Frugal vacations

Vacations are very important to people. When the economy takes a downturn, vacations are one of the last things people want to give up. We all work so hard and we need time to get away and rejuvenate. The good thing about vacations is that they can be done very economically.

Here are a few ways I saved on our vacation this year:

I used my sky miles to save on airfare

I'm taking 1 bag because now you get charged for a second and its under 50 pounds (I hope)

We didn't get our rental car from the airport ..it saved us 50% (got it from a small town outside SF)

My sister is bringing a crock pot and cooking dinners in our room.

I've been saving a 50 dollar gas card for a long time...we'll use it on the trip.

We're staying in my mother-in-laws timeshare, taking advantage of a pull out bed ...so we have 4 to a room.

We bought our ski lift tickets on-line, in advance and saved 30 dollars per ticket

(My mom) grandma is watching the animals so i dont have to take them to be boarded.

We're getting a ride to and from the airport so no fee for long term parking.

Here are more tips for a frugal vacation.

I'll be back on the air on March 9th barring an avalanche!

Family tragedy

(AP)
Police: Miami piano teacher kills kids, wife, self

Pablo Amador was a "regular dad" who made music with his children and shared his gift teaching kids to play piano, a man known for a friendly wave and lending a hand to jump-start a car. And those who knew him say they can't understand why he apparently shot and killed his two daughters, wife and then himself.

TV satellite trucks surrounded the gray-trimmed, white ranch home Wednesday as authorities carried out the family, whom police identified as Pablo Josue Amador, 53; his 45-year-old wife, Maria; and their youngest daughters, Prescilla and Rosa, 14 and 13.
A teenage son escaped the shootings uninjured, calling 911 at 5:58 a.m. as he fled the home, police said. Those who saw him regularly along the quiet, modest street of homes could only wonder what happened.

In response to the outpouring of sympathy from the community for the Amador family, the University of Miami has established a fund to assist Bea and her brother, Javier. Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund should send a check payable to:

The University of Miami,
PO Box 248073
Coral Gables, FL 33124.

Please include on the checks that funds are for the benefit of the Amador Family.

Recession survival

President Barack Obama has been describing the U.S. economy in dire terms, but his first speech to Congress was a message of hope. He says solutions are within America's grasp as long as people pull together.

This morning we asked you where you would cut back first? Some said cable, technology, eating out, car-pooling and conservation.

Here are a few more ways to be frugal during a recession.

Amazing race casting

WHAT:

Here's an opportunity to take the first step towards competing on one of television's most exciting reality series. CBS4 and Mardis Gras Casino are sponsoring an open casting call for "The Amazing Race," the highly-rated CBS reality series that pits two person teams - friends, couples or relatives -- against one another as they race through exotic locations around the world.

WHERE:

Mardis Gras Casino831 N. Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, FL 33009

WHEN:

Saturday, March 14,2009, 10 AM - 2 PM

HOW:

* CBS4 photographers will be on hand to shoot audition video and submit application packages for each team that applies.* Each candidate/team member must audition and team members must audition together. In addition, each person must fill out a complete application. The Amazing Race applications and eligibility requirements can be found on CBS.com.

* Each team of two should plan to speak for two minutes at the most. There is no minimum time amount for a submission. Contact for the public: Deborah Lile, 305-514-4104 or log on: check out http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race/

Soap up on germs

Today we talked about the germiest places in your life. Don't become too germophobic but here are the top 12 germiest places:

1. The kitchen sink

2. Airplane bathrooms

3. A load of wet laundry

4. Public drinking fountains

5. Shopping cart handles

6. ATM buttons

7. Your handbag

8. Playgrounds

9. Mat and machines at health clubs

10. Your bathtub

11. Your office phone

12. The hotel-room remote control

Click here to find out why and how to reduce the risk!!

Oscar night

I stayed up for about half of the show last night and was pleasantly surprised. It was much more entertaining than in years past. There were winners and losers on the red carpet too.

Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner at the 81st annual Academy Awards last night, scooping up many of the ceremony's top honors, including best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay and best cinematography. Winning eight awards in all, the rags-to-riches love story was the clear front-runner of the star-studded event, held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. Slumdog, which had 10 nominations, also scored best original song, best score, best film editing and best sound mixing.
Leading nominee The Curious Case of Benjamin Button entered the evening with 13 nominations. It picked up a three technical awards, including best makeup, best art direction and best visual effects.
The most heartbreaking moment of the night came when the late Heath Ledger was announced as the best supporting actor winner for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight. Many of the audience members -- some of whom knew Ledger personally -- got emotional when his family walked up to the stage to accept the honor on behalf of Ledger's little girl, Matilda.
And as expected, Kate Winslet took home her first-ever Oscar for her role as a former Nazi camp guard in The Reader. Looks like the sixth time was a charm for the British actress. She beat out record-breaking 15-time nominee Meryl Streep, who has won two Oscars throughout her own career.
Sean Penn won the best actor trophy for his starring role in Milk. He faced some competition from Mickey Rourke, who won last month's Golden Globes for his role in The Wrestler.
Penelope Cruz won the best supporting actress prize for her part in Woody Allen's comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Host Hugh Jackman turned the evening into a musical affair by performing several song and dance numbers.

