November is National Family Caregivers Month - 10/30/10 04:35 PM
       The establishment of "National Family Caregivers Month" marks the goal of bringing awareness to the extraordinary  efforts that family members expend when taking care of a family member who is suffering  impairments.Normally, we think of this "care-giving" as related to our spouses, Parents, or Grand-parents, but to be honest,  it cam and often does involve the very youngest among us as well as children of all ages.  Whomever the family member is, this is a very difficult position to hold.  Cognitive problems often to involve Alzheimer's disease.  If you have or have had a family member who suffers from … (8 comments)

Michigan and Automotive Area Movememt...day 3 - 10/29/10 08:11 PM
Lansing---  local plant will develop the New smaller Cadillac...This announcement by General Motors happened Thursday;  [details were     'leaked' on Wednesday]    It had been covered on the Local News & National cable News on Fox:.. Decided to wait until I could actually read that which was said in the local papers of today [Friday];...Detail were seen on-line, but local State news in print was the items I thought would be best....Another reason for waiting to list here, was the "coincidence of the announcement" taking place in Lansing;   surrounded  by the elected officials [all DEMS] and the DEM governor hopeful.

...Whether it had a political-bent or not … (9 comments)

MORE Michigan Movement...day 2... - 10/28/10 10:48 PM
Signed & Sealed in MICHIGANMacomb County  --day 21. Clinton Township  September was the opening of a different type of 2nd-hand store:     ..."My Home to Yours" is a resale store that is found at 41960  Hayes: Pat Ferreri has seen a need and          proceeded to fill it.  she pursued  Garage sales & Estate sales looking for "gently used" inventory.  Once         she had enough to open a store, she did just that.  Her store is stages as room settings just like other         furniture stores. She handles living, dining, & bedroom furniture complete with lamps, rugs, framed art &         mirrors.  for more information Call ; 586-226-85802.  Harrison … (4 comments)

Michigan Movements..... - 10/27/10 10:19 PM
Stay On The PathMacomb County offers....1.Eastpoint's Youth Director Doug Trocino is going "To Hell & Back" for the kids.    ...On October 30th, a bike ride to and back from He..,Michigan will be taken to raise funds for a new destination       to house the teen group that was founded by Mr Trocino & his wife.  Their mission statement is listed as:       "Bringing teens together to make a positive impact."  The fund raising, this time, to because the school gym will       by closing next year.  To make a donation or pledge.  see:  www.eastsidetenoutreach.org  click on donate.      Help Doug make it to Hell and, of course … (9 comments)

Do You Remember ALF?....Found Ours Yesterday....Oct. 30 update - 10/27/10 06:49 PM
Just a little piece of Nostalgic Humor.Just a note:IF you are interested: Amazon.com had all four seasons available for sale.  they can be found under the TV&  Movie  sections.  While you are there you can probably find many of the 80s shows you loved to watch. I ordered the 4 seasons and one has already shipped [ did not buy from A's price, but went to the 'new' prices. ]Even if you don't want to purchase, you can find entries on Google for: Alf the TV show--where you can see segments, or clips from segments.  There is a hilarious link to "outtakes" often these … (12 comments)

October 26, 2010...Warm, Windy, & Weather Warnings... - 10/26/10 01:17 PM
  This is a "picnic-edited" photo that has been rotated,cropped,  and colorized. This gives you a sort'a-view of the ''comma-shaped" winds found within the storms moving across the country.The winds - storm- hail- rain-tornado are moving W>E & S>N.Not an auspicious weather forecast for the next 36-40 hours.Not a storm to be dismissed;Not a time to be in an airplane--in fact some mid-west states have cancelled all incoming-outgoing flights;My heart goes out to the folks in it's path--  near to Indianapolis IN. in a small town--a home was pictured as damaged on both sides ; it looked as if the house was … (10 comments)

Winterizing...Clean up.....Organizing - 10/25/10 09:19 PM
Today--October 25, 2010 was a bell-weather type of day.   High 60's to 70's *; low winds; bright sunshine [until 6:45 p.m.;  Perfect day to do the grunge work involved with getting ready for Winter-Cleaning-Outside.Before I go any further, let me proclaim that this was all Sal's idea; Idea to do so today-as opposed to--???--another time & date. A fact that periodically I did happen to remind him about.  Mumbled words and scowles will not be recorded here.To be honest, this was the best day to do this, as the weather predicted for Tuesday & Wednesday is to be not so good.  High wind advisories and … (11 comments)

