29,957,928,790

That's how many grains of rice have been donated to the United Nations World Food Programme over at Freerice since it's beginning in October of 2007... click on the logo and go add some, m'kay? Today should be wordless, but... We are looking for alternate fuels to end our dependance on fossil fuels... So what do we focus on? Food. People are starving all over the world... families in our countries have a hard time sending their kids off to school with a full stomach and instead of feeding them, we feed our cars. *sigh* My ten year old book-monster wonders if this is wise... I honestly don't know what to answer. Looks like I have some research to do. I love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

is it over?

I'm concerned... the many various "official" harbingers of spring and the end of winter are in disagreement. Schubenacadie Sam, Punxsutawney Phil, Wiarton Willy, Gary the Groundhog, Brandon Bob and Balzac Billy might want to converse before giving their verdict. Maybe we should figure out the average instead of looking for consensus... If only those rodents could get it together and let me know WHEN I can start planting my rice paddy!!!! I'm going to tweak the local rink's zamboni and to harvest the rice. It's not that I'm afraid of a little hard manual labour (*snickers and winks*)... but what if there are spiders and frogs in the field? 16,978,230,250 grains of rice have been donated as of February 1st... astounding isn't it? If you want to see where the rice that was donated with your hard earned vocab points ended up visit Free Rice, play and check out the video at the bottom right of the game. It's enough to warm my heart and hopefully melt the dumping of snow we got yesterday. Of course, watching Jonny Lang also turns up the heat! Ladies and Gentlemen, Jonny performing "Groundhog Day with Double Trouble... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I needed a giggle...

... after yesterday and from the comments, I think some of y'all did too! These did the trick... for me. How to stop a fight: this NEVER fails... big ole brains... I know! Travis.. kitties, you and peas. Finally, how much does this make me smile... you know what to do Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Thanks.. you shouldn’t have… really!

I believe I've mentionned Shark-dog and Dum-dum before... Well, yesterday, after I took The Chicklet to her Dad’s after she and I spent a few hours with my Daddy, I came home to a guilty dog… of course the guilty looking one (Dum-dum) wasn't the perpetrator of the haineous crime. You see, Shark dog got to the box that was on the kitchen counter, the one with the chocolates Santa left in my stocking… So what has my boxing day been like? I’ve been picking up “presents” left by Shark dog… she even managed to wrap them… of course the shiny foil wrapping is on the INSIDE of the present! YUCK! Well, I hope your Christmas was all you hoped for... Don't forget to donate some rice, Santa's already started his naughty or nice list for next year... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Happy birthday Mom

Today is my mother's birthday. It's the first one we celebrate without her. My mother was a giving person, she worked for Franciscan monks and managed their affairs for about 30 years. During that time she worked with them in their charitable endeavours. I remember spending time in the kitchen at the monastery with Mom and brother Rene who was tireless in his efforts to feed the poor in our town. Around the holidays, they would gather donations from local supermarkets and citizens and we would make Christmas packages for as many families as we could. There was a lot... but we always could have used more. I learned a great deal from Mom and brother Rene... hopefully I'll pass it on to my Chicklet. This year, as I did last year and for the past few years, the small Christmas gift my company gave all employees will be used to buy a complete Christmas dinner for a family in need and a few other supplies. As much as I need the extra cash, my pantry is full... and so is my heart. So, in memory of my mother and brother Rene I ask that you give. All it'll cost is a few minutes on Freerice. If you can afford to, think about your local food banks, drop off a new toy or a book for a needy child, spread Christmas spirit... smile at the people you meet. Je t'aime Maman... Merci pour tout. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

it goes on and on and on...

Some people participate in the Friday Feast... some have nothing to eat. 8,294,816,130 Did you know that the likelyhood of donating to a good cause is increased by the presence of oxytocin, the feel happy drug our body produces? This hormone is linked with empathy and facilitating positive social interaction with our children and spouses... Empathy is associated with health, longer lives and improved social interactions babies! SO... Go for the good drugs, and shun the spoiled over-priced so-called athletes who cheat and enrich themselves with lies... That number makes me happy... and so does what was waiting for me in my inbox! Thanks Roger! Click on the ornament and get yourselves some of the good drugs... at no cost. You'll feed your brain and get a natural high... no wonder it's addictive! I feel the love people... you rock! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Wordless Wednesday... if you needed a reason

7,786,631,170 Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Two for Tuesday sillies.. return of the video monster!

