OIB Game Day at WSB

Thursday February 8th - 1PM - 4PM
WSB will be hosting another GAME DAY for OIB clients.  Anyone wanting to attend needs to Call Shelly at 501-664-7100 Extension 233 and let her know a head count and if you need transportation.

Chicken Soup

Cold and flu season is upon us.  What a better cure than Chicken Soup!

Canned chicken soup has nothing on this delicious chicken soup recipe. Chicken and hearty vegetables come together to make a chicken soup the whole family will love. It's sure to become one of your go-to recipes on cold days when chicken soup is what you crave.

Ingredients

8 ounces carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick (about 3 carrots)
6 ounces celery, sliced 1/4-inch thick (about 5 large stalks)
1/4 small onion, peeled and root end intact
2 large sprigs parsley, plus 1/4 cup chopped leaves
2 large sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt
2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
6 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
6 ounces wide egg noodles (about 4 cups)
1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1.  Toss the carrots and celery together in the slow cooker. Add the onion, sprigs parsley, thyme, bay leaf and 1 teaspoon salt.

2.  Rub the chicken thighs all over, including under the skin, with 1 teaspoon salt total, and put them on top of the vegetables. Add the chicken broth. Cover, and cook on low for 8 hours. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, remove the chicken and stir in the noodles.


3.  While the noodles cook, remove and discard the chicken skin and bones and shred the chicken-it will mostly fall apart on its own. When the noodles are done, turn off the cooker, remove the parsley and thyme stems, and add the shredded chicken and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Taste, and add more lemon juice and salt as needed. Stir in a good amount of pepper and the chopped parsley, and serve hot.

www.foodnetwork.com

Hack Your Cough

How to recognize winter’s secret danger — and how to get it off your chest

Most of us come down with some kind of cough every winter, and over the years we’ve learned to live with this. But a cough that lasts more than two weeks — or is accompanied by a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood — needs prompt attention, particularly during the winter months, when influenza is rampant. With age, our immune defenses weaken and subtle physiological changes in our lungs make us more susceptible to illnesses.
"As you get older, it’s more likely a winter cough is something bad,” says David Beuther, M.D., chief medical information officer at National Jewish Health in Denver, a leading respiratory hospital. After age 65, there’s an increased risk for serious complications from the flu — such as pneumonia, heart inflammation, kidney failure or sepsis. Up to 70 percent of people hospitalized for wintertime flus are 65 and older, and this age group suffers 85 percent of flu-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Yet as Sonntag’s case shows, you can run into these problems at an even younger age. Today Sonntag advises friends to always wash their hands — and even shower and change their clothes — after visiting a hospital or nursing home, where he thinks he picked up his bug. “It sounds extreme, though I believe it’s helpful,” he says. He’s up to date on his pneumonia vaccines and gets the flu vaccine every year. “I never really considered getting any shots prior to this health emergency, but I am a firm believer in them now,” he adds. “Nobody should go through something like what I went through.” In addition to those precautions, it helps to fully understand what your winter cough might mean — and when to see a physician.

What's Ailing You?

Common Cold
What it feels like:  A sore throat and runny nose, followed by up to 10 days of coughing and sneezing.
It could be:  A common cold - basically a viral infection that's spread through the air, from shaking hands or by touching a surface such as a doorknob that has viruses on it, then touching your eyes, mouth or nose.
What to do:  Get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids.  Over-the-Counter medicines may soothe symptoms but won't shorten the sickness.


Flu
What it feels like:  A cough (dry or with clear phlegm) accompanied by a sudden high fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, fatigue and general misery.
It could be:  The flu.  "Influenza tends to come on like a truck," says Pulmonologist Todd Astor of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
What to do:  Get to a doctor ASAP.  If you start taking an antiviral medication such as TAMIFLU within 48 hours, it shortens your misery by a day and may reduce your risk for serious complications.


