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Archive for April, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Invitations, cards, wishes, decorations, cakes, games, candles, games, etc.- I have some ideas!*

Vol. 4, No.5, Monday, April 29th, 2013

TITLE: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Invitations, cards, wishes, decorations, cakes, games, candles, games, etc.- I have some ideas!*”

INTRODUCTION

This past weekend, I went to my granddaughter’s 4^th birthday party. She was so sweet and adorable. I was overjoyed. Today, my topic is birthdays and party for kids (and kids at heart). I will share some of my thoughts and ideas about the festivities. Therefore, my book of the week is “Happy Birthday to You!” [Hardcover] by Dr. Seuss (Author) (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on parenting.)

ANTOINETTE’S LIFE & TIMES*

Childhood: As a child, my first memory of a birthday celebration was when my mother made a surprise party for my brother, who was then 4 or 5 years old. We had been out with my Dad and on returning home, we found a beautiful table, set with a variety of sandwiches, snacks, munchies and of course, a birthday cake. I remember the first cake was store bought. From then on, my Mom had birthday parties for me and my brothers. But the cake was always home made from scratch. As adults, my Mom continued to hold birthday parties until a few years before she passed away. She prepared a delicious meal, baked a cake and invited the whole family to come together. I so miss that.

Motherhood: Starting with their first, I made birthday parties for my daughters. They had one with the family and also one, with their friends. The parties for friends were held at home or in the special room of fast food restaurants. As they got older, they partied with their friends at places of their choice. The 16^th birthday for a girl is a big one. We had a Sweet 16^th Birthday Party for my first daughter. It was held in a reception hall with music and many of her friends came to the party. They had a great time.

Grand Motherhood: Last Saturday, my granddaughter had her 4^th Birthday party. Grandparents, aunts and uncles gathered at my daughter’s home to celebrate. My daughter –her Mom made the favorite dishes of the birthday girl and made a cake shaped like the dress of a princess doll. You see, the party had a “Princess” theme. The house was decorated with balloons, banners, streamers inside and out. The meal was buffet style – there was plenty of finger foods. We were even served Expresso coffees – what a delight! My granddaughter looked so adorable in her gorgeous purple dress. A tiara and party shoes completed the outfit. She blew out the candles. She opened her gifts. She was so excited. We had great fun … except for the few minutes looking for a gift that accidentally got thrown out in the rubbish. Guests received a plastic glass filled with popcorn treats.

The next weekday, she had a party with her little friends at her pre-school. My daughter brought cupcakes for the children. My granddaughter told us that she had fun.

P.S. This past weekend, we went out for a family dinner to celebrate two birthdays – one was mine. We exchanged cards and gifts and had slices of cake with sparklers. I enjoyed myself immensely: good food, good conversation and my darling grandkids.

P.P.S. When it comes to greeting cards (and invitations), I choose the ones with nice words. I usually get the better cards although I like those from the dollar store. We usually have a laugh when someone turns the card over to see the price on the back!

THE AUTHOR:

Theodor Seuss Geisel, an American writer, poet, and cartoonist was known for children’s picture books. His famous pen name Dr. Seuss. He is credited with 46 children’s books, which were often characterized by imaginative characters, rhyme, and frequent use of anapestic meter. Dr. Seuss’s honors include two Academy awards, two Emmy awards, a Peabody award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and the Pulitzer Prize. After his death, San Diego‘s University Library Building of University of California, was renamed Geisel Library in honor of Geisel and Audrey for the generous contributions they made to the library and their devotion to improving literacy. (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Seuss

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books/Articles:

Several are:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss (Jan 22 1990)
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (Aug 12 1971)
Dr. Seuss Beginner Book Collection by Dr. Seuss (Sep 22 2009)
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Aug 12 1960)
You’re Only Old Once!: A Book for Obsolete Children by Dr. Seuss (Feb 12 1986)
Happy Birthday to You! by Dr. Seuss (Aug 12 1959)
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (Jan 27 2004)
Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?: Dr. Seuss’s Book of Wonderful Noises by Dr. Seuss (Nov 26 1996)

THE BOOK: Happy Birthday to You! [Hardcover] by Dr. Seuss (Author)

“Happy Birthday to You! is a 1959 children’s book by Dr. Seuss. If it’s Dr. Seuss, it’s sweet. It confirms that a birthday is a special day. For children, it’s double special. That’s why there is a fantastic land called Katroo, where the Birthday Bird throws the reader an amazing party on their special day. The place for a party is important. Decorations add to the fun. The book covers: gifts, foods, activities. There is rhyme and cute characters. The book tracks the happy day until bedtime. I was charmed by the sentences: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You!)

CONCLUSION

The anniversary of the birth of a person is his or her day. There should be some acknowledgement for the year gone by and the next one just beginning.

Personal Comments

I say:

That birthdays are a lot of fun;
That birthday parties are a big deal for children- they’re especially delightful for grandparents and aunts and uncles;
That after the 1^st, birthdays should be kept light;
That as we age, birthdays are not as important to celebrate, but it’s an opportunity to get the family together;
That milestone birthdays are the important ones. It’s appropriate to make them special and hold a big birthday party. For me, these include: 1^st for a baby, 16 for a girl (sweet sixteen) and for a boy (driver’s permit), 18 (legal to go to a bar), 50 (good and not so good about middle age), 65 (pension cheques) and after 80 (hooray for you);
That the party should not be stressful, expensive or difficult; if the preparations are extensive, it could become a lot of work;
That in our family, we often celebrate birthday parties in restaurants mostly for brunch.

The Point

In life, there are ups and downs. Don’t let birthdays pass you by. It’s an opportunity for happy times enjoyed together with loved ones. Memories will last for a lifetime.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Everyone should:

1. Make birthdays a special day for children and also the young at heart;

Children

2. Buy a gift for the birthday child, but also something small for the other young children;

3. Organize the party with the theme preferred by the child;

4. Decorate the house with balloons, streamers, banners etc. inside and outside according to the theme;

5. Have birthday party games and activities;

6. Give loot bags to kids and a small party favor to your guests at the end of the party;

7. Dress the party child in a special outfit;

8. Encourage him or her to donate gently used toys to hospitals and community centers;

9. Hold the party for older children at different venues: bowling; paintball; movies; pizza parlor; museum; etc.;

10. Make sure that there are fresh batteries in the camera and take plenty of photos especially candle blowing and gift opening poses;

11. Serve a cake with candles; and don’t forget the wish when blowing out the candles;

12. Sing happy birthday and for he-she is a jolly good fellow-lady.

Beyond gifts, candles and song, celebrating birthdays also means cake and calories. Uh Oh, you know what that means- I gotta go to do my work out!

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”

PREVIEW (Tentatively scheduled for Monday, May 6th,2013): POST PARTEM DEPRESSION: Since Mother’s Day will be here soon, and before getting into the mood of the festivities, I thought that I would consider the important subject of POST PARTEM DEPRESSION. Come by – I would love to have your feedback. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on women’s issues)

P.S. Big News: There are big changes FINALLY coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.

P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com – saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta

CREDITS

-Web Tech: richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.
*TM/© 2013 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
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NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY SAVE AND READ* (S&R*) .

ONE – “I SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT!*” – QUOTES
S & R* QUOTE #1: Jack Benny

“Well!…I’m 39” (“In character, he would be 39 years of age, regardless of his actual age at the time.) (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Benny

S & R* QUOTE #2: A friend

“I have a great way to stay young without surgery and potions. I applied to change the date of my birthday to Feb. 29. In that way, I divide by four – I’m now 16!”

S & R* QUOTE #3: Unknown

“Age is only a number.”

TWO – “IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Children’s party”; “Birthday party”; etc.

“A children’s party is a party for children such as a birthday party or tea party.“(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

“Birthday party, a party to celebrate the anniversary of one’s birth.“ (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page)

TWO– STUDY/STATISTICS: Parents More Active in Raising Their Children; More Children Get Television Restrictions

“Parents are taking a more active role in the lives of their children than they did 10 years ago, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. For example, in 2004, 47 percent of teenagers had restrictions on what they watched on television, when they watched, and for how long, up from 40 percent in 1994 (Table 11).

A Child’s Day: 2004 examines the well-being of children younger than 18 and provides an updated look into how they spend their days. This series of 30 tables published by the U.S. Census Bureau is based on the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and addresses children’s living arrangements, family characteristics, time spent in child care, academic experience, extracurricular activities and more.

According to this latest look into the lives of children, about 68 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds had limits on their television viewing, an increase from 54 percent in 1994. More children 6 to 11 found they, too, were living with restrictions on television: 71 percent in 2004 compared with 60 percent 10 years earlier.

In 2004, 53 percent of children younger than 6 ate breakfast with their parents every day (Table 7). That compared with only 22 percent of teenagers who ate breakfast with their parents each morning. Those percentages increased at the dinner table, where 78 percent of children younger than 6 ate dinner nightly with their parents, compared with 57 percent of teenagers.

According to the current data, parents continued to exert a positive influence on their children in other ways. Seventy-four percent of kids younger than 6 were praised by their mother or father three or more times a day (Table 6). The same was true for 54 percent of children 6 to 11 and 40 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds.

Children 1 to 2 were read to an average of 7.8 times in the previous week of the survey (Table 9), while children 3 to 5 were read to an average of 6.8 times in the previous week.

