Saturday, July 2, 2011

WE WILL BE BACK, BUT NOT TODAY! HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND!


GONE FISHING... GONE BOATING... GONE BEACHING... GONE SWIMMING... GONE BBQ-ING... GONE OUT...
GONE TO HAVE SOME HOLIDAY WEEKEND FUN!

Hope you do too!  Hope you make it a point to honor AMERICA while you have fun!
However, if you are taking a break from some fun in the sun...
While we are gone, please feel free to poke around the lounge! 
We have over 800 blog posts, chances are you missed something good!

If you'd like an easy way to find something good - here are some of our favorite posts!

Barbara Ward-Finneran
Dawn Boyle
Marion Pellicano

STICKY SWEET


 THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
Patty B.




The Farm & Ranch Method: Get up really early. Put on heavy clothing. Eat chocolate in the cab of a pickup truck.


The Garage Sale Method: Drive around until you find someone who is selling their chocolate. Buy it, take it home and let it sit in your storage closet for awhile. Then sell it to somebody else.

The Mail- order Method: Send off for some chocolate. While you're waiting for it to arrive, find the same chocolate in your local discount store for half price. Buy it , eat it, and when the stuff you ordered comes in, eat that too.


The Sibling Rivalry Method: Eat yourr brother's chocolate. Then tell your mother he pinched you.





The Family Reunion Method: Eat chocolate in the midst of a large number of people you don't really know.

HIDDEN TREASURE: THE LIBERTY BELL MUSEUM


Marion Pellicano Ambrose
The Liberty Bell Museum in Melbourne, Florida is no ordinary history museum! Honor America Inc. founded the Liberty Bell Memorial Museum and the Plaza of Flags in Wells Park. They used the former concrete ground water storage tank and pump house of the original Melbourne Water Works to house the museum. Since that time the museum has been redesigned and the former water tank is now an impressive Rotunda of American History with an exact un-cracked replica of the Liberty Bell in the center. According to Honor America, Incorporated, in1976, the students of South Brevard County Schools saved their pennies and dimes to purchase the bell. The United States Government commissioned the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, the company that cast the original Liberty Bell in 1752, to make 100 exact replicas. One was given to each of the 50 states to be hung in each capitol city. The remaining bells were to be sold to various museums throughout the country, however not all of the remaining 50 were actually cast. This makes the bell at the Honor America Liberty Bell Museum even more rare and unusual!
Another exciting addition to the museum is their 911 First Responders Exhibit. Not only do they have a piece of iron girder from the rubble of Tower One of the World Trade Center, but the exhibit also boasts a piece of granite from the demolished section of the Pentagon. Uniforms of first responders stand guard over the exhibit.  I looked at the articles and remembered how devastating 911 was for so many of my friends and family in New York, but then one of the museum volunteers reminded me, “It was a global event, not just a New York event.” And she was so right! It was a day that affected people in every corner of the globe. This rare and exceptional exhibit captures those moments in time when the world stood still as part of America died.
Right now, the museum is working on adding key moments and people involved in Women’s Suffrage to the Rotunda Timeline. Information and artifacts on the Civil Rights movement and other issues of interest are constantly being updated and added. A recent “voting” exhibit helps show children and adults how to use the equipment at the polls and allows them to vote just as they would in a real election.
There are many amazing things to see and do at the Museum. Adults, children, families: there’s something for everyone! Parades, patriotic concerts, Flag Day/ Memorial Day/Citizenship Day ceremonies, 4th of July Parade, Flag retirement ceremonies  and so much more! (And admission is free!)
Honor America Liberty Bell Museum
1601 Oak Street
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321)727-1776

Museum Hours
Tuesday-Friday:  10am-4pm
Saturday:    10am-2pm

DON'T FORGET THE JULY4th PARADE THAT STARTS AT MANATEE PARK (Railroad tracks and Old Melbourne Ave) AND ENDS AT THE LIBERTY BELL MUSEUM!
11AM

BEST 4th of JULY FIREWORKS

TOP 10 Largest, Biggest, Best 4th of July Fireworks Annually
 
1 "Macy's 4th of July" New York City NY.
 
2 "Pops Concert at the Esplanade" Boston MA.
 
