cruise control

A 36-year-old woman had an accident several weeks ago and totaled her car. Aresident of Kilgore, Texas, she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore.It was raining, though not excessive, when her car suddenly began tohydroplane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injuredbut very stunned at the sudden occurrence!When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told hersomething that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She had thought she was being cautious by setting thecruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain.But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on and yourcar begins to hydroplane -- when your tires loose contact with the pavementyour car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like anairplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.

Daytona...

Well, the vacation is over. Never even stuck as much as my little toe in the water actually. Bubba Gumps and Sweetwaters were great. We probable clocked about 3+ miles a day walking on the beach. I told you about the Starbucks right around the corner! I love this place. Yesterday we rode a 4-wheeler on the beach and met some friends. Going home is going to be tough. I wonder why we just can't live down here? I think thought, if we did, where would you vacation? the mountains? naaaaaaa...

There is something about the ocean that revives my spirit and soul and man do I ever need that now...

microsoft antispyware (beta)

If you have a PC (I'm truly sorry) and your are running XP, which you should be - it's the best thing Microsoft has ever produced (that's NOT saying much) you need to go to the Microsoft website RIGHT NOW at www.microsoft.com and download the new Windows AntiSpyware (Beta). It's right there on the home page, or at least the link to it is. It is a new security technology, developed by Microsoft, that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. And, I've got to hand it to Microsoft, this is the SECOND best thing they've ever produced. Of course, who should know Window's vulnerabilities better than the creator, right? Do it today!

weight watchers

Well, only 9 of us showed up on Thursday. I kind of figured that everybody that said they were "interested" wouldn't really show. There is a big difference between being "interested" and being "serious" about being healthy. (that's a lot of "beings") Anyway, that's what this is all about (for me at least). It's not necessarily about loosing weight -- however, that is a positive byproduct. But, it is totally about eating right, feeling good, and being healthy. The journey for me and 8 friends began on February 10. My experience is being update at http://abattleofthebulge.blogspot.com

INCREDIBLE!

I had one of these tonight (bww - before weight watchers). INCREDIBLE! If you haven't had one you MUST, especially, if you love chocolate like I do. 6 oz., 390 calories! (I think that's off the POINTSfinder slide!)

everything wedding...

got wedding ideas? post them at http://everythingwedding.blogspot.com

looking for great artwork?

view artwork at http://penandinkwatercolor.blogspot.com

so, what will it be?

Should I purchase the Hewlett-Packard iPAQ or the Dell Axim?

cookie corner

Death by Chocolate Cookies (these ARE to die for!)
6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, broken into chunks
16 oz. bittersweet chocolate, broken into chunks
4 cups (about 16 oz.) bittersweet chocolate chips
3/8 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 eggs
½ cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place unsweetened and bittersweet chocolate chunks (not the chips!) into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Continue in 20 second intervals until chocolate is melted, removing and stirring the chocolate after each interval.
Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, blending until mixed.
Mix in the melted chocolate until combined.
Stir in the nuts and the bittersweet chocolate chips. Pour the mixture out onto a lined baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes. It should be slightly, but not completely hardened.
Lay a piece of parchment paper on your work surface and reverse the chocolate onto it. Using a knife, divide the mixture into 20 squares.
With your hands, roll each of the squares into a ball and place on one or two parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving room to allow them to spread.
Bake the cookies for 15-25 minutes or until they are crusty on the outside – they will be meltingly soft on the inside.
Remove to racks and allow them to cool at least 20 minutes before eating – that’s the hard part!

Makes 20 LARGE, irresistible cookies

the book - chapter 3

Those of you looking for chapter 3 of "The Heart That Heals", the book now has it's own blog. Go to http://heartthatheals.blogspot.com/