Other highlights:

About half of all children 1 to 5 are read to seven or more times a week; 53 percent for 1- to 2-year-olds, and 51 percent for 3- to 5-year olds.
The percentage of children participating in lessons, such as music, dance, language, computers, or religion, went up for 6- to 11-year olds, from 24 percent in 1994 to 33 percent in 2004 (Table 13).
From 1994 to 2004, the percentage of children who changed schools went down for 6- to 11-year-olds, from 30 percent to 26 percent. For 12- to 17-year-olds, the percentage of children who changed schools dropped from 52 percent to 42 percent (Table 17).
From 1994 to 2004, the number of children 12 to 17 who repeated a grade declined from 16 percent to 11 percent. For children 6 to 11, the rate remained the same at 7 percent.

SIPP produces national-level estimates for the U.S. resident population and subgroups, and allows for the observation of trends over time, particularly of selected characteristics, such as income, eligibility for and participation in transfer programs, household and family composition, labor force behavior, and other associated events.” (Source: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/children/cb07-156.html)

THREE – BONUS ARTICLES

S & R*NEWS ALERT*#1: Engage your kids in the kitchen

“As busy parents, sometimes we think of our kitchen activities as a chore. Baking is a great way to bring some fun back into the kitchen and it can be a family effort. Including our children in hands-on baking activities can create lasting memories, and empower our little ones to get excited about cooking and creativity.

Fun in numbers Tasking kids with manning the measuring spoons and measuring cups can instill a sense of pride in their own abilities. Measuring ingredients can be a fun way to incorporate simple math, like fractions, into the kitchen equation.

Stir, stir, stir Stirring can help kids develop their motor skills, so why not ask them to mix your ingredients together the next time you bake? Or, if the recipe requires an electric hand mixer, licking the batter off the beaters is an instant reward for their assistance.

Get messy Children love to get their hands dirty, so letting them sprinkle flour, roll out dough or use cookie cutters can be a fun way to get kids involved.

Kid-friendly treats Making treats that are fun to eat is a great way to engage children in the kitchen. Cake pops or pastry pops are the latest and greatest in trendy, bite-sized treats. Served on a stick, these can be made easily using a press or pan from nordicware.com. They are sweet enough for dessert and small enough to take to school for a mid-day snack. Great as an alternative to cupcakes or the traditional birthday cake they are all the rage. Sprinkles, icing or candy toppings can also add excitement to these miniature delicacies.“ www.newscanada.com

S & R*NEWS ALERT*#2:

Sundaes take the cake

“Like cakes, the occasions for serving up sundaes are also endless. From birthdays to family celebrations to every milestone in between, sundaes have earned the reputation of serving up smiles. That’s why the sundae specialists at Smucker’s are putting a twist on the ultimate ice cream dessert this summer by creating a delicious recipe line-up inspired by cakes. Who says you can’t have your cake and a sundae too?

Rainbow Ice Cream Cake

Here is a bright and colourful dessert that’s as easy to make as it is fun to eat in which every kid in the household will want to lend a hand. Any flavour of ice cream will work for this multi-coloured frozen treat, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Ingredients:

1 bottle (205 g) Smucker’s Magic Shell Chocolate Flavoured Topping
6 cups (1.5 L) assorted flavours or colours of ice cream, softened: strawberry, raspberry, mango, orange, chocolate, vanilla, pistachio
3 tbsp (45 mL) Smucker’s Sundae SyrupStrawberry Flavoured Syrup, plus additional for garnish
2 tbsp (30 mL) multicolored sprinkles, plus additional for garnish

Directions:

Cover the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan with the Magic ShellTopping. Let freeze until firm, about 10 minutes. Randomly scoop half of each of the ice creams into the pan. Smooth top. Drizzle with syrup and sprinkles. Continue with remaining ice cream. Freeze until firm, about two hours. To serve, top with additional syrup and sprinkles. This recipe will make about 16 servings.

Ice Cream Cone Cake A combination of ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles and crispy wafer are the essentials of a perfect sundae. Let your kids’ imaginations go wild by offering up colourful ice cream cones and a variety of sprinkles. No two cakes will ever look the same!

Ingredients:

14 mini (3.5 g each) vanilla wafer cookies, coarsely chopped
1 bottle (205 g) Smucker’s Magic Shell Chocolate Flavoured Topping
4 (4.5 g each) ice cream cones, halved vertically
2 cups (500 mL) strawberry or cherry ice cream, softened
3 tbsp (45 mL) Smucker’s Sundae Syrup Strawberry Flavoured Syrup
1 ½ cups (375 mL) chocolate ice cream, softened
Whipped cream, sprinkles and Smucker’s Sundae Syrup Chocolate Flavoured Syrup for garnish

Directions:

Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan with cookies. Top with Magic Shell Topping and arrange the cones around the edge of the pan, so that the bottoms of the cones sit in the topping. Freeze for 10 minutes or until firm. Fill the base with strawberry or cherry ice cream. Make an indent in the ice cream and pour in the syrup. Cover with chocolate ice cream and smooth the top. Freeze until firm, about three hours. Decorate with whipped cream and sprinkles. Drizzle with additional syrup. This recipe will make about 10 servings“ www.newscanada.com

Posted by alaposta on April 29th, 2013 Read More Comments Off on HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Invitations, cards, wishes, decorations, cakes, games, candles, games, etc.- I have some ideas!*

EARTH DAY EVENTS, ACTIVITIES: I have some ideas – it is a resource!* (Volume #2 – I want to save the earth!*) – UPDATE 2013

Vol. 4, No. 4, Monday, April 22^ND, 2013

TITLE: “EARTH DAY EVENTS, ACTIVITIES: I have some ideas – it is a resource!* (Volume #2 – I want to save the earth!*”) – UPDATE 2013

INTRODUCTION

Today is April 22^nd – it’s Earth Day. I will talk about the earth and what we can do to save the planet. This is a very important topic. We have to take it seriously. My book of the week is “Saving Planet Earth” [Hardcover] by Tony Juniper (Author). (Editor’s Note: This is the 2013 update of my posts of last year on the earth and wildlife, also a part of a continuing series on special dates and holidays; it’s also classified as women’s issues.)

ANTOINETTE’S LIFE & TIMES*

To the question, “What are we doing to protect our environment?”, I answer: “It’s our duty to improve the state of our planet. The goal is to bring awareness to everyone in the world and to do everything we can to save our home – Planet Earth.”

Turn to nature: Every summer my parents planted a vegetable garden. They grew tomatoes, lettuce, long string beans, parsley, basil, etc. They insisted that home-grown vegetables tasted better and were healthier for you. I must admit, the vegetables from their garden were delicious. My aunt also grew her own vegetables. It’s hard work to maintain a garden. In my old life, we always had a garden. I’ll confess – I didn’t plant or work it much, but it was a treat to reap the crops. This year, we are planning to plant some seeds – I’ll let you know how it goes for this city girl.

Use better products: I am very careful about cleaning products. Using environmental-friendly products is advantageous health-wise and also to help the earth.

Use less: Conservation means using less of everything that we consume. In my city, there has been a lot of talk concerning the installation of meters for water consumption in areas where there are none. I already have one in my house and if I go over a certain level of water, there is a surplus charge for the excess. This reminds me not to waste water.

Learn more: Environmental studies are now hot in schools. The educational institute where I worked had one. It had become a very popular program with students.

P.S. Today is not only Earth Day- it’s also my daughter’s birthday.

UPDATE 2013

The condition of the earth continues to be a major issue.

Gardening: In a small way, I experience agriculture. Last summer, one of my friends brought me several plants (i.e., basil, parsley, mint, etc.), all planted in one big pot. When I needed parsley, I picked it fresh. It kept producing parsley all summer long. I had the same results with the other plants. This summer, I will again grow these plants in the same pot. It’s so easy to do and the crop is so plentiful.

Air quality: Being asthmatic, the air is a big concern to me. I pay attention to the quality of the air outside and also indoors.

Healthy diet: I believe in eating healthy with a diet from all food groups. I am very selective at the supermarket. I look for quality at a reasonable price.

Let’s renew our commitment to cherish nature.

THE AUTHOR: Tony Juniper

Tony Juniper, a naturalist and ornithologist, is deeply committed to the environment. He has been front and centre for more than 20 years. Juniper is director of Friends of the Earth and vice chair of Friends of the Earth International. He lives in England.

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:

Several are:

2008 – How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Planet
2007 – Endangered Planet [Kingfisher Knowledge]
2007 – Saving Planet Earth
2007 – Saving Planet Earth What Is Destroying the Earth and What You Can Do to Help
2007 – How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Planet 95 Ways to Save Planet Earth
2004 – Spix’s Macaw the Race to Save the World’s Rarest Bird
2003 – Parrots a Guide to Parrots of the World [Helm Identification Guides]
2003 – Spix’s Macaw the Race to Save the World’s Rarest Bird
2002 – Spix’s Macaw the Race to Save the World’s Rarest Bird
1998 – Parrots a Guide to Parrots of the World
1996 – Threatened Planet [Discovery S.]
1992 – Deserts of Trees Environmental and Social Impacts of Large-scale Tropical Reforestation in Response to Global Climate Change
1992 – Whose Hand on the Chainsaw

THE BOOK: “Saving Planet Earth” [Hardcover] by Tony Juniper (Author)

Juniper calls attention to the issue of the condition of the Earth. He clarifies how man is destroying the planet. There is no doubt that it is in danger and that it was caused by the actions or non-action of human beings. We need to understand the consequences of our actions. We must figure out how we can help. We must stop doing harm and find alternatives. As well, we need to undo the damages already done. The book illustrates advice and solutions on how to reverse dangerous trends. This book gives us the knowledge on how to protect Earth for the next generation!

