Happy Sunday!

If this doesn't remind you not to look a gift horse in the
mouth and to count your blessings, I don't know what will! :)

Hypothetical Road Test

Imagine yourself on a road trip. It's a beautiful day, a peaceful drive, and a road you've traveled many times before without incident, so all is right with the world. All of a sudden, you encounter this sign on the side of the road that was never there before. Which of the following reactions would most likely be YOUR reaction to the sign?

A. Put your foot in the tank and go full speed ahead toward Change.
B. Put your foot on the break and slow your roll toward Change.
C. Pull to the shoulder and think about it before continuing toward Change.
D. Get off at the next exit and head for home before you get to Change.

You should probably know that there is no RIGHT answer for this test because we're all designed to react differently to Change. But, what we do have in common is this: The outcome of Change will always depend on our reaction to it.

Let The Countdown Begin!

6 Days Until The Debates Start
Click on image to check out the 2012 Presidential Debate
Schedule, Topics, and Formats during the month October.

New From Facebook

Introducing "Facebook Gifts". Real gifts for real friends.

And, oh yeah... you have to pay for them with real money too!

Breaking News! Story @ 11:00pm!

Make It Yourself

Gone But Not Forgotten...

The National R&B Society, Inc.

ROLL CALL in alphabetical order: Nick Ashford (1942-2011), Ray Charles (1930-2004), Chuck Brown (1936-2012), James Brown (1933-2006), Sam Cooke (1931-1964), Heavy D (1967-2011), Marvin Gaye (1939-1984), Isaac Hayes (1942-2008), Whitney Houston (1963-2012), Phyllis Hyman (1949-1995), Michael Jackson (1958-2009), Etta James (1938-2012), Rick James (1948-2004), Gerald Levert (1966-2006), Teena Marie (1956-2010), Teddy Pendergrass (1950-2010), Otis Redding (1941-1967), David Ruffin (1941-1991), Donna Summer (1948-2012), Luther Vandross (1951-2005), Barry White (1944-2003).

Happy Sunday!

Thanking God for the miracle of His Son!

"Kitty Sofa" Tissue Box Cover

I was out to lunch with a co-worker yesterday and we had a chance encounter with a woman who makes these adorable tissue box covers...

Of course, I just had to have one and now, I'm trying to figure out where to put it. I almost want to leave it in the plastic bag it came in and never use it! Just 2 cute!

Nostalgic TV Is Making A Comeback

The entertainment industry as a whole is just not what it used to be. For starters, we're being bombarded with reality TV shows ad nauseum. It seems that somewhere along the line, the network execs lost sight of the fact that most people like to relax and watch TV to suspend reality. And, the subject matter of most of them doesn't interest me either... especially those that center around the day-to-day lives of out-of-work celebrities and/or their spouses, ex-spouses, and relatives, whose only claim to fame is that they're related to a celebrity.

I'm also not crazy about competitive reality shows... whether it's cooking, losing weight, modeling, running a business, singing, survival, or trying to find Mr. or Mrs. Right. As for movies, they've reached an all-time low because Hollywood seems to be totally preoccupied with the concept of remaking films that don't need to be redone. And, don't even get me started on the music industry and all the changes they've put us through over the last two decades. The rapid changes in devices, formats, etc. are enough to make your head spin... and, barring a few exceptions, most of the artists and music being released today leaves much to be desired.

Well, as is the nature of most humans, when we're dissatisfied with our present, we sometimes like to reach back for things that are familiar and once brought us pleasure. So, the next time you're channel surfing and can't seem to find anything worthwhile to watch, consider enjoying some of your old classics and favorites on TV stations such as the ones below. I've read that most of them are doing quite well and much better than originally anticipated in terms of expected viewership. Perhaps, some of that is due to the overwhelming success of TV Land. Whatever it is, people seem to like it... and, from time to time, you can count me among them!

ANTENNA TV features classic television programs and favorite movies. Local television stations air Antenna TV as a digital multicast channel depending on the city and the station. Antenna TV is free and available over-the-air using rabbit ears (a traditional broadcast television antenna) or a rooftop antenna. In addition, most major cable companies from coast-to-coast carry local affiliate feeds of Antenna TV. Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: January 2011.

ME TV features a wide range of classic television programming, some of the best programming written for television, that audiences and advertisers find comfortable and engaging. Its library includes series from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and CBS Television Distribution as well as independent series owners and producers. Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: December 2010.

