WE ALL SEE IT

Have you ever given yourself another name as a kid to discourage an unwanted admirer?  

When I was young, my girlfriends and me were often yelled at by guys in cars or walking down the street, asking us "What's Your Name?"  My fake name was Rosalind.(lol) I have no idea how I chose it, but it was close enough to my own name to work.  We were also known for giving out nonexistent phone numbers too. 

Of course this caused problems because we'd usually run into some of these same guys later on, and we'd get busted!(lol)

I finally met a "real" Rosalyn years later when I lived in Virginia Beach, as she fell down some stairs while leaving a doctor's office (another story), and we ended up being good friends.  Speaking of always being honest...

Today, July 7 is National Tell the Truth Day.  Psychologists say that those we love can handle the truth, and I think it's best too.  My thoughts are if you've been dishonest all your life, one day of telling the truth is never gonna happen.  Nonetheless, if you've been wanting to share some news, or confess, today's the day!

I still mail cards and letters for birthdays, holidays and 'just because'. Did you know that in 1971 it cost just 8 cents to mail a standard letter?  In August 2021, the price will increase from 55 cents to 58 cents.  

   You've probably heard of people claiming they found lost money and wondered it was true, and I'm here to tell you that it's very real. I put in my name and was shocked that 162.00 was calling my name from Texas.  All you have to do is put in your name, and if there's money, the info will pop right up.  Visit www.unclaimed.org to check.  Also, there's so many class action suits going on right now due to misleading ads or more.

So if you think you've been bamboozled, check out www.classaction.org/settlements.  You'll be amazed at the things you find and include lots of things you use every day like Cranberry Juice, Juul Cigarettes, Baby Powder,  Cell Phone or Banking Fees, etc. (That recent check above for $16 is mine, along with a card from Sophia from http://delightedreader.com/ ) 

June 2021 was officially Pride Month, but if you want to celebrate year round, head to Eureka, Arkansas.  Eureka's population is about 2000, and 30% identify as LGBTQ+ .  They also have Diversity weekends 3 times a year, and everyone joins in for the celebration.  There's also lots of walking trails, haunted hotels, great places to eat and lots more.  Road Trip!

Hopefully you stay hydrated when it's hot outside, but it's sure a lot more fun to grab a slushy drink to quench your thirst. We may call frozen drinks a Slurpee, but that name is exclusive to 7-Eleven's brand, and they're all the rage when it's a steamy day. But you may be surprised that the Slurpee Capital of the World, and has been for 20+ years, is Winnipeg Canada.  Even during -4 degree winter weather, they're in hot demand, and there's even a street called  Slurpee Way in downtown Winnipeg to commemorate these frosty frozen treats. Brain freeze anyone?!(lol)

So last week, someone saw a zebra cobra snake hanging out on a porch in a Raleigh neighborhood, who had escaped from 21 year old Christopher Gifford's home, and everyone was definitely in a panic.  He was safely caught 2 days later, but the fact that this snake that's native to Africa actually spits venom had everyone on edge.  It's legal for venomous snakes to be kept in North Carolina (?), and  Chris doesn't mind bragging about his collection via all his social media accounts. (@the_giff) on Tik Tok and facebook.com/christopher.gifford.56? ) Yikes! 

By the way, there's about 30 venomous snakes in the world and include the Coral Snake, Tiger Snake, Rattle Snake, Krait Snake and the Taipan Snake.                          

So if you've been following this blog you may know that my birthday is coming up on August 12, and I've been asking for a ticket to Switzerland so I can scratch this off my  massive bucket list.  Since I'm turning 60, I'm hoping someone will finally feel sorry for me and send that ticket! (lol) I remember when I was 17 and used to think 30 year old people were so old. (lol)  But I can still dance my blogger buds.(lol)

Since the pandemic I've had lots of time to reflect over life, and mad props and thanks to Author Extraordinaire Sandra Cox https://sandracox.blogspot.com/who has been diligently taking the time to check on me since I've been MIA from the blog.  You've all been very much missed! 

Even though I wasn't blogging, I tried to pop by to  visit other blogs when I could, but with so many things going on, some days were rough, but somehow Super Sleuth Sandra seemed to pick up on that. 

Also gotta give a HUGE thanks to Sophia from www.delightedreader.com who 'just because' sent me stickers for my planner that really made my day, along with a handwritten card.  