CONCLUSION:

Our planet is in danger … our planet is in danger. It’s so important that I can say it twice. We need to act now!

Personal Comments

I say:

That according to many experts, the climate is changing. Weather has been so unpredictable all over the world. There have been more and more storms, hurricanes, tornados, etc.
That global warming is a huge problem- we now know that the rate of warming is slowly increasing. IT’S A REALITY!
That global warming brings:
- Rising sea levels
- Increase in precipitation. Our water will probably be affected.
- Impact upon the Arctic;.
That global warming is a big threat to our planet “Earth”. It could become a disaster and destroy our world as we know it.
That it is our moral duty to do everything we can to stop and reverse the damage to the earth.
That the protection of our environment is a pressing and urgent cause. We need to do it for our children, grandchildren and all those coming later – they deserve to live in a safe environment.

The Point

We need to focus on how to save our planet! We need to start the doing yesterday!

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Everyone should:

Recycle everything you can;
Use pesticides safely for your garden;
Use environmental cleaning products;
Dispose medication safely;
Use water you need only;
Plant a tree;
Grow your own vegetables or buy locally;
Buy energy-saving appliances;
Use public transportation, whenever you can, or try carpool, bike or walk;
Litter and I won’t be happy!
Reuse where you can;
Buy recycled products whenever possible;
Start a green club in your community;
Don’t waste energy;
Reduce the waste you produce.

I say: “Let’s clean up. Please pass the broom and dustpan. Can you help me?”

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
PREVIEW (Tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 29th2013): CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES – This past weekend, I enjoyed the birthday party for my grand daughter. She was so sweet and adorable. It was pure joy. Next week, I will share some thoughts and ideas about a birthday party for kids. Come by. You don’t need to bring a gift. But please be ready to sing! (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on parenting .)

“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com – saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2013, 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
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NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY SAVE AND READ* (S&R*).

ONE – . NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

ONE A – ANECDOTE

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #1: Woody’s Neo-Hippie Hemp Crusade
“In 2002, Woody Harrelson embarked upon a 35-day, 1,000-mile bike tour from Seattle to southern California, escorted by a ‘Mothership’ (a Chicago city transit bus fueled by hemp oil and electrically powered by solar panels) to promote “simple organic living” (whereby one conserves fossil fuels, recycles, and eats organic vegetables). The outspoken vegan and hemp activist, accompanied by a dozen or so equally passionate environmentalists, kicked off the neo-Hippie crusade in mid-April with rallies at several Universities. Two days before Earth Day, some 3,000 people – some waving signs and cheering “Woody for president!” – crowded into an outdoor amphitheater on the Eugene campus of the University of Oregon to cheer him on. Among the signs on hand? EUGENE HAS A WOODY FOR HEMP!” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=5667)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #2:Barry Sonnenfeld’s Mother
“Men in Black director Barry Sonnenfeld once recalled the trials of growing up as the only child in a stereotypically Jewish family. One of his most embarrassing moments came on April 22, 1970; young Sonnenfeld, attending the first ever Earth Day concert, was horrified to have the proceeds interrupted for an urgent announcement: “Barry Sonnenfeld, call your mother.” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6671)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #3: Nap Time?
“In preparation for their roles in Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes, cast members were asked to attend several weeks of ‘Ape School,’ where they were taught basic walks and the differences between primates (orangutans have a waddling walk, and they like to hang from things). The most helpful tip for Helena Bonham Carter? “Think of a nappy [a diaper] that was full between your legs,” she advised, “and you didn’t want to spill it!” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=5654)

ONE B – QUOTES:

S & R* QUOTE #1: M. Scott Peck

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/)

S & R* QUOTE #2: Rachel Naomi Remen

“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention…. A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/)

S & R* QUOTE #3: Marge Piercy

“Never doubt that you can change history. You already have.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/)

TWO – .“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Earth Day”; “Planet”; “Global Warming”

Earth Day

“While this April 22 Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations.^[1] Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues.”

Planet

“A planet (from Greek πλανήτης αστήρ planētēs astēr “wandering star”) is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.^[a]^[1]^[2”

Global Warming

“Global warming is the rising average temperature of Earth‘s atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its projected continuation. ”

THREE – STUDY/STATISTICS:

“The April 22, 1970, Earth Day marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Approximately 20 million Americans participated. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, Freeway and expressway revolts, the loss of wilderness, and air pollution suddenly realized they shared common values.

Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and this Earth Day is now observed on April 22 each year by more than 500 million people and several national governments in 175 countries.[citation needed] Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues.

Earth Day proved popular in the United States and around the world. The first April 22 Earth Day had participants and celebrants in two thousand colleges and universities, roughly ten thousand primary and secondary schools, and hundreds of communities across the United States. More importantly, it “brought 20 million Americans out into the spring sunshine for peaceful demonstrations in favor of environmental reform.”^[25]

According to Senator Nelson, the moniker “Earth Day” was “an obvious and logical name” suggested by “a number of people” in the fall of 1969, including, he writes, both “a friend of mine who had been in the field of public relations” and “a New York advertising executive,” Julian Koenig.^[33] Koenig, who had been on Nelson’s organizing committee in 1969, has said that the idea came to him by the coincidence of his birthday with the day selected, April 22; “Earth Day” rhyming with “birthday,” the connection seemed natural.^[34]^[35]

Senator Nelson chose the date in order to maximize participation on college campuses for what he conceived as an “environmental teach-in”. He determined the week of April 19–25 was the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks.^[48] Moreover, it did not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover, and was late enough in spring to have decent weather. More students were likely to be in class, and there would be less competition with other mid-week events—so he chose Wednesday, April 22. ” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day)

World population is projected to reach 7 billion in 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “(Source: U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb08-95.html)

42nd Earth Day: April 22, 2012

“April 22, 2012, marks the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day ― a day intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. The day came from reaction to a massive oil spill in waters near Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969. In honor of Earth Day ― and Earth Week (April 16-22)\ “ (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/cb12ff-06_earthday.pdf)

FOUR – BONUS ARTICLES

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Simple steps to care for the planet By Maja Begovic

“Earth Day is a time when millions of people around the world celebrate and renew their personal commitment to environmental stewardship. If you feel you’re not doing enough, it might be time to make a deeper commitment to our planet. Here are a few ideas to put into practice to help save our environment on Earth Day and every day:

Reduce the destructive impact of modern life

Get in the habit of turning off lights, computers and appliances when they are not in use. Swap standard light bulbs for energy efficient fluorescent ones to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. If you drive to work, consider a more environmentally friendly commute. Take public transit, share a ride with coworkers in your neighborhood or bike to work as often as possible. Recycle any plastics, cardboard (including packaged food boxes), aluminum, newspaper, cans and glass products. Reduce the amount of plastic bags that pollute the environment by purchasing re-usable bags for your shopping needs.

Go green by giving to charity

Giving to charity teaches many valuable lessons to every member of the family. Take a day and gather everything that you don’t want or no longer need and donate old household items, computers, toys, books and clothing to a local thrift store. You can also hold a yard sale and donate the proceeds to your charity of choice. A non-profit organization like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) will use your donation to provide a family living in poverty with an environmentally-efficient cooking stove that is fuelled by vegetable trimmings and leaves instead of wood. It’s less wasteful and better for the environment.” www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Lights Off for Earth Hour By Melissa Wallace

“In 2007, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses in Australia turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. A year later, more than 50 million people across 35 countries participated in what became a global sustainability movement.

This year, on March 31st from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., more than 120 countries are expected to participate. For some, this one hour of darkness can be too much to bear. Without their gadgets, televisions, laptops, and the Internet, a lot of people feel disconnected from their social networks and the world in general.

But it’s worth stopping to think that for millions of people living in developing countries, electricity is a luxury they can’t afford. When the sun sets, children who don’t have any other source of light have to stop studying and go to sleep.

Earth Hour provides us with a glimpse into the life of those in the developing world who are left in the dark on a daily basis. It’s an eye-opener and a great way to challenge ourselves to do more to help those in need. Learn how you can make a difference through organizations like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada “ (www.ccfcanada.ca) www.newscanada.com

Posted by alaposta on April 22nd, 2013 Read More 7 Comments

SHOPPING, FASHION: Mall / centre, store/boutique, TV / online, dress, tops, pants, shoes, etc. – This spring, I will guide you!*

Vol. 4, No.3, Monday, April 15, 2013

TITLE: “SHOPPING, FASHION: Mall / centre, store/boutique, TV / online, dress, tops, pants, shoes, etc. – This spring, I will guide you!*”

INTRODUCTION

With the end of winter, there is new merchandise on store shelves – I’m excited – it’s the time to buy clothes suitable for the nicer weather. I started shopping both for me and loved ones. Today’s topic is buying clothing for spring. My book of the week is: “100 Years of Fashion Illustration” [Paperback] by Cally Blackman, author. If a clothes horse, spring forward with me! (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on general category – shopping.)