Pneumonia
What it feels like:  A cough (often with yellow or green phlegm) accompanied by a fever, shaking chills, difficulty breathing, chest pain, weakness and occasionally mental confusion.
It could be:  Pneumonia, an infection of one or both lungs that causes their air sacs to fill up with fluid.
What to do:  See your doctor, who may take an x-ray and prescribe an antibiotic.  Some types of pneumonia will put you in the hospital:  others, such as "walking pneumonia," don't make you as sick.


Bronchitis
What it feels like:  A cough (often with phlegm but not always), soreness in the chest and a fever.
It could be:  Bronchitis.  This is what people often refer to as a chest cold.  It's inflammation of the bronchial tubes - the airways of the lungs swell and produce mucus, making you cough.
What to do:  See your doctor (especially if you have a fever), who may take an X-ray to rule out pneumonia.  Drink plenty of fluids, and breathe in steam from a hot shower.


Pertussis
What it feels like:  Uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe, forcing you to inhale deeply, often making a "whooping" sound.  Other signs include a runny nose and a low-grade fever.
It could be:  Whooping cough, or pertussis.  A highly contagious respiratory disease, it's caused by bacteria that make your airways swell.
What to do:  See your physician for antibiotics ASAP - you won't get as sick if you start taking them in the first couple of weeks of having a symptoms.


www.aarp.org | AARP The Magazine | Article by Lisa Haney

Riddle Answer from 1/29/18

The Riddle Question:

To be in it is to not have it. What is it?

Answer:  Sanity

February OIB Events

Thursday February 8th - 1PM - 4PM
WSB will be hosting another GAME DAY for OIB clients.  Anyone wanting to attend needs to Call Shelly at 501-664-7100 Extension 233 and let her know a head count and if you need transportation.


Tuesday February 13th - 1PM-3PM
WSB will be demoing the NuWave Cooking equipment.  Call Shelly if you would like to attend and if you need transportation.  501-664-7100 Extension 233.


Thursday February 22 - 1PM - 4PM
WSB will be conducting Instructions on how to download the UBER app for transportation and how to schedule UBER rides when LINKS is not available to you.  If you would like to attend call Shelly at 501-664-7100 extension 233.

Riddle Fun

I am going to post a riddle today.  Leave your answer in the comments below this post:


Question:

To be in it is to not have it. What is it?

Tune in tomorrow for the Answer!! 

CrockPot Meatloaf

Prep time 20 minutes | Cook time 3 or 4 hours | Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 cup milk
1 tsp chopped fresh sage leaves or 1/4 tsp dried sage leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/4 tsp pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped, or 1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 egg
3 slices bread, torn into small pieces
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
1/2 cup ketchup

Steps

1.  Line 4 1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.

2.  In large bowl, mix all ingredients except ketchup. Shape mixture into loaf, and place in center of slow cooker. Spread ketchup over top.

  

3.  Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 to 4 hours or until meat thermometer inserted in center of loaf reads 160°F. Remove meatloaf from slow cooker to serving platter. Cut into pieces to serve.

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Starting at $7.00 Valentine’s Bed or Body Pillow

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Drink Water!

