10 Years Ago

Enjoy this clip I've put together of my good friend, Roberto. He was a SERVAS host that I stayed with in Savona, Italy in 1997 and we've stayed in touch over the years. Chris and I stayed with him for a week when we were in Europe 2 years ago. He's a beautiful and generous person. It's hard for me to believe that it's been 10 years since we met. Enjoy my first attempt at video editing:

A 4th to Remember... A 5th to Forget!

I may regret doing this but I could not resist. For the few of you who will, enjoy:

A Day No Pigs Would Die

I just finished reading this book last night and I LOVED it. It should be made into a movie!

I'm sure many of you may have read it during High School or Jr. High. It's one of the top 100 books recommended for students to read. I had never heard of it when Mom gave it to me a few months ago.

I've kept it on my nightstand and it's taken me forever to read. It's not a long book, it's just that I can only ready a few paragraphs in bed before I'm out like a light. But last night I got on a roll and read until I finished the book.

I won't spoil the story should any of you want to pick it up and read it. But if you grew up on a farm, like I did, you will really enjoy the story.

Daylilies at Work

My good friend and pal Dean Reusser inspired me to share some picutures of daylilies. I don't quite have his green thumb but I will try and share some of the calalilies that are in bloom in my front yard. These are flowers that are on property at the resort where I work. Here are a few of the daylilies that are in bloom at Thousand Hills in Branson. There are so many and they are really very beautiful. Enjoy!

What the...

Niki Delivers

It was about 10pm Thursday night when I got the call. Chris was on the other end of the line and in a very excited voice she practically shouted, "We're having babies!"

I can't believe it but Niki only had 2 kittens and unfortunately one did not survive. At least we have one healthy baby. I guess it's not unusual for a cat to only have 2 or 3 kittens her first litter. I thought she seemed bigger than only 2 kittens though.

Mommy and baby are doing well and hopefully I can put up a picture of the little critter soon. It's as cute as... well... not so cute yet. Have you ever seen a newborn kitten?! Not so cute.

Bathroom Remodel

Our Master Bathroom project that I started, um... well, too long ago, is once again in motion. I took some time this past weekend and stripped the walls and started to tear out the drywall around the tub. I'm going to tile the entire bathroom and since there was never any backerboard around the tub, I am putting it in.

We haven't picked out the exact tile yet but have had fun looking for ideas. I think what we're going to do is a combination of 12"x12" Travertine tiles around the tub and 1"x1" Travertine mesh mounted tiles in the rest of the room.

I would also like to use a large amount of mirror in the bathroom.

I LOVE the bathrooms at the new Andy Williams Moon River Grill in Branson. They used mirrors to make a rather small bathroom look twice as big. And that is what we need in ours because it's very small. Hopefully I can get a good price on some mirrors to create the same effect.

I think that I am going to have to have the bathtub professionally refinished. It's a very nice tub but there are a few chip in the porcelain finish. I have heard that you can do it yourself, but I think in order to get a professional looking job, I need to hire a professional. I'm going to research it anyway and find out what it will cost.

Well, stay tuned for bathroom updates too!

Tuesday has come and gone ...

... and Ms. Niki is still with kitten! And playful as ever. I took these snapshots just minutes ago. I can't imagine she can go much longer. I'll keep you posted.

Kitten Countdown

Our petite, Ms. Niki is about to pop! She is VERY pregnant and I expect will give birth in the next few days. I'm am predicting she will deliver on Tuesday. We'll see. Hopefully she'll have less than six kittens but our veterinarian told me on Wednesday that she could have as many as ten! ZOINKS! :-o

mycokerewards.com

dude... i have like 1,543 coke rewards points! AWESOME!

i think i'm gonna buy like some kitchen knives or something. SWEEEEEEET!

anybody else save coke points?

Rufus

I was introduced to Rufus Wainwright by National Public Radio (NPR) a couple years ago. I purchased one of his CD's, "Want One," just days later and I've been hooked ever since. It has become one of my most played CD's.

