HURRICAN EARL EFFECTS TO BE FELT ON THE OBX

Well it looks like the effects Hurricane Earl will be felt on the OBX although it still looks like the storm will stay out in the Atlantic. It looks like the OBX will experience tropical storm winds, beach erosion and locally heavy rain even if the storm stays offshore. This morning the storm has winds at 135 MPH. I have been in a bit of a sleeping rut for about the last 7 days, for some reason I have been waking up at 4am every day and I don't know why but I sure could use that extra 1 1/2 of sleep. Well I only need two more peoples picks this week, I have 16 of the 18 entries but I still need two more. I did go up to high school last night and saw both the boys & girls volleyball teams beat L.C. Bird. How about those Cincinnati Reds, they now have a 6 game lead in the NL East. MICKEY

Avoid the Negativity: try to spend less time with those who just don’t get it. Although we can’t remove some people from our lives all together, chronic negativity can be extremely debilitating and take a toll on your own outlook and well being. Being positive takes work and the more you can spend time with individuals who emote positivity, the better off you’ll be. You might want to encourage those who are close to you to seek help or professional counseling. However, for your own sanity, maintain strong boundaries with those individuals so you can maintain a healthy outlook.

SMELL THE ROSES
Did you need an excuse to spring for that $4 bouquet of daisies? According to Real Simple, a Harvard study showed that people who looked at fresh blooms in the morning reported higher energy levels for the rest of the day. Put a small bouquet on your bedside table, or use them to brighten up a corner of your cubicle.

WELL ITS BACK TO THE GRIND

Well after enjoying the last two days off it's time to head back to the grind and I have a feeling that it is going very busy week at work since the 1st of the month coming up. Well it looks like Hurricane Earl is going to give the east coast a very close call but the projected path this morning still keeps it out in the Atlantic, however hurricanes are very unpredictable so I am keeping an eye out for Earl. It does look like the heat is going to return to the area this week highs in the mid 90's all week with a very little chance of rain through Thursday. Well Boris Said finally won a Nascar race yesterday winning the Nationwide race in Montreal and I have to say that I usually don'r like road racing in Nascar but maybe the Sprint Cup Series should race there. It seems like every time they race there in Montreal its a very close race that comes down to the last turn which can't be said for most races this year in Nascar. Well I got the Georgia contingents picks yesterday but I am still waiting for a 5 peoples picks, hopefully they will get them in sooner than later so can send everybody a master sheet of who everybody picked. MICKEY

Don’t Argue: People who are generally negative do not respond positively to arguing. Instead of seeing your point, arguing will only reinforce an already bad attitude. They tend to see a positive person’s arguing as lack of validation and will only become more defensive.

FIRE UP YOUR IPOD
Music can sharpen our mental focus and boost our mood. Put together a soundtrack to your life that you can listen to as you get ready in the morning, drive to the office, or dance to while you're folding the laundry.

“Control your own destiny or someone else will.” ~ Jack Welch

CAR NOW HAS 80 MILES ON IT

Well I took my new car out yesterday morning for a bit of a ride and it now has 80 miles on it. I took out on the interstate and opened up to about 70 which is half the speed on the speedometer, I don't know of any reason that I would need to run 140. Well a few more picks for the college football contest cam in yesterday but I still don't have nothing from the Georgia contention or Andrew for that matter and the college contingent with the exception of Biff is also missing but you do have until Wednesday night. The Sprint Cups Series is off today but the Nationwide Series will be racing on the road course at Montreal. The Cincinnati Reds blew a chance to extend there lead to 5 games over the Cardinals in the NL Central when they lost to the Cubs 3-2, in the NL East the Braves still lead the Phillies by 2 games. I did cut the grass again yesterday and I am glad to report that there no injuries this week for my effort. MICKEY

GET MOVING
A study from the University of George found that when sleep-deprived people exercised, their perceived level of energy increased by 20 percent and their fatigue was reduced by 65 percent. Take out the dog for a quick walk, power through some crunches and push-ups during the commercial breaks, or pop in one of our favorite workout DVDs.

