DENTISTS–THEY REALLY GET A BAD RAP

Ok, my dentist isn’t anything like the Little Shop of Horrors dentist, but I can’t help but cringe on the morning of those six month check-up’s and cleanings. It’s not that my dentist is that bad…in fact, he’s really nice, very easy on the eyes (CUTE!), has a great sense of humor, and must be in high demand since he can’t take on any new patients. So, all on all, I feel very lucky to have him caring for my teeth.

Anyway, I didn’t start this post just to jabber on about me or my dental hygiene,  but because it got me thinking about all those people in our country who aren’t fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have regular six month dental check-ups and cleanings.   I’ve read a lot of commentary on blogs and talk on the political news stations about the battle for health care that’s going on, but I haven’t seen a lot of discussion many of the details in the bill (other than the discussions about public option).

So….I did a little investigating of my own and found this:

Under the administration’s health-care overhaul, people can keep their own health insurance. Under a proposed Health Insurance Exchange, uninsured people can pick from private and public options for health care, and the proposed public option in one House bill offers dental care.
The proposed “basic” public plan would cover dental/oral health for “children under 21 years of age.” Adults could get coverage under another “premium-plus” public plan that would cost more.

These are spelled out in H.R. 3200 — America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 — on pages 28 and 86-87.

There are doubts among health-care policy experts that dental care will see the light of day in the public plan.

Professor Debra Street, an expert in health-care policy at State University of New York-Buffalo, is among those who doubt dental coverage will end up in the final public option if such an option is in the final bill hammered out by lawmakers.

That’s because of the track record with other federal health-care programs. Dental coverage hasn’t been available in Medicare and it hasn’t been well-funded in Medicaid, where coverage differs state by state, Street said.

The details of the plan are still undetermined as lawmakers work to shape the legislation.

So, from what I can see, it may or may not be in the final bill that makes it to the President’s desk and if it does, it will only cover those under the age of 22.

That’s good in a way…children should have the opportunity to have their teeth cared for, however, our teeth and gums don’t quit rotting away after that magic number. In fact, the effects of drinking too much soda or coffee is detrimental to our teeth, and face it…how many adults do you know who will ask for a glass of milk to go with their meals? Very few, as far as I have noticed.

There’s no doubt in my mind, our country is in great need of a health care plan and to be honest, I don’t have much faith that our Congress or our President will do more than put out a bill that will be a boon for the health care industry and the pharmaceutical industry and a slap in the face to average Americans…and then try to convince us that they did us all a big favor. I do know this, however, the addition of regular dental check ups and cleanings should be covered and should be heavily government subsidized because dental health is more than just a shiny white smile. The dentist is not only checking for cavities and gum disease, but they are also looking for the onset of oral cancer.

According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone. Over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

Of course, I’m not advocating that we take away any business from the tooth-fairy. Although rumor has it, with the bad economy and all, she’ll be limiting her tooth fairy donations to a nickel per tooth until the tooth fairy union (TFU) comes up with a 10% raise, better health care benefits (carrying that sack of teeth has caused back problems and tattered wings) and additional vacation time (working nights takes a toll on them).

(Note: All dental horror stories are welcome…this post needs a little something to spice it up. )

FEELING KINDA PUNK TODAY

No…not that kinda punk, just not feeling myself kinda punk. For some reason, I didn’t sleep well last night…actually couldn’t sleep from 2:00 a.m. until I finally had to get up to get my granddaughter off to school.  Since three cups of coffee doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, I’m going to do what I never do…go back to bed and try to catch a few zzzz’s before I have to pick my granddaughter up from school in four hours.

I’ll get a new post up tomorrow and definitely catch up with my favorite bloggers later. Until then—I’ll leave you something beautiful to listen to… my favorite pianist, Arthur Rubinstein. Enjoy!