BEST DRESSED
Marisa Tomei: The best of the best. The one-strapped, white, pleated gown was divine. While we took in many of the beautiful dresses, said wow, and moved on, we wanted to look at Tomei all night. The many intricate pleats looked like they were pieced together just to compliment her frame, which they did to perfection. She's 44-years-old??
Freida Pinto: Pinto's single sheer-sleeved, beaded, blue gown stood out on the red carpet and seemed reminiscent of her Indian heritage. Although we were expecting something a little more dramatic (i.e. bigger and puffier), the unique, form-fitting ensemble could only have flattered the most beautiful of women, which Pinto proved she is.
Miley Cyrus: Minus the belt, Miley's princess-style petaled and beaded gown was striking. It is every girl's fantasy dress. Love it or hate it, there's probably not a female in the world who would pass up the opportunity to try it on and gaze at herself in the mirror.
Jennifer Aniston: The actress wisely saved her best look of the year for her first post-divorce event with Brangelina. A cute braid and subtly waved hair accentuated an unusually soft look for the actress, who has had a habit of making her solid, toned body the stand-out feature of her red carpet looks. Coincidence or not, the flowing hair and strapless, beaded white gown immediately reminded us of her 2004 Emmy appearance, which she made on the arm of ex-husband Brad Pitt.
Natalie Portman: She wasn't the only star dressed in pink (Alicia Keys wisely chose the color as well), but she did it best. The corset-like bodice and simple, flowing skirt were mere accessories to her striking beauty, which needed no dramatic jewelry or hairstyle to shine.
Halle Berry: The surprise presenter looked amazing. She could not have looked any more stunning if she'd tried. It's only a shame we couldn't have admired her for longer on the red carpet.
WORST DRESSED:
Whoopi Goldberg: Leopard print. Blousey, ill-fitting leopard print. No. No. No.
Sarah Jessica Parker: Her "barely mint" gown looked like a cheap wedding dress. And belts don't go with wedding dresses. Not to mention, mousy brown locks do not suit the Sex and the City star -- and the flat top, puffed bottom 'do didn't help salvage the complete look, which failed.
Sophia Loren: The 74-year-old looked like a crazy old grandmother who picked out her ruffled, yellow frock from a costume trunk. She appeared to have applied her heavy makeup -- and bronzer -- with the same disillusioned hand.
Heidi Klum: Red carpet hosts described the model's gown as evoking origami, and we agree that it did indeed look like someone folded material, albeit aimlessly, and molded it around her body. Her harshly-parted hair looked greasy and her subtle makeup ended up making her look tired and washed out. A rare miss for one of fashion's finest.

Are you late again?

Are you always on time or are you always running late? About 20% of us run late. But what can you do about it?

Check out this article I found. It has some helpful tips.

Have a ‘chronically late’ personality?
If you know why you’re always tardy, you can take steps to be on time
By Dr. Gail Saltz
TODAYShow.com contributor

It doesn’t matter what’s your appointment, you’re always late. Always. You’re late for business meetings, your kid’s play, dinner with your new in-laws … everything. As the saying goes, you could even be late for your own funeral.
Sure, your chronic tardiness bothers you, but it probably infuriates others who are constantly wasting their time waiting for you. Ever wonder what this is all about? Do you genuinely want to be on time and make your life happier and less stressful?Before you can change your behavior, you have to understand why you are chronically late. Much like procrastinators, people have different reasons for being tardy.

Here are some of the main personality traits of so-called “late-niks”:

Risk-takers: These people are addicted to the thrill of leaving for their appointed destination only when they absolutely must. They don’t mind taking the risk of being late, because they don’t want to risk being early and waiting for others. This may be because deep-down they fear feeling rejected, if they wind up waiting for others.
Freedom-makers: Those who felt trapped by authority as children often grow up to be “late-niks,” who use lateness to feel free. Their intense wish not to be controlled by others may be at the root of their lateness. Or they may have a rebellious nature that essentially tells others: “You will not tell me how to run my life and when I have to be somewhere.”
Organization-slackers: Another reason someone may be late is poor organizational skills. They have difficulty planning out a realistic schedule and calculating how long each of their tasks will take and how long it will take them to get to their appointments on time. These people generally have poor organizational skills, though they may be very intelligent.
Trouble-avoiders: These people, unconsciously or even consciously, wish to avoid the people they are supposed to meet or the place where they are going. This may be the reason for their lateness. In these situations, lateness may be a form of passive-aggressive behavior. Since they’re angry that they must go to an appointment, they make others wait for them. These late-niks may not even be aware of their anger.

If you want to stop being chronically late, the most important thing to do is to decide you really want to start being on time. Then, you have to figure out which “late-nik” personality you have. Understanding the underlying reasons why you are late, will give you a shot at changing your behavior.

Dr. Gail Saltz's bottom line: Punctuality demonstrates a sense of responsibility. Being on time will impress others and make them feel valued.

To hug or not to hug

Today we talked about hugging. Are you a hugger and do you hug in the workplace? Does your company encourage it? I'm a big hugger but I can usually tell if someone is open to a hug or I'll ask first. But word is...it may take the place of a good ole fashioned handshake.

Time magazine reflects in this week's issue that the hug is in many situations beginning to replace the handshake. Saying that the hug is gaining ground in not only social situations, but in the workplace too -- even on first meetings -- Time cites some possible explanations. Mental health professionals have chalked it up to a range of things, including increasing population density, community spirit among the "millennials" generation, and 9/11 bringing the country together.

There's also some who point to pop culture influence, such as The Sopranos showing tough guys hugging, or the male stars of HBO's Entourage talking about "hugging it out." Time notes that the workplace hug can be a little tricky -- you don't want to cross the line that could make it seem inappropriate. And it's important that both people be on the same page, to avoid a hand slamming into someone else's stomach -- or someplace more delicate -- if a handshaker goes to greet a hugger.

The magazine describes three types of common hugs:

The Full Frontal Hug -- Total front body contact with a firm squeeze. This is used for parents, children and good friends.
The A**-Out Hug -- These are those hugs when nothing touches below the shoulders. Time says this is used for the office and bad dates.
The Hip-Hop Hug -- Shake with the right hand and hug with the left, giving two slaps on the back. Also called the Man Hug and the Hetero Hug

Men need to know

This morning we asked you what was most attractive about your sweetheart...most of you said sense of humor, eyes and a good heart.