I think I have downloaded almost every song Rufus has produced on my iPod and I listen to them all, frequently. I just love his sound and style.

All that said, he isn't for everyone. Just ask anyone in my family. They hate him. I guess it's his voice. It's a little smokey. Or as they describe it, "It's like he has a mouth full of spinach."

But I like it. He has a complete security of intonation, even over a dense accompaniment. See what you think.

"Surrender" to Mike Rizzo

Laura Pausini is an Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning Italian pop singer, especially popular in Italy, Spain and Latin America, famed for her soulful voice, her romantic Adult Contemporary ballads and love songs. In 2002 Laura released her first English Album. Her single "Surrender" saw success peaking Billboard #1 in the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Enter Mike Rizzo. Rizzo is a progressive, remix producer from NYC and has an extensive list of number 1 Billboard dance club remixes. He has created this amazing underground sound that to me, quiet frankly, is incredibly inspirational. Ihave this song on my iPod and it's my favorite treadmill warm up song. Enjoy!

Wear Sunscreen

I am going to try and find this single on CD and start giving it as a graduation gift. I just heard it the other day and LOVED it. I'm sure every one of you will agree that the advice is profoundly true and poignant! Baz Luhrmann presented and produced the song that hit the charts in 1999. The lyrics were written by Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich, and the vocals were performed by Lee Perry. Enjoy!

Music for the Masses

I discovered a site, hipcast.com, that will allow me to share music on my blog. I'm just trying this out to see how it works--we'll see how it goes. I'll probably be my typical obsessive-compulsive self for a few days, downloading a lot, so... just bear with me... I'm sure this, too, will pass. Enjoy the tunes.

New Horizons

This is a terrific remix of a great old song. It's right up there with Break My Stride. I can still see Betsy skipping around the lodge... Maybe I need to break this song out at the next Chill!

Six Hours Later...

Six hours later is just about the difference in my schedule compared to the average day person. You see, I'm an evening Operations Manager at Thousand Hills Golf Resort and Conference Center in Branson, MO.

I am regularly asked, "Do you like working the night shift?" Or people will frequently say, "I could never work those hours!" Personally, I love the evening shift because, you see, I'm a night person.

This evening I joked with a salesperson over the phone that I had spoke to earlier in the day. At the end of our conversation, she wanted to know when a good time to call me back would be. I said, "call me anytime--24 hours a day... I'm a vampire!" Ha! Sometimes that is what I feel like.

I rarely see more than an hour or two of daylight during the week. And it's not much more on the weekends during the winter. I'm pale as a ghost.

But that's okay... because I like the night. I always have. I feel like I'm more productive once 8 o'clock rolls around. Why, I don't know? Maybe it's just my imagination but I'll tell you this, I have never wanted to go to bed before midnight. Ever.

Sometimes I blame my mom. When I was a young boy, she hung poster in my bedroom of Charlie Brown and the caption read, "I hate to go to bed at night, And I hate to get up in the morning!" Sometimes I think staring at that poster all of those years drilled the idea in my head that "night is better" and in time it became self-fulfilling.

But "blame" is probably not the right word. I should probably "Thank" Mom. Who knows what kind of a boring schmuck I would have turned out to be had the poster read otherwise.

I'm thinking of making a new, revised Charlie Brown poster for my desk at work that reads, "Early to bed, Early to rise, Makes Charlie a boring Schmuck!" Charlie would be sporting a high collared cape and fangs! Ha!

Maybe not!

Well I better get to bed. It's almost midnight (6 AM). But it is Saturday and I'm off. I plan to sleep in so don't call me before 10 (4 PM).

"Good Grief!"

Good 'Nite!