[The first half of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37 Allegro con brio performed by Arthur Rubinstein and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. This was filmed in Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, August 1973. ]

Take  care everyone,

Mary Ellen/Nunly

OY…WHAT A WEEKEND

(NUNLY NOTE: There’s a new post at Eating Habits for anyone who’s interested. )

As seems to be my usual “habit”, I’m getting my post up late. Just a little explanation for my perceived slackatudary…I’m not slacking as much as you think. My granddaughter has been staying with me while my daughter is out of town partying it up visiting with her sister in New Hampshire. So, that means I have to play the role of gestapo—dragging her out of bed in the morning, preparing a healthy breakfast, making a lunch that she won’t throw away or trade away, and then dragging her away from the Scoobie Doo cartoon she’s watching on TV so I could drive her to school. That pretty much screws up my whole day because before I know it, I’m jumping in the car to pick her up, make a snack (not so healthy…usually cookies and milk), and get on her case to do her homework (correctly), and be sure that she’s ready for the next day. Man….how did I do this with four kids? Oh yeah…I was younger then. Duh!

After the busy weekend I had, attending ball games and other activities, I was really dragging my nunly rear-end this morning!

And speaking of ballgames…sheesh, Saturday was just ridiculous. In their usual fashion, the White Sox players decided that since they weren’t going to the playoffs, why bother making an effort? Needless to say, this did not sit well with the fans who spend ridiculous amounts of money to sit in their ballpark, pay for their over-priced food and beer, and often times sit in lousy Chicago weather where you can go from 80 degrees to 50 degrees in a blink of an eye.

I was never so disgusted with those guys than I was on Saturday and I’m not the only one…Ozzie Guillen was LIVID! In fact, his post game interview wasn’t able to be aired right after the game because it had to be “cleaned up” to be suitable for listening.

It was very similar to this….

To be honest, listening to his interview on my drive home from the ballpark was the highlight of my day. I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming from my eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I was really pissed off, but listening to Ozzie cuss and swear just made me feel a little better. He wasn’t just pissed about the way they played, it was the fact that they played like they didn’t care. Apparently they were in the clubhouse before the game watching the Florida Gators game and then after their disgusting performance, went right back to the clubhouse and resumed watching college football…as if they could care less about the fans they left in the stands (those who stuck around until the end, which weren’t many).

Here’s the highlights of his interview (try to imagine it in his Cuban accent):

“[Do] they think the season’s over for them? Yes. If they think the season’s over for me, no. And I’m going to make it clear. It’s a bunch of [bleeps] out there watching football games like a piece of [bleep] with no pride the way they [bleep] play, and that’s embarrassing.”

“I’m not in a pennant race, but at least I have some pride…When you go out there and you turn your TV on and watch stupid-ass football when those [bleep] football players don’t give a [bleep] about you, that’s embarrassing.

“We have how many games, seven games, they have to put their [bleep] together. Because I don’t mind losing games and you don’t even care about it, we’re going to have problems…Getting your ass kicked like that, then all of a sudden you’re watching football games, that’s a bunch of [bleep].”

Sunday’s game was a little better. They were minus Konerko, but then again…he really wasn’t in the game on Saturday anyway, at least his head wasn’t. Dye was in the line-up, which surprised me because after the way he played on Saturday, he had a lot of nerve showing up at all. I have no doubt in my mind he won’t be on the team next year and as far as I’m concerned, good riddance.

Sure, they pulled off a win on Sunday, and they even tried to smooth it over the lousy season with the fans by having a “Fan Appreciation Day”. They had a few give-aways and after the game they threw a bunch of plastic White Sox baseballs into the crowd. Big deal. I would rather they show their appreciation by playing EVERY game as if it’s a play-off game. They can keep their [bleep] plastic balls and think about the empty seats they saw on Sunday’s game…the last home game of the season. That should tell them something.

On the good side…..

GO BEARS!

OH HAPPY DAY!

After my regularly scheduled (and much needed) hour at the Adoration Chapel this morning, I returned to find that I have absolutely nothing to do at home. Yeah!!!!

I decided to put all projects aside, relax, and enjoy the day. Of course, that sense of joy will probably be dashed as I sit in my overpriced season ticket seat at U.S. Cellular Field this evening and watch the White Sox bungle another game. I’ll be at tomorrow’s game, too….the last game of the season at the Cell. Thank the Lord!

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

This morning, while I was driving home from dropping my granddaughter off at school, I noticed that about a third (and this is no exaggeration) of the people driving on the road with me were talking on their cell phones. I stopped for gas and after I started filling the tank, I leaned over to pet my dog (who loves the rides in the car to the school), and a car pulled up at the tank next to mine and the guy was on his cell phone and kept talking…not missing a beat, while he hooked his car up for gas. He continued his conversation as he pulled out of the gas station.

