"Michelle Obama does Glamour "

First Lady Michelle Obama is fashion's star, but that's not why she's one of Glamour's December models.

Mrs. Obama's work in mentoring earned her the spot, which will be rotated with four other covers. She'll receive a special recognition in the annual Women of the Year issure that goes on sale December 10th.

In an interview with new Glamour columnist and CBS anchor Katie Couric, Mrs Obama said being a role model is one of the most potentially powerful things she can do at the White House. Mrs. Obama said she see now little bits of exposure really change my girls sinificantly, and I want that for more girls around the country and the world.

When it comes to her relationship with President Barack Obama, he helps her feel "whole". Cute's good, but only lasts for so long, and then it's, who are you as a person? Don't look at the bank, book, or the title, "look at the heart,look at the soul."

Mrs. Obama does know people are alwys looking at her, though, especially her fashion choices. I can't be surprised that people are interested. But I've tried to be at peace with the chocies that I make first, and then be open to everyone else's reflection, she said.

On the glamour cover she's in her own drop-waist, red cocktail gress with a modified ballskirt and a chunky , bow-inspired necklace. The outfit was from her own closet, and no designer will be credited in the magazine.

My take on this: Well done and hope you the best.....there is a long hard row to hoe in front of you...keep a level head and stand by your man.

Kicking back and keeping it real:

Obama 11th Hour Plea for Healthcare

President Obama is due to make an 11th-hour plea in person to lawmakers ahead of a crucial vote on his landmark healthcare reforms.
Mr Obama needs 218 supporters in the House of Representatives vote, which may come as early as today( Saturday).
The bill will extend coverage to 36m more Americans and provide affordable healthcare to 96%, supporters say.
If the bill passes, the next step will be to reconcile it with a separate Senate bill.
President Obama has made reform of the healthcare system a central plank of his domestic agenda.
'Public option'
The House debate opened on Saturday with Democrats who support it saying it is needed morally, socially and economically.

HEALTHCARE IN THE US
47 million uninsured, 25 million under-insured

Healthcare costs represent 16% of GDP, almost twice OECD average
Its mainly Republican opponents say the bill is over-ambitious, creates too much government control and could be hugely damaging to the economy.
The bill would allow the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies and make insurers offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.
But this so-called "public option" has been scaled back in the wrangling that preceded the House vote.
Mr Obama was reportedly wooing wavering legislators by phone on Friday and scheduled personal meetings for Saturday morning.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "The sales pitch is simply that we're on the cusp of the type of healthcare reform that this country has been talking about for decades.
"Do this for the country. Do this for your constituents."
'Confident'
The Democrats have reportedly offered concessions to anti-abortion legislators to allow a vote on an amendment on whether to allow public funding for abortion programmes.

The debate has brought protests on both sides
The Washington Post predicted the anti-abortion lobby would now win that amendment vote and anger abortion rights supporters within the Democratic Party.
House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer told MSNBC: "We're confident we're going to have the votes later today.
"There some disagreement on some issues but there's universal commitment to passing a healthcare reform bill."
But Mississippi's Republican Governor Haley Barbour said the bill should be "withdrawn and reworked" in favour of a more modest programme.
Although the House vote could come on Saturday, Mr Hoyer said it could be delayed to Sunday or even as late as Tuesday.
The New York Times said Mr Obama had secured 205 votes by Friday evening and was negotiating for the 13 more.
Once both the House and Senate have approved their own versions, a conference committee, made up of lawmakers from both houses, will convene to reconcile the two.
If both chambers then vote in favour of the reconciled version, it will be sent to Mr Obama for his approval, and become law.

Nicholas Cage's Financial Woes

An article in The Daily Beast says that Nicolas Cage's recent financial problems are, at least in part, due to outrageous, eccentric spending that puts even his most flamboyant fellow celebrities to shame.
If you can dream it, Nic Cage bought it: yachts, a jet, a castle, over 50 cars, over a million dollars' worth of comic books, multiple (supposedly haunted) mansions in New Orleans, two Bahamanian islands and shrunken heads that may or may not have been human. Most amusingly, Cage spent $276,000 on a dinosaur skull in a "heated auction with Leonardo DiCaprio."
Cage made headlines last month when he filed a $20 million lawsuit against his former business manager. The suit claims the manager, Samuel Levin, failed to pay taxes and lost money in unsound investments, putting him "down a path toward financial ruin." This summer, the IRS placed a tax lien of over $6 million on Cage's New Orleans properties for unpaid income taxes.
Still, it's hard not to look at Cage's extreme-by-any-standards spending habits and not draw conclusions about his current money woes. For example, did he really need to customize a Bentley so elaborately that, when he got it back from the shop, he could no longer fit in it?
However lavishly Cage spent on himself, he's also been a very generous guy. The article reports that the actor gave $1 million to the Red Cross to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, and $2 million to the human-rights group Amnesty International.

