ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY NOVEMBER 12

1833 - Composer Alexander Porfirievich Borodin was born.

1966 - Donovan's "Mellow Yellow" was released.

1967 - Jerry Lee Lewis records "To Make Love Sweeter for You."

1970 - The Doors made their last appearance with Jim Morrison in New Orleans.

1979 - Marty Balin's, of Jefferson Starship, rock opera "Rock Justice" opens a four-day run at San Francisco's Old Waldorf night club.

1984 - Madonna released the album "Like A Virgin."


1987 - Sly Stone is arrested for nonpayment of child support when he arrives an hour late for his "comeback" concert in LA.

1989 - The musical "Grand Hotel" opened at the Beck Theatre.

1990 - Ron Wood, of the Rolling Stones, was injured when he was struck by a car near London.


1993 - Michael Jackson canceled a world tour, saying that he had a dependence on painkillers.

1996 - The album "Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack" was released.

1996 - Eminem's first studio album "Infinite" was released.

1997 - Chang Yu-Sheng, best know for his hit Mandarin song "My Future Is Not A Dream," died three weeks after being injured in an auto accident.

TO ALL OUR VETERANS WITH LOVE FROM DRL

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?!?

Over breakfast one morning, a woman said to her husband, "I bet you don't know what day this is." "Of course I do," he indignantly answered, going out the door to the office. At 10 am, the doorbell rang, and when the woman opened the door, she was handed a box containing a dozen long stemmed red roses. At 1 pm, a foil wrapped, two-pound box of her favorite chocolates arrived. Later, a boutique delivered a designer dress. The woman couldn't wait for her husband to come home. "First the flowers, then the chocolates, and then the dress!" she exclaimed. "I've never had a more wonderful Groundhog Day in my life!"

LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

Deanna Verbouwens
I was in the middle of writing a post about how much I love Twitter when I received a phone call from my husband that he was in the hospital – injured fighting a fire as a FDNY LT.  The experience was scarier than the actual injury and he’ll be okay but…
That phone call put my life in perspective.
Let’s back the truck up to 18 hours before. Ya there?
Yesterday at work I was called into the general manager’s office and the gauntlet fell on my head, well almost on my head, it took out a few hairs and an ear.  I was told that I’d need to cut my salary by 20% or I’d lose my job.  I’m not curing cancer, the job causes a lot of stress in my life, and a monkey can do it, or anyone with a brain, disposal thumbs is optional. Nevertheless, I still need it. 
I was really upset because I work for a luxury firm. The firm I was told is cutting back on expenses, ok I get it – the choke hold on the economy hasn’t let up in the last two years. Mom and Pop stores have closed their doors; heck Fortune 500 firms merged, been acquired and closed their doors. I get it. But what I don’t get is that this firm is spending thousands of dollars hosting events, renting yachts that just sit at these affairs to give them a “certain look and feel”.  Money spent on Tiffany necklaces, rented Bentley’s bestowed on certain high wealth clients so it appears that the firm has the means to work with them. This is just the tip of the iceberg, there are extravagant expenses floating around like little fairies throughout my office – enormous vases filled with fresh flowers delivered weekly, and chandeliers that should be hanging in the Taj to name a few.
Needless to say, the fact that I have to cut my salary to keep my job is upsetting.
It’s disrespectful, it’s greed, it’s obnoxious, and it’s excess nonsense that means nothing in life, except putting on a show to try to impress yourself, your neighbors and potential clients. 
Nevertheless I was pissed off last night.
But this morning, it changed.
My life could have been wiped out in an instant.  One instant. One tour of duty, if he fell a certain way, he could of been gone.
My love, my heart, my soul was sitting in a hospital being cared for, while my employer was flying to his second home to open another office that somehow he can afford, but not my salary.
I’m intelligent enough to realize that I should be happy that I may still keep my job. I get that I should be thrilled by that fact but it doesn’t mean a damn thing when my life could have been taken away in an instant.
No amount of money, no amount of “things”, no amount of homes, or even a job can replace my heart, soul and love.
Am I still worried that I may lose my job? Yes, indeed.  Am I still pissed off? No.  Do I care? Not really, it’s really not that important I’ll bounce back. 
Life is too damn short, it's hard to do but we must live in the present, live for today because tomorrow may never come, but more importantly what matters most, what matters now is that my love is safe, home and alive.

