Whale Vomit & Beaver Anal Gland Secretions

Who would've thought that such "delicacies" are so sought after in our world?!  A British man walking with his dog along the beach found his dog dug up a rather smelly and large "rock." It ended up being rare whale vomit, worth $68,000. Someone offered him $50,000, as it's apparently used in the production of some perfumes.

Consider that the next time you spritz on some of your perfume.  You might be dousing yourself with whale vomit.  Nice.

I shared this little nugget with my officemate, Chris Callaway.  He proceeded to tell me about artificial raspberry flavoring (called castoreum) and how it comes from beaver anal gland secretions.  True story.  Mind you, my favorite flavor is... was... raspberry.  No longer, obviously.

I read through a list of a half dozen nasty things we ingest, and I'm about ready to vomit.  I wonder if someone could create a perfume out of that too?

~Jacklyn   

Stamp of Approval

God bless the U.S. Postal Service.  While more and more people are doing their bill paying and correspondence online, the USPS continues to try to find ways to create interest and desire/need for their products.  Specifically with their collector series of stamps.

My grandpa was a philatelist, or stamp collector.  He used to work for the postal service for many years when he returned from the war, even retiring from the occupation.  I can remember him sitting in his den, pouring over his extensive collection and being fascinated by the designs and little pictures.

This year the USPS is coming out with another "Music Icons" series of stamps.  The first of the series was of Lydia Mendoza, a famous Tex-Mex performer, known as the "Lark of the Border" in the 1930's.  I have to admit, I'm not familiar at all with her or her music, although I may have heard it at some point when I lived in El Paso years ago.

The new stamp that will be coming out in the series is Johnny Cash. (pictured above) It will be available later this year.  There are two more in the series to follow, but I haven't heard a peep about who they will be.  I guess the government can actually keep a secret.

Do you still send much via the postal service?  Will you buy the Johnny Cash stamp--to collect or use?  Drop us an email!

Pentagon Ok's Women In Combat

Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is lifting the ban on women serving in combat roles. The change in policy enables women to serve in front-line combat patrols and elite military units. The Pentagon is being sued by four servicewomen who claim the no combat policy stunted their career opportunities.  In a statement, Senator Carl Levin applauds the move and says it reflects the reality of 21st Century military operations. The Michigan Democrat chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. Secretary Panetta plans to retire as soon as his replacement is confirmed by the Senate.  President Obama has nominated former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel to replace Panetta. It's hard to argue with this. Women have been basically on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan due to the nature of the war, with insurgents striking bases, convoys, etc. where women have already been serving. What do you think? Is it time this happens? We're taking a poll on our Facebook page, click here to get in on it: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cc1063/214177441950240?ref=hl

Rascal Flatts To Team With Journey

How cool is this? Legendary rock band Journey will join Rascal Flatts in headlining the Super Bowl XLVII CMT Crossroads concert in New Orleans. The show will air live, February 2nd at 8 p.m. our time. The two bands will play together, swap stories and share their common love of music. Will we hear Flatt's Gary LeVox sing, "Don't Stop Believing"? Very cool! Set your DVR for this one!

Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer Engaged!

According to People magazine, Brantley rented out Nashville's Ryman Auditorium this past Sunday for the entire day -- which just so happened to be his 28th birthday -- and popped the question there. "I was so surprised!" Jana told People. "He asked my mom for permission before he proposed, which meant a lot to me." This will be the "Whiskey" singer's second marriage. She divorced "That Thing You Do" actor Johnathon Schaech in 2010 after one month of marriage. Earlier this month, the "More Than Miles" singer and his new fiancée revealed that they are sharing a home in Nashville, with Jana joking that since she is technically the owner, Brantley "is paying his little monthly rent." Odds are, she'll knock a few bucks off now. "We could not be happier!" the couple told People. "We are so excited to share this special time with our loved ones and cannot wait to start the rest of our lives together."

Brad Paisley and the "Ballad of Honey Boo Boo"

Brad Paisley appeared on Jimmy Kimmel last night and in case you missed it, he debuted his new "theme song" for Honey Boo Boo.  If you couldn't stay up that late, here it is for your viewing pleasure:

Luke Bryan To Co-Host ACM's

Ever since Reba announced she was stepping down as co-host for the ACM awards, we've been wondering who would get tapped to replace her. Well, now the secrets out! Luke Bryan is on board to co-host this spring's Academy of Country Music Awards.  Bryan, a former ACM Top New Artist of the Year winner, will be joining Blake Shelton in overseeing the upcoming show. Blake will be marking his third year as host with the upcoming ceremony, which will air live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 7th.  Meanwhile, Brad Paisley has been tapped to host the 3rd annual ACM Fan Jam, taking place simultaneously at The Orleans Arena.  Additional Fan Jam performers as well as ACM Awards participants will be revealed soon, along with  the nominees for the event. 

