Les Greco: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Serena Williams earns fine, probation for U.S. Open outburst

Serena Williams was fined a record amount for her infamous U.S. Open tirade three months ago and has been placed…

Asia stocks rebound after UAE pledges bank support (AP)

Asian stock markets rebounded Monday from their steep fall last week after the United Arab Emirates moved to contain the fallout from Dubai’s debt crisis.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

The waiting continues with Woods (AP)

AP - Moments after pulling out of his driveway in the middle of the night, Tiger Woods drove his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree, causing injuries that sent him to the hospital to be treated.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

#2 Beijing (Peking), China: Great Bicycle City Photo Tour

"There are nine million bicycles in Beijing

That's a fact

It's a thing we can't deny

Like the fact that I will love you till I die."

Enjoy these great bicycle photos from Beijing while listening to the beautiful song by Katie Melua that starts with these lines.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Feast

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. As I am checking my lists of required items that I will contribute to that oh so yummy meal, it occurs to me that for a lot of families this is a meal that has many contributors. The larger the family, the more food items you have and everyone has a “specialty”.

Aunt Ida’s bringing her infamous ’sweet potato casserole’, brother John is sending his ‘can’t live without green bean dish’ and we can’t forget grandma’s ‘delicious pumpkin pie’. I am in charge of the turkey. It has been ordered and is ready for pickup. Of course, everyone one has an opinion on how that should be prepared. I have the Butterball tips line number handy to give me ideas. So far I have had many recommendations, from brining the turkey to smoking it. I’m thinking I might just stuff herbs and lemons in it and put it in a roaster bag. That seems to be the easiest, as well as tastiest way to cook it.

It is nice to have so many people who are helping with the meal. It is even more fun when everyone gets together to enjoy that meal. My table is always full of family and friends and is a wonderful opportunity to catch up. With so much food, it is no wonder everyone looks sleepy and content at the end of the meal.

I think the toughest job on Thanksgiving is recruiting the family to help with the clean up, when mostly everyone just wants to find a comfortable place and sleep off their meal.

Hot Searches for November 25, 2009
1. Jerry Orbach - book about his marriage was just published
2. Crib Recall - largest crib recall that should have come sooner
3. Eyeclops Mini Projector - great new gadget just under $100
4. Adam Lambert -performance at AMA causes upcoming cancellations
5. Elaine Orbach - Published husband’s love notes to her into a book
6. Turkey Brine Recipes - last minute recipes for tomorrow’s turkey
7. Michelle Obama Pictures - offensive pictures of the first lady
8. Cornbread Dressing Recipes - more recipes for tomorrow’s feast
9. Alicia Sacramone - now dating Browns Brady Quinn
10. State Dinner Photos - Obama’s welcome Prime Minister of India

For more on today’s hottest stories, check out our top searched list. What other big stories happened today? Let us know! Come back for tomorrow’s Hot Searches and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates.

More: Thanksgiving flowers, Thanksgiving vacation, Thanksgiving gift, Thanksgiving Dinners, Thanksgiving planning

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Republicans considering ideological purity test for candidates (The Yahoo! Newsroom)

The Yahoo! Newsroom - Ten members of the Republican National Committee are proposing a resolution demanding candidates embrace at least eight of 10 conservative principles if they hope to receive financial support and an official endorsement from the RNC. The “Proposed RNC Resolution on Reagan’s Unity Principle for Support of Candidates,” is designed to force candidates to prove that they support “conservative principles” while opposing “Obama’s socialist agenda,” according to The New York Times’ Caucus blog. The proposal highlights the ongoing tug-of-war for the ideological soul of the Republ

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Paula Deen

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightmare/

Paula Deen is one of my favorite TV cooking show hosts. There's something about her down home looks and accent and personality that draws me in. She loves to cook with lots of butter and southern fried foods that I really shouldn't eat but I will tell you, every time I cook a Paul Deen recipe, it is darn good!

Paula owns the Lady and Sons in Savannah, Georgia and runs it with her sons Jamie and Bobby. She has her daily TV show, and does specials, and has 5 cookbooks she has published.

She has an interesting background. She found herself the divorced, single mother of two young boys and had to do something to support them, so she started cooking, which was the only thing she knew how to do and knew how to do it well.

