Tornadoes Remind Us

The recent disaster in Joplin is a strong reminder of how fragile human life is. Our town was hit in 1948. Only a few individuals remain, that remember that day of blackness in March of that year.

Weather experts continue to try and develop faster warning techniques and methods. Regardless of what they develop, when a tornado hits we are all at its mercy. Individuals scramble for safety and there is no guarantee that a safe spot will protect us.

The most important fact to remember about tornadoes is to act quickly. Moving quickly to a safe place might be the only action we can do to increase our chances of survival. As the old saying goes. "Those that hesitate long, hesitate wrong."

Flowers Flowers Everywhere

After the cold icy winter and the flooding waters of the April rain, flowers are beginning to pop up. I passed an outdoor florist this past week and just had to stop and take in the beautiful smells and eye poping colors.

The great thing about flowers is you don't have to buy and plant them, to appreciate them. They are one of Gods great gifts to us. A neat place to go is the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. For a small fee, you can enjoy the sights and odors of Spring.

Flowers are excellent for reminding us of how great our lives really are. So the next opportunity to enjoy some flowers, take the chance. It is well worth it.

The Beginning of the End?

According to Harold Camping, the Rapture is this weekend. It actually begins today at 4 pm. that is sunrise in Israel. As the sun goes around the earth, the rapture will pick up steam.

Many Atheists are planning "Rapture Parties". I don't know if I would go that far to celebrate. In an interview with the NY Times, Camping was asked what he would be doing on May 22? He said that he doesn't know because he will not be here. That is how convinced he is, that doomsday has arrived. He also predicted the rapture in 1994. However, back then, he claims to of had the wrong numbers.

The rapture will begin with an earthquake much larger than the one in Japan. It will circle the globe. It is estimated that only 3 out of 100 people will be swept up. The rest of us must wait until October for the final judgement. It could be a HOT SUMMER. Then again I wonder what the Mayans are thinking. After all, they said Dec 21, 2012 is the end as we know it.

Would You Return $40,000?

Recently a family in Utah found forty thousand dollars in their ceiling. They tracked down the family that use to live there and gave it all back. They got no finders fee or reward. I have several questions for you to consider.

1. How can anyone forget that there is that much money in their ceiling?

2. What was it doing in the ceiling?

3. Where did the money orginate from?

4. Would you return it, if you just purchased the property?

5. Would you expect some type of reward?

Now don't get me wrong. I know what the right thing to do is. However, this event does give one to pause and consider these four questions.

Shopping at Outlet Stores

Many individuals think there are great savings at outlet stores and malls. Here are a few helpful tips to search for those special deals.

1. Go to the back of the store first. Look for the clearance rack. The items there might be out of season or a year behind in style. there are deals there, if you can find what you are looking for.

2. Outlet items have dots on the label. This means this item was made just for outlets.

3. Don't go by the bright colored tag for a mark down. Green, pink, red etc. Always compare the actual cost to the sales cost.

4. Check for coupons for both the store and the manufacturer. Some individuals just get them from a paper. Check on line aand print up the coupons.

5. read and understand the coupon completely. There are time and product restrictions.

6. Look for defects. Ask the store clerk if there can be more of a savings on damaged goods.

7. Buy out of season. Many stores do not want to store out of style and season items.

8. Ask the clerk when will your next sale be on certain items.

9. Finally, get on the mailing list. Stores and manufacturers often send out coupons.

Happy shopping.

Trivia

I love to play trivia with my friends. We travel to local communities and participate. I have discovered several things about playing this fun game. Feel free to add in the comment section.

1. I eat too much. Some of my teammates have joined Weight Watchers. I can't begin to imagine how participating at this game is so tempting for them.

2. I hate it when people use cellphones after they have been told to turn them off.

3. The good door prizes are gone before my number gets called.

4. People won't shut up, when it is time to start.

5. Tables are too close. People can steal our answers.

6. My teammates that can't hear. They yell,"What did you say?"

7. Too long between questions.

8. One bowl restrooms.

9. People that ask," Are you donating your winnings back?"

10. People that argue about the correct answer.

GOP Candidates Begin Lining Up

Newt has made his announcement to run for President. Many other GOP candidates will soon follow and begin announcing their desire to run. Soon to follow could be Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, Gary Johnson, Fred Karger, Tom Miller, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Vern Wuensche and Mike Huckabee. Some have already declared and some or still deciding.

All of these will be taking their shot at up-seating President Obama. As the summer draws near, you can expect more political rhetoric from all candidates. GOP candidates will have a fine line to walk. They have to appease their own party members along with Tea Party members. This could stir up an interesting summer.

I wonder if the GOP candidates will just focus on Obama or will they actually establish a platform to help America. In the last election, their focus was on job creation. However, once they became elected officials, their focus has been on attacking the deficit (Not a bad idea) and attacking the Obama Health reform. Stay tuned.