But here are 5 things men should know about women.

While there is no playbook for how to snag and keep a good woman, science has accumulated some helpful tips toward a successful romantic life designed to last well beyond Valentine's Day.

Offer money, love and dependability
Gals want looks and smarts. While you men can't control those two characteristics much, take heart: Money and character are also important to women. A study in December of more than 1,000 undergraduate students revealed women's top mate characteristics were mutual attraction and love, dependable character, and emotional stability.
Quality time counts, too.
A survey of more than 5,000 U.S. couples published in the journal Social Forces in 2006 suggested women are happiest in their marriages when men show a high level of emotional engagement: expressing positive emotions; being attentive to their wives' needs; and setting aside time for activities focused specifically on the relationship.

Practice saying 'thank you'
When it comes to a committed relationship, spats about money and household chores top the list of sources for marital rancor. And research has shown women take on the lion's share of laundry and such.
Listen up, guys: One simple way to keep a lady happy even while buried beneath chores is to say "thank you."
Results from a study of both married couples and college students living with roommates revealed that people who felt appreciated by their partners had less resentment over lopsided house labor. Those who felt appreciated also showed higher satisfaction with their relationships compared with other study participants.

Don't be jealous
The Brad Pitts of the world may be good for your relationship. Psychologists have found that after meeting an available, attractive guy, women are more likely to work to strengthen their current relationships. The study, published last year in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, ran lab-based experiments of more than 700 college men and women.
In one experiment, women either met a single guy who flirted with them or an unavailable man who ignored them. Women who met the single guy were about 18 percent more likely to say they'd forgive their significant others for lying about the reason for canceling a date or other irritating behavior.
In a similar situation, men who met a hot, single woman were about 12 percent less likely than other men to forgive partners' annoying behavior.

Leave aggression on the field
Women may dig guys roughing it up in a hockey game or other athletic competition. But when it comes to long-term romance, ladies would rather if their mates left such power punches on the ice (or other field), according to a study published in the December 2008 issue of the journal Personal Relationships.
Jeffrey Snyder, a doctoral candidate and evolutionary anthropologist at UCLA, and his colleagues found that women preferred men who relied on prestige, or certain skills and accomplishments, to get to the top, as opposed to men who used subtle aggressive behaviors to reach a powerful position — say, in a fraternity.
But don't women go for "bad guys?" Not when it comes to long-term relationships. If that aggressive man isn't flexible in his behavior, the result could be a domineering bully for a partner.
"If you have one individual that every time they disagree they get coercive and insist that their perspective is best, that their decision is final, and they're going to get their way, that compromises the ability of individuals in a relationship to coordinate," Snyder told LiveScience. "Basically what I'm talking about is inviting a jerk into your household."

Watch her heart
Chocolates may be one way to a woman's heart on Valentine's Day, but true love is more than a box of chocolates. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and studies have found women, being generally so bighearted, are more likely to than men to discount their own risk of heart disease. Your job, men: Make sure your sweetie gets regular checkups and takes care of herself.
"Women must get serious about heart disease and take control of their heart health, starting at an early age," said Elizabeth Nabel, director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "Younger women need to take steps now, like eating a healthy diet and being physically active, to help prevent heart disease later."

Divot pooped out

The end of a very busy Valentines weekend for us and Divot.

Divot does the Keys

Our new puppy "Divot" had a wonderful time in the Keys.

Valentine makegood

I had a lovely Valentines Day with Howard. We spent it in the Keys, there was roses, cards and bling!

Jeff Martin had a romantic one too. He was with a mystery woman in New York. I WANT DETAILS, JEFF!!!

But if you messed up and forgot you may be in the doghouse. Here is some help to get back in her good graces.

Don't try to redo Valentine's Day

This is crucial to getting forgiveness. Your sweetheart probably would have happily accepted most generic Valentine’s Day gifts on the actual day, but a heart-shaped box of chocolates that you bought at half-price at the drugstore the day after isn’t going to cut it now. It’s lame and will only remind her of your initial screwup. Your mission now is to totally knock her socks off with a well thought-out and unique surprise.

Is there a posh eatery she’s been dying to go to? You're more likely to get a reservation on a Sunday evening anyway, and it will make an otherwise ordinary night special.

Has it been a while since the two of you spent some time alone? Plan a weekend getaway at a cute bed and breakfast or quiet beach resort.Low on cash? It’s all about the personal touches in your plan, not how much cash you drop.

Can’t afford a fancy dinner out? Try making up for a bad Valentine's Day by cooking her an elegant meal at your place.

Not able to swing a mini-vacation at the moment? Think up some activity outside of your routine you’d both enjoy, like taking a day trip to a vineyard or going paint-balling.

Have a backup make-up plan
You have to prepare yourself for rejection when it comes to your make-up plan. She wants the compensation from you but she might be too stubborn to forgive and forget your original offense, so you have to be ready with a plan B. It’s all about being accommodating now.If she refuses any of your initial ideas, try a backup plan that doesn’t require her participation at all.

Have a surprise lunch from her favorite restaurant delivered to her at work with a handwritten note from you. Schedule a massage for her and have the spa deliver the news to confirm it to her.

The element of surprise coupled with thoughtfulness that proves you’re thinking only about her happiness should be enough to melt even the iciest of shoulders.Valentine’s Day may be a little corny, but at its core it celebrates love and gives you the opportunity to show your girlfriend just how much you appreciate her. To make up for a bad Valentine's Day, all you need is a solid recovery plan and she'll be swooning. Just don’t forget it again next year -- then you’re on your own.

Date night

This morning you reminisced about your first date with your sweetheart.

Howard and I saw the movie "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby " but it was the kiss over apple pie that I'll never forget.

It's important to keep that flame burning. Here are some great date night ideas.