RETRO TV (RTV) is a television network that airs classic television shows, as well as more recently produced programs. Owned by Luken Communications, LLC, the network airs mainly on stations' digital sub-channels or low power television stations. They run programs that come from various independent distributors. Visit the website to check out their offerings and schedule for TV Shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: July 2005.

THIS TV is a free premium channel that brings you award winning films, box office hits, cult classics, retro TV shows, and all your favorite Hollywood stars! Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: November 2008.

Of course, TV LAND has been around for quite a while. Depending on where you live and your cable provider, it may have been the only game you had in town for watching great TV shows of the past. It's an American cable television network owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which also owns Paramount Pictures, and networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon. Originally consisting exclusively of classic television shows, the network now airs a combination of classic television shows, newer shows, original programming, and movies. Visit the website to check out the offerings and schedule for TV shows. You can also like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Launch Date: April 1996.

Motivational Poster Of The Day

"This is a parody of the 1930 original painting by Grant Wood. It is one of the most familiar images in 20th-century American art, and one of the most parodied artworks within American popular culture. The creator of this parody is Mario Piperni and we love it! God Bless America!" - President Obama

Political Photo Of The Day

Do you still think the Republicans are looking out for your best interest? Well, think again! If you're caught in a maze of confusion, go to this webpage for more information: Everything You've Ever Wanted To Know About Voter ID Laws.

Zoe Saldana To Play Nina Simone? I Don't Think So!

Nina Simone & Zoe Saldana

Ever since it was announced that "Avatar" star Zoe Saldana had been tapped to play jazz/blues/folk singer and activist Nina Simone, there has been sizable backlash from the Simone family and around the blogosphere, because Saldana is deemed too light for the role, according to the New York Times.

Last month, the Hollywood Reporter announced that Dominican-Puerto Rican actress Zoe Saldana was chosen to play Simone in a biopic about her life by writer and director Cynthia Mort and executive producer Jimmy Iovine. While the lead role in the jazz icon’s life is a sure win for Saldana, family members and bloggers believe it is a loss for Simone and her legacy.

On Simone’s official Facebook page, Simone’s daughter, Simone Kelly, complained to followers about the decisions movie makers have been making on behalf of her mother, writing: "How many of you know my mother’s first love was classical music? Do you know the hours she practiced preparing to audition for the Curtis Institute of Music, only to be rejected because of the color of her skin? As a child, my mother was told her nose was too big and she was too dark, yet she graduated valedictorian of her high school class, The Allen School for Girls, and skipped two grades." Kelly later told the NY Times: "My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide and her skin was too dark. Appearance-wise, Saldana being cast is not the best choice." And, Kelly is not alone.

Tiffani Jones (Coffee Rhetoric) wrote in an article entitled "(Mis)Casting Call: The Erasure of Nina Simone’s Image": After Mary J. Blige didn't pan out as the lead, folks were left to ponder who would play Nina. Bloggers and fans campaigned for the Black actresses and entertainers they thought would be a more appropriate fit for the role, including Viola Davis, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, and especially Adepero Oduye, who starred in "Pariah" to wide acclaim. So many were left with feelings of confusion and dismay when Afro-Latina actress, Zoe Saldana was announced as Mary J. Blige’s replacement. And, it’s a very valid gripe. 

Black actresses, particularly those with darker skin, often lament their experiences having to navigate the politics of an industry, that’s rarely willing to cast them in non-stereotypical roles because, despite being attractive, immensely talented, and right for the role, they don’t have the palatable "mainstream look" the Hollywood machine requires of some of its Black actresses. So, they often lose plum roles to the Halle Berry/Paula Patton appeal, and that destructive notion often places Black-identified but racially ambiguous looking actresses on a pedestal as ideal representations of the Black female aesthetic. And, the criticism hasn’t stopped there.

Demeriese Naima Valier (ReverbNation) is petitioning both Iovine and Mort to replace Zoe Saldana with an actress who actually looks like Nina Simone. So far, 2,822 supports have signed the petition. While no one is arguing that Saldana isn’t talented enough to play the role, colorism and racism alongside a fervent dedication to her Blackness. Simone reveled in African headdresses and clothes with minimal make-up and natural hair, were inextricable to her experience.

