Somebody you know getting hitched? Tell them to play it down, not up...

Dream weddings are great, but research shows that financial stress from costly weddings can often lead to divorce. Newly weds aren't generally ready to face such difficult and complex issues so early. A study by Emory University economics professors has found a surprising link between wedding expenses and divorce rates. 

The research, based on a survey of 3,151 married or previously married adults, indicates that couples who spend less on their weddings tend to have longer-lasting marriages. Specifically, women whose weddings cost over $20,000 were found to have a divorce rate 1.6 times higher than those who spent between $5,000 and $10,000. 

Additionally, couples who spent $1,000 or less on their wedding had lower-than-average divorce rates. The study suggests that financial burdens from extravagant weddings may contribute to marital stress, challenging the wedding industry’s long-held belief that a grand celebration leads to a stronger union.

Beyond cost, the study also found that larger wedding guest lists correlate with lower divorce rates. Researchers theorize that having more friends and family present may create a stronger support network for the couple, helping them navigate marital challenges. 

While the wedding industry promotes lavish spending as a symbol of commitment, this study suggests that true marital success may have more to do with financial prudence and strong community ties.

 

 Rather than focusing on an expensive one-day event, couples may benefit from prioritizing financial stability and meaningful relationships for long-term happiness.

 

OH BOY, IT'S SATURDAY!!

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Handmade gifts are extra special when

they're for someone extra special.

Click on the picture for more information on this beautiful, one-of-a-kind

bracelet. Each item she makes is sold seperately and come with free shipping.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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Does this guy really have a legit shot?

Like Jimmy Kimmel isn't a big-enough jerkoff on his own, now we gotta hear bullshit from his fuckin' in-laws? Spencer Pratt is coming to the defense of a baker who lost everything in the Palisades Fire after she was allegedly attacked by Jimmy Kimmel’s relative for selling pro-Pratt cookies.

Daniela Romano works out of the bakery at Vicente Foods in Brentwood and started selling cookies with a “Vote Pratt” emblem on them earlier this week.

The baked goods, a sugar cookie with decorated with the pro-Pratt design, started to gain popularity, selling in masses and drawing ire from Pratt’s critics.

 

Among the most vocal anti-cookie critics was allegedly Carly Kimmel, the sister-in-law of lefty late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Carly is married to Jimmy’s brother, Jonathan. That connection somehow makes her think that her opinion matters to anyone outside of her dysfunctional family. Good for her...

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Want a Green Card? No problem - go home and get one...

 
NY Times - The Trump administration said on Friday that most foreigners seeking green cards will have to return to their home countries to apply, a remarkable change that could make it more difficult for hundreds of thousands of people to obtain permanent residency.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that oversees the legal immigration system, said it would grant green cards to people inside the country only in “extraordinary circumstances.” People applying for permanent residency, which is one step away from citizenship, will have to go through consular processing outside the country instead, according to a memo issued by the agency.

“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes,” Zach Kahler, a spokesman for the agency, said in a statement. “When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.”

 

Makes perfect sense. Who - aside from a bunch of jerkoff lawyers - 

could argue something as simple and as logical as this?

These are the same ones I have in my kitchen.

What are you supposed to do this weekend?

 

This is a simple message. It's important to highlight the distinction between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, emphasizing that the latter is specifically dedicated to honoring those who died in military service. The Memorial Day weekend is intended to remember and thank service members who "didn't come home".

Conversely, Veterans Day is celebrated in November to honor all who have served in the military.

While this specific holiday focuses on the fallen, organizations like U.S.VETS provide support for living veterans year-round, including housing and mental health services.If you have served, thank you for your service to our great Country.

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Is there a country anywhere in the world that's more fucked up than Somalia?  Somalia and South Sudan consistently alternate between the first and second most corrupt nations position globally, so I guess it's a toss up, but it does make one wonder why  the fuck would anyone anywhere actively recruit these thieving cocksuckers in to their community? 

