Do farts really stink?

Do farts really stink or are we just conditioned to believe that they do?

I was just thinking about this because of a show I watched the other day. We are genetically made to think certain parts of the opposite sex are attractive for procreation purposes. Scents of people are the same way. They went on to say how the view of what is attractive has changed over the years, but in some parts of the world it hasn't. Then it got me thinking of other things that we are conditioned to think... like how years ago girls got married & started a family in their teenage years, etc. Don't ask me how it got me thinking about farts (probably because the cat farted, who knows)... but who decided that farts stink? And that flowers smell good? If you think about it, many animals go based off the smell of that particular area but yet we find it repulsive.

I hate emailing myself

Does anyone know how I can Blogger to stop emailing me when *I* comment on someone's blog - or my own blog for that matter? I want to get everyone else's updates, but I know what I said - I don't need a stinkin' email about it.

Its gonna be random

I feel like blogging, but I really have nothing to blog about so I'm just gonna start typing and see where this goes. Maybe it won't go anywhere and this will be a waste of your time to read, who knows.
So yesterday I made our Christmas cards, then I wrote our yearly "letter" to send with it. I'm sitting there and realized that nothing exciting had happened to us in 2008 except for getting Saki. Which probably is ok, it's better than something huge & horrible happening. Knock on wood, of course, because 2008 isn't finished yet.
My brother, Patrick, is a member on IC Forums... actually he's the brains behind it. There wouldn't be a forum to post on if it wasn't for him. Anyway, the other day he posted about a Motrin ad that was created & run that sent a whole bunch of sling-baby-wearing moms into an uproar. I had to laugh.. I never "wore" my babies and not that I have anything against it or anything but I think Motrin was thinking when they created that ad! Wearing your baby any way, even just with your arms, is pain. Plain and simple. And there is not a mother out there who can tell me differently. Motherhood causes headaches, backaches, stomachaches and everything else in between. It comes with the territory. And if you tell me it doesn't, I've got 2 perfectly behaved, non-emotional teenagers to sell you. I think Motrin should point there ad at me! The baby years are easy... just wait until your precious cooing bundles of joy turn into back-talking, mood swinging, hormonal, hate-you-then-love-you teenagers. You don't know the pain of a migraine until you've gotten past those terrible twos.
But yet, even though my demons hate me after I tell them to take out the garbage or that they need to clean their room... I still just had to get them both a puffle from ToysRUs yesterday because... well, I'm a mom and even though they cause me pain, I forget about it when I think of how happy they will be when I give them their "for no reason present". (A "puffle" is a character on Club Penguin. If your kids haven't discovered Club Penguin yet... let them. It's a great site. Very safe, very monitored.)
I've been sick for almost a week... I wish one of the demons would have given me a "for no reason present" of doing the dishes at least once this past week. Never happened. Oh well. The pain of being a mom. They have clean clothes, clean dishes and blueberry muffins in their tummies, but I am still sick.
Baby wearing moms.... just wait. You ain't felt the pain that Motrin can't relieve.
Wow. I really went off on that, now didn't I? Just strikes a cord with me. Perfect little mommies. They all live in a dreamworld.
Hmmm now I don't have anything else to say. Chico is barking at God knows what. Probably the wind or something stupid. I swear that he must have some sort of anxiety disorder. He's always scared of something and tries to act like a big dog and bark. I tell him that nobody is afraid of a dustmop, but he just keeps going.
Hey.... dustmops. I finally got one of those Swiffer WetJets this weekend. The jury is still out if I like it or not. Seems to leave streaks on my living room floor (it's got a wood floor - or those knock-off wood floors I suppose you could call it). Seems to pick up a lot of stuff though. Either that or my floor was just that dirty. It is that time of year... wet, muddy, dogs drag their muddy paws across my floors.
Anyone ever use those Frebreeze candles? Holy cow, do they throw off their scent! It's got to be the strongest smelling candle to date. Love them. Sometimes its too much, but it makes the whole house smell good - not just the 4 foot circumfrance of the candle.
You still reading?? I have days like this where I just want to type about nothing in particular. Today is one of those days. I really should get my ass in gear and go do my errands and visit my parents but I have no ambition. And my weatherbug says its 19 degrees outside. Brrrrcity, as Kimber would say.
Ok I guess I'm done. Don't know if it was worth reading or not, but it got my blogging out of my system for the time being.

I'm adding the Motrin video. Seems even the cached page of it doesn't work. Tell me what you think? Think Motrin went too far? You already know my opinion....

Video games are ruining our kids...

