Teacher Mom

Rolling Melons

2011-07-17T11:07:00.008-04:00

Not a deep discussion starter here... But Oh my Goodness. I have decided to try different kinds of new melons. So I bought some and put them in my fridge. One is a Galia melon and I believe should be a cross between a cantelope and a honeydew. The other looks like a cantelope but rougher and I have no idea what it is. Last night in the middle of the night I was writing and got hungry. I open the fridge and thump, thump, melons fall off the top shelf of the fridge and start rolling around. No bid deal I'll grab them, but oh no not these melons they had so much inertia I guess it is from falling from the top shelf they were slamming into the table base and changing directions, then slamming off chair legs and changing directions. I'm trying to grab my now bruised melons I'm sure and, bam, slam my head under the table. The bright yellow one is going one way the rough cantelope looking one is going the other. I end up just plopping down in the kitchen floor and laughing hysterically sure that if anyone had the secret camera on I would have won the $100,000 prize, or whateve it is.

As I'm plopped on my kitchen floor at 2:00 in the morning chasing roll-away melons laughing hysterically, it suddenly occurs to me, "My life is pretty damn good - even supposedly inanimate objects like melons have the power to amuse me." Then I thought, "Or I'm simple minded" but immediately went right back to, "No, life is good and wicked funny!" I hope they taste as good as they roll!!! And I hope your fruit has the power to amuse you too!

Birthday Wishes!

2011-06-04T22:25:00.004-04:00

I asked my daughter what she wanted most in the world if she could have anything she wants for her birthday. Immediately she blurts out world peace! Darn, how am I going to pull that off? So, I said well if I can't do that what is your second wish. For her second wish she would like to help everyone in Japan get back on their feet. Do they sell that at Wal-mart???? What else would you like honey, like something for your birthday. Oh well for my birthday I'd like an autographed picture of Johnny Depp. Hmmmm, anybody know him??? So I don't know what to do... I nice card perhaps?

Baked Ruffles

2011-05-13T16:49:00.001-04:00

Baked Ruffles Calories 110 Fat 3% Carbs 19g Fiber 2g Protein 2g
Vitamin c 6% maganese 4 phosphorus 4%
Ingredients:
dried potatoes corn starch corn oil sugar salt soy lecithin corn sugar

Well these are good and have less fat. They are only 30 calories though and soy lecithin isn't good for you, so in my humble opinion. Real chips are better!!!!

Nutrition Info on the Chips

2011-05-04T21:07:00.002-04:00

Lays Garden Tomato and Basil
Calories 160 Fat 10g Fiber 1 Protein 2 Carbs 16g
and these natural chips actually have some vitamins - 6% Vitamin A, 10% Vitamin C, 4% Iron, 6% Vitamin E, 4% Niacin, 4% Magnesium, 4% Thiamin, 8% Vitamin B6 And they are all Natural

Original Ruffles with Ridges
Calories 160 Fat 10g Fiber 1 Protein 2 Carbs 15g
and they have some vitamins too - 10% Vitamin C, 2% Iron, 6% Vitamin E, 6% Niacin, 4% Magnesium, 4% Thiamin, 10% Vitamin B6, 2% Phosphorus, and 4% Magnesium And they are all Natural

Lays Barbeque Chips
Calories 160 Fat 10g Fiber 1 Protein 2 Carbs 15g
and they have less vitamins but are still natural - 6% Vitamin E, 2% Iron, 10% Vitamin C, 2% Magnesium

Now these new chips that rock my socks:
Food Should Taste Good All Natural Olive Tortilla Chips Yummy!
Calories 140 Fat 6 Fiber 3 Protein 2 Carbs 18g - for vitamins they have just 2% Calcium and 6% Iron

Vegetable Chips supermarket brand no weird ingredients or preservatives (I haven't tasted these yet): Calories 120, Fat 4g, Fiber 1g, Protein 3g, Carbs 18g, 2% Iron

And just for a fun comparison: Snyder's Pretzel Rods Calories 120 Fat 1g Fiber 1g Protein 3g Carbs 24g - 2% Iron too - Yummy too. Less fat but more carbs...

2011-05-03T18:57:00.001-04:00

The Great Chip Taste Off

2011-05-03T18:45:00.002-04:00

We are holding a Great Chip Taste Off in our house right now. We have purchased a bunch of chips and are narrowing them down bag by bag. So far plain Ruffles with ridges totally beats the new Garden Tomato with Basil by Lays. It was a shocking result really. The Garden Tomato and Basil does taste like tomato and basil and are good. Good for once and a while but not as you go to chip.

We are not testing any chip with ingredients in it that we don't know what they are however. We are trying to eat only foods we can pronounce!

I'll let you know tomorrow about the next rung on the climb to the best go to chip ever!

Dog Update

2011-02-05T13:24:00.001-05:00

It's been a couple days since she's been home and I have to tell you - the first day she was aggressive. Now however she is fine. She is actually sweeter than she was before this happened, I think. Or I'm looking at her in a new way. PLUS we are running around the block everyday at 6 am. And I think that is quite an accomplishment, yesterday it was negative 7. I think my lungs were starting to freeze. And it's not easy to run in snowboots, coat, scarf, hat, gloves on the icy messy street. But whatever it is, it is better for both of us than nothing. I think it is helping bond us, so I am having my daughter do all the feeding so she can bond that way...

She is also not allowed to be on either floor of the apartment alone, hopefully soon she will stop chewing all sorts of plastic and other disgusting things, like pencils. Any ideas on how to get a puppy to stop chewing are appreciated. She does have a basket of toys but would rather chew garbage stuff.

Dogs and Vitamins Just Don't Mix

2011-02-02T14:06:00.002-05:00

My dog seriously overdosed last night. Thank the Lord, animal poison control, and the emergency veterinarian that she is still alive. After work I plopped my purse, briefcase, and lunch bag on the kitchen floor intending to get back to them later. I went upstairs to work and my daughter and dog were downstairs. Later my girl comes up with vitamins in her hand and my days of the week plastic pill case from my purse. Apparently the dog got into my purse, how she unzipped it must have been tricky. It does have a big strap on the zipper. I imagine she stood on it and pulled on the big strap with her teeth and got it halfway open. Anyway, when she handed me both things I looked up my dog ate my vitamins on the internet. I found many incidents where dogs stole vitamins and were fine, so I didn’t worry. Three hours later she couldn’t walk, was completely aggressive wouldn’t let us near her, and was like wheezy and barking intermittently but a bark of pain, nothing I’ve ever hear before.

