Weekly Rat Facts: Personalities

Anyone who has rats as pets knows that they each have their own little personalities. But for someone who has never been around rats they might not realize that rats, just like other animals as well as humans...have their own distinct personalities. 

Take for instance Lucky, in the above picture. He was born with only three legs *one of his front paws is missing* but that doesn't stop him from climbing, running, jumping and having a lot of fun. He's my rat with the most energy I've ever seen in a rat. He starts licking anyone that gets their hands or face close enough for him to give kisses and he will play with you. Every morning when I do a spot cleaning in the cages he runs over to me and tugs on my rings, then hops around, comes back and play fights with my hand and popcorns around his cage. He'll play tug of war and after he's done playing will lay down for me to pet him. 

Marbles is my standoffish rat. He doesn't like to be picked up but if I move the cage over to the couch he'll climb out onto the couch and run around on the couch with me. He really doesn't like to be petted and will back away from you if you try to but if you lay down on the couch or the bed he'll come lay next to you. 

He always come to the front of the cage to see me when I do a morning spot cleaning in the cages and I put my hand in front of him for him to sniff he will nibble all of my fingers and then stare at me until he gets his morning treat. Nibbling my fingers is his way of saying "hi" I think. The cage is right next to the couch in the living room and when Marbles wants a treat he will go to the corner he's at in the picture and stare at Ken who sits on that side of the couch. 

When Marbles sees Ken get up and go in the kitchen you can see him getting all excited bouncing back and forth at the front of the cage until Ken comes back with a piece of apple, carrot, cereal, cheese or yogie. Marbles usually snatches it and runs over to his bed. He had Ken trained very well. LOL 

Bandit is my food hoarder/stealer/bully. 

When I first got him and his three brothers this one was stealing all the good foods put in the cage and would fight the other rats if they tried to get anything other than the lab blocks. 

I put them in a bigger cage which did help and would set up three spots where the fresh foods were in the cage, so everyone could get some. At first he would run to all of the fresh food spots and carry them all back to his hoarding spot and guard it. So I started hand feeding them all a little bit at a time and that would stop him from taking food from the others. 

In the past year 2 of his brothers have passed away and he and Marbles are now 3 years old which in his old age has mellowed him out a bit. 

Now I just have to set out fresh foods in two spots in the cage, one by Marbles and one by Bandit and Bandit will usually sit and eat from his spot while Marbles is eating his. Sometimes though Bandit will push Marbles up against the back of the cage with his butt and lay on him, keeping him away from the food. That's when I have to separate them and put one upstairs and one downstairs where they will eat and then go cuddle together to sleep. 

So as you can see, 3 rats with three distinct personalities. 

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you. 

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things so I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week. 

This week I received samples of:

Kirkland surface wipes

Kirkland baby wipes

Kirkland daily facial towelettes

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet vitamins for dogs and cats

Advil pain reliever

I found the links to all of these great samples at Freebie Shark and Hey It's Free

So, did you get any free samples this week?

Books!

I got my books in the mail today. I'm so excited to start reading them. Two of my all time favorite series and Kerrelyn Sparks book that I just started reading not too long ago and really do love it too. But the other two series I've been reading for years...like 20 years..I love it when they have new books come out in these series. 

Now...if I can just get hubby to maybe sleep for a few days so I can read in peace. Or maybe I'll have to leave him chained in the dungeon for a few days. *if I only had a dungeon* LOL 

Guess I'll just have to put on my stern face and tell him no talking until I'm done reading. lol 

Three Days Grace Has A New Lead Singer

So I found out recently that the lead singer for Three Days Grace (Adam Gontier), one of my favorite bands has left and a new lead singer (Matt Walsh) has taken over. So I thought since I like their music I would give the new guy a try...no, no and no. Damn, they should have found someone else because this guy just doesn't do it for me at all.

So if you want to hear the new guy (Matt Walsh) just listen to the video above.




If you want to hear (Adam Gontier) the lead singer that I actually liked...listen to this video. It's the same song, but Adam in my opinion does a damn site better job of it.

How disappointing...I really liked them. But it happened not too long ago with another band that I liked when their lead singer left too...Nightwish isn't at all what it used to be.

The Marijuana Myth

When speaking out on marijuana the one thing I hear most is, "Marijuana has never killed anyone!" 