She started with a little catering business but really what it was that she did was made sack lunches and her sons deliver them. She called her business the Bag Lady and she worked it right out of her kitchen.

Soon she opened the Lady & Sons and it grew. The specialty of the Lady & Sons is the buffet which includes those specialties you would hope to find in the south, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and deep friend Twinkies.

She now has a desert line at Walmart with Dark Rum Pecan pie, old fashioned fudge and gooey butter cake bars. Her shows, Paula's Home Cooking, Paula's Party and Paula's Best Dishes are my favorites.

One of the things I really enjoyed with Paula Deen was a few years back she began dating a tugboat captain, Michael Groover, a very quiet bearded kind looking man. She decided to marry him and they had a special all about the wedding. She also has Michael on many episodes of her show.

Anyway, Paula Deen was doing a good deed delivering over 25,000 pounds of food at a Thanksgiving charity event when a flying ham hit her in the face. They were off loading a truck load of hams when someone tossed a ham and it accidentally hit Paula Deen in the face. She did complain that her face was a little sore, but she went on with the event anyway. What a trooper, Paula!

Kirk Cameron Evolution

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alan-light/

Kirk Cameron is best known as Mike Seaver on the 1980s sitcom, Growing Pains. He was only 15 at the time he was cast as Mike Seaver. He didn't go to high school during the Growing Pain years and was instead tutored and schooled on the set.

One of his tutors back then was my sister who was going to UCLA pre-med. My sister was very impressed with Kirk at the time because with all of his teenage teeny-bopper following or teen heartthrob, he still seemed rather grounded and was very likeable. He did his studies and got good grades.

Back then he was making $50,000 a week. He was in many other acting things back then, commercials, magazines and movies. He was in Like Father Like Son with Dudley Moore which was a huge success. He was in Listen to Me and was in another sitcom after Growing Pains ended its 10 year run, called Kirk which only lasted 2 years.

Recently he has appeared in the Left Behind series of films and in a 2008 movie called Fireproof. For the past several years he has become an active Christian evangelist, co-founding The Firefly Foundation with his wife, Chelsea Noble (his girlfriend back on the Growing Pains show.)

Kirk and his wife have 6 children, 4 adopted. Kirk Cameron went to Purdue and lectured on evolution. Kirk Cameron's evolution belief is that it is wrong. He also helped write a book called, "On the Origin of Species," where he further talks about his beliefs.

Kirk Cameron believes that we evolved as the Bible says we did, through Adam and Eve, not through Charles Darwin's explanations that we evolved from apes. Kirk Cameron once was an atheists but now is a strong believer in God.

He refuses to act in any movies or shows that he considers too racy. He also refused to do parts in Growing Pains where he considered it to be too racy. He has done specials on TV where he talks about his religious beliefs, the existence of God and his evolution beliefs. Kirk Cameron is raising a lot of attention with his beliefs. He seems very strong in what he believes.

Miley cyrus bus crash

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Miley Cyrus came into this world named Destiny Hope Cyrus November 23, 1992, but has legally had her name changed to Miley. When she was a baby, she was always smiling so everyone called her smiley. Her brother couldn't say smiley so he called her Miley, and so it started.

Just last year, she decided to have it legally changed. She is just 16, turning 17 any day now. She sings, acts, songwrites and dances. She is Hannah Montana. There are Hannah Montana shows, games, videos, toys and clothing all graced with images of Miley Cyrus on them.

My friend worked for Disney and was one of the programmers for Hannah Montana II, the game. He got to meet her and said she was surprising cordial, nice and smiling. She released her first soundtrack in 2006 which were all songs from the Hannah Montana show.

Since then, Miley has strated her own singing career as Miley Cyrus rather than Hannah Montana. She has starred in movies too, Bolt, Hannah Montana, the Movie. Time magazine considers Miley Cyrus one of the top 100 people in the world and Forbes ranked her #35 on their Celebrity 100 list. She earned 25 million dollars in 2008 at 15 years of age.

In spite of her seemingly charmed life, things are not always easy for Miss Cyrus. She has had a lawsuit filed against her for discrimination because she made slanted eyes on her face along with some of her friend. Miley has twice apologized and the judge dismissed the case. But things were even worse this week.