I called the emergency vet because it was late at night, they told me to call animal poison control. I called them back and said I couldn’t get through, so they said either way we had to call from there or from my house. Animal poison control charges $35 for the phone call. For my $35 they told me to go to the veterinarian and gave me a case number. After calling neighbors for help, because I wouldn’t get her in her kennel because she kept biting at me. We finally wrapped her gently in a blanket and got her in. Little did I know one of the main reasons she was so violent is because she was blind. When she got in her cage, I kept saying it’s like she can’t see. She was hallucinating barking at the walls of the kennel, barking at things that weren’t there. It was the saddest thing I’d ever heard or seen. My daughter was crying, to dog was just making noises I’ve never heard an animal make.

Finally we get to the veterinarian, who I’d spoken to by now two times on the phone. When we get there they leave her in her kennel for a while. My neighbor, daughter and I confirm that she can’t see. Now the veterinarian who is supposed to know what to do, I’m thinking, doesn’t. So they have to call poison control and talk to them. They tell them what to do to help the dog. One of my vitamins is 5HTP which is tryptophan, like in turkeys. Apparently the dog had overdosed on serotonin. The vitamin B12 and multivitamin which were the other pills she ate she would eventually eliminate. They poison control told the veterinarian what to do, so they finally took her out back to help her. They came back out with an estimate that I could not pay. I explained that to them and they did the bare minimum for her, which was the medicine the poison control suggested and a medicine to calm her down. They had gotten her calm, so they didn’t want to give her fluids which is what I thought they should do. But what do I know. I figured because when I did get her outside when she was just kinda sleepy before she got really bad she was licking snow, but she wouldn’t drink water. She wouldn’t eat anything either, which is what I thought would help her absorb some of the vitamins she took.

We got out of the veterinarians about a little after midnight, and they did want to keep her because she was still hallucinating at that time. I called the vet at 6:30 am because I couldn’t sleep anyway. I was sick with worry. I didn’t want my daughter to lose her best buddy. Even if her best buddy won’t stop eating things she shouldn’t. At 6:30 am they said that she could see! The neurological effects of the pills she ate had gone away between the medicine they gave and the time she spent there. They said though that she was throwing herself against her kennel whenever someone walked by and was so aggressive they couldn’t do anything with her. I took that as a sign she was better. Since we were in the middle of a blizzard at that time of the morning, at around 9:30 my neighbor who said she loves to drive in the snow and drove us down to get her. They kept taking about her aggression and I was worried that she had permanent brain damage, and she would stay aggressive like she’d been the night before. When they brought her out in her kennel, my daughter and I opened the door, and out came our dog, normal, a bit sedate however, with tail wagging and tongue licking hello. Thank goodness. They are going to recommend a trainer for her, and we’ll see about that, but for now thank goodness she is home, she slept on a pillow most of the day. We gave her water right away and fed her some brown rice. She is lying down again and I think everything is alright. My daughter is ecstatic that she didn’t lose her best friend. Me I didn’t think I cared that much, until I saw her last night. No animal should ever suffer that way. Please be more careful with your purse or your vitamins than I was. She is only 35 pounds and she ate five days of my vitamins, and I am well we’ll just say well over 35 pounds.

Dogs and vitamins just don’t mix.

2010-12-24T14:21:00.002-05:00

This week we volunteered at the food bank to distribute food baskets to people who need a little help. It was a good experience. One thing touched me more than anything else. I wonder if it because I’m Jewish and not used to hearing, “G-d bless you.” But then of course I am, every time I sneeze invariably someone blesses me. This “G-d bless you” though that a woman gave me and the two guys carrying her boxes, moved me in an unusual way. It was the way she said it I guess; it carried such meaning and thanks. No matter which faith she was, it is the same G-d. I think people forget that. If terrorists and haters would remember that, we’d all be better off. Maybe it was moving saying, “G-d bless you too.” I don’t usually say that. Well that’s not true; I surely do every time someone sneezes. Of course I hadn’t done anything to be blessed, I just showed up. The people who should be blessed are the people who organize these huge efforts to feed thousands of people. Reflecting on the experience, I guess the difference is that unlike when someone sneezes and it is said out of habit, this time when it was said she meant it and when I said it back, I surely did mean it too.

Happy Holiday Season!

2010-12-13T20:28:00.001-05:00

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A giant step in the right direction...

2010-09-01T19:55:00.003-04:00

Attaching the President's email in case you didn't get it! Yay Operation Iraqi Freedom is over! Thank you to all of our service people past and present, those on their way home and those still there. God bless.
Now Afghanistan...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tonight marks the end of the American combat mission in Iraq.

As a candidate for this office, I pledged to end this war responsibly. And, as President, that is what I am doing.

Since I became Commander-in-Chief, we've brought home nearly 100,000 U.S. troops. We've closed or turned over to Iraq hundreds of our bases.

As Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, our commitment to a sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq continues. Under Operation New Dawn, a transitional force of U.S. troops will remain to advise and assist Iraqi forces, protect our civilians on the ground, and pursue targeted counterterrorism efforts.

By the end of next year, consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, these men and women, too, will come home.

Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest -- it is in our own. Our nation has paid a huge price to put Iraq's future in the hands of its people. We have sent our men and women in uniform to make enormous sacrifices. We have spent vast resources abroad in the face of several years of recession at home.

We have met our responsibility through the courage and resolve of our women and men in uniform.

In seven years, they confronted a mission as challenging and as complex as any our military has ever been asked to face.

Nearly 1.5 million Americans put their lives on the line. Many returned for multiple tours of duty, far from their loved ones who bore a heroic burden of their own. And most painfully, more than 4,400 Americans have given their lives, fighting for people they never knew, for values that have defined our people for more than two centuries.

What their country asked of them was not small. And what they sacrificed was not easy.

For that, each and every American owes them our heartfelt thanks.

Our promise to them -- to each woman or man who has donned our colors -- is that our country will serve them as faithfully as they have served us. We have already made the largest increase in funding for veterans in decades. So long as I am President, I will do whatever it takes to fulfill that sacred trust.

Tonight, we mark a milestone in our nation's history. Even at a time of great uncertainty for so many Americans, this day and our brave troops remind us that our future is in our own hands and that our best days lie ahead.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Extreme Weather and Global Climate Change

2010-08-26T20:13:00.000-04:00

•Pollution from human activities is warming our climate. The 10 warmest years on record all occurred since 1990, and the last decade was the hottest recorded since worldwide record keeping began more than 100 years ago. The period between January and June of 2010 was the warmest six months on record.

•A warming climate increases the chance that we will experience extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and intense storms, and ramps up the risk that severe weather events will cause catastrophic damage.

•The floods, fires and droughts we're seeing in places like Pakistan and Russia are consistent with the effects of global warming, including temperature increases, increased precipitation in some parts of the world, and droughts in others.

•In early August, a 97-square mile chunk of ice--the largest since 1962--broke away from the northwest coast of Greenland.1 Canadian officials fear the massive "ice island" could pose a risk to ships and oil platforms.