Friday Fall Tour....Five tree Views.... - 10/22/10 07:33 PM
Jet me introduce you to our Trees on display;  we enjoy 4 Red Maple Trees on our property;  They are about 20 years Young;    They are still quite small in comparison to others in the area of the same age;This tree  number 1 is the smallest as we almost lost it in our first year here--13 years ago;  it is flanked by 2 Pine trees that were much smaller in size  then.  You cannot see the true color, but the neighbor trees are in full spectrum just for you.   Tree number 2 is the size of the remaining 2 on our property;  You can see two … (18 comments)

Halloween is in the Air...Fun way to serve your treats... - 10/21/10 03:23 PM
  This IS a bag of treats--just ignore the graves, ghosts, lightning, blood & teeth in the Photo [LOL or SCREAM] This is NOT a "pat-on-our-backs" type of posting;It is a fun approach to Branding your treats or Treating Your Brand.Two years ago, we discovered through an e-mail, the company of Badge Barn; www.badgebarn.comAfter searching all the offerings, we found the section of gift bags;This section, as are all of the offerings, was Real Estate based.These bags are heavy-gauge plastic, that hold up well [if kids full of sugar can't tear them--they're GOOD]We choose the 12" X 15" size.Put a stash of … (12 comments)

Michigan...in the News....Business expansions....Entrepreneurs...Film Series of Detroit 1-8-7 - 10/20/10 01:12 PM
---Today in Clinton Township at two different venues, the series  Detroit 1-8-7 will be filming four scenes for    up-coming shows.  These four scenes will have filming times until 10:00 p.m.---Look for it-    On North Rose Street near the Mt Clemens area & in Emerald Pointe Subdivision in Clinton Township     -Coming soon to your TV on channel 7, Tuesday at 10:00 p.m.---Automation Alley---Michigan's largest technology business association...through a collaboration culture.     see: www.automationalley.com   announces a partnership with two Michigan institutions of higher learning,    Walsh College and Wayne state University to bring University of Miami's  "Blackstone LaunchPad" program to MI.      This 'LaunchPad' program encourages  entrepreneurs in the creation of … (14 comments)

Helping--One at a Time..One Person..One family... - 10/19/10 02:49 PM
A way to help keep this wonderful smile on his face.:The Macomb Charitable Foundation's President & founder, Shelly Penzien had done just that.the foundation with a recent award from "Pepsi Refresh Project" of $5,000. has allowed them to aid with the local Homeless / displaced families in our area.The Spirit of the Foundation began 32 years ago when,in it's first year a child walked into the school  where Penzien worked. This child was a product of a broken-home life-style; he appeared sock less, disheveled, lonely & hopeless-looking.From there sprang the Foundation that over the years has built the non-profit that networks with … (5 comments)

Finally...Head-butting disallowed inNFL... - 10/19/10 01:19 PM
Just released:  NFL states that  ' any flagrant hit, or Helmet to Helmet contact, will result in immediate suspension.About time; Who else needs to be injured through this act;What took them so long:
This does NOT make the players 'wusses'; it makes them safer.OK, I admit it, the entire game has too many actions that call to mind the :"gladiator vs gladiator" "Christians vs lions""school-yard bully gone amok"This does not lesson the excitement of the game;This does lessen the 'sound' of helmets clunking together;This does admit that heads are under those helmets.Even today there was talk about one player perhaps being paralysed … (8 comments)

SCAM/ PHISHING ALERT....EFTPS Tax Payment..... - 10/19/10 11:20 AM
          
On October 14, two emails were received:Printed them; did not reply in any way, had serious reservations about accuracy;Wanted to contact Accountant first , did so this a.m.;He read the alert he received from the IRS to receipt of email from EFTPS or IRS;The fact that this is a scam RUINS my visual-picture of 'what could happen to us', as I did not reply.I had stated to Sal [who threw the first email away] that:"OK, when the three Black 4-door Sedans, with ALL windows blackened  pull up in front of our Home: When the two occupants from each exit the Sedans, dressed in Black overcoats, Black … (4 comments)