Miley Cyrus was not on her tour bus when it overturned and killed one person Friday. The Miley Cyrus bus crash occurred on interstate 85 in Virginia. The bus driver, William Douglas, had a heart attack while driving the bus and died. Thankfully, Miley was not on the bus and none of her band members were injured, but Miley has to be grieving for her bus driver, who was her friend, I'm sure. This is lot to go through for a 16 year old.

Shrek the third

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/

I love Disney movies. I could watch them all day, a few years ago I used to stay up all night with my older sibling and watch lion king and a couple different movies like Shrek the third and then after we would sneak out and go to a fast food place and get a bite to eat.

Those were some of my favorite memories with my family members. Disney movies are great things to watch with your children, there fun and appropriate, and you know in the environment these days you don't find that very often. You can always count on those Disney movies.

My favorite Disney movie is probably enchanted. It includes a lot of singing and smiles and has a lot of other Disney movies like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, what a creative idea to put all the Disney movies in one. It's so cute! I miss staying up all night having fun; I think I should do that more often. Most other movies don't put you in a very good mood, for example maybe the grudge or when a stranger calls, why would anyone come out of that kind of a movie feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, unless they peed their pants because they were so scared.

Disney movies leave you smiling and cheerful and maybe a little more positive about life. Every Disney movie has a happy ending, that's one more thing I love about those movies. Like in Shrek the third, Fiona and Shrek have some problems but they work it out by the end. And I like how they show that even if a person looks different they still can have a great heart and show compassion. I admire how those movies send a good message out to the watchers. Disney movies are over all the best movies out there!

When It Might Be Better to Use a Credit Card

There is a war raging with regard to which type of plastic to use: debit or credit. While many like cash, it can be inconvenient to carry around large amounts of cash, not to mention dangerous if you happen to have your wallet or purse stolen. Plastic on the other hand has a small footprint, while giving you a chance to protect your money if anything is ever lost.

For those who prefer cash, it seems as though debit is the obvious choice, since the money comes straight out of a checking account, and no interest is charged. It is also nice that you do not need a qualifying credit score to get a debit card. However, there are times when it might be better to use a credit card. Here are some considerations when it comes to debit vs. credit:

Liability Protection

Credit cards have a $50 limit for your liability on unauthorized purchases. Some debit cards do as well, but you need to read the fine print. Many debit cards require that you report the misuse within 48 hours to limit your liability to $50. Do so in 60 days, and your liability jumps to $500. After that, and it could be unlimited.

This means that it is important to be careful of where and when you use your debit card. It is a good idea to avoid using your debit card for online purchases, since the unscrupulous might get a hold of your number with relative ease. Additionally, if you are traveling, it might be better to bring your credit card and leave the debit card home in a safe place, just in case it becomes lost or stolen. A credit card can also have an edge when you are engaging in foreign travel, since it is more widely accepted. ATMs in other countries do not run through the same transaction networks as the ones in the United States, so getting cash with a debit card abroad is really a remote possibility.

Disputing Charges

If you are buying big ticket items, you want more protection than a debit card can provide. Let’s say that you are not satisfied with a purchase, and the merchant is causing problems with a return. With a credit card, you can dispute the charge. Debit card? Not so lucky. Additionally, many credit cards offer limited warranty protection on purchases you make using their cards, which is not something that comes with your debit card.

Credit Score

Using a debit card won’t help your credit scores. If you aren’t planning on making a large purchase with debt (home, car) anytime soon, it may not matter. However, if you are interested in boosting your credit score, using a credit card and paying off the balance regularly can help you improve that numerical value assigned to your financial situation. Using a debit card won’t help, since your purchases and payments are not reported to credit bureaus. However, it is worth noting that if you incur debit card fees or overdraw your checking account (overdraft protection is actually considered a loan at many institutions), some banks will report the action, causing damage to your credit score.

Bottom Line

It might be advantageous to responsibly use a credit card, as in the case of travel, large purchases and online shopping. Also, there are third-party payment and cash online services that can help you make purchases without having to disclose a bank account or debit card number. In the end though, how you pay for purchases is largely a matter of comfort to you.

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J-Lo Trips and Falls At American Music Awards

Jennifer Lopez landed on her infamous booty during her live performance at the American Music Awards Sunday, but she couldn’t blame her sky-high Christian Louboutins.