Wake up on time-pill

If you're like one of the millions of Americans who dread the sound of your alarm clock in the morning, then you're probably going to enjoy this story. A new pill has been introduced called "The Wake-Up Pill," designed to help you start your day naturally by waking up on time.

I just hook up the IV to the coffeemaker. But Jeff Martin says he bounces out of bed bright and chipper. Annoying isn't he!?

How's your high note?

Mariah Carey fans and your sweethearts can now celebrate Valentine's Day with something special.

You can sing your own version of a Carey ballad and send it to your near and dear in the form of a Valentine's Day e-card. The promotion is in support of the recent release of Mariah Carey: The Ballads.
Go to MyMariahBallad.com to sing your own version of "'Dreamlover," 'Vision Of Love," or "Hero," and add a personal message with the e-card. Versions featuring Carey's original vocals are also available.

Keep the flame burning

Don't wait till the 14th to rekindle your love. Here are a few things you can try with your sweetheart.

Leave Notes (in Unusual Places) Perhaps life has become so busy that you feel like your schedule rarely coincides with that of your partner or kids. How about leaving them a note somewhere unexpected? You’ve probably all heard of kids having little notes from their mom’s in their lunch bags – that’s one place to start, but how about a note by the kettle, in the fridge, on the pillow, on the computer screen...? This can become a bit of a game as you compete to leave a note in the most unusual places!

Hug Someone Physical gestures mean a huge amount, and a hug can be just what a loved one needs to put a big smile on their face. Whether it’s snuggling up on the sofa with your partner or giving your kids a goodnight hug, being held and warmed by another person is a perfect way to feel loved.
Write A Poem A time-honored way to say “I love you” is to write a poem. You don’t have to be Shakespeare – look for sincere, original ways to tell someone that you love them. Try not to fall back on hackneyed phrases about their beautiful blue eyes or their rosy red lips; write about something that’s meaningful to you, perhaps that dimple on their chin, or the way they laugh at your jokes.
Give An Unexpected Gift I’m sure you give your loved ones gifts on their birthday, at Christmas, and on special occasions like Valentine’s day. But how about bringing a gift completely at random? An unexpected present is a moment of pure joy for the recipient and the giver, and it needn’t be anything expensive. A few of their favorite chocolates, a small bunch of flowers, a book which you know they’ll enjoy ... for a few dollars, you have the perfect way to say “I love you”.
Do The Chores (Without Being Asked) For many people, another extremely welcomed gift is someone else doing the chores! If it’s your partner who usually cleans the kitchen, why not do it and surprise him/her? If you normally have to be nagged to vacuum, get it done without being asked. Finding little ways to make someone else’s day smoother lets them know how much they mean to you.
Hold Hands Like hugging, holding hands is something that we often neglect to do when a relationship becomes cozy and familiar. Try taking your partner’s hand when walking down the street, or hold their hands across a table in a restaurant. Being in contact physically helps you feel closer emotionally. This is especially important if you need to talk through a difficult issue or problem. Holding hands can also be a visible demonstration of support if your partner is upset or feeling down.
Make A Special Meal If Friday nights usually mean ordering takeout, why not offer to cook for a change? Make a special meal for your partner (you don’t need an excuse for this – it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s day or an anniversary!) Include their favorite foods, take a few minutes to set the table, to light candles and put music on, and your usual forgettable evening slumped on the sofa can become a night to remember...
Dress Up In the early stages of a relationship, you probably made the effort to look your best. Of course it’s nice to get to the point where you can lounge around in your jammies or your over sized, hole-ridden t-shirt... but occasionally getting dressed up can rekindle that early excitement in the relationship. Why not go out to a “swankier” restaurant than usual (it doesn’t have to be much more expensive), or just get dressed up in your party clothes for a special meal for two at home?
Give a Foot/Shoulder Rub Modern life is stressful and many of us have aches and pains caused by tense muscles. A shoulder rub, back rub or foot rub is a wonderful way to tell your partner “I love you”. It demonstrates that their physical well being and comfort is important to you, and it’s also a great way to reinforce physical and emotional closeness.
Listen to Them It’s easy to talk over people or to tune out most of what they’re saying whilst reading the newspaper or chatting online with friends. Listen actively to your partner – when they want to talk, put down what you’re doing, and focus all your attention on them. Listen for what they don’t say; unvoiced concerns or worries, or hints at what they’d really like. Nod and make eye-contact to show that you’re paying attention.

Click here for more.

Divot and "Pinky"

She's growing up so fast. Jeff Martin and his daughters came by to meet the little princess and they brought her a gift that she dearly loves to chew. We call it "Pinky".....by the way the yellow stuffed duck that quacks all the time is named Jeff Martin. Divot really likes to bite it's butt. LOL

Risking I-95

Today we talked about our daily risks...everything from extreme sports to eating raw cookie dough. But everyone agrees that the biggest daily risk is drving on I-95. Especially since they installed the new entrance ramp signals.

FDOT has activated the new Ramp Signals along Northbound I-95 entrance ramps between NW 62nd St and NW 167th St.

These Ramp Signals are designed to restrict the flow of traffic onto I-95 during peak travel hours and during incidents that cause an impact to traffic. Ramp Signals should be treated as if they were Traffic Lights, and FHP will have additional Troopers on hand for vehicle enforcement.

According to FHP, failure to stop for these red lights can produce fines of up to $180 and 3 points on the license. FDOT has stated that these signals will not cause traffic to back up on the ramp, and will significantly help congestion during rush hour periods.

Co-rumination

When I need to vent or get something off my chest...I go to my husband, mom, sister and sometimes my co-worker...but Jeff has a very short attention span. When it comes to teen girls sharing their problems...there may be a problem.

Most teenage girls love to talk to their friends. And talk. And talk.