Is it defensible to have a light-skinned Afro-Latina represent Simone’s life to the world when she clearly cannot visually communicate the oft times contentious experience Simone endured, and often triumphed over, just to exist in the very White space of Hollywood and the world? Is it a disservice to the integrity of Simone’s experience to represent her with an actress who is devoid of the very characteristic that shaped both her successes and failures? Or, should we simply celebrate the choice of Saldana as a competent and studied Black actress who was chosen because she can best bring Simone’s story to forefront?

The Timing Couldn't Be Better...

Click here to order this book from Amazon.com

A dear friend just gave me this book as a birthday gift, and I can't wait to read it while I'm commuting back and forth to work. And yes, I still enjoy holding an actual book in my hands!

Mrs. Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts may be best known as the mother of Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts, but the 88 year old woman has achieved great success in her own right.

Lucimarian Tolliver was born in 1924 in Akron, OH. As a teenager she was awarded the John S. Knight Scholarship, given by the publishers of the Akron Beacon Journal. The first person in her family to go to college, Tolliver graduated in 1946 from Howard University, where she met her future husband, Lawrence Roberts. The couple had four children and moved 27 times as part of Mr. Roberts' career as an Air Force officer.

Mrs. Roberts' achievements include serving as director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, New Orleans Branch; chair of the Mississippi Department of Education; and as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She also served on the Presbyterian Church (USA) National Committee on the Self-Development of People and was co-chair of the national steering committee for the mission initiative: Joining Hearts and Hands.

In 2011 Mrs. Roberts received the Medgar W. Evers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gulfport branch of the NAACP. Mrs. Roberts collaborated with daughter Robin Roberts and author Missy Buchanan to pen My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith. The book brings together pivotal moments of Lucimarian Roberts' intriguing life with personal reflections from Robin Roberts.

PBG Supports President Obama!

Click here to order your PBG for Obama T-Shirt today!

"The Greatest" Honored In Philadelphia

Muhammad Ali was celebrated at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia this week as he was honored with the National Constitution Center’s 2012 Liberty Medal. The award is given to those who exemplify courage, conviction, and who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. The crowd erupted as Ali took the stage with his wife and daughter, who also gave a speech praising her father as one of the greatest men she has ever known. Mayor Michael Nutter and other dignitaries were present. Actor Terrence Howard also took the stage to speak about the freedoms of America and how we should never forget about the people who fought for us to have such freedoms.

A Sweet Lesson In Patience

Please take a few minutes to read this short story. I guarantee when you finish, you'll be glad you did. Then, reflect on it, do a little soul searching, and ask yourself... How would YOU have handled the situation if YOU had been the cab driver?

A NYC taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes, I honked again. Since this was going to be the last ride of my shift, I thought about just driving away... but instead, I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90s stood before me.

She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knick-knacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing," I told her... "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated." "Oh, you're such a good boy," she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice." I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued in a soft voice. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city.

She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a young girl.

Sometimes, she would ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and she would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent over and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy. Thank you so much," she said. I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers during that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But, great moments often catch us unaware... beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Look @ The Big Girl!

My granddaughter, Little Sister Alexis, can hold her bottle all by herself! YGG!

Happy 43rd Birthday, Tyler!

Click here to see more celebrities born on September 13th!

A Word From My Grandchildren: Vote!!!

President Obama Photo Generator #1

"Michelle, you've got to come see this... it's The Booga Wooga & Little Sister Sophia!"

President Obama Photo Generator #2

"Michelle, we need to find an appropriate place to hang this pic in the White House!"

🕊 We Will Never Forget

A PROCLAMATION
By The President of The United States

Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance

Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.

Today, we honor the lives we lost 9 years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.

As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which our Nation was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.

In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad. In April, I was proud to sign the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Originated by the family members of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to salute the heroes of 9/11, recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that inspired our Nation following the attacks, and rededicate ourselves to sustained service to our communities.

Throughout the summer, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to lend a helping hand in their communities through United We Serve. As this summer of service draws to an end, we renew the call to engage in meaningful service activities and stay engaged with those projects throughout the year. Working together, we can usher in a new era in which volunteering and more service is a way of life for all Americans. Deriving strength from tragedy, we can write the next great chapter in our Nation's history and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the promise of America.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46am eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

Barack Obama

Autism Resources & Sensory-Friendly Movie

Click here to get your tool kit today!

Autism Speaks Family Services is pleased to offer the School Community Tool Kit as a free PDF download. It is designed to assist members of the school community in understanding and supporting students with autism.

