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THE BEST IS YET TO COME... BRING IT 2012!!!!

All of us at DRL 

wish you all the best  

and many blessings in 2012!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

You are what you eat. So if you eat chocolate, you're smooth, sweet and loved by all.

Take chocolate to the laundromat. You won't mind the wait, and odds are good you won't alone.

Want the complete, undivided attention of your kids? Open a candy bar in front of them.

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

Make push-ups more interesting. Do them over a hot fudge brownie sundae.

Dangle some chocolate abouve your stair climbing machine. That'll give you something to climb for.

The Professional Athlete Method: Eat lots of chocolate. Demand even more. pull a hamstring and sit out the rest of the season.

SUMMER "RE-RUN" - A Suggested Reading You Might Have Missed...

BRING ON THE SUMMER HEAT!!!

Need a little something HOT HOT HOT to kick off some summer romance?

SEVEN DAY SEX CHALLENGE, 

BRING IT OR BUST IT!?

Jillian B Hart

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

Chocolate has calories. Diet soda has none. That means that chocolate and diet soda cancel each other out.

Chocolate eaten at a concert: wrapper music.

Eat chocolate when you have insomnia. it won't help you sleep, but it'll make being awake more fun.

HIDDEN TREASURE: THE LIBERTY BELL MUSEUM

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

The Liberty Bell Museum in Melbourne, Florida is no ordinary history museum! Honor America Inc. founded the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum and the Plaza of Flags in Wells Park. They used the former concrete ground water storage tank and pump house of the original Melbourne Water Works to house the museum. Since that time the museum has been redesigned and the former water tank is now an impressive Rotunda of American History with an exact un-cracked replica of the Liberty Bell in the center. According to Honor America, Incorporated, in1976, the students of South Brevard County Schools saved their pennies and dimes to purchase the bell. The United States Government commissioned the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, the company that cast the original Liberty Bell in 1752, to make 100 exact replicas. One was given to each of the 50 states to be hung in each capitol city. The remaining bells were to be sold to various museums throughout the country, however not all of the remaining 50 were actually cast. This makes the bell at the Honor America Liberty Bell Museum even more rare and unusual!

Another exciting addition to the museum is their 911 First Responders Exhibit. Not only do they have a piece of iron girder from the rubble of Tower One of the World Trade Center, but the exhibit also boasts a piece of granite from the demolished section of the Pentagon. Uniforms of first responders stand guard over the exhibit.  I looked at the articles and remembered how devastating 911 was for so many of my friends and family in New York, but then one of the museum volunteers reminded me, “It was a global event, not just a New York event.” And she was so right! It was a day that affected people in every corner of the globe. This rare and exceptional exhibit captures those moments in time when the world stood still as part of America died.

Right now, the museum is working on adding key moments and people involved in Women’s Suffrage to the Rotunda Timeline. Information and artifacts on the Civil Rights movement and other issues of interest are constantly being updated and added. A recent “voting” exhibit helps show children and adults how to use the equipment at the polls and allows them to vote just as they would in a real election.

There are many amazing things to see and do at the Museum. Adults, children, families: there’s something for everyone! Parades, patriotic concerts, Flag Day/ Memorial Day/Citizenship Day ceremonies, 4^th of July Parade, Flag retirement ceremonies  and so much more! (And admission is free!)

Honor America Liberty Bell Museum

1601 Oak Street

Melbourne, FL 32901

(321)727-1776

Museum Hours

Tuesday-Friday:  10am-4pm

Saturday:    10am-2pm

DON'T FORGET THE JULY4th PARADE THAT STARTS AT MANATEE PARK (Railroad tracks and Old Melbourne Ave) AND ENDS AT THE LIBERTY BELL MUSEUM!

11AM

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

Instead of doing crunches, just eat chocolate with crunchy things in it.

Trying to eat right? Then make sure you unwrap the chocolate before you eat it.

You cannot have a drink before noon without people gossiping about you. You can , however, eat all the chocolate you want.

HE SAID.....

Tony Walker
One thing men are known for is the ability to think with the brain between the legs instead of the one on top of their head. Every thought a man has comes from between his legs. Every motive men have is sexually related.

Woman on the other hand do not have a brain between their legs but the brain on top of their head controls the sexually related stuff very well.

