Babble’s Top 100 Food Mom Bloggers-Mother Connie

Mother Connie

 

I have to say that entering the fray in Babble’s Top 100 Food Mom Bloggers started out simply as a way of honoring my friend Mother Connie.  It has since become more about honoring her AND getting people aware of the impact she is making in the lives of the people who visit her Food Stamps Cooking Club Blog.  You see, Connie has always been about helping people be healthy (she teaches ways to eat healthier while on a tight budget) but she also truly loves connecting with people and encouraging them.

Her blog is one of community.  The people who visit there aren’t simply people who get their groceries from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-food stamps)…even though that is the name of the blog.  It is also written for, and contributed to by, people who receive WIC  (Women, Infants, and Children), Angel Food Ministries, Commodities, Farmer’s Market coupons or groceries from local food pantries.  Connie encourages people to participate with their cooking tips, shopping or marketing tips, health information and to ask questions that she or her readers may have an answer to.

All of this is done with the intention of helping people to stretch their food dollars and to shop, prepare and serve the healthiest meals that they can to their families.  Connie not only accomplishes this…she has been an inspiration to many.  For all of those reasons…I ask you to go here to Babble’s Top 100 Mom Food Bloggers and nominate her.  All you have to do is find her on page 1 or 2 and click on the “like” button to vote for her.   Thanks a lot.  Oh, and go visit her blog…and leave her a comment; she loves comments…tell her Write Where You Are sent you!

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Dancing With The Stars-Tango For Two Engagement

     It was announced today that two of the professional dancers on Dancing With The Stars are now engaged.  This is a surprise to many as Karina Smirnoff was involved with former contestant entertainer Mario Lopez not so very long ago. 

      Karina is now engaged to be married to Maksim Chmerkovskiy.  They are both very talented.  They have been dating for most of the summer and are , at present, involved in the Dancing With The Stars tour.  They became engaged on New Year’s Eve. 

       The new season of Dancing With The Stars begins the second week of March.  This new aspect of their relationship should make for a very interesting season for viewers.  How will the competition between dancing teams affect their relationship….how will it affect their dancing?  In any case, we wish them well…may they live happily ever after. 

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Julianne Gone For Good?

      Julianne Hough left dancing with the stars this week and she won’t be back…at least not next season.  She is going to be concentrating on her music.  So…what does that mean for the competition next season…Julianne is one of the favorite professional dancers to the viewers.  Julianne has two talents…singing and dancing; but singing is her passion.

       She’s talented as both a singer and as a dancer; and, no one wants to see her go…but, at the same time, no one wants to hold her back with her singing career.  Dancers careers are sometimes short-lived due to injury; as we have seen this season alone, there have been many injuries to the couples on the dance floor this season.

        Is Dereck Hough the next to leave for greener pastures?  He also is involved in music and has a band.  Dancing with the stars might be the very catalyst that launches the next generation of entertainers.  Best wishes to all those who strive to do their best in their areas of talent.  We will miss you Julianne!

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Dancing With The Stars-Fab Four

      So tonight on dancing with the stars…it is the fab four.  Four teams of dancers who have gotten to the top of their game by working hard.  What four dancers are left in the competition? 

        Lance Bass and his professional pro-dancer Lacey Schwimmer have made great gains in the last couple of weeks.  Then there is Cody Linley and his pro-partner Julianne Hough.  Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson are in the final four as well as Brooke Burke and Dereck Hough.  Each team has learned how to bring out the best in each other…the teamwork has evolved into some wonderful relationships.

         As the competition heats up…who will end up in the finals will be determined by tonight’s outcome.  I predict the couple to leave tonight will be Cody Linley and Julianne Hough.  Cody has improved alot since he began on the show…however he was sidelined a couple of weeks back when Julianne had to have her appendix removed.  He soldiered on with Edyta as his partner and did alright but he never regained his focus that he was beginning to establish when he was dancing with Julianne.

          Tonight’s results on the show could surprise me …but i believe that the other dancers either have been more consistent in their dancing or have a stronger fan base.  We will see.    Who do you think is leaving…and, who do you think will be the final winner this season?

