What is a sponsored post?

A sponsored post is a post that someone (company, individual etc.) is paying me to write. A non-sponsored post is a post that I am writing for free--meaning I have not been or will get paid for the post. Paid posts will have something called a "disclosure notice" which is a statement clarifying if I was paid to write it or not. Non-paid posts will have no such notice--unless I need to clarify its purpose on my blog.

Thanks

Ms McCloud

Make your home look nicer by Christmas

This is a sponsored ad
Have you ever gone looking for an address on a house that you've never been to before? Don't you just hate not being able to see the house address from the street? I mean who wants to get out of the car or worse cab- and walk all the way up to the house and risk a dog chasing you only to find that you have the wrong address.

Why put your loved ones or a stranger through all of that?
Artificial Rocks Factory will help your friends and family find you faster. And they make your house look really nice—gives it an upscaled feeling.

Address signs and plaques not only serve the practical purpose of making it easier for friends, family, delivery drivers or fire/ambulance emergency crews to find your address but they can also be attractive accents to your home or business.

They are molded from actual 800-1,000 lb. boulders

Artificial Rocks Factory has four models of realistic fake rocks with custom address or welcome plaques. The incredibly lifelike 50-60 lb. fake rocks look and feel natural because they're made from construction-grade cast stone--not fiberglass or polyurethane.

The Artificial Rocks Factory's parent company, Valley Monuments, Inc. is an industry leader in the manufacture of similar construction-grade cast stone products, primarily with bronze plaques for memorials, dedications and awards & recognition.


Artificial Rocks Factory offers 20 different models of boulders which are all hollow, approx. one-inch thick, and open at the bottom. Four of the models with the best front angles are available for address and welcome plaques.


The address and welcome boulders are available in three colors and are shipped to customers' doorsteps via FedEx Ground after the address or welcome plaque is permanently affixed.

An anti-theft metal eyebolt is cast inside every address or welcome boulder
When you go to the web site, click on any of the fake rock images and they will spin around to provide a 360-degree view of all sides of that model.
The fake rocks ordered with an address plaque are delivered in 15-20 business days. The artificial rocks with a "WELCOME" plaque ship immediately and normally arrive in 7-10 business days.

Make sure one is reserved for you by Christmas 2007. November 29 is the last day to order the fake rocks with a custom address plaque in time for delivery by Christmas. The welcome plaques are always in-stock, the rocks with a "WELCOME" greeting can be ordered as late as December 13.

Thanksgiving menu

I finally pulled the bird from the freezer. I'm letting it thaw in the refridge. I hope three days is enough. I splurged and got a Butterball because I cannot stand dry white meat on my turkey. The dark meat is oily enough to never be dry.

This year I will stuff my turkey with bell pepper, onion and mushroom. I will also have cornbread dressing and steamed veggies. My children won't eat homemade macaroni and cheese or tetrizinie or the homemade lazana that well.

However, I heard on TV that the first Thanksgiving had Lobster and scallops and other delectible seafood choices on the menu.
Is that where oyster dressing comes from?

Anyway we are sticking with a traditional midwestern Thanksgiving.
I will not be baking sweets--my mom is the best at that and why waste good flour, sugar, milk, eggs and butter!

Freeze It helps

Freeze It Gel has to work for my friend Mary.


Every day she is climbing flights of stairs, bending and picking up toys, clothes and what have you and running up and down the stairs some more checking on her children to make sure they are doing what she told them to do.

I can hear her doing this when we talk on the phone. When she was in high school she broke her ankle while skateboarding. We were all friends then and now and we both had become pretty profieicent at it (she won a local contest and
never let us forget it) but after breaking her ankle she sort
of gave it up. It took a while to heal and she was on crutches forever but over the years after healing it hadn't given her
any problems. A couple of days ago, I noticed that she kept