•Unless we significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, we are likely to see even more extreme weather events and the consequences they bring

Extreme Love Makeover

2010-08-22T21:57:00.002-04:00

Watching Extreme Homemakeover they reveal an amazingly beautiful master bedroom. I say, "Wow." My daughter looks over at me and says, "Mom, you deserve a room like that." Awww and she wasn't even sucking up for anything! Ha Ha. I might not have the house but I surely do have the love!

I wish the same to all of you!

Happy Birthday President Obama!

2010-08-05T21:47:00.001-04:00

Rachel --

I want to thank you for signing my birthday card.

Michelle told me that she was planning something a little different this year, and I was overwhelmed by the kind words I received from so many supporters like you.

This job has a way of offering humbling moments. And the support you have shown me, time and time again, has sustained me through any number of difficult days. It is more than any president deserves, and I could not be more grateful.

On my birthday, I spent some time considering what the year ahead will bring -- a new set of challenges and opportunities, some that we can foresee and some that we cannot.

If we continue to stand together, I know we will continue to move America forward and win these fights for change.

Thank you again for taking a moment to sign my card. As far as birthdays go, it is hard to imagine topping this one. But then again, Michelle always has a way of surprising me.

Sincerely,

Barack

What's in your nuggets?

2010-07-24T18:24:00.001-04:00

"McNuggets served in the U.S. also contain tertiary butylhydroquinone, a petroleum-based product, and dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent used in cosmetics and other goods."

Yuck!

2010-07-22T12:26:00.000-04:00

People who are wrapped up in themselves are overdressed.

Choose Joy with Me!

2010-07-14T11:20:00.002-04:00

Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy."

-Joseph Campbell

Joke from Beliefnet.com

2010-07-10T12:05:00.001-04:00

Stuff Happens
Tao: Stuff happens.

Catholicism: If stuff happens, you deserved it.

Protestantism: Let stuff happen to somebody else.

Judasim: Why does stuff always happen to us?

Islam: Stuff happens according to the will of Allah.

Buddhism: The stuff is an illusion.

Zen: What is the sound of stuff happening?

Hinduism: This stuff happened before.

Mormonism: This stuff should multiply.

Baha'i Faith: Stuff happens in a progressive manner.

Agnosticism: I'm not sure about this stuff.

Atheism: That stuff about the stuff is all just made up stuff.

Jonestown: Forget about the stuff and just drink the Kool-Aid.

Stop using Holocaust references lightly... Have respect is the message.

2010-07-10T09:03:00.001-04:00

NJDC Condemns Citizens United’s Obama-Chamberlain Ad
David Streeter — July 7, 2010 – 1:13 pm | Abusive Holocaust Rhetoric

The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) today condemned the television ad released by Citizens United that compares President Barack Obama to Neville Chamberlain. David A. Harris, President and CEO of NJDC, issued the following statement:

“The National Jewish Democratic Council strongly condemns Citizens United’s ad for its offensive Holocaust comparisons and for misleading the public about the Obama Administration’s record on Iran.

Preventing a nuclear-armed Iran is a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy. Under his leadership, the United Nations passed strong sanctions against Iran and last week, Obama signed the toughest sanctions ever leveled against Iran and its business partners.

This politically-fueled ad omits the important fact that sanctions were imposed after the Iranian government refused to participate in international negotiations. For so many reasons, the ‘appeasement’ reference is historically inaccurate and odious, and nothing more than a cheap shot at President Obama.

In addition to the inaccuracies in the ad, the use of Holocaust imagery to bash the President’s foreign policy is deeply offensive. Using the Holocaust to promote any political agenda is inappropriate and should be condemned by all who believe in respecting the legacy of those whose lives were taken by the Nazis.

I strongly urge conservatives to condemn this insensitive and inaccurate advertisement and encourage television networks to refrain from airing the ad.”

The state of the U.S. and Israel relations - points from todays meeting!

2010-07-06T18:40:00.004-04:00

The State of U.S. - Israel Relations - July 6, 2010

President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting today to discuss a wide range of issues impacting the U.S-Israel relationship. The two characterized the meeting as “excellent” and used the opportunity to re-affirm the special relationship between the United States and Israel.

On Preventing a Nuclear-Armed Iran:
”... I very much appreciate the President’s statement that he is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

That has been translated by the President through his leadership at the Security Council, which passed sanctions against Iran; by the U.S. bill that the President signed just a few days ago. And I urge other leaders to follow the President’s lead….”
-Prime Minister Netanyahu

“I think the latest sanctions adopted by the U.N. create illegitimacy or create de-legitimization for Iran’s nuclear program ... I think the sanctions the President signed the other day actually have teeth. They bite.”
-Prime Minister Netanyahu

“We discussed the issue of Iran, and we pointed out that as a consequence of some hard work internationally, we have instituted through the U.N. Security Council the toughest sanctions ever directed at an Iranian government. In addition, last week I signed our own set of sanctions, coming out of the United States Congress, as robust as any that we’ve ever seen. Other countries are following suit. And so we intend to continue to put pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations and to cease the kinds of provocative behavior that has made it a threat to its neighbors and the international community.”
- President Obama

On the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process:
“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants peace. I think he’s willing to take risks for peace. And during our conversation, he once again reaffirmed his willingness to engage in serious negotiations with the Palestinians around what I think should be the goal ... [of] two states living side by side in peace and security.

Israel’s security needs met, the Palestinians having a sovereign state that they call their own - those are goals that have obviously escaped our grasp for decades now. But now more than ever I think is the time for us to seize on that vision. And I think that Prime Minister Netanyahu is prepared to do so. ... I believe that the government of Israel is prepared to engage in ... direct talks, and I commend the Prime Minister for that.”
-President Obama

”... We discussed a great deal about activating, moving forward the quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We’re committed to that peace. I’m committed to that peace. And this peace I think will better the lives of Israelis, of Palestinians, and it certainly would change our region. ... I think with the help of President Obama, President Abbas and myself should engage in direct talks to reach a political settlement of peace, coupled with security and prosperity.”
-Prime Minister Netanyahu

On Palestinian Incitement:
“I think it’s very important that the Palestinians not look for excuses for incitement, that they are not engaging in provocative language; that at the international level, they are maintaining a constructive tone, as opposed to looking for opportunities to embarrass Israel.”
-President Obama

On the State of Relations between the United States and Israel:
“The reports about the demise of the special relationship aren’t just premature, they’re just flat wrong. There’s a depth and richness of this relationship that is expressed every day. Our teams talk. We don’t make it public. The only thing that’s public is that you can have differences on occasion in the best of families and the closest of families….