Frozen Food. Cheaper than the fresh stuff? Yup, and usually packed with sodium and fats. Go with this advice from a diabetes educator: shop the perimeter of the supermarket for the health stuff . . . skip the frozen section.

Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much. Erastus Wiman

I AM BACK

Well after not being able to get on the internet yesterday morning I am happy to report that I back online. I don't know when it cam back online but when I got home from work it was back up an running. Just a quick reminder to all you readers who play in the Mickey's Place college football contest your entries are due back in by Wednesday night, I have 7 of the 17 entries so far. There is no Sprint Cup race this weekend, next week they will race in Atlanta before heading to Richmond. There were a couple of high school football games of not last night at the beach where First Flight beat Camden 52-20 and Manteo beat Cape Hatteras 48-0. Here in the Central District Petersburg opened its season with a 43-20 win over Halifax County, Colonial Heights will open up its season next Friday night against Thomas Jefferson and down in Georgia Crawford County will face the Lee County Trojans who won last night 49-8. I did go down to Wal-Mart this morning to pick up few items but I didn't go to Dunkin Donuts. MICKEY

USE YOUR NOSE
Citrus smells can perk you up, so drop slices of grapefruit, orange, or lemon in your water (bonus: you feel like you're at a super posh spa.) Suds up your hair and bod with citrus scents in the shower, or try the get-up-and-go smell of mint, which stimulates the area of the brain responsible for arousal and can make you more alert. Pop a peppermint as you walk out the door.

It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it. Baltasar Gracian

NO PHONE OR INTERENET

I AM POSTING TODAYS ENTRY FROM WORK BECAUSE I HAVE NO PHONE OR INTERNET SERVICE AT THE HOUSE. MICKEY

HERE A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF MY NEW CAR, COLLEGE FOOTBALL STARTS 1 WEEKS FROM TODAY

Here a couple of photos of my new Toyota Camry that I took yesterday afternoon. I am still trying to figure out all the features the car has so I am driving the Cadillac to work today. Dad went up and saw the Nationals play the Cubs last night in D.C., I don't know what time he got home because I never heard him come in. Well college football kick off in earnest next Thursday when there will be several key match ups, I have received a few more entries in the contest and I will be sending out a friendly reminder very soon to remind everybody when there entries are do. I either have a bit of a summer cold or my allergies have been acting up a bit the last few days, all I know something is bothering me. MICKEY

GET SOME PROTEIN
If caffeine jump starts your motor, protein keeps things on an even keel by keeping your blood sugar levels consistent.

The world of achievement has always belonged to the optimist. J. Harold Wilkins

I HAVE NEW CAR

Well last night I went ahead and traded in my truck for a brand new Toyota Camry. Me and dad went up to the dealer just to take it on a test drive but after driving it I decided if he gave me a good deal I would buy it and I did. The Camry is Barcelona Red in Color. I have posted a photo of dad in front of his Traverse that I took yesterday afternoon, I will try to post a photo of my new car tomorrow. I didn't have to go to the dentist after all yesterday, they called me and told me my crown wasn't in yet so i am going to have to wait a couple of more weeks before I get it. Also today is former blogger Glenn Carsley's birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLENN. I think I am going to drive dads Cadillac to work today. MICKEY

Don't buy cheap sunglasses. If they don't block the UV rays, they're not worth the $5 you just paid the street vendor. Throw them out and go to a store for a designer brand you can afford.

