England

We are in Dover, England and awaiting our ships departure. I have come to understand that the Brits are a left handed nation. Everything is to the left. It is very dangerous here due to all cars traveling on the wrong side of the road. Of course they are about 2,000 years older than the US, so who is to say. The ship is called the Splendor and is beautiful. It is a new ship and looks like a traveling Las Vegas show. To my little niece, Mckayla, I was first confronted with the Black Pearl Lounge. I am sure to see your Captain Jack Black soon. Wish everyone well across the pond. Check back for more updates on the traveling adventures of Miss Priss Follies.

Handy Women Hint #6

Ladies you asked for and here it is. This week's Mascot is: My darling husband Fred. Okay part of the mascot is him. I can remember when he did look like this. If you would like your honey featured in the Handy Women's Hints send me a picture.

HOME SAFETY TIPS

1. No place to hide. Trim plants and shrubs away from walk ways and doors.

2. Protect basements windows with metal grates or bars.

3. Secure ground level double hung windows with keyed pin locks.

4. Bulk up all doors.

5. Place light on both sides of the entrance door.

6. Install a wide angle peep hole.

7. Install dead bolt locks on all doors.

8. Make sure that all exterior doors are solid core doors.

9. Install motion detecting lights Place lights high enough so they can't be reach without a ladder.

10. If you have an automatic garage door opener, consider replacing it with one that has a "rolling code."

11. Don't forget garage doors. Pad lock the track when going away for a long time.

12. Secure sliding doors with keyed pin locks that are screwed inside into the frame.

Beware at all times of your surroundings.

Up-Date PedEgg

http://www.walletpop.com/specials/as-seen-on-tv?icid=100214839x1207778703x1200434751

PedEgg, Consumer Up Date. This morning on AOL, there was an article about TV products. The first product is the PedEgg. They rated it a 4 out of 5 stars. I am not sure what the person who said it did not work was doing. They may not have been applying enough pressure. I agree with the Pro person. It works great. Click on the link above to see this review.

One blogger wanted to know if it tickled? Because you are working on the heel and outside of your foot, this was not a problem for me.

The Ultimate Foot

Please allow me to introduce you to the best product I have found in a long time. Drum roll please "The Ped Egg". Yes this little thing does work and does a great job. Please do not get the impression that my feet were a total diaster. For something that has been walked on for 51 years they looked pretty good. I always wanted nice soft feet and the Ped Egg has done that. I know that most TV products are worthless but this one is a must. These little eggs can be purchase at Walgreens, on-line and most discount stores. They are $10.00 so what do you have to lose. Give it a try and let me know what you think. All Diva's should have baby soft feet.

http://www.pedegg.com/

Laughing Gulls

*******IF YOU CAN'T READ THE CAPTION, CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE******

Laughing Gull, smallest and darkest of the three common gulls, its call is a high-pitched, nasal
"ha,ha,ha." Lenght 16" Wing span 40"

The laughing gull is the perfect bird for this blog. These little birds are really funny to watch at the beach. They love to gather in big groups. It does not take much to disturb them. They will take off in a mass but only for a short distance.
They are back within a few moments in their same spot. Katie, our black lab, loves to chase them up and down the beach. They wait for her to get to them and then off they go. The gulls will circle around and back to the beach. Poor Katie does not realize that she will never catch one. The birds love to laugh at her, hence the Laughing Gull.
These little birds are also great fun to add captions to their story. I love the photo of the little bird with it's feathers ruffled up.

Hope you enjoy laughing with the gulls and me today! Have a fun day.

Please bare with me as I learn the finner art of digital photography and Photoshop CS3. For anyone trying to learn this program, Scott Kelby, writes great books on the subjects. His book are step by step, easy to follow, entertaining, instruction on how to do just about anything. Today's lesson was to sharpen photos. Mr. Kelby says that all professional photographers sharpen or unsharpen every photo that is printed. In his Digital Photograph I book he teaches this process. He like for you to apply the unsharpen filter twice. He also mentions that on the second pass that maybe you should adjust this filter a little different. You can see that I did not do this. I am learning and will master this skill. I did not make a mistake. To sharpen you unsharpen and vice versa. Scott Kelby explains it "that is just the way it is done." Anyway his books are great with a little sense of humor. For all Elements users, he also covers those programs in great detail.