... The President said it best in his speech in Cairo. He said in front of the entire Islamic world, he said, the bond between Israel and the United States is unbreakable. And I can affirm that to you today.”
-Prime Minister Netanyahu

“I think that [Prime Minister Netanyahu] is dealing with a very complex situation in a very tough neighborhood. And what I have consistently shared with him is my interest in working with him—not at cross-purposes—so that we can achieve the kind of peace that will ensure Israel’s security for decades to come.”
-President Obama

“As Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated in his speech, the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable. It encompasses our national security interests, our strategic interests, but most importantly, the bond of two democracies who share a common set of values and whose people have grown closer and closer as time goes on.”
- President Obama

“If you look at every public statement that I’ve made over the last year and a half, it has been a constant reaffirmation of the special relationship between the United States and Israel, that our commitment to Israel’s security has been unwavering. And, in fact, there aren’t any concrete policies that you could point to that would contradict that.

And in terms of my relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I know the press, both in Israel and stateside, enjoys seeing if there’s news there. But the fact of the matter is that I’ve trusted Prime Minister Netanyahu since I met him before I was elected President, and have said so both publicly and privately.”
-President Obama

On the United States’ Policy Towards Nuclear Proliferation Issues and Israel:
”...We discussed issues that arose out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Conference. ... There is no change in U.S. policy when it comes to these issues. We strongly believe that, given its size, its history, the region that it’s in, and the threats that are leveled against us—against it, that Israel has unique security requirements. It’s got to be able to respond to threats or any combination of threats in the region. And that’s why we remain unwavering in our commitment to Israel’s security. And the United States will never ask Israel to take any steps that would undermine their security interests.”
-President Obama

”... Mr. President—I want to thank you for reaffirming to me in private and now in public as you did the longstanding U.S. commitments to Israel on matters of vital strategic importance.”
-Prime Minister Netanyahu

First Piano Recital

2010-06-17T08:18:00.003-04:00

So much FUN!

In case you didn't see the Washington Post...

2010-06-04T22:56:00.002-04:00

The world is outraged at Israel's blockade of Gaza. Turkey denounces its illegality, inhumanity, barbarity, etc. The usual U.N. suspects, Third World and European, join in. The Obama administration dithers.

But as Leslie Gelb, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations, writes, the blockade is not just perfectly rational, it is perfectly legal. Gaza under Hamas is a self-declared enemy of Israel -- a declaration backed up by more than 4,000 rockets fired at Israeli civilian territory. Yet having pledged itself to unceasing belligerency, Hamas claims victimhood when Israel imposes a blockade to prevent Hamas from arming itself with still more rockets.

In World War II, with full international legality, the United States blockaded Germany and Japan. And during the October 1962 missile crisis, we blockaded ("quarantined") Cuba. Arms-bearing Russian ships headed to Cuba turned back because the Soviets knew that the U.S. Navy would either board them or sink them. Yet Israel is accused of international criminality for doing precisely what John Kennedy did: impose a naval blockade to prevent a hostile state from acquiring lethal weaponry.

Oh, but weren't the Gaza-bound ships on a mission of humanitarian relief? No. Otherwise they would have accepted Israel's offer to bring their supplies to an Israeli port, be inspected for military materiel and have the rest trucked by Israel into Gaza -- as every week 10,000 tons of food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies are sent by Israel to Gaza.

Why was the offer refused? Because, as organizer Greta Berlin admitted, the flotilla was not about humanitarian relief but about breaking the blockade, i.e., ending Israel's inspection regime, which would mean unlimited shipping into Gaza and thus the unlimited arming of Hamas.

Israel has already twice intercepted ships laden with Iranian arms destined for Hezbollah and Gaza. What country would allow that?

But even more important, why did Israel even have to resort to blockade? Because, blockade is Israel's fallback as the world systematically de-legitimizes its traditional ways of defending itself -- forward and active defense.

(1) Forward defense: As a small, densely populated country surrounded by hostile states, Israel had, for its first half-century, adopted forward defense -- fighting wars on enemy territory (such as the Sinai and Golan Heights) rather than its own.

Where possible (Sinai, for example) Israel has traded territory for peace. But where peace offers were refused, Israel retained the territory as a protective buffer zone. Thus Israel retained a small strip of southern Lebanon to protect the villages of northern Israel. And it took many losses in Gaza, rather than expose Israeli border towns to Palestinian terror attacks. It is for the same reason America wages a grinding war in Afghanistan: You fight them there, so you don't have to fight them here.

But under overwhelming outside pressure, Israel gave it up. The Israelis were told the occupations were not just illegal but at the root of the anti-Israel insurgencies -- and therefore withdrawal, by removing the cause, would bring peace.

Land for peace. Remember? Well, during the past decade, Israel gave the land -- evacuating South Lebanon in 2000 and Gaza in 2005. What did it get? An intensification of belligerency, heavy militarization of the enemy side, multiple kidnappings, cross-border attacks and, from Gaza, years of unrelenting rocket attack
(2) Active defense: Israel then had to switch to active defense -- military action to disrupt, dismantle and defeat (to borrow President Obama's description of our campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaeda) the newly armed terrorist mini-states established in southern Lebanon and Gaza after Israel withdrew.

The result? The Lebanon war of 2006 and Gaza operation of 2008-09. They were met with yet another avalanche of opprobrium and calumny by the same international community that had demanded the land-for-peace Israeli withdrawals in the first place. Worse, the U.N. Goldstone report, which essentially criminalized Israel's defensive operation in Gaza while whitewashing the casus belli -- the preceding and unprovoked Hamas rocket war -- effectively de-legitimized any active Israeli defense against its self-declared terror enemies.

(3) Passive defense: Without forward or active defense, Israel is left with but the most passive and benign of all defenses -- a blockade to simply prevent enemy rearmament. Yet, as we speak, this too is headed for international de-legitimation. Even the United States is now moving toward having it abolished.

But, if none of these is permissible, what's left?

Ah, but that's the point. It's the point understood by the blockade-busting flotilla of useful idiots and terror sympathizers, by the Turkish front organization that funded it, by the automatic anti-Israel Third World chorus at the United Nations, and by the supine Europeans who've had quite enough of the Jewish problem.

What's left? Nothing. The whole point of this relentless international campaign is to deprive Israel of any legitimate form of self-defense. Why, just last week, the Obama administration joined the jackals, and reversed four decades of U.S. practice, by signing onto a consensus document that singles out Israel's possession of nuclear weapons -- thus de-legitimizing Israel's very last line of defense: deterrence.

The world is tired of these troublesome Jews, 6 million -- that number again -- hard by the Mediterranean, refusing every invitation to national suicide. For which they are relentlessly demonized, ghettoized and constrained from defending themselves, even as the more committed anti-Zionists -- Iranian in particular -- openly prepare a more final solution.

