MOST SCARECROWS IN ONE LOCATION
The small town of Hoschton, Georgia, population 1,700, is soon going to experience a population boom. In a bid to break a ****ss Book of Records, the town is hoping to create enough scarecrows to set a new world record for "Most Scarecrows In One Location."  The straw stuffed newcomers are dressed in all sorts of clothing... there's a scuba diver, the Georgia Bulldogs football team, the cast of the Wizard of Oz...even likenesses of Jesus and Elvis. The residents hope to nearly triple their population with 4,000 scarecrows.  Currently, the title belongs to the Cincinnati Horticultural Society's Cincinnati Flower and Farm Fest, which set the record in 2003 with 3,311 scarecrows. Antique dealer Robbie Bettis and her husband, Fred, are leading the effort and figure they would give people something fun to do so maybe they will forget about the difficult economy.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/08/27/1793741-ga-towns-scarecrows-haunting-for-world-record

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YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A FAVORITE
According to new research, parents really do have a favorite child as well as a "black sheep."  The research, by Julie Fitness, associate professor of psychology at Macquarie University, shows 69% of her sample could identify the family "favorite" and 80% could identify the sibling who was considered to be the "black sheep". While most parents say they treat their children equally, Dr Fitness said the middle child was almost never considered the favorite. The favorites were usually the oldest or the youngest, the only boy or girl in a family dominated by one sex; or the child who shared a parent's interests and outlook. Fitness said parents might love their children but not necessarily like all of them or relate well to each of the equally.  Even though the parent might try to disguise their feelings, most children are sensitive to parental approval or disapproval and compare themselves to their siblings and how their parents treat them.  In another note, those respondents who had most involvement with extended family were the least likely to say there had been a favorite or black sheep. "If you don't get on well with your mom or dad there might be an aunt down the road to take the pressure off the hothouse of the nuclear family," she said.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/families/mums-and-dads-play-family-favourites/2008/08/27/1219516565439.html

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CAR SEAT WARMERS MAY KILL SPERM
Heated car seats may keep you warm on cold mornings, but they could also lower a man's sperm count, especially if you are routinely caught in slow traffic.  A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Giessen, in Germany, found the electric-generated heat emitted by some driver's seats raises body temperature to a point that interferes with the production of healthy sperm. The ideal temperature for sperm production is around 95-97 degrees fahrenheit, just below the average body temperature of 98.6. If temperatures are much higher due to wearing tightly-fitting trousers or underwear, have long, hot baths or spend too long sitting down, sperm counts can fall dramatically.  The research showed that men who sat on the seat warmers for 90 minutes had their temperatures raised to over 103 degrees.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1050016/In-hot-seat-Heated-car-seats-long-traffic-jams-threat-mens-fertility.html

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AreYouRomantic.com Sports Lovers Poll

25% of male sports fans, said they would be willing to give up sex for at least  a month if their favorite team were guaranteed a Super Bowl win.

15% would give up sex for at least a whole SEASON for their team to win the Super Bowl.

11% would give it up, "for however long it takes!"

40% of non-sports fans believe their partner would give up sex for at least a  month if their team was guaranteed a Super Bowl win

25% thinks his or her partner would wait for however long it takes.

30% of men think the sex is better after their team wins

10% think they have bad sex after a loss.

Many fans believe it's difficult to be romantic during the football season.

Sports un-enthusiasts have their concerns too. Some said they felt left out of the fun

In an effort to help couples navigate the interference of the football season, the romance experts at Caesars Pocono Resorts have put together a list of Top Ten simple ways to keep romance alive (and still root for your favorite team).

*The next time your partner is watching a game, hit the pause button on your DVR and ask for just 15 minutes of his time. You can go for a walk, chat a little etc... It's just enough time to reconnect without having to miss a single play.

*Go to a game with your partner. Even if you don't totally understand the plays you can't help but be caught up in the fever of the cheering crowd. It's a fun chance for you and your partner to root for his team and bond over hotdogs and draft beer

Buy the football jersey for your partner's favorite team and use your creativity (and scissors) to turn it into a cute fitted top (or sexy piece of lingerie).

Instead of being upset that your man is spending a day with his buddies watching football, embrace it! Plan a party and whip up some treats. Your man will feel proud of your ability to schmooze with his friends

Learn more about his team. Show your partner your knowledge of the quarterback's passing record or use football "lingo" when cheering during the game. He'll appreciate that you made an effort to be interested in his hobby

(For additional tips, visit www.AreYouRomantic.com)

--------------------------------------------

"She's a Keeper!"

http://lifestyle.msn.com

It happens to most men sooner or later: He's dating someone, things are going well, then... wham! The woman does something small and seemingly inconsequential that makes him fall for her, hard. What, you may be asking yourself, is that special element that changes his thinking from "She's fun" to "She's The One?" Well, it turns out men are more than happy to walk down memory lane and reveal those pivotal moments—and Catherine Cardinal, Ph.D., dating expert and author of The Cure for the Common Life, explains what women everywhere can learn from their stories!

"She got my weird sense of humor"

The case history: "Not long after we'd begun dating, Anneli unexpectedly showed up on the set of a short film I was making. The scene we were shooting was… how can I put it? A little bit crude. I've dated girls that have been kind of uptight about stuff I think is hysterical, so after the scene was over I didn't know what to expect. I was relieved — and kind of surprised — to see that it made her laugh. In fact, she was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face and she could barely breathe. That's when I knew I had a good one. Two months later I proposed."

—Matt Ballard, 35, New York, NY; married to Anneli for two years

Love lesson learned: Disagreements can help you grow closer

It's easy to unconditionally support someone's every decision. Challenge your date to live up to certain standards, though, and you'll gain even more points by showing you've got a backbone—and that he or she will become a better person as a result. "Anyone who encourages you to face a challenge is more likely to be a consistent, predictable partner—and one who realizes that unless you grow, you both get held back," says Dr. Cardinal.

"She's not put off by my bad habits"

The case history: "Marissa is the only girl I've dated that doesn't get grossed out by my bad habits. I'll put the empty OJ carton back in the fridge, and I've been known to make certain bodily noises at inopportune times (like when I'm standing right next to her). I knew she was a keeper, though, while I was clipping my toenails in bed one night. A toenail flew out and hit her on her eyebrow! Most girls would have freaked out, but she just laughed and punched me in the arm. Obviously, I have some bad traits… so for her not to hassle me about them? I'm the luckiest guy I know."

—Danny Murphy, 31, Clarksville, TN; dating Marissa for three years

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Ohio Cheerleaders Told Uniforms Are Too Short for Class

Foxnews.com

Parents of cheerleaders at an Ohio high school are frustrated with administrators for uniforms they say come up short in the classroom.

Monroe Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli told WLWT TV that cheerleaders were instructed to wear long shorts and T-shirts underneath their uniforms at a pep rally Friday.