The 20 Best Medicines for Men

I recently read an article that I thought had some interesting information. It may seem a little strange to some of you to see me print this information on my blog, knowing my attitude about using medication. However, there are those rare instances when I have wondered, "What would be the best over-the-counter for…." So, guys, I present to you what 3,000 pharmacists of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) picked as the "best Med" in a dozen different categories, based on their clinical knowledge and practical experience. There won’t be too many surprises

ALLERGIES, MULTISYMPTOM

Claritin

Why it won: One dose helps halt hay fever and other sinus allergies for up to 24 hours, compared with 4 to 6 hours for other antihistamines. Claritin is also the first OTC antihistamine that's truly nonsedating, which means you can finally operate heavy machinery (or just drive your car). One caution: Claritin-D also contains a decongesting stimulant, so take it at least 4 hours before bedtime, says Paul Doering, an OTC expert at the University of Florida.

Maximize it: Anytime you're anticipating an allergy attack, pop a preemptive Claritin. "This will make your reaction less severe than if you treated it after it began," says Steven Pray, Ph.D., D.P.H., a professor of nonprescription drugs at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Generic equivalent: Loratadine, 10 milligrams (mg)

ALLERGIES, SKIN

Benadryl

Why it won: Whether it's the burning of a bee sting or the itching of poison ivy, skin reactions involve more histamine—the body's allergy-causing chemical—than sinus flare-ups do. As a result, Claritin may not cut it. "There's some proof that nonsedating antihistamines have an effect on these allergic reactions, but not as great an effect as Benadryl has," says Linda Krypel, Pharm.D., an associate professor of pharmacy at Drake University. But that power comes at a price: Benadryl can make you too drowsy to drive a forklift.

Maximize it: Mix Benadryl with Tagamet, an OTC antacid. Tagamet contains cimetidine, what's known as an H2 histamine blocker. Benadryl uses an H1 blocker. "Take an H1 and an H2 together and you get more relief because they affect different parts of your allergy-response system," says Michael Roizen, M.D., a professor of medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Generic equivalent: Diphenhydramine, 25 mg

ATHLETE'S FOOT

Lamisil AT

Why it won: "Lamisil AT inhibits an essential component of the fungal cell membrane," says Donnie Calhoun, R.Ph., owner of Golden Spring Pharmacy in Alabama. "Without its membrane, the fungus will die." In an Australian study of 217 people with athlete's foot, researchers found that terbinafine, the active ingredient in Lamisil, cleared up the symptoms in 85 percent of people who used it for 1 week, compared with only 56 percent of those applying clotrimazole.

Maximize it: Use Lamisil until your symptoms disappear—and then keep on using it for an addi-tional 2 weeks. "Fungal infections are extremely hard to get rid of," says Dr. Krypel. "Even if you can alleviate the symptoms, the under-lying infection may still be there."

Generic equivalent: None

BURNS

Solarcaine

Why it won: It uses the king of the 'caines: benzocaine. In addition to being a powerful painkiller, benzocaine may be safer than other anesthetics, such as lidocaine, which can cause side effects, such as blurry vision and dizziness, says Michael Oszko, Pharm.D., an associate professor at the University of Kansas. Another advantage of Solarcaine is that it's an aerosol; creams can hurt when you rub them in.

Maximize it: Before you reach for the benzocaine fire extinguisher, run your scorched skin under cool water to prevent blistering (don't use cold water, because the drastic temperature change can aggravate your epidermis). "The heat starts breaking down the proteins on the surface of your skin, and that's what results in your blister," says Dr. Pray.

Generic equivalent: Benzocaine, 20 percent

CANKER SORES

Zilactin Cold Sore Gel

Why it won: It leads a double life at the drugstore. Though Zilactin is marketed as a cold-sore medication, pharmacists chose it for canker sores because it contains benzyl alcohol. Like a liquid bandage, benzyl alcohol temporarily seals off the sore, protecting it from the irritation caused by eating. Minimize the irritation and you'll maximize the healing.

Maximize it: Apply Zilactin about 10 minutes before dining in order to create the strongest possible seal, says Doering.

