MORE STUFF YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO KNOW

Don't get me wrong, I love talking to people - a lot.  In fact, back in the day, friends showed up at all times of the night or day to raid the fridge or just hang out. But are you okay with people showing up unannounced to your home?  As a kid, I welcomed it, but because I work from home mostly in pajamas, it's a little unnerving when someone unexpected shows up at the front door.  

Also, if I'm working on a project, I sometimes lose my train of thought, which can be a nightmare.  Or I might be watching a movie, reading a really good book, eating a cheeseburger, asleep, or even more scary - getting out of the shower.

When I first moved in, I had a neighbor who would knock on the door and come right in, and mostly she just looked around which I thought was pretty weird.  Later, I found out she was on crack, which made me wonder if she was planning a heist at my place one day in the very near future. So now if she comes over to borrow cream or sugar for her coffee, I politely ask her to wait on the porch, shut the door, pour everything into a container and hand it all to her, while she's standing outside.  There's no more casing of my house.(lol)

What about you, are you thrown off track by surprise visitors?

POPULAR BREAKFAST FOOD
Did you eat Cheerios as a kid?  Do you still eat them?  They've been around since 1941, and originally called CheeriOats. Their name changed to Cheerios in 1945 and soon became the best selling cereal in the United States. 

But things changed again in 1979.  Surely you've seen all those commercials for Honey Nut Cheerios, right?  In 2009 the new version became so popular that it ran circles around the original Cheerios, and continues to outsell it.

I haven't tried all of them, but according to General Mills, there are a total of 13 flavors, including chocolate and very berry.

OVER THE TOP HOTELS

Geneva Switzerland
If you've been reading this blog, you already know that a trip to Switzerland is on my bucket list, so feel free to mail me a ticket.(lol)  But until then, I'll keep entering contests.  Meanwhile, with 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, The Royal Penthouse Suite at The Hotel President Wilson in Geneva will envelop you in luxury.  If you're worried about security, rest assured that you're fully protected with bulletproof windows, and a state of the art alarm system.  If you have close to $90,000 a night to spend, this is the vacation spot for you.

New York
If you're visiting the states, The Lotte New York Palace Hotel has a jewel suite with the perfect freebie just for you.  Some hotels throw rose petals on the bed or yummy pieces of chocolate, but these people aim to impress by leaving a $2500 diamond ring on the pillow!  Rooms are about $25,000 a night.  

Jamaica

Do you know where Ian Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond novels?  If so, you already know you'll be heading to The Fleming Villa at The GoldenEye Resort in Jamaica, where you even can check out his original writing desk.  Enjoy your own private beach, butler, chef and housekeeper for about $8000 a night!

FOOD DEALS
Lots are activities are being planned to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but if you also want to find deals on food year round, be sure to visit https://www.eatdrinkdeals.com/

KENTUCKY DERBY
Will you be putting on your festive hat this Saturday, May 5?  Why not make a Pomegranate Mint Julep for something a little different?

POMEGRANATE MINT JULEP

INGREDIENTS 
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
6 mint sprigs, divided 
3 ounces bourbon
4 ounces pomegranate juice
2 ounces seltzer water
2 rosemary sprigs, for garnish 

DIRECTIONS

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water and 4 mint sprigs to make a mint-infused simple syrup. Bring to a bubble, stirring until sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Let cool.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add mint simple syrup, bourbon and pomegranate juice. Shake for about 20-30 seconds then pour over 2 rocks glasses filled with crushed ice.

Top each glass off with a splash of seltzer and garnish with a mint and rosemary sprig. 

YEP, THEY'RE STILL AROUND
If you're like our friend Greg from over at https://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com,  you enjoy comic books, and for me, I really love the older versions of Archie, Green Lantern and Batman.  So if you'd like the chance to check out new comics like the Power Rangers and more, May 5 is FREE Comic Book Day.  Visit www.freecomicbookday.com for more information, and stop by to check out Greg's site where he talks about new books, sci-fi and other really neat stuff.

THEY SAY THIS WORKS
Have you ever used one of those hand grips?  They are a tough workout on your hands, but did you know that your blood pressure can be lowered up to 9 points by using it?  If you struggle through for 10 minutes a day, 4 days a week, according to Dr. Avnish Kumar, working those tiny hand muscles tells your blood vessels to relax, making it easier for your heart to pump blood, and therefore lowering your blood pressure.

GET ON THE RACHAEL RAY SHOW
I really like Rachel Ray  for 2 reasons - she's down to earth and she cooks hamburgers on the show a lot!  But did you know they are looking for guests to be on the show?  Some topics require you to be a resident of NYC, but others are a free for all for various topics that include "Does your hubby need a swimsuit makeover", "do you want to propose on the show", "have you lost more than 100 pounds", and more.  That topic list is pretty long of who they'd like to be on the show.Please click here  for the guidelines.

EMOTIONAL VS PHYSICAL ABUSE

Sadly, I speak with many women who have been either physically harmed or emotionally traumatized. I've seen black eyes, broken arms, burns, stabbings and gunshot wounds.  A few are no longer with us. The majority tell me that the emotional abuse stayed with them for years, affecting their self esteem, and how they interacted in other relationships.  Some stay in therapy for years to overcome the damage.    

Emotional abuse may be subtle or very much in your face, and can include name calling, being body shamed, having funds withheld, being cheated on or lied to, gaslighted or degraded.  Either way, these women are afraid to get out of bed, are in fear for their children, and believe that they have no place to go.

The ridiculous things I hear from an abuser, is that"she made me hit her", "she made me be mean to her or treat her badly".  I hate to hear from strangers "that she must have liked it", or "she could have left". Even worse is this comment, "I don't hit her do I?"  Meanwhile the mental anguish that is subjected on his wife or girlfriend everyday continues unchecked. 

Those statements are so untrue and keep the cycle of domestic abuse going.  We are not to blame for being abused.  The fault lies specifically with the abuser 100% of the time.

Make no mistake - men, children, parents  and those in same sex relationships experience abuse, but my posts deal specifically on what happens with women.  But it's all very, very wrong, and in many instances a crime.

I was reading www.unleashed.org and found this post.

Emotional manipulators have no sense of accountability. They take no responsibility for themselves or their behavior – it is always about what everyone else has “done to them”.