By Charles Krauthammer
Washington Post, June 4, 2010

2010-06-02T15:42:00.001-04:00

Statement on the Gaza Flotilla Incident
June 1, 2010

On May 31, the day when Americans paused to remember those who have fallen in battle, we woke to the difficult news that early that morning Israeli commandos had stopped six ships carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to Gaza. Five of the ships calmly complied with the stoppage. The sixth ship did not. It was on this sixth vessel, the Turkish registered Mavi Marmara, where nine people were killed and dozens were wounded after IDF forces encountered unexpected resistance from civilians wielding knives, crow bars and small arms. Turkey's NTV showed activists beating one Israeli soldier with sticks as he rappelled from a helicopter onto one of the boats. Another soldier was thrown from an upper deck of one of the ships and then stomped on by activists.

The Israeli military said troops only opened fire after the activists attacked them with knives and iron rods, and one activist wrested a serviceman's weapon. Two of the dead activists had fired at soldiers with pistols, the army said. Organizers included people affiliated with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group that often sends international activists into battle zones, and the IHH, a Turkish aid group that Israel accuses of having terrorist links.

Though the flotilla was in international waters at the time of the attack, Israel has operated under an international law that allows a state, during a time of conflict, to enforce an embargo in international waters. Within this framework, it is legal for civilian ships to be stopped if they are trying to break the embargo.

It would appear that this entire enterprise was a cynical set-up designed to present Israel with an unnecessary Hobson's choice and to generate anti-Israel publicity.

As so often happens after incidents such as this one, foreign governments were quick to condemn Israel for excessive use of force without full facts. Editorials in Israel note a mixed reaction to the Government’s action while still all affirming the right of sovereign self defense. The government of Israel has responded that Israel has the right to blockade Gaza ports to prevent weapons from entering that area and that Israeli Navy personnel were prepared to deal with protesters, not people armed with knives, crowbars and other weapons.

ARZA expresses its sorrow at the loss of life and expresses the hope that all those injured will soon recover from their wounds. ARZA further expresses the hope that governments and individuals will not rush to judgment but will wait for all the facts to emerge before coming to any conclusion. As is so often the case when dealing with incidents that occur in a very unsettled part of the world, it is often difficult to ascertain the facts but very easy to jump to conclusions.

Our sacred task is to build an ever stronger progressive religious presence in Israel. Even when Israel is experiencing difficult moments like these, we must remain focused on creating facts on the ground. To the extent that ARZA can support IMPJ and IRAC, their work will enlarge the societal conversation on Judaism and the creation of a just, democratic, and Jewish Israel.

While waiting for a full report on what happened today, there are some facts that are already clear:

· The flotilla was organized by an Islamist organization that has links to fundamentalist jihadi groups.

· Israel offered from the first announcement of the flotilla that it or the Red Cross would deliver any humanitarian aid to Gaza, as it does daily.

· The extremists brought small children on board by persons hoping to provoke what could be a violent confrontation,

· The activists were carrying 10,000 tons of what they said was aid. Israel transfers about 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid every week to the people of Gaza.

· "We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us, they are going to have to forcefully stop us," said one of the flotilla’s organizers.

· Using the Arabic term ‘intifada,’ Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said "We call on all Arabs and Muslims to rise up in front of Zionist embassies across the whole world.

· Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said this week: "If the ships reach Gaza it is a victory; if they are intercepted, it will be a victory too.

· Israel left Gaza in hopes of peace in 2005 and in return received more than 8,000 rockets and terrorist attacks.

· No country would allow illegal entry of any vessel into their waters without a security check.

Obama Advisor: Warm Words for Saudi Arabia, Hizbullah, Al-Quds

2010-05-27T17:43:00.000-04:00

Interesting Article by Hillel Fendel:

John Brennan, Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security, called Jerusalem “Al-Quds,” praised Saudi Arabian religious tolerance, and is encouraging of Hizbullah.

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has drawn attention to the above three instances of recent remarks by one of U.S. President Barack Obama’s top terrorism-issues advisors, calling them “outrageous” and “disgraceful.”

Speaking to an apparently Muslim audience at New York University in February, at a forum co-hosted by the White House and the Islamic Center at New York University." Brennan first told a story in Arabic, evoking laughter and concluding with, “Don’t tell the folks who don’t speak Arabic what I said.” He then said that his favorite city in the Middle East is “Al Quds, Jerusalem.”

In the same speech, Brennan also spoke of his time at the American University in Cairo in the 1970s, referring to the common aspirations of his former Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian classmates, including the freedom “to practice our faith freely … In Saudi Arabia, I saw how our Saudi partners fulfilled their duty as custodians of the two holy mosques at Mecca and Medina.”

In another speech before Lebanese leaders who visited Washington recently, Brennan told them, “Hizbullah is a very interesting organization,” and said that it had evolved from “purely a terrorist organization” to a militia and now to an organization that has members within the parliament and the cabinet. “There is certainly the elements of Hizbullah that are truly a concern to us, what they’re doing,” Brennan said. “And what we need to do is to find ways to diminish their influence within the organization and to try to build up the more moderate elements.”

The ZOA noted that Hizbullah is actually a Lebanese-Iranian proxy terrorist group that has called continually for the elimination of Israel.

“These comments by John Brennan are as outrageous as they are deeply troubling,” ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, “No one refers to Jerusalem in the English language as Al-Quds, unless they have a specific political, anti-Israel agenda - in this case, pandering to Israel’s enemies, who will draw comfort from the use of the term Al-Quds by a senior U.S. government official.”

Klein termed “disgraceful” the fact that “Mr. Brennan’s pandering is taken so far that he speaks of some supposed shared goal of freedom of religious practice, and then immediately refers in complimentary words to Saudi Arabia - a country that is notorious for its harsh denial of freedom of religion, in which even non-Wahhabi Muslim mosques are prohibited, let alone churches and synagogues.”

Regarding Brennan’s comments about Hizbullah, Klein said, “Worse, Brennan give unwarranted legitimacy to the recognized terrorist group Hizbullah, thereby undercutting past U.S. efforts to isolate this murderous outfit.”

Klein sums up: “John Brennan is yet another hand-picked Obama adviser who shows a distinct animus against Israel and partiality for its enemies. It is unsurprising that, when Barack Obama is advised by people like these, quite apart from the President’s own troubling history of friendships with vicious critics of Israel and having belonged for two decades to an anti-Israel, anti-American black supremacist church, the Obama Administration has ignited major tensions in its relations with Israel while not holding accountable and penalizing the Palestinian Authority for continuing terrorism and incitement to hatred and murder.”

Ooops I may have influenced my daughter too much...