ANTOINETTE’S LIFE & TIMES*

My Mother: My Mom was always well-dressed. While overweight, she still managed to find clothing that was very becoming on her. She liked the classic look and aspired for elegance – she pulled it off.

Me, Myself and I: I like to be well-dressed. So, at the beginning of every season, I purchase a few good items and add them to my wardrobe. My age is a factor when I’m shopping for new clothes. I always buy what’s age appropriate. One of my buying secrets is to use my Christmas gift cards at big sales. In this way, I get quality, but also great value.

Motherhood/Grand motherhood: My daughters dress in a stylish fashion. They each have different taste. One prefers an elegant, more delicate look and the other likes flashy, yet classy, chic.

My gorgeous little granddaughter is also into lovely clothing. No matter what she wears, she always looks like a little doll. Her favorite color is purple. So of course, much of her wardrobe is purple. She is very feminine and she has developed her very own taste.

One day, I went to visit and she excitedly announced that she had a new dress for her birthday party. Then very enthusiastic, she said that she had to show the dress to other family members. Then she put on her new pink shoes and she modeled them very proudly. There were lots of “oohs and awws” and she enjoyed all of it. For Easter, I bought her two summer dresses and a little lace top along with a skirt. She was so adorable when she took them out of the bag and excitedly went to show them to her mother.

This season, I purchased cotton pants and shorts for my grandson, one was light blue and the otehr was plaid. He’s so cute, but he wasn’t that interested. I was more excited.

THE AUTHOR: Cally Blackman

Cally Blackman is a writer and teaches fashion history and theory at Central Saint Martins College.

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books/Articles:

Several are:

100 Years of Fashion Illustration by Cally Blackman (Apr 15 2007)

100 Years of Fashion by Cally Blackman (May 2 2012)

100 ans de mode by Cally Blackman (May 13 2013)

100 Years Of Menswear by Cally Blackman (Sep 15 2009)

100 Years of Menswear Mini by Cally Blackman (Sep 19 2012)

STAR WARS CÔTÉ OBSCUR T.12 : DARK VADOR MISSION FATALE by CALLY BLACKMAN (Sep 20 2012)

Costume: From 1500 to the Present Day by Cally Blackman and Jenni Davis (Jan 1 2001)

100 Years of Fashion Illustration by Cally Blackman (Apr 15 2007)

100 Years of Fashion by Cally Blackman (May 2 2012)

100 ans de mode by Cally Blackman (May 13 2013)

100 Years Of Menswear by Cally Blackman (Sep 15 2009)

100 Years of Menswear Mini by Cally Blackman (Sep 19 2012)

STAR WARS CÔTÉ OBSCUR T.12 : DARK VADOR MISSION FATALE by CALLY BLACKMAN (Sep 20 2012)

Costume: From 1500 to the Present Day by Cally Blackman and Jenni Davis (Jan 1 2001)

The In a Flap by Cally Blackman (Jul 29 1999)

The 20s & 30s: Flappers & Vamps by Cally Blackman (Dec 1999)

THE BOOK: 100 Years of Fashion Illustration [Paperback] by Cally Blackman

Being fashionable is good. But this is not easy as fashion tastes change through the years. Here is a book that surveys 100 Years of fashion. This is a great reference book for those from the fashion industry and also the arts. It’s also of interest to those like me who are not mere consumers- we appreciate great clothing. There are 400 images. I like to check out modern style changes. It is said that sometimes old-fashioned becomes new again.It’s also fun to see those from the past come back.

CONCLUSION

Shopping is fun and enjoyable. But like everything else, moderation is essential.

Personal Comments

I say:

That if wanting to be stylish, it could get expensive. I think that pricey outfits are stored away when that fashion ends. I’ll guarantee you years later that they’ll be back on the racks.
That it’s important to determine what your body type is and dress accordingly.
That I have seen middle-aged women dressed like teenagers. In my view, they look ridiculous!
That every woman should have a little black dress in her closet. I have several.
That shopping for new spring clothes lifts my mood from the long cold winter.
That spring colors do wonders for your wardrobe. The flowered patterns, now in style, are so refreshing.

The Point

Buying beautiful, quality clothing at low prices is great! Buying tops and accessories and building outfits that go well together is greater. Wearing the clothes and looking wow is even greater. Well-dressed and feeling wonderful is the greatest!

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Everyone should:

Focus on your shape rather than your height or weight;
Determine what your body type and buy clothing that flatters;
Dress according to your age;
Have a little black dress available – you could dress it down or dress it up. It’s the perfect outfit to have, especially when you’re not quite sure what to wear.
Add a few good items to your wardrobe every season – for spring, focus on light weight, short sleeves, shorts, etc.;
Shop at stores that offer quality clothes and accessories at lower prices;
Choose clothes of better fabric and fabrication over bargain price – in the end, it will last and give greater value.
Follow the wash/clean guidelines to properly maintain your clothing;
Keep a big bag folded in your purse;
Find a talented seamstress to make everything fit just right!
Do not forget the shoes – I really like buying footwear!

I gotta hit the mall. Three words that get me going are: “new merchandise everyday.” Also the word, “liquidation” catches my eye. But the numbers, “50% -75% off” press my buttons. What about you? If you agree, see you there.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”

PREVIEW (Tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 22^nd2013): Earth Day is to cherish nature. It’s coming on April 22^nd. What’s more important? Let’s mark the day together! (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on special dates and holidays.)

P.S. Big News: There are big changes FINALLY coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.

CREDITS

-Web Tech: richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.
*TM/© 2013 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

===============================================================

PAGE 2

NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY SAVE AND READ* (S&R*) . AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

ONE – S & R*QUOTES

S & R* QUOTE #1: Donna Noce (President), said it best.

“Dress for Success is not just about the clothes. It’s about giving a woman the confidence she needs to get the interview, secure the job and lead herself and her family into a successful life.”
(Source: dressfor success.org)

S & R* QUOTE #2: Mark Twain

“Clothes make the man!”

S & R* QUOTE #3: Unknown

“The emperor wore no clothes”

TWO– “IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “fashion”; “fashion victim” (fashionistas); “fad”; etc.

“Fashion is a general term for a popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body piercing, or furniture. Fashion refers to a distinctive and often habitual trend in the style with which a person dresses, as well as to prevailing styles in behaviour.” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion)

“Fashion Victim” is a term claimed to have been coined by Oscar de la Renta^[1] that is used to identify a person who is unable to identify commonly recognized boundaries of style.

Fashion victims are victims because they are vulnerable to faddishness and materialism, two of the widely recognized excesses of fashion, and consequently are at the mercy of society’s prejudices or of the commercial interest of the fashion industry, or of both. According to Versace, “When a woman alters her look too much from season to season, she becomes a fashion victim.”^[2]”

Fad

“A fad is an intense but short-lived fashion trend.”: (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_victim)

THREE – STUDY/STATISTICS:

“There is no easy way to determine when clothing was first developed, but some information has been inferred by studying lice. The body louse specifically lives in clothing, and diverge from head lice about 107,000 years ago, suggesting that clothing existed at that time.^[1][2][3] Another theory is that modern humans are the only survivors of several species of primates who may have worn clothes^[4] and that clothing may have been used as long ago as 650 thousand years ago. Other louse-based estimates put the introduction of clothing at around 42,000–72,000 BP.^[5]””

First recorded use

“According to archaeologists and anthropologists, the earliest clothing likely consisted of fur, leather, leaves, or grass that were draped, wrapped, or tied around the body. Knowledge of such clothing remains inferential, since clothing materials deteriorate quickly compared to stone, bone, shell and metal artifacts. Archeologists have identified very early sewing needles of bone and ivory from about 30,000 BC, found near Kostenki, Russia in 1988.^[13] Dyed flax fibers that could have been used in clothing have been found in a prehistoric cave in the Republic of Georgia that date back to 36,000 BP.^[14][15]

Scientists are still debating when people started wearing clothes. Ralf Kittler, Manfred Kayser and Mark Stoneking, anthropologists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, have conducted a genetic analysis of human body lice that suggests clothing originated quite recently, around 107,000 years ago. Body lice is an indicator of clothes-wearing, since most humans have sparse body hair, and lice thus require human clothing to survive. Their research suggests the invention of clothing may have coincided with the northward migration of modern Homo sapiens away from the warm climate of Africa, thought to have begun between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago. However, a second group of researchers using similar genetic methods estimate that clothing originated around 540,000 years ago (Reed et al. 2004. PLoS Biology 2(11): e340). For now, the date of the origin of clothing remains unresolved.^{[citation needed]”}

Making clothing

“Some human cultures, such as the various people of the Arctic Circle, traditionally make their clothing entirely of prepared and decorated furs and skins. Other cultures supplemented or replaced leather and skins with cloth: woven, knitted, or twined from various animal and vegetable fibers.

Although modern consumers may take the production of clothing for granted, making fabric by hand is a tedious and labor intensive process. The textile industry was the first to be mechanized – with the powered loom – during the Industrial Revolution.

Different cultures have evolved various ways of creating clothes out of cloth. One approach simply involves draping the cloth. Many people wore, and still wear, garments consisting of rectangles of cloth wrapped to fit – for example, the dhoti for men and the sari for women in the Indian subcontinent, the Scottish kilt or the Javanese sarong. The clothes may simply be tied up, as is the case of the first two garments; or pins or belts hold the garments in place, as in the case of the latter two. The precious cloth remains uncut, and people of various sizes or the same person at different sizes can wear the garment.