Recently female friendship and girl talk, particularly among adolescents, has drawn growing interest from psychologists and researchers examining the question of how much talking is too much talking. Some studies have found that excessive talking about problems can contribute to emotional difficulties, including anxiety and depression.
The term researchers use is “co-rumination” to describe frequently or obsessively discussing the same problem.

Virtual bubble wrap

What makes you happiest at the end of a long hard workday? You said spending time with your dog, a hot bath, a glass of wine and cooking dinner.

For me ...it's virtual bubble wrap. Try it! Careful, it's addictive. Be sure to hit the "manic mode."

A BIG Valentine

Valentines check list:

Sweetheart, mom and dad, brother and sister, ....and boss? What do you get your boss for Valentines day? Here is suggestion and it only weighs 1000 pounds.

This Valentine's Day, adopt a real manatee for someone you care about. Funds from the Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program go toward efforts to help protect endangered manatees and their habitat. Unlike other animal adoption programs, the manatees in our adoption programs are real, living manatees with known histories. You even have the opportunity of seeing your adopted manatee at one of three locations in Florida!

Super commercials

What was your favorite ad during the Super Bowl? The guy who got hit by a bus? There was also an electrocution, a golf club to the head, and a low level executive who gets thrown out of a fourth story window.

I think my favorite was the Clydesdale that fetched a really big stick.

Check out all the ads.

Susan is a teapot!

The Cardinals lost...barely. Final score 27 to 23. So upholding my end of the bet with Jeff Martin, here I am doing the "teapot" dance and singing "Im a little teapot."

I'm a little teapot, short and stout

Here is my handle, here is my spout

When I get all steamed up, hear me shout

Just tip me over and pour me out!

I'm a clever teapot, yes it's true

Here's an example of what I can do

I can change my handle to my spout

Just tip me over and pour me out

C'mon, didn't you really want to see Jeff in a dress though??

More pictures of Divot

How do you get a puppy to sleep in a crate. Divot is NOT a fan. Here are more pictures of Divot over the weekend.

Our new puppy

Howard and I just brought home our new little girl.

She is a Basenji, we named her "Divot" and the first night was quite a tale. I didn't know a puppy could poop that much...and the smell! OMG! We just love her though and we welcome her to her new home.

Football 101

Ladies, you're sitting there on the sofa next to your husband trying to watch a football game...everyone jumps up and screams and you have no idea what just happened. Watching the Super Bowl is an intense way to spend an evening once you figure out what's going on. Here is a site that may help you understand it a little.



Go Cardinals!

Remember if the Cardinals win you'll see Jeff Martin in the dress of my choice!

Be a Cardinals fan

I got this note from a listener this morning and if you don't know who to root for on Super Bowl Sunday, then just read this.

Hi Susan, I am an avid listener of 101.5! Hope you can open this! Please read the email from the beginning. I was overwhelmed just to think a man would be interested in a woman with a problem child. Wait till you read who the man is!!! Thanks Stella

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL
In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.
Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.
He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."
She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.
So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has hisCardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person.

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. Makes it hard not to root for the Cardinals today...doesn't it?

Great dips!

Super Bowl Sunday is quite the event. Whether you watch for the game, the commercials or the half-time show...it's the great American pig-out!

Here are some of your favorite party dips:

Jeff C. - "I like the old classic, dried onion soup mixed in sour cream to make french onion dip"

My family calls it football dip because I usually made it on Sunday for football.

You will need
2 cans of refried beans
1 jar of Picante salsa (mild, medium or hot to preference)
1 medium tub of sour cream
Shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese

Mix two cans of refried beans with one jar of Picante salsa. Layer the mixture into a microwave safe casserole dish as follows: bean mix, sour cream and then cheese. I usually make two layers. Microwave on high for about 3-5 minutes, turn dish and microwave again until cheese has melted. Serve with corn or tortilla chips. Can be refrigerated and reheated at will.

Marnie



Hi Susan

The only one I have is Sausage Dip from the Gator Cookbook which you have tried. It is always a hit!.

Hugs,

Mom


2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 c. mayonnaise
1 tsp. garlic salt
Mix together. Spread in 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Bake 25 minutes until hot at 350 degrees.
I like to serve with scoop chips..Mindy


I'm a vegetarian.. here is a fav of mine
Black Beans con Queso Bean Dip.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 large onion. finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups of milk
2 packages (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
2 15 ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 4.5 ounce can chopped green chiles
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
Tortilla chips, corn chips or crackers
Preparation:
Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat; add onion and sautee 8 minutes. Add garlic and sautee 2 minutes or until onion is tender.
Stir in flour until smooth; cook mixture, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese, stirring constantly over low heat until cheese melts.
Stir in black beans and remaining ingredients, gently stirring until mixture is thoroughly heated. Serve warm with chips or crackers. –Amanda


I LIKE TO TAKE A BOWL FILL IT WITH FRITOS. AND THEN GET A SECOND BOWL AND FILL IT WITH GIN. SOMETIMES I GET FANCY AND USE A LADEL. THIS WAY EVEN IF MY TEAM LOSES, I STILL WIN. I WIN BIG TIME.

D


In the interest of helping, considering I don't really cook and don't do Super Bowl parties.. I can offer this simple word.. hummus. I love it and it doesn't have any dairy. It's basically just mashed chick peas or garbanza beans, but I don't mash 'em. No I get this at the store.

Gayle


Hi Susan,

I do have a favorite, and it's a very big hit. I never have any left when I make this for a party.

WARM & CREAMY BACON DIP
1 (16 oz) container Sour Cream
1 (3 oz) jar of Bacon Bits
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz) package softened cream cheese

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In an ovenproof bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover. Heat 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm, however this is okay at room temperature, and serve with your favorite chips or veggies.