Generic equivalent: Benzyl alcohol, 10 percent

CARDIAC CARE

Ecotrin

Why it won: It may save your life and your stomach, thanks to a special, slow-disintegration coating. "Ecotrin is dissolved and absorbed in the intestines, so it lessens the risk of stomach irritation that can occur with regular aspirin," says Janet Engle, Pharm.D., a clinical professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago college of pharmacy. But use only the low-strength version—81 mg. A study in the journal Circulation determined that taking less than 100 mg aspirin daily offers the greatest level of cardiovascular protection, and that higher doses may actually increase the risk of heart trouble.

Maximize it: Don't take Ecotrin and drop an antacid at the same time. The antacid will cause the special coating to dissolve too quickly, turning Ecotrin into reg-ular aspirin.

Generic equivalent: Enteric coated aspirin

COLD SORES

Abreva

Why it won: Since cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, the only way to knock the disease back into dormancy is with an antiviral medication. Abreva is presently the only topical antiviral treatment available over the counter. A study of 737 people published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that docosanol (the active ingredient in Abreva) helped heal cold sores 19 percent faster than a placebo (in 4 days instead of almost 5).

Maximize it: After you apply Abreva, rub on a little Zilactin Cold Sore Gel. The Zilactin will help relieve the pain while the Abreva fights the virus, says Dr. Pray. Otherwise, it's hands off. "The virus will heal faster the less you touch the sore, because when you touch it, you can reinfect it with the virus," says Dr. Roizen.

Generic equivalent: None

CONGESTION, NASAL

Sudafed

Why it won: It's like nasal Drano. While most other decongestants only reduce sinus swelling, Sudafed also loosens the mucus, thanks to the inclusion of the expectorant guaifenesin. Pharmacists also point out that when Sudafed is combined with a spray decongestant, such as Afrin, it can prevent a person's ears from clogging up during air travel.

Maximize it: Add ibuprofen to your decongestion regimen. A new study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology showed that stuffed-up subjects who took ibuprofen with pseudoephedrine—the main ingredient in Sudafed—had 22 percent less congestion than those who took pseudoephedrine by itself.

Generic equivalent: Pseudo-ephedrine hydrochloride, 30 mg, and guaifenesin, 200 mg

COUGH

Robitussin

Why it won: This cough remedy edges ahead for what it doesn't contain as much as for what it does. Whether you choose Robitussin Guaifenesin to loosen the mucus in a congested chest or Robitussin DM to also help quiet a cough, neither formula contains alcohol. "Alcohol swells bronchial tissues, which could make the cough worse," says Calhoun.

Maximize it: Take up drinking—water. "If your body's cells are hydrated, it will be easier for the medication to work at the receptor sites and provide relief," Calhoun says. "Proper hydration will help you get better faster."

Generic equivalent: Guaifenesin, 100 mg (Robitussin Guaifenesin); dextromethorphan HBr, 10 mg, and guaifenesin, 100 mg (Robitussin DM)

CUTS AND MINOR WOUNDS

Neosporin

Why it won: Three reasons: bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin. A recent University of Virginia study showed that ointment containing this antibiotic trio eliminated 96 percent of bacteria in 6 hours, while a salve sans neomycin killed 14 percent. That said, if your gash or rash becomes more inflamed after you apply Neosporin, you may be allergic to neomycin. Instead, go with a double-antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin.

Maximize it: Even the best bandages can become unstuck, allowing the Neosporin to rub off and the wound to dry out. (Moisture speeds healing time.) If the cut is in an inconspicuous place, Dr. Roizen suggests sealing it with a piece of Saran Wrap and two rubber bands instead. "Saran Wrap really protects the wound because it stays tightly pressed against your skin," he says.