Another approach involves cutting and sewing the cloth, but using every bit of the cloth rectangle in constructing the clothing. The tailor may cut triangular pieces from one corner of the cloth, and then add them elsewhere as gussets. Traditional European patterns for men’s shirts and women’s chemises take this approach.

Modern European fashion treats cloth much less conservatively, typically cutting in such a way as to leave various odd-shaped cloth remnants. Industrial sewing operations sell these as waste; home sewers may turn them into quilts.

In the thousands of years that humans have spent constructing clothing, they have created an astonishing array of styles, many of which have been reconstructed from surviving garments, photos, paintings, mosaics, etc., as well as from written descriptions. Costume history serves as a source of inspiration to current fashion designers, as well as a topic of professional interest to costumers constructing for plays, films, television, and historical reenactment.”

Selling clothes

“After making clothes selling clothes is the next step. And there is a huge industry and logistic responsible for taking the clothes from factory facilities to consumers house/” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing)

FOUR – BONUS ARTICLES

S & R*NEWS ALERT*#1: Reinvent your wardrobe while re-stocking your wallet

“Hang up your parkas and put away your toques spring fashion is here. With the change in season, many people are taking a hard look into their closet to see how they can make room for their new and trendy additions. But what many style-conscious individuals don’t realize, is that making over their wardrobe doesn’t have to break the bank. After all, one fashionista’s former favourites are another’s latest and greatest fashion find.

Savvy shoppers around the world are learning that selling everything from wardrobe staples to misguided purchases is a great way to fund their next season’s attire, says Andrea Stairs, the country manager for eBay Canada. And the trend in selling clothing and accessories is gaining momentum. In fact, there are currently nearly 750,000 gently used fashion items available on our site.

Here are some tips to help you spring into style this season and cash in on your old fashion:

It’s all in the details Including as many specific details in your listing as possible will make it easy for others to find your item and buy with confidence. Specifying the brand, style, colour and size are ways to make your item more searchable.

Picture perfect High-quality photos are imperative to enticing shoppers. Including 3-4 well-lit photos from different angles will ensure that buyers know exactly what to expect from their purchase.

Listing in a snap Using tools like the eBay Mobile apps to list when you’re not at your computer allows you to let go of a pre-loved item whenever inspiration strikes. Making money from items that would have otherwise languished in the back of your closet is now as quick and easy as taking a photo.

Clarity is key If you have certain shipping or payment preferences, be sure to call them out in your listing. Furthermore, including a precise and accurate description of your item decreases the likelihood of confusion, saving you and your buyer time and money.

A new spring wardrobe doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and a full wallet matches any outfit. Don’t just impress your friends with your new look, but also with how you paid for it.” www.newscanada.com

S & R*NEWS ALERT*#2: Vintage fashion is every shade of green

“Emerald may be the colour of 2013, but fashion enthusiasts have been going green for years. Whether you’re seeking inspired looks from the past or want that must-have, contemporary item, vintage shopping has been a longstanding trend in the fashion world and is a smart and stylish way to help protect the earth. That’s because buying and selling gently used clothing and accessories not only puts a unique twist on your wardrobe, it also reduces the waste associated with the manufacturing, shipping and purchasing of a brand new items. It also prevents non-recyclable goods from ending up in landfills.

Online marketplaces like eBay, a leading e-commerce site in Canada, are well-known destinations for buying and selling like-new fashion items. So, there’s no reason to throw out wardrobe pieces once they no longer fit or go out of style. In fact, Canadians purchased more than three quarters of a million pre-owned fashion items in 2012. Some of these items even had the tags still on them and were completely unworn.

Buying vintage or selling clothes you no longer need is a great way to help sustain our planet and make responsible decisions as a consumer, said Andrea Stairs, country manager for eBay Canada. Our global selection makes it fun and easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. In 2012, Canadians spent over $50 million on gently used items, with tops and blouses winning for the most popular category.

Coveted items like Tory Burch handbags, classic Kenneth Jay Lane jewellery, and comeback pieces such as knee-high boots and colour-blocked shift dresses, are examples of great statement pieces you can find while shopping online marketplaces.

Buying gently used items can help improve our eco-footprint in ways that most people are not aware. For example, purchasing a vintage pair of sunglasses saves 74 per cent of the carbon dioxide needed to make new ones (according to calculations from Cooler Inc.).

Similarly, continued Stairs, by choosing from the 27,910 like-new leather handbags on eBay, it’s possible to save as much energy as a flight from London to Paris.

Shopping on e-commerce sites not only helps diversify your wardrobe, but also saves valuable energy and preserves the environment. Fashionistas from around the world are becoming more eco-friendly, one click at a time.” www.newscanada.com

Posted by alaposta on April 15th, 2013 Read More 1 Comment

“Anniversary: Dinner, cards, poems, rings, gifts, etc. – I have some ideas!*”

Vol. 4, No. 2, Monday, April 8th, 2013

TITLE:“Anniversary: Dinner, cards, poems, rings, gifts, etc. – I have some ideas*”

INTRODUCTION

With the start of April 2013, I have reached another anniversary doing this blog, now starting my fourth year! Do you want to know a secret? I forgot this anniversary!!!! (I’m pleased that you could come since without you, my site wouldn’t be here.) That got me thinking about anniversaries in the sense of relationships and marriages. Thus, my book of the week is “Anniversary” [Paperback] Richard W. Halperin (Author). (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on dating, relationships and marriage.)

ANTOINETTE’S LIFE & TIMES*

Parents: Some people say that if a man doesn’t know or remember his wedding anniversary date, he doesn’t care. I do not agree. My Dad never remembered or bought a gift for my mother, except for their 25^th and 50^th Wedding Anniversary. But their marriage was a good one and they deeply loved and cared for each other.

Me, myself and I: In my case, I make arrangements for dinner on our anniversary and then inform him about it. Now, if he doesn’t remember, isn’t that the best way to go?

Stuff happens department: You can’t always be impressed with a husband who remembers and plans a wedding anniversary. The husband of one of my friends organized a 25^th wedding anniversary party with his mistress, who was also his wife’s friend. She later found out about the affair. Needless to say, they are divorced today.

S & R* Letter

Since we’re talking about anniversaries, I would like to share with you my 4^th Anniversary writing this blog. My devotion and perseverance in writing a weekly blog can be mainly attributed to my liking what I do. Apparently success comes with perseverance.

Sincerely

Antoinette

THE AUTHOR: Richard W. Halperin (Author)

Richard Halperin is a poet, credited with 100 poems published in a variety of journals. Halperin graduated from City University of New York with a Ph.D. in English Literature. Until 2005 he worked in Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe as chief of teacher education for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. He edited “Reading and Writing Poetry: The Recommendations of Noted Poets from Many Lands on the Teaching of Poetry in Secondary School. The book, “Anniversary” is Mr. Halperin’s debut collection.

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books/Articles:

“Anniversary” by Richard W. Halperin (Apr 5 2011)

THE BOOK: “Anniversary” [Paperback] Richard W. Halperin (Author)

The book, “Anniversary” is a series of love poems presented from husband to wife, between parent and child, the living and departed. It’s a great mix of beautiful words, warm sentiment and emotion. Couldn’t you use a little of that today? It will move you; and more importantly, your best half!

CONCLUSION

A birthday commemorates your birth. An anniversary commemorates the birth of the love and the relationship with your mate.

Personal Comments

I say:

That wedding anniversaries are important – I usually remember this date; but I’m not alone as most women do so as well;
That this is in contrast to men – almost half of the men in a study did not know the date of their anniversary;
That wedding anniversaries along with birthdays, are the most celebrated events in the world;
That some people make the anniversary a party for family and friends. As far as I am concerned, it should be a couple’s event except for the milestone anniversaries like the 25^th&50^th; etc.
That men and women are wired differently and when women accept this, we’ll understand men better;
That women are better listeners;
That women are emotional beings – apparently, we cry four times more than men. An anniversary has sentimental significance. This is why we are more likely to remember the day. You see, these things matter and touch us so much!

The Point

In life, there are days that are happy and others that are not so much. An anniversary is a good day – take the time to make it special and enjoy it. It might even rekindle the spark, if gone fishing, between a couple and this is really good!

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Here’s the recipe for a happy anniversary – everyone should:

Recognize that an anniversary signifies a loving relationship enduring through the ups and downs, getting deeper – it also holds opportunities for tomorrow;
Choose a card with nice words and images that express how much he or she means to you;
Buy a gift for your significant other; but

Remember it’s not the price that counts; it’s the thought that really matters.
Put some thought in buying the gift.
Think of rings for two – they’re neat!

4. Write a love letter to your significant other;

5. Take the day off and spend it together;

6. Have a romantic dinner for two at a favorite restaurant;

7. Reminisce about the good times from the past year;

7. Make a toast, with a glass of wine, thanking your mate for all he or she does every single day;

8. Add a wink, coo, smile, eyelash flutter and kiss as needed;

10. Enjoy the congratulations –you’ve earned it the hard way, you’ve worked, each day, at your relationship!

Happy anniversary. Hope you do good this year. I gotta go now – I need to make plans for my big day.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”

PREVIEW (Tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 15^th 2013): With the end of winter, I started shopping for new clothing for me and loved ones suitable for the nicer weather. I will share some of my thoughts and experiences. Spring forward with me next week. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on general category – shopping.)