Find more from Deanna:  www.theunnaturalmother.com

DRL EATERY IS OPEN : CANDIED GINGER PUMPKIN PANCAKES

Candied Ginger Pumpkin Pancakes

2

cups Original Bisquick® mix

2

teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2

cups buttermilk

1

cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

2

eggs

1/4

cup toasted pecan halves, finely chopped

1

tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger

Pecan halves, if desired

Butter, if desired

Maple-flavored syrup, if desired

1. In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, pumpkin pie spice, buttermilk, pumpkin and eggs with whisk or fork until blended. Stir in chopped pecans and ginger.
2.      Brush nonstick griddle or nonstick skillet with vegetable oil; heat griddle to 350°F or heat skillet over medium heat.
3. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup of batter onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook other sides until golden brown. Serve topped with remaining ingredients.

Makes 16 pancakes

To toast pecans, sprinkle in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until pecans begin to brown, then stirring constantly until light brown.

Substitution

No pumpkin pie spice? Use 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg and ground ginger.

UNTHINK... WHO WOULDA THUNK IT?!

Barbara Ward-Finneran
I know I'm beyond busy with the laundry list of jobs that make up my status as bread winner for my family. But, I must be living under a rock when I'm not working, hanging with my kiddos, or sleeping, because until yesterday I hadn't ever heard of "Unthink".  Ironically I "heard" about it on Facebook - read about it in a post that someone was setting up a "Like" page at Unthink.  Even more surprising was the way it was "billed" (and seemingly marketed as) --- the "Anti-Facebook".  SERIOUSLY?  I had to google search and read on. And, it is out there in the search engines as "Anti-Facebook".  Am I the only one in the dark, to this step beyond google + to a social network that is all about NOT being Facebook.  Funny - would they exist without their supposed antagonist?  Seems more like a modern day Frie-nemy to me.

Apparently this new social networking platform has already made quite an impression.  Boasting over 100,000 register users, despite initial  traffic and crashing issues. Users set up "suites" which contain both public, professional, and private information. On the net you can find that Alexia’s statistics, which report a 14,800% increase in traffic over the past 7 days alone. (Posted November 1st). Rachael Vicari, Unthink COO, was quoted saying "the company was unprepared for the amount of traffic it saw".

Growth like that is impressive.  I think the numbers will tell more truths when one checks back at the quarterly marks as they project throughout the year.  Unthink has secured 2.5 million in funding from DouglasBay (is a value investor, who claim to see opportunities where others don't). Apparently DouglasBay seems to think Unthink may have what it takes, as they have publicly claims to have a 21% share in the site. 

Has having the confidence to take on Facebook from the get go caused this Tampa based start up to become the next best thing? Or will curiosity of those who are over the Facebook changes and updates simply make them a flash in the pan before returning to the old standard?

So, DRL readers, had you even heard of it or did you read it here first?  
What do you think about Unthink???? 
  

TODDLER'S SHOCKING DEATH

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

A four year old toddler is dead. The little girl was rushed to the hospital where they were unable to save her. The cause of death…….extreme alcohol poisoning! Shocking, yes, but even more shocking is the fact that the child’s own father fed her the very alcohol that killed her. The Georgia man and the toddler’s aunt were both arrested on charges of felony cruelty to a child and felony murder.