Talk to you soon.

Cheryl


pound shredded Mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can artichoke hearts - (8 1/2 oz), drained, chopped
Minced onions, to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 cup scallions sliced thin
1 bar cream cheese, softened

Directions:
Mix ingredients together. Bake in lightly buttered 3 1/2-quart crockpot on HIGH for about 1 hour. Serve with crackers. – Alex


Susan, I know it sounds icky but this is by far one of the best dips I've ever tasted and so easy to make.....goes best with plain ol potato chips or those new york bagel garlic chips....

Henrietta's Famous Clam Dip (Henrietta is my mom)


1 CAN OF CLAMS, 1 SMALL PACKAGE OF PHILLY CREAM CHEESE, A-1 STEAK SAUCE AND LEMON JUICE. Pour clams and juice over cream cheese, smash together with a fork add a dollop of a-one (really) and a dash of lemon juice to taste. UN-believable...

Cheers, D.


Ok don’t laugh……you know I don’t cook. The Publix Spinach artichoke dip is awesome!! All you have to do is open it !! Tara

Jeff Martins dip:

Fat-Free Refried Bean Dip Ingredients
1 cn (29-oz) fat-free refried
1 ts Garlic powder (or to taste)
1 cn (4-oz) chopped mild
1 1/4 c Grated fat-free Cheddar
1/2 c Minced green onion
Low-fat tortilla chips
1/2 c Thick & chunky salsa
Instructions for Fat-Free Refried Bean DipDate: Tue, 5 Mar 1996 12:12:03 -0500 From: TexGQ24@aol.com Combine refried beans, peppers, onion, salsa, garlic and 1 cup cheese. Spoon into 1 quart baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350xF 30 minutes. Serve with chips and salsa.

Susie,
1 Can of Hormel Chili Beans with Tabasco sauce ½ a bar of Philidelphia Cream Cheese (fat or non-fat) ¼ bar of velveeta cheese-microwave....Bag of Tostitos. Go Cardinals! JEFF you are done. Sucker’s bet - Willie

Family bonds

Do you have a highly-happy family?

What's your secret to bring everyone together? When I was a kid, our family made lots of trips to the lake in Missouri, Friday nights at the driving range and the stock car races. I cherish those memories. If you need some ideas to bring your family closer together. Just click here.

Boss buddy

Are you buddies with your boss? Just how close is your relationship? That's the question we asked you this morning and I was surprised to hear most of you said you have a really good friendship with your boss outside of work.



Quiz: Rate Your Relationship With the Boss


By Dale Kurow, Career Expert

Does dealing with your boss cause knots in your stomach? Is it a skill you've never mastered?
Do your co-workers seem to have an easy time of asking for, and getting, what they want? Do you hesitate to approach your boss for what you want because you're unsure of his/her reaction?Your boss determines much of your happiness at work, if not all of your satisfaction. Wouldn't it be helpful to know how strong your relationship is with your boss? Then you'd be able to pinpoint the areas you need to strengthen.

This quiz will help you rate your relationship with your boss.

Gong Hei Fard Choy

....Means Happy New Year!

It's the Chinese New Year! This morning we took lots of calls about what part of the Chinese culture you enjoy most. You said the food, the martial arts, proverbs, fine silks and so much more.

But I think the highlight of the morning is when we received a call from a man working in Beijing and listening to LITE FM on the Internet. He talked about the lion dance as part of a lot of festivities and how the fireworks are still going off. I'd love to visit Beijing someday.

The Oscars

Brad Pitts movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is up for 13 Academy Awards. It tells the tall tale of an infant who is born as an old man—tiny but suffering all the infirmities of an 80-year-old—who lives his life in reverse, becoming younger with each passing year until he achieves real infancy at the end of his life.

If you could go back to a certain age? What would it be and why?

I think I'd go back before I baked myself in the sun for hours and slather on some sunscreen.

A few ways to stay young:

1. Change your perception of time. Don't be in a hurry.

2. Get restful sleep.

3. Eat fresh, nutritious food.

4. Take at least two multivitamins with minerals every day.

5. Practice a mind body technique such as yoga or tai chi.

6. Exercise regularly.

7. Don't put toxins in your life, including toxic food, toxicemotions, toxic relationships, and avoid toxic environments or toxic relationships.

8. Have a flexible attitude to minor hassles.

9. Look at so-called problems as opportunities.

10. Nurture loving relationships.11. Always have an attitude of curiosity, learning, and wonder and spend time with children.

Curbing PDA's

When it comes to public displays of affection, how much is too much? All I can say is, beaches are for building sandcastles, backseats are for groceries and PDA's are electronic devices!

Convincing a partner to be more or less affectionate in public isn't easy, but it can be done.

Check out the following strategies:

Open up: Talk to your partner about what makes you uncomfortable about PDA. Ask what they can handle (a hug, a kiss on the cheek, an arm around the waist, a hand on the knee, etc.) and don't go beyond those limits.
Compromise: Bring a 'touchy-feely' partner down to your level, or a 'hands-off' one up by coming up with less obvious ways to be affectionate in front of others, such as holding hands under the table, sharing a look, or blowing a kiss across a room.
Get playful at home: Tickle, wrestle, kiss and be spontaneous when you're alone. It just may carry over to the outside world.

Inauguration events

(cbs4.com)

South Floridians who couldn't make the trip to Washington D.C. to witness the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama have plenty of local inauguration events to attend.