3 "Central PA 4th Fest"State College PA.
 
4 "Welcome America!" Philadelphia PA.
 
5 "Independence Day Celebration" Washington DC.
 
6 "WaMu Family 4th" Seattle WA.
 
7 "Go 4th on the River" New Orleans LA.
 
8 "Fair St. Louis"St. Louis MO.
 
9 "Lights on the Lake" Lake Tahoe NV
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10 "Freedom Over Texas" Houston TX.

Friday, July 1, 2011

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?! Questions to ponder... and laugh about!



Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?

If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?

If winning isn't everything why do they keep score?

Don't you think virginity is like a soapbubble, one prick and it is gone?

STICKY SWEET

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Patty B

Instead of doing crunches, just eat chocolate with crunchy things in it.

Trying to eat right? Then make sure you unwrap the chocolate before you eat it.

You cannot have a drink before noon without people gossiping about you. You can , however, eat all the chocolate you want.

The Orgasmic Birth

Jessica Lemoine McGinnis Yee
This week at our birthing class we watched a video called the “Orgasmic Birth”.  We saw a couple in control of their labor and birth.  The woman was calm, chatting, eating, drinking and relaxing at home while laboring.  A serene controlled environment created by her and her husband.  Then the big moment starts, second stage labor, the actual birth.  Ladies do you remember those first real labor pains, the ones that had you lost in yourself concentrating, bargaining, when will this stop. Now let’s give you some background,  I attend class with two young couples, this is their first child and who are really blissfully ignorant to birth and parenthood.  As the veteran of the group as my wonderful birthing teacher Susan calls me,  I knew what was going on so instead of watching the video I snuck peeks to see what the reaction of these new parents are to the videos.  I saw shock, fear, anxiety and then a wave of oh my god looks from the moms. From the dads there was shock, look of disgust, fear and oh my god.  I could see the questions rolling through their heads it was the same ones I had way back then.  Will I be able to handle it, am I strong enough? Can I be there for my wife? Is it really that gross?  Am I gonna wimp out and scream for the epidural!!!!

We all go through it. Women who have had the epidural and those of us who have not , the questions that roll through your head cause you hear those nightmare stories of pushing for 3 straight hours. Not to mention how exaggerated the whole process is portrayed in Hollywood.   The screaming women and the frantic, fainting husband doesn’t help you in understanding the real deal.  As a new parent the excitement and fear of child birth that first time around is almost euphoric, the second time you know what’s coming and the anxiety and fear builds so much faster and more intense. At least it was for me.  I’m on number three and well the fear is more intense because this time I’m opting to do this with no medication.  My husband is so supportive but I look at him and go damn you better not wimp out cause I don’t think I can do this alone.  I know he’ll be there but I’m nervous for him. He is always in control, calm in a crisis appears at work but this is his wife and baby. This time we are doing it purposefully non medicated.   We aren’t spring chickens anymore and we have a whole lot more to lose at this point.

So I refocus and I look at my daughter who just loves the idea of “a little bitty baby to wuv “as she puts it.  A sibling she can play with and teach how to properly annoy their big brother.  I just smile as the warm feeling of family and love come over me.  This week I gave both my kids the option to be in the delivery room with me.  I did this for many reasons.  I am embracing my inner natural mother, they should be exposed to something that is wholesome and natural and not be afraid of it, and the mother of two teenagers wants them to be there to see that childbirth is work and not something to be taken lightly, hoping that the shock will help them think twice in the future.  These are the two major reasons, my daughter the adventurer that she is, jumped at the chance but my boy he politely and comically said, “I’ll be in the waiting room with the cigars like all dads should be. MOM” as he look at my husband and smiled.  I giggled and responded “Just wait baby; I’ll remember this statement when you’re going to have your first child.”

Part of me wants to be blissfully ignorant as in my first pregnancy and part of me wants to be right here in this position so that I can prove to myself that I can do it. If I keep thinking about this which will drive me insane with anxiety and confidence at the same time I put my focus on making sure that my birthing team is completely on board with all of my choices.  So when I saw the doctor this past week, I had a long discussion of the dos and don’ts of my birthing plan.  The midwife who I saw this time was on board, but she did say that I should and will go over it with all the other doctors in the practice.  I’m a New Yorker through and through, I may live in the South now but I can’t change that aggressive larger than life attitude that I haves carefully cultivated over the years. I just hope that these Southern gentlemen can handle it.  The last few visits were just routine but from now on its all about me and what I want and how I want it. I’ll go easy on them but I’ll keep you posted since my next visit is in July.