saying that she was aching all over but the ankle she broke was
throbbing she said.
Last month she remembered falling off of her stilletoes but it
wasn't very serious. Of course, she ignored it but it wouldn't
go away. Well later on that week she said she felt like she
coming down with a cold so she took some asprin. Suddently, she
said she wasn't so achey anymore and her ankle didn't hurt.
Finally I put two and two together and saw that everytime she
took the asprin her aches went away too. So I got to thinking
what if there was some sort of topical medicine she could use
to make this pain go away instead of constantly taking asprin.
Mary told me the pain was keeping her from sleeping. To top it
all off she wrenched her back trying to dust the top of her
kitchen shelves on a wobbley step stool.
I told her about Freeze It®. I said it is effective in helping
people who have trouble sleeping due to persistent pain and
discomfort and that they reported getting a good night of
undisturbed sleep--when Freeze It® is applied just prior to
bedtime.
Winning a supply of Freeze It® would help her out tremendously.
She could get back to normal and stop complaining about how
much she hurts.
Pain can hinder the ability to perform movement and exercise,
decreasing mobility and hurting quality of life. I told her
that Freeze It® quickly delivers pain relief, providing a
"cool-revitalizing" feeling of well being after exsercising.
Mary stopped going to the gym after her aches and pains flared
up.
More improtantly Mary hasn't cleaned her house in a few weeks
because she said it hurts to move. I told her by massaging
Freeze It® into sore muscles and joints the pain relief may
make it easier to complete daily tasks.

Being Low-Carb isn't enough

by Leslie Jones McCloud

People who consider themselves on a low-carb diet still need to watch their calories. Research shows most low-carb dieters are in a state of calorie denial. Boca Raton nutritionist and eating disorder specialist, Marita P. Riethmiller RD LD/N DEDT MEd, said most of the 2000 or so diets available to consumers may work for a while but they are basically “gimmicks,” and unhealthy in the long run. Going on a “gimmick” diet throws off the body’s natural processing ways, she said.

“I see things in the grocer that say low-carb but the product never had carbs – like lettuce,” she said. Reaching for high-fat low-carb foods like bacon fills your arteries with animal fat, she said. Just taking the bun off of a cheeseburger isn’t enough.

“If the body doesn’t get what it needs it takes what it can get – it makes adjustments,” she said, but over a period of time, the body can begin to react and malfunction. Using fat for energy – as in low carb-diets – the body gets used to it. It tricks the body into burning fat all the time but overextends the gallbladder,” she said.

The majority of doctors (76%) interviewed say a poor calorie-counting attitude can hurt a dieter’s chances for long-term weight loss success, according a recent survey conducted by West Palm Beach diet company, Slim-Fast. Experts reviewing the new data are concerned by the disconnected attitude given the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement of its “Calories Count” approach, which underscores the need to control calories when managing weight.

Crime stats may urge citizens to bear arms

If you are getting worried about crime in your area, you may be considering buying a firearm. I saw a galco holster at www.511tacticaloutdoors.com that would be perfect.
Considering the trends in violent crime statistics released by the FBI, many citizens may be wanting to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms. The website also has tactical eye ware, pants, jackets and knives for sale.

Found on the Jamie Foxx website...

A poster (emb1fan) on the Jamie Foxx website posted this:

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jamie Foxx getting into the reality-TV business with MTV and VH1.

The Oscar-winning actor and his business partners, Jaime Rucker King and Marcus King, are already developing a project under their two-year production deal with the sibling cable channels: "From Gs to Gents," an MTV series in which guys compete to become gentlemen.

Foxx won an Oscar for playing Ray Charles in "Ray." The role also earned him an MTV Movie Award nomination, but he lost to Leonardo DiCaprio for "The Aviator." In 2001, he hosted the channel's flagship Video Music Awards ceremony.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter


2nd Scoop:

ACTOR/SINGER/comedian Jamie Foxx disclosed some of his plans for 2008 backstage at the Country Music Association Awards, at which he performed with country supergroup Rascal Flatts. An already-thin (but fit) Foxx announced that he'll lose 10-15 pounds to play Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless person, in "The Soloist," with Robert Downey Jr., early next year.
The movie is based on the true story of musical prodigy Ayers, who developed schizophrenia in his second year at Juilliard and ended up playing violin and cello on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Foxx is also working on an album, which includes a return of favor by Rascal Flatts.

He'll also do some stand-up comedy soon, "going back to what I know and like to do," he said, while he was plugging his Foxxhole Radio channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.


