Sunday, May 8, 2011

SOUL FOOD

“A mother is someone…
Who dreams great dreams for you…
But then she lets you chase the dreams..
You have for yourself…
And loves you just the same."
~Anonymous

On This Date May 8 (SUNDAY)

NUMBER 1 SONG THIS WEEKEND FROM 1970 - 2010

Guess Who - American Woman
Three Dog Night - Joy to the World
Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Tony Orlando and Dawn - Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree
Grand Funk Railroad - The Loco-Motion
Tony Orlando and Dawn - He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)
John Sebastian - Welcome Back
Eagles - Hotel California
Yvonne Elliman - If I Can't Have You
Peaches and Herb - Reunited
Blondie - Call Me
Sheena Easton - Morning Train (Nine to Five)
Vangelis - Chariots of Fire
Michael Jackson - Beat It
Lionel Richie - Hello
Madonna - Crazy for You
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls
Cutting Crew - (I Just) Died in Your Arms
Terence Trent D'Arby - Wishing Well
Bon Jovi - I'll Be There for You
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
Roxette - Joyride
Kris Kross - Jump
Silk - Freak Me
Ace of Base - The Sign
Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It
Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby
Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
1998
Next - Too Close
1999 
Ricky Martin - Livin' La Vida Loca
2000 
Santana feat. The Product G&B - Maria Maria
2001   
Janet - All For You
2002 
Ashanti - Foolish
2003   
Sean Paul - Get Busy
Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris - Yeah!
Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
Rihanna - SOS
Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin' On You




HISTORY OF MOTHER'S DAY

Have you ever wondered why Mother's Day is celebrated the second Sunday of every May? Do you want to know some things you can do to make Mother's Day extra special? Read on for the answer to these questions and more.

Did Mother's Day begin in the United States?
No. Long, long, ago, in ancient Greece, the people paid tribute to Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, each spring. A little later in history it is noted that England paid homage to mothers on "Mothering Sunday," the fourth Sunday of Lent.

In 1872, Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle hymn of the Republic) suggested the idea of Mother's Day, but it was Miss Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948), of Philadelphia, who began a letter-writing campaign to a variety of influential people that made Mother's Day a national holiday.

Why did Miss Jarvis think it was so important to have Mother's Day?
Miss Jarvis was very close to her mother Mrs. Anna Reese Jarvis. Anna's mother died in May of 1905, when Anna was 41 years of age. Anna was not married and from the time of her mother's death cared for her blind sister, Ellsinore. Anna missed her mother very much and felt that children should appreciate their mother's more while they're still alive. Anna hoped Mother's Day would increase respect and love and strengthen family bonds.

So when was the first Mother's Day?
In 1907 Anna persuaded her mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year, 1908, Mother's Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia.

In 1910 the first Mother's Day proclamation was issued by the governor of West Virginia. Oklahoma celebrated Mother's Day that year also. By 1911 every state observed Mother's Day. The Mother's Day International Association was incorporated on December 12, 1912, with the purpose of furthering meaningful observations of Mother's Day.

When did Mother's Day become official?
In May, 1913, The House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the President, his Cabinet, members of Congress, and all officials of the federal government to wear a white carnation on Mother's Day. Congress passed another Joint Resolution May 8, 1914, designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

On Mother's Day the U.S. flag is to be displayed on government buildings and at people's homes "as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country." President Woodrow Wilson issued the first proclamation making Mother's Day an official national holiday.

Many people give roses on Valentines Day, is there a particular flower I should give my mom on Mother's Day?
Miss Anna Jarvis's mother's favorite flower was the white carnation. This flower was chosen to represent the sweetness, purity and endurance of mother love. However, the red carnation has since become the symbol of a living mother while white signifies that one's mother has died.

Do other countries celebrate Mother's Day?
You bet they do! Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium celebrate Mother's Day on the same day as the United States. Other countries celebrate Mother's Day as well, though not on the same day.

SUNDAY TRIVIA - Inspired by Moms...

Did you know...



Highest Number of Children in Modern Times
The modern world record for giving birth is held by Leontina Albina from San Antonio, Chile. Leontina claims to be the mother of 64 children, of which only 55 of them are documented. She is listed in the 1999 Guinness World Records but dropped from later editions. 