Editor's Note:
Also By Jessica - The Newish Adventure

WHOOPING COUGH....

Thirteen students in three schools in Smithtown, New York have been confirmed with the contagious bacterial infection called Whooping Cough.

Officials say all of the Smithtown students had been immunized, helping to reduce the severity of their illness.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection that can make you cough for several minutes at a time. After you cough, you might make a "whooping" sound when you breathe in. Very young children are more likely to make the "whooping" sound than older children and adults. You also might vomit or stop breathing for a few seconds after coughing. Whooping cough is also called pertussis.

What Causes It?

A bacteria (germ) causes whooping cough. Whooping cough is highly contagious, which means other people can easily catch it from you.

The bacteria that cause whooping cough are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get whooping cough if you breathe in these bacteria. You can also get it if you touch a surface (such as someones hand) that is coated with the bacteria.

You should see your doctor if you think you have whooping cough or if you have been around someone who might have it.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?!

One morning, the husband returns the boat to their lakeside cottage after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.

Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out.  She motors out a short distance, anchors, puts her feet up, and begins to read her book.  The peace and solitude are magnificent.

Along comes a Fish and Game Warden in his boat.
He pulls up alongside the woman and says, 'Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?'  

'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?')

'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her. 

'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.'

'Yes, but I see you have all the equipment.   For all I know you could start at any moment.   I'll have to take you in and write you up.'

'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault,' says the woman.

'But I haven't even touched you,' says the Game Warden.

'That's true, but you have all the equipment.. 
For all I know you could start at any moment.'

'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left.

MORAL:     
Never argue with a woman who reads.    
It's likely she can also think.

THE DEFENSE RESTS

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Krystal Holloway testifies in the murder trial of Casey Anthony today, June 30, 2011
The Defense for Casey Anthony started the day by calling the alleged mistress of George Anthony, Krystal Holloway, to the stand. Holloway testified that she met George Anthony  during the search for Caylee in of October 2008. She stated that she had an intimate relationship with George and that he had been to her home several times. Holloway said that sometime around Thanksgiving of that same year, George told her that Caylee’s death was an accident that “snowballed out of control”. She admitted that she was paid $4000 by the National Enquirer for her story and that she had initially lied to investigators because she was embarrassed about the affair.
 The Defense rested its case. The State plans to call some rebuttal witnesses. Casey Anthony will not take the stand.

OVER WORKED, OVER STRESSED, OVERSIGHT

Dawn Boyle  

This photograph Nick Gonzalez took near 9 p.m. while the officer was in a local Starbucks. 

My first questions would be, when did they start handing out semi-automatic rifles? Second...how didn't anyone back at the precinct see this and/or was missing this?
.
The marked Seattle police cruiser was  parked outside the Roosevelt Hotel, near Pine and 7th Avenue. 

To make matters even more embarrassing for the Seattle Police Department, the officer apparently got back into the patrol car and allegedly drove away, with the rifle still on hanging out on the trunk of the marked car. There was at least one citizen who attemtped to follow the car in efforts of informing the officer of the rifle on the back.

Nick Gonzales reportedly said he finally found two more Seattle PD officers on bikes and told them about the incident and described the cops' reaction as, "shocked as hell."

SPD Office of Professional Accountability director, issued statement: "It is unacceptable that a rifle was left unattended on a patrol car and people should expect more from their police department."
And there you have it people....our internet, cellphone, facebook world in action! Thanks Nick Gonzales for being alert and aiding in avoiding this rifle falling into the wrong hands!

LOVE IN THE WILD

Dawn Boyle

Last night I stumbled upon a little slice of heaven in the form of bad TV, but the bad TV that sucks you in and you can not look away. I had immediate flash backs for long long ago and a show called Paradise Hotel that was on Fox in 2003. Last night it was called Love in the Wild.
Love in the Wild is a reality show wherein 10 extremely hot men and 10 equally beautiful women, all of which have had no luck at love descend on Costa Rica to participate in some dangerous adventures and strive to be the last woman and man standing who not only have kicked butt in the challenges, but have found "TRUE LOVE". I swear...I can't wait til next Wednesday to tune it to this train wreck!
There is nothing I love better then some crappy "MUST SEE" summer fluff TV!