More weird facts about Nicholas Cage;

Eating Bugs Was His Idea: Always the consummate method actor (or maybe just plain crazy), Nic once ate a real cockroach in a movie. Actually, he ate a trio of real cockroaches, because it took three takes to get it just right. While filming 1989's "Vampire's Kiss," Nic did his own stunt eating and swallowed the crusty insects. Still, he has no one to blame but himself. The script had his character eating raw eggs, but Cage didn't think that would be weird enough.

He Once Had a Pet Octopus: Nic has been known for owning exotic animals. He admitted once to having a pet octopus, claiming that studying beings that are totally different helps him with his acting. Guess that also explains the salt-water sharks, the lizard, and the crocodile. For a time, he even had two pet King Cobras (Moby and Sheba) that he would observe for hours from a specially constructed cell in his home, with a glass of wine in his hand and a bottle of poison antidote very nearby. One night he mentioned his pets on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," and his neighbors immediately began fighting to get the poisonous reptiles removed. Cage donated them to a local zoo a short time later.

His Home Is His Castle: Nic is an avid buyer of real estate. He has been known to own up to 15 properties at one time, but he still seems to suffer from a serious case of castle-envy. Even though he once lived in a fake castle on the outskirts of Los Angeles, it has been reported that he always wanted to import an authentic castle from overseas. In July of 2006 he bought the 500-year-old Schloss Neidstein, a mini castle ("mini" in this case meaning 28 rooms, including ten bedrooms and five bathrooms) in the Bavarian village of Etzelwang. And in 2007 he bought Midford Castle near Bath, England. Will one of these historic edifices be disassembled and reassembled in the States for Nic? Let's hope he has the sense to leave them be.

He Owned the Shah of Iran's Lamborghini: Nic once said that he sees beautifully designed cars as art. That might explain his insanely huge rare car collection. Over the years he has owned, among many others, a $140,000 Ford GT (which he donated to the Universal Technical Institute shop class), a $100,000 1989 Porsche Sportster (that ended up dumped in a lake after some two-bit car thieves ripped out the stereo), and a 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 (that he bought while he was still a ticket-taker at a movie theater, sold because it cost too much money to maintain, and repurchased years later to refurbish). But the most interesting car that Cage has owned is a Lamborghini Miura SVJ. Built for Prince Ali-Reza Pahlavi, the Shan of Iran, the car was confiscated from the Imperial garage in the 1979 revolution and was sold at a 1995 auction. Cage bought the car in 1997 for $500,000 and kept it until 2004.

He Proposed to Patricia Arquette the Day TheyMet: The story goes that Nic told Patricia on the day they met that he loved her and was going to marry her. She then gave him a scavenger-hunt list of impossible tasks to prove his love. When he returned with several of the items she requested (including reclusive author J. D. Salinger's autograph), Arquette fled, frightened by the intensity of his enthusiasm. It wasn't until they met again eight years later that they fell in love and wed. Guess Patricia should have listened to her gut the first time. The couple separated after nine months, though their divorce was not finalized for another four years.

Nic Is Obsessed with Comic Books: Most people know that Cage starred in 2007's "Ghost Rider," a Marvel comic movie. He also has a new Marvel comic movie coming out, "Kick-Ass"; this time he plays a cop, not the superhero. But did you know that he once had the biggest celebrity comic book collection ever, which sold at auction for $1.68 million? Or that Cage and his older son, Weston, wrote a comic book series called "Voodoo Child"? In fact, Cage loves comics so much that his stage name was taken from a comic book character, Luke Cage, and his son with his third wife, Alice Kim Cage, is named after none other than Superman himself, Kal-el.