     Drink water! Even mild dehydration can affect health . Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink. -- Samuel Taylor Coleridge, " The Rime of the Ancient Mariner There are foods that benefit from dehydration. This process has been practiced worldwide since ancient times with things such as meats, fruits and vegetables, but for all the good dehydration does for food, it is horrible for our bodies. I know people who rarely drink water, and some of them turn me in to the water police. But in the end, we are the masters of our destinies, and our lives really are in our hands most of the time.
     I found an article on the University of Connecticut Today website (today.uconn.edu) titled "Even Mild Dehydration Can Alter Mood. It is rather eye opening. Lawrence Armstrong, a scientist and professor of physiology at UConn is quoted as saying that "our thirst sensation doesn't appear until dehydration has already set in. It then starts to affect how our mind and body perform. Two studies were conducted at the university's Human Performance Laboratory. The studies showed that it didn't matter if a person walked for 40 minutes on a treadmill or sat at rest -- the adverse effects from mild dehydration were the same. And one of the studies found that women appear to be more susceptible to the adverse effects of low levels of dehydration than men. But finding out why, they say, will take more research.
     The signs of dehydration can include bad breath, dry skin, muscle cramps, food cravings, and fever and chills. To check hydration you can try the skin test. Use two fingers to grab a roll of skin on the back of your hand. Pull up the skin and let it go. If it doesn't spring back to its original position in just a couple of seconds you could be dehydrated. Or check your urine. Yellow, chardonnay and orange are warning colors.
     We've been told we should drink eight 8-ounce servings a day, but that has not been proved. The Mayo Clinic says it's because phrases like "drink 8 by 8" are easy to remember. The Institute of Medicine, a nonprofit arm of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 13 'cup's and for women nine 'cup's of total beverages a day. Our other fluid intake also counts toward the daily total. Milk, juice, coffee, tea and soda can contribute, but should not be a major portion of our daily fluids. And what we eat can help fill our fluid needs too. Foods like watermelon and spinach are about 90 percent water. Modify intake depending on your level of exercise, environment, health, or if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
    High blood sugar in diabetics can also lead to dehydration, according to the American Diabetes Association website. When blood sugar is abnormally high, the body attempts to reduce the glucose level by dumping it into the urine. But water also leaves our body with the glucose when we urinate. It can lead to dehydration unless we drink enough fluid to keep up with the increased urination.  Although it is uncommon, the Mayo Clinic website says it is possible to drink too much water. When our kidneys are unable to excrete excess water, the mineral content of the blood is diluted, resulting in low sodium levels in the blood, which is called hyponatremia.  

Funside

The Internet What’s that?

“C’mon Ma you have got to try it” I pleaded to my elderly Mother. I don’t know how my Mother lasted this long without ever using the internet, but enough was enough! I thought.

“Ok” she said reluctantly settling down by the computer and slowly putting on her reading glasses “what do I do now?”

“Now I’m going to open the home page of google”, I explained. “OK here it is! Now type in ANY question you want into the bar over here and you will find an answer to your question.” I confidently assured her.

My Mother looked at me warily, thought for a second, and slowly began to type,

How is Gertrude doing this morning?

Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe

Ingredients:
1 bag frozen chopped broccoli
1 medium onion diced
1 pkg diced fresh mushrooms
1 family size can of cream of chicken soup
1 family size can of cream of mushroom soup
milk (for condensed soups - fill soup cans up with milk after emptying soup)
1 pound block of pepperjack cheese or smaller block of pepperjack and monterrey Jack cheese
1 or 2 sticks of butter


Directions:

1. Grate cheese
2. Cook down onions and mushrooms with butter, then add frozen broccoli and cook out all the water.
3. combine soups with milk and add to the pot and stir
4. When soup comes to a boil start adding cheese a little at a time.  When the cheese melts fully, the soup is done.

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Boost Your Brain - Marty Munson

     Love, feed, and care for your most overworked and overlooked body part.  It will thank you now -- and love you back later.
     Your brain is a vital organ just like your heart, yet it's common to assume that you don't have control over what goes on above your neck.  (Case in point:  Have you ever had a conversation about brain health with your doctor?) in fact, nearly 60% of people think a natural part of getting older, according to a recent survey.  Fortunately, that's not true.  "Alzheimer's is a disease - not an inevitable ride-along with aging," says Richard Isaacson, M.D., director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
     What's more, you can play an active role in reducing your risk of cognitive issues, whether from Alzheimer's or other problems that arise as you age.  And you can begin to take charge of it now, whatever your starting point.  "It's never too early to too late to think about better brain health," says Dr. Isaacson.  Address your mind today by adopting four key habits.


1.  MOVE AROUND
     Walk. Dance.  Play with the dog.  Physical activity clears out a substance called amyloid, which is believed to accumulate and "gunk up" the brains of people with Alzheimer's.  Amyloid starts building a decade - maybe eve two - before symptoms start. "The only thing we know of that can lower amyloid in the brain is exercise," says Dr. Isaacson.  A little physical activity is such a potent health player that active people have a 35% lower risk of mental decline than sedentary ones.  A study published in the journal Neurology found that the better shape you are in early on, the better your brain will be in the future. (more-fit people had stronger brain abilities 25 years later than less-fit folks.)