“The greatest quest in life is to reach one’s potential.” ~ Mychal Wynn

SOMEBODY HAS A NEW VEHICLE

Well somebody here at the hose has a new vehicle but it is not me. Mom and dad have traded there Lincoln in for a brand new Chevrolet Traverse and will get it this morning. Hopefully I will have a new vehicle soon as well but we will just have to see. Well I will be heading back to the dentist this afternoon for some more work on my dental implant, I think they will be putting a temporary crown on it today. Well three people have already sent there football picks in for the 1st week of the contest which begins next week, they sure must be confident in the picks they making. Well it looks like we are going to pick up some more rain today and it is going to be a very cool 76 degrees and it is suppose to 65 tonight. MICKEY

You should never ignore a wound that gets hot and red, particularly if you also have a fever because it could be a sign that you might have a Systemic infection.

You should never get your teeth Bleaching at the Mall. It's cheaper by hundreds of dollars, but it turns out most of those "professionals" don't even know what products they're putting in your mouth.

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday. -Don Marquis

WHERE DID THE WEEKEND GO?

As quickly as it started the weekend has come and gone, it really seem like the weekends this summer have been flying by. Speaking of the weekend on Saturday I cut the grass and I now have a blister on my right thumb to show for it, it is not a big blister but it is a blister none the less. Well I started looking around yesterday for a new car, me and dad went by the 3 dealerships at the Walthall exit and looked around a bit. Since I am driving to Richmond every day I need to find something with a bit better gas mileage than my truck. It looks like is it is going to be a pretty nice week here in the Heights temperature wise, it is only suppose to make it into the 90's 1 day and its only suppose to be upper 70's tomorrow. MICKEY

SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE
Pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in your leg, possibly with night cramps and/or bluish or white coloration of skin. The reason is it could be a blood clot.

A DISCOUNT YOU SHOULD IGNORE
Discount Eye Surgery. The urge to get up in the morning and see the clock shrieking at me is great. But the guy offering the $500 an eye LASIK on the TV makes me wonder if I'd ever see anything . . . ever again.

KYLE BUSCH SWEEPS BRISTOL

For the first time in Nascar history the same driver won all three of Nascar's major touring series last night when Kyle Busch won last nights Sprint Cup race. There are allot of people who don't like him but I have to say he is pretty good and he sure like to stir the crowd up a bit along with some of his fellow competitors. Well I am sending the first weeks games in the Mickey's Place College Football Contest out this morning, I can add one more person to the contest if there is anybody else who might want participate, right now we have 17 contestants. I forgot to mention in yesterdays entry to the blog that renovations to the Wal-Mart here in CH are now done and they had there grand re-opening this past Friday. MICKEY

DID YOU KNOW COCOA
Contains several trace minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium. Cocoa contains natural caffeine, which provides high energy and as an antioxidant, it enhances the immune system.

Water heaters. Water heaters are usually set to high temperatures so that a family can enjoy plenty of hot water. Those higher temperatures can also cause accidental burns, especially in young children. Lowering the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees will prevent scalding burns and lower energy costs as well.

BANK FEES, YARD SALES

Well I got my bank statement yesterday and for some reason I couldn't get my checkbook to balance with the statement and then I looked at statement a bit closer. After reviewing the statement a realized I had been charged $2 for a check image fee, they are now charging me $2 for an image of my check that is about as big my thumb that you can barely see. Well I am going to call them later today and if they just can't list my checks without showing an image of them and charging me $2 I am probably just going to switch banks because i am not going to keep paying for such nonsense. Today here in CH it looks like National Yard Sale Day, coming back from Wal-Mart this morning I have never seen so many yard sale signs, there are 4 different yard sale in our neighborhood. I was going to run outside this morning but with that many yard sales going on I might just run on the treadmill, those people going to yard sales are not the best of drivers, they got one thing on there mind and thats to get to that yard sale and it doesn't matter who is in there way. In high school football action last night at the beach, First Flight beat Croatan 25-13 and Manteo beat Currituck 22-0. I did go and watch some of the Colonial Heights scrimmage last night and I have say both teams looked a bit rusty but they have couple more weeks to work out the kinks. Well it should be wild night of racing at Bristol tonight. MICKEY

