WHITNEY HOUSTON DEAD AT 48

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Whitney Houston, six time Grammy award winner is dead at the age of 48.

Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 pm at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where she was staying. According to “abc”, the cause of her death has not been released. Houston has battled with a drug and alcohol addiction during her marriage to R&B singer, Bobby Brown from 1992-2006.

It was rumored that her addictions continued even after ending her marriage. She staged a comeback in 2009 and jumped right back to the top of the charts. In 2010 she launched a world tour which caused critics to state that her voice had suffered from the stress and addictions. Houston checked herself into rehab in May of last year seeking treatment for drug and alcohol dependence.

In addition to her six Grammy awards, Houston has won two Emmys, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, among others. Her album "Whitney" was the first album by a woman to ever debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts. She has sold more than 170 million albums world wide.

Her success launched her into the film industry, where she starred in hits like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale." Her struggles with drugs, alcohol, rehab (she went at least three times) and Brown, against whom she filed a charge of domestic abuse in 1993, pushed her out the spotlight.

Whitney Houston had an amazing voice, was an outstanding actress and a beautiful woman. She had fame, money, a beautiful daughter and fans who loved her. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.

Possibly the last picture taken of Whitney alive.
This was taken at a nighclub where Houston was
described as disoriented and argumentative
on February 10th.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAY FEBRUARY 11

Amparo Rivelles born on February 11, 1925

Kim Stanley born on February 11, 1925

Virginia Johnson born on February 11, 1925

Leslie Nielsen born on February 11, 1926

Tina Louis born on February 11, 1934

Burt Reynolds born on February 11, 1936

Brian Capron born on February 11, 1949

Jeb Bush born on February 11, 1953

Keith Famie born on February 11, 1960

Carey Lowell born on February 11, 1961

Sheryl Crow born on February 11, 1962

Chimene van Oosterhout born on February 11, 1964

Marceline Schopman born on February 11, 1965

Step Vaessen born on February 11, 1965

Ciro Ferrara born on February 11, 1967

Jennifer Anistin born on February 11, 1969

Nathalie Huigsloot born on February 11, 1969

Damian Lewis born on February 11, 1971

Kelly Slater born on February 11, 1972

Marisa Petroro born on February 11, 1972

Steve McManaman born on February 11, 1972

Jeon Do-yeon born on February 11, 1973

D'Angelo born on February 11, 1974

Jaroslav Spacek born on February 11, 1974

Nick Barmby born on February 11, 1974

Alexandra Neldel born on February 11, 1976

Allison Feaster born on February 11, 1976

Ricardo born on February 11, 1976

Ricardo Pereira born on February 11, 1976

Mike Shinoda born on February 11, 1977

Allysin Chaynes born on February 11, 1979

Brandy Norwood born on February 11, 1979

David Pizarro born on February 11, 1979

Marco Bresciano born on February 11, 1980

Matthew Lawrence born on February 11, 1980

Natalie Wakeling born on February 11, 1980

Kelly Rowland born on February 11, 1981

Renata Maciel dos Santos born on February 11, 1981

Natalie Dormer born on February 11, 1982

Huang Sheng Yi born on February 11, 1983

Rafael van der Vaart born on February 11, 1983

Abbie Ratay born on February 11, 1984

Aubrey O'Day born on February 11, 1984

Harris Allan born on February 11, 1985

William Beckett born on February 11, 1985

Q'Orianka Kilcher born on February 11, 1990

EATERY IS OPEN.....HEART SHAPED FRENCH TOAST

6 thick slices of white bread
1/4 cup milk
2 beaten eggs
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh strawberries
Powdered sugar
Heart shaped cookie cutter

1. Using the cookie cutter, cut each slice of bread into a heart shape
2. Mix together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract in a shallow bowl.
3. Dip 3 of the heart shaped bread slices into the mixture.  Make sure you dip both sides of the bread.
4. Prepare a large skillet by melting one tablespoon over medium heat.
5. Arrange the 3 slices into the skillet and cook both sides until golden brown.
6. Transfer to a serving plate.
7. Sprinkle on the powdered sugar and top with strawberry slices.
8. Repeat steps 3 to 7 for the other three heart shaped slices of bread.
9. Serve with a kiss while still warm.

