapor barriers should be added. If you have windows in the basement, check them for air leaks and take the steps we mentioned in our earlier post for doors and windows.
Now if you haven't had a professional energy audit of your home, you need to have a professioal check out your furnace, cental heating, and A/C. You could do this yourself but we don't recommend this. You can go ahead and wrap all your ducts to reduce loss of heating or cooling. You should also wrap exposed water pipes.
On the exterior of your home, you should caulk around anything that "breaks through" your walls. This means windows, water pipes, and doors. Also, have a professional insulate around elecrical lines, central air/heating/air conditioning ducts. And, if you have a chimney, check out the bricks or stones to insure that cracks and loose material are repaired.
If any of your appliances need to be replaced, don't just grab the first thing that looks good. Study up on energy efficient appliances. Energy Star ratings are a good place to start. Also, that "special" at a very cheap price offered this weekend may be an energy guzzzler that the store is trying to get rid of. Don't continue to run old appliances if they are "on their last legs". You are just wasting energy and your money.
Won't everything we've talked about cost money? Yup, sure will. But, if you do what we have discussed (save for the appliances) yourself, the cost is for materials and your time. Sure, you may spend up to $1000 in materials, but saving a $100 each month in your power bill pays you back in less than a year and the rewards go on for many years.
Can you do this yourself? If your handy with your hands, absolutely. If your all thumbs, you can still do some things. Anyone can caulk. Anyone can replace light bulbs. And, most anyone can lay insulation in their attic. This is not rocket science. It's common sense. Get a home repair book at your local hardware store. Black and Decker, the tool company, published a great one. Buy a book, study it, determine what you can do, THEN DO IT! But don't get in over your head. Only do what you, yourself, can do. Hire a professional to do what you can't.
One last note. If you need a professional, check them out. Don't just hire the first one you find. See if your better business bureau has suggestions or your local hardware. Get someone that has an excellent reputation. Do your homework. You want a good job done at a reasonable price. If a high priced repair is suggested, get a second opinion by another reputable professional.
By this time, if you followed our advise, you have cut the drafts from the outside, and have insulated the attic. Before you leave the attic, don't forget to insulate the attic access. Also, make sure that there is no paper on the insulation next to heating ducts or chimneys. Heated paper can burst into flames after a period of being over heated.
If you have a basement, you need to insulate the basement ceiling and the basement walls. If you have a crawl space, that too needs to be insulated. Also, vapor barriers should be added. If you have windows in the basement, check them for air leaks and take the steps we mentioned in our earlier post for doors and windows.
Now if you haven't had a professional energy audit of your home, you need to have a professioal check out your furnace, cental heating, and A/C. You could do this yourself but we don't recommend this. You can go ahead and wrap all your ducts to reduce loss of heating or cooling. You should also wrap exposed water pipes.
On the exterior of your home, you should caulk around anything that "breaks through" your walls. This means windows, water pipes, and doors. Also, have a professional insulate around elecrical lines, central air/heating/air conditioning ducts. And, if you have a chimney, check out the bricks or stones to insure that cracks and loose material are repaired.
If any of your appliances need to be replaced, don't just grab the first thing that looks good. Study up on energy efficient appliances. Energy Star ratings are a good place to start. Also, that "special" at a very cheap price offered this weekend may be an energy guzzzler that the store is trying to get rid of. Don't continue to run old appliances if they are "on their last legs". You are just wasting energy and your money.
Won't everything we've talked about cost money? Yup, sure will. But, if you do what we have discussed (save for the appliances) yourself, the cost is for materials and your time. Sure, you may spend up to $1000 in materials, but saving a $100 each month in your power bill pays you back in less than a year and the rewards go on for many years.
Can you do this yourself? If your handy with your hands, absolutely. If your all thumbs, you can still do some things. Anyone can caulk. Anyone can replace light bulbs. And, most anyone can lay insulation in their attic. This is not rocket science. It's common sense. Get a home repair book at your local hardware store. Black and Decker, the tool company, published a great one. Buy a book, study it, determine what you can do, THEN DO IT! But don't get in over your head. Only do what you, yourself, can do. Hire a professional to do what you can't.
