Polar Bear Clubs - BRRRR

In the town next to us a bunch of people decided to join the Polar Bear Club. That is the club that dresses up in swimwear, bikinis, etc. and jumps into the icy water which is about 13 degrees right now. I think they are crazy but they seem to enjoy it and they all said they were coming back again next year.

I think perhaps even real polar bears might have thought it was a bit chilly at noon on Sunday as an estimated 200 members of the Polar Bear Club took an icy dip in the waters of Clear Lake. The snow had just stopped falling when teams of runners dressed in red pirate kerchiefs, bikinis, long flowered dresses (the Lady of the Lake team) and matching flowered swim caps dashed down the snowy beach into water over their knees. One of them said it was indescribably the coldest thing they had ever done. Duh! They risked hypothermia to do this nutty thing :0).

Barbara Bush Discharged From Hospital

It wasn't too long ago that they put Barbara Bush in the hospital. She had a dime sized hole in her small intestine that was caused by an ulcer. She was in the hospital for a week after she underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer. Former President George H. W. Bush said the "silver fox" was in good condition. She is a grand lady. Her vital signs were normal and her lab test results were also normal according to her surgeon, Dr. Pat Reardon.

Barbara, who is 83, was hospitalized due to abdominal pains. They operated on Nov. 25. What a way to spend Thanksgiving - in the hospital. I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital when our first son was born the day before. His birthday falls on Thanksgiving about every 7 years. It's funny because I always joke about making a big dinner for his birthday when it falls on Thanksgiving.

Personal Injury Lawyer Austin

If you find yourself fighting for your rights due to an accident that wasn't your fault in Texas, then it is time to get in contact with a Personal Injury Lawyer Austin. They have the attorneys that will go to bat for you and see that you are reimbursed for medical expenses that you have incurred if they are not your fault. You can get on the phone right now and talk to them and get a free consultation. You can find out if you have a case right now by filling in the form on their website and describing your case to them. They cover everything from dog bites to defective machinery on the job. Car, motorcycle and bike accidents and even wrongful death cases may be something they can be of great help to you. All you need to do is check in with them. Look up the subject that fits your case and read about it too. There is so much information on their site that you can check out if you feel you would like to do that first.

Air Patrols, Cameras to Watch Record Inaugural Crowd

Law enforcement officials bracing for the largest crowds in inaugural history are preparing far-reaching security. There will be thousands of video cameras, sharpshooters, and air patrols on hand to safeguard President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in. I, too, think this will be the largest crowd ever especially since it is a historic event as well. The first African American to be President is something this generation has lived to experience and view from our homes on television.

If you are attending the ceremony and parade on January 20, you can expect to be searched by machines, security personnel or both. Precautions will range from the routine meters used at airports to countersnipers trained to hit a target the size of a teacup saucer from 1,000 yards. Now that is skill. One thing about it, there is a bit of a hometeam advantage for the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies. All of the Secret Service's law enforcement partners are in D.C. and they have worked together on similar events, one of which most recently was the G-20 summit on Nov. 14-15.

Westgate

Wherever you are planning to go on your next vacation, look up this website for Westgate. They have the most beautiful hotels and spas too. How about 3 days and 2 nights in Las Vegas at the Westgate for $109? Can you believe it? And they are just now introducing Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgage and they look phenomenal. Check out the 3D tours at their site to see their extraordinary beauty as if you are right there. It is fantastic.

Safe Haven Law in Nebraska

I think it is wonderful that states have safe-haven laws. However, Nebraska didn't think to put an age limit on the children that could be dropped off at their hospitals. In fact 35 children, including some teenagers as old as 17, were dropped off and abandoned at state hospitals. Some of them were crying hysterically as they pleaded with their parents not to leave them there.

I saw one mother on television that said she just could no longer cope with her teenage son, so she drove halfway across the United States to drop him off in Nebraska. Isn't that sad? Anyway the lawmakers got together and drew up another bill that the Governor signed setting a limit of 30 days of age so no more of this will happen. Children were dropped off from as far away as Florida and Michigan. Five of the children were from other states. What sad situations in families.

Patrick Swayze - Winning Fight Against Cancer

I just loved Patrick Swayze in "Dirty Dancing" and loved the music especially. I was very sad to hear he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Now he is angry about tabloid reports that say he doesn't have long to live. The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, issued a statement affirming that so far he is winning his fight against the disease and responding well to treatment. I really hope that is true as he is too young and talented to die young.

Swayze says they are reporting that he is on his last legs and saying goodbye to my tearful family. That is very upsetting that the shoddy and reckless reporting from these publications cast a negative shadow on the positive and good fight he is fighting. He stars in the upcoming A & E series "The Beast" and says such coverage is tantamount to emotional cruelty and it angers him when hope is so precious. We wish him all the best and hope a cure in is sight.