Start Today:

• Get your blood pumping - Aim to get at least 20 - 30 minutes of purposeful activity most days of the week (in other words, anything that ups your heart rate).
• Do strength training - complete two short sessions of resistance training a week (you don't have to lift weights - if your are able squats and lunges are great, if not then tie a rubber resistance band to a chair, door, other furniture and pull on them.
• Stay active A.M. to P.M. - Pour yourself half cup of coffee, then get up to refill it; walk as much as you can.  Find small ways to just move more.

2.  LET YOUR MIND PLAY
     Thinking in a new or deeper way can help shore up your mental prowess (no fancy computer games or Sudoku puzzles needed!), says Sandra Bond Chapman, Ph.D., founder and chief director of the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas.  Talking about the key themes in a movie rather than just rehashing the lot counts as thinking deeply because it requires reasoning and attention.  Coming up with a new way to say think you to someone or to gather with your friends for some bonding time counts as being innovative.  Novelty, variety, feeling engaged, and being challenged all build a healthier mind.
    This type of thinking isn't difficult to do, but it's easy to crowd out, says Chapman.  Simply executing the same rush-rush routine day after day squanders your mental energy and cheats your brain out of making stronger, more essential connections. (These strengthened connections are a resource that your brain can use if the main pathways get weakened by aging or clogged up later as a result of the plaques that for with dementia.)  Even though you likely can't change what's on your schedule, you can aim to think differently and add some brain-healthy pauses to your day.

Start Today:

• Create a few stopping points - Pressing through and doing more, more, more isn't always helpful. "The more information we take in, the more shallowly we think," says Chapman.  Getting away for a few minutes can quiet some of the mental noise that's getting in the way of the thinking that's valuable to your brain.  Every so often, step away from what your doing and walk around to clear your head.
• Take the road less traveled - Found a new route when you are strolling around your neighborhood.  this will refresh your neural networks to make them fire more efficiently.
• Try something different - Make an effort to engage in one or two new activities per day, like calling a person you recently met, exploring a different type of book genre, or eating a food you've never had before.
• Put your phone away for one hour twice a day - "If you don't have your cell phone next to you for a few on-hour stints, you'll be able to solve problems you hadn't even realized were bothering you and think more clearly," says Chapman.

3.  SET UP AN IDEAL SNOOZING SCENARIO
     Shut-eye time is when your brain does its housekeeping.  "It's almost like there's a janitor inside that cleans up some of the toxic by-products that may be a precursor to amyloid," says Chapman.


Start Today:

• Change the way you think about bedtime - Getting less sleep than the next person isn't a virtue, and sleep isn't an activity you should cut when time gets tight.  Reframe the hours you spend under the covers as a priority and a must-do, like other appointments on your schedule.
• Take stock of your sleep hygiene - Your routine and environment matter when it comes to snoozing better.  For starters, light can confuse your natural sleep/wake cycles, so use blinds or blackout shades to ensure that you sleep in a dark, quiet room.  And banish screens from your bedroom:  The blue light emitted by TV's, phones, and iPads keeps you from producing melatonin, a sleepiness hormone that rises in your body at night.
• Stick to a schedule - Even as seemingly small a change as getting up a different hour on the weekends can through your body off.  Maintain a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.

4.  DO RIGHT BY YOUR HEART, AND YOUR BRAIN WILL ALSO BENEFIT
     All those healthy moves you're making to keep your ticker in shape? Your brain loves them too.  In other words, what's good for your heart is good for your brain.


Start Today:

• Know your number - Risk factors for Alzheimer's are similar to those for heart disease and include high blood pressure, off-kilter cholesterol numbers, obesity, and diabetes.  So learning your numbers and working to manage them means you're helping to keep your Alzheimer's risk in check as well.
• Eat the Mediterranean way - A review of the top evidence by the Alzheimer's Association found that this heart-healthy eating pattern is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline, as is combining Mediterranean eating with the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet.  DASH meals are similar to Mediterranean ones, with an extra focus on fiber and protein to squelch hunger.  Pile your plate with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish, and nuts.  Cook with olive oil, and consider meat a condiment (not the main star).