Ironically, J-Lo was wearing sneakers when she jumped off a dancer’s back and hit the floor while performing her new single, “Louboutins.” She recovered so quickly, however, that only careful viewers probably spotted the slip.

After falling, she quickly bounced back onto her feet and went into a solo worthy of her Fly Girl days…

Adam Lambert's sexually-charged act draws complaints (Reuters)

Reuters - ABC television said on Monday it had received about 1,500 complaints about the sexually-charged performance by “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert at the American Music Awards on Sunday.

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Color of Money: Money is tight; give wisely

There’s no surprise that charitable giving is down this year. A recession can make even the most altruistic person pull back.

Taylor Swift Triumphs In Absentia, And Other AMAs Bests and Worsts

Taylor Swift got to sing two songs on the American Music Awards. Unfortunately for her fans, both performances came via 30-second commercials for the new Band Hero videogame. On the occasion of what may have been the crowning moment of her year, the multi-platinum country-pop starlet was otherwise indisposed in London, and had to accept her five trophies via satellite. …

College Graduates Struggle To Repay Loans

The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate’s income.

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Legendary NYC Irish band Black 47 celebrates 20 years (IrishCentral)

Legendary band Black 47's New York City shows, which have been going on for the past 20 years, have been described as "a rite of passage for all New Yorkers."

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Target black Friday ads 2009

Black Friday is almost here! The most exciting day of the year! My nieces and nephews are so hard to shop for. They want little bake ovens and little cars and make up.

I would have to go look all over the country to find everything they want but instead of going across the country I decided to go look for ads. Who knows, it could be fun? I saw shoe stores, food stores, and clothes stores but then I finally came across Target black Friday ads 2009.

They have food, clothes make up and toys. It was a relief to see a lot of the things I needed. But after I was done looking through the ads I decided to go play with them. I heard them having a blast in the other room and I just had to jump in on the fun. They were running through the house, laughing and playing and getting in the mood for holidays when it came to my attention that Christmas shouldn't be all about gifts.

It should be about family and being together and sharing the happiness with one another. So even though I could have gotten gifts, I figured the greatest gift is to be one big happy family.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Montana is the worst state to have to drive through

Photo: wikitravel.org

I hate having to go through it. If I ever have to go on a road trip where the quickest route is through Montana, I will change the route to be much longer just so I can avoid having to go through there.

I will add almost an extra day of traveling sometimes just so that I can avoid having to go through the hole that is what they call Montana. I think the state is too dry and gross.

There are a few places in the state that aren't quite as gross. The scenery can actually be pretty sometimes. I just don't like most of it.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Singapura cat

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

The singapura cat is the smallest breed of cat. They are so cute with their large eyes and large ears. They are kind of an ugly color. I like them a lot still. They are pretty much adorable.

I wonder if the small breed will become popular soon. Most cats are already pretty small. It doesn't make sense to really want something that is too small.

It would be concerning if you had a tiny cat that you couldn't see. You might accidently step on it a lot. Not to mention, if it hid from you, you would never find it. It would be able to do whatever it wants. It would probably hide from me a lot.

I can just imagine myself spending an hour or two trying to find a cat that doesn't want to even be found. It would be a huge waste of time. I guess that some people aren't as uncoordinated as I am and wouldn't have a problem.

Bill Belichick's 4th-And-2 Call Against Colts Debated, Derided (VIDEO)

Bill Belichick’s decision to try for a first down on 4th-and-2 late in Sunday night’s game against the Colts is drawing lots of criticism. With a six-point lead and the ball on their own 28-yard line with 2:08 remaining, the Patriots elected to go for the first down. Brady completed a short pass to Kevin Faulk, who appeared to catch the ball past the first-down line, but did not establish possession until he was plowed backwards by Colts safety Melvin Bullitt. (Video of the play is embedded below.) The Colts took possession and quickly drove down the short field to score a game-winning touchdo

In Reversal, U.S. Urges Mammograms at 50, Not 40

The new recommendations, released Monday by an influential group, reverse longstanding guidelines and are aimed at reducing harm from overtreatment.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Cleric says he was confidant to Hasan

SANAA, YEMEN — In his first interview with a journalist since the Fort Hood rampage, Yemeni American cleric Anwar al-Aulaqi said that he neither ordered nor pressured Maj. Nidal M. Hasan to harm Americans, but that he considered himself a confidant of the Army psychiatrist who was given a glimpse…

Arrest at Walmart leads to charges of racism (AP)

AP - Nearly three years after Heather Ellis switched checkout lines at a southeast Missouri store and touched off what she calls a racially charged dispute with white customers and authorities, the young black schoolteacher faces a trial that could send her to prison for 15 years.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Judges could free detainees in U.S.