A Dog's Summer

While out for a ride on Saturday evening in the gold cart, I came across this sweet dog. He has the good fortune of living in a house that faces the beach. This chocolate lab was having the best time rolling in the grass. I actually drove past him. As I chuckled, I stopped and backed up to take his picture. It was a wonderful day with a nice breeze. I could feel this dog's joy. What has caught your eye lately that made you feel good or laugh to yourself?

Casting Nets

It seems that when a man takes up residence, full time in Shell Point, they also learn the art of using a casting net. It involves a rather large net, with a cord woven around the edge. There are small weights attached to the bottom. The fisherman wraps the net up and hangs it over his shoulder. They do some kind swirling motion and cast the net in the water. As the net soars in the air it lands spread out on the water and sinks to the bottom. Now image if you are a little or big fish what happens. The net settles on top of you on the bottom. The fisherman then pulls the cords that gathers up the net in a purse like fashion trapping the fish. This methods of fishing is normally used for Mullet or bait fishing. During mullet season you can catch a lot of fish who can be very large. The net must weigh a ton. I have only seen men doing this on the sea wall of our village.

While at the beach this week-end, these two men were casting in the water. Click on the photo above to see these guys in action. It is really amazing to watch. How do they do this? I would have the net and cord wrapped around my neck. I would then be trapped on the bottom while the fish swim away.

I am so glad that women's toys are much calmer and safer.

Handy Women Hints #5

Sorry ladies, I know I promised you a surprise but I need to work on my PS CS3 skills some more. I am working on it. I am sure that you are not disappointed with the Mascot. He is nice on the eyes. "J" just ignore the low rise jeans. It is true "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and he sure is beholden to these eyes.

10 Ways to Seal Air Leaks

1. Install an airtight dryer vent.

2. Fill gaps around the electrical boxes in your home. This is easy to do with a spray foam. Remove the light switch or plug in cover and spray foam around the outside of the box. This is especially important for exterior walls. Easy fix girls.

3. Seal leaky windows. If you do not want to seal the entire window, a quick, removable caulk does the job. Seal spaces with caulk and do not flatten with finger. In the spring pull caulk off and clean with mineral spirits.

4. Option 2 for leaky windows. If you do not like the look of caulk, seal them with plastic film. A 13.00 kit seals 5 3X5 windows. With a hair dryer, a pair of scissors this is an easy project.

5. Stop under the door air leaks. If you can feel air or see day light you are paying big time. Fix this problem by adjusting you threshold or install a new door sweep. The hardest part about a new sweep is taking the door off the hinges.

6. Caulk and cover room air conditioners.

7. Fill gaps under sinks. Make sure you look behind the escutcheon cups on your pipes. Even in new houses this can be a problem. Look in your cabinet, behind the escutcheon cup (the movable cap around the pipe that goes into the wall). Fill with a spray product called Great Stuff. Wear gloves when working with this products. Wear gloves, it is very hard to remove from you hands. It also works great to seal Christmas tress in pots. I have been there done that. That is why the next time the Mascot will straighten my tree and seal.

8. Finding air leaks. Finding air leaks can be tricky. Close all windows and door, turn off all fans and A/C, furnace units. With a lite incense, walk around all exterior openings. If you see the smoke moving in or out you have found an air leak. Seal it.

9. Stop air flow up the chimney. Make sure you have a working chimney flu. Check glass doors for air leaks. If you never use your fireplace, a chimney balloon is great. Just be aware that a chimney leak is the biggest problem in your house. Do not forget to have a chimney sweep come once a year to clean and inspect you chimney. Flammable substance can build up in chimneys and become a serious fir hazard.

10. Seal small attic holes with foam and caulk.

With fall and winter right around the corner these tips should help keep you warm and richer this season.

Surprise

Ladies, The Handy Woman Hint will be posted later today. My Honey is waiting to leave for Fl. I am working on a surprise for you guys. This surprise will require many new skills learned from my CS3 class. It may be late so check back tonight or tomorrow. I promise you will not disappointed. One of the Diva's has asked for this and here it comes.

Summer Joys

The joys of summer are just to many to count for me. The weather in Fayetteville the past week has been picture perfect. It keeps teasing us with a coolness to the breeze that feels like fall. I have had the pleasure of so many wonderful times this year. Fred and I started out by going to Key West. We then made our way to Seattle, WA. I will be going to Mississippi next week to gamble with family and friends. Fred and I will then leave for 12 days in Europe. On our return, we will be spending the week-end in New York. Sept. the 12Th thur Sept. the 14Th, courtesy of the bank that Fred does business with. They called and are taking a few customers to NY for the week-end. This is the dates that we were returning from Europe. So we changed our flight and will be stopping in New York for the week-end. We are staying at the Ritz Carlton, going to the last game at Mets stadium, before it will be torn down, dinner and the theatre, all on the bank. To good to be true.