Crud Brings Out Cruddy Behavior

I had a weekend to forget.  Not just because the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Green Bay Packers.  I had been starting to feel really sick last week, and it came to a head on Friday.  I ended up missing work on Friday and spending the brunt of the day sitting in Urgent Care.  My regular doctor was booked solid.  (Everybody is SO dang sick right now!)

At any rate, they were incredibly backed up at Urgent Care.  It took over two hours to get in to see a doctor and another half hour, to get a prescription filled.  I spent the rest of the day and all of Saturday down in bed trying to recuperate and taking my medicine.

By Saturday night--my husband was also reaching fever pitch with the crud.  I ended up heading into Urgent Care on Sunday with him for another adventure. My husband didn't know the drill.  When his pager went off the first time--his face lit up, like he won the lottery.  I smiled and explained that he was just going back to have his vitals checked and would be back out to wait for his turn to be checked out by a doctor.

While he was back getting his blood pressure and some initial consultation done, a set of frantic parents came rushing into Urgent Care, with their small son in their arms.  He looked nearly unconscious and I'm pretty sure I saw blood on his face.  It was heartbreaking to watch the parent's faces as they stood there helpless, and pleading for help for their young son.  The staff quickly got him registered and led them back for emergency care.

It was at this point, that a woman beelined for the registration desk and proceeded to scream at the women working there.  She was irate that she had watched two people who arrived AFTER her be taken back for care before her son.

I glanced over at her son.  He was perhaps a pre-teen.  Sitting quietly, likely with the same crud that brought most everyone into Urgent Care on Sunday.  The woman was tenacious and continued to go off on the staff.

"I have things I would like to do today too!  I've been sitting here for over two hours!"

The woman at the registration desk calmly explained that severity of cases causes some people to be admitted sooner.  The angry mother was steaming as she huffed and puffed back to her son and plopped down next to him.  I'm hoping she eventually felt the shame of her outburst after that, as she sat quietly with her head down and most everyone in the room stared at her in shock.

Shameful.  Seriously.  A little child who was severely injured and looking unconscious was taken back ahead of your sick son.  Really?  Who does that?!  What a horrible example to set for your own child!  Shame on you ma'am.  Shame on you!

And as a side note:  Kudos to the staff at all clinics who work the Urgent Care.  Your ability to remain polite and friendly in the face of such heinous behavior is admirable!

Just Who Is Kenny's Mystery Lady?

It's interesting: One of the questions we get most often is about Kenny Chesney's love llife. I guess it stems from his quickie marriage and divorce to Renee Zellweger. But until recently, his romantic side has been pretty low-key, leaving some to question whether he even has a love life! Well, it appears he certainly does, but just who is the mystery lady? Digital Spy reports that Kenny Chesney and his mysterious brunette lady friend were spotted in Hawaii over the holiday. The two were photographed taking a walk by the ocean on December 27 with another photo showing the woman's hand on Chesney's backside. This isn't the first time the pair has been seen together as the woman, known only as Mary, accompanied Kenny to the CMA Awards in early November as well as the CMT 'Artist of the Year' taping in December. A source tells People that they two "are getting to know each other," but the singer has yet to confirm any relationship with the woman.

BLAKE AND MIRANDA TOP LIST FOR BEING DESIRABLE NEIGHBORS

Ever wonder what it would be like living next door to someone famous? Would they invite you over for a cookout? Would the paparazzi constantly bug you for details on their lives? How about living next to someone like Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert? Well according to Zillow's sixth annual "Celebrity Neighbor Survey," many Americans say they wouldn't mind living next to Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert as they led the site's "Most Desirable Celebrity Neighbors for 2013" list.

The country couple received 10 percent of the vote with 45 percent of the population surveyed saying they'd rather not share a fence with a famous person. Tying for second place on the survey was Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon who both had 9 percent of the votes. Topping Zillow's list for "Worst Neighbors of 2012" was the cast of the hit TLC reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo with 21 percent of the vote. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West came in a close second with 18 percent of those surveyed choosing them. 

Who would you like to live next door to? Who do you think would make the worst neighbors?  Drop us an email!