For decades, “ugg” was generic term used for sheepskin boots made in Australia. The word was so commonplace that it was found in Australian dictionaries, and ugg boots were also known as “ug” or “ugh” boots.

But in the United States, when people refer to “UGG boots,” they’re usually talking about the boots made by Deckers Outdoor Corporation, the parent company of “UGG Australia.”

So if you’re traveling the world and talking about footwear, it’s good to know that when the term “ugg boot” is used, it could be referring to an Australian-made sheepskin boot, or a popular brand name boot.

That’s just what I’ve overheard.

As the nights get cooler, and the trees begin to change color, there is no doubt that fall is on the way. And with fall comes flu season. This year, in particular, many are worried about the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as “swine flu.” Many are concerned about the reported shortage of H1N1 vaccine.

Because of the serious threat posed by this strain of flu, health authorities are on alert. Unfortunately, however, the US health department reports that 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine will be required to protect the population. Only one third of that number will be available in October when flu season begins!

What is the reason for this shortage? Dr. Robin Robinson, of the US Dept of HHS (Health & Human Services) was quoted in Reuters (8/18/09) as stating: “We’re trying to bring on more manufacturing…hopefully there are ways to bring that number up.”

The Dept of HHS is attempting to add new manufacturing companies because the logjam seems to lie with current capacity.

Since there is a shortage of H1N1 vaccine, the supply will not cover the entire population. Accordingly, the government is planing to ration the swine flu vaccine. As flu season begins, the only people that will be able to be inoculated are pregnant women, people who work in public health, and children that are under the age of four.

How serious is the problem? Even though the H1N1 vaccination will be the largest in human history, the White House Council for Science has estimated that there could be 30,000 to 90,000 deaths resulting from the swine flu strain during this 2009 flu season.

Are public health officials concerned? Naturally. They are worried that people that do not receive vaccinations will become ill.

The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic, because the H1N1 flu strain affects the entire globe, not just the United States.

Reportedly, dosages available in the United States should increase to about 80 million by early November (well into the flu season), according to health officials. Even so, one third of the population will remain without vaccine.

There is no question that there is a shortage of H1N1 vaccine.

As we go into this flu season, avoid public places like schools and large public buildings if you possibly can. Do your best to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing. Practice ritual hand washing with soap and hot water. When a sink is not available, use hand sanitizers. And if you become ill, stay home! Isolate yourself or your sick family members so that they will not infect others!

About the Author:

Read the informative free book “Surviving Pandemic Flu,” that you may download immediately at: http://www.aboutthefamily.com/familyhealth/swine-flu-pandemic.

This report is simple to read and discusses how to protect your family due to the shortage of H1N1 vaccinethat will occur during the fall and winter of 2009.

Terry Fallon writes articles and features that pertain to family health, happiness, and well being.

The best way to battle the flu is with a good defense. For small businesses, that means protecting yourself and your staff from germs with simple and straightforward measures and being prepared when staff can’t make it in, due to illness. Not only will you have a healthier, happier workforce, you can keep your business as productive as possible.

Don’t forget the basics. The first step is to keep your hands clean: Use soap and water or a hand sanitizer before meals, after shaking hands with someone and especially after using public restrooms.

Consider putting anti-bacterial soap or sanitizer in the office kitchen and bathrooms, and wiping down computer keyboards, phones, door knobs, light switches and shared electronics such as printers with rubbing alcohol to reduce germ build-up.

A staff e-mail or notice in the office reminding employees of these basics may be a good idea. The CDC provides information and materials for the workplace at www.cdc.gov/flu/workplace/.

Get a flu shot. The CDC recommends an annual flu shot as your most important protection from the disease. In most cases, the vaccine can prevent you from getting the flu and at least minimize your symptoms should you contract it.

Consider making flu shots available to your employees. If your business or building doesn’t offer them, make it a yearly office outing for everyone to get flu shots at the same time.

Stay at home, but stay productive. The best way to not get the flu — and to not spread it — is to stay at home at the first sign of illness. Encourage your employees to do the same when they or their family members are feeling under the weather.

Now that staffs are more mobile than ever before, for many, working from the couch is not only possible, but productive as well (depending on how you feel, of course).

Consider remote access software, like LogMeIn (www.LogMeIn.com). It allows you and your employees to access office computers and all of the applications, files and folders on them from any Internet-connected computer. There’s also a version for the iPhone.

For more information about flu prevention and vaccination, check out the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/.

Article curtsy of NewsUSA

I’m not sure who came up with this idea, but boy did it fail. The idea was to take peanut butter M&Ms and add a strawberry chocolate candy shell. Not good, that’s all I can say. Sad part is, we got them on the clearance aisle at Target. That should have been our fist sign.

Sure they sound kind of good, and they are promoting the Transformers movie, but it just didn’t work out.

Even though the candy didn’t taste the best, we still finished off the bag. Not good, but you can’t stop eating them. Mmm M&Ms chocolate candy.

– This is a digital short from http://www.flowgo.com/

[Note: if you are viewing this via the RSS feed, you may need to click though to see the animation.]

Want other random fun and interesting stories?

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it’s best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try another cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don’t forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.

Cherry Mistmas !

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born!

A Death Certificate shows that we died !

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe…
That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I Believe…
That we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe…
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe…
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe…
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe…
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe…
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe….
That you can keep going long after you think you can’t.

I Believe….
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe…
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe…
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe…
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe…
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe. ..
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe…
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe…
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I Believe…
That it isn’t always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe…
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I Believe…
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe…
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe…
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe…
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I Believe…
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you — you will find the strength to help.

I Believe…
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe…
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.’

Dubai in 1990 prior to the craziness

The same street in 2003

Last Year

The Palm Islands in Dubai. New Dutch dredging technology was used to create these massive man made islands. They are the largest artificial islands in the world and can be seen from space. Three of these Palms will be made with the last one being the largest of them all.

Hydropolis, the world’s first underwater hotel. Entirely built in Germany and then assembled in Dubai, it is scheduled to be completed by 2009 after many delays.

There are also many other examples of amazing architecture coming to Dubai. It’s amazing to see, yet despressing at the same time.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me  in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

‘Oh, that’s my trouble tree,’ he replied ‘I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.’
‘Funny thing is,’ he smiled,’ when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before’

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. We all Need a Tree

Whoever said that work was like prison hasn’t really taken a close look at the two.