"The skirts that the cheerleaders wear are very short, and they're very tight and they're slit so they can do the gymnastics that are required of a cheerleader," Lolli told WLWT.com.

Lolli said the skirts are allowed only during assemblies and games.

"You want to have students wear appropriate clothing during the educational period of the day, and then after school, wear the appropriate clothing for the event," she said.

The uniforms have not been an issue in previous years because the district's dress code was not specific on required length for shorts and skirts. The policy was clarified earlier this year, requiring that the bottom of shorts and skirts be no more than 3 inches above the knee.

Parent Becky Daniel said the school's dress code should not apply to cheerleader's uniforms.

"My daughter is a senior, this is her last year," Daniel told the station. "We paid for uniforms and they should be able to wear them on game day."

--------------------------------------

Help, I'm turning into my mother

CNN- Sandra Reishus, a Sacramento, California, therapist and author of "Oh No! I've Become My Mother," says it's not surprising that some daughters come to emulate their mothers even after living in fear of that outcome.

"It's inevitable, because our brains were forming when we were around her," says Reishus, who has been in practice for 16 years. "She was our window into the world."

"I see it all the time," she adds. "Even if a daughter takes after her dad, there's still a bit of her mom in her."

That's not always a positive thing. Linda Hutchinson has sought counseling to mitigate the bad habits -- namely, cynicism and a quick temper -- that her estranged mother has, and that she says she inherited.

"I'm on constant watch," says the 56-year-old writer from Lockbourne, Ohio. "If something happens to make me really angry, I have to take a deep breath to prevent myself from lashing out, which is something she never did."

Breaking the chain

But what if you don't want to be just like mom? Jason Greenberg, a psychologist in New York City who counsels many women with mother-daughter issues, suggests these steps to behave more consciously and not accept family influences as inevitable:

• Be aware of feedback. If your spouse or children are telling you your ways of relating aren't working, listen. It's difficult to judge your own behavior objectively.

• Identify what's not working. Create a mental or written list of traits your family and you don't want to see repeated through generations.

• Stop and breathe. When you find yourself in stressful situations -- which make it harder to "catch" your behavior -- don't do anything at first. "Those are going to be the moments when you're most likely to repeat a behavior that's not constructive," Greenberg says, "or something that's just like your mother."

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When He Turns You Off

Momlogic.com

Maybe he's let himself go, maybe he's become really annoying, maybe he ticks you off because he's not pulling his weight at home--whatever the reason, you're just not attracted to your husband anymore.

The fact is, lots of long-term couples go through phases like this. Dr. Jane Greer, a marriage and family therapist in New York City and host of the radio show Doctor On Call, tells us how to rekindle the flame. (Yes, it's possible!)

• Remind yourself why you fell in love with him. "Take inventory," Jane Greer says. "Ask yourself what about him turned you on in the first place. Was it his sense of humor? His conversation skills? Whatever those characteristics were, chances are that things have been getting in the way of them lately. Maybe things haven't been good financially--so you're fighting more. Maybe you're both so busy you barely talk at all, maybe childcare stress is killing the laughs. Whatever the case, once you identify the culprits, you can take action to bring out his lovable qualities again and put some fun back into your relationship--and your desire will be renewed."

• Become his role model. "Be an example," Greer says. "Channel your irritation at him into taking care of yourself. It kind of goes back to the show-and-tell thing we did in first and second grade: Show your husband the changes you'd like him to make by changing them in yourself first. Then verbalize it. Devote a little more time to your appearance, start eating healthier, exercise more--whatever, then tell him, 'I'd love it if we did some physical exercise together.' When you change your own behavior, it will automatically have an impact on your partner. You've broken the pattern, so he'll have to break his!"

• Practice positive reinforcement. "Lots of times, our partners have no idea they're upsetting us," Greer notes. "They're oblivious! They aren't aware of it until the other person starts nagging. Then it becomes, 'No matter what I try, she's never satisfied.' Everybody hears the negative. So stop complaining and be positive with the things you say and do. Tell him, 'I love that you're wearing the shirt I like,' or, 'Thanks for putting down the toilet seat,' or, 'Thanks for shaving again tonight--your face feels so good!' There are a million small things your partner does each day to make you happy; start being aware when he does them, and let him know you appreciate it. Ultimately, most of us want to please the person we're with; we're looking for acknowledgment. If you give that to him more often, he'll respond by doing more things to make you happy. That will turn you on emotionally--you'll feel cared about and understood, because your partner has genuinely listened to what want and responded to that. As a result, you'll feel closer, more connected, and safe. And that's when sexual feelings can come into play."

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Philly tippers are nation’s biggest

Zagat.com

"Philadelphians are the most generous tippers in the nation," according to a news release from Zagat, announcing the official publication today of its 2009 guide to Philadelphia area restaurants.

Also deserving of major kudos is the Four Seasons Hotel's Fountain Restaurant, named tops in three categories: food, decor and service.

Stephen Starr's Buddakan, though, was named most popular, followed by Amada, Le Bec-Fin, Alma de Cuba and Capital Grille.

Top newcomers, in order, are Cochon, a Queen Village BYO; Azie, an Asian fusion spot in Media; Vietnam Cafe in West Philadelphia; Supper, which serves upscale American on South Street; and Bindi, a modern Indian BYO in Center City.

According to Zagat - or at least the 5,507 local diners who reported on their preferences and habits to Zagat - people in the Philadelphia area leave an average tip of 19.6 percent.

New Yorkers leave 19 percent - the national average - while folks in L.A. leave 18.4.

Last year, Denver was No. 1, adding 19.5 percent to bills for gratuities. Philadelphia and Detroit tied for second, at 19.4 percent.

The new slim burgundy guide, titled 2009 Philadelphia Restaurants, has thumbnail reports and ratings on more than 1,000 restaurants in the region, from South Jersey to Wilmington to Lancaster.

Respondents, who average 2.6 meals a week at restaurants, said their favorite cuisines were Italian (28 percent), American (14), Japanese (11), French (10), Mexican (10) and Thai (9).

About 25 percent of area diners make reservations online, compared to only 14 percent in L.A. and an impressive 43 percent in San Francisco.

The $14.95 guide was edited by Inquirer Table Talk and Inqlings columnist Michael Klein and Sharon Gintzler and coordinated by Marilyn Kleinberg.

------------------

Employees say Abercrombie & Fitch is judging workers based on looks

The Dallas Morning News

Kristen Carmichael discovered she didn't fit the clothing store's self-described "sexy, effortless style" when she was pulled from a sales position on the floor of the NorthPark Center store and shoved back to the stockroom to fold clothes.

This was after they'd rated her face.

The college student who was in Dallas for the summer and her female co-worker had received a 0 ranking on a district manager's monthly audit. The report, posted on a wall in the office, included the question, "Do all female models currently working have beautiful faces?"