2010-05-09T19:22:00.004-04:00

Today we were playing analogies. It's fun, we take turns. Even though analogies are no longer on the SAT's they are important to learning how to think. We were doing things like - Ocean is to salt then water is to _____________. OR we do pets and family names. Shoe is to sock like slipper is to _______________. Etc. It's fun. she would ask and I would fill in the last blank or I would ask and she fills in the last blank. Sometimes she finds a relationship that I wasn't even thinking of. For instance, she said do a funny one mommy, "Okay, fat is to my butt, like skinny is to ____________." She screams out, "Bitches!." I laughed so hard, I cried. I'm laughing again now just writing it.

Today's lesson: our kids are listening even when we think they're not!

93 year old woman received her high school diploma...

2010-04-25T22:52:00.002-04:00

see it is never too late to accomplish your goals and make your dreams come true!

Did I mention 41 year old woman earns her Master's Degree in Creative Writing. Who could that be? Oh yeah, me! Now onto the rest of my dreams, a published novel, enough income to live in a little house without worrying, and as always to be the best mom I can be to the best little girl I've ever know.

Dream On World! It's Never Too Late!

More on Obama and Israel

2010-04-25T11:04:00.000-04:00

Obama is denying Israel the right to self-defense when it is not his, or America's, life that is on the line.
BY BENNY MORRIS
THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

I take it personally: Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, wants to murder me, my family and my people. Day in, day out, he announces the imminent demise of the "Zionist regime," by which he means Israel. And day in, day out, his scientists and technicians are advancing toward the atomic weaponry that will enable him to bring this about.

The Jews of Europe (and Poles, Russians, Czechs, the French, etc.) should likewise have taken personally Adolf Hitler's threats and his serial defiance of the international community from 1933 to 1939. But he was allowed, by the major powers and the League of Nations, to flex his muscles, rearm, remilitarize the Rhineland and then gobble up neighboring countries. Had he been stopped before the invasion of Poland and the start of World War II, the lives of many millions, Jews and Gentiles, would have been saved. But he wasn't.

And it doesn't look like Ahmadinejad will be either. Not by the United States and the international community, at any rate. President Obama, when not obsessing over the fate of the ever- aggrieved Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, proposes to halt Ahmadinejad's nuclear program by means of international sanctions. But here's the paradox: The wider Obama casts his net to mobilize as many of the world's key players as he can, the weaker the sanctions and the more remote their implementation. China, it appears, will only agree to a U.N. Security Council resolution if the sanctions are diluted to the point of meaninglessness (and maybe not even then). The same appears to apply to the Russians. Meanwhile, Iran advances toward the bomb. Most of the world's intelligence agencies believe that it is only one to three years away.

Perhaps Obama hopes to unilaterally implement far more biting American (and, perhaps, European) sanctions. But if China and Russia (and some European Union members) don't play ball, the sanctions will remain ineffective. And Iran will continue on its deadly course.

At the end of 2007, the U.S. intelligence community, driven by wishful thinking, expediency and incompetence, announced that the Iranians had in 2003 halted the weaponization part of their nuclear program. Last week, Obama explicitly contradicted that assessment. At least the American administration now publicly acknowledges where it is the Iranians are headed, while not yet acknowledging what it is they are after -- primarily Israel's destruction.

Granted, Obama has indeed tried to mobilize the international community for sanctions. But it has been a hopeless task, given the selfishness and shortsightedness of governments and peoples. Sanctions were supposed to kick in in autumn 2009; then it was December; now it is sometime late this year. Obama is still pushing the rock up the hill -- and Ahmadinejad, understandably, has taken to publicly scoffing at the West and its "sanctions."

He does this because he knows that sanctions, if they are ever passed, are likely to be toothless, and because the American military option has been removed from the table. Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates -- driven by a military that feels overstretched in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq and a public that has no stomach for more war -- have made this last point crystal clear.

But at the same time, Obama insists that Israel may not launch a preemptive military strike of its own. Give sanctions a chance, he says. (Last year he argued that diplomacy and "engagement" with Tehran should be given a chance. Tehran wasn't impressed then and isn't impressed now.) The problem is that even if severe sanctions are imposed, they likely won't have time to have serious effect before Iran succeeds at making a bomb.

Obama is, no doubt, well aware of this asymmetric timetable. Which makes his prohibition against an Israeli preemptive strike all the more immoral. He knows that any sanctions he manages to orchestrate will not stop the Iranians. (Indeed, Ahmadinejad last week said sanctions would only fortify Iran's resolve and consolidate its technological prowess.) Obama is effectively denying Israel the right to self-defense when it is not his, or America's, life that is on the line.

Perhaps Obama has privately resigned himself to Iran's nuclear ambitions and believes, or hopes, that deterrence will prevent Tehran from unleashing its nuclear arsenal. But what if deterrence won't do the trick? What if the mullahs, believing they are carrying out Allah's will and enjoy divine protection, are undeterred?

The American veto may ultimately consign millions of Israelis, including me and my family, to a premature death and Israel to politicide. It would then be comparable to Britain and France's veto in the fall of 1938 of the Czechs defending their territorial integrity against their rapacious Nazi neighbors. Within six months, Czechoslovakia was gobbled up by Germany.

But will Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu follow in Czech President Edvard Benes' footsteps? Will he allow an American veto to override Israel's existential interests? And can Israel go it alone, without an American green (or even yellow) light, without American political cover and overflight permissions and additional American equipment? Much depends on what the Israeli military and intelligence chiefs believe their forces -- air force, navy, commandos -- can achieve. Full destruction of the Iranian nuclear project? A long-term delay? And on how they view Israel's ability (with or without U.S. support) to weather the reaction from Iran and its proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas and Syria.

An Israeli attack might harm U.S. interests and disrupt international oil supplies (though I doubt it would cause direct attacks on U.S. installations, troops or vessels). But, from the Israeli perspective, these are necessarily marginal considerations when compared with the mortal hurt Israel and Israelis would suffer from an Iranian nuclear attack. Netanyahu's calculations will, in the end, be governed by his perception of Israel's existential imperatives. And the clock is ticking.

Benny Morris is the author of many books about the Middle East conflict, including, most recently, "1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War."

Break the Silence~

2010-04-23T17:28:00.002-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxG82kKYGos

Check out Mayor Koch's concerns about Obama's Anti-Israel's policies. Very interesting... of course we know about FDR but he talks about the deafening silence. Can you hear the silence? Koch asserts that Obama is throwing Israel under the bus to please Arab nations.

Hmmm, I love Obama. But I respect and trust Koch, after all I've known him longer.

Rally in NYC on Sunday.