So CNN reports this morning that violent video games are linked to child aggression.

About 90 percent of U.S. kids ages 8 to 16 play video games, and they spend about 13 hours a week doing so (more if you're a boy). Now a new study suggests virtual violence in these games may make kids more aggressive in real life.

My first thought? Why aren't the 30-somethings walking around with a hatred for ducks? I would think that Duck Hunt could ruin anyone's mood... ok, so maybe we don't have a hatred for ducks, but I know a few people who wanted more than anything to kill that fricken laughing dog!!!
Why can't people just open up their eyes and see what the real problem is? It's us. Plain and simple. Turn on the news... there is more violence in that 1/2 hour of TV than 12 hours of video games. And lets see - the news is REAL, video games are fake. I think even kids can figure that one out.
Let's stop wanting the big bucks cars, houses, boats, diamonds and all that other fancy shit and stop and pay attention to our kids once and awhile. That might just help a tad bit.

Wanna know why kids are aggressive? Because they are pissed off that they were brought into this world by two people that don't spend more than 2 hours of waking time at home.

On the subject of video games, I've recently been explained something that made far too much sense. Are video games all that bad for kids? Is limiting their computer time to an hour a day really smart? Look around - what does our world consist of? Computers. Technology. It's a sad fact - maybe not so sad - but those kids who are sheltered from computers, video games and the like are going to step into the world as an adult and not understand a fricken thing that's going on. And, not to mention, jobs. What kind of good paying job doesn't have something to do with computers? I'm not saying sit your kids in front of the stuff for 18 hours a day, but have you ever noticed how much these kids are learning?

It's not the world we grew up in, people. It's time for us to just adjust to that. We can't raise our kids the way we were raised. It's just a fact.

It's a Sunday

I'm sitting here watching the clock tick down until the girls leave for PopTalk/Confirmation Class so I can jump in the shower and get myself ready for church.

Parents have to go to church as a requirement starting this year. Parents should go to church with their children, it's only common sense, but this year the parents have to answer questions - just like the students - about the church service/sermon. I don't know how I feel about that.

Yeah I do. I don't like it. I don't like being told that I HAVE to go to church every Sunday and I sure don't like having "homework" attached to it. While you are in confirmation classes, sure... makes sense. But why the parents? It takes a lot away from the reason you are going to church in the first place, IMO.

I left the Catholic church because of their rules and I fell in love with the Lutheran church because of the laid back, welcoming feel when you walk in the door. I never felt welcomed at a Catholic church like I do at ours. But now? Now all of a sudden there is this obligation attached to going and I don't like that. I want to go because I want to go... not because someone tells me I have to go so I can answer questions so my children can be confirmed.

I just think it's wrong. It's like having to pass some graduation test so my child can graduate from high school.

Calling for Help

I am here to cry out for help.

I need a name.

The time has come when InsanityWear T-shirts & Gifts has got to branch out... the fishing section has been evicted from the store. It needs to find it's own home now. It will share some space with the few little camping, duct tape, ATV & hunting designs I have, also. But fishing the theme will be.

But I need a name.

Something catchy (no pun intended....LOL).

Something original.

Something fishy.

I got nothing.

You got an idea? Tell me.

Yeah baby! Which Breed Of Dog Is Most Aggressive?

*snaps her fingers* Yeah baby... TAKE THAT!

sorry... I'm over it now, but you can bet I've got a BIG SMILE on my face!

Citing a study published by Applied Animal Behavior Science, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that one in five dachshunds has bitten or tried to bite strangers, and one in 12 has shown aggression toward its owners.

Dude! 1 in 5????

Ranking below the dachshund was an even smaller dog, the Chihuahua. According to the newspaper, research found that the tiny breed often snaps at most beings it encounters -- including its owners, strangers and other dogs.

The Jack Russell terrier was third, followed by the Akita and the Australian cattle dog. The pit bull was sixth , followed by the beagle, the English springer spaniel, the border collie and the German shepherd.

The pit bull just 6th? OMG Why oh why isn't it #1???

The Telegraph reported that researchers said previous studies on canine aggression could have been misleading as most bites from smaller dogs were not reported. According to the researchers, bites from larger dogs were more likely to require medical attention than those from smaller dogs.

Thank you! Seriously, more people need to realize this.

According to the Telegraph, the Rottweiler, which is widely believed to be an aggressive dog, scored average to below average ratings for its hostility toward strangers.

The newspaper reported that some of the lowest scoring breeds for aggression included the Basset hound, golden retriever, Labradors, Siberian huskies and greyhounds.