Families USA...additional resources and interesting links found on the Net... - 10/17/10 10:13 PM
     All week, there has been a quote that has been playing on the screen of my mind...over & over.At first, it struck me as a visual picture of what NOT to do;After awhile it became somewhat more serious;Today, it poses a question for us here:  Is this what we are seeing done with all these Bills, Laws, proposals so quickly done ?  The quote, from a British Politician and Prime Minister in the 1800s. Though he is not a favorite historical person of mine. This Quote resonates.   " The most dangerous strategy...     ...is to jump a chasm...      ...in two leaps"     Benjamin DisraeliThe organization … (4 comments)

Families USA...and other Sources or Resources concerning Health Care... - 10/15/10 04:34 PM
Today's Macomb Daily has an article on the national health care reform recently passed by Congress.See: www.macombdaily.com / article by Chad Selweski / "Health care reform means $3.3 billion in tax breaks" / Friday, October 15, 2010 / Pg 1A & 8 Athe subtitle to this article is : "Families USA says many in Michigan will see lower premiums in 2014"The article appears to cover  a report released on Thursday October 14, 2010 that spoke to Michigan's low-and-middle income workers. the report speaks also to the "Exchanges" to be set up by 2014.Read the article to see for yourself how the topic is covered.In … (4 comments)

The rescue in Chile....called "The Rebirth of 33 Men" - 10/13/10 12:03 PM
One Chilean spokesperson described it thus:  "A Rebirth of 33 Men"Turned Fox on at 11:00 p.m. last night.  The first family was around the Tube and Wheel that was to bring their Husband & Father to the top of this mountain. The mountain that hosts a number of mines.The mountain that coughed and the humans within were held for all these days.During the early time of the rescue, there were a number of rescue-workers surrounding the area of "Birth".The focus was on the capsule itself and that great White Wheel.The wheel that is / was the lifeline for each man.Kept the TV … (17 comments)

Getting our Ducks in a Row...Ducts, that is - 10/13/10 11:23 AM
COME take this trip with us:Are you still with us?  Now the fun starts:  Cleaning takes about 3 hours from start to finish:  Notice how they protect with large tarps.This is a fun experience as you can hear the "bad things" being "sucked / removed"  right out of your ducts.Ah, clean air returns.We have done this every 5 years--this time was moved up 2 years due to the remodel.  To meet these great service men:...Michigan Information   Chris Nevens    ASCS, C-DET  Chris@safetyking.com Do YOUR ducks --DUCTS need to be lined up all in a CLEAN row-so-to-speak ?Here is  the answer we have found over … (5 comments)

Calling Mike Morrison....come share with the Rainers - 10/12/10 08:27 PM
It is 8:15 p.m.-- Tuesday-- October 12, 2010-- and I am asking Mike Morrison to "Come On Down"Earlier today, I received an e-mail from Mike in which he offered me the opportunity to visit his "Slideshare" site.This site is where he has loaded a slide presentation on the subject of MERS.I went to his AR site, but once there discovered that so far [as of 3:40 p.m. today, he had not posted any blogs.Later [ at 8:15 p.m.] I went on-line to his "Slideshare" site.A worthwhile trip;  He explains, through the set-up of 14 slides, the MERS mess [his words] ;The presentation did … (2 comments)

Monday pics that say it without words.... - 10/11/10 07:03 PM
     Flying on Faith...fearful of flight...Flying to Florida                                                   On a Wing and a Prayer,  God helped on this flight.  

… (20 comments)

A Peaceful Sunday.....with Dean Martin..in the background - 10/10/10 04:51 PM
Yesterday we must have completed all the small jobs that come up when you assumed that you were finished.Found some molding and a bottom section of baseboard that was damaged [minor] during the remodel;...the double front doors had to be open in the foyer;...the sunshine had to be at just the right angle [no interior windows in Great room];...the light from the basement stairs had to be turned on;...you had to be coming up those stairs with all the above conditions being set.Today, was & still is a beautiful day. It is summer-like 78*. clear skies, soft clouds, no mowing / trimming sounds.don't know where … (5 comments)

What's happening in Michigan...Part 4...Energy..Green Jobs - 10/09/10 10:02 PM
   ...Solar..                                                     ...battery...small engines....                    ....Wind Turbines....Today, Saturday October 9 2010, the Macomb Daily series ends with an article by a Macomb Daily Staff Writer,Chad Selweski, "Green Jobs are growing."   In his article, Chad highlights those new & / or retooled companies who, having received RA Stimulus funding have embarked on new ventures in the advanced battery manufacturing.He also  points out that numerous federal grants to Michigan have bolstered  green technologies:...photovoltaic systems for solar panels;...bio fuels;...fuel cells;..."smart grid" transmission lines;...high-efficiency appliances;...basic home weatherization.Mr Selweski researched a number of such companies here in Michigan; he is to be congratulated for the depth of … (4 comments)