Article found in January 2018 magazine / womensday.com

GRINS AND GIGGLES - Blind Golfer

 

Stevie Wonder and Jack Nicklaus are in a bar.  Nicklaus turns to Wonder and says, "How is the singing career going?"

 Stevie Wonder says, "Not too bad, the latest album has gone into the top 10, so all in all I think it is pretty good. By the way how is the golf?"

  Nicklaus replies: "Not too bad, I am not winning as much as I used to but I'm still making a bit of money. I have some problems with my swing but I think I've got that right now."

  "I always find that when my swing goes wrong I need to stop playing for a while and think about it, then the next time I play it seems to be all right," says Stevie.

  "You play golf!?" asks Jack.

  Stevie says, "Yes, I have been playing for years."

  "But I thought you were blind; how can you play golf if you are blind?" Jack asks.

  “I get my caddie to stand in the middle of the fairway and he calls to me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball towards him, then when I get to where the ball lands the caddie moves to the green or further down the fairway and again I play the ball towards his voice," explains Stevie.

  "But how do you putt?" Nicklaus wondered.

  "Well," says Stevie, "I get my caddie to lean down in front of the hole and call to me with his head on the ground and I just play the ball to the sound of his voice."

  Nicklaus says, "What is your handicap?"

  "Well, I play off scratch," Stevie assures Jack.

  Nicklaus is incredulous and says to Stevie, "We must play a game sometime."

  Wonder replies, "Well, people don't take me seriously so I only play for money, and I never play for less than $100,000 a hole."

  Nicklaus thinks it over and says, "OK, I'm up for that. When would you like to play?"

  "I don't care - any night next week is OK with me."

What’s New for Medicare in 2018?

By Brandy Bauer - An Associate Director of NCOA's Center for Benefits Access, where she helps state agencies and community organizations connect low-income Medicare beneficiaries to benefits.

It’s never too early to look ahead to some of the major changes to expect for Medicare in 2018, such as changes in cost, coverage, and enrollment periods. Here are some of the most important updates to Medicare next year:

Medicare Cost and Coverage

• The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium and deductibles for 2018 won’t change from $134 (premium) and $183 (deductible). However, because of the size of the 2018 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), approximately 42% of Medicare beneficiaries who were held harmless against the rising annual costs of Medicare in past years will see an increase up to $134.

• In addition, there have been changes to the Part B surcharge for individuals and couples with higher incomes, specifically if your income is at or above $133,501 or if you’re married with joint income above $267,001.

• Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductibles will also increase in 2018, going up $24 to $1,340.

New Medicare Cards

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin issuing new Medicare cards in April 2018 that no longer include your Social Security number. The Social Security numbers will be replaced by a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The cards will be mailed to your address on file with the Social Security Administration, so make sure your contact information is accurate.

It will take 12 months to mail new cards to all Medicare beneficiaries. During this time, keep in mind that Medicare will never request personal or private information, so be wary of anyone contacting you about the new card or MBI. Once you receive your new card, destroy the old card immediately.

Special Enrollment Periods and Extensions

• Disaster Special Enrollment – Medicare beneficiaries in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands affected by the fall hurricanes and beneficiaries in the FEMA-declared emergency and major disaster areas of California may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that runs through March 31, 2018. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office to make an enrollment request due to weather-related events.

• Part B Equitable Relief – If you delayed enrolling in Medicare Part B so you could stay in an Affordable Care Act Marketplace Qualified Health Plan (QHP), you may be able to enroll in Medicare Part B without penalty or with a reduced late enrollment penalty. You may be eligible for this equitable relief if you are enrolled in a QHP and you are enrolled in a premium-free Part A, AND your initial enrollment period (IEP) began April 1, 2013 or later OR if you were notified of retroactive premium-free Part A on October 2, 2013 or later. You have until Sept. 30, 2018 to request equitable relief from the Social Security Administration.