Saki says; "I could have told you that"

Here's the story link

Now how about we take this Breed Specific Legislation bullshit and shove it up someone's ass. Either that or start banning those damn dachshunds.

I have nothing against dachshunds, btw, so don't anyone come running at me with rawhide bones and beat me. I hate these studies usually, but I like this one because it deals with ALL breeds, not just large breeds.

I tell ya what... I am more worried about Chico the killer Pomeranian biting someone than I am Saki. Saki might break a vein in your leg from the whap of her tail, but she won't bite you.

Blenders... Aisle 3

So we have had this Kitchen Aid blender. Got it quite a few years ago, but it still looks brand new (shows how much I use a blender). When we bought it we went with the "better, more expensive" model because it was supposed to crush ice. It never crushed ice decent. My old cheap blender did a better job (which I can't remember what we had! Grrr).
The other night I was making chocolate peanut butter shakes (did you expect anything different?) and Demon #2 wanted to help. Fine. She wanted to mix it. What excitement that is, I don't know, all you do is push a button. She proceeds to do just as I do - push the button and set her hand on top of the blender just in case the cover flies off and busts a hole in the ceiling and sprays chocolate peanut butter ice cream all over the place... safety first, ya know.
All of a sudden something stinks. Oh shit. She's not only setting her hand on top.... she's pushing down on it. Yep. She ground off all the plastic spikey things that make the blender go round and round.
Not her fault... monkey see, monkey do... only she didn't realize mommy-monkey doesn't hold it down, I just set my hand on there out of habit.

So... we need a new blender. The husband thinks we can maybe just get the part but it looks like it would take a brain surgeon to put it in. I'm just going to hunt for a new blender. I never really liked that one anyway.

What do you have? Do you like it? Any you suggest?

Do I suck at spelling???

So my best bud, Kimberella decided to put me on the spot and try to correct the spelling of my title for this fancy-dancy blog.

BTW Ber a asylum jacket I *think* is spelled Strait like the country singer. Hmmm we could start a debate about that. Wanna?

She asked for it... lets debate it.

How do you spell it?

Asking, pleading, crying out for help!

So if you are a regular reader here, you know I run 2 online stores and thats, like, my job. Sometimes that job actually takes up so much of my time that I forget about this blog! Really, it happens.

Well, now is one of those times and as I'm sitting here asking the dogs for help with ideas and where I should go now I'm realizing that they really are no help to me and I need real ideas and real help! So HELP ME! Please.

Over the next couple months I have to "break up" my InsanityWear.com store into at least one more store. I might do two more, maybe three... thats where I'm stuck. Should I open a "Quotes & Sayings" store and move all my quotes-type designs over to that, should I open a "Fishing & Rec" store and move those types of designs over.... I don't know what the best thing to do is!

Sad thing is, I have to move something to a new store, there is no way around it. Basically, InsanityWear is too big and I have to downsize it, but I'm not deleting anything, just creating a new store(s).

So... please, if you have the time or you are over there shopping & such... could you please help a girl out and give me ideas, opinions... that sort of thing?

I just am not sure the best route to take here. Sometimes I have a hard time looking at my own stores as a "shopper", so if you have any ideas...

ASPCA: Bill to Regulate Individual Dangerous Dogs, Not Breeds

ASPCA:: "Minnesota, Support Bill to Regulate Individual Dangerous Dogs, Not Breeds

HF 2906/SF 2876 is a comprehensive, generic dangerous dog bill that would require individual dogs who have been designated “dangerous” to be sterilized. The bill also would provide necessary appeal procedures to contest the designation of “dangerous” and would prevent reckless owners convicted of violating the dangerous dog provisions from owning dogs again.

In 2006, 97 percent of the fatal dog attacks that occurred in the United States involved unaltered dogs.

This bill is the smart alternative to breed-discriminatory laws, which ban certain breeds of dog wholesale in the hope of reducing dog attacks. There is no evidence that breed bans are effective, while there is significant evidence that well-enforced, breed-neutral laws such as HF 2906/SF 2876 are. Visit the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center for more information on breed-specific laws.

I sure hope this bill goes through... this breed banning bullshit has got to stop. People need to be educated and not just left to believe that a certain dog breed is to blame.

I found this article through the ASPCA website. Very informative article... only an idiot wouldn't make sense of it.

Solutions

Recognizing that the problem of dangerous dogs requires serious attention, the ASPCA seeks effective enforcement of breed-neutral laws that hold dog owners accountable for the actions of their animals. The ASPCA believes that this is the most reliable way to control aggressive dogs and reckless owners.