The problem with keeping Gitmo detainees locked up in the U.S. isn’t the jails, it’s the judges, some say.

Friday, November 13, 2009

John Thune

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

There is a big hype about this guy who is named John Thune. He is a senator from South Dakota.

Many of you may or may not know about him but his name still keeps popping up. There has got to be something about him. The first thing everyone knows about him is the way he looks. He has the whole tall dark and handsome thing about him. McCain used to joke that if he had Thune's face, he would have won the election.

The next thing that people ought to know about Thune is that he is extremely nice and genuine. Everyone who knows this guy says so. It is hard to be in his presence and to feel any bit of doubt about his true character.

He really is an amazingly kind guy. In his speeches, he is straightforward about things. He does this in an intelligent way of course. He also is very earnest in everything that he says.

Another thing people notice is his remarkable way of talking about the different issues. He is conservative on most of them but will jump around and explain things very well.

Now it seems the real reason why he keeps coming up is the idea that he may soon run for president. He is an extremely friendly man who does very well with the public. Everyone wants to know if this guy is going to be their next president. We will all have to wait and see.

Obama comes to Japan mulling Afghan war options (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama aims Friday to shore up relations with a new Japanese government vowing to be more assertive with its U.S. ally, even as he grapples with sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

I hate those days where just everything just goes wrong

I got no sleep and I wake up the next morning to sisters kids smashing on my keyboard and yelling and screaming for hours and hours and playing with all there toys right next to my door. Not only that my brother other came over with his baby and the baby just kept crying all day and it was a hot day and I was sweating.

I had a major headache and my computer just was not working all day. Days like that are the worst. Good thing they don’t happen all the time or I would be in big trouble. I hope these days don’t happen for anyone else either. Having bad days just makes me want to go to bed for the day and not get out until the next day.

Seeing organs on TV

Organs are so weird and whenever i see a TV show or a movie with organs it just gives me that weird feeling in my stomach and makes me want to throw up. Like when I see a heart or something it is just so weird seeing that is what is in us or when you are watching a show or a movie where the body gets a disease and you see what it does it you. Makes me think “What if that happened to me.”

Also seeing how food is digested and how everything just flows through the body. One of the worst things is when you see someone break a bone and it pops out of their skin and you see it and see all the blood and everything. It looks so painful. Maybe some of the worst pain ever next to pregnancy that is.

I wish that I was a mail carrier

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

That would be the coolest job. I would get to see so many different people. I am sure that would make friends with some of the people that I deliver mail to.

I would get to see the kind of people that I deliver mail to. I would know because I would see what kind of magazines end up at their homes. I would find it funny when some people would get letters all the time.

Sometimes teenage girls would sit out and wait for the mail to see if they got anything. Sometimes kids would wait for the mail as to try and keep their parents from discovering what their grades were.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Cleveland Murders, Obama's Presidency Stir Listeners

Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program’s “digital media guy,” comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience reacts to the gruesome discovery in the home of a man in Cleveland. Also, a recent commentary by Martin exploring whether President Obama is sexist when it comes to his penchant for sports prompted listeners to weigh in with their two-cents.

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Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Thanksgiving backgrounds

It's hard to believe how time flies. I can't believe Halloween has already passed. Before we know it, we will be decorating the Christmas tree and filling the living room with presents.

So it's time to put away the jack-o-lanterns and witches and time to pull out the cornucopias filled with fruits and vegetables and turkeys. Gourds and squash. Fall leaves and oranges candles can be pulled out. Pilgrims and Indians.

While your decorating with your Thanksgiving decorations, don't forget to put a Thanksgiving background on your computer screen. Every time you turn on your computer, fall scenes or Thanksgiving backgrounds will remind you that before you turn around, Thanksgiving will be here.

