STAY COOL THIS WEEK!!!!

The History of ‘Aprons’

REMEMBER making an apron in Home-Ec?

I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.

Author Unknown

For a great blog about the history of aprons, click below!

A few other places you might enjoy:

http://theopenpantry.blogspot.com/

http://www.theapronshoppe.com/index,fun-apron-stuff,history-of-aprons.php

 

http://anapronstory.com/

http://www.carolynskitchenonline.com

http://apronmemories.blogspot.com/

Frilly, lacy, sweet, and sexy--aprons defined a generation of happy housewives and hostesses. Today these filmy, finely home-crafted garments are sentimental favorites, evoking memories of Mom, Grandmom, or some other Doris Day-like image of domesticity, and they are highly sought-after by designers and collectors of household linens. Over 200 aprons are featured in this beautiful book, accompanied by detail shots that highlight design elements, stitching, and embellishments. Separate sections are devoted to gingham, floral designs, rickrack, handkerchief aprons, plaids and stripes, and polka dots. Aprons with embroidery, crochet, tatting, lace, and cross-stitching are examined in detail, and a collection of vintage apron patterns is included.

Your New Local Wal-Mart Greeter

Jennifer, a manager at Wal-Mart, had the task of hiring someone to fill a job opening. After sorting through a stack of 20 resumes she found four people who were equally qualified. Jennifer decided to call the four in and ask them only one question. Their answer would determine which of them would get the job.

The day came and as the four sat around the conference room table, Jennifer asked, 'What is the fastest thing you know of?'

The first man replied, 'A THOUGHT.' It just pops into your head. There's no warning.
'That's very good!' replied Jennifer.

'And, now you sir?', she asked the second man.

'Hmmm....let me see 'A blink! It comes and goes and you don't know that it ever happened.. A BLINK is the fastest thing I know of.'

'Excellent!' said Jennifer. 'The blink of an eye, that's a very popular cliché for speed.' She then turned to the third man, who was contemplating his reply.

'Well, out at my dad's ranch, you step out of the house and on the wall there's a light switch.. When you flip that switch, way out across the pasture the light on the barn comes on in less than an instant. 'Yip, TURNING ON A LIGHT is the fastest thing I can think of'.

Jennifer was very impressed with the third answer and thought she had found her man. 'It 's hard to beat the speed of light,' she said.

Turning to BUBBA, the fourth and final man, Jennifer posed the same question.

Old Bubba replied, 'After hearing the previous three answers, it's obvious to me that the fastest thing known is DIARRHEA.'

'WHAT!?' said Jennifer, stunned by the response.

'Oh sure', said BUBBA. 'You see, the other day I wasn't feeling so good, and I ran for the bathroom, but before I could THINK, BLINK, or TURN ON THE LIGHT, I had already shit my pants.'

BUBBA is now the new greeter at a Wal-Mart near you!

You probably will think of this every time you enter a Wal-Mart from now on.

I LOVE where I Live

Love living in Peachtree City. Watch my little community in action.

All I Need To Know I Learned From The Easter Bunny

Not sure who the actual author is but this is too cute not to share…  Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Everyone needs a friend who is all ears. There's no such thing as too much candy. All work and no play can make you a basket case. A cute tail attracts a lot of attention. Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day. Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits. Some body parts should be floppy. Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans. Good things come in small, sugar coated packages. The grass is always greener in someone else's basket. To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell. The best things in life are still sweet and gooey. May the joy of the season fill your heart. Happy Easter!

Tired of People Not Seeing Your Posts on Facebook?

PLEASE READ - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE WHO USES FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL REASONS!!

Facebook likes to make changes and not really tell everyone. This is an easy way to get the word out - and currently the only way to assure that everyone can see it.

Have you noticed that you are only seeing updates in your newsfeed from the same people lately? Have you also noticed that when you post things like status messages, photos and links, the same circle of people are commenting and everyone else seems to be ignoring you?