Well just because no one has ever overdosed on Marijuana doesn't mean it's not harmful. Just read this article:

Marijuana causes many deaths reported as "accidents"

One quote from that article I'd like to share is... ""Cannabis is as dangerous as any other drug and people must understand that it kills," said Mr Turner. "From my long experience I can say that it is a very dangerous substance. Increasingly it is mentioned not only as the first drug taken by people who overdose, but also in suicides and accidental deaths."

Or how about this article:

Marijuana Use Does Kill People

Here's a quote from that article I found enlightening..." The researchers note that this increased mortality might be the result of a higher rate of car crashes among marijuana users, intentional or violent injuries or homicides, and other kinds of accidents or injuries associated with marijuana use. Patients’ secondary use of other drugs could also explain some of the excess mortality among those treated for cannabis use disorder."

While no one has ever died as a result of overdosing on marijuana that does NOT mean that marijuana is not the cause of people dying..that is the biggest lie of them all. People die all the time because others are high on marijuana and kill them in car accidents or other accidents. Here's an article that has more than 6 different reports of people high on marijuana being the cause of another persons death. 

Marijuana is dangerous and it kills: it is a leading cause of injury crashes

I think the most telling article is the one that reads, "Woman Kills Self and 7 others While High on Marijuana" 

or 

‘Psychotic Pothead’ Shoots Pentagon Police

“…John Patrick Bedell liked it (marijuana) too; in fact, he was a marijuana addict. But he inflicted a lot of pain on other people, including the two guards he shot at the Pentagon.”

and one of the worst ones... 

"Hunter Kills 14, Injures 104 Firefighters, Burns 422 Square Miles After Setting ‘Accidental’ Fire
 The California Cedar fire was the second largest wildfire in the history of California. 14 people lost their lives in that fire. 104 firefighters were injured, one died. Countless wildlife were cremated; 90% of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park was incinerated; 280,278 acres; 422 square miles were ravaged; the fire took a month to put out and cost $27 million. The hunter “admitted that the night before his foray into the forest, he had smoked marijuana by himself and slipped the pipe and lighter in the pocket of his hunting vest. He said he had not smoked marijuana on the day of the trip. Investigators looking into the fire later found Martinez’s glass marijuana pipe about 30 feet from the spot where the fire had started.” (NC TIMES)"

So the next time you want to try and use the argument, "marijuana use has never killed anyone" I will point out that you have had your head stuck so far down in the sand that you can't see the truth when it is standing right in front of you. Because the fact is...marijuana has killed people, maybe not from an overdose, maybe no one has over dosed, maybe no one has ever died from a fatal overdose amount in their own system from smoking it but people sure as hell have died in accidents after 'pot heads' have gotten behind the wheel after lighting up and driving. 

Oh and one more little tidbit for you to think about. According to this article,  "The drug can cause cancer, lung disease and abnormalities associated with serious mental illness. Users are up to six times more likely to develop schizophrenia."

So maybe the mental problem you have...are caused by the "medicine" you are smoking. Just a thought. But I'm sure you'll come up with some statistics from proponents of marijuana that counters everything I've proven here. The truth is in front of you, you just don't want to see it. 

Who's the sheeple now?

23rd Anniversary

Yep, it's been 23 years since this picture was taken and Ken and I are still going strong. A lot of things have happened in the last 23 years..we had a daughter and now we are grandparents. 

We'd had our ups and downs but the one thing we've learned is you have to be able to talk with your partner if you want your relationship to last. 

So many couples don't make it this long so I'm super proud and happy that we have. 

Happy Anniversary, Honey

My Mom Would Have Been 66 Years Old Today

As you can see my mom was quite the character. 

She passed away 2 years ago, which was much too early for us to lose her. I still sometimes will think, "Oh I have to call mom and tell her this." and then remember that I can't. I miss her like crazy and I know others do too. 

Happy Birthday, Mom

Do You Want Something?

The Something Store

According to the something store for a mere $10 they will send you...something. 

Your Something May Be Anything

It may be something you need, something you want or something you desire. Your something may be a cool shiny gadget, rare book, party game, handmade necklace, reverse clock, box of gourmet chocolates, popular video game, portable table tennis set, pashmina scarf, set of kitchen knives, pair of handmade earrings, garden tool, kitchen appliance, unique home decor item, electronic equipment, fine crafting tool or an office supply item... Your something will be a brand new item; not used or refurbished.