Ideally, this breed-neutral scheme should include the following:

• Enhanced enforcement of dog license laws, with adequate fees to augment animal control budgets and surcharges on ownership of unaltered dogs to help fund low-cost pet sterilization programs in the communities in which the fees are collected. To ensure a high licensing rate, Calgary, Canada—its animal control program funded entirely by license fees and fines—imposes a $250 penalty for failure to license a dog over three months old.
• Enhanced enforcement of leash/dog-at-large laws, with adequate penalties to ensure that the laws are taken seriously and to augment animal control funding.
• Dangerous dog laws that are breed-neutral and focus on the behavior of the individual dog, with mandated sterilization and microchipping (or another permanent identification) of dogs deemed dangerous, and options for mandating muzzling, confinement, adult supervision, training, owner education and, in aggravating circumstances—such as when the owners cannot adequately control the dog or where the dog causes unjustified injury—euthanasia. In Multnomah County, Oregon, a breed-neutral ordinance imposing graduated penalties on dogs and owners according to the seriousness of the dogs’ behavior has reduced repeat injurious bites from 25 percent to 7 percent.
• Laws that hold dog owners financially accountable for failure to adhere to animal control laws, as well as civilly and criminally liable for unjustified injuries or damage caused by their dogs. Calgary has reduced reported incidents of aggression by 56 percent, and its bite incidents by 21 percent, by requiring owners of dogs who have displayed dog aggression or human aggression to pay fines ranging from $250 to $1500.
• Laws that prohibit chaining or tethering, coupled with enhanced enforcement of animal cruelty and animal fighting laws. Lawrence, Kansas, has significantly reduced dog fighting and cruelty complaints by enacting an ordinance prohibiting tethering a dog for over one hour.
• Laws that mandate the sterilization of shelter animals and make low-cost sterilization services widely available.

I have to add that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the part about prohibiting chaining or tethering! That is an awesome point... keep the animals off chains! Wouldn't you bite someone if you had to be chained up all day with no human contact? A chain and no human contact... that would even turn my Saki mean.

Do you have an opinion OR NOT?

I belong to quite a few message boards/forums. I guess you could call me a forum addict, really. And just like with anything else, I have my pet peeves. I guess this one doesn't really have to be just forum centered, I don't know.

I cannot stand it when you have an opinion about something and you want others opinions on it and they come back with, "well, it's their choice if they want to do that or not", or something with the same meaning.

I know people have choices and I know people have their own lives, but I also have an opinion and if I want to say what I think they are doing is bullshit in my mind, I'm going to say it. I don't care if it's their choice - I think their choice is WRONG.

Lets take attachment parenting - hey, to those of you who do it - more power to you, BUT! I think it is the biggest crock of doo-doo out there. Sure, you have a right to do it, but I also have the right to think and say that you are out of your mind.

I just get so tired of people wasting other people's time with a comment like "it's their choice". Don't waste my reading space - either you think it's right or you think it's wrong. We all know "it's their choice", we aren't idiots, do you have to use up my time reminding me of that? Arrrggg!!!!

I know, it's sort of pathetic that this pisses me off, but it does. Reading post after post of someone either saying that and nothing else or ending every one of their posts with that is so fricken irritating to me.

Reading this, I sound like a moron myself and I really didn't make any sense, did I ? LOL!

Disfigured woman found dead after French court rejects euthanasia - Yahoo! News

Disfigured woman found dead after French court rejects euthanasia - Yahoo! News: "A mother of three, Sebire attracted a strong outpouring of sympathy when she appealed in a television interview last month for the right to 'depart peacefully'.

Before-and-after pictures of the woman, her face severely deformed, have been featured in the press along withd her account of frightened children who ran away at the sight of her.

Sebire learnt in 2002 that she had developed an esthesioneuroblastoma, an uncommon malignant tumour in the nasal cavity, which she said had led to 'atrocious' suffering.

'In 2000, I lost the sense of smell and taste... and I lost my sight in October 2007,' she said in the television interview.

'One would not allow an animal to go through what I have endured,' she said before urging President Nicolas Sarkozy to intervene and grant her request."

I believe that the one thing a person truly has to call their own is their own life. I've heard the arguments that your life effects others and, yes, that is true... but after all is said and done it is still YOUR life. YOU have to live with the consequences of your actions, YOU have to live with your health, YOU have to live with your looks. Simple as that.

Law or no law - laws were made by mankind, they can be changed by mankind. A law is not written in gold.

What are your thoughts on this one? Do you believe in the law... or do you believe in being humane?