Generic equivalent: Bacitracin zinc, 400 units; neomycin, 3.5 mg; and polymyxin B sulfate, 5,000 units

DIARRHEA

Imodium A-D

Why it won: Imodium A-D puts the reins on the runs by slowing down the movement of your intestines, whereas other products focus only on decreasing "fluid production." However, if the cause of your distress is payback from a certain Aztec emperor, reach for a bottle of Pepto-Bismol instead: The active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, can help kill off stomach bugs.

Maximize it: Drink a milk chaser. "Calcium increases your body's ability to slow the intestines," Dr. Roizen says. Down one glass of skim milk twice a day for the necessary 600 mg calcium.

Generic equivalent: Loperamide, 2 mg

GAS

Gas-X

Why it won: Gas-X contains the ingredient proven to stop explosive gas leaks fast: simethicone. "It breaks the surface tension of small gas bubbles, helping them pass quickly through the body," says Dr. Krypel.

Maximize it: Besides altering what you eat—less soda and beans—change how you eat. Specifically, slow the heck down. You swallow more air when you eat quickly, thus increasing the number of gas-producing air bubbles in your system, says Dr. Pray.

Generic equivalent: Simethicone, 125 mg

HEADACHE

Regular Strength Tylenol

Why it won: Tylenol held a slight edge in a clinical cage match with Aleve. Research published in Cephalalgia showed that 37 percent of people who took 1,000 mg acetaminophen saw their headaches disappear after 2 hours, compared with 32 percent of those who popped 375 mg naproxen. However, if the pain is between your eyes, skip both meds and see a doctor. "In almost every case, this is a sinus infection with a sinus headache," says Dr. Pray.

Maximize it: Don't delay. "Most headaches are caused by vascular spasm—a tightening of blood vessels in your head—or the release of that spasm," says Dr. Roizen. "Take medication early and you can stop the spasm from reaching its worst level."

Generic equivalent: Acetaminophen, 325 mg

HEADACHE, MIGRAINE

Excedrin Migraine

Why it won: In addition to acetaminophen, it also has the proven pain-busters aspirin and caffeine. In a recent study presented to the International Headache Society, researchers compared the equivalent of two Excedrin Migraine tablets with a prescription headache med. Their finding: Eighty-seven percent of people on the acetaminophen-aspirin-caffeine combination reported complete or partial symptom relief after 2 hours, versus only 75 percent of those given the prescription drug.

Maximize it: Make Excedrin's job easier. Researchers at the University of Miami determined that migraine sufferers who received two weekly 30-minute head massages reported decreases in headache pain.

Generic equivalent: Acetaminophen, 250 mg; aspirin, 250 mg; caffeine, 65 mg

HEARTBURN, ACUTE

Mylanta

Why it won: Mylanta combines two balms for the burn: aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. "They work immediately, but their duration is short," says Dr. Oszko. Still, it's a longer reprieve than other antacids offer; University of Oklahoma researchers found that Mylanta's ingredients neutralized acid about 22 minutes longer than calcium-based products did.

Maximize it: Stick with liquid Mylanta. "If you take the tablet form, you have to chew it well and drink water to make sure it's absorbed," says Dr. Krypel. "With liquids, you're already there."

Generic equivalent: Aluminum hydroxide, 400 mg, and magnesium hydroxide, 400 mg

HEARTBURN, ACUTE

Mylanta

Why it won: Mylanta combines two balms for the burn: aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. "They work immediately, but their duration is short," says Dr. Oszko. Still, it's a longer reprieve than other antacids offer; University of Oklahoma researchers found that Mylanta's ingredients neutralized acid about 22 minutes longer than calcium-based products did.

Maximize it: Stick with liquid Mylanta. "If you take the tablet form, you have to chew it well and drink water to make sure it's absorbed," says Dr. Krypel. "With liquids, you're already there."