During the third season of the Cosby Show, actress Phylicia Rashad was pregnant, and to cover it up, producers raised the counters on the kitchen set, and cut a hole in the Huxtables' bed, so that her stomach would appear level.

August is the most popular month in which to have a baby, with more than 360,000 births taking place that month in 2001.

Tuesday is the most popular day of the week in which to have a baby, with an average of more than 12,000 births taking place on Tuesdays during 2001.

In the Bible, Eve is credited with being the 'Mother of All the Living.'

In 2004, Marge Simpson was voted the UK's "Most Respected Mother" in a poll conducted by the Mothers' Union.   She beat Cherie Blair and Victoria Beckham. 

A female oyster over her lifetime may produce over 100 million young.

A mother giraffe often gives birth while standing, so the new born's first experience outside the womb is a 1.8-meter (6-foot) drop.

Rosa Parks was the mother of bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama that launched the Civil Rights Movement.

Patridge Family matriarch Shirley Jones was actually David Cassidy's stepmother.   She married actor Jack Cassidy, when David was 6. 

The ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day in spring, like we do. They used to honor Rhea, "mother of the gods" with honey-cakes and fine drinks and flowers at dawn. Sounds like the beginnings of the Mother's Day tradition of breakfast in bed!

Hindu scripture credits the Great Mother, Kali Ma, with the invention of writing through alphabets, pictographs and beautiful sacred images.

June Cleaver was famous for doing housework in heels and pearls, but Barbara Billingsley, the actress who played her, later said that there were practical reasons for the wardrobe-the pearls hid shadows on her neck and the heels allowed her to remain taller than her rapidly growing TV sons.

George Washington once said, "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

Native American Indian women have long been honored with the name, "Life of the Nation" for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.

Marion Cunningham of Happy Days was an archeology major in college.

Native American Indian women have long been honored with the name, "Life of the Nation" for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.

9.9 million The number of single mothers living with children younger than 18 in 2010, up from 3.4 million in 1970 .

Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia began the campaign that brought about the official observance of Mother's Day in the United states. Her mother died, and Anna wanted all mothers to be remembered. She asked that white carnations be the official mother's day symbol. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the orders that made Mother's Day a national holiday.  Just nine years later, Anna filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the over- commercialization of Mother's Day. She lost her fight. Now, cards, letters, candy and dinners out mark Mother's Day for most families. Anna had hoped for a day of reflection and quiet prayer by families, thanking God for all that mothers had done.

Mother Earth is also known as "Terra Firma". That title is a Latin translation of some lines from one of the Greek poet, Homer's, greatest poems.

85.4 million Estimated number of mothers in the United States in 2008.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A MOM IF...

You know you're a mom if you've ever crawled under a crib at 2 a.m. searching for a pacifier like your life depended on it.

You know you're a mom if you've ever stuck a pacifier in your mouth just to clean it off!

You know you are a mom if you find yourself singing Old MacDonald (or other kiddie songs) in the car...alone!

You know you are a mom when you start looking at diaper bags the same as you did those awesome leather purses currently hanging in your closet.

You know you're a mom if you have more children than dollars in your purse.

You know you're a mom if you can take a shower, do hair and makeup in less than 10 minutes ( usually with an audience).

You know you're a mom if you've taste baby food.

You know you're a mom when you wake up with extra people in bed with you.

You really know you're a mom when you stop caring if people think your house is nice and you just wish they'd think your kids were nice.

COKE OR PEPSI - PART I - IT'S THE REAL THING

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Coke or Pepsi?  The age old war between the two iconic cola companies continues. Either you’re a Coke person or a Pepsi person; it’s politically incorrect to be both! Let’s look at the history of each company, their impact on society and the cleverness of their slogans and then, of course, the taste. After that, you decide. Tell us which kind of cola connoisseur you are!

Coke was invented in May of 1886 by a pharmacist named Dr. John Pemberton in a brass kettle in his back yard. He took the syrup to his drug store in Atlanta Georgia where his bookkeeper suggested the name Coca Cola because of the ingredients cocaine and kola nut. It was this bookkeeper’s neat script handwriting that became the famous logo still used today.