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A Gentleman Leaves…Dancing With The Stars!

        Tonight was the elimination show on dancing with the stars.  The contestant that left this weeks competition is Rocco Despirito, the chef.  I felt that he had been improving…but evidently not enough to compensate for all of the viewers who love Cloris Leachman. 

         However, Rocco was a true gentleman with his departure.  I love the fact that he thanked the other competitors, his dance partner Karina, and in turn each of the judges.  I respect him because of what comes across as a true appreciation of his experiences on the show.  He appears to really and truly have discovered joy in the experience.  He conducted himself in true sportsman like behavior while competing as well as in exiting the competition.  Good job team Rocco and Karina!  

        Ps…Cloris seemed a bit surprised that she wasn’t the one leaving this week.  Even though she did an outstanding job last night in her dance.  I really like the fact that each season…most of the competitors develop a real affection for one another. 

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Shaking It Up At Dancing With The Stars!

       Breaking news regarding the competition on Dancing With The Stars…Misty May Treanor has sustained an injury that will be taking her out of the competition.  She has injured her Achilles tendon; it will possibly required surgery.  This also means that the injury could have long term impact for her, with her volleyball career. Last year the show suffered a shock when Christian De La Fuente was injured as well.  He was blessed to have healed after having surgery to his shoulder.   Watch this evening to hear an update on Misty Treanor’s health.

       With last weeks scoring results, Kim Kardashian left the competition as well.  So this leaves those remaining in the competition a little shaken up.  The dancing is strenuous at Dancing With The Stars; and, injuries are a possibility for both the stars as well as the dancing pros. This week Saturday, during practice with his partner Brooke Burke, Derek Hough blacked out after hitting his head on the floor after tripping and falling. The week before this week’s injury, Karina was temporarily sidelined by an ankle injury…she recovered quickly and was able to compete.  Who will excel this week and who will falter in the heat of the battle for excellence.  One thing is for sure…this show never lacks for excitement in it’s competition.  Who are you rooting for?

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Thank Goodness, They Recap On Dancing With The Stars!

       It can’t be helped; tonight, i am going to miss Dancing With The Stars.  It is my guilty pleasure to watch this show.  I look forward to the season; when it is out of season.  I need to run to the airport to pick up my hubby from a business trip.  He is more important than watching television…but, on the other hand, i am glad that Dancing With The Stars always has a recap on Tuesday nights, of the show the night before.  This way, i can catch up…since i am going to miss it tonight.  I hate to have to miss it; in it’s first showing…but, at least i will get to see the stars in action tomorrow night.

        Since this is the second week of the season, i hope that they haven’t changed their formula from the previous season…or, i will be very disappointed.  The early stages of the season…it is supposed to run fairly predictable with who leaves week by week according to skill or lack of skill…although, some have fallen for Cloris Leachman’s personality; and, kept her on a week or so longer than they should have in my opinion.  No matter, in a few short weeks, the true competitors will be in place and you will begin to see real growth in those who remain in the competition.  In the meantime, the show is an enjoyment for the most part. 

          In having Cloris, the oldest competitor in the history of Dancing With The Stars…maybe they should have called it Risky Business!  After all, a fall could be serious business for someone who is in their 80’s.  It is somewhat inspirational to have her set an example of remaining active in body and spirit when we age; however, Cloris has set a bad example with her behavior and her salty language.  

          Maybe Dancing With The Stars should have a clause in their agreement with the entertainers on standards of behavior allowed on the television show; since it is watched by families with young children as audience members. 

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It’s Time For Dancing With The Stars!

        In less than an hour, Dancing With The Stars will premiere this years season opener.  It will be a three night premiere.  I can’t wait to see who starts out the season making a sparkling entrance and who will clearly make a splash.  All of this year’s participants are interesting and talented in their own field…so it will be another season of fun…watching them grow and learn. The celebrities are skilled in athletics, acting, comedy and so on…so it will be cool to see them using teamwork with their professional dance instructors to perform each week.  This first week, two yes i said two couple will leave the competition.