Generic equivalent: Aluminum hydroxide, 400 mg, and magnesium hydroxide, 400 mg

HEARTBURN, CHRONIC

Prilosec OTC

Why it won: It contains omeprazole, a chemical that can slow your stomach's acid pumps. Just one pill can decrease acid production, but a 2-week course is necessary for lasting relief; a new University of Michigan study showed that 43 percent of people on omeprazole for 2 weeks stayed heartburn-free for 3 months.

Maximize it: As you're popping Prilosec, try dropping pounds. "Weight loss changes the angle of the esophagus," Dr. Roizen says. "A sharp angle makes it harder for the acid to come back up."

Generic equivalent: None

HEMORRHOIDS

Preparation H

Why it won: Hemorrhoids are just dilated blood vessels, which are best treated by chemicals called vasoconstrictors. Preparation H contains a vasoconstrictor—phenylephrine—while other brands have only anesthetics. Caution: If your hemorrhoids bleed or last more than a week, see a doctor.

Maximize it: Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water and down 25 grams of fiber daily. The water and fiber will correct the cause of the hemorrhoids—straining too hard—as well as help promote healing, says Dr. Roizen. "It usually has an effect within a day."

Generic equivalent: Phenylephrine, 0.25 percent

JOCK ITCH

Lotrimin AF

Why it won: The fungus in your Fruit of the Looms needs to be treated differently than the type between your toes. The combination of the warm, moist environment in your underwear and the ease with which you can scratch the itch ups the odds of a bacterial infection. Enter Lotrimin AF. In addition to fighting fungus, "the clotrimazole in Lotrimin may help prevent a secondary infection," Dr. Krypel says.

Maximize it: Buy the cream and rub it in well. "The skin protects the fungus, so you need to spend enough time rubbing it into the affected area," Dr. Krypel says.

Generic equivalent: Clotrimazole, 1 percent

JOINT PAIN

Advil

Why it won: Advil owes it all to ibuprofen. When French researchers recently studied 222 people with osteoarthritis, they noted that those who took 400 mg ibuprofen had 23 percent more pain relief during the following 6 hours than those who swallowed 1,000 mg acetaminophen. What's more, after 2 weeks of treatment, the people popping ibuprofen still reported less pain and stiffness.

Maximize it: Employ a pincer move: Use Advil to attack the pain from the inside and a heat wrap to hit it from your skin in. Wraps, like those made by ThermaCare, are better than ointments, says Dr. Pray, because they penetrate deeper and last longer (8 hours).

Generic equivalent: Ibuprofen, 200 mg

POISON IVY

Cortaid

Why it won: Steroids. Not the Jason Giambi variety, but a topical steroid called hydrocortisone, which helps relieve both the itching and the inflammation that are caused by an ivy attack. Other topical creams, such as Benadryl and Caladryl, work only to soothe the itch.

Maximize it: Soak in oats. Before you rub on the Cortaid, immerse your itch-afflicted area in a mix of warm water and colloidal oatmeal for at least 15 minutes. One Australian study showed that patients who were treated with colloidal oatmeal for minor burns reported less itching and needed less medicine than those treated with another anti-itch ointment.

Generic equivalent: Hydrocortisone, 1 percent

bransonLIFE.blogspot.com

If you are interested in learning what Branson, Missouri might have to offer you in the way of food, entertainment, shopping and more, check out my new sister blog, www.bransonLIFE.blogspot.com. Right now it looks like it's going in the direction of just restaurant reviews, but as time goes by I will list and review some of the shows, attractions, shopping, and activities as well. My hope is that this will stir an interest and motivate my family and friends to come to town. Selfish motive I know! Enjoy!

Bwahahaha...

Some people are like Slinkies - not really good for anything but you can't help but laugh when you push them down the stairs.

Windy Windy Windy

Is it cold and windy where you are? It sure is here! My goodness, I thought I would blow away last night on my way home from work. I could hardly keep the car on the road. A construction sign had blow over the freeway while I was caught up in a song from the 70's and almost did't see it. I dang near swearved off the road!

It's been quite a winter here.