This all made me wonder, what did people do while driving before cell phones? I don’t know, the first thing that came to mind…maybe PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD!?! (all caps and extra exclamation points to make my rage more visible) The reason I feel this rage? Because yesterday, while picking my granddaughter up from school, a woman who looked to be in her 60’s or older almost ran me off the road because she was busy talking on her cell phone and adjusting some dial on her dashboard (I assume it was her radio).

Well, I thought that was enough to spoil my morning, until I pulled onto the street today that led into my subdivision. Sure enough, I saw a woman walking along the sidewalk with her little two or three year old daughter who was riding alongside on her little tricycle…and what was she doing? Talking on her cell phone.

Now, you might think that this is ok because, it’s not like the woman was endangering anyone on the road. But what struck me was the total waste of an opportunity to actually COMMUNICATE WITH HER CHILD! (still raging, sorry).

Looking back at the years I spent raising my kids and caring for the kids in my daycare, the best time of the day was talking to the toddlers. I still remember some of the gems they used to come up with as they explained to me the importance of not stepping on the cracks of the sidewalk or why butterfly’s don’t like moths (because butterfly’s have prettier wings and they don’t like plain white wings…lesson: butterfly’s are elite snobs).

That time spent while talking to your kids gives them the feeling that what they have to say is important. Giving that child a sense of self worth at that age is very important, IMO. What does it say to them when their mother or caretaker think that talking to a friend is much more important than talking to them? I can’t help but think about the missed opportunities that mother had during that walk this morning. She could have pointed out the leaves changing colors on the trees and telling her all about the fun she will have helping mommy or daddy rake the leaves and play in the big pile. She could have talked to her child about the big yellow school bus that just drove by and how much fun she will have when she’s old enough to go to school. Or, she could have just taken the time to sing a little song with her daughter.

But instead….the cell phone, that little box that allows us to talk, text, send e-mails, or download videos, the wonder of the 21st century, was taking away missed opportunities that can never be replaced again. Take it from a mom who’s kids are all grown….you don’t want to miss those memories, they’re priceless.

FLASH FRIDAY…WILL THIS BE HIS LAST?

Nunly has never been one to turn down a challenge, especially when it comes from that swine, Randal Graves.

Anyone want to write my flash fiction this weekend?

Remember, atomic zombies. Just sayin’.

At first I was ready to dismiss this request because, after all, what would a good little Catholic girl know about zombies? But then it all came back to me…Catholic school, Sister Mary Agatha….the nightmares! Yes! I can do this!!!

But first, keeping my other bloggers in mind, I will have to warn those who may be disturbed by zombies, heavy metal, blood and gore, poor writing skills, and inadequate vocabulary (how could I compete with Randal?) all rolled up and tied with a ribbon of improper punctuation. This may be too much for you to bear so I suggest you turn your heads (or click on to the other post I will put up to offset this drivel). For those who want to continue, be forewarned that the following paragraph written by (that swine) Randal, is riddled with the language inappropriate for office, monastery, convents, etc.

Ok…here goes, this is where Randal ended his story:

…you didn’t just burn to a crisp that unholy zombie horde but my fucking restaurant, too, my fucking restaurant full of Rice-A-Roni, the only thing that can placate their insatiable need for human brains, so guess fucking what, Ellen Fucking Ripley, we’re all going to die horribly in the next few moments, that’s what just happened!”

Ellen Ripley took Flash’s tirade in stride,  men never were good in an emergency.  Putting her hands on her hips and rolling her eyes,  Ellen reiterated,   “Well, who’s fault is it that I wasn’t informed of the Rice-A-Roni brain substitute, huh???? Maybe you should of thought about that, but seeing that you are nothing more than a mere man, a woman will have to save your sorry ass…again.”

Taking charge,  Ellen began to formulate her plan.  “Now, listen up and do everything I tell you. First, you have to strip down to your boxers. Quit looking at me like that, you pervert, I’m not checking you out, I just need your clothes that are covered with that putrid after shave lotion you wear so I can make a dummy and use it for bait. The zombies will go after you first because your brain is filled with more shit than my brain, which is obvious by that humongous head you have.”