"I have done my best." That is about all the philosophy of living that one needs.
Lin-yutang

Don't Cut Calories Too Much
Anytime you reduce your caloric consumption by more than 500 calories per day or lose about a pound per week, you shock your system. The body goes into a stress response because it perceives that a famine is taking place. This causes a release of adrenaline and produces a variety of stress symptoms including nervousness and light-headedness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LES, SOME HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ACTION TONIGHT

Well today is fellow blogger and retired educator Les Fryar's birthday and some very reliable sources I understand he is 72 years old today. I didn't have a new photo of Les so I had to use a file photo of him to celebrate his birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LES. The Colonial Heights Colonials football team will hold it's first scrimmage of the season tonight at home against Amelia at 6pm and I am going to try to get up there to catch a little bit of it, also down in Georgia tonight the Crawford County Eagles will be scrimmaging Taylor County. Down at the beach tonight they starting playing real games, Croatan will be at First Flight and Manteo will travel over to Currituck. The Cincinnati Reds won there 6th straight game last night and now have a 3.5 game lead over the Cardinals, the Reds will continue there road trip tonight at Los Angeles. I sure am glad that it is Friday. MICKEY

OATMEAL
Did you know that oatmeal is one of the most well-known home remedies for poison oak. The oatmeal needs to be boiled in water, but don't apply it on the skin while it's still hot. The mixture needs to be kept on the affected areas until it hardens. If you are looking for immediate relief and you have no calamine lotion at hand, use cold water compresses and stay in front of a fan. The sensation of the water that evaporates diminishes the itching.

FLOSS
Waxed. Unwaxed. Fine. Regular. Plain or fancy, all dental floss does the job. It removes bacteria and plaque from between your teeth and above and below the gum line, areas your toothbrush can't reach.

TODAY IN HUNGARY IT IS ST. STEPHEN'S DAY

ITS RAINING AGAIN

For the 2nd straight morning I woke up to the pitter patter of rain hitting my bedroom window, I think this is the first time all year we have had two straight mornings of rain this year. Well I guess you have heard Brett Favre has decided to come out of retirement again, who would have thought it. I am glad he came back because his games usually are pretty exciting to watch because he still slings it around pretty good. Well 2 weeks from tonight our fist games will be played in this years Mickey's Place college football pick-em contest, I will be sending out the first weeks games on Sunday just to give everybody about 10 days to make there picks for the crucial first week of the season. This weeks Nascar race is at the always exciting Bristol Motor Speedway. MICKEY

Sleep Cycle Watch
Pay attention to your sleep cycle. Detect the exact moment when your sleep cycle ends so you'll feel alert and awake. When you wake up in the middle of a sleep cycle, you'll feel dizzy and tired. To do this, wake up 10 minutes earlier than usual. If you still feel tired, try waking up 10 minutes earlier than that.

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. -Pablo Picasso

DID YOU TODAY IS National Aviation Day

ITS ALREADY RAINING HERE IN THE COLONIAL HEIGHTS

You know its a slow day on the blog when the first thing I talk about on the blog is that it is already raining in Colonial heights this morning. There is 90% chance of rain today and there is 50% chance of rain tomorrow, we can use all we can get. Well after a couple of good nights sleep I didn't sleep very well at all last night. Dad is recovering well from his procedure yesterday, he was a bit groggy for a while before his medication wore off. After writing if the Reds last week after being swept by the Cardinals they are now back in first place by 2 games, it looks like they play well as long as they aren't playing the Cardinals but thats the team they need to beat. MICKEY

Beat The Buzzer
Make it a habit to get up before your alarm clock goes off. Place one alarm clock on your nightstand and another one across the room. Make sure they're in sync. Set the first alarm clock to go off at 7am (if that's the time you need to get up). Set the other alarm clock to go off exactly one minute later. When the first alarm clock buzzes, it won't really startle you. You'll choose to get up before the other one goes off.