When you order...something. They will randomly pick an item from their inventory and send you..something. It will be a surprise until you open the box. 

So would you ever do this? Do you know someone who would?

I've actually been temped but I have a feeling I would probably get something I didn't need. 

Weekly Rat Facts: Play Time

*Hades sleeping with a rubber ducky*

Even thought rats may live in cages they also need time out of their cages to play and bond with their human. I take my boys out at least 30 minutes 3 times a day. Sometimes more especially when others are taking them out to play. Ken loves to take them out and when my daughter comes over she'll sometimes take them out and let them run around too. They love coming out to play. You can tell they want to because they'll be running back and forth or hopping on the bars at the front of the cage and will crawl right onto your hands when you open the cage. 

Sometimes when they get older they'll still want to come out but instead of running around playing, they just want to be held and cuddled. I had a few rats that would fall asleep on my shoulder, my lap or even in my shirt. 

That was Romi and she slept like that on me all the time. A few of the others liked that place to sleep as well and I never minded. 

I always tell people who are adopting rats for the first time that if you don't have the time they need for play time you should really think about getting an animal that doesn't require your time, like a gold fish. 

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too.

This week I found links to these freebies on Freebie Shark and Hey It's Free. 

So what did I get?

Puffs Fresh Faces sample

Boogie Wipes Sample

Centrum flavor bursts sample

Frizzease shampoo and conditioner sample

Strange Time Of Year For Me

This is always a strange time of year for me because back on this date when I was 12 years old...my mom's boyfriend Larry Falzone killed himself in front of me in my kitchen.

After my mom and dad divorced when I was 12, she started dating this guy and he turned out to be a real winner let me tell you. He hit her all the time and was an incredibly mean drunk.

That day however we were all at my grandfather's weld shop and he had started yelling at me for some little stupid reason and I yelled back at him this time. * I didn't do that often because he took it out on my mom* My grandpa came outside and told me to get in his truck that he would take me home *We lived with him at the time* and my mom, little brother and Larry all went in my mom's van. They left a few minutes before us.

My grandpa talked to me on the way home and told me to just try and ignore him as much as possible so I was going to and when we pulled up at his apartment I got the door keys from grandpa and ran up the stairs *he was older and slower so he always gave me the keys to open the door*

When I got inside, the tv and radio were turned up really loud and Larry was sitting at the kitchen table with a bottle of peppermint schnapps and my moms gun in his hand. He held the gun up and for a few moments I thought he was going to shoot me and I couldn't move or talk but he just downed the liquor and pointed the gun at me and said, "This is all your fault" then he turned the gun on himself and shot himself in the head.

I was shocked, completely and utterly shocked and didn't move for what seemed like hours. But my grandpa came up the stairs, grabbed me and pushed me outside. I ran down the stairs and over to my mom's van where my mom and little brother were at and told her that Larry had hurt himself. She ran up the stairs and started pounding on the door but my grandpa wouldn't let her in and he yelled at me to get her down stairs so I went back up and tried but she turned around and pushed me down the stairs.

The police came and so did my grandmother *I'm guessing that grandpa called them* a little while later my grandparents took me to a corner and asked me what happened when I went upstairs. I told them and they both told me not to tell anyone what I saw. I was told to tell police and everyone else that when I got upstairs he had already shot himself and I didn't see anything.

I didn't understand why they wanted me to say that but I did what I was told and we never spoke of it again... my grandpa died a year later from cancer and my grandmother had a a heart attack after open heart surgery which caused her to have brain damage and she died a year later when I was 19.

When I was 18 I had a bit of a mental break down and tried to commit suicide by taking several handfulls of my grandmothers medications. I died for 3 minutes and was unconscious for 7 days. That's when it came out to my psychiatrists that I'd been living with what happened when I was 12 for so long. I never told anyone for 6 years and couldn't ask my grandparents anything because they weren't around anymore.

I was diagnosed with PTSD and a slew of other things including depression. I think that what Larry did and what I saw really had an impact on me, more than I even realized at the time.

The things that happen to us as kids really do impact how we will be and react once we are adults, I know it has for me.

So that's why today is a strange sort of day for me.

You Know It's Time To Leave A FB Group When...

