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VIEW MORE... A special thank you to Charles and Susie Andrews, the owners of  The Garden GalleryLast Saturday some of you probably saw on Instagram photos from Bogdan's and I first jewelry show: "Bittersweet Colours Accents". Yes! It finally happened and todayI want to present you some pieces as well. Most of the designs are new but some of them you probably saw them before incorporated in my outfits. I'd...

I'm feeling a bit behind already and it's only December 5th.I've got lists made, presents half way complete, decorations underway and meals/parties planned but I'm slacking in one area. The advent calendar.We have a lovely felt calendar we pull out each year, and each year I feel under pressure to find stuff to fill each day. So I usually end up buying a bunch of crappy little things to hand out that break an hour...

Click to enlarge.These are the stories that the Dogs tell when the fires burn high and the wind is from the north. - Clifford D. SimakSource Data:St. Louis Fed: ISM Manufacturing: Backlog of Orders Ind...

Click to enlarge.See Also:Candy Mountain RevisitedSource Data:St. Louis Fed: Custom Cha...

First, let's go with what we are told.BLS: Retail Sales Workers: Job OutlookEmployment of retail salespersons has traditionally grown with the overall economy, and this trend is expected to continue. Population growth will increase retail sales and demand for these workers.Although consumers are increasing their online retail shopping, they will continue to do most of their retail shopping in stores. Retail salespersons...

Click to enlarge.The line in black shows the money spent on office construction per month adjusted for inflation (October 2012 dollars, in billions). If one adds up all the monthly data and adjusts for inflation, there has been $588 billion spent on office construction since the year 2000.The line in blue shows nonfarm payrolls. There have been 2.97 million employees added since 2000.Since 2000, $198,000 has been spent...

by: Les CarpenterRational Nation USALiberty -vs- TyrannyThe liberals/progressives will have fun with this one. Gear up for the future scorched earth politics. Coming to America compliments of the rEpublican (and dEmocrat no doubt as well) party. Pull up a seat, grab a cold one and enjoy! You're looking at the future.Via: Libertarian Republic...

Happy Monday everybody!It's like spring here today and I'm loving it. The girls and I are going to go outside for a nice long w-a-l-k (shhh. we can't say walk out loud, it sends the dog into hysterics) to the park and finish some outdoor christmas prep. But before we head out I wanted to share a quick before and after with you.Nothing too crazy, but something that has bugged me for years.The stairway down to our finished...

VIEW MORE...This is an outfit I wore almost two weeks ago and it was a challenge:"How to incorporate a Summery piece into Fall season"-a dress, in my case. This white dress (courtesy to Sugarlips.com) may be a excellent minimalist item for Summer days, I'm absolutely sure about that! What I want to find out right now, is how to incorporate this dress in my F/W wardrobe. There we have a challenge.This dress will be a...

Click to enlarge.Update:Rob Dawg wished to see an exponential trend from 1961 to 1991.Click to enlarge.The chart above sums up why there was a question mark in my first chart. If the true trend is an exponential growth curve then we're right on trend for the most part. I just find it hard to believe that the dotcom bubble and the housing bubble got us there.Click to enlarge.And lastly, this chart captures the spirit...

by: Les CarpenterRational Nation USALiberty -vs- TyrannyAnother son of Massachusetts who went on to be the leader of the free world. President John F. Kennedy was both inspiring and forward thinking. His vision to put a man on the moon before 1970 motivated a nation to move science and technology beyond what was perhaps considered possible or even necessary at the time. Individuals like JFK challenge the norm, push...

by: Les CarpenterRational Nation USALiberty  -vs- TyrannyAs the nation struggles with diverse and often divisive factions and varying ideological principles/beliefs, it would do well to consider the struggle (and views) of those that came before us. Our forebears were, after all, responsible for galvanizing folks around principles that spawned the greatest political and governmental experiment mankind (for the...

by: Les CarpenterRational Nation USALiberty -vs- TyrannyPay special attention at the 1:35 minute mark. May America never let the oligarchs and the rEpublican or dEmocrat party destroy the vision of John Adams, a son Massachusett...

by; Les CarpenterRational Nation USALiberty  -vs- TyrannyOne simply can't help but wonder at the 21st century rEpublicans and how far they are removed from the reality of their own absurdities. I don't know, maybe it's the socon neocon and anti science connection. Whatever it is the party need some new blood and an infusion of reality.TPM - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said that Congress will not give up control...

by: Les CarpenterRational Nation USALiberty -vs- TyrannyAdam Smith -vs- Ayn Rand. Capitalism was their common goal, the justification for achieving the ends of capitalism was their difference. Based on pure logic and objectiveness Smith would have to concede to Rand. Looking beyond the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and post Soviet/Chinese/Southeast Asian communism, the debate is once again forefront and center.Given...

November 30, 2012You're 55 and have $100K to invest. What to do?Keep your costs down and don't settle for meager returns if playing catch-upEmphasis added.Hail Mary PassA Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary route in American football refers to any very long forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success, especially at or near the end of a half.The expression goes back at least to the 1930s...Ah, yes. The...

Click to enlarge.AIRodyssey: Inflight passenger announcements“Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Please turn off all electronic devices until we are safely parked at the gate. Thank...

Click to enlarge.An optimist would exclaim, "Yay! The government's going to lower taxes and the number of civilian employed will increase dramatically! That's clearly how we'll make it back to the median trend line in red. No worries!"Unfortunately, I'm not an optimist.1. The largest peak was in the early 2000s. We returned to the median. It was painful.2. The second largest peak was in the late 2007 to early 2008...

VIEW MORE...Bright bittersweet colours are enhancing my spirit each time I see or wear them. Today's outfit is an example of a "happy look" with eye-catching colors and sharp minimalist lines. The most architectural piece from this outfit that deserves all the spotlight is this purple blouse( thanks to Sheinside.com). Unfortunately the weather didn't allow me to do that, so I added this yellow blazer and at least I...