You will never win if you never begin. Helen Rowland

A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP

I have to say the last two nights I have slept as well as well as I have in a long time and I really don't know why but i wish I could sleep like that all the time. Dad is going in today to have a procedure to reduce the size of a kidney stone he has which will allow him pass the stone without as much pain, at least he hopes so. Well it looks like some very much needed rain is on the way for the Heights on Wednesday and Thursday, we could pick up several inches over the next few days. There were 29 visitors to the blog yesterday and they all came from the United States and there were 9 people who visited for the 1st time. MICKEY

Cut Down On Screen Time Before Bedtime
Avoid watching TV or logging on your computer before you go to bed if you want to get good quality sleep. According to a recent study, those who use electronic media just before bedtime report lower quality sleep even if they get the same sleep time as those who do not stare at the TV screen or computer monitor before bedtime.

“The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.” Oscar Wilde

I AM BACK

Well after taking a day off from the blog I am back, I was on the way home from the beach yesterday thats why I didn't have an entry yesterday. Also of all things yesterday fellow blogger Mark made a rare appearance on the blog. Kevin Harvick won yesterdays Nascar race at Michigan edging Denny Hamlin for the win, also Dale Jr. had his normal run finishing 19th. It looks like there is a pretty good chance of t-storms everyday this week, we can use all the rain we can get. I changed the background on the blog last night to a back to school theme to reflect the next few weeks for both students and teachers since schools is about ready to start again. Well my pain index is already on the rise this morning, I was bitten by two mosquitoes while taking Mozart out this morning. MICKEY

SHOULD I HAVE BACON OR SAUSAGE
A slice of bacon, cooked thoroughly, has fewer calories than a typical sausage. Your best bet is a slice of lean back bacon with the rind and fat cut off, rather than fatty streaky bacon.

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight. Helen Keller

DID YOU KNOW

That there are thousands of different kinds of apples.

I FORGOT YESTERDAY WAS FRIDAY THE 13TH

I cant believe I forgot yesterday was Friday the 13th but I quickly realized it when I got to work when everything seemed to be going wrong in the office. I have to say I was pretty happy when they asked me if I wanted to be on the truck just because how things were going in the office and I quickly said I will go. We went down to Emporia, Jarrat, and Lawrenceville before heading heading back to Richmond and things were pretty much still in a mess when I go back to the office. Well I am at the beach this morning, I came down last night and got here just before 9pm. The carpet they put down looks very good and Mozart seems to like at as well, he has been running up and down the hall and wallering on it. Kasey Kahne captured the pole at Michigann yesterday edging Jimmie Johnson for the top spot. Even though I am the beach I still went to Dunkin Donuts but I didn't go to Wal-art this morning but I may go later. Don't forget the Mickey's Place college football pick-em contest starts in less than 3 weeks. MICKEY

“He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love” Proverb

WE GOT SOME MORE RAIN LAST NIGHT

Well we got a little bit more rain last night in a pretty good downpour around 8pm and there is a pretty good chance that we may get another rain shower this morning and the temp should stay in the upper 80's as well. Down at the beach they just about finished putting the new carpet in, the only room they haven't finished is my room and they are suppose to finish that room up this morning. This week the Nascar Sprint Cup Series is back at the Michigan International Raceway and I think Ford will pick up another win this weekend. Not much else going on around here. MICKEY

WHY ONIONS ARE GOOD FOR YOU
Of all the healthy benefits of onions, two elements stand out: sulfur (a compound) and quercetin (a flavonoid). They each have been shown to help neutralize the free radicals in the body, and protect the membranes of the body's cells from damage. Quercetin, an antioxidant, is also found in red wine and tea, but in much lower quantities. Interestingly, white onions contain very little quercetin, so it's better to stick with the yellow and red varieties. Most health professionals recommend eating raw onions for maximum benefit, but cooking makes them more versatile and doesn't significantly reduce their potency. In fact, unlike sulfur compounds, quercetin can withstand the heat of cooking.