There were two choices, 0 and 5, with the higher number signifying an approval rating for the models – an Abercrombie & Fitch term for sales representatives. The same question for the male models had both 0 and 5 marked – a mix.

"It's so subjective how they judge you," said Ms. Carmichael, a 19-year-old brunette with sharp blue-green eyes and a trim, athletic build, who was told by one manager that she wasn't attractive enough to work on the floor.

The debate centers on the ethics of labeling teenage beauty more than on the possibility of unlawful actions. At issue is whether it's morally justifiable to define an "Abercrombie look" these days, three years after a lawsuit settlement forced the retailer to enhance diversity and amid ongoing debate about Abercrombie's marketing practices, which often include shirtless young men and wistful-looking women in thin outer garments.

Todd Corley, Abercrombie's vice president of diversity and inclusion, said the "face" question refers to the full presentation of an individual, not merely his or her visage.

The company says it is important to uphold the brand's image and maintain diversity in its stores. Some sales representatives are chosen to appear in posters, ads and other marketing materials.

These rating systems remain legal as long as they don't discriminate based on race or gender.

"There's no real problem to discriminate against 'ugly' people," said Jahan Sagafi, a partner at Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, the firm that represented the plaintiffs in the original diversity suit. "The problem is when you define beauty to incorporate white, which it essentially does at Abercrombie."

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URPRISE! YAHOO HEALTH CONSIDER THESE ITEMS…HEALTHY SNACKS…IS YOURS ON THE LIST?

Pepperidge Farm Montieri Raspberry Tart Cookies 
(120 Calories, 3g Fat for 2 Cookies) 
Quaker Chewy Dark Chocolate Cherry 90 Calorie Granola Bars  
(90 Calories, 2g Fat per Bar) 
Hostess 100 Calorie Packs Cinnamon Streusel Muffins 
(100 Calories, 3g Fat for 3 Cakes) 
Starbucks Skinny Mocha  
(90 Calories, 0g Fat for 12 oz.) 
Reese's Peanut Butter Snacksters 
(100 Calories, 4g Fat per Pack) 
Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Snack Packs 
(100 Calories, 8g Fat per Pouch) 
Miss Vickie's Nine Grain Simply Salted Chips 
(140 Calories, 7g Fat for 15 Chips) 
Dr. Praeger's Sweet Potato Bites 
(110 Calories, 3g Fat for 2 Pieces) 
Progresso 40% Less Sodium Italian-Style Wedding Soup 
(90 Calories, 2g Fat per Cup) 
Morningstar Farms Ginger Teriyaki Veggie Cakes 
(110 Calories, 2g Fat per Patty)

 

 

SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON DC PAY FOR BEHAVING
Schools in Washington DC will be starting a new program in which students in middle school will be offered cash for good behavior. School officials have used detention, remedial classes, summer school and suspensions for years in an effort to turn around poorly behaved, underachieving middle school students with no results. Now the program offers students up to $100 a month for attending class on time, turning in their homework, raising their grades and showing some respect and manners. The students will be eligible to earn up to 50 points per month, with each point being worth two dollars. Over $2.7 million has been set aside for the program, and the money students earn will be deposited every two weeks into bank accounts the system plans to open for them. Parents can choose not to allow children to participate in the program.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/21/AR2008082103874_pf.html

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> STUPID CRIMINAL #8-0492-409820-32
> Next time you steal a vehicle, make sure the owner's phone number isn't on the back. A Marion County, Fla., sheriff's detective said he caught an alleged thief quite by accident after calling a number listed on the "for sale" sign on the back of the travel trailer. Detective Thomas Tingue said he phoned the number on the sign because he was interested in purchasing the trailer traveling ahead of him on Interstate 75 but the owner told him the vehicle had been stolen The officer then stopped and confronted the driver towing the trailer, identified as Tommy Allan Behringer, 50, and the suspect was later arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail on charges of grand theft.
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/08/26/Deputy_seeks_trailer_finds_alleged_theft/UPI-74771219781075/

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ALABAMA CHARGES FAT PEOPLE EXTRA
If you are out of shape and work for the state of Alabama, you will have to start paying a surcharge of $25 for your health insurance. Currently, state employees don't pay a health insurance premium at all. The state's has 37,527 employees and anyone who has serious health problems, including being overweight, has a year to start getting rid of those problems before having to pay for their health insurance. Alabama will become the first state to charge employees for being overweight, and the state already charges smokers a premium for smoking Every employee must undergo free health screenings for various conditions and enroll in wellness programs if anything is found.
http://www.wayodd.com/alabama-to-charge-overweight-government-employees-for-health-insurance/v/9553/

------------------------------------------------------------------------

More than 25% of college students think it is reasonable to run up a debt to splurge on a special celebration with friends at a restaurant or to use a credit card as a way to "raise cash."

31% of students polled do not worry about debt, believing that they can pay it back once they are out of school and earning a regular paycheck.

23% choose to ignore overdraft penalties and the prospect of months or years of paying off a debt incurred for a moment of fun.

92% agree that bad debt -- defined as failure to pay bills that extends so long that a debt collector has to contact the consumer -- will have a significant impact on a person's ability to get credit in the future.

46% always keep records of their spending and receipts.

42% of those who already have been contacted by a debt collector would develop a payment plan to repay the debt over time.

(Source: Online poll of 500 college students, sponsored by the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys)

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Who's Downloading Music?

The Top 10 cities in which adults who have downloaded music in the last 30 days live:

1. Austin, Texas

2. Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

3. Baltimore

4. New York

5. Chicago

6. San Francisco/ Oakland/ San Jose, Calif.

7. Rochester, N.Y.

8. Baton Rouge, La.

9. Seattle/ Tacoma, Wash.

10. Portland, Ore.

Source: MRI's Market-by-Market study, www.mediamark.com.

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Have You Experienced Desk Rage?

Do you dread going to work because you just KNOW someone’s going to lash out? According to Netscape news, fully half of all workers are on the receiving end of so much yelling that it’s considered verbal abuse, and 25% say it’s so bad, it’s driven them to tears. Welcome to the age of desk rage. Anger in the workplace is now common. Blame it on everything from big egos to bad manners to job stress. Whatever the reason, the effect’s the same: A bunch of irritable, disrespectful employees and bosses who think nothing of yelling and screaming at each other.

Paul Spector, a professor of industrial psychology at the University of South Florida, says desk rage affects millions of workers, but people aren’t just raising their voices and slamming doors - some are really losing control. One-sixth of workers have suffered property damage, while 10% have reported physical violence. Only 3% of U.S. workers have actually admitted to pushing, slapping or hitting someone at work, but that still translates to as many as 3 million people.

John Challenger is the head of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a workplace consulting company. He says between long commutes, high gas prices and personal problems, people are often ready for a fight once they get to work. That’s when rational thinking goes out the window.