Just about every woman I have been with do not get the same sexual urges as men. If something is wrong in a man's life he will always feel better with some lovin'. Women can't get the crisis out of their head and won't even think about sex until the crisis is at least somewhat under control. When things are going great men like to celebrate with sex. Women may go for some nookie at this point but it is rarely at the top of their list.

My wife & I are currently going through a crisis. Of course I am always looking for a little something. She says she can't concentrate on that right now. Today the crisis is not over but it's better so of course I am looking for something again. She says she needs to calm down from the crisis. Even when things are quiet, most women have a reason. Then when the men bug them enough the women throw their hands up and agree to some but it's obvious they're just shutting the men up.

I've known 2 or 3 women in my life who were as charged up as I am.... damn I miss those girls. I need to find out what's in their diet and give it to my wife!

Ladies, what exactly is your thought process?

Is there something wrong with trying to get some lovin during a crisis? It definitely eases some tension doesn't it?

When things are going well what better way to enjoy life than with some lovin'? You're sharing an intimate moment with your man! They call it making love for a reason!

SHE SAID....

Dawn Boyle
A 62 year old woman was killed yesterday in a head-on collision with a suspected shoplifters on the run escaping the police. The shoplifters were running with True Religion jeans stolen from the Tanger Outlets in Suffolk County, New York.

I feel so bad for the husband of the woman who was killed. He was in the car with her and he survived the crash. I am sure their family has been rocked by this sudden and completely avoidable tragedy.

Was it necessary for the police to be in pursuit of the three shoplifters? I think high speed chases are completely pointless. It seems to me that a majority of the time innocent lives are taken and additionally the police officer is put in harms way as a result. It seems that for us to get the "bad guys" we put numerous lives in jeopardy and usually over something as benign as a few pairs of jeans.

I think it should be considered by law enforcement to make these chases obsolete for menial law breakers. Many lives will be saved and normally the "bad guys" get arrested anyway...bad guys always get caught!

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

Use a bar of chocolate as a bookmark and you'll never lose your place.

The Low Carb Method: Deep fry chocolateand eat it with bacon.

Chocolate needs no condiments, which saves you time.

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Challenge is an opportunity to build strength and confidence. Overcoming the fear of defeat empowers the treasure of the triumph. For what is gained through your own success is priceless. 

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

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

All Rights Reserved

TERRORISTS....

Dawn Boyle

Today is the last day, or shall I say hour of school. I have been waiting for this day since late April. It was way back then when I noticed a complete disconnect. My kids acquired this new whine. I have said this before my children should be hired by the government. They would be great annoyance tools to get information out of the "bad guy", I know this because they have been mastering their skills on me for the past ten years. Their specialty - SLEEP DEPRIVATION.

I have not slept an entire night since September 2000. My brain has become so accustom to this practice that on the few occasions where I have been childless for a night, my body doesn't know what to do. I still wake up every few hours. In addition, I can add my aging bladder which now accounts for 3 additional wake up calls during the night. I feel like I could pass out at any given moment.

A few days ago I started taking back my nights. I have successfully (sorta) removed all extra bodies from my bed. I have explained to them that "Mommy" will be way more fun if she gets some sleep and that I am not to be woken unless someone is bleeding, throwing up, or the house is on fire.

I did a little research and have found out some of the things lack of sleep can do to a person....read below, it explains A LOT!

As per WebMD:

In the short term:

• Decreased Performance and Alertness: Sleep deprivation induces significant reductions in performance and alertness. Reducing your nighttime sleep by as little as one and a half hours for just one night could result in a reduction of daytime alertness by as much as 32%.
• Memory and Cognitive Impairment: Decreased alertness and excessive daytime sleepiness impair your memory and your cognitive ability -- your ability to think and process information.
• Stress Relationships: Disruption of a bed partner's sleep due to a sleep disorder may cause significant problems for the relationship (for example, separate bedrooms, conflicts, moodiness, etc.).
• Poor Quality of Life: You might, for example, be unable to participate in certain activities that require sustained attention, like going to the movies, seeing your child in a school play, or watching a favorite TV show.
• Occupational Injury: Excessive sleepiness also contributes to a greater than twofold higher risk of sustaining an occupational injury.
• Automobile Injury: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates conservatively that each year drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities

In the long term, the clinical consequences of untreated sleep disorders are large indeed. They are associated with numerous, serious medical illnesses, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Obesity
• Psychiatric problems, including depression and other mood disorders
• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Mental impairment
• Fetal and childhood growth retardation
• Injury from accidents
• Disruption of bed partner's sleep quality
• Poor quality of life

WANNA LAUGH?!?!