Don't worry, everyone still loves you and nobody has intentionally blocked you. The problem is that a large chunk of your friend/fan list can't see anything you post and here's why:

The "New Facebook" has a newsfeed setting that by default is automatically set to show ONLY posts from people who you've recently interacted with or interacted the most with (which would be limited to the couple of weeks just before people started switching to the new profile). So in other words, for both business and personal pages, unless your friends/fans commented on one of your posts within those few weeks or vice versa - you are now invisible to them and they are invisible to you!!

HERE'S THE FIX: On the homepage click the "Most Recent" title on the right of the Newsfeed, then click on the drop down arrow beside it and select "Edit Options", click on "Show Posts From" and change the setting to "All Of Your Friends and Pages" (you can also access the "Edit Options" link at the very bottom of the facebook homepage on the right) Note: Business pages do not have a newsfeed however page owners should adjust the settings on their personal accounts.

The good news is: now you can now view all of your friends and fans again. The bad news is: YOU ARE STILL INVISIBLE to a large portion of your list. You must get the word out to ALL of your friends and fans by creating an event and inviting them to it so they can read the post and adjust their settings.You can also tweet about it, create a blog post (which is what I just did) or send out an email to your subscribers in hopes of reaching them all.

2011 CMA Black Belt Extravaganza - Slow Motion Performance

For Better, For Worse. In Sickness and In Health

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him.

I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked,'Will she be upset if you're late?' He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

Surprised, I asked, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know who I am, but I still know who she is!'

I had to hold back tears as he left. I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

Loving 'for better or for worse' means being committed to each other in every season and circumstance of life. True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,

But how to dance in the rain.'

We are all getting Older. Tomorrow may be our turn.

~Author Unknown

http://jolenes-cuppajo.blogspot.com

 

File Missing…

Finally...... a computer setting I understand!

http://jolenes-cuppajo.blogspot.com

 

Who Am I

Take the Quiz here!

Today’s Thought from the Universe

Everyday I get a new email from www.tut.com I love receiving these little bits of wisdom on a daily basis and I just had to share the one I received today. They are always personalized but I removed my name in order for it to apply to everyone who takes the time to read it. This one really put a smile on my face and all is right with the world (at least for a moment).

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!!
Graphic by Kirei Graphics

If speaking to a spiritual novice during the darker days of human evolution, one might explain God, metaphorically, as if "He" were angry, testing, and judgmental.

To someone a bit more savvy, during easier times, one might explain God, metaphorically, as if "She" were always loving, nurturing, and forever conspiring on our behalf.

And to someone on the verge of a total breakthrough, during the latter days of human evolution, one might explain God by asking them to turn up the music, take off their shoes, walk in the grass, unleash the dogs, free the canary, catch a breeze, ride a wave, dance every day, get up early, take a nap, stay out late, eat chocolate, feel the love, give stuff away, earn it back, give some more, and laugh.... Really.

Really, really.

Catch a breeze,

The Universe

Sign up for your own at:

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ®
© www.tut.com ®

The Rose

by Jim Rohn
www.jimrohn.com

Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art - the art of living. You can't buy style with money. You can't buy good taste with money. You can only buy more with money. Lifestyle is culture - the appreciation of good music, dance, art, sculpture, literature, plays and the art of living well. It's a taste for the fine, the unique, the beautiful.

Lifestyle also means rewarding excellence wherever you find it by not taking the small things of life for granted. With Valentine's Day approaching I wanted to illustrate this with a personal anecdote.

Many years ago my lady friend and I were on a trip to Carmel, California for some shopping and exploring. On the way we stopped at a service station. As soon as we parked our car in front of the pumps, a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, came bouncing out to the car and with a big smile said, "Can I help you?"

"Yes," I answered. "A full tank of gas, please." I wasn't prepared for what followed. In this day and age of self-service and deteriorating customer treatment, this young man checked every tire, washed every window - even the sunroof - singing and whistling the whole time. We couldn't believe both the quality of service and his upbeat attitude about his work.

When he brought the bill I said to the young man, "Hey, you really have taken good care of us. I appreciate it."

He replied, "I really enjoy working. It's fun for me and I get to meet nice people like you."

This kid was really something!

I said, "We're on our way to Carmel and we want to get some milkshakes. Can you tell us where we can find the nearest Baskin-Robbins?"