So who’s most likely to lash out? Overachievers. The smart, driven, goal-oriented personalities who set impossibly high standards for themselves and others. Experts say they’re so invested in success, and in everyone being just as driven as they are, that they lose their sense of perspective - and control. The cost to companies is steep. At the very least, desk rage results in lost productivity, poor morale and higher absenteeism. At worst, it ends in physical violence, and sometimes death.

The solution? We need to bring “professionalism” back to the workplace. We need to stop raising our voices and lashing out at others. If we don’t treat our colleagues with respect, we can’t expect it in return. If you’d like to go further, check out How to Reduce Workplace Conflict and Stress.

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Teens would pay $275 never to have acne

http://www.upi.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Teenagers report that they would pay about $275 to have never had acne, and also are willing to pay to be acne-free, U.S. researchers said.

Dr. Cynthia L. Chen and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, studied 266 teen volunteers with acne from four public high schools in San Francisco.

The participants completed written surveys regarding how much of their lifetime they would give up or how teens and parents were asked how much they would pay to have never had acne, to be 100-percent acne-free from then on, to have 100-percent acne clearance but with visible scarring or to have 50-percent acne clearance.

The study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, teens reported they would pay a median of $275 to have never had acne, $100 to be 100-percent cleared of acne, $10 for 50-percent clearance and zero for 100-percent clearance with scarring.

Parents said they would pay a median of $250 for their child to never have had acne, $100 for 100-percent clearance, $100 for 50-percent clearance and zero for 100-percent clearance with scarring.

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She's happily married, dreaming of divorce

Oprah.com

Mind you, when I say Mid-Wife Crisis, I mean the middle-of-married-life kind, not the kind where you go to Yale to learn how to legally brandish a birthing stool. As one girlfriend remarked, it's the age of rage -- a period of high irritation that lasts roughly one to two decades. As a colleague e-mailed me, it's the simmering underbelly of resentment, the 600-pound mosquito in the room. At a juncture where we thought we should have unearthed some modicum of certainty, we are turning into the Clash. If I go will there be trouble? If I stay will it be double? Should I stay or should I go? Oprah.com: Six relationship decisions we've made for you

Our mothers knew better than to ponder such questions, at least not out loud in front of God and the hairdresser. They deliberately waited to reach the last straw until their children were grown and the house was paid for. At 25, they were ladies with lady clothes and lady hairdos -- bona fide adults, the astronauts' wives. By 40, they were relics.

But we, we with our 21st-century access to youth captured in a gleaming Mason jar with a pinked square of gingham rubber-banded over the top, we are still visually tolerable if not downright irresistible when we're 30 or 35 or 40. If you believe the fashion magazines -- which I devoutly do -- even 50- and 60-year-olds are (lick finger, touch to imaginary surface, make sizzle noise) pretty hot tickets.

We are also tickets with jobs and disposable income. If we jump ship now, we're still attractive prospects who may have another shot at happiness. There's just that tricky wicket of determining whether eternal comfort resides in the tried-and-true or whether the untried will be truer.

Our mothers, so old too young, believed that marriage was the best they could get. We, the children of mothers who settled (or were punished for not settling), wonder: Is this as good as it gets?

Our mothers feared being left alone. We crave time alone. Alone time is the new heroin. Oprah.com: Do you have a hard time being alone?

What are we doing here?

We were groomed to think bigger and better -- achievement was our birthright -- so it's small surprise that our marriages are more freighted. Marriage and its cruel cohort, fidelity, are a lot to expect from anyone, much less from swift-flying us. Would we agree to wear the same eyeshadow or eat in the same restaurant every day for a lifetime? Nay, cry the villagers, the echo answers nay. We believe in our superhood. We count on it.

So, did our feminist foremothers set us up for failure? Or were they just trying to empower us so that we wouldn't buy into the notion of having to be a better better half?

Either way, many of us semi bought into it. As the tail end of the baby boomers/mavericks of Gen X, we still had one foot in the Good Girl pond, or at least the wet footprints leading out of it. In the beginning, we felt obliged to join the race to have it all; being married was an integral part of the contest and heaven forfend we should be disqualified.

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Fake your party food with takeout

CNN-Whether you're hosting a formal party or just throwing together snacks for drinks with friends, we've got ideas for transforming carryout into crowd-pleasing cuisine. Everyone will assume your sink is stacked with dirty pots and pans. (And if you keep them out of the kitchen, they'll never know the truth.)

Tiny-size pizzas

Start with: A large cheese pizza. (Ask for it unsliced and, if possible, slightly underbaked.)

To make: Avoiding the crust, cut out mini pizzas with round cookie or biscuit cutters. Heat the rounds at 400º Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Top with slices of olives, marinated mushrooms, chopped prosciutto, an anchovy fillet, or fresh herbs (such as basil, flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, thyme, or oregano).

Mediterranean bruschetta

Start with: Garlic bread from your favorite Italian spot.

To make: Slather slices with prepared marinara or pesto sauce. Top with goat cheese or mozzarella, a marinated pepper, or an oil-packed sun-dried tomato, then toast in the oven.

Also try: Hummus po' boys. Spread hot garlic bread with hummus and top with coleslaw or lettuce and tomato. Cap with more hot, crunchy bread.

Chicken- or shrimp-boat hors d'oeuvres

Start with: Your favorite chicken or shrimp Chinese stir-fry.

To make: Mound spoonfuls of stir-fry into the cuplike center leaves from a head of Boston lettuce. If desired, top the boats with chopped nuts or scallion slices.

Also try: Asian-Mexican fusion. Roll the dish with rice and some soy sauce in a giant tortilla. Slice into single-serving pieces.

Chicken pasta with blue cheese and walnuts

Start with: A golden-brown rotisserie chicken.

To make: Toss thin slices of chicken with hot pasta, crumbled blue cheese, and chopped walnuts.

Also try: Quick chicken salad. Stir Dijon mustard, mayo, and chopped onion and herbs into shredded chicken meat. Season with salt and pepper and spoon onto whole-grain bread for sandwiches.

Antipasto platter

Roasted duck, watercress, and brown rice salad

Start with: Half a Chinese Peking duck (1 order).

To make: Shred the meat and toss it with take-out brown rice and a splash of dumpling dipping sauce (most restaurants will add it to your order at no charge). Top with chopped watercress and scallions.

Also try: Duck crostini. Finely chop the meat and toss it with minced herbs, chopped onion, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Pile the mixture on tiny toasts.

Spareribs, minimalist style

Start with: A few orders of Chinese take-out ribs.

To make: Simply separate the spareribs, heat, and serve on simple white plates.

Also try: Spareribs with crunch. The glaze on Chinese-style ribs provides the perfect glue for a crunchy coating. Separate the ribs and roll them in chopped peanuts or toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot on a scoop of fried or steamed rice.

