MORE STUFF YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO KNOW.

AN APPLE A DAY
So the other day in Walmart, they didn't have have Pink Lady apples, so I grabbed just one Honey Crisp instead because I wasn't sure how it would taste.  At the register that one apple cost $3.93!  Huh?

That was a really good reminder to always check the receipt. Needless to say, those funds were added back to my card, and it was reweighed, costing just $.89.  That was a pretty big difference, right?

WHAT'S UP WITH SAFFRON?
This expensive spice is traditionally used in rice or paella, but you may be surprised to know that the flowers bloom just one week out of the year, and have to be harvested by hand in the morning.  It takes about 1,000 flowers to get just an ounce of saffron, and can easily cost $10-$15 per gram.  If you really like it a lot, 1 Lb of Genuine Red Persian Saffron is available for sale on eBay for $1454.00 and FREE shipping!

SLEEP LIKE  A BABY
According to Dr. Oz, who I totally adore, consistently sleeping less than 6 hours a night increases the risk of a heart attack, and other health issues so do everything you can to get the proper rest every night.

PUZZLE ANYONE?
Remember how we used to get puzzles and put them together on the kitchen table?  I even had friends who glued them together for wall art.

Can You Find the Hidden Images in These Puzzles

Now there are new trends designed to stump you even more, which include Hidden Images and Glow in the Dark.  You can find these in Amazon, PuzzleWarehouse.com  or PuzzleHouse.com.  Don't forget to celebrate National Puzzle Day on January 29!

OLYMPICS
The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics starts on February 9, 2018, even though some events will start on February 8.  The very first Winter Olympics  was called The International Sports Week, and was held in France in 1924.  Back then there were just 6 sports and 14 events. Wow!

LIBRARY STUFF
The National Library in Estonia is large and consists of 8 floors. In addition, there are  2 more floors that are basement level, and hold the most valuable books.  If you need a quiet place just to read, there are 20 rooms designated just for that.  The outside of the gray building doesn't look very exciting, but inside are many modern rooms and furniture ,with state of the art equipment.  Despite that, certain areas may remind you of an old fashioned castle. With just over 5 million books, it's all well maintained and air conditioned, but won't make the world's largest library list.  

What is the largest library in the world, and also considered the best?  The Library of Congress in Washington DC. Despite being considered the best, if we decide to visit, you and I can't check out books there. Nope, the best we can expect to do is some heavy on-site research and sightseeing.  The special privilege of actually borrowing books is only allowed by Congress, and certain other members of the government.

SUPERBOWL NEWS
The SUPERBOWL kicks off on February 4, but if football isn't quite your thing, be sure to check out the Kitten Bowl on the Hallmark Channel at 12pm ET.  If you need even more furry fun, switch over to The Animal Planet Channel at 3pm ET to see The Puppy Bowl. 

Both of these programs are designed to help pets get adopted. After all that cuteness and a few snacks, it'll be time for a nap.

WAIT ON THAT TV
There are a few deals to be had on new televisions up through February 4, but after that prices won't go low again until November.

THE CAT'S ON THE CASE
Do you like cats and cute capers that aren't too deep?  Check out these 2 books when you get a chance. If the Haunting Fits, Wear It, and Twice Told Tail. Aren't these covers fun?

MAKE MONEY MOVES
You've heard of Lyft and Uber where you get paid to transport people to various locations, but did you know you can deliver packages by hooking up with Amazon Flex?  Their hours are flexible, and the salary ranges from $18 - $25 per hour.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY COOKIES(Genius Kitchen)

INGREDIENTS

• 1(18 ounce) box chocolate cake mix
• 2 Large eggs
• 1⁄2 Cup shortening
• 1tablespoon almond liqueur (if using almond extract do use 1 teaspoon)
• 1⁄2Cup plump dried cherries

• OPTIONAL GARNISH

• melted white chocolate
• melted semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix the first 4 ingredients together.
2. Stir in dried cherries.
3. Scoop a heaping spoonful onto cookies sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.
5. Drizzle chocolates over cookies if wanted.
6. Cool and store in a air tight container 

BE CAREFUL 
Those in verbal or physically abusive relationships often remain silent, however, sometimes the feelings of frustration can become overwhelming and you want to talk. But be very careful who you share your story with because that person may try to minimize what you're going through, or possibly not have your best interests at heart. This can even include family members.

Baring your soul to the wrong person could potentially make your living situation much worse if it somehow gets back to your abuser.

It's best to speak to someone in a domestic violence shelter who is trained, or a pastor who knows how to handle this situation. There are also specialized groups who offer support.  As always, I suggest keeping everything well documented and to keep it hidden in a very safe place. Be quietly creative. If your password is secure, it's also great to use email to either send to yourself, or type it so it stays in draft form. When you get money, send it to yourself via Western Union or Money Gram. 

Remember, 2018 is your year to start over, so be safe, be careful and try to take the necessary steps to get your life back.

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