*I posted this on my personal fb page but wanted to share it here as well*

I'm sad, aggravated and upset after learning that a woman I looked up to, that a lot of my fellow ratty lovers have looked up to admitted that she does surgery on her rats herself using Isoflurane as the anesthesia, which only a licensed vet is supposed to be using. Now this in itself is not the big deal..the big deal is she is not a veterinarian, has had no veterinarian schooling and sees nothing wrong in performing surgeries on her own rats as well as other people's rat when they bring them to her.

What really upset me and made my mind up to leave her group, The Rat Fan Club is the fact she said as long as the rat wasn't feeling any pain she saw nothing wrong with operating on a rat without pain meds. Now tell me, how can you tell if a rat is in pain? Just by them squeaking, moving ect..? Rats are hearty animals and hide their pain so this does not always show and anyone with as much experience as she says she has, would know that.

The last straw for me was when Debbie Ducommon (The Rat Lady) gave advice to a lady who had a rat with a broken leg and the advice she gave her was to let the broken leg heal on its own..with no pain meds. I'm appalled.. Subsequently, the next day the poor rat passed away. I'm not sure that would have been the outcome had the lady taken the rat to an emergency vet the night before.

Yes, we ratty parents can do minor cut care, minor health inspections and even administer medications to our rats but that's after seeing a certified veterinarian and finding out what medications and at what doses we should be giving them.

The problem I've found with the rat lady and her group is that if you question her abilities, what she's admitted to doing (ie..surgery on her own rats) the posts get deleted right away and you face getting banned just for questioning her methods.

I've even seen Debbie give people advise that goes against what their own vet has told them to do with regards to clearing up UTI's and URI's. She might have years of experience raising rats but she's NOT a trained veterinarian and I now consider a lot of what she's told others to do and what she does herself...to be unethical. Frankly, it's downright abusive to tell a rat owner to just let a rats broken leg 'heal on its own with no pain meds and no vet visit'

The bottom line is if your rat needs surgery to have a tumor removed, you take them to a licensed veterinarian...not someone who operates in her home under who knows what kind of conditions and doesn't have any schooling to do so. A person who thinks "I've seen surgeries performed so therefore I think I am qualified to do them now" is deluding herself if she thinks this is ok.

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD!

-End of rant

Here are screen shots of the conversation as proof... *If you can't read them, just click on them to make the pictures larger*

Now I don't know if it's legal for anyone to be getting anesthesia from their vet and using it at home for surgeries on their animals, but even with the more than 15 years of experience I have with small animals I would not do this without getting schooling for it. I don't understand how anyone would. 

I've written many articles about small animal care and most of the things I've written about are things you learn by having rats, hamsters and other small animals that you pass along to people who are just starting out with those animals. 

I don't care how many surgeries I have or haven't seen, just watching the surgery does not qualify you to perform them, it's ridiculous to think it does. 

My last thought on this subject is if you are looking for a rat group to join on Facebook, try Rats Are Awesome or Network For All Rat Lovers... before you join Rat Fan Club. 

Dark Lycan and Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan and Styxx By Sherrilyn Kenyon

My two all time favorite series both have books coming out soon. If you haven't read either of these series and you like PNR (Paranormal Romance) you are really missing out on two seriously great series. While I was looking into Dark Lycan I saw that another book in the series, Dark Wolf is coming out in January! I could not be happier.

Book Description
“The erotic, gripping series that has defined an entire genre” (J. R. Ward) continues as #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan links the fates of two strangers bound by a secret in the shadows of the Carpathian Mountains…

Tatijana of the Dragonseekers spent centuries encased in ice with her sister, trapped in limbo between life and death, never speaking to a soul other than those who tormented her. Now, she has been freed from her frozen prison by an unknown descendent. Awakened in human form, Tatijana yearns to explore the modern world in which she now lives—a world with more mysteries than she is prepared for.

Fenris Dalka has returned to the Carpathian Mountains after a long absence to be with his brother. He is scarred by centuries of battle, and every hard-won victory. But the real reason for his return home could prove deadly if discovered by the wrong man—or woman. Upon his arrival, he is compelled by a beautiful and enigmatic stranger who carries the scent of fresh earth, of forest, of the night itself.

In time Tatijana and Fenris will discover all that unites them—their secrets and pasts, their predators, and the hot flush of passion that stirs their souls. Yet just as surely, seduced into the silvery darkness of a full-moon night, they’ll also discover everything ancient and evil that exists to destroy them.

