Just Do What Your Momma Taught You!

Okay, so I'm seriously getting annoyed with this whole Swine Flu nonsense. I turn on the new yesterday during my lunch hour, and for the entire hour this is all they talked about - the Swine Flu and Sarah Palin meeting the Chopper guys and knowing little about motorcycles. Are you kidding me? This is the news?!

And then I open up my computer last night to find this! A story by Fox New titled: Flu Masks in Fashion as Virus Nears Pandemic Stage. The pictures below, that are also posted on the same article say it all. Are you kidding me?! And apparently these masks are even selling?! What?!

The tagline for the above article reads: If you don't want it, flaunt it.

Wow. Come on people, just do what your Momma taught you. Wash your hands! Cover your mouth when you sneeze! Wash your hands! Did I mention wash your hands after you go the bathroom. Come on folks, this is not that difficult, WASH YOUR HANDS!

According to fluFACTS.com, "In the U.S., an estimated 25–50 million cases of the flu are currently reported each year — leading to 150,000 hospitalizations and 30,000–40,000 deaths yearly. If these figures were to be estimated incorporating the rest of the world, there would be an average of approximately 1 billion cases of flu, around 3–5 million cases of severe illness, and 300,000–500,000 deaths annually." That's just the regular flu.

Now let me compare that to the currently over dramatized facts of the swine flu. According to newsday.com, as of yesterday that statistics on the swine flu look like this:

Deaths: 103, all in Mexico. 22 confirmed as swine flu, 1,614 suspected.

Sickened: 1,384 in Mexico, suspected or confirmed; 40 confirmed in U.S.; 10 suspected in New Zealand; 6 confirmed in Canada; 7 suspected in Spain; 1 suspected in France; 1 suspected in Israel.

Does anyone see a VAST difference between the two?! So why are we making such a big deal out of this swine flu?!!! I do not want to be insensitive to those that have lost their lives because of this event, but seriously, come on news folks... stop the propaganda. The White House needs to stop the fear that they are allowing to flow from them regarding this strain of flu.

Everyone do like their Momma taught them, and we'll all be okay!
Oh, and you've got to love signs that we're seeing around this city in the bathrooms that say, "Please help us keep the swine flu from spreading by washing your hands".

If anyone finds some good cartoon editorials about this whole swine flu affair, please send them my way. Send me the links, I want to see them. I'll post the best ones.

AI Elimination Bracket Standings - 8

Wow! America put Adam in the bottom two! I think I have to agree with that in the sense of my belief that he does the same type thing every time. That screeching. Don't get me wrong, I think he's super talented. But I also think he's too Broadway like, and screeches too often. I was just pumped that Kris and Danny - who I voted twice for each last night, made it through safely.

This week was hard... someone has to go and I thought all 5 contestants rocked it out last night. So... Matt Giraud says goodbye tonight.

This week each person chosen correctly is worth 4 points each. Ashley and Riser had the highest points this week, tied at 12 points each, choosing three out of the Top 4 correctly. Congrats. And boy do we have some shuffling in the standings this week...

Updated Standings:

• Ashley C - 100 points
• Steve R - 99 points
• Mr. McGoo - 96 points
• Nicole T - 92 points
• Kelly L - 90 points
• Candace B -90 points
• Laura R - 81 points
• Erin Marie - 68 points
• Katy B - 68 points

Next week theme: Rock 'n Roll

Updated Info on Greyson:

Updated info on Greyson can be found on his mom's page: http://schwaigert.blogspot.com/2009/04/wow.html

Thank you for everyone's support. Each prayer and comment of encouragement has been greatly appreciated by Kelly and me, and the Schwaigert family!!!

Because of UFrank...

Yup Ladies and Gents,
that IS my hubby wearing an
University of Kansas (KU) hat.

As you know, he's an AVID... okay, maybe avid is not the right descriptive term, he's an EXTREME University of Kentucky fan. UFrank purchased us this hat a couple years ago when we visited Kansas and were able to attend a KU game in the Allen Fieldhouse. As we're raising funds for our friends and especially their son, Greyson, UFrank has joined in and contributed to the cause. All he asked for in return was this photo. So here ya go... because of UFrank... and FOR GREYSON... here is the shot.

Guest Apperance and Plea from Mr. McGoo

Verbal Vomit blog readers. I'm writing this because Greyson Schwaigert and his parents Ryan and Brittany are very near and dear to my heart and as I read Mrs. McGoo's blog about Greyson, I didn't feel like it challenged her readers as much as I would have liked. So that's why I'm making a special appearance here.