"Baskin-Robbins is just a few blocks away," he said as he gave us exact directions. Then he added, "Don't park out front - park around to the side so your car won't get sideswiped."

What a kid!

As we got to the ice cream store we ordered milkshakes, except that instead of two, we ordered three. Then we drove back to the station. Our young friend dashed out to greet us. "Hey, I see you got your milkshakes."

"Yes, and this one is for you!"

His mouth fell open. "For me?"

"Sure. With all the fantastic service you gave us, I couldn't leave you out of the milkshake deal."

"Wow!" was his astonished reply.

As we drove off I could see him in my rear-view mirror just standing there, grinning from ear to ear.

Now, what did this little act of generosity cost me? Only about two dollars - you see, it's not the money, it's the style.

Well, I must have been feeling especially creative that day, so on our arrival in Carmel I drove directly to a flower shop. As we walked inside I said to the florist, "I need a long-stemmed rose for my lady to carry while we go shopping in Carmel."

The florist, a rather unromantic type, replied, "We sell them by the dozen."

"I don't need a dozen," I said, "just one."

"Well," he replied haughtily, "if you only want one it will cost you two dollars."

"Wonderful," I exclaimed. "There's nothing worse than a cheap rose."

Selecting the rose with some deliberation, I handed it to my friend. She was so impressed! And the cost? Two dollars. Just two dollars. A bit later she looked up and said, "Jim, I must be the only woman in Carmel today carrying a rose." And I believe she probably was.

Can you imagine the opportunity to create magic with those around you, and all for the cost of a few dollars, some imagination and care?

Remember, it is not the amount that matters but the thought and care that often has the greatest impact upon those you love.

Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher, reprinted with permission from Jim Rohn International C 2011. As a world-renowned author and success expert, Jim Rohn touched millions of lives during his 46-year career as a motivational speaker and messenger of positive life change. For more information on Jim and his popular personal achievement resources or to subscribe to the weekly Jim Rohn Newsletter, visit www.JimRohn.com

© Copyright Jim Rohn International.
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Will I Live To See 80?

A lady just turned 68, and recently picked a new primary care physician. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said she was doing "fairly well" for her age. A little concerned about that comment, she couldn't resist asking him, "Do you think I'll live to see 80?"

He asked, "Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer or wine?"

"Oh no" she replied; "I'm not doing drugs, either!"

Then he asked, "Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?"

She said, "Not much... my former doctor said that red meat is very unhealthy!"

"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, or do you like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?"

"No, I don't" she said.

He asked, "Do you gamble, or have a lot of sex?"

"No" she said.

He looked at her and said... "Then, why do you even give a shit?"

Cheryl Richardson Reveals the #1 Thing That Keeps Us From Getting Results

If you're like me I'm guessing you've spent a lot of time learning techniques on how to improve your life.

Once again I have another powerful video for you to watch from the fr*ee pre-event video series for the upcoming 2011Tapping World Summit.

This video is with international known expert Cheryl Richardson, a best-selling author of 5 books who is best known as one of the world's foremost personal coaching pioneers.

Cheryl has appeared on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and The Today Show just to name a few.

You can see this fr*ee video by clicking here.

In this video Cheryl talks out the #1 thing that locks fear, anxiety and an inability to take positive action into place...

I think this video hits on a really important topic for most people because as I'm sure you'd agree with me, taking action on information you learn is just as important as learning the information in the first place.

If you feel like you'd like to be implementing more of what you learn to get better results in your life then I suggest watching this video.

It's the 3rd in the fr*ee Tapping World Summit Video series that has been released over the last week.

Over 120,000 people have watched the first two videos with experts Jack Canfield and Bruce Lipton.

There are also nearly 3,000 comments of praise and appreciation for the amazing videos on the blog that is hosting them.

I think that what is going on with this video series and the upcoming 2011 Tapping World Summit is something very special and unique that is worth checking out.

Enjoy the video with Cheryl and if you haven't yet seen the videos with Jack Canfield and Bruce Lipton make sure to watch those also.

Here's the link again:

Jolene West

P.S. -  I want to emphasize that this is one of the
most valuable events you'll ever attend online.  I
highly recommend you check out what's going on
here as this event only happens once per year…

Get all the details and watch the video here.