• Changes Based on Star Rating – Medicare uses a star rating system to measure how Medicare Advantage and Part D plans perform. You can switch to a five-star rated Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Cost Plan, or Part D plan (if one is available in your area) once per year outside of annual open enrollment (Dec. 8 – Nov. 30). People in consistently low-performing Medicare Advantage or Part D plans (lower than three-star for three consecutive years) can request a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a higher star rated plan throughout the year.   

Time for a change

Good evening everyone,
This post is a difficult one for me to write. For five years my friends and I have posted on this page almost daily. We have shared good news, sad news, laughs and tips for survival. What started as a way to communicate upcoming OIB events grew and ultimately took on a life of its’ own.

When I struggled to find time to keep this up, Bob and Johnye stepped up to help. They researched and posted daily. Sarah spent hours on recipes and sales ads, Roy kept us all entertained with his contributions. This remarkable team helped me keep my sanity! Based on the number of readers, you enjoyed it also.

Fast forward five years, WSB is stable and growing thanks to new leadership. I have taken on  a different role and simply do not have time for the blog. My friends are tired and deserve a break.WSB has staff with writing and public relations expertise and they will now use the platform to advance the WSB mission much more eloquently than I. With over 60,000 hits this blog has a active readership and I hope you will continue to read the blog and support WSB.

We will continue to post our OIB events and schedules so please continue to read the blog. I hope you will continue to support the mission of WSB and our OIB program. This is not the end, just a change.

Thanks again for all your support—to my team, I could not have managed this without you!

Stay safe and well,
Janet

A RECEIPE YOU MIGHT LIKE

Cream Cheese Pound Cake 1 1/2 'cup's butter, softened 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 3 'cup's granulated sugar 6 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 3 'cup's all-purpose flour Confectioners' sugar, whipped cream and/or fresh berries for garnish, optional Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube or Bundt pan. In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Add eggs two at a time, beating well with each addition. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Add the flour all at once and mix in. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes, checking for doneness after 1 hour. A wooden pick inserted near the center should come out clean when done. Let cake cool in pan 5 minutes, then invert onto a rack to cool 5 minutes more before removing pan.  Cool completely. Serve topped with confectioners' sugar, whipped cream and/or berries, if desired. Makes 14 servings

OVIE SMARTERWARE AND ALEXIA

Ovie Smarterware lets Alexa manage your leftovers This Bluetooth button sticks on your tupperware and tracks the time until your food expires.  Ovie Smarterware includes Tupperware to hold your food, but the colorful button is the star.  Ovie Smarterware will let you know if you need to hurry up and eat that spaghetti before it goes bad.  Smarterware is basically a bluetooth button you can stick on your Tupperware. Using it is supposedly as simple as sticking it to your Tupperware when you scoop in your leftovers, and telling Alexa what they are. Ovie's database will take care of the rest. The Smarterware button is here at CES , and the company's also launching specialized containers to go along with it, but the containers just provide a neat holder for the button. The button's the star. Smarterware will work with both Amazon's assistant Alexa and Google's assistant (just called Google Assistant ). If you have a smart speaker with either assistant (an Amazon Echo or a Google Home for example), you can hit the button and tell your speaker what's in your container. Alexa and Google will communicate with Ovie's cloud, which has a database supposedly containing all common foods and how long they tend to last in the fridge. Pressing the button sends a Bluetooth signal to your phone, and Alexa or Google will talk to Ovie to match that particular button with the food you just identified. If you don't have a smart speaker, you can just hit the button then use the Ovie app to identify your food. Once you've matched your button to a container of leftovers, Ovie will track the elapsed time, and a light ring on the button will slowly change from green to yellow to red as it gets closer to when you need to throw it out. Tracking your leftovers with Alexa or Google sounds cool, and I'd also imagine the colors of the button will help you prioritize at a glance when you look at the fridge. A yellow light means you better eat up soon. The functionality is similar to what we've seen on the Samsung Family Hub fridge , but instead of spending thousands for a new appliances , a three pack of buttons will only cost $60 when Smarterware hits the market by the end of the year. Ovie plans to crowdfund Smarterware this Spring. 