He Goes a Long Way for a Good Collectible: There must have been an easier way to get a behind-the-scenes tour of Graceland, but in August 2001, Nic decided to take the exclusive walk-through by wedding the King's daughter, Lisa Marie. Although not as creepy as her previous union with Michael Jackson, this marriage was odd because of Cage's obsession with Elvis. On top of the shrine to the King that he kept in his house, Cage based his character in "Wild at Heart" on him, and he donned a white-spangled jumpsuit in the Elvis-riddled "Honeymoon in Vegas." Not surprisingly, the marriage lasted only four months.

It's a good thing your new movie (Knowing) is number one at the box office at the moment Nic. And do try to budget a bit, won't you.

Maxy

Click to enlarge

" Woman, Sisters Get Guinness Record "

Maggie Mae Thornton Renfro already holds a distinction that has kept her on the record books for more than a year, Sunday, she'll add another. Renfro will be recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest black woman in the united states. Just days shy of her 114th birthday,which falls on Nvember 14th, Renfro is the oldest woman in Louisiana, the fourth oldest in the nation and sixth oldest in the world. "She's now in the all-time top 75," researcher Louis Epstein said of Renfro's characterization as a "super centenarian." Renfro will share the spotlght with her Sunday with her sisters, Carrie Thornton, 107 and Rosie Warren,103, Guinness will recognize the trio as the oldest black siblings.
The sisters were born in Claiborne Parish. The two youngest lived most of their lives in Athens before moving to Minden, while Renfro spent most of her life in Texas.
" Miss Maggie," or "Aunt Sugar,"as Renfro is known to family and friends, lives with her great-niece and caretaker--Mattie Ellis and husband , Curtis Ellis. Warren lives with her daughters ,"Ella and Lovie Warren," and Thornton lives in the "Town and Country Health and Rehab Center
They still manage to get together now and then to attend Pleasent Valley Baptist, a church their mother founded in Athens nearly a century ago.And Renfro is a frequent visitor to the Horseshoe Casino where she enjoys the seafood buffet.
****Left to right***Rosie Lee Thornton Warren....Maggie Mae Thornton Renfro and Carrie Lee Thornton Miller.
My take on this: The sisters have had a long and very fulling life, I bet they have some wonderful stories to tell....I would love to meet them...maybe when we get a little dry spell, I only live about 45 minutes or 1 hour drive away.
Kicking back and keeping it real.

What Makes Men Fall in Love??

It's a baffling dating question: Is there some specific moment or event that makes a guy suddenly decide "Yes, I think I love her"? Well, the answer isn't clear-cut, but there are some general dating principles. "Men have certain innate needs that must be met before they truly feel connected to you," says Paul Dobransky, MD. "

Boiled down, guys have four primal relationship desires that are sometimes fulfilled by a few simple moves by you. Here, experts explain with examples so you can put these dating insights to use when your guy is at the brink.

The Desire: To Protect:
Believe it or not, the so-called stoic sex is hardwired to nurture. Sheltering you from harm makes him feel studly. "Not that you should act helpless, but letting him see your vulnerable side will bring him closer because it unlocks his instincts to take care of you," says David Givens, Phd. " So give him chances to take charge, and thank him after he does. When a guy associates you with feeling like Superman, of course he'll want to couple up. These little things can draw out his hero side.
Give him a job. Ask him to fix or build you something. It's a way of bonding that enhances his sense of success.
Ask his opinion. It telegraphs that you value his brain as much as you do his brawn.
Wear soft materials. These fabrics accentuate your softer, feminine nature, which heightens his amorous instincts.

The Desire: Freedom:
Even emotionally healthy single men want assurance that their identities will stay put after they've become half a happy couple. "By making it clear that you don't expect your guy to change, he'll feel like you truly understand him but don't threaten his sense of self," says Dan Neuharth, PhD, author of "Secrets You Keep from Yourself." The following dating moves let him know you're no ball and chain.
Blow him off. Single men hate the idea of being tied down socially, so turn down occasional plans. He'll not only feel easier -- and open up more -- around you, but he'll also start to wonder what you're doing and pursue you more.