P.P.S - And if you want to learn more about the 2011 Tapping World Summit itself which starts on February 21st then make sure to click on the "Learn About the Tapping World Summit" button in the navigation bar when you get to the blog. :)

Fascinating Video on the Power of the Mind with Bruce Lipton

Would you like to know why EFT works and why it's so effective?  :)

Well Bruce Lipton, a cellular biologist and best selling author, is about to explain to you why he considers EFT to be like "super learning".

In this fascinating video Bruce will explain to you how your thoughts can make you sick, broke and unhappy, why regular "positive thinking" doesn't work and how you can use EFT to reprogram your mind to get what you want in life.

You can check it out here!

Bruce Lipton is a cellular biologist who has spent years studying how our thoughts effect us in all areas of life.

His scientific studies are so shocking and revealing and have such wide ranging ramifications that the established communities have gone to great lengths to keep them hidden, especially the medical community.

Bruce Lipton has out-right said that the majority of  medical studies done today are inaccurate and misleading and he has the proof to show why. 

If you're ready for some mind blowing information on how your thoughts effect all areas of your life and how you can use EFT to be healthy, wealthy and happy then I highly suggest watching this video:

Check it out by clicking here

Here are a few of the things that he discusses:

-Why positive thinking is not enough to change your life (And what he says does work)

-How the unconscious programming you received in childhood is effecting you today (And what you can do about the programs that aren't serving you)

-The one simple belief that traditional medicine is based on that is 100% false.

This video is guaranteed to be one of the most eye opening videos you'll see all year.

Find out more

Enjoy,

Jolene West

P.S. - This video is part of the fr*ee Tapping World Summit Video series being released over the next few days leading up to this enormous event starting on Feb. 21st (Last year over 100,000 people attended this event online)

If you missed the first video with Jack Canfield on how your past traumas and negative emotions may be keeping you from attracting what you want in life you'll get access to that video as well when you see this one. Both are very powerful…

Don’t be left behind!

Creativity and Spirituality Follow Emotional Freedom

When you clear your emotional body of disturbed, negative feelings using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), what happens next? Reactive negative emotions like anger, resentment and irritation quickly claim your attention when they arise. Then, after you spend sufficient time tapping and clearing them, and they no longer fill your energy field, what occupies the space they once dominated?

I have an amazing video to share with you today but before I do let me just say that I have been amazed with how many amazing people have come out in support of EFT and Merdian Tapping over the last few years.

People like Dr. Joseph Mercola, Bob Proctor, Joe Vitale,Cheryl Richardson, Bruce Lipton, pretty much all of the best and brightest in the personal development world have said they support it.

As Bob Proctor says in the film The Tapping Solution "People are starting to understand themselves as an energy field. And the fact that they can work with it to get the results they want."

And these experts aren't just saying they support EFT, they're saying that they use it on a regular basis and have had results with it.

Which is why I want to share a video with you today with Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and featured expert in the hit film "The Secret" where he talks specifically about EFT:

See more

In the video Jack reveals some really eye opening insights as to why he thinks EFT is so critical to use, especially when working with the Law of Attraction.

He also explains how he has used EFT in his own life and how he recommends you use it to get exactly what you want in life. (Something I consider to be an ongoing work in progress with myself)

This video is one of a series of videos being released leading up to the 2011 Tapping World Summit.

This is a huge online event that happens once a year that is not only the biggest yearly event in the EFT community but also one of the biggest and most popular events that happens in the entire personal development world.

Over 100,000 people attended this event online in 2010 and over 81,000 people attended in 2009. And this year...they're expecting over 200,000 people!

This definitely not a regular event. Its 100% content and the best part is...it's free.

Attending this event is one of the most life changing things a person can do for themselves...so I hope you decide to check it out. 

It starts on the 21st of February so in the meantime, I suggest watching this great video with Jack Canfield. :)

Check it out!

Jolene West

P.S. - I think Jack pretty much sums up how powerful EFT is and what he thinks about it with this great line in the video:

"The only advise I would have for somebody thinking about EFT would be do it. There's nothing to lose. It's so fast. It's such a powerfully quick process." 