If you haven't talked to a friend or family member in awhile, give 'em a call to say hello and make sure all is well.  I promise that gesture can make a difference in someone's life.  

If you enjoy sitting back with some popcorn, cheeseburger and lemonade and watching something good on television.  These are great.

The Wrath of Man - I've seen this 5 times (no joke, and my son thinks I'm obsessed with Jason Statham. Yes I am(lol)

Cruella - Watched this one twice because it was so good.

The Mysterious Benedict Society - a really good series about 4 gifted children who are on a mission to save the world.  Fun!

Fatherhood - on Netflix, and a true story about a husband who takes care of his daughter when his wife dies shortly after she was born. Funny, but you'll need some tissues too.

Workin' Moms - Binge on Netflix, because I promise even if you're not a mom you'll laugh out loud during all 5 seasons!

Bridgerton - yes, I'm still talking about this fabulous and innovative program on Netflix that the world is raving about.  Romance, witty conversations, humor, mystery, diversity.  It's all here, and yes it's been renewed for seasons 2, 3 and 4!

Somebody Feed Phil - You'll love this guy, and can find him on Netflix  He travels around the world eating at all these wonderful places, and meets cool people to hang out with while we learn new cultures.  

Who knows what Academy Award winning movie from 1939 said this at the very end? 

                                       "After all, tomorrow is another day"  

 

THIS AND THAT AND OTHER USELESS STUFF

 For those who don't know, I've been visiting the same barber shop for years to get my hair cut because I try to keep it really short.  What you may not know is that all 5 barbers  look like someone from www.fitstuds.blogspot.com(lol).  I asked the owner if it was a requirement to look like that to work there, but he swears that it just worked out that way. 

If you're lucky enough to get there early in the morning, you'll see them practicing new fitness moves,lifting weights or talking about exercise stuff.  They're always quick to hand me a 10 lb barbell, but I promise that no one wants to unsee a vision of Ms. RO pumping iron.(lol)

If someone gifted you with lots and lots of candy during the holidays, you'll be pleased to know that 12/26 is National Candy Cane Day.  Feel free to re-gift or use them in recipes.  By the way, the candy cane capital of the world is located in Bryan OH, which is home to Spangler Candy Company.

Do you like crossword puzzles?  Every now and then I work on those that are pop-culture related.  Did you know that the very first crossword puzzle was printed in the New York World in 1913? Originally it was called Word Cross, but an error during publishing transposed the letters to what we all know and love as Crossword.

Have you ever been curious about those personality tests?  Here's one you can take to get a FREE analysis of who you are, and you may be quite surprised at the results.  

Visit 16personalities.com/infj-personality.

Come on  - it's just between us, but have you ever taken something from a hotel?  Did you know that theft from hotels can exceed $100 million dollars annually?  If you're caught trying to take that very nice mirror, flat screen television, hair dryer or coffee pot, you may not get locked up, but your name could show up on the "No Stay List", the next time you try to book a hotel.  Still, some people have been arrested, and sometimes the charges are simply added to the bill.   Hotels expect you take all those tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap, but those very cool, fluffy robes are not giveaways.

Would you rather text than speak on the telephone?  You may be surprised to know that the Philippines is considered the texting capital of the world, sending on average over a billion texts per day!!!!  They're also known as the social media capital of the world because they spend about 4 hours per day on various social media platforms.  Wow!

Speaking of texting - how quickly can you type "The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human."?   If you can type this faster than 17 seconds on your cell phone, you'll beat the current Guinness World Record holder, Marcel Fernandes Filho who won when he was 17.  He's held the record since 2014.

Marcel Filho

Not to be confused with Tom's recent MI rant

Are you a person who's always looking for a high paying job, but don't want to work that hard?  You may be surprised to know that hotels are on the hunt for bed warmers so guests don't have to get into cold beds, and the annual salary can reach up to $200,000.  Hearing aid specialists test hearing and fit customers with hearing aids, and this vocation is on the rise. All you need is a high school diploma and minimal training to get paid close to $60,000 a year!

No, I have no clue who this woman is, but I was intrigued by her job as an Official Lipstick Reader, and thought I'd share her info.  This is a real thing, blogger buds, and she's considered an intuitive psychic.  You can visit her site at http://officiallipstickreader.com  or call 877-605-6389.

CINNAMON SPICE MILK PUNCH (Sandra Lee)

8 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream

1/2 Cup Bourbon Whiskey

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon + additional cinnamon sticks if you like.