The syrup was mixed with carbonated water at the soda fountain of the Pharmacy and sold about 9 glasses a day. It was advertised as an elixir or tonic to improve digestion and settle upset stomachs. By the late 1890’s the formula was sold to Asa Candler who launched an aggressive marketing campaign which led to Coca Cola being one of America’s most popular fountain drinks. Clever advertising, updating the product (Diet Coke, Coke Zero, New Coke, Coke Classic etc) and bottling helped Coke to grow into a household word around the world.

The effect of Coke on our culture? HUGE! Besides being the first major soda company to bottle and distribute coke in machines, the Coca Cola Company practically invented the now accepted image of Santa Claus. Their brilliant ads in 1931 depicting that “Jolly Old Elf” as a rosy cheeked, red nosed, chubby old man in a red suit gave children what became the iconic image of Santa for ages to come. It was also Coke that hired famous artists Normal Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth to paint much loved versions of mid-century American life. And who can forget the historic 1971 commercial “I’d like to teach the world to sing”? It was also Coke that was the first soft drink to be consumed in space in July of 1985.
So now you know the history and some interesting facts. What about the taste?  Most people describe it as “fuzzy, sweet, refreshing, crisp and sugary. The truth is, you have to taste it for yourself to really know. 

So, are you a Coke person? Think you know all about Coca Cola?

Take the Coke quiz and find out!

The competitor: Pepsi Cola  will be explored in part II!

STICKY SWEET



THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
Patty B

"Chocolate remedies adversity."


CHOCOLATE CAKE may not fix everything but it's a darn good substitute."

"“I am not overweight. I am CHOCOLATE enriched.”

"Chocolate makes everyone smile - even bankers & bill collectors."

THE HORSES ARE ON THE TRACK...I'LL HAVE A MINT JULEP, SIR!


What other way to celebrate the 136 Kentucky Derby then getting out your most fabulous hat and sipping on a Mint Julep! It's Derby day!!
 
 
Early Times Mint Julep
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • Sprigs of fresh mint
  • Crushed ice
  • Early Times Kentucky Whisky
  • Silver Julep Cups

Dress Code

Being one of the more stylish sporting events of the year, it is important to know what attire is acceptable when attending the Kentucky Derby.

Business casual is required for the Jockey Club and Finish Line suites, Aristides & Stakes rooms, and the Turf Club.

Business casual is best described as the following:
  • Jackets and Blazers
  • Vests, collard shirts, and sweaters
  • Dresses
  • Pantsuits
  • Slacks
Denim, jeans, shorts and tennis shoes are not allowed

THE MOST EXCITING TWO MINUTES IN SPORTS

Kentucky Derby - History
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most famous and prestigous horse races in the world. It is the first leg of the United States Triple Crown of horse racing. Churchill Downs where the race is held the first Saturday in May reach year, was started by a group headed by a man named M. Lewis Clark in 1874. The group built the racetrack on land owned by the Churchill family of Louisville, Kentucky. The track officially opened on May 17, 1875 and that was the day of the first Kentucky Derby won by Aristides.
The races from 1875-1895 were modeled after the English Derby and were 1.5 miles long. In 1896 they changed the length of the Kentucky Derby to 1.25 miles, and this is the current length of the dirt surface track.

However, the Derby was just another regional race until 1902, when Colonel Matt J. Winn took over the track. Although he had seen every Kentucky Derby since the beginning, Winn knew little about horse racing or running tracks. But he was a very good promoter.

After raising money to save Churchill Downs from bankruptcy, Winn began making frequent trips to New York, then the center of American racing, to persuade owners to enter their horses in the Kentucky Derby. His persistence paid off. By 1920, the Derby had become the best-known race in North America and it was attracting the top three-year-olds from all over the country.

Today as the first leg in the pursuit of the Triple Crown the Kentucky Derby is viewed by many as the most exciting two minutes in sports. The twin spires atop the homestretch grandstands were added in 1895 and remain one of the most recognized structures in all of sports.