My family has celebrated the 80Th birthday of Lou and the 50Th wedding anniversary of my Aunt and Uncle. Summer has truly been great.

Click on the photo above and view a few photos from the anniversary party. My aunt and uncle still look happy after 50 years, Skylar and Makayla are summer kissed with beauty. You can see the beautiful young women that they are growing into. My cousins are the greatest. We had the party at their home on Lake Jackson. My Dad and Betty, we cherish every moment with her. She was so mad at my Dad. He did not get a single question right in the Oldiewed Game. But they got the bonus question and won a $50.00 gift certificate. They are lucky. Of course Fred and I had a great time. We both wish my magic wand would hurray up and get fixed. We would be skinnier.

Enjoy my summer and let me know what has been the most fun for you this summer. Have fun!

I almost forgot. Do you remember the first time you had a locker in school? Boy do I. The school district that I lived in did not have a middle school. We went to elementary school K-7 and started high school in the 8th grade. I just knew that I had arrived in heaven. Great looking boys every where, time to talk in the hall and a locker. Today the fad is to decorate you locker. At Staples you can purchse shelves, mirrows, pencils holders, magnets to hold paper, dry marker boards and wall paper. Of course, Skylar and I had to go shopping for locker supplies and school supplies. We had the best time decorating her locker. She was so cute. Skylar could not remember if it wast to the right first or the left first. She would go so fast that she would pass her number. So Aunt Chere to the rescue. I wrote on her hand right 28 first, left pass 28 to 8 and then right to 4. This was all done with arrows and numbers. She was a pro by the time we left. Let me know about you fist locker. I know that in 1969 the girls had to have top lockers because our dresses were to short to bend over. Do you remember those days?

Life @ EIGHTY

What Will I Be At Eighty

Eighty for me is 29 years away. When I put it in those terms it does not seem like a long way away. I will be cured of Diabetes. I will not longer have to deal with blood checks and insulin. I will trade it for Depends any day. The Diva's and I will be a happy residence at Camp Rector. By eighty we may change our minds and let our wonderful husbands live with us. We will stay in our PJ's until noon and drink coffee on the screened porch. We will talk about all of our world travels and look forward to our upcoming trips. The day will be ours to do as we please. At 6:00 every evening we will toast with a drink from the fountain of youth. Debra, you have the falls. Our grandchildren will adore us and visit often. We will never be alone. There will be laughter and good cheer always. We may be laughing at our darling husbands or even each other. The Diva's will each have a little "Rat" dog to spoil and adore. Yes Jamie, you will always be haunted by a little dog. I will have a full time cook and house cleaner. We will have a hot personal trainer come in 3 times a week. Talk about hot ladies, that is us. Of course the trainer has to be the Mascot's son. We will all have special magic glasses that transform our husbands into hot studs. You have seen the eye glass commerical "Can we go home now?" Pam, you will help with all our outfits and accessories. Judy, will make sure that we are spiritual connected. And of course how can I forget Jamie and Jason. Of course they will only be 60. We can talk about those young whipper snappers. I will have picked up my magic wand from the shop. All I can say is that life will be great!

Eighty Years Young

Eighty years young, My step-father or Dad will be 80 years old on the 28th of this month. We celebrated his birthday last night with a surprise birthday party of friends and family. And truly a big surprise it was. He was so mad at my Mother. We all feared for his health. Mom had told him early in the week that everyone was coming to my house to eat at 7:00. According to Lou if the appointed time is 7:00 you should be there at 6:45 or on the dot at 7:00. Mom's job was to stall him and have him here at about 7:15. So, she had to finish watching a show on HGTV, find the car keys, call me to see if I needed anything, you get the pictures. He was livid. When they finally got here, Lou was truly surprised. "Happy Birthday". Click on the above photo for a slide show of his birthday party.