I'm adding this because I love this song! (I couldn't find the clean version)

Uptown Saturday Night

A favorite end-of-the-month event, Uptown Saturday Night takes place from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm the last Saturday in October 27 and November 24 in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches.
Events in St. Augustine include
some antique dealers who will provide workshops covering a variety of antique related topics and book stores that will provide readings and book signings by local authors. Art galleries will feature exhibit openings of some of the finest Florida artists.
The Mission of Nombre de Dios provides free parking for Uptown Saturday Night. Each participating shop features an open house with wine and refreshments that will enhance the festive night time atmosphere.
The event sounds like a dream come true to me because I love Florida. You can't beat the sunshine and mix of people and culture not to mention the lovely beaches that dot the state's vast coastline.
The beaches for two descriptions under the Beaches and Nature section seemed so inviting. When visitor's to the site click on the scenario of their choice, they get to read about each get-a-way through the eyes of someone who has intimate knowledge of the beaches.
A good example is "Beaches for Two" by Kara Chalmers who described the "sharp, salty smell of the Atlantic Ocean," as the writer emerged from the car.
They toured their beach neighborhood and found a lovely restaurant for some fresh seafood, the writer said.

Tens of thousands show up for 2007 March for Justice

Cable Network News anchor Don Lemon broadcast live reports Friday on the March for Justice 2007 in Washington D.C.


The protest was against the numerous Hangman's Noose sitings across the country, unequal justice among the races, ingrained racism and to get more hate crimes prosecuted.
The protest was held on the plaza of the U.S. Department of Justice.
It was crowded with supporters during the speeches. During the march seven times around the building, the crowd literally surrounded the U.S. Department of Justice in their efforts.
Early on, Lemon interviewed Judge Greg Mathis and described what the crowd looked like. I could hear a speaker at the podium and the crowd seemed attentive.
The Rev. Al Sharpton (left) and his National Action Network along with
Martin Luther King III (right) and a host of others concerned about
racial injustice, organized and or promoted the march. Sharpton and actor/comedian/syndicated talk show host Steve Harvey (not shown) promoted the march November 15 on CNN.
During a short address to the crowd, Harvey said he was honored to be there.
"I'm a result of a lot of people from the past," he said explaining that he owes his success to those in the past who fought for equal rights for Blacks. He then introduced Sharpton.
"No Justice, No Peace" were the first words out of his mouth.
He led the crowd in a chant of the famous phrase. The strength of many voices in one seemed to create a roar of hope amongst the supporters, as each refrain of the phrase grew stronger, deeper and more intense.
"We want justice now," he said during his speech.
Sharpton said he was a challenged to increase the amount of supporters who participated in the protest Friday over those who came to the Jena, LA. protest. It was unclear by whom he was challenged but he seemed successful. As the day drew on, more and more people came out to support the marchers in their seven times march around the U.S. Department of Justice, likening their efforts to the Biblical march around Jericho.
"We brought the people to the Justice Department," he told the crowd.
Sharpton then introduced to the crowd, former Chicago and Texas radio "Fly Jock" turned syndicated radio and television host, Tom Joyner.
The live reports continued on CNN International.
"The U.S. government is not fighting for hate crimes. They cannot abandon their citizens over here," Sharpton told Lemon. Lemon's interview of the march organizers was broadcast live across the world.
"It's tragic we still have to march...but I'm glad (we're) standing up for justice. I'm sad we're not further along. America is not treating it's citizens of color correctly. We will stand up for our rights until equality is achieved," King
said.
Black radio and the Internet got all of the people out there, Joyner said. He remembered how civil rights activity promotion was handled years ago.
"We would stop the music and hand the microphone to Dr. King and Abernathy (back in the day) They would tell the people where to go and when to be there. We're doing the same thing now," Joyner said.
Former civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill said the March for Justice, March on Washington 2007, is a good follow-up to the Civil Rights Movement. She made her comments on CNN to anchor Tony Harris, November 16, during an interview.
She said it's important that the prosecution of hate crimes is ongoing and that the U.S. Department of Justice should make sure that there is equal justice for whites and blacks.
She also said it is important to harness the activism of young people who are energized by the Jena LA situation.
However, inside the building, it was quiet, CNN segment producer Terry Frieden said. He was inside the building giving his report to the CNN news desk but it is unclear if reporters have a permanent office there.
He said no one from the department agreed to be interviewed on CNN, however, they were aware of the protesters. Days before the march, Frieden said department officials held a teleconference with reporters. Officials said they were doing what they could to prosecute hate crimes effectively.
I suppose federal prosecutors, like most lawyers, want to win their cases and not lose a case based on technicalities or carelessness but protesters want more funding for the department and more prosecutions.
However, official reaction seemed puzzling.
"Protests aren't unusual. Usually department officials would meet with protest leaders," Frieden said.
Also at protest the father of Mychal Bell, Marcus, said Jim Crowe laws still exist in Jena, LA. and that his son is a victim of them during one of the many interviews Lemon conducted.
Beyonce Ferrell's fiance was there. Her husband-to-be was shot and killed in a hail of bullets an hour before his wedding. She said the shooting was ruled justified by police.