Reading this awful story made me think of when I was young. My dad let my sister and me have a sip of beer every now and then. I also remember my cousin sneaking around at his parent’s New Year’s Eve party stealing sips from drinks left sitting around. No one realized the dangers of giving small amounts of alcohol to children. I know my gums were thoroughly rubbed with whiskey when I was teething and one of my friends was given a tablespoon of whiskey and cola syrup when she had a bad cold. We were lucky not to have suffered ill effects!

Today there is no excuse for allowing children to have any alcohol, unprescribed drugs or remedies. The general public should be educated enough to recognize the dangers of these and other practices that used to be considered acceptable. We know to watch the diet of our children, to avoid too much sugar, artificial colors and additives. We know that exercise is important and children need to be in a totally smoke free environment.

And yet, there are still people who smoke around their kids, allow them to eat sugary cereals and pop tarts for breakfast. They allow them to sit in front of a computer, video game of TV for hours on end and don’t monitor that they get at least 8-10 hours sleep each night. These parents DO know better, so why do they do it?

I was a neurotic mom. I previewed every show, movie or game my children were exposed to. I “hid” veggies, like putting pureed beets in my meatloaf. (I know, sounds gross, but you can’t even taste it.) My husband and I took our kids to the park, the zoo, exploring in the woods, swimming, boating, fishing, and camping. We had them try soccer, basketball, karate and dance. We really tried to have healthy meals and keep them active. I admit, I was pretty bad with baking cookies and treats for them, but both grew into healthy, trim, active young adults. I’m grateful that they continued to make good choices, but my husband and I take some credit for setting the foundation!

I don’t understand parents who disregard all the advice of doctors, psychologists, and other experts. They allow their children to be rude, eat what they want, bully others, be disrespectful to teachers and other adults, and watch TV shows and movies that make most adults uncomfortable. Casual sex, violence, foul language – they see it all, and their little minds soak it all in. They eat fast food, sugar, soda, and anything that’s easy to get or make. I wonder how many families actually eat together these days!

So, ask yourself: “Am I providing the best diet, routine, and lifestyle for my children? Am I afraid to say “No” or have them think I’m not as cool as the other parents?”  I wasn’t a perfect parent, I don’t believe there is such a thing. I made plenty of mistakes and I know there are many wonderful parents reading this right now. I’m just asking; if you aren’t sheltering your child somewhat from the bad stuff, aren’t watching their diet or exercise habits, or just find that you’re so busy you’re taking shortcuts that could ultimately harm your child, STOP and THINK!  Their health and well being must come before everything else in life. Make the effort, take the time. You may be “the strictest mom and dad” in the neighborhood ( as I was told many times), but you’ll feel good knowing you have given your children the best possible start in life, and someday they will thank you for it!

READ MORE:

ALCOHOL AND CHILDREN: THE DANGERS

1.     Alcohol poisoning in young children is far more dangerous in adults because of the impact is has on their blood sugar, experts say.

2.     Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause a child's blood sugar to drop precipitously.

3.     Household products such as rubbing alcohol - which has a higher alcohol content than vodka - can even cause poisoning through the skin.

4.     A person with alcohol poisoning needs immediate attention - particularly if they are a child.

5.     But there is little that doctors can do to remove the alcohol from a person's system.

6.     The best they can do is pump the child's stomach and try to keep them stable until the alcohol has been filtered through their system.

7.     It takes most healthy adults at least one hour to metabolise alcohol in their liver.

TODDLER SMOKES, FATHER UNCONCERNED
http://49th-parallel.blogspot.com/2010/05/kids-will-do-darnest-things.html

Toddler Dies of Extreme Alcohol Poisoning: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351955/Four-year-old-girl-drinks-death-father-plies-alcohol.html#ixzz1dGxqzT00

Children and Second Hand Smoke: http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Second-Hand-Smoke-and-Children.cfm

Nourish Interactive

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/

The Effects of Violent Games on Children

http://www.ehow.com/info_7976658_children-violent-games.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask



SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Find the peace within you in order to have peace surround you. 

Find it within yourself or or it will escape you everywhere. 