The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end - you don't come to an achievement, you don't come to a conclusion. It is an endless river. J. Krishnamurti

REDS LOSE ALL THREE

Well after entering there 3 game series with the Cardinals with a 2 game lead the Reds dropped all three games against the Cardinals and are now 1 game behind the Cards and just hope they will be able to bounce back. However the way they played the last 3 games I have a feeling they are going to be free fall. Who would have thought that one person could make such a big difference for th Orioles of all teams, since Buck Showalter took over as manager of the O's they are 8-1 and have the best record in the majors the month of August. Mom and dad are down at the beach where they are going to put new carpet in today at the beach house, I think they carpet that is in the house is original that the owner put down when he built the house. Well I off to work. MICKEY

Trade the salt for Mrs. Dash. A 20-year study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that overweight men with the highest sodium intakes were 61 percent more likely to die of heart disease than those with lower intakes.

He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything. -Proverb

WELL I STAYED IN TOWN YESTERDAY

Well I didn't have to got to Charlottesville yesterday after all at work, instead I just stayed in the office which was fine with me. However I did go out into the warehouse a few times to move some stuff around and I have now have a bruised shin for my efforts. I was stacking a few pallets when one kicked back and hit me in the shin and it did leave a mark. Well after watching the Reds game last night I am here to say the Reds are finished, they looked terrible last night and I don't even think I going to watch tonights game. There is no way they are going to win the division playing like they have the last two nights. MICKEY

EAT SOME GINGER

A new study shows that getting ample amounts of ginger every day could help decrease postworkout muscle pain by up to 25 percent.

REDS DROP GAME 1

Somebody forgot to tell the Cincinnati Reds last night they were playing a big three game series with the Cards as the Reds fell to the Cardinals 7-3, the Reds gave up all 7 runs in the top of the 4th inning. The Reds need to bounce back with a win tonight. Well it is going to be around 99 degrees the next 2 days here in the Heights but with the heat index it is going to feel around 105, I just don't know why they just don't say its going to be 100. It looks like I am going to have another long day at work today as I am probably going to be heading up to Charlottesville, hopefully we will leave at a reasonable time and get back before 4pm. Well out 17th member of this years football contest is George and he says to tell everybody high. MICKEY

Cinnamon
Why It's Healthy: Cinnamon helps control your blood sugar, which influences your risk of heart disease. In fact, USDA researchers found that people with type-2 diabetes who consumed 1 g of cinnamon a day for 6 weeks (about 1/4 teaspoon each day) significantly reduced not only their blood sugar but also their triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Credit the spice's active ingredients, methylhydroxychalcone polymers, which increase your cells' ability to metabolize sugar by up to 20 times.

Don't wait. The time will never be just right. Napoleon Hill

MONTOYA WINS AT THE GLEN

Juan Pablo Montoya picked up a much needed win yesterday at Watkins Glen, New York. With the win Juan ends a 113 race drought that goes back to 2007 when he won at Sonoma, California. I think if Juan was running for Hendrick or Gibbs he would have won allot more races. It looks,like we have picked up another player in this years football contest bringing the number to 17 players, I may take 1 player this year but I am perfectly happy with 17. I will officially tell you who this player is tomorrow. The Reds start a big 3 game series with Cardinals tonight, they have a 2 game lead heading into the series and it least need to win 2 out 3 against the Cardinals. A quick big toe update, I still don't have a toenail on my left big toe. MICKEY

SAVE MONEY
ATM fees. Know where your own bank's ATMs are located, even in other states, so you can save $3 every time you get cash out of the wall. Or consider switching to a bank that offers free ATM usage regardless of which bank's ATM you tap.