A FEW LAUGHS AND THOUGHTS

Fitwear

April teaches many aerobic classes. She told a lady who was looking to sign up for the class to just wear loose fitting clothing to the class. "Honey," the lady replied, "if I had any loose fitting clothing, I wouldn't be signing up for an exercise class."

Just Wait...

I spotted several pairs of men's Levi's jeans at a garage sale. They were sizes 30, 31, and 32, but I was looking for size 33. So I asked the owner if he had a pair. He shook his head. "I'm still wearing the 33s," he said. "Come back next year."

Short Thoughts

• I changed my password to "incorrect" so whenever I forget it the computer will say, "Your password is incorrect."
• I bought a vacuum cleaner six months ago and so far all it's been doing is gathering dust.

Walking On Water

Dallas heard that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays. So, on his 21st birthday, Dallas and his big brother Damon, headed out to the lake. "If they did it, I can too!" he insisted. When Dallas and Damon arrived at the lake, they rented a canoe and began paddling. When they got to the middle of the lake, Dallas stepped off of the side of the boat... and nearly drowned. Furious and somewhat embarrassed, he and Damon headed for home. When Dallas arrived back at the family home, he asked his grandmother for an explanation. "Grandma, why can't I walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?" His sweet old grandmother took Dallas by the hand, looked into his eyes, and explained, "That's because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all born in January. You were born in July, dear."

New Year's Wishes

• May you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, your cardiologist, your gastroenterologist, your urologist, your proctologist, your podiatrist, your psychiatrist, your plumber and the IRS.
• May your hair, your teeth, your face-lift, your abs and your stocks not fall; and may your blood pressure, your triglycerides, your cholesterol, your white blood count and your mortgage interest not rise.
• May what you see in the mirror delight you, and what others see in you delight them. May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.
• May the telemarketers wait to make their sales calls until you finish dinner, may the commercials on TV not be louder than the program you have been watching, and may your check book and your budget balance — and include generous amounts for charity.
• May you remember to say "I love you" at least once a day to your spouse, your child, your parent, your siblings and others you love.
• And may we live in a world at peace and with the awareness of God's love in every sunset, every flower's unfolding petals, every baby's smile, every lover's kiss, and every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our heart.
• Above all, may you continue to smile, may your life be filled with laughter, and may you never forget the words found in the Book of Proverbs, "A gloomy spirit rots the bones; but a merry heart is like good medicine."

STORES MAY BE COMING TO YOU

The self-driving ePallet can serve as an office on wheels, or a store that delivers its own goods. 

(Toyota) Toyota says it's developing self-driving mini-buses that can serve as bite-sized stores. These vehicles will drive themselves to places where potential buyers can try on clothes or shoes or pick through flea market items. They can also give employees fully functional office space on their commute. It's boxy, functional shape makes it a perfect automated people carrier. (Toyota) The project, unveiled at the CES gadget show Monday, is still in the conceptual stage. A concept vehicle is still being developed and will be tested in the 2020s. A version is also expected to make an appearance at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The Japanese automaker is partnering with Amazon, Uber, Pizza Hut, Mazda and Chinese ride-hailing firm Didi on what it is calling the e-Palette Alliance. Toyota President Akio Toyoda told CES conference attendees: "In the future, the store will come to you. 

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN

HOW OLD IS THIS MAN?

Stay with this -- the answer is at the end.

It may blow you away.

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events.

The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: 
'television
'penicillin
'polio shots
'frozen foods
'Xerox
'contact lenses
'Frisbees and
'the pill

There were no:
'credit cards
'laser beams or
'ball-point pens

Man had not invented:
'pantyhose
'air conditioners
'dishwashers
'clothes dryers
'and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
'space travel was only in Flash Gordon books.

Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every woman older than me, "mam". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir".

We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.

Our lives were governed by the Bible, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege... We thought fast food was eating half a biscuit while running to catch the school bus

Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.

Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started.

Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings

We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.

If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk.

Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.

We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.