Trimmings

Start with: A bucket of chicken, some biscuits, mashed potatoes, and gravy -- all from your local KFC.

To make: Heat the chicken and biscuits in a 350º F oven for 10 minutes, then place in napkin-lined baskets. Put the potatoes and gravy (request it on the side) in your best bowls.

Also try: Chicken dippers. Serve slices of fried chicken with homemade sauce -- yogurt or sour cream with honey mustard stirred in to taste.

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The Five Must-Haves for your College Fridge

http://www.collegecandy.com

While you may be tempted to fill that dormroom mini fridge with beer and only beer, there are going to be times in college (like breakfast) when Miller Lite just won’t suffice. So, you may want to stock that fridge with other necessities to get you through the day. You don’t have much room in that shoebox they call a fridge so you must choose your items wisely.

Below is my list of the five MUST HAVES that got me through those hungry, fun and crazy college days. And don’t worry; there is still plenty of room for the beer.

1. Ramen noodles. While not the best food for your figure (sodium overload and absolutely no nutritional value), it’s great on a budget (you can get something like 10 boxes for $1.99). Throw in some veggies and you can have a quick and cheap stir-fry.

2. Salsa. This condiment spices up casseroles, nachos (which are a PERFECT drunk time/late night snack) and even omelets and eggs.

3. Velveeta. Great for sandwiches, mac & cheese (an essential college meal) and melting into a bowl for dipping animal crackers (You think I’m nuts, but just TRY it!).

4. Brita. I never thought this was necessary until I got to college and realized that natural tap water is filled with some seriously nasty gunk. Nothin’ that’ll kill ya or anything, but still, not the best stuff to put into your body (as I’m currently slugging back a vodka/seltzer – ha!). You can get an easy maintenance one at Target, Walmart and other similar stores.

5. Red Bull. Everyone has those nights where they need to pump up and rally. Red Bull, otherwise known as speed in a can, will do the trick. Chug one of these guys for a night at the library, or a night on the town; it will get you through and leave you feeling fantastic.

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Original Scan

Age Progression (Age 45)

Future Age Progression (Age 70)

 

Your 12 Most Embarrassing Beauty Questions -- Answered

Webmd

1. What causes foot odor?

The fix: Since dry feet equals odor-free feet, wear absorbent cotton socks with shoes made from breathable materials, like canvas and leather, and sprinkle Zeasorb - an over-the-counter drying powder - into your shoes every morning. Three nights a week, pour a pot of tea made with several regular (not herbal) tea bags into a basin, then soak your feet for five to 10 minutes. The tannic acid in tea temporarily inhibits sweat production. See your doctor if your feet are also red, swollen or scaly to make sure a bacterial or fungal infection isn't causing the smell.

2. Why does my breath smell despite constant brushing?

Although brushing will help prevent cavities (so don't stop scrubbing), it can only mask bad breath, since the problem really lies within your throat and tongue, not your teeth. When the bacteria in your mouth lose access to oxygen (which can happen when you use alcohol-based mouthwashes, take certain prescription medications for depression or high blood pressure or simply sit with your mouth shut for a long time), they emit smelly sulfur compounds, says Harold Katz, D.D.S., founder of The California Breath Clinic in Los Angeles; this is the same principle at work with foot odor. Eating garlic and onion also makes your breath stink because they contain - surprise - those same sulfur compounds.

The fix: Contrary to popular belief, a tongue scraper won't banish bad breath - sulfur compounds cannot be removed manually. Instead, keep your mouth oxygenated by drinking water throughout the day and using an over-the-counter oral rinse with chlorine dioxide in both the A.M. and the P.M. to neutralize sulfur compounds. (Try TheraBreath Oral Rinse.) Chewing on oxygen-rich vegetables, like parsley and celery, can also diminish odors. If these tricks don't work, see your dentist.

3. I've started to sweat through my blouses. Should I be worried?

Most likely there's nothing to fear, says Joseph L. Jorizzo, M.D., chairperson of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. You probably just have a benign, hereditary tendency toward excessive sweating that can crop up at any age. But see your doctor to rule out an overactive thyroid, a low blood-sugar level and a number of other problems that can cause continual heavy sweating.

The fix: Before bed, towel-dry your armpits and apply the prescription antiperspirant solution Drysol (it contains a higher percentage of aluminum chloride - a drying agent - than regular deodorants do). Wash the solution off in the A.M. and don't reapply any deodorant. Repeat nightly. Still not satisfied? Ask your doctor about Botox injections - one treatment ($800 to $1,500) can paralyze sweat glands for six months to a year.

4. Every time I shave, I get a bumpy rash along my bikini line -- what's causing it?

A too-close shave or waxing can make hairs split and loop around just under the surface of the skin. As these off-kilter hairs grow, they push up against your skin, causing inflammation and redness, says Lawrence Moy, M.D., chief of dermatology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

The fix: Put down your loofah; dermatologists now agree that rubbing the bumps to free trapped hairs will only make the problem worse. Instead, apply an OTC acetylsalicylic acid (a.k.a. aspirin) solution twice a day for two to seven days to gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin. (Try Soft Cell.) Once you shed this layer, the looped hairs will be able to poke through. A cortisone injection, administered by your dermatologist, will decrease inflammation in bigger bumps. If ingrown hairs are a persistent problem, you may want to consider laser treatment, which damages the hair follicles and prevents hair growth. You'll need about three treatments (each around $350) followed by a touch-up every six months to a year.

5. I've heard that spider veins are hereditary. My mom doesn't have them, so why do I?

Genetics isn't the only cause of these unsightly blue veins. Pregnancy and trauma to the leg (like bumping into something) can bring them on, says Esta Kronberg, M.D., a Houston, TX, dermatologist.

The fix: Though vitamin K cream has been touted by some as the next big thing in spider-vein treatment (possibly because of its ability to constrict blood vessels, which supposedly makes veins less visible), there's no way the molecules in the cream can penetrate the skin on your legs and be absorbed into your veins, says Jorizzo. The best option - with 95 percent of patients seeing improvement after one to three treatments (up to $300 per treatment, per leg) -- is still sclerotherapy, tiny injections of saline solution, which irritates veins and causes them to swell shut.

6. Are the bumps on my butt and on the backs of my arms pimples?

No. They're actually called keratosis pilaris - the cause is unknown, but some claim that it's a hereditary condition.

The fix: You can soften and help slough off bumps by rubbing them with a mixture of equal parts petroleum jelly and either water or cold cream. If that doesn't work, prescription Retin-A probably will, but it can irritate the surrounding skin. A better alternative: prescription LactiCare-HC Lotion 2 1/2%, which contains lactic acid to dissolve dead skin cells and hydrocortisone to soothe any acid-induced irritation. Rub lotion onto bumps twice a day until they clear up.