Miami Presidential Inauguration Celebration and Live Simulcast

Tuesday, Jan 20, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Adrienne Arsht Center 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Call: (305) 949-6722 or go to: http://www.arshtcenter.org/

Broward Presidential Inauguration Celebration

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 10:00 a.m. African-American Research Library & Cultural Center 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Call: (954) 625-2810 or go to: www.broward.org/library

Deerfield Beach Inauguration Luncheon & Live Broadcast Presented by First Baptist Piney Grove

Tuesday, January 20, 11:00 a.m. Hilton Deerfield Beach 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach Call: (954) 735-1500 or go to: http://www.pineygroveevents.com/

Downtown Miami Inauguration Simulcast

Tuesday, January 20, 10:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts To request seats, send an email to http://cbs4.com/local/info@gusmancenter.org(two seats per request) or go to: http://www.gusmancenter.org/

Inauguration Party For President-elect Obama Hosted by the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade County

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 8:00 p.m. Rusty Pelican 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne Call: (305) 781-9177 or go to: http://www.miami.therustypelican.com./

Hail To The Organizer In ChiefHosted by Human Services Coalition

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 11:00 a.m. Churchill's 5501 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Call: (305) 576-5001 ext. 16 or go to: http://www.hscdade.org/

If you get laid off

The unemployment rate spiked to 7.2% in December and if you are part of that statistic then you may be wondering what to do next.

6 Steps to Take the Moment You Are Unemployed

By Laura Dawn Lewis

(couplescompany.com)

Step 1: Call Your State's Unemployment Office
Don't feel guilty about this. You and your employer have been paying into this fund your entire working life. You've earned the money you are going to receive through your own hard work. This is the very first thing you want to do the second you are terminated. Call your state's unemployment office. Most states begin the benefit period from the day you call, not the day you were let go. You will not get paid for the first week of unemployment in most states (although in some they count the day you call as the 1st week--let go Friday, call, become eligible the following Monday. ) It will take 3-4 weeks to get your first check, longer if you were fired because they must do an investigation. In most cases you will still receive compensation even if you were fired. The exceptions are termination for misconduct (lying, cheating, abusive language etc...) or criminal acts.

Step 2: Plan for the Best but be Prepared for the Worst
Make list of your liquid assets including stocks, bonds, 401K, IRA's, credit lines, savings, and pawnable items like CD's, VHS or DVD movies, electronics, jewelry and other items of value. Depending on your savings situation and monthly expenses, you may need to liquidate these to survive. If it appears you may need to access these assets, move any high risk stocks into to lower risk stocks or cash them out and put them in a savings account for this period. The last thing you need to happen now is watch your saving drop 98% with stock market (as many tech workers have seen). You can always switch the funds back once you are working again.
You will have the option of rolling over your 401K or cashing it out. Most financial advisors will tell you to roll it over. If you have to make a choice between being homeless without food or rolling over your 401K, use it to survive. If it is not essential to your ability to survive, roll it over. Cashing out a portion or all of your retirement is a last resort and should only be used if you do not have any other choice

Step 3: Make an Honest List of your Current Liabilities and Payments.
What can you cut? What cannot be avoided. If you have to miss payments, choose bills that will not directly effect your ability to survive like department store credit cards, health clubs and membership dues. To find a job you need a phone, electricity and roof. Your Internet connection is also critical. Car insurance is very unforgiving and you need a way to get to your interviews.
In a crisis situation, most credit card companies and automotive lenders will allow you to skip a payment or two, if you ask. You generally will still have to pay the interest and any late charges on the account so this may or may not help you. Utilities are less forgiving. In most cases your cable will be shut off at 20-days past due. Phone companies and the electric company can go as far as 45-days past due before you lose service. Car Insurance will cancel within 10-days of being past due. If you are a renter and can't pay your rent, it generally takes 60-days for the manager to legally have you removed from the premises although they will give you a 72-hour eviction notice if you are more than 3 days late.

Step 4: Prepay As Much as Possible
Since you've just lost your job, you've got the most money you'll have until you receive your first new paycheck. Pay as many critical bills as far in advance as possible like Insurance, phone and electricity. You'll be glad you did this when the other bills start rolling in. Stock up on essentials like toilet paper, shampoo, frozen and canned foods and pet food.

Step 5: Moving into Survival Mode
The average person is currently taking 4 months to find a new job. Plan on taking six months. This means you are going to need to adjust your lifestyle and move into survival mode. The first place to save is unneeded luxuries like maid service, gardeners, and even add-on convenience services like caller ID, call waiting, premium cable channels and pagers. The second best way to save money is on your food budget.

Step 6: Health
Most insurance companies will not allow you to do more than one month's worth of prescriptions at a time. Sometimes your doctor can request multiple months if you are to be out of the country for an extended stay. If you depend upon medicine for your health, get as many months as possible before your prescription card expires. That $10 a month prescription could turn into a $120 a month requirement you can't afford right now.

J.P. Taravella High School Band

They are marching to Washington DC for the Presidential Inaugural Parade on January 20th.

We were treated to a performance yesterday at Whole Foods Market in Coral Springs while we raised money to help them get there. In one hour we raised $2,283 to help these talented kids have the experience of a lifetime.

Thank you to everyone who made a donation.

Our new puppy

Howard and I are getting a new puppy.

You may remember my Dalmatian "Geddy" I was privileged to have her in my life for 15 wonderful years but she passed away just over a year ago. I've missed her so much. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about her...she was so much a part of my life.

I can't imagine my world without a dog in it. So Howard and I decided to get a Basenji. Here are the latest pictures and we chose a female and we are naming her "Divot." I'll post more pictures of her after we get to bring her home next month. She is about 6 weeks old in this picture.

Aren't they cute?

You've won...now what.

Do you play the lottery? Have you ever won? If so, after you jump up and down, scream and hug everyone in site, there are a few things you should do.

(MSN Money)

Keep that ticket safe. Sockman says people do funny things with their tickets, such as keeping it in a baggie in the freezer, in a sock under the mattress, in a money-belt around their waist day and night, or most practical of all, in a safe deposit box.

