"I Want & Need ..."

My existence as a cat requires many things. Oh, by the way, my name is Earline Q. I want and need many things out of life such as a steady food supply, fresh water, catnip, a clean litter box and soft places to sleep. When I go outside, it's especially essential that I have comfortable outdoor patio furniture to sleep on in order to get my beauty rest. I have been on some furniture that is so lumpy, hard, rusted and mildewed that I have had to set standards (will have to pass them on to my owner). There is nothing worse than waking up cranky after my cat nap or sleeping on furniture that leaves "sleep marks" on my body. Sad but true, this has happened many times in the past.

Outdoor patio furniture should be designed for style, durability and most important of all, comfort. Beautiful design, craftsmanship, top quality and price should be the main criteria when selecting new furniture. My owner should be looking for exceptional value all the way around. As I don't like going into the pool (no point being in water unless there are fish for me to catch), I would like the luxury of lounging on conversation sets and poolside chairs. If there's a dinner party, there should be an extra chair for me so that I can be an inactive observer (please: no food scraps: I need to maintain my weight and shiny coat at all times).

Whether the outdoor patio furniture that you choose is aluminum, wrought iron, wicker, wood or high-density plastic, comfort for lounging and dining is a top prerequisite. If you like an eclectic style of decorating, mixing and matching materials and styles is just the thing for you.

Invest In Gold For Your Future

Much has been said lately both in the news and in print about the rising price and value of gold. Whether you're a seasoned gold investor or are new to this precious metal, you'll be able to get information by filling out the form for your free gold buyer's guide from Aurum Advisers at their website "goldcoinsgain.com".

Gold coins are available in fantastic designs and motifs (see above picture that shows the $2.5 Liberty Quarter Eagle). This coin holds the distinction of keeping the same design for the longest time in American history: 33 years.

Another beautiful gold coin is the Gold South African Krugerrand which was the first gold coin minted for investment. It's believed that this is the most widely owned bullion coin in the world. There is also the Canadian Maple Leaf coin that has set the standard for gold purity.

The gold trading market never closes so you can by and sell gold in any country at any time. The Chinese Gold Panda bullion coin (seen at the right) was one of the most successful gold bullion coins of the 1980's especially in the United States. There has always been a steady demand for this bullion regardless of the market price of gold. The design was changed every year and Gold Pandas are often used in necklaces and bracelets.

Online Sales Tax?

Online shopping many soon be more costly. Laws in New York, Rhode Island and North Carolina will force retailers to collect state sales tax on purchases from Internet retailers.

With state revenues decreasing, many states are considering the so-called "Amazon Laws" which require Internet retailers to collect sales tax even if there are based in another state.

The Supreme Court ruled that companies need to collect sales tax only if they maintain a "physical presence" (store or warehouse) in the same state as the customer. New laws get around this Supreme Court ruling by treating "in-state-hosted affiliate websites" as the legal equivalent of a physical presence.

States loose approximately $20 billion dollars a year in tax revenue due to online shopping.

source: PARADE

Calling All Cooks

Are you someone who likes to cook on a grill? Do you have a friend who is always inviting you over for "a little something I'll throw together on the grill"? You can cook like a gourmet chef with your Fire Magic Grill. Using charcoal, propane, natural gas, you can amaze your friends with your gastronomic delights. Another option is their electric grill. These grills can be built in or free standing and may have side burners and rotisserie kits.

If beef is your speciality for grilling or rotisserie grilling, here are a few tips to help you with your preparation of the meat. Whether you're using Fire Magic Grills or you like to cook over an open flame, here are a few ideas for preparation. If your using a rotisserie, you have to preheat the grill before cooking. For best results, sear the beef at a high temperature for the first few minutes with a low to medium low heat for the balance of the cooking time. Beef cuts that have a basic cylindrical shape are best to use (see the the tenderloin roast picture). If you aren't using the rotisserie method, then you'll be grilling on direct heat. When grilling steaks, slash the fat at 1" intervals around the steak. This helps reduce the steak's tendency to curl while grilling. Some roasts may require tying before grilling.

Here's a delightful recipe for grilling beef to get you started.

*Cajun Grilled Beef

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

-1 pound beef top sirloin, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 each red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 each large yellow onions, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 4 each metal skewers

Directions Place steak pieces in a large bowl. Add all ingredients into bowl except, red bell pepper and onion. Mix well and cover. Place in refrigerator and allow to marinate for 1-4 hours. Preheat grill for medium heat. Thread beef, red bell pepper, and onion pieces alternately onto skewers. Place on your Fire Magic Grill and cook approximately 10-15 minutes.

*source: recipetips.com

Household Items = Beauty Enhancers

Are you spending your children's inheritance on expensive beauty and cosmetic products? There's lots of thing in your house that you can use that are as effective as the high price items. For example, baking soda not only deodorizes your refrigerator but can be used as a body scrub or toothpaste.