P.S. Big News: There are big changes FINALLY coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.

CREDITS

-Web Tech: richmediasound.com

PAGE 2

NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY SAVE AND READ* (S&R*).

ONE – “IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “anniversary”; wedding anniversary; etc.

“An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event.” (Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anniversary

“A wedding anniversary is the anniversary of the date a wedding took place. Traditional names exist for most of them: for instance, 50 years of marriage is called a “golden wedding anniversary” or simply a “golden anniversary”.(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary

TWO – STUDY/STATISTICS:

The historic origins of wedding anniversaries date back to the Holy Roman Empire, when husbands crowned their wives with a silver wreath on their twenty-fifth anniversary and a gold wreath on the fiftieth. Later, principally in the twentieth century, commercialism led to the addition of more anniversaries being represented by a named gift.^[1]

The names of some anniversaries provide guidance for appropriate or traditional gifts for the spouses to give each other; if there is a party these can be brought by the guests or influence the theme or decoration. These gifts vary in different countries, but some years have well-established connections now common to most nations: 5th Wooden, 10th Tin, 15th Crystal, 20th China, 25th Silver, 30th Pearl, 40th Ruby, 50th Golden, 60th Diamond.

Traditional and modern anniversary gifts

Lists of wedding anniversary gifts vary by country. The traditional and modern U.S. versions were compiled by librarians at the Chicago Public Library.^[9][10][11]

Year	Traditional (U.S.)^[12]	Traditional (UK)^[13]	Modern (U.S.)^[12]
1^st	Paper	Cotton	Clock
2^nd	Cotton	Paper	China
3^rd	Leather		Crystal, glass
4^th	Linen, silk	Fruit and flowers	Appliances (electrical)
5^th	Wood		Silverware
6^th	Iron	Sugar	Wood objects
7^th	Wool, copper	Woollen	Desk sets/pen and pencil sets
8^th	Bronze	Salt	Linens, lace
9^th	Pottery	Copper	Leather goods
10^th	Tin, Aluminum	Tin	Diamond jewelry
11^th	Steel		Fashion jewelry, accessories
12^th	Silk	Silk and fine linen	Pearls, colored gems
13^th	Lace		Textiles, furs
14^th	Ivory		Gold jewelry
15^th	Crystal		Watches
16^th			Silver holloware
17^th			Furniture
18^th			Porcelain
19^th			Bronze
20^th	China		Platinum
21^st			Brass, Nickel
22^nd			Copper
23rd			Silver plate
24^th	Opal		Musical instruments
25^th	Silver
30^th	Pearl		Diamond
35th	Coral, jade	Coral	Jade
40^th	Ruby
45^th	Sapphire		Sapphire
50^th	Gold
55^th	Emerald		Emerald
60^th	Diamond (yellow)	Diamond
65^th		Blue sapphire
70^th		Platinum^[14][15][16]
75^th	Diamond, gold		Diamond, gold
80^th		Oak^[17][18]	Diamond, pearl
85^th		Wine	Wife’s birthstone

[edit] Flower gifts

Year	Flower
1st	Carnation
2nd	Lily of the Valley
3rd	Sunflower
4th	Hydrangea
5th	Daisy
6th	Calla
7th	Freesia
8th	Lilac
9th	Bird of paradise
10th	Daffodil
11th	Tulip
12th	Peony
13th	Chrysanthemum
14th	Dahlia
15th	Rose
20th	Aster
25th	Iris
28th	Orchid
30th	Lily
40th	Gladiolus
50th	Yellow rose, violet

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_anniversary)

THREE – BONUS ARTICLES

S & R*NEWS ALERT*#1: May brings attention to Swallowing Awareness Day

“Feeding and swallowing disorders affect infants, young children, adults and the elderly. Also known as dysphagia, it may affect those afflicted with Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, prematurity, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, brain injury or stroke, say specialists in this field. Left untreated, feeding and swallowing disorders can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia, delayed growth and development, social isolation or airway obstruction.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 is Swallowing Awareness Day. If you or someone you know is suffering from a swallowing disorder, you can learn more or find a professional specializing in dysphagia near you by visiting www.speechandhearing.ca.” www.newscanada.com

S & R*NEWS ALERT*#2: 5 clever ways to improve a relationship

“No matter whether you’re dating now, or have been happily married for years, here are five simple ways to make that relationship even better, no matter where you are in your romantic journey:

Recognize what’s important to your partner. Taking time to do this can go a long way towards building goodwill and an atmosphere of compromise. On the flip side, it’s also important for your partner to recognize your wants and for you to state them clearly. Constantly giving to others at the expense of your own needs builds resentment and anger.

Keep outside relationships and interests alive. No one person can meet all of our needs, and expecting too much from someone can put a lot of unhealthy pressure on a relationship. Having friends and outside interests not only strengthens your social network, but brings new insights and stimulation to the relationship too.

Change it up. Act out of character you can easily get into ruts. If you find that you are repeating patterns, step back and break it up. Be somewhat unknown to each other. We are hardwired as humans to like mystery and be intrigued by it. There is an excitement that comes from anticipating and not knowing.

Find something you enjoy doing together. It can be a shared hobby, a dance class, a daily walk or volunteering. Doing service moves you out of yourself and your own problems and supports a broader, more spiritual view of life. Get involved with a local organization like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) and help improve the lives of children and families living in poverty around the world.

Connect as a couple and rekindle love. Relationships need time to thrive. It is vitally important to set aside specific times to be together. Commit to spending quality time together on a regular basis. Even during very busy and stressful times, a few minutes of sharing and connecting can help keep bonds strong.

Relationships are an investment. The more you put in, the more you get back.” www.newscanada.com

Posted by alaposta on April 8th, 2013 Read More 3 Comments

NEWS ALERT! URGENT! – Discovery with implications to millions each day!*

NEWS ALERT! URGENT – Discovery with implications to millions each day!*

I was doing research and discovered something that touches millions and millions of people every single day. This is about sandwich eaters. They make and eat sandwiches in the multi millions. Apparently after a taste test, the study revealed that if the condiments, meat, tuna or whatever are on the left side of each bread slice, NOT on the right side, the sandwich is 50% tastier and is enjoyed two minutes longer. This is really important! I need for you to get the message out!*

“APRIL FOOL’S DAY: Jokes, pranks, ideas for work or kids at school – I want to laugh & have fun!” (Update 2013)*

Vol. 4, No. 1, Monday, April 1^st, 2013

TITLE: “APRIL FOOL’S DAY: Jokes, pranks, ideas for work or kids at school – I want to laugh & have fun!*” (Update 2013)

INTRODUCTION

I am smiling silly. Why do you ask? I’ll tell you. April Fool’s Day is coming up on April 1st. It’s a day when people joke around and play pranks; and some work out unbelievably well. On the occasion of this date, my topic is jokes and pranks. My book of the week is: “Fooled You!” Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years” by Elaine Pascoe (writer) and Laurie Keller (illustrator). (Editor’s Note: This is an update of my post of April, 2012 and the original from April 3rd 2011.) – another post in a continuing series on holidays and special dates.)

ANTOINETTE’S MY LIFE & TIMES*

My Dad had a great sense of humor. (I like to think that I do as well.) Many years ago, a few young girls, friends of my daughter, worked at a bakery part-time after school. One day, they were talking about an older gentleman who came daily to the bakery to buy bread. They looked forward to this customer because he always joked with them. The man in question turned out to be my Dad. I guess it runs in the family.

I have never played a prank on someone; but I have friends who have tried to fool me on April 1st. As a result, I’ve been on my guard.

One of my favorites is the prank played by one of my cousins, who is a big joker. He went to a lot of trouble to find fake hair and braid it. You see there was a lady who worked in his office and always braided her hair. One day, while carrying on a conversation, he picked up a pair of scissors and pretended that he was cutting her braid. Of course, he had the fake ready to show her. She was stunned, thinking the braid was hers. Once told that it was all a joke, she laughed hysterically. Everyone in the office talked about the prank for weeks afterwards.

UPDATE 2013

In the past year, the subject of pranks was in the news… not good news. I remind you about the prank played by two Australian DJs. They called the Edward VII Hospital in London, where the Duchess of Cambridge was being cared for. The two DJs pretended to be the Queen and Prince Charles and called the British nurse who took the prank call and put the call through. Some pranks are in poor taste. Others turn out badly. The outcome of this one was worse. The nurse committed suicide. Indeed, her death was a terrible tragedy. This event must cause everyone to take pause to moderate jokes and consider the effects on people BEFORE carrying them out.

ANTOINETTE’S TOP 5 APRIL FOOL’S JOKES*

Below are a few seriously good joke stories that I discovered while researching this post article.