If you have peace in your mind, heart and soul then you will have the energies needed for your dreams and goals. 

Enough to create them rather then chase them!

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC

©  All Rights Reserved

LIVING IN FEAR... It's a wicked world

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Children today have been cheated. They’ve been cheated out of the happy, carefree childhood that most of us have enjoyed.  They have lived every day of their lives with the threat of disaster hanging over their heads. While it’s true that we had “drills”, getting under our desks, we really didn’t understand why we were doing it. There weren’t “doomsday” movies or predictions of the end of the world flashing across the TV each night. People weren’t broadcasting “end of the world” dates and scenarios for us to see or hear. We were able to play, laugh and sleep at night thinking we were safe and that good always triumphed over evil.

The horror of 9-11 helped shatter that feeling of safety and security for us all, but especially for our children. The ever growing numbers of TV shows about disasters, Zombies, Nuclear War , video games and computer sites with frightening scenarios fill their young minds and hearts with fear, even if they don’t realize it.

My daughter leaves the room anytime I talk about Nostradamus, the Mayan Calendar or the predictions of Medjugoria. She refuses to watch shows on global warming, nuclear war, or end of the world predictions. She admits she’s disturbed by these stories and sometimes has trouble sleeping at night just thinking about them. She dreads the coming of December 21, 2012, the supposed end of the world on the Mayan calendar. I’ve explained to her that it is NOT the end, but the beginning of a new cycle.

"It's the time when the largest grand cycle in the Mayan calendar—1,872,000 days or 5,125.37 years—overturns and a new cycle begins," said Anthony Aveni, a Maya expert and archaeoastronomer at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.

I’ve also tried to explain the supposed end of time due to a shift in the poles of Earth.

Princeton University geologist Adam Maloof has extensively studied pole shifts, and tackles this 2012 myth in 2012: Countdown to Armageddon, a National Geographic Channel documentary airing Sunday, November 8. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News and part-owns the National Geographic Channel.)

Maloof says magnetic evidence in rocks confirm that continents have undergone such drastic rearrangement, but the process took millions of years—slow enough that humanity wouldn't have felt the motion (quick guide to plate tectonics

No matter how I explain these disaster myths, such as the Planed X collision with Earth, or the asteroid that will destroy us, she sees these reports on TV and reads about it in the newspapers and is sure that the end is near.

I believe we need to restore the innocence of childhood to our kids. They need to feel that Mommy and Daddy can protect them from anything, that there are heroes to save them, and that they have a bright and shining future, just as we were allowed to believe.

I know we live in a violent and dangerous world. There are bad people, bad governments and bad things happening to good people, but do we have to share all that with our children at such a young age?  Can’t we shelter them a bit and allow them to enjoy the magic of childhood; You can grow up to be whatever you wan; Everything has a happy ending! These are the things we were told and it allowed us to dream , reach for the stars, and become the best people we could be. Don’t our children deserve this same chance?

To those who say, “I don’t want my child living under the delusions of fairy tales”, I say- they will have to grow up soon enough. Let them live the dream while they can. Bring them to see Santa, tell them about the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, the Leprechauns on St. Patty’s Day, the Angels that protect them and the little birds that fly to Mommy and tell her what they’ve been doing!

DON’T let your children play violent video games, watch movies beyond their years and understanding, or watch TV shows that are for adults. BE A PARENT - protect and shelter them, even if it’s not the popular thing to do. When they are adults, they will look back and appreciate the gift you gave them.

Sweet Dreams!