We will be gathering our families around the table and sharing turkey, potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn, salads, pumpkin and apple pies and cider.

Marine base debate clouds US-Japan relations (AP)

AP - The deepening debate over the future of a major U.S. Marine base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa has opened a broad rift in Washington’s most important alliance in Asia ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to the region this week.

This swine flu thing is scary

The news has been predicting that it is going to grow like weeds this winter. Schools are preparing for what they will do when it hits their school. Businesses are taking precautions. A vaccine is being invented.

But as if that's not enough, now we have scammers out there trying to make money on it all. The news says to watch for scams. Don't buy vaccines online. Don't buy masks that you can't verify are strong, good masks. Don't look for special vitamins. It's all so out of hand. How do we know who we can trust?

Monday, November 9, 2009

China October auto sales up 72 percent on stimulus (AP)

Powered by tax cuts and stimulus spending, China’s October auto sales soared 72 percent from a year earlier, outpacing U.S. sales for another month, according to data reported Monday.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Pelosi wins the day (Politico)

Politico - Nancy Pelosi clapped her hands as she left the House floor late Saturday night.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Sometimes it seems like I have watched a million sunsets

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/axel-d/

No matter how many of them that I watch, I will never stop appreciating the beauty that occurs when the sun is going up or down. I really enjoy all the colors mixing together.

As an artist that is something that I notice that not all people enjoy all of the time. I always think the view is so beautiful.

I wish that there was a way that I could just freeze the sunset and let it is like that all of the time.

If it was always that way then I probably wouldn't find it as beautiful every time that I look at it.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

10 Failed Doomsday Predictions

Many have foreseen the end of the world. Luckily, they’re predictions have been a bit off.

Next steps for gay marriage

Maine’s vote to reject gay marriage was decisive, but supporters see a silver lining.

Three Easy Steps to Determine Your Financial Priorities

When you are trying to make a financial plan, or reach a certain financial goal, it is important to have an idea of your financial priorities. After all, without priorities, it is impossible to decide what you should do with your money — not to mention figure out what actions you need to take to reach your financial goals. Determining your financial priorities can take a little bit of time, and it requires some introspection. The good news is that once you figure out what your priorities are, it is a little easier get your finances on track.

First, Decide What’s Important to You

Your financial priorities will be heavily influenced by what’s important to you. This means that you need to honestly look at yourself and your financial situation, and decide what you want. Your spending habits will give you a good place to start. You can get an idea of what is important to you by reviewing your spending over the last few months. This will give you a general idea of what your actions say is important. If you are disappointed by what you see, then you can make changes so that your spending comes in line with what you want to accomplish. Even if you are satisfied by what you see, you can use your past to supply you with ideas for your priorities.

Next, you need to look to the future. What do you want to accomplish? What would you like to do with your money? Be specific. You need to create measurable goals that can be accomplished. Narrow your wide vision down. If one of your priorities is to “save more money”, then say “save six months of expenses in an emergency fund” or “save enough to generate $4,000 a month after I retire”. This way, you can make an actual plan to reach your goals, and express your priorities in a more tangible way.

Do your spending habits line up with what you want to do in the future? If not, perhaps it is time to rethink what you are doing. Setting financial priorities can help you make the changes necessary to get to where you want to be.

Second, Focus On What’s Important

After you have determined what’s important to you, and set some specific goals, it’s time to focus on what’s most important. You have immediate needs and obligations that have to be taken care of. These items obviously have high priority. But once you get those items out of the way, you need to decide what else is important, and rank your priorities according to the big picture. You may want to save for your child’s college and pay for retirement, but which is most important to you? If paying for retirement is more important (and it should be), then you need to make sure that you are putting more more money into your 401k than you are putting into a 529.

Third, Stay On Track

Once you have ordered your priorities, and chosen to focus on the most important aspects of your financial life, it becomes vital to stay on track. Consult your priorities list often, and look at your goals. Before you spend money — especially on something big — reflect on whether or not it is helping you meet any of your priorities. If it is not, perhaps you should consider doing something else with the money. Your financial decisions should help you reach your goals and reflect your priorities.

