National Grandparents Month -- Here's some stats from Family Circle:

• There are about 56 million grandparents in the U.S.
• 1.9 million grandparents are responsible for being the sole caretakers for their grandchildren.
• 8% of all U.S. children live with at least one grandparent.
• 38% of grandparents say they'd happily look after their grandkids for more than two weeks.

National Potato Month -- Here, from health experts, are tips on how to be the best couch potato you can be:

• Invest in premium channels -- Shelling out a few extra bucks a month for TV channels such as HBO and Showtime is well worth the investment. Experts say the more entertainment choices you have, the better.
• Avoid "challenging" shows -- Programs like "Meet the Press" are less effective in beating stress because you're bombarded with bad news and exposed to politicians whose lies make your blood boil. Tuning into wrestling, NASCAR races or reruns of "Charlie's Angels" will do a far better job of shutting down your brain.
• Use the "50/50" rule -- Make sure you devote sufficient time to tube watching every day. "Waste half of your free time, just enjoy lazing around."
• Watch what you like -- A man who forces himself to watch a silly sitcom instead of the fishing channel because that's what his wife prefers could end up with as many stress-induced health woes as one who visits the gym daily.
• The best solution is an extra TV -- So both of you can watch what you want, one expert noted. "That's better than fighting over the remote, which is also stressful."
• Learn how to program your recorder -- Sure, reading all those instructions may briefly boost your blood pressure. But being able to record one show while you watch another will double your entertainment options, which is better for you in the long run.
• Keep snacks on hand -- The fewer times you have to climb out of your easy chair, the more relaxed you'll become.
• Let the machine get it -- "For the same reason never interrupt your TV watching to get the phone -- let your answering machine pick up," the expert advised.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Charlie Sheen turns 43 today. He's a pretty laid back guy, but he still does the work of "Two and a Half Men." (rim shot)

Al Jardine of the Beach Boys is older than dirt...I mean SAND... he's 66 today.

And I am sad to report that Jerry Reed, best known for the song "When You're Hot You're Hot" and appearances in the "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The Waterboy" has died from complications of emphysema. He was 71.


Finally, I cannot put this off any longer...Today is (FANFARE sound) Fight Procrastination Day -- the first Wednesday in September. Counselors at the State University of New York at Buffalo say the most common reasons for procrastination are:

• Poor time-management
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fear and anxiety about the task at hand
• Negative beliefs that you can't succeed
• Personal problems that range from finances to your love life
• Finding the task boring
• Unrealistic expectations and the quest for perfection
• Fear of failure

Happy to report that being just plain LAZY didn't even make the list.  Wow!  THAT was close!