In a blender, combine half of the ice cream, bourbon, vanilla and ground cinnamon.  Cover and process until totally smooth, then pour into a punch bowl.  Repeat with the remaining ice cream, bourbon, vanilla and ground cinnamon. Serve garnished with ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks.  Enjoy all that yumminess!

I'm going to end this post with a conversation I had with someone who's been a friend for 30+ years, and I totally adore, and he told me this.  " We wear our masks all the time - even during sex".  How's that for a conversation starter, Blogger Buds?

Aren't these some fun trees?

A Few of My Planner Spreads

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to those who celebrate.  Please stay safe. Hugs, RO

JUST SOME RANDOM STUFF

What is going on these days, Blogger Buds? I don't know or even remember what in the heck I've been doing, but it sure hasn't been blogging(lol)  I had to end a friendship with someone when he casually mentioned that "he could take my ***t anytime he wanted". I won't bore you with my response or my feelings on verbal abuse when he "apologized" by saying it was just a joke. Ain't nobody got time for that!

Moving on, I should mention that YouTube is perfect for FREE exercising, and I decided to go old school with Jane Fonda and Kendall Hogan from Exercise TV. Without changing any of my eating habits, or giving up my cheeseburgers, managed to lose 19 pounds in just a month. 

I can feel all those congratulatory air pats on my back right now, and I thank you.(lol)  

Here's a secret that's not well known.  You can sell your merchandise on the Walmart website, marketplace.walmart.com  AND because they've partnered up with THREDUP you can purchase discounted pre-owned designer clothing  too!  Pre-Owned - Walmart.com

If you're an eBay shopper and want to save even more money, visit www.nobids.net/no-bid-search, then select your country and do a search for what you want.  You'll find all the listings that no one has bid on, or bids that are ending soon, allowing you to get the best deal possible.

Did you know that I Love Lucy started in 1951 and ended in 1957?  We still enjoy the very funny reruns on some CBS.com, the Hulu Network, Hallmark Channel,  and MeTV.   My favorite episode was The Candy Factory, and I still laugh at this today.  We know Lucille Ball as being this really funny lady, but she also spent time contributing to the women's movement and was vocal in her support of gay rights. 

Sadly, Lucy and Desi's  only great granddaughter Desiree Anzalone died of stage 4 breast cancer at just 31 in Connecticut on September 27, 2020.  Lucy died of an ruptured abdominal aorta  in 1989 when she was 77,  and Desi died from lung cancer in 1986. 

If you're not taking medication for hypertension, researchers say that eating just one grapefruit each day will cut your food cravings by 45% AND you can get rid of 12 pounds in a year!

Are you that person who's always eager to hook up family members and friends with that "perfect" date, and they dread it when you call?  If so, now you can actually get paid to work with strangers and leave your friends alone!(lol)  Go ahead and apply to be a matchmaker  at https://www.tawkify.com/apply/

Everybody's taking pictures these days from their phones or cameras, so why not get paid, right?  A great site to try that's super easy is https://www.eyeem.com/sell-your-photos.   

Did you know that 4 teams in the NFL franchise have never played in the Super Bowl?  The Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have gone into the history books.

Were you aware that Walt Disney dropped out of high school when he was 16 and tried to join the Army.  When they rejected him for being too young, he ended up getting a job as as ambulance driver.

Would you visit Mortimer at Disney World?  Thank Walt's wife, Lillian for changing the name to who we all now know and love as Mickey Mouse.

Potatoes may show up on Idaho license plates, but did you know that they're not native to the state?  Idaho is actually home to 75% of the United State's trout, and having it fried is considered their signature dish.

Get Netflix for FREE by signing up for 15 or 30 days, or if you have T-Mobile, get the Magenta Family Plan and it's included. Then call your best friend or watch some of these programs by yourself to take your mind off everything that's going on in the world right now. Don't forget to unplug when you can.

Enola Holmes

The Sleepover

All Together Now

The Wrong Missy

Work It

Great British Baking Show

Ratched 

Unorthodox

Self Made

Pumpkin made by my fabulous granddaughter

You'll find this in the front yard at home

Relaxing by working in one of many Planners

I use Washi Tape to decorate pumpkins.

Just finished reading

Yes, I also eat fried chicken(lol)

More Planner Love

One of my football shirts

And another football shirt

More suspense reading

Sold these Halloween Soft soaps

More football stuff

Yep, I eat ice cream too!(lol)