Sometimes you may change your priorities as life circumstances change, and as you change. Reviewing your situation and your priorities periodically can help you remain in touch with yourself, and help keep you focused so that your money is being used in a way that satisfies you.

David’s Note: This is a contribution from Miranda Marquit, who will be dropping by from time to time to give us another perspective on our pursuit to financial freedom. Please help me welcome her and let her know what you think by commenting below.

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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The mountains are so lovely

Photo: wikitravel.org

They are always there, in the distance, reminding you of how small you are. It's cool to look at them and see all their ridges and wonder what it would be like to go exploring in all of them. I've always liked hiking and camping and doing outdoorsy things like that, and so do my brothers and sisters.

We like to take trips up to the mountains and get away from civilization. We leave behind cell phones, mp3 players, and any other electronic devices. Okay, so we bring one cell phone just for emergencies. We would not want to get stuck up on some random mountain where no one knows where we are.

It's a good feeling to know that if anyone wanted to get a hold of us they couldn't. Being in the mountains with just family and nature is one of the best feelings in the world.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Stop Your Snoring!

Although I staunchly deny it, I am told that I’m a very loud snorer. I believe ‘chainsaw’ was the word they used to describe it. The noise doesn’t bother me, but out of courtesy I decided to research snoring and look up some possible cures.

Top Searched Snoring Cures on AOL Search:
1. Anti-snoring pillow
2. Snoring mouthpiece
3. Snore stopper
4. Snoring surgery
5. Snoring chin strap
6. Snorecli! pse
7. Snoring nasal strips
8. Stop snoring ring
9. Snoring throat spray
10. Nozovent

Snoring is a common and natural problem, but it sure is a nuisance. The irritatingly hoarse noise comes from the tissues in your throat vibrating as air flows past. The problem seems like it should be simple to control, but nose, mouth, jaw and throat deformities can make the noise worse by narrowing your airway and increasing the vibration. Snoring can also be an indicator of more serious health problems, such as sleep disorders and sleep apnea.

Simple lifestyle changes can help ease the harsh sounds of snoring. Start by trying to sleep on your side. By sleeping in this position, your tongue will stay clear of your airway and allow air to flow freely. If you can’t get used to sleeping on your side, try sewing a tennis ball in to the back of your pajamas. It will be too uncomfortable to lie on your back, so you are forced to roll to your side.

Allergies are a common culprit. When your sinuses get clogged, you are forced to breath through your mouth, which increases the likeliness of snoring. Seek allergy relief by asking your doctor for medicine and clearing your bedroom of all allergens, such as pets, dust mites and mold.

Being overweight is also a cause of snoring. Extra weight will narrow your airway and the extra tissue in your throat is more likely to vibrate as you breathe. Try and lose weight through diet and exercise to help ease your snoring symptoms.

When these lifestyle changes don’t help quiet the snoring, it is time to turn to one of the many products, drugs, surgeries or medications on the market. I was surprised to see that there are so many different snoring solutions. Take a look at our top searched list to see which remedies are most popular among AOL Search users.

A jaw or mouth abnormality may be to blame for your continued snoring. Visit your dentist and see if they can fit you with a snoring mouthpiece, number 2 on our list. The dental appliance could free up the obstruction that is causing your snoring. Likewise, nasal strips, number 7, can help dilate the nasal passage and ease snoring in patients with nasal abnormalities.

Surgery, number 4 on the list, isn’t necessary for most snorers, but it can help. A procedure called uvulopalatopharyngoplasty tightens and trims excess tissue from your throat to stop snoring, much like a face lift. Other types of surgeries use lasers, like an uvulopalatoplasty, or radiofrequency, like a somnoplasty, to remove excess tissue and shrink the soft palate.

Other products on our list include sleeping aids, medications and sprays. These snoring cures help clear up congestion so that it is easier to breath through your nose during sleep. This corrects the mouth breathing that is often to blame for snoring.

How do you stop snoring? Let us know! Search for more snoring cures here on AOL Search. For more information on snoring and tips on how to get a great night’s sleep, visit the AOL Health Sleep Center.

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Sunday, November 1, 2009

American Meb Keflezighi wins NYC Marathon (AP)

AP - Meb Keflezighi became the first U.S. man to win the New York City Marathon since 1982 on Sunday, a victory that capped an outstanding day for American distance running.