Tony Walker

My wife & I were fighting the other day. As we were fighting she started packing.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
She said, "I'm moving to Vegas! I'm going to become an escort & charge $500 a night!"
With that I started packing too.
"Where are YOU going?" She asked.
I replied, "I'm going to Vegas too. I wanna see how you'll survive on $1000 a year."
Then I asked her, "I bet you can't wait for me to die so you can spit on my grave."
My wife said, "No way. I don't like standing in long lines!"

OR A MISSED GRADUATION...

Tony Walker
At the time I am writing this it is 1230AM, Thursday June 23. I am so freaking tired.

Why am I so freaking tired? Because my wife went away this week. (She left on freaking Father's Day!) So, I've been doing everything since 730AM this past Sunday.
Why am I not in bed? Because my wife is coming home in a little while.
Why is she arriving in the middle of the night? Because the weather has screwed up her flight plans.
Why does she need to get home? Because our son graduates from elementary school at 9AM tomorrow morn..... scratch that.... in 8 1/2 hours.

She was supposed to be on a plane that arrived here in NY at 9PM, but due to weather that flight was canceled. My wife freaked that she was going to miss graduation. She was scrambling trying to figure out what to do. She called me so I was scrambling as well. She paid extra to get on another airline last minute so she could get home. That flight was due at midnight but it keeps getting delayed. Last I heard her plane should be taking off about now.

Why am I telling you this story? Here's why. Throughout all this craziness my wife has been in touch with her folks.... our kids are sleeping at her folks house so I can pick her up.... Her folks told her she shouldn't be putting us through all this just for an elementary school graduation. They said there will be other graduations & we'll record this one for her. So now my wife is upset.

What do you guys think? I disagree with her folks. I would do everything I could to be home. I don't like to miss anything no matter what level it is. Would you jump through hoops to be there or would you say screw it? What about some of you who travel for their jobs & are forced to miss certain things? How do you feel? How do you handle it? Do you agree with the folks?

LUNCH TIME POLL

Dawn Boyle

As usual time has escaped me... today I have to make the mad dash out for the end of the year teach gifts. My daughters suggested Kohls and Target as places they have heard all four of their teachers talking about. I am wondering if any of our "teacher readers" out there would suggest a good place to go get the giftcards.

AGED LIKE A FINE WINE....

Dawn Boyle

I attended a softball game last night. It was the championship game for little girls in fourth and fifth grade. The game was a real nail bitter. It was wonderful seeing the children really give it their all and come through with a very BIG WIN!

But here is the thing... the strength and agility of these young girls wasn't what amazed me. It was the crowd. The crowd was filled with proud moms and dads but there was such a difference between the two. All the fathers (who would all fall in the VERY late thirty to early forty crowd) looked great. Most of them were in tip top shape, and their spouses were, well lets just say a majority of us have turned into the "mom jean crew". We are not in as good of shape as our counterparts.

Which brings me to my What's Shakin - it's our ASSES! It's our lunch ladies! It's our cottage cheese, thunder thighs with the chub rub! Why is it that men get older and get handsome with their salt and pepper hair and fine facial lines, but women look like something out of a Saturday Night Live skit with ankle socks on rocking that ankle bracelet - mind you, all that does is accentuate the cankles.

By no means am I making fun of these ladies...I am just asking WHY? Is it written that we have kids and get an ass the same size as the mini-van we are driving around? What happened to us? Why do we get robbed?

GOTTA GET YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE... Not the finish line!

Barbara Ward-Finneran

I've been told, "You have it all together", "You inspire me", "You handle everything so well"... 