I have to believe it is only to create new voters for their twisted political machines, and if that's so, it's even more fucked up. You want them to elect you to govern them when they themselves know they are not governable? It's crazyiness. Just plain nuts.

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Bruce Springsteen has been forced to "beef up" security measures on his current Land of Hope and Dreams tour with The E Street Band due to death threats from those opposed to his scathing critiques of Donald Trump.

Springsteen has long been critical of America's 45th and 47th President. In the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election, the New Jersey-born singer-songwriter said of Trump, "He doesn't understand the meaning of this country, its history or what it means to be deeply American."

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During the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. military carried out one of its most unusual logistical operations when a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was used to deliver and help establish a fully operational Burger King at Bagram Airbase. The fast food restaurant became part of a wider effort to provide familiar comforts and morale boosts to American troops stationed thousands of kilometers from home.

Over time, restaurants such as Burger King became a recognizable part of life at major U.S. bases in Afghanistan, symbolizing the vast logistical capabilities of the American military during the conflict. While critics argued that such amenities highlighted the contrast between large and remote outposts, many soldiers viewed them as a small reminder of normal life during deployment in a war zone.

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So, to the casual observer, ya see this and know immediately that it's some astronut kicking a soccer ball in the zero-gravity environment of the Space Station. Okay, that's easy enough, but then go just a bit further. The first thing I thought when I saw this was that same thing, but then my twisted little brain went immediately to 'Why the fuck is there socvcer/beach ball on the Space Station? Somebody somewhere had to bring that up there. Why would they do that? Juss' sayin'...

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 Birthday or Anniversary coming up?

Here's a great idea for a gift for her

Click on the picture for more information on these earrings

They're simple yet elegant - and come to you with free shipping!

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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In September 1998, the House Judiciary Committee released documents connected to the Starr investigation into President Bill Clinton, including a widely circulated photograph showing former White House intern Monica Lewinsky meeting Clinton during a White House function.⁠

⁠The image quickly became one of the defining visual symbols of the political scandal that dominated the United States throughout the late 1990s. Released as part of the evidence gathered during Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr’s investigation, the controversy eventually led to Clinton’s impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. However, after the Senate failed to convict him in 1999, Clinton remained in office and completed his presidency in 2001.

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Am I wrong in my understanding that the whole project originally was funded by private donors? What's the status of it know? I think it's friggin' hilarious that Jeffries and a bunch of other Dumorats wanna issue a cease and desist order on the construction - after the fact that they already demo'ed the fuckin' East Wing. Haters gotta hate, don't they...

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This is a flock of American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), also known as Caribbean flamingos. While once considered rare in Florida, these birds have recently returned to the state, with sightings increasing in areas like the Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

Their signature pink color is derived from their diet, which includes brine shrimp and blue-green algae. These social birds are often found in large groups called "flamboyances," wading in shallow coastal waters...

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When the punishment fits the crime, according to Doug Sneyd...

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Handmade gifts are extra special when

they're for someone extra special.

Click on the picture for more information on this beautiful, one-of-a-kind

set. Each item is sold seperately and come with free shipping.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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Every parent's nightmare - from Playboy, no less...

 

A baby bird falls out of it's nest. Wuddya do?

If it does happen, try to determine the bird's age (if at all possible) to decide whether to intervene. If it's a nearly featherless nestling, put it back in the nest. If it's a feathered, hopping fledgling, leave it alone as it is supposed to be out of the nest. Keep pets away, and do not feed or water the bird.

 Determine the Bird's AgeNestling (Needs Help)Appearance: Bare, featherless, or has very sparse down; eyes may still be closed.

Action: Carefully pick it up and place it back into its nest (if you can reach it safely). Don't worry—human scent does not deter parent birds.

If the nest is destroyed, make a temporary substitute (like a basket or small bucket lined with dry grass) and hang it as close to the original spot as possible.

If the parents do not return, or if the bird is injured, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find a local center or rehabilitator by checking with your own State's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.