Book Description

Sherrilyn Kenyon's most highly-anticipated novel in the Dark-Hunter series since Acheron is here—the unforgettable story of Styxx, Acheron's twin brother and one of the most powerful beings on earth

Just when you thought doomsday was over . . .

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now.

She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her. But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

Book Description

WHERE DARK LYCAN ENDED, DARK WOLF BEGINS...

BOOK NUMBER 25 IN CHRISTINE FEEHAN'S ACCLAIMED CARPATHIAN SERIES

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan now delivers her most eagerly awaited novel of all—ten years in the making—in the “the erotic, gripping series that has defined an entire genre” (J. R. Ward).

In Dark Lycan, Christine Feehan journeyed into the heart of the Carpathians, and into the souls of two lifemates stirred by the flush of passion and the threat of annihilation. In Dark Wolf, the breathtaking story continues as the bonds of family are imperiled, and the fate of two lovers lies hidden in the seductive shadows between life and death.

Skyler Daratrazanoff always recognized the miracle that was Dimitri Tirunul, a man beyond any dream that had ever engaged her nights. But she was human. Vulnerable. He was Carpathian. Nearly immortal. She was nineteen. He was an ancient. Yet she held half his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. Caught between the two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free, and humans safe. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. But now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri found himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation was coming…

No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she had something no one else had. She was predestined for Dimitri—as he was for her. And there was nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk.

Printing Pictures with Shutterfly

I have a printer, a pretty good printer but I didn't really want to spend the $20 a piece for a cartridge of black and a cartridge of color ink just so I could print out a few pictures. So I asked my family and friends what they use to print out pictures on the internet if they want just a few prints and two people told me about Shutterfly.

So I made an account, uploaded a couple of digital pictures and had them printed for just a couple of dollars, as a test run. They came out really good, were fast to ship and I had no problem at all with their service.

Then I got a coupon for 101 free 4x6 prints and all I had to do was pay for shipping which was less than $8, now that's pretty good.

So I received my pictures in the mail the other day and was happy with the service they provided for me. So if you're looking for a place to have digital pictures printed for you, visit Shutterfly.

Good vs Evil

So what word did you see first in the above picture?

Good or evil?

Funny how our minds work, eh?

Weekly Rat Facts: Daily Health Checks

You might not think that you need to worry too much about your rat if they seem fine when you do a daily poop patrol in their cage each morning. But the fact is most rats won't show any signs of being in pain, having a medical problem or other health problems until they are in a lot of pain or their health is so bad that they need a visit to the vet's office. 

The one important thing you can do every single day is to check your rat over for any little health problems they may be having. 

Teeth

Rats need their teeth in order to eat. If they can't eat, they will lose weight and can die of starvation. A rats teeth keep growing so they gnaw on things in their cage to keep them trimmed down. They will also gnash their teeth together grinding them together which will also grind them down.

You should check your rats teeth to make sure they aren't over growing. Some rats have teeth that grow faster than they can grind them down which will cause problems for them when trying to eat and they can grow into their jaws which is incredibly painful and can make for a costly vet visit when they have to sedate your rat and trim their teeth. 

You can make sure your rats teeth are normal and not broken or in need of a trim by holding your rat and pulling back their lips and looking at their teeth. They should not be over grown and they should be yellow. Yellow teeth are healthy teeth for rats. If your rats teeth are over grown you will have to take them to a vets office and have the vet trim them and show you how to trim them. 

Genital Area

You wouldn't think that you would have to worry about your rats genital area but especially in male rats when they get overweight or older they might not clean themselves properly and get penis plugs. You can tell if your male rat has a penis plug by a foul smell coming from that area or if their genital area looks like there's a lump under the skin/fur.

Lumps and Bumps

You should be handling your rat everyday. That's the best way to trust train them to trust you, bond with you and get them used to humans touching them. Most rats love to be petted, cuddled, picked up and played with but some rats are more shy and stand offish. I have a rat who really doesn't like to be picked up but once out will crawl on you and cuddle with you.