You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600, ... but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

In my day:
'"grass" was mowed,
'"coke" was a cold drink,
'"pot" was something your mother cooked in and
'"rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
'"Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office,
'"chip" meant a piece of wood,
'"hardware" was found in a hardware store and
'"software" wasn't even a word.

And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.

How old do you think I am?

I bet you have this old man in mind...you are in for a shock!

Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.

Are youready ?????

This man would be 70 years old today.

 

GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO THINKABOUT... PASS THIS ONTO THE OLD ONES, The younger generation would not understand.

 

 

SAM BALDWIN

Yesterday was the funerall service for our friend Sam Baldwin who departed this life on December 30^th.  The turnout was amazing, many friends of Sam’s coming to honor his memory.  Sam even sang at his own funeral.  He had many friends and many of them were thereto honor him.  We will miss you Sam. 

SOME THINGS TO GIVE YOU A CHUCKLE

You Know You Are Living in 2018 When...
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You email the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that theydon't have email addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone
is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a website at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic, and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. :)
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

Observations on Growing Older

• Going out is good. Coming home is better!
• When people say you look "great"... they add "for your age!"
• When you needed the discount, you paid full price. Now, as a senior, you get discounts on everything — movies, hotels, flights, but you're too tired to use them.
• You forget names. But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
• The 5 pounds you wanted to lose is now 15 and you have a better chance of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.
• Your spouse is counting on you to remember things you don't remember.
• Remember when your mother said, "Wear clean underwear in case you GET in an accident"? Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident!
• You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
• When GOOGLE, ipod, email, modem were unheard of, and a mouse was something that made you climb on a table.
• Your husband has a night out with the guys, but he's home by 9:00 P.M. Next week it will be 8:30 p.m.
• You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it.
• What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
• Everybody whispers.
• Now that your husband has retired, you'd give anything if he'd find a job!
• You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet...2 of which you will never wear.

Short Thoughts

• The gyms have a special name for people who sign up in early January and then don't go: Profit.
• Here is wisdom: Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be, so enjoy this day while it lasts.

SERVICES FOR SAM BALDWIN

For those who are interested, Sam Baldwin’s funeral will be Saturday the 6^th.  Visitation will be from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm and the service will follow immediately at 1:00 pm.  Services will be at the Little Rock Funeral Home.

If you are interested in attending and need transportation you may call Shelly at WSB at 501-664-7100, ext 233 as soon as possible and transportation will be provided for you.

If you want to attend services for Sam and have not made needed transportation arrangements yet, you will need to call as early as possible today to assure that you can be included.

SERVICES FOR SAM BALDWIN

For those who are interested, Sam Baldwin’s funeral will be Saturday the 6^th.  Visitation will be from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm and the service will follow immediately at 1:00 pm.  Services will be at the Little Rock Funeral Home.

If you are interested in attending and need transportation you may call Shelly at WSB at 501-664-7100, ext 233 as soon as possible and transportation will be provided for you.

SERVICES FOR SAM BALDWIN

For those who are interested, Sam Baldwin’s funeral will be Saturday the 6^th.  Visitation will be from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm and the service will follow immediately at 1:00 pm.  Services will be at the Little Rock Funeral Home.

If you are interested in attending and need transportation you may call Shelly at WSB at 501-664-7100, ext 233 as soon as possible and transportation will be provided for you.

DOLLAR GENERAL SPECIALS FOR THIS WEEK

Happy New Year!

Buying Groceries on a Budget

Dollar General Sale Dates Dec 31 – Jan 6, 2018

 

Nature Valley Granola Bar 6 ct Asst Varieties 2/$5.00; Nabisco Saltine Crackers 16 oz $2.00

Orange Juice 1/2 gallon $2.50

Clover Valley 100% Whole Wheat Bread $1.35

Clover Valley Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup 10.5-10.75 oz 2/$1.00

Clover Valley Chicken Breast 2 pk/10 oz each $3.25

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls 7 oz, Sausage Egg & Cheese Biscuit or Croissant 2 ct or Stuffed Hash Browns Sausage Cheese 2 ct $3.00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you all a very:

 

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR

 

May the new year bring you many blessings for you and your family.