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Handmade gifts are extra special when

they're for someone extra special.

Click on the picture for more information on this beautiful, one-of-a-kind

bracelet. Each item she makes is sold seperately and come with free shipping.

 https://www.etsy.com/shop/BjacksonJewelry

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It's Happy Hour - what are you drinking that'll kill ya...

 

Researchers examined drinking patterns and mortality outcomes for 340,924 adults who took part in the UK Biobank study from 2006 to 2022. When participants joined the study, they completed a dietary questionnaire and were assigned to one of four alcohol intake groups based on grams of pure alcohol consumed per day and per week.

For comparison, a 12 ounce beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5 ounce serving of spirits each contain roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol. People who drank less than 20 g (about 1.5 standard drinks) per week were categorized as never or occasional drinkers.

 Moderate intake was defined as 20 g to 40 g (about 1.5 to three standard drinks) per day for men and 10 g to 20 g per day for women. High intake was defined as more than 40 g (about three drinks) per day for men and more than 20 g (about 1.5 drinks) per day for women. Participants’ health outcomes were followed for an average of more than 13 years.

Compared with people who never drank or drank only occasionally, high intake drinkers had a 24% higher risk of death from any cause, a 36% higher risk of death from cancer, and a 14% higher risk of death from heart disease. At low and moderate intake levels, the pattern differed by drink type. Spirits, beer, and cider were associated with a significantly higher risk of death, while similar levels of wine intake were associated with a significantly lower risk of death.

 

But then you have to ask yourself. Do you want to live longer or get a buzz on occassionaly? What's behind door # 2, Jim? I'll take my chances...

This HillBetty's name is Shantal Monique. She sure is 'healthy'...

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DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver, Power Tool 

Combo Kit with 2 Batteries and Charger - still only $ 149.00.

They're $ 199.00 at Walmart and Home Depot...

Click on the photo for ordering information

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And what's wrong with that - I'd like to know, so...

 This little snippet highlights a famous musical rivalry turned collaboration between two of the most influential songwriters in modern music.Paul McCartney (pictured) responded directly to John Lennon's critique that he only wrote "silly love songs" by composing a track of the same name.

The song "Silly Love Songs," released by McCartney's band Wings, went on to become a number one hit and was named Billboard's top song of 1976.

Despite their competitive streak, the pair maintained deep-seated respect and friendship, collaborating on numerous classic Beatles songs before their solo careers.

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Do you have gout like I do?

 

Black cherry concentrate does one thing, and only one thing. It eliminates Uric

 Acid in your system - that's all it does. And it works better  than any drug any

 doctor can prescribe. If you have gout, buy a bottle and take two a day, that's all.

 See for yourself if it doesn't work. Trust me - it does. Click the picture.
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Does anything we say or do in here really matter?

Dresses from Flour Sacks: Creativity in Hard Times..

 

In the 1930s, during the Great Depression in the United States 🇺🇸, many families were going through incredibly tough times. Amid the hardship, a creative and practical idea emerged: repurposing flour and grain sacks to make clothing.

These sacks were made of strong cotton fabric, and many women turned them into dresses, shirts, aprons, and even bedding. Recognizing this resourceful trend, companies like Kansas Wheat Company and Southern Flour Mills decided to support it in a meaningful way.

How? They started producing sacks with colorful designs and floral prints, making the fabric more appealing. The logos were printed with ink that washed off easily with soap and water, and some sacks even came with sewing patterns printed directly on the fabric.

Thanks to this initiative, many women not only dressed their families with dignity but also earned income by selling their handmade pieces. It was a beautiful example of facing adversity with talent, determination, and love. Today, these flour sack dresses are considered historical treasures, preserved in museums like the Kansas Museum of History and the Smithsonian Institution, reminding us of the power of resilience and human creativity.

 

Source: Kansas Museum of History / Smithsonian Institution

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Any of the jewelry pieces my wife creates make great gifts.

Click the picture to see what she has available today.

 

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