Click here to get your toy guide today!

The 2012 Toys "R" Us Differently-Abled Toy Guide is now available as a PDF download @ their website. It's a very helpful guide and tool when shopping for kids w/ special needs. Last year, the cover featured Eva Longoria... this year, it features Nancy O'Dell, who is a mom, TV host, and philanthropist.

Click here to get your magazine today!

Austism Advocate Magazine is a free online offering from The Autism Society of America, but you need to login to your account to access it. If you don't have an account, it's quick and easy to create one. You can read it online, download it as a PDF file, and print it.

Click here to get your tool kit today!

Autism Speaks Family Services is now offering the Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit as a free PDF download. It is designed to provide strategies and resources to address these behaviors, and to help support parents and their loved one w/ autism during these difficult situations.

Click here for more details and information!

Sensory-Friendly Movie Alert: In cooperation w/ the Autism Society, there will be a special showing of "Finding Nemo" in 2D @ AMC Theaters on Saturday, September 22nd @ 10:00am. Use the link for more information regarding cost, sensory-friendly accommodations, theater locations, and other upcoming movies.

❤️ Happy Grandparents Day!

Yo, Philly! It's Time To Walk For Autism Again!

Walk Now For Autism Speaks - Philadelphia Official Website

When: September 15, 2012

Where: Citizen's Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Event Schedule:
8:00am Registration
9:30am Stage Show Starts
10:00am One-Mile Walk Begins

The walk will be a one-mile long loop in the parking lots of Citizens Bank Park. To those who do not wish to walk, you can enjoy the Resource Fair along the concourse as well as all of our exciting entertainment throughout the ballpark. Join Autism Speaks as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism! This is a fun-filled, family-friendly event and is our single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead us to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S. more volunteers are needed to join the fight. Whether this is your first walk or the tenth, take the first step and register today. You will not only raise funds, but you will become a part of a fun and supportive family-focused community. Every 11 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has an autism spectrum disorder. Help us change that! Start fundraising today. Whether you strive to join our new "Grand Club" (walkers that raise $1,000 or more), or sell lemonade to boost your total, or create your own unique event, you will become a part of the solution! Don’t wait another minute. Start a corporate, school or family team today! 

Questions or Comments?
Email: philadelphia@autismspeaks.org 
Phone: 856-858-5400

DNC: THE MAIN EVENT!

September 4th-6th, 2012

I openly confess that this was probably the first time I've ever watched the Democratic National Convention from start to finish, but I'm so glad I did because I really enjoyed it! It was truly an awesome experience! Here are some of the things on my personal list of highlights from the event, and I'm happy to report that no one was talking to chairs at THIS convention! It was done the way it's SUPPOSED to be done... they talked to the American people! I can only hope and pray that the American people were listening!

TRIBUTE: It was only fitting that on Day 1, Ted Kennedy's lifelong work toward civil rights, health care, and other important issues facing the American people was remembered. All of the Kennedy brothers came from wealth and means, but they always stood up for the interests of the working class. There will never be another political family quite like them. Ted was the last man standing, but may they all (John, Bobby, and Ted) rest in peace. If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/Q7pYxnNUYkU

Illinois House of Representative nominee Tammy Duckworth gave a moving and inspiring speech on Day 1. Two thumbs up! If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/DcFD0DvJbx4

First Lady Michelle Obama approaches the stage to deliver her rousing speech on Day 1! YGG! If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/LZrv-izNHS0

Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas continues to be in high demand, so she gave the "Pledge of Allegiance" on Day 2! If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/P9bgzCddPfk

Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren gave an excellent speech on Day 2! If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/wY4fo-_TRS8

Former President Bill Clinton just killed it on Day 2! YGB! If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/lFUtEyh20Ok

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford gave the "Pledge of Allegiance" on  Day 3 and she did a great job! This is how we do it and we never give up! America is so proud of you, Gabby! If you missed it, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/cbFMHZprAmA

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA II--The Democratic National Convention was right on point from beginning to end. Now, it's up to us. Please don't let anyone or anything stand in your way and stop you from voting on November 6, 2012. God bless the President and the United States of America! If you missed his speech on Day 3, use the image or this link to watch it on YouTube! http://youtu.be/E8Eu9wDAYbU

Recommended Reading For Kids From Tumaini Publishers

"I Can Be Anything I Want To Be: A Journey To The White House"

By Shenay T. Perkins 

In this simple yet inspiring and encouraging story, the author reminds all children that with hard work, persistence, and a desire to help others, they can be anything they want to be, even the president of the United States! Click on the image or text link underneath to order this book directly from Tumaini Publishing or use this text link to order it from Amazon.com.