It was sad to see Dawn and Jared go at eliminations last night, I was certain that Steele would've picked her....no worries, they will have their fifteen minutes of fame again during the reunion show and whatever spin offs happen to be born! LONG LIVE REALITY SMUT TV!!!!!

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

WANNA LAUGH?!?!?!

Tony Walker
Murph went to see his supervisor in the front office.
"Boss," he says, "we're doing some heavy house cleaning at home tomorrow & my wife needs me to help with the attic & garage, moving & hauling stuff."
"We're short handed Murph," replies the boss, "I can't give you the day off."
Murph says, "Thanks boss. I knew I could count on you!"

NO PAIN NO GAIN

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
Patty B
When it comes to dieting, my will power is great. it's my won't power that needs help.
I burn all the calories I need by being annoyed with all the new diet trends out there.
Walking is great cardiovascular exercise. Walking to the donut shop may not be so great.

GEORGE ANTHONY BREAKS DOWN DURING TESTIMONY

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Casey began day 31 of her murder trial alone . Neither attorneys,  Biaz nor Cheney, were present at the start of court today. Casey Anthony's father broke down crying while describing his emotions when he learned that granddaughter Caylee's remains had been found .  Anthony was questioned about his attempted suicide and the suicide note he left which voiced his regret for things he did wrong but did not refer in any way to abuse of Casey or having anything to do with Caylee’s disappearance or death.  Attorney Biaz argued that the testimony and letter should not be admitted, but as Judge Perry pointed out, Baiz himself had opened the door to this line of questioning when he asked George Anthony if he had attempted to take his own life.
Defense attorney Jose Baez asked George Anthony if he recalled being asked by the prosecution whether he ever molested his daughter. Anthony responded: "I would never do anything like that to my daughter," Earlier this morning, George Anthony broke down on the stand. He was asked if he needed a break but responded: "I need to get through this", He broke down as Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton asked questions of how he and his family responded when they learned the remains were Caylee's. Anthony said he felt  "a deep, deep hurt inside" and stated that the family had still held out some hope that Caylee was alive.
Court was adjourned for lunch during which time Judge Perry will review some cases to help him decide on a some things he’s delayed ruling on pending more research.


 

MEET PONGO AND JOIN DRL'S TEAM TO HELP HIM AND THE CENTER FOR GREAT APES

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Pongo is a cutie, don't you think?

Pongo is a handsome adult male orangutan whose cheek pads (also called flanges) have grown quickly as he has matured.  He started his life as an infant at a tourist attraction and was the first ape to be cared for at the sanctuary.
When he was nearly eight years old, Pongo was moved to his permanent sanctuary home in Wauchula where he has met and lived with three other orangutans, Christopher, Mari, and Pebbles.  Now that they are adults, Pongo still has a few play dates with Christopher, but like typical territorial male orangutans they sometimes compete for the attention of the females, Mari and Pebbles.  Currently Pongo lives full time with Mari.  They spend their days traveling through the forest woods in the elevated tunnel chute system or hanging around in their 35-foot tall habitat with large cypress-tree climbing structures. 
The orangutans have a wide variety of play materials including barrels, culverts, tires, fire hose swings, barge-rope vines, giant rubber tubs for pools, as well as more naturalistic toys such as tree branches, banana leaves, palm fronds, coconuts, bamboo poles, and sand piles.  Pongo has always liked playing in water and when he was younger, he used to drag one of his big tubs over to his drinking spigot and fill it with water to splash in.
But, now as a fully-developed adult male, Pongo has become more subdued in his play behavior.  He spends much more time alone watching the goings-on at the sanctuary from inside a large culvert, or from behind a shady tree in the overhead tunnels.  Pongo takes his blankets to make a nest inside his night house each night… but occasionally he likes to sleep outside.   The long, red hair on his back and arms has grown to nearly three feet and is extraordinarily beautiful.   
His favorite foods are spinach, Romaine lettuce, bananas, jakfruit, and butternut squash.  He absolutely HATES any foods with flour like crackers, bread, cookies, and pretzels.