Most times I feel pretty secure in handling life and all it's curve balls day in and day out.  Then there are the days that it's an effort to breathe. Occasionally, a day like that can meld into a stretch of time.  Only those closest to me might notice the heaviness of heart.  There are "airs" to put on when you are "the inspiration" the one who always keeps it together.  Ms. Mary Sunshine shouldn't have thunder rolling in.  Ironically, the last few weeks has not been clear skies.  Geez, talk about feeling like a fraud! Lately the constant struggle to keep all the balls in the air has ruled my life.  When all you do is keep tossing one up - do you really handle anything? Are you just stuck in a wicked cycle of keeping balance, of keeping up appearances, ...never able to forge ahead or climb up?

Plateaus stink.  Professional, personal, relationship, and life/health style ones (any kind at all!) all stink.  No really, they suck. When more then one smacks you in the face at a time, "Forgetaboutit"!  Being "stuck" in one place can be a torture that is the epitome of spinning your wheels in the thick nasty mud when you had the potential to win the race!

Spin, spin, spin.... that's what it's been.  So much energy and jubilation pointed towards the end of school and summers arrival.  The limitless list of all that would be easier, personally and professionally, once school was out on May 27th.  All the "to do-s" that would and will get done.  All the time that would be had to catch up and move on. (Side note: A prime example of not to convince yourself it will be better "when"...!)

Silly me.  All that spinning ended in a wicked stall out! Almost a month later. No closer to winning that race.  No closer to smashing any plateaus.  Reasons matter not.  They were not earth shattering - just challenges in my little corner of the world. But enough to suck the air from my lungs and my motivation right along with it!

What matters is not days past - but NOW.  What matters was Monday.  Monday I declared my own personal "re-do". The restart of summer and all the goals that I have intertwined with the anticipation of it's arrival.  Dusting off that motivation and digging deep to move forward.  Practically forcing myself.  Amazing how even though you want and need to move forward - at times you have to force it into being - even just the start of it. Nothing just gets you nothing, nothing but more spinning! It's a difficult cycle to break at times.  Starting can be the hardest, but doing something is better then doing nothing. Start! Start something, maybe not all of it, or even the most pressing of the issues - but, START SOMETHING!

So, I've started! (Again, FINALLY!)  Not everything.  But, the wheels are in motion and gaining mileage.  I'll keep juggling the balls, keeping my eyes strategically on "myself","family" and "faith"- the rest can bounce if needed.  I'll catch them when I can.  Admittedly - as much as I wanted it - it took days to force the start. I cannot completely even explain why, in writing or even in my own mind.  I have however come to acknowledge the problems with keeping all the balls in the air you tend to ignore the ones that are about you.  That always leads to trouble.  After more then two years of embracing my own mantra of "Keep the promises you make to yourself" I dropped that ball and let it roll out of reach.  Somehow thinking I'd fix the other things and get back to me later.  Doesn't work that way.  HOW DID I FORGET THAT?!?!?  You have to take care of YOU to take care of the rest. 

Do you need to be starting something?!?! 

Do you need to remember to put yourself on the list? 

I highly recommend it! 

LUNCH TIME POLL

Dawn Boyle
What do you feel is the most OVER PAID profession?

What do you feel is the most UNDER PAID profession?

I feel that I might be the most UNDER PAID person in the world.....

SCREAMS HEARD AT NIGHT

Dawn Boyle

Many of you are aware of the Serial Killer(s) here on Long Island that have been littering our shores with people. So far there have been over 10 sets of remains recovered on the shoreline of our South Shore beaches, to be honest it is right in my own backyard. I have to admit a few times I have gotten freaked out about this, but nothing like what happened this past weekend.

Friday afternoon was stormy. We had strong gusty winds and torrential rains. Around 8:00 the rain subsided and we heading over to our boat. Last minute plans to sleep over for the weekend were in full swing. My daughters had a friend joining us. We waiting 'til the sky was clear and pink to push off. We arrived to very distant lightning up in the clouds and a rainbow that stretched clear across the bay. It was beautiful. We pulled in to our usual spot and said hello to a few of the diehards. These guys will ride out anything, and apparently that day it was wind gusts of 60mph. We settled in and joined our friends for a cocktail on the dock. It was about 11:00 when I was standing with two friends, talking about how we needed school to be over and how our children were fried from the year and how the boat basin was unusually empty, being Fathers Day weekend and we figured the nasty weather had kept many away, when we heard a blood curdling scream, followed by two other shrills.