Oprah's Top Ten

2010-04-17T15:00:00.003-04:00

Oprah's ten favorite books:

Now you know I love Oprah, but really no Joseph Conrad!?! Kudos on the Pillars of the Earth, I would add the sequel as well A World Without End. (Thanks Captain Hogwash) I agree with the Toni Morrison although maybe would have used Song of Solomon instead? Hmmm hard to say which Morrison is the best... Eckhart Tolle I liked but it didn't change my life like Oprah's. Of course Night by Ellie Wiesel, no question - it should be on everyone's top ten. John Steinbeck's East of Eden, hmmm, I would have chosen Grapes of Wrath without a doubt. I haven't read, I'm ashamed to say, Edgar Sawtelle, although everyone who did loves it. Discover the Power Within You by Eric Butterworth is another one I haven't read. Although I know I am quite powerful, so perhaps I should! Ha Ha. Anyone read that? Is it worth the time? I have fifty books, at least, next to my bed to read. I am currently reading James Frey's latest fiction Bright Shiny Morning, and I don't care that he embellised in his memoir A Million Little Pieces, because it was interesting, thought provoking and poignant all at different times. I love Kingsolver but would she be on my life changing top ten, no. No offense. I do think I will add A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry to my list because I don't know much history of India at all.

Hmmm, I have my list on the side here, but I think I will take some time and create my top ten life changing books... Okay, I'm working on it... I'll get back to you!

Health Care Reform will help us all-the rest is negative propoganda...

2010-02-14T20:39:00.000-05:00

Friend --

As we head into an election year, the new strategy for killing reform is claiming that members of Congress who vote for it will suffer at the polls.

For months, our opponents have spread lies about reform to scare voters away. But the simple truth about what reform would actually do -- save jobs, guarantee all Americans affordable, stable coverage, and significantly reduce the deficit -- is something most Americans strongly support.

The question is, come November, will the voters know the facts?

OFA supporters have asked for a way to show every member of Congress that if they fight for reform now, we'll back them up this election season.

That's why we're launching "You fight, we'll fight" -- a volunteer pledge bank where you can commit your time to back up candidates and officials who fight hard for health reform.

We're shooting for 1,000,000 hours pledged to spread the word to fellow voters. And if we get there, we'll publish the total hours pledged in USA Today, so there will be no doubt that health reform is both good policy and good politics.

Can you pledge right away?

President Obama has made it crystal clear that he has no intention of walking away from health reform -- and this movement has made its desire to fight on just as clear.

And many members of Congress are already working hard by his side to get the job done. But for those on the fence about whether or not to proceed, knowing you are there to back up a courageous stand can make all the difference.

Your volunteer hours can have a huge impact no matter where you live. You can make calls into critical districts where health reform champions are in jeopardy, write letters to the editor, volunteer for nearby campaigns, or even just talk to friends, family, and neighbors to help cut through the special interest spin.

We'll offer lots of ways to get involved between now and the elections in November, and you can decide which are right for you -- the important thing right now is to publicly show your commitment to fight for those who make health reform a reality.

Please help us hit our ambitious goal of one million volunteer hours pledged:

http://my.barackobama.com/YouFight

We've certainly faced setbacks in this fight. But as President Obama told OFA supporters last week, that only means we need to work that much harder.

Thanks for making it possible,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Matthew has another one!

2010-01-30T12:25:00.002-05:00

If he keeps popping babies out with Camilla, what are my chances of getting to meet him. Slimmer all the time! Ha Ha. Cute baby though!

Procrastination...

2010-01-04T19:24:00.002-05:00

Sorry

2010-01-03T14:53:00.003-05:00

Sorry, I haven't been here. I am almost done with my novel, then I'll be back! (say in Schwartenagger accent)

As soon as novel is approved and bound - I'll have my Master's!!!!

Only some editing left to do.

More Health Insurance Info

2009-12-22T19:47:00.001-05:00

The Senate health reform bill will:

-- Extend coverage to 31 million Americans, the largest expansion of coverage since the creation of Medicare.

-- Ensure that you can choose your own doctor.

-- Finally stop insurance companies from denying coverage due to a pre-existing condition.

-- Make sure you will never be charged exorbitant premiums on the basis of your age, health, or gender.

-- Guarantee you will never lose your coverage just because you get sick or injured.

-- Protect you from outrageous out-of-pocket expenditures by establishing lifetime and annual limits.

-- Allow young people to stay on their parents' coverage until they're 26 years old.

-- Create health insurance exchanges, or "one-stop shops" for individuals purchasing insurance, where insurance companies are forced to compete for new customers.

-- Lower premiums for families, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office -- especially for struggling folks who will receive subsidies.

-- Help small businesses provide health care coverage to their employees with tax credits and by allowing them to purchase coverage through the exchanges.

-- Improve and strengthen Medicare by eliminating waste and fraud (without cutting basic benefits), beginning to close the Medicare Part D donut hole, and extending the life of the Medicare trust fund.

-- Create jobs by reining in costs -- fostering competition, reducing waste and inefficiency, and starting to reward doctors and hospitals for quality, not quantity, of care.

-- Cut the deficit by over $130 billion in the next 10 years.

Health Insurance Update - Email from Our Commander in Chief

2009-12-21T20:37:00.001-05:00

-

Early this morning, the Senate made history and health reform cleared its most important hurdle yet -- garnering the 60 votes needed to move toward a final vote in that chamber later this week.

This marks the first time in our nation's history that comprehensive health reform has come to this point. And it appears that the American people will soon realize the genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those who do not.

I'm grateful to Senator Harry Reid and every senator who's been working around the clock to make this happen. And I'm grateful to you, and every member of the Organizing for America community, for all the work you have done to make this progress possible.

After a nearly century-long struggle, we are now on the cusp of making health insurance reform a reality in the United States of America.

As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added provisions have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time when the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchanges get up and running, insurance companies that try to jack up their rates do so at their own peril. Those who hike their prices may be barred from selling plans on the exchanges.

And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchanges are open, in the meantime there will be a high-risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage.

A recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There's also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient's choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well.

These protections are in addition to the ones we've been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need.

Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that would see their costs rise if we don't act will save money now and in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it's paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade.

Finally, this reform will extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who don't have it.

These are not small changes. These are big changes. They're fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives.

And your passion, your work, your organizing helped make all of this possible. Now it's time to finish the job.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

The Proposal

2009-11-21T10:35:00.001-05:00

No, not me!

But the movie with Sandra Bullock is hysterical. she plays Margaret Tate a NYC publisher. There is one scene with a stripper that had me laughing so hard I almost woke the neighbors. It is not exactly and intelligent thought-provoking film but a funny, funny entertaining film that makes you laugh. Sandra Bullock is incredible. She is a class act and this role seems like it was made for her. Ryan Reybnolds who is plays Andrew Paxton is actually Scarlett Johansson's husband, plays the lead across from Sandra Bullock and is hysterical too. they play off each other beautifully, a lot of it without words, just expressions and looks at each other. Betty White is wonderful, amusing, and carries a lot of the movie.