I hadn't planned on this until I paid my bro Travis a visit this morning. This one's for you Trav... hehehe This is for Dana... Memories of youth... *sigh* Man I loved these tunes... so.. if y'all have been paying attention, in every post I mention a certain game and deftly craft it into my post... How am I to do it this time? Well, it's a word game.. so I thought, what are other word games? Word association! (also a potent psychological tool - and no, I don't need treatment) Cow Patty... patty... paddy... rice paddy... FREERICE! Phew... that was a stretch. Immagonna go lie down now... maybe on The Couch. The tuneage alone is therapy... But today, there's an important post so be serious and go read it please (bring tissues cause Vince used up all of his). Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I'll make it back soon...

I hope I hope you're all still playing! It's really a great game if you're snowed in... Total Donations by Date OCTOBER 2007 ......................................... 537,163,380 NOVEMBER 2007 ...................................4,768,969,790 December 1, 2007 .......................................235,092,740 December 2, 2007 .......................................231,789,260 December 3, 2007 .......................................252,053,160 ____________ Total All Dates ..........................................6,025,068,330 Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

what comes around...

First off... 3,804,662,490 grains of rice!!! When I first started talking about this inspired and inspiring effort to make the world a better place, we were sneaking up on 2 billion grains... that was on November 14th. We're now standing on the verge of 4 BILLION! I can't tell you how truly pleased I am at the phenomenal numbers we're getting on this. Thank you to every single reader who has donated even the most minute amount... every grain counts. Secondly, I want to say a special thank you to Roger... He gave me one of his balls! He even wrote my name on it... And so, I thought it would be a good time to award a prize. To the most voracious (and delicious) of the Free Rice devotees... Thanks darlin'! Did I mention our special visitor? Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I might be a little rusty..

I haven't played this in a while but felt compelled to for some odd reason... (Please interpret as: she needed a distraction from housework!) (Holy crap! It has been a long time...) Today's word is: RANK And this is what popped into my head before reading the definitions. (You mean besides the smell coming from the back of the basement closet? You know, the one you haven't gone through yet cause you're playing word games?) I'm gonna put you in the basement closet... (HA! No room, good luck!) Hold on... wait a minute. (You were about to tell them what you instantly thought of... focus woman!) I know! I know why I felt compelled to do this! (Oh good grief... here she goes...) Don't tell me to get on with it I've just had an epiphany! A EUREKA moment! The proverbial lightbulb -a lovely blinking Christmas one at that- just came on! A revelation! Hark-the-Herald-angels-can-you-hear-the-trumpets-a-light-shines-down-on-me-from-the-parting-clouds moment... get the picture? SEE!! Moi, on a nature walk, clouds part, angels, ray of light TADAH! (I'm sure they do. Now, get on with it already! Before "Dear Reader" clicks the "NEXT BLOG" button.) (Hey! There's no snow in that picture! That can't be ...) SHUT UP! It's because of Free Rice -see how I worked that in there!? (Matt-man is right.. you're like a crack pusher... of course Jeff was nicer about it.. we like Jeff, he's nice) Hey voice.. who's rambling now? (harumpffffffffff!) I know, you figure this is the confirmation that I'm certifiable, that I'm off my rocker, that I'm losing my mind... (They figured this out now? gee how perspicacious!) Great... just great! The "voices" from The Couch got past security and snuck in the luggage compartment.. I can hear them like squirrels frolicking in the Christmas tree... oh crap in a hat! (Turnbaby says that.. not Mister "watch-me-cook-gravy-in-my-kitchen-in-my-socks". Now get on with it...) Maybe, but the "harumpfffff" gave you away, don't think I didn't notice. You see, playing the Free Rice word game had me seeking out other variants of word games, and Mo's Manic Monday fits! Ok.. I'M ready now... (finally...) but you have to remember to go play and feed the world! (you really are indefatigable, pertinacious, tenacious and persistent aren't you!) I'll make PROSELYTES (converts...) out of you before long. Even the smartass in my head benefits from the Free Rice word game it seems. Where was I? (I'm not keeping track anymore - that "NEXT BLOG" button looks appealing and inviting.) Oh yes, RANK! As I was saying, this is the first thing that popped into my head when I read Mo's selection: Rank(noun): a row, line, or series of things or persons: orchestra players arranged in ranks. (That's it? sheesh!) Enjoy visiting other Manic Monday participants! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

dreams, hopes, happiness... take me there

We've got a very important visitor coming to visit us this week and The Chicklet and I are jazzed... so we're off to do some cleaning and run a few errands. But as every day is important, every moment counts and every grain is as precious as the rarest gem or the sweetest kiss... So, we ask that you remember to play and Feed The World... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I couldn't resist...