For more information...

Programs Offered by Carol Tuttle

All of the programs listed here are by Carol Tuttle. Her book ‘Remembering Wholeness’ is a simple and profound approach to creating the life you want and deserve.

What Readers are saying about Remembering Wholeness:

“My mind is spinning thinking of all the ways this book will be useful to me, my family, and my friends. I need this information in my home and in my life."

"Powerful stuff! I actually felt a power coming off the pages of the book as I read. I can't imagine reading it just once. It is a book I will keep going back to."

"This book helped me clear old patterns and programs that have been in my family for years."

Remembering Wholeness: A Personal Handbook for Thriving in the 21st Century

Becoming a Vibrant Human Being Special Offer Discover how to change your energy to improve your health, relationships, bank account, and much, much more.

As you view "Becoming a Vibrant Human Being: Learning, Living and Creating from Your Chakras," you will be amazed at what you’ll learn and how practical it is to apply.

This 20 Hour Chakra Training Program on DVD presented by Carol Tuttle, Master Energy Therapist and Syl Carson, Master Thai Yoga Therapist, will teach you how to start consciously creating with these energy centers to create the life that you want.

You are ready to clear any blocks and limiting beliefs, aren’t you?

These customer were:

“I just wanted to let you know that your inspired program has transformed my life in less than a month. My husband and I really grasped the concepts and have been putting them to work. We were in very negative patterns and we have completely reversed that and it has positively impacted our entire family.” –Randi

“Hi Carol, I wanted to tell you thank you for such an awesome seminar. After it was over I just sat there wanting more. I could listen and glean from you all day! Now I can with all of my DVD's. You truly are gifted as a speaker and teacher! I have been watching the Chakra series every night with you and Syl and have learned so much.” –Diana

Check it out yourself! You be the judge of the benefits!

This DVD series is on sale for a short time. Go to:
http://www.caroltuttle.com/

Energy Healing 101 and More!

Energy Healing 101 course delivers powerful tools and techniques available to clear, heal, and overcome stress. To find out more visit: www.energyhealing101.com 

Manifesting More Money

One of the best programs on creating the mind set of being free from money worries ever created. Includes a Free video from TryItOnEverything. This free video alone is amazing in and of itself. Get your free video at: www.moneyclearingmiracle.com

Manifesting More Money Boot Camp 1 & 2

Two wonderful programs that give you more insights and clarity to the patterns that keep one stuck in lack and offer tools that are easy to use and implement.

You can purchase each program separately.  Purchasing them together is really the best deal: www.manifestingmoremoney.com

Ten Simple Rules For Happiness…

Sometimes we just need a little reminder!

1. Fill your soul with gratitude and express it constantly.
2. Allow your heart to love and show it openly.
3. Free your mind from worries and live with hope and faith.
4. Enjoy peace, solitude and serenity, pondering messages from within.
5. Be flexible, adapting to change with eager anticipation and resilience.
6. Simplify your life, recognizing the fundamentals of each stage along the way.
7. Take care of your physical body by eating healthily, resting sufficiently, and exercising regularly.
8. Expand your mind and spirit through uplifting literature, music and entertainment.
9. Nurture and value healthy relationships with family and friends.
10. Give more and expect less.

(Author unknown)

Washington Post Mensa Invitational???

I tried looking up whether or not this article was actually published in the Washington Post and found the reference to be erroneous. Since the reason I started this blog in the first place was to capture the circulated emails that I felt worth saving, I thought I'd get back to doing just that. Not sure who the true author is (and I would never claim what is written as my own...unless it is) but if I did know, you can be rest assured that I would happily give credit where credit is due. Below is the email exactly as it was originally received:

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are the winners:

1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxicaton : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido : All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

And the winners are:

1. Coffee, n.. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph, v.. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

The Injustice of Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae is the bully in the school yard who must be stopped. Let's take an honest look at Sallie Mae and see how they have cuckolded politicians into protecting them while pimping out unsuspecting students, both young and old. 