The next lie of the week was his birthday present. All of my life Lou has been a dog person. He loves his dogs like his children. In the pass 6 months, he has had two dogs pass away to old age. It has been so hard on him. At first Mom and Lou said no more dogs. Lou would say "I'm to old". I do not need another dog. Mom would tell me that he was so sad. I do think that this birthday has really bother him. So started the search for a little chihuahua puppy. I adopted her from the Southern Hope Rescue group in Roswell, Ga. Lou has named her Bambi and boy is she a cutie. At 4 months old and weighing 2 and half pounds, Bambi has captured every one's heart. Her little tail wages all the time. When I gave her to Lou, Bambi snuggled into his neck, gave him a couple of licks and won the heart of a tired old man. Lou just said, with tears in his eyes "come here sweet heart". She has been his constant companion.
Eighty years, where will I be in 80 years? Will I still live in Fayetteville, Ga, will I be surrounded by seven grandchildren, friends and family? What will my health be? What kind of stories will I have to tell? What will the world be like? What kind of car will I drive? What will life be like in 2038? No one every thinks of being 80 but we will all be there some day. What will you life be like? Let me know as you think about these questions.

Handy Woman's Hint #4

Sorry that I missed everyone last week. I was attending a Handy Man Convention in Las Vegas. Me and the Buds had a great time. Here the Handy Woman's Helpful Hints #4:

15 Energy-Saving Tips

1. Install and use an automatic setback (programmable) thermostat. You can reduce you heating and cooling costs by 5 to 15 percent.

2. Insulate pipes, especially if they pass through an area you don't want heated or cooled.

3. Change furnace filters every month, or more often if needed.

4. Have a furnace tuneup to clean and adjust burners and improve fuel-burning efficiency.

5. Install light controls like motion sensors, photocell switches and timers to shut off lights automatically when they're not needed.

6. Clean the air conditioner condenser coils and fins when you see grass and airborne debris collected on them.

7. Shade your windows with trees, awnings, overhangs, shutters or other devices to keep direct sunlight from entering your home.

8. Replace light bulbs used more than two hours per day with compact fluorescent bulbs. Florescent bulbs last longer and use only one-third as much energy as standard bulbs.

9. Seal the joints of heating and colling ducts that run through attice and basements.

10. Wrap the tank of your gas-burning water heater in a special fiberglass blanket to decrease heat loss. Check your owner's manual to make sure a blanket is recommended for your model.

11. Replace worn-out thresholds and weather stripping around windows and doors.

12. Fix leaky faucets; dripping hot water can cost $35 per year.

13. Buy gas stoves with electronic ignition rather than pilot lights.

14. Reduce hot water usage by replacing high-volume shower heads with low-flow heads (2 to 3 gallons per minute). Save up to $40 per year.

15. Replace recessed light fixtures with airtight models when you remodel.

Hope these helpful hints help save a few dollars and improve our planet.
The Mascot

What can be more fun to watch than a little boy and a water hose. This is my little nephew, Bryce. He is 18 months old and the whole world is his class room. Bryce wants to touch, smell and taste everything. Every thing is new and exciting to him. My poor little dogs are scared to death. He moves to fast and makes loud noises. Bryce has kept us all entertained. He loves to run and jump in the pool. His little life jacket was the best 12.00 I have ever spent. Days like this is really what summer is all about. A warm August day, family and fun. Happy Summer to everyone. To enjoy this summer day with us click on the picture above.

What Summer Is All About

I have been out of the loop for the past week. My sister and her family are here visiting from California. My niece, Makayle, is eleven and half and loves to come to Georgia. We also have a another niece, Skylar who is also eleven and half. They are one month apart in age. Since birth they have been like sisters. Neither one has a sister and so it works for them. They are such a joy to have around. I have watched them grow with love in my heart. Both of them are starting middles school in the fall. This summer we have been to Lake Jackson and tubed behind a boat, made bead bracelets and flip flops with different colored fabric. They have spent the last five days at my house. They are now rock stars after mastering X-Box guitar hero. We went last night to eat all you can eat crab legs. The girls were in heaven. Mckayla ate 6 servings and wanted more. Uncle Freddy was ready to go and promised ice creams. If was hard for Mc to leave, she wanted more. Fred and I went to high school with the man who owns the restaurant. He kept bringing her more servings. I told him next time I would drop Mc off an hour or two before us to eat. Lindsey said bring her and he would feed her. Any way the girls have had a great time and my house is awful quite tonight. I needed a break but already miss them. Click here for some summer fun with two 11 year old. It will to bring a smile to your heart.