My Lecture
There are still old school Civil Rights born politicians around that
could lend a hand publicly or privately on a plan of action for
the long suffering African American community.
Routinely, the state of the African American Community should be analyzed.
It is a shame that our inner-cities are crumbling and where
people live and pay taxes, they cannot find work enough to
support their families.
I said it yesterday and I will say it today: When we start
businesses and grow them and hire in our own communities, we
will lessen our own burden and uplift the image of the Black
Man and Black Woman.
Our crime in our urban communities will drop and our children
will respect us. Our social groups will improve and we will be
happier.

The Black Political Agenda (left) is of an actual document created to help oppressed people.
As long as we wait and keep asking other folk to do for us what we can do for ourselves (self-policing and paying-it-forward) we will largely be ignored. They figure if we just get ourselves together, we wouldn't need their help so much.

But some of us are like babies.

It is still only a few holding up many. Entire races of people
on this earth do what is expected of them and take a part in helping their own kind--except Blacks and I cannot understand it.
Who would have ever thunk it, back in the days of the Black Panther Party, that today, many would be calling the Black race a joke, in so many words?
Everyone sees our nakedness and classicism and obsession with
bling and how we romanticize crime and criminal behavior
(What is hustling and thugging?) and how we talk against
education and the educated and institutions of higher learning.
The march Friday was a step in the right direction but it cannot be the last step made. We have to keep going.
(Remember the thick Crayola crayons? Yeah, I got one of them and I'm coloring all over the page!)
The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. put in place thousands of African
Americans in political office across this country. Many of these
people are still in these positions. They were put in place to
help the whole community at-large.
(Translation: White folk let y'all in there to help other
Negroes in perpetuity--not just once or twice.)

Afro Puffs against crime

Now that crime has ingrained itself in our minds and
communities over the years it will be that much harder to
extract. Anyone have a pick axe and sickle?
It's wrong to teach children to steal and sell drugs. I cannot
put it any plainer than that. It is wrong to accept gifts from
your children who you suspect are doing these things.
When they finally do get to the campus, don't accept things
they buy you with their financial aid money. Tell them to save
it in a high-yield account.
Do not teach children to jump up and fist fight at the drop of
a dime. Teach them the law so that they can sue for their
rights. That's what everybody else in this country does.
(How much different would the Jena LA debacle had been if the
parents sued the school district every time an infraction of
their rights was reported?)
The newest noose is not made of rope. It is a lack of a sound
value structure. Without this, children are criminalized early
in life (Blacks and non-blacks now) and it prevents them from
achieving certain things.
Traffic stops are the easiest noose to make. Driving without a
license, they get caught by police or run. When they run they
get shot or shot at--then what?
Most of the time it is a ticket. If they have a license and get a ticket but don't pay it or show up in court, their license is suspended.
If the police officer is white and the traffic stop turns into an incident of note, it is splashed across the TV and the race card may be played. If the police officer is black, he or she is investigated to no end and quite possibly fired or
sanctioned. Hopefully not.
Is the driving test so hard? No one can make time to teach a
teen to drive so that they can get their license?
Teens are obsessed with the freedom of driving--unless you make
your teen drive you around--then it's not so fun.
If you have a teen and a car, teach the teen to drive legally
with insurance and everything or do not give the teen the keys.
Why is it so hard for you to care?