What's new in Michigan...Part 3....Stimulus funds and Homes - 10/09/10 04:11 PM
Friday's Macomb Daily did address this topic in an article by:Charles Cruman. "Stimulus has helped some get into homes"Charles has a good story about a woman from the West side in Oakland Co. She first was told in March '09 that the fund had no more money, then in August '09, she was processed.Through the Oakland Co. program this woman was sucessful in her endeavor to become a home owner.  Oakland had 1,000 + applications, 900 were disqualified and  80% of those were due to their credit scores.  At the interview Gordon Lambert of the county Community and Home Improvment Division is quoted as … (4 comments)

He gave EVERYTHING his ALL...RIP Alex Knapp..October 2, 2010 - 10/07/10 09:18 PM
  Not our Alex....but could be...if he had entered the race.A lesson to all of us who don't try New Things. EVER...Macomb County's own:    Alex KnappEarlier,  I spoke of the U.S. Army Specialist -230th Military Police Company, who while on patrol March 2008 in Iraq,his vehicle struck an IED where Alex and three other soldiers suffered major injuries.    Alex had both legs amputated above the knee. He went through intensive surgeries, one of skin grafts from his back to cover the wounds on his legs.  All through this, he insisted on being strong and doing as much as he could on his own.This year, … (10 comments)

"Oh, I'll Have Next Year, Next Year's MY Year" - 10/07/10 08:43 PM
   On the field without No. 6Words spoken by Brian Thomas;Never heard of Brian Thomas? well.......this was to be "his" year at Sterling Heights High School Sterling Heights MI;..."his" year to the QB as a senior;..."his" year to take his team to the finals;..."his" year to be seen by those College coaches.Then, came that day in January, 2010. On the 26th, he underwent a 6 hour surgery for a cancerous tumor at the tip of his spinal cord. Brian spent the last months of his Junior year with radiation in April and chemo pills [taken every 4-6 weeks]Through out all of this,Brian was sure … (8 comments)

What's New in Michigan...Macomb Daily series..Pt 2 plus deeper investigation... - 10/07/10 03:35 PM
                 Thursday, Oct 7, 2010...the article that covers stimulus funds and schools by Staff reports, generally cover other states than Michigan. The title of this section is: "Stimulus helps schools, but only delays problems."Funds for education from ARRA of 2009, allowed for $100 billion of the total program; according to the series, most school districts reported that the funds help retain teachers and some improved and stabilized programs.the key is that all the funds run our in July 1, 2011--the school budgets for local districts are generally held to union contracts.  The state budgets which cover the whole of education state-wide … (0 comments)

What's New in Michigan...a Macomb Daily series on the Stimulus fund Plan..Part 1 - 10/06/10 09:55 PM
On Sunday October 3, 2010 the local Macomb Daily began a series on the stimulus. this series or articles will track the funds as they apply to Michigan.The project instituted by the Macomb Daily is sharing the research by different writers as they take us through the whole week of discovery.  They are tracking two major items:...where the money [stimulus funds] has been applied here in the state;...whether it [money spent] has met President Obama's stated goal of creating jobs and getting the economy moving  after the depression The ARRA [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act] passed in 2009 and placed almost $800 Billion into the … (0 comments)

Sometimes it is the very Youngest among us that Teach Us the Best - 10/02/10 03:08 PM
Here in Michigan today--Saturday October 02, 2010:...it is 49* at 3:01 p.m.;...the sprinkles have become a steady cold rain;...the News is all about shouting at; blaming them; prophesying winners / losers-while shouting and blaming;...the attack ads are in full force;...the proverbial political calls back in full swing;Forget all this for a day;Put away your frustration at the entire process;Save it for another day;Time enough to deal with this tomorrow.         Want to share with you some very informative statements made by those 4-6 years old,before they have been indoctrinated by too much outside influences. Remember the line form South Pacific: "They have to … (8 comments)

 
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Barb & Sal Dragotta Macomb County Michigan

Macomb, MI

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