        Watch it with me and feel the tension and competition mount as relationships are formed and the competitors become a fraternity with one another.  It seems that each season has it’s own little close knit group. They have fun and challenge themselves and support other couples who they form friendships with.   I wonder if they ever have reunions together?  I think Mel B will be back on this season making cameo appearances.  It is fun to see things through the former competitor’s eyes!  Who are you rooting for and why?

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Kilpatrick Publically Un-ivited…How Embarassing!!!

      Is there no end to the humiliation that Kwame Kilpatrick is willing to endure to stay in office?  I mean, the man has been in jail in the last week, been released, ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device, his travel has been restricted, he has been “invited” by local clergy, to please step down from his position out of respect for the people of Detroit, Michigan Govenor Granholm says that she won’t pardon him should he be convicted of the charges before the court, and now, the coupe de grace…he is being “un-invited” to attend the Democratic National Convention, allegedly, by a spokesman for  Sen. Obama; because the focus would be taken off of Senator Barack Obama; and, Kwame Kilpatrick would be a “distraction”. 

       My opinion is, who could tell whether Mr. Kilpatrick was a distraction, what with the news that Oprah will be there, Bill Clinton will be making a speech, and of course, Hillary his former competition will be there.   This whole Democratic National Convention is looking like a big ole slice of distraction pie anyway…but still, enough is enough regarding Mr. Kilpatrick.  The stress of this whole case, has to be having an enormous effect on him and his family; it is hard enough to go through these issues privately…but, publically is a whole different matter.  As far as he goes, i guess it is his problem…he put himself in that position…but his family and friends…that is another matter…they aren’t the ones being accused but they are in the middle of it just because they are close to him.

       Besides Mr. Kilpatrick being pushed and pulled like a human yo-yo between two court room jurisdictions; being allowed to travel to the Democratic National Convention by one judge, forbid by another, told to wear the electronic monitor, then given permission to have it removed; only, to have it re-attached four hours later, it has to be taking up all of his time just to deal with the legalities; when and how does he start healing his relationships. 

       How many times, and in how many ways, does Mr. Kilpatrick have to be told to move on…it is a little like a woman throwing herself at a man; a man who: a).  doesn’t want her, b)  doesn’t need her, and, c).  is thinking about filing harassment charges against her; and finally, d).  has to go into the witness protection program, because he can’t get away from the woman who has turned a little extreme, and is acting out a role in a fatal attraction, kind of way!   I mean really, a compulsive person who is driven to act in ways that are not in their best interest, and can’t seem to help making things worse for themselves; and, is in denial about it…really needs to find a way to understand that the ordeal has to end sometime…so why not take control of the resignation before it ends in total political humiliation?   Of course, i don’t know how much more humiliating it could get than to be publically un-invited to your own party’s national convention.

         Like a moth drawn to the flame…the moth can’t seem to help itself before it is too late.     Isn’t there someone in his personal life, or one of his close advisors that he respects, who cares enough about him to say…step down…do it for yourself or, your family if for no other reason;… because this isn’t good for you, your family, or for Michigan?  This last year in politics has been nothing but controversy for Michigan…most of us have had enough frustration and embarassment.

        The whole mess has elevated to a new level of dismay with each new court appearance, or news article that gets published, or video clips that make the nightly news.  Someone, somewhere is thinking that this will make a great book with all kinds of insider explanations…please don’t…some of us have to continue to live in the state of Michigan…even after the Kilpatrick soap opera is brought to an end; and, healing begins to take place. 

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Are The Olympics In Beijing China Safe To Attend?

        With recent terrorist attacks on civilians in China; and, a video promising more of the same, up to and during the Olympics; you have to wonder…are the Olympics in Beijing, China safe to attend?  Will the threat of terrorist attacks weaken the support for the games?

         There have been attacks on buses and on a plastics factory, allegedly by the Turkistan Islamic Party…they have claimed to be responsible for the recent attack of the bus bombings.  They are promising to attack Chinese cities by “means that have never been employed” before.  With the whole world watching, the temptation to use violence and fear, to control large numbers of people who would go to support the Olympic games, appears to be irresistible.  The threats must be taken very seriously.

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