7. What's causing my toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus is actually athlete's foot (often picked up from shared showers or borrowed shoes) that has spread into your toenails.

The fix: The most effective treatment is a prescription antifungal pill like Lamisil or Sporanox, but be warned: These treatments are only 70 to 80 percent effective at best, and even when they work it takes nearly a year and a half for the toenail to fully grow out, says Day. Prevent a recurrence by wearing shower slippers every time you rinse off at the gym and by not borrowing shoes.

8. Why do my teeth look so dingy?

Smoking and excessive consumption of dark beverages (like coffee, tea, soda and red wine) are the main causes of stained teeth, says Lana Rozenberg, D.D.S., founder of the Rozenberg Dental Day Spa in New York City.

The fix: As with clothing stains, the longer discolorations remain on your teeth, the harder they are to remove - so keep up those twice-a-year dental visits. You can lighten your teeth several shades with a whitening toothpaste that contains carbamide peroxide, but use it only once a day to avoid drying out gum tissue. (Try Rembrandt Plus with Peroxide toothpaste.) Floss treated with the whitening agent silica has also been proven to polish away stains, which often form between teeth. (Try Johnson & Johnson Reach Whitening Floss.) For more dramatic results, your dentist can bleach your teeth up to eight shades brighter with a highly concentrated peroxide gel administered via laser ($800 to $1,500) or in a custom-fitted mouthpiece ($600 to $1,000) that you wear an hour a day for about 10 days, says Rozenberg. (Though drugstore bleaching kits are much less expensive, they aren't quite as effective -- the gel isn't as strong, and since the mouthpieces aren't created specifically for you, the gel can drip out of them and inflame your gums.)

9. Why do I have stretch marks?

You may suspect that the marks on your tummy, thighs or hips were caused by pregnancy or significant weight fluctuations. What you may not know, though, is that hormonal changes that occur during normal growth spurts can also cause your skin to stretch and scar, says Lawrence Moy, M.D. Red marks appear when your skin stretches and thins so much that you can see your blood flowing through the skin's thinned outer layers, says Joseph L. Jorizzo, M.D., When your skin stretches minimally or the stretched skin is thick, white marks result.

The fix: No treatment is guaranteed to remove stretch marks, but you can make them less noticeable. Try twice-daily applications of OTC Striae Stretch Mark Creme - several studies have confirmed that it can reduce red or white marks in about four weeks. Or ask your doctor about laser therapy ($450 to $700 per treatment), which can tone down the brightness of recently acquired red marks, or microdermabrasion ($50 to $150 per session), which can diminish the appearance of white marks.

10. Could there be a serious underlying cause for excess facial hair?

If you fight your follicles on a daily basis or sprout lots of hairs on your chin, see your doctor. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (a disorder characterized by high levels of male hormones) or an adrenal gland problem could be to blame. If you're moderately hairy (you tidy up your brows or upper-lip area once a month), you've probably just got your genes to thank.

The fix: Vaniqa - a new, odorless prescription cream- has recently been approved by the FDA to decrease light to heavy hair growth anywhere on the face ($50 for a two-month supply). Though it doesn't yield immediate results (you'll need to keep using your regular hair-removal methods at first), the cream blocks one of the enzymes responsible for hair growth, gradually slowing it down as long as you continue to use it, says Ken Washenik, M.D., director of dermatopharmacology at New York University School of Medicine. For those who don't respond to Vaniqa, six laser hair treatments ($150 each) can significantly decrease hair growth for months. A monthly electrolysis session for up to a year ($60 to $100 each) can remove hair permanently.

11. Why is my face so shiny?

If you are also losing hair and have stopped getting your period, a hormonal imbalance could be the culprit, and you should see your doctor. If not, your skin is just oversensitive to your male hormones (we all have them) - and this is triggering the production of excess oil. Another possibility: a too-harsh cleansing routine (some of you have written to us saying you use rubbing alcohol to nix shine!). Many derms believe that alcohol-based toners and gritty scrubs can overdry and irritate your skin and make it produce extra oil to compensate, says Doris J. Day, M.D.

The fix: Your best bet is to regulate oil without overdrying your skin. So in the morning, wash your face with an oil-free lotion cleanser, then rub on an alcohol-free toner. (Try Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin and Bath & Body Works Bio Face Oil-Control Facial Toner.) Top with the OTC oil-absorbing gel Clinac OC. Sop up shiny spots throughout the day with blotting papers. (Try Hard Candy Shiny Sheets.) Repeat your A.M. routine - minus the gel - before bed. If you continue to shine, ask your dermatologist about Retin-A Micro. Less irritating than regular Retin-A, this prescription cream was created to treat acne but has also been proven effective against oiliness.

12. What causes hand warts?

The human papilloma virus is responsible for warts - but to get them you have to be both genetically predisposed and in close contact with an infected person, says Doris J. Day, M.D.

The fix: With a clean nail file, gently slough off the top layers of your warts daily to remove dead skin, says Day. (Do not use this nail file for anything but wart removal.) Then rub on over-the-counter Occlusal HP - its highly concentrated salicylic acid dissolves warts. If warts remain after several months, consult your dermatologist about other remedies, including laser therapy and liquid nitrogen treatments. Despite treatment, however, warts can come back. A warning: Be careful when engaging in sexual activity - though it's unlikely, hand warts can spread to your (or your partner's) genitals.

VIRGIN MARY IN THE TREE
An amazing likeness of the Virgin Mary formed into the bark of a Scarborough tree in Toronto, Canada, has left residents wondering if their neighborhood has been blessed. Christopher Moreau, 47, discovered the tree-bound Mary last week. It was after work and Moreau had just opened a beer in his back yard, when he noticed the familiar image of Virgin Mary, her arms outstretched, in his neighbor's tree.  He ran inside to tell his mother-in-law about it and she was so overwhelmed she started to cry...she had just been notified that her lymph node cancer had disappeared. While he hopes the tree won't be mobbed, he believes the tree could possibly help those who are ill or in need of a miracle. While the Catholic church generally doesn't play a role in investigating or "authenticating" such claims to determine if they are in fact a sign from God, the churck feels that if a vision causes the individual or people seeing it to reflect on their faith then that's not a bad thing. http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/08/23/6546681-sun.html

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STUPID CRIMINAL #981-103924031
Four arrests were made Friday for possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia by the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, two of which were unexpected. Lt. Jim Norton, commander of the task force, said officers were serving warrants at a trailer home on Lot 18 on Friday. An agent was stationed behind the trailer in question when officers knocked and announced their presence. Apparently, the residents of Lot 17 thought THEIR trailer was being raided, and started throwing packets of drugs out the window, right at the feet of the stationed officer.  Police then arrested John M. Coburn, and Darin D. Gordon, both 18, for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Occupants of the trailer that WAS the trailer to be raided, were not home, but drugs were found and warrants issued for the occupants arrest.    http://www.saljournal.com/Print/drugraid8-25-08

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Today is National Dog Day

Here are the Ten Smartest Dogs

1      Border Collie
2     Poodle
3     German Shepherd
4     Golden Retriever
5     Doberman Pinscher
6     Shetland Sheepdog
7     Labrador Retriever
8     Papillon
9     Rottweiler
10     Australian Cattle Dog

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Top 10 Dog Friendliest Cities in the U.S.