I want to challenge all of you, the readers, to please donate a small amount (or large) to this fundraiser.

This is NOT an advertisement or a statement from some corporate letter. These are my thoughts, my words, my tears, and my heart.

Our friends and family, I would hope that all of you know that if this situation was laid upon your feet, we would do our part in helping raise support and prayer for your child. So if you can imagine, put yourself in Ryan and Brittany's situation for a second. I believe you would want support and prayer from every place possible, whether that be from family, friends, co-workers, friends of friends, and anyone else. I know that if this was our son or daughter I would want my friends and family to support us in aid for our child and would greatly appreciate love being poured out wherever I could receive it.

We call ourselves friends and family, so I am asking....no begging YOU, my friends, my brothers, my sisters who are all in the body of Christ to take just a few moments from your day and donate to Greyson Schwaigert. The Lord has blessed Heather and I with some wonderful friends and an incredible family and it would mean so much to Heather and I that you cared enough about us to care about a very special young child.

I want to see Greyson break all his daddy's records as a soccer player for the University of Memphis. Please take just a few minutes and help make donation to Greyson's fundraiser.

Pour out your love.

Kelly McGugan
(aka. Mr. McGoo)

Greyson's Fundraiser

Our friends, the Schwaigert's have an adorable and handsome one year old son named Greyson. He is a stud of a boy, as you can easily see on the adorable picture to the right. Although his cuteness is beyond compare, he has Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Ryan and Brittany, as well as their top notch doctors are working to help Greyson with his symptoms, as well as fight for a cure for what Greyson goes through and other kids like him. If you want to support and contribute to the fight against TSC, click on the widget to the right of my blog. You can donate to Greyson's fundraiser that will go towards the TS Alliance Walk-A-Thon in St. Louis (where Greyson's grandparents reside and his specialty doctors are located). Every little bit helps, $5, $10 at a time adds up after awhile!

I believe Greyson was diagnosed with TSC around the 2 month age range, since then the doctors and family have been working on finding a medication or combination of meds that will reduce his regular seizures to zero per day. Thankfully they are currently only occurring twice a day on average. This is much better than in months past. However, regardless of what this young gun is going through and all the doctors and tests he's been put through over this first year of his life, he's a super trooper! Strong as an ox, and developing very well. PRAISE GOD for His goodness! I'm blessed to have an opportunity to help Greyson out and support his parents in a real, material way!

If you do not want to donate online, feel free to cut a check (memo: For Greyson) to me, and I'll get the funds to Brittany who can mail a total check for cash donations to the TS Alliance Walk-A-Thon she is supporting with this fundraiser.

WHAT IS TSC?

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. You will see it referred to both as tuberous sclerosis (TS) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The term TSC is used in scientific literature to distinguish tuberous sclerosis complex from Tourette's syndrome.

The disease affects some people severely, while others are so mildly affected that it often goes undiagnosed. Some people with TSC experience developmental delay, mental retardation and autism. However, there are also many people with TSC living independent, healthy lives who enjoy challenging professions such as doctors, lawyers, educators and researchers.

Direct link to Greyson's fundraiser page: http://www.firstgiving.com/greysonschwaigert

The Riser Project: Operation Stev-O

Carpe Deal'em! Erin Marie and I definitely seized the deal on this one, ladies and gents.

For $1153 we purchased a two lamp and table set for the dining room, had two watercolor paintings customized and framed, three side tables for the living room, bookcase, three framed prints for the living room, guest bathroom accessories, guest bathroom decor, multiple living room accessories and accents, bedroom storage drawers and two door cabinet, large decorative living room vase, three additional living room seats/foot stools, basket to organize mail, kitchen table and two chairs, and area rug for the foyer entrance.

Through hunting down sales, as well as utilizing every coupon opportunity, the current total of savings for all the items above is $613.52. I say, even a Riser can say CARPE DEAL'EM with a savings amount like that!

Below are a couple shots of the deal finders working their magic in the stores:

Although there are many photos that could be displayed, below are two examples of our "before" and "after" shots. Going from a bachelor pad to a home!

Regardless of the many hours put into this adventure, both EM and I can say that this was fun! Fun to see all of our work pull together and look great, fun to see Riser enjoy giving friends the "grand tour" of the new look, and fun to hangout together working on this cause. Good stuff.


Now if only I could finish all the random projects I have started in my own home... hmmm...