WALK THE WALK... TALK THE TALK...

with TONY WALKER
A DASH OF RACY MIXED WITH REAL... Rated "M" for MATURE
Back when I was a single man, I had a f*#kbuddy. One day I was on the phone with her when a friend of mine showed up at my house. To bust my chops, this friend picked up the extension & started listening to our conversation. My "buddy" had no idea someone else was on the line. He was making faces & reacting in silly ways to what she was saying. The big blow came when she started talking about my "shortcomings." My friend struck gold. He was hysterical. I got the last laugh though. The buddy went on to say that even though it's small I knew exactly what to do with it. To this day my friend & I still joke about that day.
So here's my question ladies... is it the size or is it what you do with it? Or is it both? Or neither? I'd like to think it's what you do with it that counts. But tell us what you think.
I know women who love a good size, some women say it doesn't matter as long as she loves the guy, some women say the tool does nothing for them & they prefer other options, some say it hurts when it's too big. Tell me what you think.

THE MEANING OF LIFE....

Dawn Boyle
I vent....a lot. I complain about my husband, my kids, my life, my house and my ass. I have bitched about taxes and our government. I have it so bad.

Things in life happen for a reason. I am a believer that we are all on a path. People come in and out of our lives for a reason. Life lessons and memories are learned and made with each and every breath we take. How many have I missed by being annoyed, rushed or wrapped up in bullsh*t??

A very close friend and I have been talking a lot about what our kids have been dealing with in school. The drama is ridiculous, but heartbreaking nonetheless. We talk our own language. We have codes that only the other knows and I know she would drop everything for me and be there in a moments notice if needed. My friend did something so special today for me and it all came in the form of an email.

My friend opened my eyes to the "big picture" all in the Hoyt Family...please take the time to watch the YouTube video I have linked below in it's entirety. I promise you it will change you and really put things in prospective. It paints such a story, my words do no justice.

http://youtu.be/UH943Az_lPQ

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?!??!

The day before Thanksgiving, and the butcher is just locking up when a man begins pounding on the front door.

"Please let me in," says the man desperately. "I forgot to buy a turkey, and my wife will kill me if I don't come home with one."

"Okay," says the butcher. "Let me see what I have left." He goes into the freezer and discovers that there's only one scrawny turkey left. He brings it out to show the man.

"That's one is too skinny. What else you got?" says the man.

The butcher takes the bird back into the freezer and waits a few minutes and brings the same turkey back out to the man.

"Oh, no," says the man, "That one doesn't look any better. You better give me both of them!"

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Patty B

What is the meaning of life? All evidence to date suggests it's chocolate

After a bar of chocolate one can forgive anybody, even one's relatives.

The bank of friendship cannot exist for long without deposits of chocolate

There are only three things in life that matter - good friends, good chocolate and, oh dear, what was that other one?

SHE'S CRAFTY - THANKFUL TREE

My kids told me about this years ago when their teacher introduced the Thankful Tree to them in class. We have put our own spin on it for our home. It is very endearing to see what the kids write, and it's a nice way to start the holiday season with meaning.

You will need:

A tall glass vase or outside pot filled
a branch from outside *no leaves
colored paper cut out into different leaf forms or circles
hole puncher
ribbon

Each day, each family member writes down what they are thankful for and places it on the Thankful Tree. You can let the kids decorate around the tree as well.

CLASS FULL OF BULLIES

Dawn Boyle

Last week a friend posted this, a story about a New York teacher who was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take out a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up, not to rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now, even though they said they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullies another child, they may say they’re sorry, but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home.

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EATERY IS OPEN CHICKEN CACCIATORE

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 chicken breast with skin and backbone, halved crosswise
• 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 ( 28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.

In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.

Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER 6

 Nov - 1988
Emma Stone(22)


 Nov - 1976
Pat Tillman(34)


 Nov - 1972
Thandie Newton(38)


 Nov - 1972
Rebecca Romijn(38)


 Nov - 1970
Ethan Hawke(40)


Nov - 1955
Maria Shriver(55)


 Nov - 1948
Glenn Frey(62)


 Nov - 1946
Sally Field(64)


 Nov - 1931
Mike Nichols(79)


 Nov - 1887
Walter Perry Johnson(123)


 Nov - 1861
James Naismith(149)


 Nov - 1854
John Philip Sousa(156)