Think about your job. A winning ticket is a grand thing, but it doesn't really count until you've got the cash. For now, consider just taking a little sick time or vacation, without explaining why, if possible. You're going to be very busy becoming a millionaire. You probably will quit eventually. Sockman says most winners do, even though at their original interview about a quarter claim they'll keep working. He explains, "They can't imagine how much money they've won. It's a life-changing event."

Find people you can trust. "The most important financial decision to make initially is who's going to be accountant, financial adviser and lawyer," says Hartigan. "And I don't think they should be the same person." If you don't have all of these people in your Rolodex currently -- and how many of us do? -- "talk to other people who use these kinds of services. Referral is the best way," Hartigan suggests. If none of your friends or family can recommend a particular professional, Hartigan recommends going to a major accounting firm, a major brokerage and a large law firm. "Ask what they'll do for you." Garrison agrees with Hartigan's advice and adds, "References are mandatory."

Decide on a lump sum or payments. This decision depends on what you want to do with your money and advice from your team of advisers. The lump sum will equal less than the total of the payments over however many years. "With the lump sum invested properly, you'll probably have more at the end," says Hartigan. "If you're a person who really can't control your spending, annual might be better." In Florida, the recent trend shows 75% of winners take the lump sum, says Sockman.

Arrange for a special account at the bank. You can't just deposit millions into your plain ol' checking account. And they don't really give you a paper check with a lot of zeroes. They give you the money by a wire transfer to your pre-arranged special account, says Sockman.

Change your phone number. Now that you're richer than your wildest dreams, everyone's going to want to reach out and touch you, and that will be a nightmare. So get a new unlisted telephone number.

What's in your wallet?

How many credit cards are in your wallet? The average person has from 5 to 10. I carry 11. I think it's time to cut back a little. Here is a good way to start.

Curing a Credit Card Hangover

By ELISABETH LEAMY

Do you have a New Year's hangover?

Not the kind you get from sipping champagne on New Year's Eve. I'm talking about a credit card hangover from all that holiday shopping. I got my first credit card hangover in college. I was like many students -- a company issued me a credit card even though I had no job and no way of paying. I quickly racked up about $2,500 in debt. My parents bailed me out. I racked up another $5,000 in debt. This time I dug myself out, dollar by dollar. What an achievement! I can't tell you how good it feels to be free of credit card debt.

Here are some strategies to help you liberate yourself too:

Cut up all your credit cards
Are you feeling the withdrawal symptoms yet? Credit cards give us a sense of possibility that we just don't have with cash. They allowed me to live beyond my means for years. But I paid for it. Just as an alcoholic can't drink a drop without relapsing, a credit card junkie shouldn't have any credit cards. Zero. Zilch.
When safe, use a debit card instead of a credit card
You may argue that in this high-tech age, it's impossible to conduct business without a credit card. True, you can't pay cash when you shop online and hardly anybody uses personal checks anymore. But your argument falls flat in the face of debit cards. A debit card allows you all the convenience of a credit card, with all the limits of your own bank balance. It's an excellent substitute. (Be careful using a debit card online though -- a great subject for another column.)
Keep just one card and freeze it!
If you believe you must have a credit card on hand in case of an emergency, I've got a creative suggestion for you. Cut up all but one credit card. Then take the lone survivor and drop it in a Tupperware container full of water. Pop the container in the freezer and put your credit card spending on ice! That way you'll have to think about it for several hours if you want to use the card. You're unlikely to thaw this consumer culture ice sculpture to make an impulse buy. But if you have a true emergency, it will be there for you.
Impose a spending freeze
My financial planner boyfriend (now husband!) put me on a spending freeze back in my debtor days. I wasn't allowed to spend money on anything non-essential. For me, that meant no new clothes, no home decorating and no dinners out. Not using your cards anymore really is the first step in paying them off. Most people who are in a credit card crunch charge their cards to the limit, pay the minimum each month, then spend right up to the limit again until they get their next bill.
Send payments more than once a month
After you stop spending, you need to start paying. Here's how I did it. I didn't make much money in my credit card debt days. I lived paycheck to paycheck. When my credit card bill came, sometimes I didn't have much money to send in, so I sent what I could. At other times of the month, I occasionally had extra money. In the old days, of course, I would have spent it! Instead, I began sending money to my credit card company even when I didn't have a bill due. I pre-addressed and stamped several envelopes so I had them ready. Anytime I had extra money in my checking account, I popped it in an envelope and kissed it goodbye.
Use your savings account to pay off your credit card debt
Your savings account is another source. Sound sacrilegious? I get into this argument with people all the time. I know lots of smart people who have a savings account and credit card debt. It's ludicrous! I know, I know, you feel it's important to save for emergencies. Trust me, credit card debt is an emergency. But here's my less flippant explanation. If your savings account yields 3 percent interest and your credit card charges 19 percent interest, you can instantly "make" a 16 percent "profit" by using your savings account to pay off your credit card debt. That would be an impressive gain in the stock market! Then, instead of pulling out your credit card to make impulse buys, you could fall back on it in emergencies -- a much sounder use.
Beware of debt consolidation loans
You could also look for a debt consolidation loan, but don't count on it. Reputable banks don't make debt consolidation loans to people with no collateral. Crooked lenders may offer you a consolidation loan, but you'll probably find that the interest rate is actually higher than what you're paying on your credit cards. They'll try to trick you by offering you a lower monthly payment than what you currently pay, but the loan will last so long that you end up paying far more money than you should have.
If you own a house, you may be able to take out a home equity loan to pay off your credit cards. This option sounds great because you can then write off the interest you pay. But beware! Home equity loans come with closing costs, which just add to your debt. And there's a real risk here. Think of it this way: If you miss a payment on a credit card, you just lose your good credit rating. If you miss a mortgage payment, you could lose the roof over your head.