5. “Iceberg from Antarctica: In 1983, Australian millionaire businessman Dick Smith claimed to have towed an iceberg from Antarctica to Sydney Harbour. He used a barge covered with white plastic and fire extinguisher foam to convince witnesses.[15]”

4. “Apple buys the Beatles: In 2010, Bob Lefsetz released an April Fools’ Day letter which had rumours circulating around the music industry.[14]”

3. “Taco Liberty Bell: In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to “reduce the country’s debt” and renamed it the “Taco Liberty Bell”. When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Lincoln Mercury Memorial. [11]”

2. “Left-handed Whoppers: In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side.[12] Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the “old”, right-handed burger.[13]” (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools’_Day

1. Google makes fun of itself and its users:

Several examples are:

“2000: Google’s first April Fools’ Day hoax, the MentalPlex hoax, invited users to project a mental image of what they wanted to find whilst staring at an animated gif.^[13] Several humorous error messages^[14] were then displayed on the search results page,^[15]

2002: Google reveals the technology behind its PageRank Systems—PigeonRank. Google touts the benefits of this cost-effective and efficient means of ranking pages and reassures readers that there is no animal cruelty involved in the process. The article makes many humorous references and puns based on computer terminology and how Google Page Rank really works, (for example, a chart showing the pigeons’ consumption of linseed and flax, represented as “Lin/Ax Kernels,” a pun on the Linux kernel).^[16]

Pigeon Rank

2004: Fictitious job opportunities for a research center on the moon. Luna/X (a pun to Linux and the Latin word for moon, as well as a reference to both the Windows XP visual style and Mac OS X) is the name of a new operating system they claimed to have created for working at the research center.

Google Copernicus Center

2005: Google Gulp, a fictitious drink, was announced by Google in 2005. According to the company, this beverage would optimize one’s use of the Google search engine by increasing the drinker’s intelligence. It was claimed this boost was achieved through real-time analysis of the user’s DNA and carefully tailored adjustments to neurotransmitters in the brain (a patented technology termed Auto-Drink; as the “Google Gulp FAQ” suggests, partly through MAO inhibition).

2006: On April Fool’s Day 2006, Google Romance was announced on the main Google search page with the introduction, “Dating is a search problem. Solve it with Google Romance.” It pretends to offer a “Soulmate Search” to send users on a “Contextual Date”. A parody of online dating, it had a link for “those who generally favor the ‘throw enough stuff at the wall’ approach to online dating” to Post multiple profiles with a bulk upload file, you sleaze in addition to Post your Google Romance profile. Clicking on either of these gave an error page, which explained that it was an April Fool’s joke and included links to previous April Fool’s jokes

2007 [edit] Gmail Paper: At about 10:00 PM, Pacific time (where Google has its headquarters) on 30 March 2007, Google changed the login page for Gmail to announce a new service called Gmail Paper. The service offered to allow users of Google’s free webmail service to add e-mails to a “Paper Archive”, which Google would print (on “96% post-consumer organic soybean sputum“) and mail via traditional post. The service would be free, supported by bold, red advertisements printed on the back of the printed messages. Image attachments would also be printed on high-quality glossy paper, though MP3 and WAV files would not be printed. The page detailing more information about the service features photographs of Ian Spiro and Carrie Kemper, current employees of Google. Also featured are Product Marketing Managers of Gmail Anna-Christina Douglas, and Shane Lawrence

YouTube: On April 1, 2008, all featured videos on the UK and Australian homepages, and later, all international homepages, of Google-owned YouTube linked to a video of Rick Astley’s song “Never Gonna Give You Up“, causing all users of the website who clicked on featured videos to be Rickrolled. This was the first year YouTube participated in Google’s April Fool’s Day tradition.”

(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools’_Day

ANTOINETTE’S TOP 5 DOABLE APRIL FOOL’S JOKES*

5. At work, tell 5-7 random people that a particular person (e.g., your friend) needed each of them to come to his or her workstation precisely at 11:00 A.M. that morning – they will be surprised when these people drop around all at once.

4. If you are a manager or have employees under you, send people looking for made- up items such as an electric pen, desk-top jack hammer, rewritable paper, hand-held book holder, etc. or such articles particularly named: portable paper weight, bottle of potable water, pre-filled pie crust, etc.;

3. If you work in a restaurant, prepare a memo for coworkers advising that due to the portion control law and advertising standards, each serving of fries or chips must contain precisely x number of pieces; and that all food service employees, from kitchen to server chain of possession, must sign a written report due at the close of business on April 1st, addressed to the PORTION CONTROL AUTHORITY, confirming your restaurant’s compliance.

2. At school,

(a) Bring in a salt shaker, filling it with sugar. (Don’t forget to take it away after used by one or two people.)

(b) Offer class mates in the cafeteria, white creme cookies where white toothpaste was replaced for the cream filling. (Don’t forget to throw them out after offering them a few times.)

1. Glue some coins to high visible spots on a busy sidewalk and then watch the people try to pick-up the coins.

THE AUTHORS: Elaine Pascoe (writer) and Laurie Keller (illustrator)
Elaine Pascoe has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer and editor. She has written 20+ nonfiction books for young readers. She lives in Connecticut.

Laurie Keller is an American children’s book author and illustrator. She has written four books for Henry Holt & Co. Books for Young Readers, and produced illustrations for two others.

Growing up in Muskegon, Michigan and after graduating high school, she took classes and enrolled at Kendall College of Art and Design, a local community college, receiving a degree in illustration. She worked at Hallmark Cards as a greeting card artist. While there, she was allowed to design entire cards, which caused her to consider writing and illustrating books.
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Keller (Source: http://us.macmillan.com/fooledyou)

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books by Laurie Keller
Several are:

“The Scrambled States of America” (subject: geography)
“Open Wide: Tooth School Inside” (subject: tooth care) – Henry Holt and Co. – 2000
“Arnie the Doughnut” (subject: anthropomorphic doughnut) – Henry Holt and Co. – 2003
“Grandpa Gazillion’s Number Yard” (subject: numbers) – Henry Holt and Co. – 2005
“Do Unto Otters” (subject: manners)
“The Scrambled States of America Talent Show” (subject: follow-up to 1998 book) Henry Holt and Co. – 1998
“Fooled You!: Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years” (Elaine Pascoe) – Henry Holt and Co. – 2005

Books by Elaine Pascoe
Some are:

“Fooled You!: Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years” (Elaine Pascoe) – Henry Holt and Co. – 2005
“Nature Close-Up – Slime, Mold and Fungi” [Board book]
“Nature Close-Up – Pill Bugs & Sow Bugs and Other Custaceans” [Hardcover]
“Birds Use Their Beaks (How & Why)” [Library Binding]
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Keller (Sourcc: http://us.macmillan.com/fooledyou)
(Source: Amazon) -http://www.amazon.com/Birds-Use-Their-Beaks-How/dp/0836830083/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4

THE BOOK: “Fooled You!” Fakes and Hoaxes Through the Years”

by Elaine Pascoe (writer) & Laurie Keller (illustrator)

In the last three centuries, there have been many great hoaxes carried out. Some were: (a) Crop circles; (b) Aliens on earth. (c) Fairies caught on film; (d) Giant cats. Pascoe chose 10+ to examine in depth, noting things in common. She inquired into the doers: “How they did it?” and the victims: “Why they bought it?” Fool you ….It’s a fun book …Fool it!
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Keller (Source: http://us.macmillan.com/fooledyou)

CONCLUSION

To have a sense of humor is a wonderful quality. Having fun is a valid aim. Being merry contributes to a positive attitude. Smiles wear very well. A round of laughter is a mood changer. Enjoying a joke is uplifting. This is all good … up to a point.

My personal comments

I say:

That I am not really a practical joke person. However, this does not mean to say that I don’t have a sense of humor. Indeed, I like to smile and laugh just like the next gal and guy.
That practical jokes of the April 1^st kind should be in good, clean fun and of VERY short duration.
That no one should get hurt; and we always need to laugh WITH the person, being the butt of the joke.
That some practical jokes go too far to play a practical joke. It could be quite disagreeable or even damaging. Pranks that cause bodily harm may also result in lawsuits, criminal charges and getting fired. Use your discretion!

The point

Joking and pranking should be light-hearted fun. If it is not, then don’t do it!

ANTOINETTE”S TIP SHEET*
Everyone should:
1. Make sure it’s not to the extreme, especially if it’s at someone else’s expense;
2. Have fun with jokes and pranks, but don’t make anyone feel bad;
3. Ensure that it’s a light and mild prank , particularly in the workplace;
4. Call the person, quickly after the fact, on whom you played a joke, to tell him/her that it was only a prank;
5. Be on guard on April’s Fools;

This year, let’s have fun and crack a smile and more, break out in laughter and laugh out loud! Oh, by the way, the sandwich announcement above is sheer baloney! Happy April Fool’s Day!

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP

PREVIEW (Tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 8^th 2013): With the start of April 2013, I have reached another anniversary doing this blog, now starting my fourth year! Do you want to know a secret? I forgot this anniversary!!!! That got me thinking about anniversaries in the sense of relationships and marriages. An anniversary is something which holds opportunities for spouses, both good and bad. Why don’t you come by? With some info, you might do good this year! (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on dating, relationships and marriage.)

P.S. Wowee …Wowee Shop Valente is finally open; and my new line of Antoinerte La Posta* brand of clothing is now available. There is still much more to come to the Save and Read* web site. Watch for it!