“Oh geez… Cleveland Brown underwear, really?”, Ellen snickers.

“Wait a minute, Ellen Ripley, I thought you were blind from those cataracts?  You’ve got some ’splainin’ to do!”,  declared Flash.

“Umm…I am…really,  I just took a guess. Really, I can hardly see a thing!”

“Hmmm….Something’s fishy.”  Flash mused.

“Quit musing!”  yelled Ellen,   “we don’t have time for that!”    ” Hurry and set this dummy up in plain site, just make it look like you’re sitting in front of the computer while pretending to work like you always do.”

The totally competent, beautiful and obviously more intelligent  Ellen Ripley  disclosed,  “Now, I need your eyes to go find the stash of Rice-A-Roni I hid in the basement of the restaurant. Something told me that this San Francisco treat would come in handy one day if I got the munchies after indulging in my Maui Wowie. Let’s go…we haven’t much time, I could smell the sickening odor of zombie stench coming our way. Oh wait…that’s your aftershave.”

“I hear them!”  Flash shouted.

Ellen Ripley’s face turned ashen, “Oh no! This is worse than I feared, these aren’t just Atomic Zombie’s, they’re….ATOMIC CATHOLIC ZOMBIES!!!!!”

So, there ya go Randal….I gave it my best shot.  The ball is in your court now.

GOD IS A BOY?

I read an interesting editorial in the Chicago Tribune today written by a guy who said that his 8 year old granddaughter had asked him, “Why did God make the sky blue?” He said he gave a quick, glib answer, “Maybe she just likes that color.” The child then replied (with that look that only young children can give to their “not so smart” adult caregivers, “God is a boy.”

Anyway, the letter to the editor went on about how surprised he was that his granddaughter just seemed to accept the fact that the “creator of all things, the epitome of power and wisdom, the highest form of being–that would be a male” and could never be fathomed as a girl. He wondered what it does to the female’s fundamental self-esteem if she grows up thinking that boys are like God and girls are not.

For some reason, I never pondered the sex of God. In fact, I specifically remember being told that God, not being human, can’t possibly be one sex or the other, and yet, if you look at all the prayers in the Bible, and the constant references to God as “He”…it does make me wonder if women will always be considered a form of a “second-class” human. Jesus, Himself, when asked by the Apostles what is the perfect way to pray to God, He began the prayer with “Our Father”….not “Almighty” or “Allah” or any other “sex defining” adjective, but a ‘male’ adjective. Did Jesus do this because he was speaking within the culture of the time when He was on Earth? After all, he often spoke using parables that suited whichever crowd he was speaking to…farmers and sheepherders, fishermen, townsmen, etc. Perhaps He felt that if He used the term “Father”, it would make us feel closer and more accessible to God…you know, make our relationship with him more personal. Perhaps during that time. Saying “Our Mother who art in heaven” just would not have gone over big at that time.

But the fact of the matter is, we’re not in that time anymore. Our culture has changed and evolved—in some instances for the better, in many instances, not.

But wait….has our culture evolved all that much from the times that Jesus walked this earth? Think about it, it’s been over 2,000 years and women in the Middle East are still treated as slaves, often “married” off to men who are old enough to be their grandfathers and forced to bear their children at ages as young as 12 years old. Things aren’t all that much better in the United States. Our society still turns their heads or accept prostitution as something that should be legalized. Men are still under the illusion that women like selling their bodies to men who are most likely fat, ugly, smelly, perverted, and often dangerous. I mean, how often do any of those men who pay for sex tell their daughters, “When you grow up I want you to be a prostitute or a high priced hooker, that will make me so proud!”

Women in politics haven’t faired all that well in our country either. You only have to look at the last Presidential election to see that. Hillary Clinton was being torn down with misogynistic put downs from the pubic and the media…even from her opponent, Barack Obama. Sarah Palin was hit even harder, with “Progressive” Democrats calling her every filthy name in the book. Not only did they attack her, but they attacked her daughters and her infant son with equal hatred and vitriol. The most shocking part of that was the fact that other women were just as vicious, if not more vicious than the men in their attacks against her. I’m still trying to figure that one out. Sheesh.