Share your own fears:
Guys often hold back because they think most chicks are baby-hungry ring-hunters. So if you feel nervous about committing, let him know. He'll be reassured that you're navigating new waters too, not trying to trap him.
Reinvent yourself. Little changes in your appearance now and then -- say, hair up in a ponytail one day, down the next, etc. -- remind him that you've got zillions of facets to your personality too.
Respect his privacy. A physical space that's totally his is a huge symbol of independence to a man. Signal that you respect that by, say, staying out of desk drawers and not peeking at his caller ID when his phone rings.

The Desire: To Shine:
Maybe he's cocky, but he's still insecure. Trust us, guys need to know that they're respected and appreciated. "When being around you increases a guy's esteem, both internally and in the eyes of others, he'll naturally want to be attached to you," says Dr. Dobransky.
Make him happier. Laugh at his jokes. Go to stupid movies. Drag him out when he's crabby. If you can keep things light, even during stressful times, you'll become indispensable.
Be sociable: Guys are good at left-brain stuff, like sales and sports, but can get awkward when it comes to social graces. Take the lead and charm the people you meet and he'll be extra grateful to have you. But he may take credit for making those new friends... whatever.
Play mind games. Activities that require mental prowess -- like Scrabble, puzzles, and chess -- can prod his passion. It sounds nuts, but proof of your problem-solving abilities subconsciously shows him you're a desirable choice for carrying on his genes.
Act like the grand prize. Seeing you through other people's eyes reminds him how special you are and how lucky he is. Invite him to an event where you'll excel (whether it's karaoke or a fun run).

The Desire: Comfort:
"Falling in love is a process of developing attachment, which happens when oxytocin floods the brain," says Alan Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. You can unleash those love hormones by making him feel like you two just "fit." When he's so comfortable with you that he stops thinking about your relationship and simply enjoys it, he'll find himself nudged into love territory.
Let him see you primp. Grooming in front of him enhances intimacy because it's something other guys don't get to witness. Just keep it goddesslike (applying lipstick or powder), not gross (bleaching your moustache).
Cook together. Being around food spikes oxytocin levels in males. The more often you prep dinner a deux, the more he'll associate you with the good feelings he gets from eating it.
Stock your pad. When buying groceries you don't have a preference on, get a brand he uses. He'll subconsciously feel at home at your place. Catnap near him or let yourself doze off in his arms so he sees you in your most trusting, completely relaxed state.

No disrespect , but it sounds like a girl has to work awfully hard to get a guy to commit. Makes me wonder if this guy is worth it. I think I would prefer a guy who loves me for my natural self, not this epitome of feminine perfection; a guise I would not be able to keep up for too long. There are bits and pieces of all those recommended actions and attitudes in most relationships. They usually happen spontaneously. I don't want to plan all this stuff; stick to an agenda to get someone to marry me.

That's just my opinion. It's not for me. If I had to plot strategies to convince a man to marry me, I would never have confidence in the relationship. It just wouldn't have a very strong foundation.

Man shows up at His Own Funeral - On Holiday Honoring the Dead

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - A Brazilian bricklayer reportedly killed in a car crash shocked his mourning family by showing up alive at his funeral. Relatives of Ademir Jorge Goncalves, 59, had identified him as the victim of a Sunday night car crash in Parana state in southern Brazil, police said.
As is customary in Brazil, the funeral was held the following day, which happened to be the holiday of Finados, when Brazilians visit cemeteries to honour the dead. What family members didn't know was that Goncalves had spent the night at a truck stop talking with friends over drinks of a sugarcane liquor known as cachaca, his niece Rosa Sampaio told the O Globo newspaper. He did not get word about his own funeral until it was already happening Monday morning.
A police spokesman in the town of Santo Antonio da Platina said Goncalves rushed to the funeral to let family members know he was not dead.
"The corpse was badly disfigured, but dressed in similar clothing," said the police spokesman. "People are afraid to look for very long when they identify bodies, and I think that is what happened in this case."

"My two uncles and I had doubts about the identification," she said. "But an aunt and four of his friends identified the body, so what were we to do? We went ahead with the funeral."
"His mom looked at the body in the casket and thought something was strange. She looked and looked and couldn't believe it was her son," Sampaio said. "All of a sudden, the walking dead appeared at the funeral. It was a great shock first,then a great relief."
The body was correctly identified later Monday, the police spokesman said, and has already been buried in another state.

Personally, I would have peed my knickers then screamed my head off and hid under a pew if my dead brother/son/husband walked into his own funeral. How would you deal??