1. Portland  ME
2. Carmel / Monterey CA
3. Asheville / Blue Ridge NC
4. Key West FL
5. Charlottesville VA
6. Black Hills SD
7. Lake Tahoe CA/NV
8. Cape May NJ
9. Grand Canyon AZ
10. Hocking Hills OH

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Top 10 Things the Guy You're Dating Wants to Tell You… But Doesn't

By Ron Schott

1) I hate your cat(s)/dog(s).
2) Seriously, I hate your freaking cat(s)/dog(s).
3) Yes your friend is hotter than you. No, I don't wish I was with her.
4) Remember when we said we wanted to be friends? I totally didn't.
5) I know your daddy told you that you were a little princess and you had people who cleaned up after you in your sorority, but seriously you need to stop leaving my towel on the floor.
6) Yes, those jeans make you look fat, but I'm OK with it because that means I can have a night out at the bar without 40 guys staring at your ****.
7) It's OK that we sometimes watch chick flicks together, but if you bring it up in front of my friends again I'm posting those pictures on MySpace.
8) Sure I remember the first time we kissed… it's you who doesn't because you were hammered and that's why our first kiss "happened" at a park instead of the dingy basement of that party house in college.
9) Sometimes you're smarter than I am and it kind of scares me.
10) Of course I got rid of all my porn from the bathroom… and put it under my bed.

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Green With Envy: Prius Owners Smile as Neighbors Fume

Foxnews.com

Prius Pompous?

Schmidt says she bought the Prius two years ago partly because of the huge potential savings on gasoline, but also because the car offered her a chance to be environmentally conscious.

"There can be some smugness on the part of the Prius owners because it's distinctive," says Michael Omotoso of the automotive-marketing-data giant J.D. Power and Associates. "It's 'Hey, look at me, I'm driving a hybrid!'"

Studies conducted by J.D. Power show that the typical hybrid purchaser is better educated and wealthier than the average car buyer. Furthering the exclusivity is the fact that available hybrids are hard to find.

Auto analysts say that in California, demand is so high that used Priuses go for close to what a new one would sell for. "Unless Toyota sends a lot more cars, we're going to see Prius wait lists spin out again to about six months," one Berkeley, Calif., Toyota dealer told HybridCars.com in June.

"I think that we Prius owners need a dating/whatever program, to hook us up with other Prius owners," says one poster on Priuschat.com.

He admits it's half a joke, but says it "stems from my inability to look at people with gas-burning cars as attractive."

"I do believe in global warming, but the Prius isn't the answer," posts one commenter on the popular tech blog Engadget. "Every time I look at a Prius, it only reaffirms my belief that ultra-liberals and poorly educated science environments are the world's greatest threats. GO HUG A TREE PRIUS
BUYERS!"

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Does Divorce Scar Kids for Life?

Momlogic.com

In part two of our two-part series, Should You Stay Together for the Kids?, we find out how kids really feel about divorce--40% of them strongly suspect that an affair was the reason! Plus, our expert reveals how a parents' divorce will affect a child's future relationships. Then, see our exclusive video of seven kids--from 6 to 19--who tell us what's really happening with them when parents split.

Yesterday, we told you about how parents feel about divorce...now it's the kids' turn. They say:

• Don't stay together for our sake.

63% of adults who were children of divorce said their parents should have gotten divorced.

• Divorce = affair.

41% believe an affair was the reason for their parents' divorce, although only 20% were actually told that for sure.

• Just because I'm grown doesn't mean I'm over it.

53% say they are still extremely traumatized, significantly upset, or upset about their parents' split. While 1 out of 3 children of divorce (32%) still "have trouble accepting" or "can't accept" the divorce.

• Your divorce will affect my future marriage, and make me settle and compromise.

More than 1 out of 3 adults (35%) who were children of divorce say they accept things that they think are wrong in their own marriages because they don't want their kids to experience divorce.

Family therapist Dr. Shannon Fox weighs in on our survey results:

"I found it particularly interesting that one out of three adults who were children of divorce say they accept things that they think are wrong in their own marriages because they don't want their kids to experience divorce," she says. "Children of divorce are less likely to marry and more likely to divorce if they do. 35% of these children of divorce are doing their best to protect their children from the pain of divorce. "

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Tween Bikini Wax: What?!

Momlogic.com

First, we told you about the latest tween beauty trend: hair coloring. Then, we reported that tweens were spending millions on beauty products. Now, they're going in for bikini waxes at 8 years old.

Are moms just protecting their little girls or encouraging them to be supermodels? MSN reports.

Aesthetician Melanie Engle is used to waxing her clients, but when one mom came in and asked for her 8-year-old daughter to get a bikini wax,  Engle flipped. It wasn't as if the girl was developing early, it was simply "the mother's obsession with wanting the daughter to be perfect."  MSN reports that it is not at all uncommon for mothers around the U.S to take their tween (girls 10-12) to salons to get body hair removed: "12 years old is the new normal." Engle said. On one hand, we understand for certain moms to take their kids for waxing if they are being teased at school: "One 10-year-old had thick hair coming down her leg, and she had a bikini and leg wax because she couldn't go to camp like that without getting teased," says Nance Mitchell, owner of a Beverly Hills salon. Engle however, has a different story, explaining that moms are sometimes overcritical of their kids. She bears moms comments like "look at those blackheads, you need to have a facial."

Should girls be taught THIS early to focus on how they look, makeup and money--instead of what's really important? Should young girls be allowed to wax?

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New Teen Trend: Elf Ears

Momlogic.com

Listen up moms: The next big teen trend might be "elf ears."

T

here was a time way back when the worst thing a teen could do was get her ears pierced maybe even (gasp!) multiple times. That's so old school--and each generation must up the ante when it comes to shocking their parents.

The latest shocking trend? Ear sculpting! Why is this bizarre practice getting so popular? According to Dr. Lajos Nagy, a New York plastic surgeon: "Sculpted ears not only enhance the attractiveness of the face, but also improve the experience of listening to music." Maybe the doctor needs to buy himself some Bose speakers.

Whatever the reason, the surgical procedure has been slowly catching on with the young and daring. Body modification artist Russ Foxx has been sculpting ears for years and will only perform the operation on 18-year-olds or older, according to Shaughnessy Keely, a rep from his piercing shop, The Fall. "He'll do a few sessions and he'll sculpt your ear and make it pointy."