One last note. If you need a professional, check them out. Don't just hire the first one you find. See if your better business bureau has suggestions or your local hardware. Get someone that has an excellent reputation. Do your homework. You want a good job done at a reasonable price. If a high priced repair is suggested, get a second opinion by another reputable professional.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Our Nightmare Is Almost Over
A few more days and the nightmare created by the twisted, perverted hackers will be over. Our site is back up (a few links do not work) and that is good. But, what this did do is let us seriously evaluate the entire site, and what we thought about doing in the future, we are now doing.
Since we are working on the revisions, we decided that we'll let things stand for now as they are online. A few more days and everything will work and will have the site as we wanted.
Since we are very close on finishing the "new" site, we'll take a little time off tomorrow and continue our posts on "Your Energy Diet" so we can keep you aware of what is best to go green and save some green.
Since we are working on the revisions, we decided that we'll let things stand for now as they are online. A few more days and everything will work and will have the site as we wanted.
Since we are very close on finishing the "new" site, we'll take a little time off tomorrow and continue our posts on "Your Energy Diet" so we can keep you aware of what is best to go green and save some green.
Monday, February 4, 2008
A Long 4 Day Weekend Has Rewards
The Lord Be Praised!!!
We have had, what many would say, an unbelievable 4 day weekend. After being "hacked" last week, we were faced with (1) repairing our sites, (2) a big Mardi Gras weekend, and (3) the Super Bowl. Now put all of that in a "container", shake it up, and pour it out and see what happens. You won't believe the results.
Thursday, Jan. 31st, we began a marathon "repair party". By Friday, Feb. 1st, at 2 A.M., we had removed all the damage, laid out the replacement items, finished the monthly newsletter, and set up our "plan of attack". At this point, we "old" people had to stop and get some rest.
Friday morning, we began setting up our sites to at least get back online. After a few hours and many cups of coffee, we were back on line and the sites were functioning. Not all the links worked, but we were "up". We decided to let things be, and get ready for our weekend guests and the Mardi Gras parades and parties beginning Friday evening and running through Sunday.
Well, the final result was a very successful Mardi Gras weekend. Since Our Guests decided to leave early Sunday to make it home before the Super bowl started, we decided to skip the Sunday parades and rest since we had had 3 very busy days. We kicked back, took a nap, took a little time to prepare some of our final web site plans, and watched the Super Bowl. We were split about the game's outcome.
This week, we will have every thing repaired on our sites and some of our changes will be up. We hope the firewalls and other new security patches that our web host is applying will keep us from going through this mess again. Our best to you and, hopefully, your weekend was a happy one.
We have had, what many would say, an unbelievable 4 day weekend. After being "hacked" last week, we were faced with (1) repairing our sites, (2) a big Mardi Gras weekend, and (3) the Super Bowl. Now put all of that in a "container", shake it up, and pour it out and see what happens. You won't believe the results.
Thursday, Jan. 31st, we began a marathon "repair party". By Friday, Feb. 1st, at 2 A.M., we had removed all the damage, laid out the replacement items, finished the monthly newsletter, and set up our "plan of attack". At this point, we "old" people had to stop and get some rest.
Friday morning, we began setting up our sites to at least get back online. After a few hours and many cups of coffee, we were back on line and the sites were functioning. Not all the links worked, but we were "up". We decided to let things be, and get ready for our weekend guests and the Mardi Gras parades and parties beginning Friday evening and running through Sunday.
Well, the final result was a very successful Mardi Gras weekend. Since Our Guests decided to leave early Sunday to make it home before the Super bowl started, we decided to skip the Sunday parades and rest since we had had 3 very busy days. We kicked back, took a nap, took a little time to prepare some of our final web site plans, and watched the Super Bowl. We were split about the game's outcome.
This week, we will have every thing repaired on our sites and some of our changes will be up. We hope the firewalls and other new security patches that our web host is applying will keep us from going through this mess again. Our best to you and, hopefully, your weekend was a happy one.
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