Volunteer Your Vote

Your vote really does count, and will truly make a differnce in lives of many Tennesseans! AWESOME!!

I received this earlier today....
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Hawkins County Memorial Hospital is participating in an online contest, sponsored by Siemens, to win a state-of-the-art MRI system.

Hospitals from around the country have submitted two-minute videos, and the hospital whose video receives the most votes wins the MRI.

Hawkins County Memorial’s video,” Wish We Had a Brand New MRI,” is set to the tune of “Rocky Top” and features hospital employees, patients, the Rogersville Middle School band – and even Smokey.

Area residents can view the video and a cast a vote for Hawkins County Memorial at http://www.winanmri.com .

Voting ends Dec. 31, and one vote may be cast per computer per day. What's even more. the Rogersville hospital is the only Tennessee hospital participating in the contest.

Here are the Lyrics to “Wish We Had a Brand-New MRI” (Remembe, to the tune of Rocky Top:)

Wish we had a brand-new MRI / Down in the Tennessee hills.
Ain’t no foggy film on our MRIs / A new one better still.
Once I had a brand-new MRI / along with some pouring-down rain.
Indoor scans, better for our patients / to scan those bodies and brains.
MRI, you’ll always be / Saving lives in Tennessee.
Good ol’ MRI / MRI Tennessee / MRI Hawkins County!!!

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Volunteer a Vote! Thanks!
CH

Ideas Are Popping

You might have seen the pizza commercial where the guy is hanging out all day with a sheet of Bubble Wrap...and just popping it!

To be honest, I could probably see myself doing that if I had a really big sheet of it, and all day to waste. :) After all isn't that what bubble wrap is for? Well, apparently not!

Some kids have great imaginations and were challenged to create new uses for Bubble Wrap! Thus began a contest, the Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors.

So far there are 15 semifinalists, and the grand prize winner will receive a $10,000 savings bond. Sweet!

Here are some of the ideas: Some saw Bubble Wrap as a building material for shock-absorbing flooring for dancers. Others thought that it should be wrist cushions for people with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The winner will be named January.

Here's the official Site for the competition:

http://www.nmoe.org/bubblewrap/

Happy Popping or Inventing :)
CH

Give Thanks!

We like to sing the song, "Give Thanks" at church every so often. I think the words are very appropriate for today.

Give Thanks with a grateful heart
Give Thanks to the Holy One
Give Thanks, because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son

And now, let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us
Give Thanks...

I pray that you may be blessed today as you gather around the table with friends and family. Today should be fun for us, we are headed to the home of some good friends, and Jay will get to celebrate his first Turkey Day!!!

Grace and Peace,
CH

LOL!

Want to bring up office morale??? Want to come into work, and know that you are going to have a great day?

Well, contrary to popular belief, whistling while you work isn't the key anymore. Actually, it's laughing!

Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia say that on-the-job humor helps to increase efficiency and creativity...not to mention, happier employees tend to have better communications skills and are also less likely to leave their company.

So, Laugh it up in your cubicle and make the boss smile :D
CH

Ol' Skool Rules!

Before your kids wanted an X-Box, before I wanted a Nintendo Entertainment System, and when Sony was only know for its stereos, not its Playstation, there was the Atari!

Now, the toy that brought you Pac-Man, Frogger, Pole Position, and Spaced Invaders, has received the official respect it deserves. The Atari 2600 game system is among the latest toys to be inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame!!

Atari is among this year's three great inductees to the Hall. The other two are the low-tech kite and the Raggedy Andy doll. Other toys in the Hall of Fame include Barbie, Legos, and the Slinky! Slinky! (For fun it's a wonderful toy! It's fun for a girl and boy...sorry, I like the Slinky.)

If you are wondering where the Toy Hall of Fame is located. You can find it as a part of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

Long Live Pong!
CH

I'm Going to Miss My Shows

In the coming weeks, we will soon find our TV's full of reruns and formerly cancelled series. It makes me sad, because I really got into some of the new shows (and of course have held onto some older ones). Honestly, I think Big Bang Theory is a stitch, but now it has had to halt production because of the writers' strike.

If you're wondering why the writers for your favorite TV shows (including 24) have decided to strike, this video does a pretty good job of explaining the whole thing from the writers' perspective. It's worth the 3 1/2 minutes to watch.

http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/writers-strike-.html


Hoping everyone can get along soon,
CH

What will they think of next?

Google Me this...Google me that...All I want are directions on a map...no problem!

If you have a hard time finding your way around, you may not have to worry about rushing into a convenience store to get directions anymore. Just get it at the pump.

Next month, you will be able to consult Google maps on displays built into fuel pumps!

You won't be able to type in specific addresses, yet (they are working on that,) but you will be able to pick points on maps or select destinations such as restaurants, hospitals, businesses and popular tourist spots.

Then, you can print out driving directions and take them with you.

Wonder if they help me get out of a paper bag?

CH

The Jitters

If you haven't ever had a chance to drive up Interstate 81 to Virginia Exit 7, then, now is the time for a trip to Nita's Frozen Stone and Creamery!

It is much like a Blue Ridge or a Marble Slab...but with an amazing concoction called THE JITTERS. It is a chocolate covered waffle bowl with coffee ice cream, chocolate fakes, and a shot of espresso mixed right in the thick of it. Or you can do a Chalmer's Jitters. Same waffle bowl, chocolate flakes, chocolate covered espresso beans, and a double shot of espresso in the middle!! Awesome!

I tell you this to say, that it sounds like I could keep up with Chicago as the windy city has been named people in Chicago as the most caffeinated in the United States.

Apparently, Chicagoans eat more chocolate and drink more cola than other U.S. urbanites, and are among the top consumers of energy drinks and coffee.

They are also likely to say caffeine is good for you. (I would agree...life is too short for sleep. Drink more coffee. LOL!)

Tampa, Miami, Phoenix and Atlanta rounded out the top five most caffeinated cities, while residents of San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Detroit and Baltimore consumed the least caffeine.

The survey looked at consumption of coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, and energy drinks in 20 major US Cities.

Seattle took the top spot in just caffeinated coffee consumption. (What a surprise?!?!? :)

Nearly 60 percent of residents in the city said coffee would be the most difficult caffeine product to give up.

(AMEN!!)

CH

GORGEOUS Day

If you were ever a fan of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin...then you need to mark down November 15th!

That will be the day to to wear khaki shorts, and shirt, not to mention speak with an Aussie accent, and chase wild animals that are the world's strongest, meanest, and most venimous. :)

That day has been set aside as Steve Irwin Day, really it is a date to remember Steve's life and mission to conserve wildlife. Why November 15th? Not what you might think.

It happens to correspond with the birthday of Steve's favorite giant Galapagos tortoise, Harriet, and on that day, Terri Irwin, will release a memior entitled, Steve and Me: Life With the Crocodile Hunter.

We'll Always Miss you, Steve!

CH

Winners!

I am such a proud Hubby and Papa!!

Meredith, my wife, text me yesterday with a message of good news. She and our son, Jay (3 and a half months old) had won a costume contest...with a small cash prize!!! WOO!

They were in downtown Greeneville, TN, for their Halloween Happenings, and got to the Lion's Club Costume Contest just in time. Meredith told me they were the last ones in line for judging in the 0-3 years category.

The two of them won for their costume of a Mama Kangaroo and a Joey. It's a really cute costume and I will post a picture as soon as I can. Thanks to our friend, April Mullikin, for all the help with sewing the tail and the gluing of ears. Worked perfectly!

Hope you and your kids had a great time last night!

CH