You should be feeling around your rats body each day for small lumps and bumps. Right now I have a rat who has a small lump on his side and I'm watching it closely because it's either an abscess or a tumor. An abscess will most times be a little squishy in the middle which this one is and as it gets bigger it will pop on its own and all I'll have to do is clean it off each day and maybe put some neosporin on it. If however a lump grown massively and is hard, you should take your rat to the vets office to have the lump removed or if the abscess won't pop open and drain on its own you can have it lanced and drained at the vets office. 

But if you aren't checking each day or every other day for small lumps and bumps you won't know how fast it's growing or it it's hurting them until it's big and you have to take your rat in for emergency surgery. 

Claws

Always check your rats claws to make sure none of the nails are bleeding or too long to where you have to clip them. You don't want your rat to be in pain.

You should be handling your rats everyday. It's the easiest way to get them used to you and the best way to check them out and make sure they aren't hurt in some way.

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too.

This week I won 2 books a pin and swag (bookmarks) from I Smell Sheep. 

I received a free sample of Purina Dog Chow and a sample tube of Smashbox Foundation primer. I found the links for both of those freebies at Freebieshark. 

No More Lost Keys

My daughter and her boyfriend Josh just moved into a new apartment and now they have more keys to keep track of. They kept losing the key chains so Ken decided to make them a key ring holder something like we have. He started out with just a small piece of wood, painted it, put the lettering on and drilled holes for the little hooks and screws to attach it to the wall.

I think it came out pretty good. You can't really tell from the lighting but it's painted a light green and the lettering is a darker green with little yellow stars around the letters. 

Our daughter liked it and now they have somewhere to hang their keys. 

Drama Causers

I just want to throw this out there today for personal reasons.

The people who say they want no more drama in their lives are usually the ones causing all the drama in others lives but it's never their fault when the other person retaliates. 

How's the for strange logic?


I just love how some people will say over and over that their side of the street is clean and they've not had anything to do with the people or persons who won't leave them alone but over and over again it gets proven that they are the ones who can't leave well enough alone either by posting more blog posts calling out a person BY NAME or by making sarcastic Twitter, fb or other social media posts that they think others won't understand. 

These people are called Psychopaths/Sociopaths. They have no morals, no empathy, complete disregard for the feelings of others, lack of conscience, extremely manipulative, lack of guilt and is often accompanied by cruelty to animals as well as a failure to accept responsibility for his own actions. 

Therefore they are not worth your time. They are not worth the time it would take to prosecute them for spreading rumors about you, using your name or email address in an open forum or spreading lies about you. Because the most they would get is a slap on the wrist because the laws aren't set up for internet harassment of this sort. 

Review: Love With Food

So about a month ago I saw a post on Fb about Love With Food and checked it out. A friend of mine had just signed up to receive a box of food samples and the 1st box was only going to cost a $2 shipping and handling fee. 

If she liked the box and wanted more, all she had to to was not cancel the order and another box would come every month for $14. 

So I figured, what the heck. A box of at least 7 different samples of food for $2. That's a pretty good deal for the first box and I can cancel it afterwards if I don't like it. I like trying new foods and I love little samples and these were darn near free *just $2* and I love that too. 

So imagine my surprise when my introductory box arrived and in it I found...

All Natural Spice Rub from Dizzy Pig

Sea Salt Potato Crisps from Good Boy Organics

All Natural Salsa from El Pinto

Original Creamy Pralines from Aunt Sally

… More Amsterdam Waffle Cookie from Rip van Wafels

Snapea Crisps from Haverst Snaps

Sugar-free Fresh Mints from Project7

Crunchers from Sahale Snacks

So Ken and I started opening tiny packs of food and trying them. I opened the Waffle cookie and broke it in half and we stood there tasting it. Both of us were making faces and both said, "yeah, not good." 

The Ken opened the sea salt crisps and he liked them, I on the other hand thought they had a really bad flavor. 

We ended up trying a couple more things and I found that the only thing I really liked were the mints. We ended up giving our daughter a few of the things and are saving the spice rub for the next time we grill something on the bbq.

Now let me tell you, if I had paid $14 for this box of samples I would be a bit more than irritated. I'm not a health nut or anything and some of these things tasted really, really awful. The only thing in this box I actually liked was the mints. So of course I canceled my membership to make sure I wouldn't be charged for any more boxes. I don't mind the $2 I paid for this box, it's really not bad. But $14 for another box of similar things..I don't think so. 

So if you've been thinking of giving this a try...I'd pass.