CREDITS

-Web Tech: richmediasound.com

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PAGE 2

NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY SAVE AND READ* (S&R*) . ANECDOTES & QUOTES

ONE –A “I HAVE AN ANECDOTE ON THAT!*” – ANECDOTES
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #1: April Fool’s
“We are told that Phillips Brooks’ preaching was fired by a glowing personality. He loved Christ. He loved people. Especially did he love little children. “They tell this story on him. One April Fool’s Day, as he was walking down a Boston street, he saw a little fellow trying in vain to reach a door bell. True to his love for children, Brooks went up the steps saying, ‘Let me help you, my little man!’ Brooks rang the door bell. The little boy scampered down the steps shouting back to Brooks, ‘Now, run like the devil!’”(Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=15611)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #2: Al Franken: Office Prank
While working as writers on “Saturday Night Live,” Marilyn Suzanne Miller and Alan Zweibel often played pranks on fellow writers Al Franken and Tom Davis:

“We had so much extra fuel that after being up all night writing, we still had to think of other stuff to do,” Miller recalled. “So one night we went into Franken and Davis’s office and took out all the furniture – all the desks, ripped the phones out of the wall, took the chairs, took the file cases, took everything in the middle of the night and shoved it into Herb Sargent’s office where it couldn’t be seen. And then all we did was take a piece of paper and leave it on the floor that said, ‘See me. Lorne [producer Lorne Michaels].’ This is like the first season, when they were apprentice writers! Alan and I thought this was hilarious. Needless to say, Franken wasn’t too happy…”(Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=20933)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #3: Prince Harry: Practical Joker
“Known for his happy-go-lucky attitude, the younger prince [Prince Harry] loves practical jokes. In one of his more memorable public pranks, at the wedding of his former nanny Tiggy Pettifer, he snatched a goldfish from a bowl and pretended to swallow it.”(Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=20430)

ONE –B “I SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT!*” – QUOTES
S & R* QUOTE #1: Tara Brach

“When we put down ideas of what life should be like, we are free to wholeheartedly say yes to our life as it is.”

(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

S & R* QUOTE #2: Franklin P. Jones

“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

S & R* QUOTE #3: Ralph Waldo Emerson

“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.”(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

TWO – “IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “April Fool’s Day”; “Practical joke”

April Fools’ Day
“April Fools’ Day is celebrated in the Western world on the 1st of April of every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools’ Day, April 1 is not a legal holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day which tolerates practical jokes and general foolishness. The day is marked by the commission of good humoured or funny jokes, hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbors, work associates, etc.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools’_Day

Practical joke
“A practical joke (also known as a prank or gag) is a mischievous trick played on a person, especially one that causes the victim to experience embarrassment, indignity, or discomfort. Practical jokes differ from confidence tricks in that the victim finds out, or is let in on, the joke rather than being fooled into handing over money or other valuables. Practical jokes or pranks are typically lighthearted, reversible or non-permanent, and made to make people feel foolish or victimized to a certain degree, although in some practical jokes there could be an inherent strain of cruelty present.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practical_joke

Bonus Fact: April Fools’ Day – Origins

“In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1392), the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is set Syn March bigan thritty dayes and two.[1] Modern scholars believe that there is a copying error in the extant manuscripts and that Chaucer actually wrote, Syn March was gon.[2] Thus the passage originally meant 32 days after March, i.e. May 2,[3] the anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, which took place in 1381. However, readers apparently misunderstood this line to mean “32nd of March,” i.e. 1st April.[4] In Chaucer’s tale, the vain cock Chauntecleer is tricked by a fox.

In 1509, a French poet referred to a poisson d’avril (April fool, literally “April fish”), a possible reference to the holiday.[3] In 1539, Flemish poet Eduard de Dene wrote of a nobleman who sent his servants on foolish errands on the 1st of April.[3] In 1686, John Aubrey referred to the holiday as “Fools holy day”, the first British reference.[3] On 1st April, 1698, several people were tricked into going to the Tower of London to “see the Lions washed”.[3] The name “April Fools” echoes that of the Feast of Fools, a Medieval holiday held on the 28th December.[5]

In the Middle Ages, New Year’s Day was celebrated on the 25th of March in most European towns.[6] In some areas of France, New Year’s was a week-long holiday ending on the 1st of April.[5] So it is possible that April Fools originated because those who celebrated on the 1st of January made fun of those who celebrated on other dates.[7] The use of the 1st of January as New Year’s Day was common in France by the mid-sixteenth century,[3] and this date was adopted officially in 1564 by the Edict of Roussillon.

In the eighteenth century, the festival was often posited as going back to the time of Noah. According to an English newspaper article published in 1789, the day had its origin when Noah sent his dove off too early, before the waters had receded; he did this on the first day of the Hebrew month that corresponds with April.[8]”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools’_Day

THREE– STUDY/STATISTICS:

FOUR – BONUS ARTICLES

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1 On the Road to 2010, U. S. Census Bureau Final Report, Faith-Based Outreach Focus Groups
“….
Summary of Comments
Consider changing Census Day to a day other than April 1st. Associating the Census with April Fools Day sends a mixed-message to community members, causing suspicion and creating the unintended perception that participating in the census may be some kind of trick or joke. Consider involving the census partners in choosing or even creating an alternative day to kickoff the 2010 Census – an occasion of universally positive national and/or cultural significance, i.e., Cinco de Mayo, June tenth, Fourth of July, etc. Greater emphasis should be placed on involving children in 2010 Census events, activities, give always, etc. Host or sponsor community events and ethnic festivals which involve the entire family. Children are most often the best, most direct way to reach and educate parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to the value and importance of participating in the census.

Clowns, current popular music, interactive games, raffles, and giveaways, provide the safest, surest way to gain access to children and, through them, their parents. In Dallas, for example, hip hop artist “Little Bow Wow” was a big hit with the youth! In other locations, hip hop songs, sports stars, “American Idol” type entertainment figures, and other culturally significant images can work well in capturing the hearts and minds of the community. Through this means, interest and participation in the 2010 Census and beyond is generated.”
(Source U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/cac/race_ethnic_advisory_committees/docs/2007_Oct_Faith based_FG_Report.pdf

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2 On the Road to 2010, U. S. Census Bureau Final Report, Faith-Based Outreach Focus Groups
“….
Summary of Comments
Consider changing Census Day to a day other than April 1st. Associating the Census with April Fools Day sends a mixed-message to community members, causing suspicion and creating the unintended perception that participating in the census may be some kind of trick or joke. Consider involving the census partners in choosing or even creating an alternative day to kickoff the 2010 Census – an occasion of universally positive national and/or cultural significance, i.e., Cinco de Mayo, June tenth, Fourth of July, etc. Greater emphasis should be placed on involving children in 2010 Census events, activities, give always, etc. Host or sponsor community events and ethnic festivals which involve the entire family. Children are most often the best, most direct way to reach and educate parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to the value and importance of participating in the census.

Clowns, current popular music, interactive games, raffles, and giveaways, provide the safest, surest way to gain access to children and, through them, their parents. In Dallas, for example, hip hop artist “Little Bow Wow” was a big hit with the youth! In other locations, hip hop songs, sports stars, “American Idol” type entertainment figures, and other culturally significant images can work well in capturing the hearts and minds of the community. Through this means, interest and participation in the 2010 Census and beyond is generated.”
Source U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/cac/race_ethnic_advisory_committees/docs/2007_Oct_Faith based_FG_Report.pdf

Posted by alaposta on April 1st, 2013 Read More 1 Comment

Archive for April, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Invitations, cards, wishes, decorations, cakes, games, candles, games, etc.- I have some ideas!*

EARTH DAY EVENTS, ACTIVITIES: I have some ideas – it is a resource!* (Volume #2 – I want to save the earth!*) – UPDATE 2013

EARTH DAY EVENTS, ACTIVITIES: I have some ideas – it is a resource!* (Volume #2 – I want to save the earth!*) – UPDATE 2013

SHOPPING, FASHION: Mall / centre, store/boutique, TV / online, dress, tops, pants, shoes, etc. – This spring, I will guide you!*

100 Years of Fashion Illustration by Cally Blackman (Apr 15 2007)

100 Years of Fashion by Cally Blackman (May 2 2012)

100 ans de mode by Cally Blackman (May 13 2013)

100 Years Of Menswear by Cally Blackman (Sep 15 2009)

100 Years of Menswear Mini by Cally Blackman (Sep 19 2012)

STAR WARS CÔTÉ OBSCUR T.12 : DARK VADOR MISSION FATALE by CALLY BLACKMAN (Sep 20 2012)

Costume: From 1500 to the Present Day by Cally Blackman and Jenni Davis (Jan 1 2001)

100 Years of Fashion Illustration by Cally Blackman (Apr 15 2007)

100 Years of Fashion by Cally Blackman (May 2 2012)

100 ans de mode by Cally Blackman (May 13 2013)

100 Years Of Menswear by Cally Blackman (Sep 15 2009)

100 Years of Menswear Mini by Cally Blackman (Sep 19 2012)

STAR WARS CÔTÉ OBSCUR T.12 : DARK VADOR MISSION FATALE by CALLY BLACKMAN (Sep 20 2012)

Costume: From 1500 to the Present Day by Cally Blackman and Jenni Davis (Jan 1 2001)

The In a Flap by Cally Blackman (Jul 29 1999)

The 20s & 30s: Flappers & Vamps by Cally Blackman (Dec 1999)

First recorded use

Making clothing

Selling clothes

“Anniversary: Dinner, cards, poems, rings, gifts, etc. – I have some ideas!*”

“Anniversary” by Richard W. Halperin (Apr 5 2011)

Traditional and modern anniversary gifts

[edit] Flower gifts

NEWS ALERT! URGENT! – Discovery with implications to millions each day!*

“APRIL FOOL’S DAY: Jokes, pranks, ideas for work or kids at school – I want to laugh & have fun!” (Update 2013)*

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