Yields: 2 servings

California's Proposition 8 Unconstitutional?

According to the Washington Post, a federal appeals panel in San Francisco ruled yesterday that California’s Proposition 8, banning same sex marriage, is unconstitutional.

This could lead to a consideration of the issue by the United States Supreme Court.

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“Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples,” U.S. Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote. “The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort.”

Six states and the District of Columbia allow gay couples to marry, and three others are considering joining them. Polls show a striking generational difference in acceptance, with young people far more in favor of allowing same-sex unions.
In 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled 4 to 3 that same-sex couples could not be denied the right to wed, and over the next five months, about 18,000 such couples took marriage vows. But that fall, 52 percent of California voters supported Proposition 8, amending the state Constitution to validate “only a marriage between a man and a woman.”
Reinhardt said this “taking away” of a right by the majority was not allowed.
“By using their initiative power to target a minority group and withdraw a right that it possessed, without a legitimate reason for doing so, the people of California violated the Equal Protection Clause” of the federal Constitution, Reinhardt wrote.

EATERY OPEN...TOP CHEF KOREAN LETTUCE WRAPS

Korean Bibimbop Lettuce Wrap

8 Romaine Lettuce Spears
1 cup cooked sushi rice
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
3 teaspoons sesame oil
1 carrot sliced into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
3 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced thinly
1 zucchini sliced into thin ribbons
8 quail eggs

Korean chili sauce:
1 tablespoon Korean Chili paste
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon water
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Nori Flakes for garnish

1- Warm a skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon of sesame oil. Sauté the carrots for 3 minutes until tender. Remove carrots and reserve warm on a plate. Add another teaspoon of sesame oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 4 minutes until wilted and cooked through. Remove mushrooms from the pan and reserve warm with the carrots. Add another teaspoon of sesame oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add the zucchini ribbons and cook for 2 minutes until tender. Remove from the pan and reserve with the other vegetables.

2- Arrange lettuce spears on a platter. Put a spoonful of cooked rice into the lettuce, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Place a little of the carrots, mushrooms and zucchini in each lettuce wrap.

3- Heat a little more sesame oil in the pan and cook the quail eggs over low heat, sunny side up.

4- Top each lettuce spear with a quail egg. Drizzle a little chili sauce and a few nori flakes on each lettuce wrap. Serve immediately.

For the Korean Chili Sauce:

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?!?

A man wakes up in the hospital bandaged from head to foot. The doctor comes in and says, "Ah, I see you've regained consciousness. Now you probably won't remember, but you were in a huge pile-up on the freeway. You're going to be ok. You'll have no trouble using your arms and legs, but your penis was severed in the accident and we couldn't find it."

The man groans, but the doctor says, "You have $9000 in insurance compensation coming and we now have the technology to build a new penis. They work great but they don't come cheap. It's roughly $1000 an inch." The man perks up.

"So," the doctor says, "You must decide how many inches you want. I understand that you have been married for over thirty years so this is something you should discuss with your wife. If you had a five incher before and get a nine incher now, she might be a bit put out. If you had a nine incher before and you decide to only invest in a five incher now, she might be disappointed. It's important that she plays a role in helping you make a decision."

The man agrees to talk it over with his wife.. The doctor comes back the next day and asks, "Have you spoken with your wife?" "Yes I have", says the man.

"And has she helped you make a decision?"

"Yes" says the man.

"What is your decision?" asks the doctor.

"We're getting granite counter tops."

LET'S SAVE MONEY AND NOT GET ANYTHING FOR EACH OTHER!

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE? That Question shakes things up in some relationships...

M.Radeboldt

Have you heard this line ladies? Anniversaries, Christmas, and now, the sacred holiday of LOVE, Valentine's Day. What cheap son of a bitch cares so little about you that he can't even buy a romantic card and a freaking flower? Don't let him get away with it girls! If he values and cherishes you, it wouldn't matter how poor he is, he'd find a way to get you something to show his love. If he's too lazy and cheap, I say DUMP HIM! There are plenty of fish in the sea, and you deserve a cool, caring dolphin inststead of a lazy baracuda or cheap shark!
Valentine's Day is the day to give a visable sign of your love and devotion to another. I think it's important for the lady to remember her lover as well. Get him something that says "I think you're a stud", or "Noone else holds my heart".
Men don't "get it" sometimes with sentimental cards, but they do understand baked goods. Bake his favorite, buy some candy he goes crazy over, make a dinner he can't resist. The time, love and energy you put in will let him know he's #1. (And if he doesn't show up, or shows up empty handed - DUMP HIM!)