As I was looking at a few videos (it was for research purposes)... I found this: As it's still Thanksgiving weekend, I thought it was appropriate (plus it made me giggle and it's all about me). Take a few minutes and donate (yes, I'm still going on about this) a few bowls of rice as you might be enjoying some Turkey chili (gotta do something with all the leftovers) and I'm sure some of my friends are watching football (Tennessee is giving U of K a run for it's money, but it's a tight game right now... and Kentucky is bringing up the rear *snarf*) . Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

It's Friday... still talking bout rice

YUP.. I'm still going to pester you with this because I enjoy it, it's for a good cause and the word luggage is one of the definitions in the game (I like to think they threw that in just for MOI). I get up early (for some reason I can't sleep a solid 8 hours no matter how hard I try or how early I go to bed.. take the dogs out for.. (well, you know), and head off to the computer with my morning cup of Java (vanilla flavoured) to play a few rounds of... The left-overs from the Thanksgiving feasts are safely tucked in the fridge (which was probably raided in the wee hours for a touch of the sleep inducing turkey or a piece of pumpkin pie by Uncle Bob), families and friends are spending time laughing (some people like Matt-man are singing - too funny dude!) and enjoying the long weekend. As many of my American friends head out to shop til they drop on Black Friday (the apparent official start to the gift buying Christmas frenzy), I hope you take the time to donate a few bowls of rice. Feed your mind - Feed The World! Enjoy your Christmas shopping.. Have fun putting up the lights.. (and be safe!) Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

smiling and doing a little dance...

3,256,135,000 How cool are you guys! I'm extremely thankful for all the support people have given this... let's keep it going! Learn a few new words, feed your mind and feed the world! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Creeping up...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! As I type this the numbers for yesterday are not available yet... But we stand at 2,840,667,010!!! Just a few days ago we stood on the brink of 2 BILLION Did y'all happen to notice that LUGGAGE was a part of the definitions? hehehe! For my American friends readying for Thanksgiving, take a few minutes (in 3 minutes I donated 520 grains) and share the bounty with the most unfortunate of our earthly brothers and sisters. Many American mothers and grandmothers are getting the last minute foodstuffs for tomorrow's feast... while some mothers cry every night as they must chose which of their children will eat the next day... as they wonder if their children will all still be alive tomorrow. Travel safe as you make your way home or to be with friends... Have a Happy Peaceful Thanksgiving folks! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Go on... all the cool kids are doing it...

We know stand at ... drum roll please! 2,628,006,040 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! The Chicklet showed her English teacher who promptly sat down and whipped out 5 bowls of rice... hehehe! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

So many thanks...

Dearest readers, SMOOCH! I'm a happy girl! My daughter will take the link to Free Rice with her to school to her English (as a second language) teacher... she can't wait to share this with her. I'm very proud of the folks I've come to call friends in the bloggosphere... 2,457,120,420 grains... Something more to be thankful for! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

People rock!

To the dear wonderful people who have joined in with The Chicklet and I in our efforts to Feed the World... (scroll down and find out what I'm going on about...) My everlasting thanks! The Chicklet donated 600 grains of rice yesterday and is extremely proud of herself! Not bad for a French Chick! Update on the totals: On 15 November 2007, 201,226,610 grains of rice were donated! For a grand total of: 2,098,280,280 Keep it up guys! Thanks to Vince Travis Coco Sueann Turnbaby Robin Dana Miss Maryfly (WOOO!) Have you fed the World today? Charles, I know you'll find five minutes.. and for a writer and all-round nice man, this should be just your cup of tea! Sparkster, DUDE!... so... how many? Come on... You'll LOVE this game! Whenever I feel a tad sad.. all y'all make me Happy! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!