Lemon juice minimizes pores and whitens polish-stained nails. Coconut oil is a fabulous moisturizer or make-up remover. Orange peels aid in exfoliating skin when mixed with salt or sugar. Castor oil is great for growing eyelashes and can also remove artificial nails. Olive oil can be used on your skin as a moisturizer or to help you get a tan and Source: cucumber slices or tea bags can refresh tired, swollen eyes. Beaten egg whites make an great facial mask

Source: Flint Journal

Live GREEN Like Leonardo DiCaprio

Two very recognizable symbols are the ones for recycling and composting. But what is the difference between the 2 processes? The composting process refers only to what can be "composted" which is the bio-degradation of organic matter, such as yard waste and food. This process, usually done by a garden composter is performed by micro-organisms, mostly bacteria, but also yeasts and fungi. There are many contributors to the different phases of decomposition including earthworms and fruit flies. Composting is usually not considered as recycling according to several sources.

Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste, reduce pollution (both air and water) and to reduce the need for conventional waste disposal. Recyclable materials include glass, paper, metal, textiles and electronics. For the processing of these materials neither garden composters or recycling bins are used. The materials are either brought to a collection center or picked up curbside and sorted and reprocessed into new materials.

How does Leonardo DiCaprio figure into all of this? He has been an avid supporter of the "green movement" and the environment for many years and practices what he preaches. He recently moved into a $9M environmentally correct apartment in New York City. His apartment has rotating solar panels that provide 10% of his power. Leonardo says that he lives in the "green manner" and has released a feature length documentary "11th Hour" which focuses on the problems facing the planet's life systems. This film was done with the help of over 50 of the most prominent thinkers and activists including Mikhail Gorbachev and physicist Stephen Hawking. Global warming, deforestation, species extinction and depletion of ocean habitats are addressed. The feature offers hope and solutions. The "11th Hour" calls for a healthier future and this includes garden composters.

Do Lie Detectors Lie?

Polygraph tests are not cheap to administer. Forensic Polygraph Center in Simsbury, CT says the going rate is about $900.00. Commonly known as a lie detector, it's not only used for criminals. Private citizens use it as a tool to help settle domestic disputes. For many polygraph testing companies, more than 50% of their income, comes from family disputes.

John Grogan, Executive Director of Polygraph Examiners of America says that the machines are very accurate. "With the modern computerized polygraph and a trained examiner, it's about 98% accurate" Grogan stated.

George Maschke, co-founder of "Anti-polygraph.org" says that "It can measure your breathing rate, change in palm sweating and change in heart rate, but none of these are correlated in any consistent way with deceptions in human beings."

Polygraph (lie detector) testing has greatly increased due to crime shows, judge shows and game shows.

Source: The Hartford Courant

Where Am I?

Where Am I? That's a question I often ask myself when I'm driving to a new destination. I'm "directionally dysfunctional". There: I've said it out loud! If there were an organization for people like me, say for example Directionally Dysfunctional Anonymous, I would be president (or at least vice president). Thank heaven for GPS navigational systems and address plaques. Without them I would truly be lost. My husband I didn't argue often but one of the things that would really set him off, was my lack of directional sense. If he made a wrong turn while driving, he knew how to compensate for the error. Not me! When he'd try and give me directions, he'd get very frustrated because I couldn't relate to what he was telling me. He had to tell me in terms of left turn, right turn, how many lights, what businesses were along the way etc. We finally agreed that he wouldn't give me directions early in the morning or late at night. (and hopefully never on his part).

Before a lot of homes and businesses had address plaques that were noticeable, I would spend a lot of time stopping and asking for directions especially in a business area, as I find those are the ones who don't have their address clearly visible for the most part. I like it when they are illuminated or are the reflecting kind as they can be seen in the dark.

To me, an address plaque is very important. If it's for a house, then I know that I've I reached the right place especially in areas where homes are far apart or in a very rural area late at night. Even though my GPS will get me where I want to go, I still like to find a visible sign that it is definitely the right place.

Seniors Social Security Surprise

If you are currently collecting Social Security, there's a big surprise that's not happening in January. The usual 2%-3% increase in benefits just won't be there. Benefits for 2010 won't shrink but the lack of increase will affect many senior citizens.

For the first time in 3 decades, there won't be a cost of living adjustment (COLA). Social Security benefits are adjusted up each year to keep pace with inflation. These adjustments are based on the consumer-price index for urban wage earners between the 3rd quarter of the current year and the 3rd quarter of the previous year.

For some, their benefit could be lower factoring in premiums for Medicare Part B which are deducted from the monthly benefits. In the past the COLA has been enough to offset the increase in Part B premiums.

Medicare beneficiaries are protected by a provision that ensures that their Medicare premiums don't increase more than the increase in Social Security benefits (COLA).

Source: SMARTMONEY.COM