Remember ladies - You're only worth what you think you are. If you let him take advantage of your good nature, dislike of conflict, unselfish spirit, then odds are, he will. I know there are exceptions to this rule,like Tony from DRL for example, but there are far too many "slackers" of the male sex when it comes to treating a lady the way she deserves , especially on the few special days of the year that tradition mandates are for her!

Here's hoping your man shows his love and appreciation of you this year. Happy Valentine's Day!

NOROVIRUS STRIKES AGAIN!

The cruise ship, Crown Princess will end its current cruise two days early due to the large number of gastrointestinal illness cases for the second week in a row. The 3,080-passenger ship will return to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Thursday instead of Saturday. There it will undergo two days of sanitization in consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was reported that 114 passengers and 59 crew members were diagnosed with a gastrointestinal virus believed to be norovirus. Those passengers affected will receive full refunds, flights home and coverage of change fees for airlines. They will also receive hotel accommodations if necessary and a 25% credit for a future cruise.

Last weeks cruise totaled 364 passengers and 30 crew members infected with norovirus. The ship underwent rigorous sanitation procedures under the supervision of the CDC, but apparently it wasn’t enough.

Norovirus is the second most common illness next to the common cold, and is highly contagious, spreading easily in confined spaces such as hospitals, hotels, dormitories and cruise ships. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.

                                                                           -Marion Ambrose



10 Ways to Stay Healthy on a Cruise (CRUISE CRITIC) http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?id=1061)

Wash your hands. The number-one way to avoid getting Norovirus or other illnesses on a cruise is to thoroughly wash your hands -- more than you ordinarily would -- before and after you eat, after you use the restroom, when returning to the cruise ship after a day in port and every time you touch a stranger or an oft-touched item like a stairway railing or a slot machine. In this way, you'll kill any germs before they can infect you. In addition to ramping up hand-washing, also take advantage of the hand sanitizers strategically placed around cruise ships in the dining areas, by the gangway and even in various lounges and public spaces. But note that using a hand sanitizer is not a replacement for basic hand-washing.

GOTTA LOVE AUTOCORRECT.....

These were the 15 most viewed, most shared, and most popular images sent in to DYAC.
-submitted by Michelle

9 YEAR OLD STABBED,STRANGLED AND THROAT SLIT BY 15 YEAR OLD "MONSTER"

Just what does a “monster” look like? According to Patty Priess, mother of slain 9 year old Elizabeth Olten, of St. Martins Missouri, it looks like Alyssa Bustamante!

In October of 2009, Bustamante, 15 years old at the time, strangled, stabbed and slit the throat of 9 year old Elizabeth. She used her own younger sister to lure Elizabeth out “to play”. She had also dug a few shallow graves in anticipation of her kill. In her confession, Bustamante said she wanted to feel what it was like to kill someone. In a journal that was later found, she wrote "I strangled them and slit their throat and stabbed them now they're dead. I don't know how to feel atm. It was ahmazing. As soon as you get over the 'ohmygawd I can't do this' feeling, it's pretty enjoyable. I'm kinda nervous and shaky though right now. Kay, I gotta go to church now...lol." She then went off to a church dance and enjoyed herself while Elizabeth’s family and police began a massive search for little Elizabeth.

Bustamante could have been charged with first degree murder and sentenced to life in an adult prison with no chance for parole, but instead pleaded guilty to second degree murder and armed criminal action. Wednesday morning she was sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole for the murder and a consecutive 30 year prison term for the criminal action charge.

Bustamante apologized to Elizabeth’s family at the trial, Patty Priess, mother of the slain girl, sat silently, staring blindly forward and made no response.

Bustamante’s lawyers attributed her actions to the fact that she had been taking the drug Prozac for an extended period due to depression, and the drug made her prone to violence. Elizabeth’s mother still thinks Bustamante is “an evil monster”.

Murder victim Elizabeth Olten