Been a while since you've seen that one, right? You're not alone.
According to the Social Security Department James and Mary were the most popular names the first year of the Baby Boomer generation (1946). Since that time, names have fallen in and out of fashion as moms and dads strived to be trendy...but not too trendy. If you're like me, you probably went to school with a lot of James (he was my arch nemesis, but that's the subject of another post) and I flirted with my share of Marys.
The James and Marys of '46 have given way to today's Jacob and Emma. According to the government, they're the two most popular names in 2008. I'm betting a couple of you Boomers have grandchildren with those names or a version of them.
You can search for your name - and its popularity for the year you were born (I came in at #4 - my parents weren't too trendy) by clicking on this link to the Social Security Office.
Cole Hill wrote this great review of "The Wrestler" after scoring an interview with director Darren Aronofsky. If you're never had the privilege of reading any of Cole's reviews, grab a cup of coffee and savor the rich prose. You're in for a treat.
I bought Charlotte the new Kelly Clarkson CD for her birthday. I knew when I walked out of Best Buy she'd play it so often I'd be hearing it in my sleep. Turns out I was right. But, if you like pop songs there are worse offerings out there. Hey, anybody remember "Incense and Peppermints" from the Strawberry Alarm Clock? See, we really have progressed!
If you're one of the lucky ones whose 401K hasn't been reduced to a 201K, we have a place you should consider this summer: the Redneck Riviera. It's that bread-crust thin slice of
The Alabama coastal portion of the "Riviera" features 53 miles of sugar white beaches, turquoise water, world-class golf courses, great shopping, sumptuous sea food, fabulous fishing, amazing accommodations and family-friendly prices.
Charlotte and I fell in love with this beach gem about five years ago. We liked it so much that we found ourselves talking with a real estate agent about condo and home prices. I peppered the poor guy with questions like the rata-tat-tat of unanswered automatic weapons fire.
When I finally drew a breath he said in a southern drawl thicker than cream gravy, "Whoa...whoa...whoa...Sir, this is the beach. Things move slow." No truer words have ever been spoken.
Try the fried green tomatoes. Trust me.
You'll thank me later.
Let's get this straight right from the beginning. The Netflix Player by Roku is the NEXT BIG THING (NBT). This device slipped in like a freakin' NINJA when we were debating if Blu-ray was the killer app that would hold us hostage in front of our TVs.
Graduates don't have it any easier.
I spent my entire junior high and high school life sandwiched between the same two people thanks to a cruel 26-letter alphabet. Today, 36 years after graduating, I can't tell you what happened to them. My favorite reply when anyone asks about my classmates is that as far as I know they're either dead or in jail. Turns out I'm right about 50% of the time.
"I just wanna say one word to you. Just one word.
Are you listening? Plastics."
We've all had jobs that sucked. Maybe you have one now. All I can tell you is that there's a common bond we all share when it comes to telling, "my-job-sucked-more-than-your-job," stories.
Petite, pinkish Tiny Monsters are sprawling over the sidewalk and crawling toward the front porch. There seems to be no stopping these Hardy Geraniums, and I couldn't be happier.
What started with one little plant last June has spread several feet to form a perky, low-growing front border to my sunny, mixed-perennial flower bed. Talk about easy, automatic color. The Tiny Monsters began showing their dainty, cup-shaped heads in March, and haven't slowed since.
Though it took some time for them to flower, the Geraniums' eye-catching leaves have made them attractive from the start. The jagged, finger-like foliage has stayed evergreen for the most part; however, entire leaves turned deep red in the fall. Even better, the leaves don't appeal to deer and, what's more of a problem for me, rabbits and ducks!
At only six inches tall, the Tiny Monsters are a delightful, butterfly-attracting accent in front of my shrubby Aniscanthus but they're often planted at the feet of roses and can be used as ground cover. They're one of my favorite perennial finds from
Growing Zones: 4-8
Size Matters: 6 inches tall; spreading from 18 inches to 24 inches wide
Sunshine Factor: Full sun to part shade
Flower Power: Blooms March to late summer once established
Brown-Thumb Approved: No worries here. You can forget about it with great results!
The disco music we loved in the '70s may be gone but the platform shoes are back in a big way, and the heels are higher than ever.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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Know someone battling cancer? Baylor Health Care System's Sammons Says... cancer blog is a great place to go for help. Here, you'll find information, resources, physicians, support groups and just about everything you need to help you navigate your way through this illness.
Senior Forums is a great place to get the news and share views on everything from hobbies and healthcare, to food, family & travel.
Matt Drudge gets the goods and his site ain't bad either.
You don't have to live in Dallas to enjoy D Magazine.