The Center for Great Apes provides care with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for great apes in need of lifetime care.  The annual cost for the care of one ape housed at the sanctuary is over $20,000.  The Center is home to 43 great apes and all the support for their care comes from members, individual donors, and grants from animal foundations.  The Center does not receive any government funding.

     Delayed Reaction Lounge has formed a Guardian  Team to help Pongo. Our goal is to raise $2,000 by his birthday on August 16th. If you would like to join our team and make  a donation to help Pongo, visit the link below and look for the Delayed Reaction Lounge Team.

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”  ~Albert Schweitzer

https://bos.etapestry.com/fundraiser/CenterforGreatApes/pongo/donate.do

PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG ABUSE

Dawn Boyle
Last Sunday four people were killed in cold blood at a Long Island drugstore. The two accused of the horrific act were addicted to pharmaceutical drugs. Neither had a criminal background.

More than 1,800 pharmacy robberies have taken place across the country over the last three years, though few involved mass killings. Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department recorded eight robberies of pharmacies in the area it polices, which excludes some towns in the county. The one on Sunday was the fourth this year.

An inventory of drugs in the pharmacy showed that more than 11,000 hydrocodone pills were missing, officials said. Hydrocodone is the main ingredient in Vicodin. Also stolen were two other medications, promethazine and cheratussin, which are used in a recreational drug beverage called Purple Drank.

Prescription drug abuse is generally the same between men and women, except among 12 to 17 year olds. In this age group, research conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that females are more likely to use psycho therapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes. Research has also shown that women in general are more likely to use narcotic pain relievers and tranquilizers for non-medical purposes.

The number of teens and young adults (ages 12 to 25) who were new abusers of prescription painkillers grew from 400,000 in the mid-’80s to 2 million in 2000, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. New misusers of tranquilizers, which are normally used to treat anxiety or tension, increased nearly 50 percent between 1999 and 2000 alone.

A study conducted in 2006 found that teens between the ages of 12 and 17 who use stimulants such as Ritalin or products with ephedrine non-medically are more likely to have used other illicit drugs. About 70 percent of youths who used stimulants non-medically in the past year also used marijuana, compared with 12 percent of youths who did not use stimulants non-medically in the past year.

More than 71 percent of youths who use stimulants non-medically engage in delinquent behavior compared with approximately 34 percent of youths not under the influence of stimulant medications without a doctor’s supervision.

Almost 23 percent of youths who use stimulants experience a major depressive episode, compared with 8.1 percent of youths not under the influence.

Teens are also abusing other prescription drugs, including painkillers and depressants. In 2007, 2.7 percent of 8th graders, 7.2 percent of 10th graders and 9.6 percent of 12th graders had abused Vicodin. About 2 percent of 8th graders, 4 percent of 10th graders and 5 percent of 12th graders had abused Oxycontin for non-medical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

In recent months a doctors office about a block away from our local high school had an arrest.Said doctor was accused of writing prescriptions for these drugs for apparent no need. Additionally, I learned what a pharm" party is and was told by a friend about someone approaching her grandmother after picking up her prescribed prescriptions at her local drugstore that she could sell her medically necessary drugs for a lot of cash on the street and fast.

It is truly a frightening time for our kids! All this makes marijuana look like a joke! Lock your medicine cabinets people, you don't want that mothers little helper to fall into the wrong hands!

Statistics used in this article come from the 2008 NSDUH Report: “Nonmedical Stimulant Use, Other Drug Use, Delinquent Behaviors, and Depression among Adolescents,” published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.

DRL FRIEND JOHN PASKO ON HOOAH RADIO

Marion Pellicano Ambrose
John Pasko of the Melbourne Police Department (Author of Will You Remember Me?
http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/05/will-you-remember-me.html ) will be interviewed tonight on Hooah Radio at 8PM. John is the founder and CEO of Families of the Shield , a member of The Blue Knights, and is an Administrator of the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum. Take if from DRL: You won't want to miss it!
Location: HOOAH!!!! Radio - http://www.hooahradio.com/
Time: ‎8:00PM Wednesday, June 29