Put more graphically, elf ears are created by slicing the top of the cartilage on the ear and then sewing it back together. Hmm, suddenly "tramp stamps" aren't looking that bad.

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5 Things Super-Happy Couples Do Every Day

Redbook.com

1. Make Time to Connect.

Happily married couples typically say their relationships work better when they can sit down and gab one-on-one, like thinking, feeling adults. But who's got time for that?

2. Remind each other that you're sexy.

Back when you were 14 years old, you probably figured that once you got married, you'd have sex just about every day. (Well, maybe teenage girls don't think that way. But let me tell you, 14-year-old boys sure do.) And why not? Sex is free. It's fun. And it doesn't require the purchase of any equipment, besides the occasional bottle of vegetable oil and about 20 feet of nylon rope.

But as they get older, most couples realize that having sex every night isn't possible, let alone a worthy goal. Indeed, a 1994 University of Chicago survey of Americans' sexual habits found that only about a third of adults have sex more than once a week. Granted, that number might have been higher if all the couples having sex more frequently had stopped to take the surveyor's phone call, but clearly, sex for most married couples is far from a daily reality.

3. Share a guilty pleasure.

Eavesdrop on a conversation between Bob and Angie concerning their favorite shared pastime.

"We are so disgusting. This is so pathetic. It's like a sickness." "But it makes us happy!"

"It's so stupid it makes us laugh." "We're yelling at people. High-fiving each other."

"Look, we get a kick out of it because it's so ridiculous. It's our guilty pleasure."

Forgive them if they seem somewhat shy, but they're merely ashamed to admit that the daily ritual that brings such joy to their 12-year marriage is none other than reality TV. That's right. They lived and died with Survivor. They've adopted Big Brother. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? They do.

4. Enrich yourselves - as individuals.

"You know that old saying, 'How can I miss you if you don't go away?'" Tessina asks. "Doing things separately gives you a chance to fill in the blanks that your partner can't fill in for you, for example, one of you likes classical music, the other one likes sports. Plus, taking a break from each other gives you more things to talk about, because when you're joined at the hip, what's to talk about? You've already seen it all."

The point, naturally, is not to make space for each other in that I-can't-wait-to-get-away-from-you sort of way but to pursue your own hobbies and interests. It's a distinction that Joe tried hard to make to Lori during their delicate pre-engagement negotiations four years ago.

5. Get spiritual together.

In another University of Chicago survey, this one of married couples, 75 percent of the Americans who pray with their spouses reported that their marriages are "very happy" (compared to 57 percent of those who don't). Those who pray together are also more likely to say they respect each other, discuss their marriage together, and — stop the presses — rate their spouses as skilled lovers.

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Uh oh -- you said THAT at work?

Careerbuilder.com

If commit an embarrassing gaffe at work, have no fear -- there are ways to recover gracefully. Here are three tips how:

Tip No. 1: Confess your wrongdoing

If you commit an obvious faux pas, like Davis' mispronunciation, including a typo in a presentation or accidentally sending a raunchy e-mail to your entire company, there's not much you can do but admit you messed up and go from there. Talking about your error too much could make the situation worse, so it's best to correct your mistake and move on.

Tip No. 2: Make the most of the situation

If you're caught making reproachful comments about a co-worker or boss, like Krawitz, take advantage of the opportunity to finally voice your concerns. Apologize for the way he or she found out about your grievances but use the moment to have an open discussion about why it might be difficult to work together. You could end up turning a negative situation into a positive one.

Tip No. 3: Don't take your gaffe too seriously

Nothing soothes the pain of an embarrassing situation better than laughing about it. If you can laugh at yourself (and your mistakes), like Giberson, it's likely other people can too.

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Most Sung-About Body Part? The Eyes Have It

blog.wired.com

Visual artists Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg analyzed over 10,000 songs to find out which parts of the human body were mentioned the most and broke down the resulting data by genre. The result: An interactive graphic work called "Listen" that correlates musical genres with the body parts they mention the most, as part of their ongoing Fleshmap project. Clicking on each genre brings up a more detailed representation of its chief bodily concerns.

"Listen investigates the relationship between language and the body," reads one sentence of the project's manifesto. "Verbal manifestations of human physicality in music, poetry and religion are distilled to their basic elements." By presenting those elements in such an intuitive way, Viégas and Wattenberg bring data to life graphically, so that it can be grasped in seconds.

So, what do the results tell us? Across all of the categories, the eyes are most frequently mentioned body part (Hall & Oates, "Private Eyes"), with the exceptions of hip hop, which places a firm emphasis on the posterior ( Sir Mix a Lot, "Baby Got Back") and blues (Louisiana Red, "Keep Your Hands Off My Woman") and gospel music (The Gospel, "Put Your Hands Together"), which are respectively focused on the keeping off of one's hands and the clapping or raising of one's hands.

As for the genre that talks about body parts the most, hip hop takes the honors with more references than any other genre. Meanwhile, gospel refers to the body the least. There are plenty of other data points to peruse. It's nice to know that 23.64 percent of hip hop songs refer to the behind, while 11.83 percent of rock songs talk about eyes.

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What to do if you're dating a mama's boy

(The Frisky) -- When your relationship is full of drama created by his mama, the road to romance can feel like a traffic jam -- with her in the driver's seat.

Puzzled as to why when he's around his mother, your man acts more like a boy?

Debra Mandel, Ph.D., author of "Dump That Chump: From Doormat to Diva in Only Nine Steps-- A Guide to Getting Over Mr. Wrong", answers this and some additional commonly-asked questions concerning men who aren't yet ready to make someone other than mama number one in their lives.

QUESTION: What causes a man to be a mama's boy?

Dr. Mandel: Guys who have always been coddled and indulged by their moms often become "mama's boys." Moms who do this tend to be fairly needy (especially when it comes to male attention) and therefore seek to create a relationship in which someone will be very dependent upon her. As the son of this type of mother grows up, he often fears that his mom will fall apart if he so much as moves to the neighboring zip code. So, it becomes a mutually parasitic relationship; both mom and son are afraid to be independent of each other.

In essence, your guy has become his mom's pseudo-husband, and consciously or unconsciously, he likes the importance of this role. Of course, this makes it hard for him to commit to another woman -- namely, you.

Q: What's the difference between a man having a "healthy" attachment to his mother and an "unhealthy" one?

Dr. Mandel: While you might find it odd that he's calling or even visiting his mother daily, the frequency of contact a guy has with his mom doesn't determine how healthy or unhealthy his attachment is to her. What does, however, is the quality of the contact. If both mom and son have mutual respect for one another and have set good boundaries with each other (if he's able to say "Thanks but no thanks for the new underwear you bought me, Ma. I am 34, you know...", for example), their talking everyday may not be something worth your concern.

On the other hand, while mom and son may not see or talk to one another very often, if he can't make a decision in his life without her approval or validation, that's a sign of a seriously u