I can’t let the Catholic Church off the hook on this either. I know this may upset some of the more traditional Catholics who visit this blog. I’ve always said, I’m too Catholic for some and not enough Catholic for others, so I’m bound to piss off somebody along the way…even when it’s not my intention to do so. So please…don’t take anything I say personally, this is just my humble opinion. Anyway, I don’t think women have always had a fair shake within the Catholic Church, albeit a few small strides such as women being able to be Extraordinary Ministers, nuns having the choice to wear full Habit’s or street clothes (depending on the order they join), and women are also enjoying the ability to have a stronger say in everyday parish activities. On the other side of the coin, women (as far as I’m aware–correct me if I’m wrong) do not have a role as part of the tribunal judges which make decisions on who can or cannot receive a marriage annulment, and of course, the big one…women cannot become priests.

Pope John Paul II said, “The presence and the role of women in the life and mission of the Church, although not linked to the ministerial priesthood, remain absolutely necessary and irreplaceable. As the Declaration Inter Insigniores points out, ‘The Church desires that Christian women should become fully aware of the greatness of their mission: today their role is of capital importance both for the renewal and humanization of society and for the rediscovery by believers of the true face of the Church’ “.

Our role, as women is to renew and humanize society. I’ll agree, our society needs to be humanized, there’s no doubt about that. However, I almost felt as if Pope John Paul II just gave women a pat on the head and told us to go back home and “keep the kids in line” while dad goes off to run the world. Think about it…how has this world faired out with a majority of men running the show? How many women were running the countries when they declared war on others, dropping bombs that murder millions of innocent men, women and children? Was it a woman who invented the nuclear bomb? When it comes to bearing children, who has the most difficult job— giving birth? Women. From the whining and screaming I heard from my son who had to pass a kidney stone the size of a pin head, I would say they could not handle the pain.

That said, this is the first post I’ve ever written about the argument of whether women should be priests in the Catholic Church. This isn’t because I think it’s a good or a bad idea, but because I’m not sure if it would be possible with the entrenched male dominated society which has continued throughout the history of the Catholic Church. Anyone who is a Catholic knows that when it comes to change, the church moves at a snail’s pace. My gosh, we still have members of our church battling over the changes made during Vatican II. I’ve also seen pretty, heated discussions on blogs about the type of music played during Mass. If we can’t agree on music and sacred liturgy, how are we going to ever deal with the issue of women’s roles within the church? We’re not…which is why I tend to sit back quietly and ponder the subject of women priests. I’m not out there picketing or burning my bra or whatever women do now to get their point across, I’m trying to figure out how this could be resolved peacefully and to the benefit of the Church and it’s flock.

I’ve always had a different approach to making my point to those who have closed their minds to any new ideas. I think of it as trying to wake up a teenager who was up late playing video games and conquering the world. No amount of cajoling, screaming, or shouting will wake him up, in fact, it will only make him grumble and vow to stay in bed longer. However, if you fry some bacon, throw on some eggs, and have the fan blow the aroma into their bedroom, the kid will be up, dressed, and thanking you for being such a great mom without realizing that he just did what he never wanted to do. It’s all about how the message is delivered, IMO—and showing defiance by bucking the rules is not the way the message should be delivered….you just have to make yourself indispensable. Eventually, the Vatican will figure that out.

At the end of the letter to the editor that I mentioned at the beginning of this post, the author said, “Try it yourself with a child you know. Even if you ask flat-out whether God is a boy or a girl, you’re likely to get the same response. And then think about it. Think about the confidence this must inspire in boys. And the submission it instills in girls. Some probably assume God approves of this. But I wonder if she really does.”

So, my answer to that question is simple. Is God a girl or a boy? Neither…I think God is a dog (which is obvious by the fact that DOG is GOD spelled backwards). l like dogs much more than I like most men or women–they’re sweet, loyal and never hold a grudge, so that’s my answer and I’m sticking with it. And to be on the safe side, I plan on bringing a pocketful of treats and a squeaky toy when I arrive for my judgment day.