Cabbage
Why It's Healthy: One cup of chopped cabbage has just 22 calories, and it's loaded with valuable nutrients. At the top of the list is sulforaphane, a chemical that increases your body's production of enzymes that disarm cell-damaging free radicals and reduce your risk of cancer. In fact, Stanford University scientists determined that sulforaphane boosts your levels of these cancer-fighting enzymes higher than any other plant chemical.

EDWARDS ON THE POLE

Carl Edwards will start on the pole for todays race at Watkins Glen and Jamie McMurray will join him on the front row. Marcos Ambros won yesterdays Nationwide race at Watkins Glenn, it was Ambrose's third straight Nationwide win at the track. Who would have thought that the Cincinnati Reds would be in first place in NL Central on August 8, not to many people picked the Reds to even be a contender but so far they are playing some pretty good baseball. The Reds have a big series coming up this week with 2nd place Cardinals beginning Monday night in Cincinnati. It looks like the heat will back on here by the middle of the week here in the Heights, Tuesday through Fridays high temps will be between 97-100. MICKEY

SAVE MONEY ON
Checks and postage. Pay your bills electronically instead. You'll also avoid any late fees and black marks on your record if the postal service loses your payment.

BEETS
Why They're Healthy: Think of beets as red spinach. Just like Popeye's powerfood, this crimson vegetable is one of the best sources of both folate and betaine. These two nutrients work together to lower your blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, the natural pigments—called betacyanins—that give beets their color have been proved to be potent cancer fighters in laboratory mice.

MORE RAIN LAST NIGHT

Well we got some more rain last night here in the Heights which has not been good news for the BIB Tournament which has been rained out the last three nights. After not having hardly any rain in July we have already picked up over 1.50 inches here the week in August and we could use a bit more to get all of the reservoir back up to there capacity's. We had a pretty big crowd over at the house last night who came by to wish dad a Happy Birthday and it eat some ice cream and birthday cake, I had to pass on both of them. Yesterday on the blog we had visitor from Jamaica stop by and since I started tracking visitors with this tracking program 9 different countries have visited which has made Mickey Place truly world wide. Also the Virginia Cavaliers football team opens up its season 4 weeks from today. MICKEY

Order a chef's salad. Leafy greens and egg yolks are both good sources of lutein, a phytochemical that carries heart-disease-fighting antioxidants to your cells and tissues.

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves. James Barrie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Well today is Dad's 70th birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAY DAD, hope you have a good day on your birthday. The Virginia Cavalier football team opens up camp today in Charlottesville getting ready for there opener against the Richmond Spiders the 1st Saturday in September. The Nascar Sprint Cup Series will be in New York this week racing at Watkins Glenn. We got some very much needed rain last night in the form of a t-storm, we got just over .60 inches here in the Heights but some places in Richmond got over 3 inches in about 30 minutes. I almost forgot to mention that it is my favorite day of the week, its FRIDAY. MICKEY

Extension cords: Did you know burns to the mouth account for more than half of injuries related to the use of electrical extension cords in the home? Extension cords can be dangerous if they’re faulty or frayed, but even intact cords can present a number of hazards if they’re not used properly and safely tucked away, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children and pets can and will chew on extension cords if they can get to them, and this can result in severe burns and even electrocution.

Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life. Jackie Robinson

IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER HOT ONE

Well it looks like it is good to be another very hot day here in the Heights with temps going over the 100 degree mark again with some very high humidity's as well. I think I have gotten use to all these high temps now. Well I went to bed early last night to try to get few extra hours of sleep but I woke up at about 2:30am and couldn't fall back to sleep so now I am very tired and I am going to have a very long day as well. My trip to the dentist went a bit longer than planned yesterday when he couldn't get the protective cap of my implant, he had to call the sale rep for the company and my oral surgeon as well. After being there for about 2 hours he was able to get it off so my 30 minute trip to the dentist last about 2 hours which gave me a pretty big headache. MICKEY

Home computers: Did you know approximately 78,000 people have experienced injuries related to the use of home computers within a 13-year period? Data collected through the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System show that using computers has some significant risks.

Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence. Lin Yutang

DENTIST

Well I will be making a visit to that always fun place to go today the dentist so he can start the final phase of my dental implant. Mom also will be heading to the same dentists earlier today so he will make some pretty good money on the family today. Well I went out to get the paper this morning and I can hardly believe it when I felt raindrops hitting me on top my head and it looks like we are going to get a little more rain today as well, we can use all we can get. The wreck Elliott Sadler had the other day at Pocono was the hardest one recorded since Nascar started measuring the amount of G-forces that occur in accidents, it was a pretty nasty hit. MICKEY

SAVING AT THE GROCERY STORE
Lists: Writing down what you came for and ignore everything that's not on your list. This will save you money. It will also save time and fuel expense by preventing repeat trips to the store for things you forgot.

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony. Thomas Merton

DON'T GET USE TO THIS COOL WEATHER

Well don't get use to the cool temperatures we have had the last few days because the temps will be approaching the 100 degree mark the starting tomorrow through Friday. It has really felt good the last 3 or 4 mornings with temps in the upper 60's to around 70. Also we have a new Tropical Storm out in the Atlantic Ocean named Colin, it appears TS Colin will pass east of Cape Hatteras missing the United States later in the week or early next week. However the NWS will watch this system closely. Well I did stay in the office yesterday however I have feeling that I am going to be heading to Charlottesville today. MICKEY

Generics: Sometimes generics aren’t as good as name brands. In those situations one might choose name brands. But for things like flour, sugar, salt, bleach or virtually dozens of other items you find in the grocery store, the only discernible difference is price.

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Charles Dickens

IT COULD BE ANOTHER LONG WEEK AT WORK

Well it looks like I am going to have another long week at work since we still have two drivers still on vacation and its the first of the month as well. I am sure that I will be on the truck some which means that I wont be getting off at my normal time. Greg Biffle won yesterdays race at Pocono, Biffle was running 2nd on the final restart and passed Sam Hornish to take the lead and he never looked back. There was very scary wreck in yesterdays race involving Elliott Sadler yesterday in which he walked away from a very hard impact, the wreck was triggered when Jimmie Johnson was bump drafting Kurt Busch, I am sure Elliott is going to be very sore this morning. MICKEY

There is no best time for exercise
If you're simply walking to get healthy or take off some weight, it doesn't matter when you do it, as long as you do it. But if you're an athlete looking for the best-quality workout, choose the late afternoon, when body temperature is highest. Muscles are warm, reaction time is quick, and strength is at its peak. If you push yourself harder as a result, you will burn more calories.

Cook from scratch: Making meals from scratch is probably the single best way to save on food. Because the more prepared the food, the more it costs. Ironically, less expensive home-made is also normally better for you as well.

Reality is a staircase going neither up nor down. We don't move, today is today, always is today. Octavio Paz

AUGUST COMES IN BRINGING SOME RAIN

After having a very dry month of July the fist day of August has already brought some much needed rain to the Heights. All I can say is this summer is really flying by, where did July go, just think school will be starting back up in about 30 days or so. I think I am going to have to put a sweatshirt on this morning when I go running, it is 66 outside and its cloudy. Elliott Sadler won yesterdays Nascar truck race at Pocono ending winless streak that went all the way back to September of 2004, Sadler held off Kahne for the win. Kyle Busch won last nights Nationwide race at Iowa, the Sprint Cup series will race at Pocono today. As I wrote todays entry to the blog I was getting eat alive by a mosquito thats in the house. MICKEY

Walking is not as effective as running
Sure, you'll burn about twice as many calories running for 30 minutes than walking for 30 minutes. But if a runner and a walker cover the same distance, they burn about the same number of calories. So if you're willing to take the 'slow route,' you'll likely lose just as much weight. In fact, studies have proved that how long you exercise matters more than how hard you exercise.

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy. -Leo Buscaglia