Here is an excerpt from 'StudentLoanJustice.org': While credit card borrowers enjoy the fundamental consumer protections afforded all other borrowers with all other types of debt, federal student loan borrowers enjoy almost none of these protections. Not bankruptcy protections, not statutes of limitations, not truth in lending laws, not state usury laws...non-profit guarantors are even exempt from fair debt collection statutes. In additions, the lending system enjoys collection powers that know no equal. There is appeals process for defaults. About 20 cents of every dollar repaid by borrowers whose loans were defaulted are taken by these guarantors (or the federal government) before anything is applied to principal, interest, etc. Borrowers wages, Income tax returns, and even Social Security and disability income are routinely garnished without a court order, and regardless of any legitimate claims they may have about the propriety of the default. Borrower's ability to work in their field can be taken away through state professional license suspension, and other related state and federal policies regarding defaulted borrowers...In a very real sense, defaulted borrowers are given the choice of either finding a way to repay a vastly inflated debt, or face the rest of their lives as indentured, marginalized, second class citizens.  See http://studentloanjustice.org/press_release8-6-10.html to read the full report.

Allow me to give an example a little closer to home. My son has 2 private student loans that he has been trying to consolidate for over a year now. This would lower the interest rate and he would have an affordable payment that he could payoff in his lifetime. The only bank that will even take on this type of student loan is Wells Fargo, and they keep insisting he have a co-signer. Unfortunately we are not in a position to be the co-signer. Because my son can not make the minimum payment right now, he keeps paying $150 per month to put them on forbearance. And now Sallie Mae won't even allow him to do that. The amount of these two loans put together is over $1300.00 a month, which only covers interest and not one Penney goes to principal. 

I'm almost embarrassed to admit this (because there are people out there who will say we should have known better...yeah, if I knew then what I know now...), but here is how the 1st loan has ballooned out of site. It was taken out in the fall of 2003 for $28,123.00 at 11.250% interest.  As of 11/11/10 that loan has now inflated up to $59,362.71. Three months prior it was at $58,269.57, an increased of over $1100.00. I won't even bring up the case of the 2nd loan, but believe me it's a similar sad story.  

Sallie Mae will not stop the interest from accruing nor do they have to...because their loans are guaranteed by the government. If something were to happen to my son (heaven forbid), this burden of debt will still be paid by taxpayers (so Sallie Mae has no incentive to work with an individual). At least credit card companies will work with you, lowering the interest and  sometimes taking it down to zero, when a consumer is struggling to make payments and avoid bankruptcy, but not Sallie Mae.

Don't think for a minute that we don't berate ourselves on a daily basis for not knowing the pitfalls of what might happen if our son didn't land a great paying position. To be totally honest we didn't even realize the 1st two tuition loans were private loans until my son went to consolidate them. I should state that he is paying the federal loans with an affordable interest rate but these 2 private loans are tearing our family apart. You can say all you want that we should have been more prepared to pay his tuition up front...and by all counts we wish we could have.

If we could have a do-over, we would never have encouraged our youngest son to go to school right out of High-School. Instead we would have encouraged him to get a job where an employer assists with getting a higher education. The fact of the matter is, this is all water under the bridge now. And we know we are not the only set of parents who are seeing their child crucified for their education decisions. This is why I hold fast on my statement that Sallie Mae is the bully in the school yard who must be stopped!

There is no incentive for tuition reform unless something can be done to protect the students who did not see the snowball of debt they were accumulating until it was too late. We are seeing a big push to get people to go back to school no matter what their age. Knowing what I know now, it's a criminal practice no different than the mortgage lending institutes who have suffered from collapse. Where is the bailout for individuals who may never see themselves able to handle a mortgage or live on their own?

If you really want to make your blood pressure skyrocket, check out /http://studentloanjustice.org

The stories from the victims are gut wrenching. Needless to say, my own son is feeling the vice-grip from Sallie Mae. He desperately wanted to serve his country and scored over 96% on the test, but he has come up against a wall due to his financial obligation to Sallie Mae. One can't work for the government when one owes the government. Wouldn't that be the easiest wage to garnish if it came to that?

Ironic, don't ya think?  

Before going back to school you might want to read: The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History—and How We Can Fight Back