ON THE RUN

As always, I’m on the run again. Wednesday is the day I usually take my mom and mother-in-law on their weekly grocery shopping trip and other assorted side-trips. I’m sure I’ll be informed on all the latest gossip from the senior apartment building they live in…hopefully they caught the nasty senior who has been stealing one piece of the 1,000 piece jig-saw puzzle in the community room. Of course, it’s never discovered until the puzzle is complete with one empty space. Gotta love those seniors, they’re a laugh a minute!

I have a post half-written and will try to finish that off this afternoon….I hope. In the meantime, have a great day, I’ll be stopping by to visit your blogs later!

In the meantime, feel free to use this as an open thread. What’s in the news? How’s life treating you?

–Nunly

COUNTDOWN TO AUTUMN

Get ready folks…Autumn officially begins today at 4:18 p.m. (Chicago time), as the sun’s most direct rays fall on the equator.

Many of us who live in Chicago and it’s Metropolitan area have been feeling all Summer as if it’s been Fall. The average temperature was low compared to norm, mid to low 80’s and low humidity. Our evenings were so cool that an open window to let in the breezes took the place of air conditioning, which of course was a blessing to those of us who dread the summer electric bill.

I just love the Fall weather in Chicago, and this year has already brought us an early change of leaf color, which makes me wonder if there will be any leaves left on the trees by the end of October or beginning of November. Regardless, I’m just going to enjoy every minute of it and hope that our Winter doesn’t show up early like it did last year (our snow started before Thanksgiving and snow cover seemed to be constant throughout th winter).

Below are a few pictures taken during former Autumn days in my little neck of the woods.

A view of one of the many bridges that cross the DuPage River on the River Walk. The inception of the River Walk in Naperville took place back in 1930 with donations from 32 Naperville residents who graciously gave $500 each to buy the land and begin development. Considering that this was during the Great Depression, it shows the sacrifice that these families made to improve the area for their families and future families to enjoy. Since that time, more Naperville residents donated time and money to extend the River Walk and to add a beach from an old stone quarry that was available to use. The most recent extension took place in 2001 which vastly improved the amount of area to enjoy. On any given day, you will see people walking their dogs, jogging, having group wedding pictures taken, or sitting on a bench while their kids play on the playground located near the beach.

A view looking over the DuPage River toward the Carillon Bell Tower (Moser Tower) just off the Riverwalk. The Carillon tower consists of 72 bells and has a range of six octaves and is played from a baton keyboard using fists and feet. This is one of the heaviest instruments in the world with the largest bell weighing more than 100 tons. It is one of only four in the world that are capable of that range. Symphonies are played in the summer months and you can set down a blanket on the sled hill nearby with a basket of food and drink while the kids while the kids run and play with their friends. The tower is 14 stories high, 160 feet tall (higher than the 151 foot Statue of Liberty) and has access for the public to walk up to the observation deck. On a personal note, you couldn’t pay me the $6 million it took to build this thing to go up on the observation deck…no way, no how.

A better view of the tower below:

Below is a distant picture of my church, Saints Peter and Paul Parish. The church was founded in 1846 and is the oldest established parish in DuPage County. It was originally named St. Raphael, but when a new Pastor arrived in 1862 he changed the name to Saints Peter and Paul. While pastor, he had work begun on a stone church to serve the needs of the parish which grew to 230 families. A school was built in 1892 and a rectory was also built at that time.

In 1911, the school was destroyed by fire and a new one was built in 1912. Again, fire struck Saints Peter and Paul on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 1922. The church was completely destroyed, but the 350 families of the parish had a new one built which is the church you see in this picture. The inside of this church is amazing, with intricate stained glass windows which were made in Germany which you can see from this tour of the church on the Parish website.

I can’t put up pics without adding one of my favorite places in Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox (who happened to be playing like a bunch of slackers this year). This picture was taken when I was tailgating before the World Series game in 2005. Sigh…the good ol’ days when we had a winning team.

MY MONDAY MORNING MOTTO…

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor In the morning….

**

Satan shudders & says… ‘Oh Shit!…She’s Awake!!

[Note: I'm working on a new post for tomorrow, but I'll be spending time visiting all my favorite blogger friends and will be answering any comments that show up on this blog. Thanks for stopping by!)