"I Am Michelle Obama: The First Lady" 

By Margina Graham Parker 

This first-of-its-kind children's book captures the life of Michelle Obama through the eyes of a young girl, that aspires to be like her. Through the book we find out that there is much more to the First Lady Michelle Obama, than just a stunning outward appearance. We point out her many accomplishments, and outstanding achievements as a woman, by telling the story of her life from a young girl, to being a young woman, to becoming a wife, then a mother, and ultimately becoming the First Lady of the United States of America. This historical children’s book is definitely a must-have and a must-read for both children and parents. Click on the image or text link underneath to order this book directly from Tumaini Publishing or use this text link to order it from Amazon.com.

Our Thoughts & Prayers Are w/ You!

I'm definitely praying, posting, and sharing this for you, Robin! Be strong... God will get you through all of this over time. You are in His capable hands, and that's the best place for you to be right now!

I Was Born On This Day!

As of September 4, 2012 @ 12:00 AM ET:

* I am 54 years old.
* I am 648 months old.
* I am 2,817 weeks old.
* I am 19,724 days old.
* I am 473,376  hours old.
* I am 28,402,560  minutes old.
* I am 1,704,153,600 seconds old.

Fun Facts & Trivia:

* My date of conception was on or about December 12, 1957.
* I was born on a Thursday under the astrological sign Virgo.
* My opposition sign is Pisces.
* My ruling planet is Mercury.
* The moon's phase on the day of my birth was waning gibbous.
* My birth flower is Aster.
* My birth tree is Weeping Willow.
* My birthstone is Sapphire.
* My lucky day is Wednesday.
* My lucky dates are the 5th, 14th, and 23rd.
* My lucky number is 5.
* My opposition number is 3.
* My Life Path number is 9.
* I'm most compatible with people with the Life Path numbers 3, 6, and 9.
* I'm least compatible with people with the Life Path numbers 4, 8, and 22.
* My age is the equivalent of a dog that is 7.43326810176125 years old.
* My fortune cookie reads: Something you lost will soon turn up.

54 Candles:

The number of candles on my birthday cake produce 54 BTUs or 13,869 calories of heat and that's only 13.8600 food calories. I can boil 6.29 ounces of water with that many candles.

Celebrities Who Share My Birthday:

Henry Ford II (1917)
Jason David Frank (1973)
Paul Harvey (1918)
Beyonce Knowles (1981)
Dan Miller (1980)
Mike Piazza (1968)
Dr. Drew Pinsky (1958)
Ione Skye (1970)
Tom Watson (1949)
Mitzi Gaynor (1930)
Damon Wayans (1960)
Richard Wright (1908)

Top Songs of 1958:

"At the Hop" by Danny & The Juniors
"It's All In the Game" by Tommy Edwards
"The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley
"All I Have to Do Is Dream" by The Everly Brothers
"Tequila" by The Champs
"Don't" by Elvis Presley
"Volare" by Domenico
"Modugno Sugartime" by The McGuire Sisters
"He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" by Laurie London
"The Chipmunk Song" by David Seville & The Chipmunks

1958 in the United States:

* The President was Dwight Eisenhower.
* The Vice-President was Richard Nixon.
* It was not a leap year.
* The date of Ash Wednesday was February 19th.
* The date of Passover was Saturday, April 5th.
* The date of Easter was Sunday, April 6th.
* There were approximately 1,667,231 marriages and 385,144 divorces.
* A new person was born approximately every 8 seconds.
* There were approximately 4.0 million births.
* The population was approximately 150,697,361 people.
* One person died approximately every 12 seconds.
* There were approximately 1,452,000 deaths.
* Click here for more information...

R.I.P. Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan (December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012) was an American actor, best known for his breakout role as John Coffey in The Green Mile, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. He was also recognized for his appearances in motion pictures such as Armageddon, The Whole Nine Yards, The Scorpion King & Daredevil, as well as voice acting roles in works such as Brother Bear and Kung Fu Panda.

The Story Behind Labor Day

What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

Enjoy your day off today!