Sandra Bullock shows a lot of skin, a lot of skin, in this movie and damn she is looking good, especially when I checked and she is four years older than me! I wish I had Hollywood money, I bet I could look a bit better with own trainer and maybe a cook?

Product Endorsement

2009-11-17T16:20:00.004-05:00

Okay I have a new favorite candy. Reese's peanut butter cups have absolutely outdone themselves, deliciously. New Dark Chocolate Reese's Peanut Butter cups are mouthwatering. I tried to save one for later but it's scrumptiousness kept calling me back to eat it! "Eat me!" "Eat me, I'm delcicious!" So I did!

Not all stores have them yet, but they are worth the hunt. Our Shaws does but not WalMart...

Dark Chocolate's antioxidants are good for you, aren't they? Their deep dark chocolate in my peanutbutter is A Okay with me!

Try one - or two!

Fort Hood Memorial

2009-11-11T08:57:00.004-05:00

Oh my, the memorial shown on television for the soldiers brutally murdered at Fort Hood was heartbreaking. The President’s speech was poignant and so on point about this horrific situation. I guess we all wish that the people who knew this soldier was in contact with these radical extremists, even if it was for research for a paper as they thought, had told the Army they may have been able to keep an eye on him. Doubt should have been established I think, but it wasn't and only hindsight is 20/20.

All of our prayers go out to the families of these American’s who do a job I never had the courage or bravery to do. The roll call when the soldiers didn’t answer echoed silent loss and shock across the nation. But when they showed the thirteen soldiers boots across the stage with the gun standing behind each one and the helmet on top, I absolutely lost it. I guess this is a common military thing but it was incredibly symbolic. Especially as after they showed color pictures of all of the people who died and our President spoke of their bravery in their final minutes.

My daughter watched it with me because she had heard on the news that it happened, and although we didn’t know any of the people murdered or their families, we know they were soldiers the people who we say “thank you for what you do” to when we see them around our town. And I can’t imagine how scary it is for an eight year old, who so admires these people to defend us and keep us free. When it is terrifying to a forty year old that someone would have the audacity to kill soldiers in their own base. We talk about democracy and I don’t know how much she truly understands about countries that do not have democratic governments, but the magnitude of this heinous act she gets.

God bless the families of the murdered soldiers, wishing them colorful clear memories that will stay with them forever of their loved ones. God bless America too. Obama said in his speech that these soldiers remind us of what it is to be Americans. I think that is true for every one of them especially the slain police officer who ran right into the gunfire at the gunman.

Let's just ponder our President's words "no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor." I have to wonder do these extremist Muslim's really feel that their God is a loving God as I do as a Jewess and others do as Catholics, Christians, Protestants, Methodist, and Unitarians? I think that they can't, that they pray and do all of the evil that they do for a hateful, vengeful Ruler who is nothing like our God. If the God they pray to is just like our God then how can they warp a religion so completely? I always believed that there is only one God. And although our religions are different you may believe God had a son Jesus and I may believe we are all God's children, I can't imagine they could prevert a God out of the God I think we all believe in who requires the taking of human lives at the expense of one's own soul as a good deed. I can't get my head around that, or how that more than one psycopath actually believes that?

Well they executed John Allen Mohammed tonight; after this bastard gets better I hope they'll give him a fair trial and execute him too...

Health Care Bill Passes House - Now for the Senate

2009-11-09T20:36:00.004-05:00

As you may or may not know I am in support of change to improve health care in this country. I am also in support of the democratic plan, which I read Republicans are in favor of 80% of it as well. To the people who state that we can't afford to change, who must have completely employer paid insurance and I wonder how many people in the country have that anymore probably 2%. Just as one example - A friend of mine has a small business employer who had to stop paying the constant increases in health care premiums and had to take more and more out of his check. He now can barely afford to live and can't afford his presciption deductibles every month. We do need change. I wrote to Congressman Paul Hodes to thank him for his support of the bill and received this response. I thought I would post it so all could read what he wrote. I think the part about the money is very important for naysayers to read!

November 9, 2009

Dear My Favorite Constituent, (Ok I changed that up! The rest I did not...)

Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

I was proud to vote for the Affordable Health Care for America Act. After reviewing and reading the full text of the bill, I determined that the plan will help to provide affordable health care to working New Hampshire families and will put new rules on insurance companies to protect people's health care when they need it most. The bill will not increase the deficit. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that it will reduce the deficit by 100 billion dollars. In addition, the bill preserves and strengthens Medicare for senior citizens, lowers costs for seniors, and avoids any increase in taxes on working families.

The legislation includes strict rules on health insurance companies to protect working families and to keep families' costs in check when people get sick. The bill ends discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions so insurance companies cannot discriminate and deny coverage. The bill ends lifetime caps on coverage, so that when Americans gets sick, they can get the care that they have paid for. The legislation also prohibits insurance companies from dropping coverage for Americans when they get sick.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act creates a public health insurance option to compete with health insurance companies. This competition can help to lower costs for New Hampshire families.

This legislation will strengthen employer-based health insurance and lower the crippling health insurance costs for small businesses. This legislation will allow an estimated 18,800 small businesses in New Hampshire's Second District to get affordable health insurance and provide an estimated 16,900 small businesses in the Second District with tax credits for providing coverage - a proposal that I introduced to help our small businesses.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act strengthens Medicare, lowers costs for seniors, and adds years to the Medicare Trust fund so that Medicare can continue to be there for seniors. The bill closes the "donut hole" for seniors' prescription drugs, a gap in coverage which can cost seniors thousands of dollars. It also eliminates cost-sharing for primary care services and gives seniors' doctors incentives to coordinate care. The bill also prevents a 21 percent pay cut for physicians who treat Medicare patients, which helps to ensure that Medicare patients can continue to see the doctor of their choice.

The Affordable Health Care Act passed the House of Representatives on November 7, 2009. The Senate will also consider this proposal. I will continue to work to provide affordable health care for New Hampshire families and to create competition and fair rules on insurance companies.

Sincerely,

Paul Hodes
Member of Congress

Day 11 Back to Work

2009-11-03T21:51:00.002-05:00

Well back to work, exhausting day because my abdomen was killing me. I think it will go away soon, perhaps I ate too much too soon? I had two scrambled eggs and a piece of turkey bacon for breakfast. I was gassy too all day. I came home and passed right out! Apparently my neighbor rang the bell but I didn't even hear it.

Other than that not too much to report. My daughter has a favorite youtube song if you go to youtube and search for bat echolocation, it is a pretty catchy tune. (At least it won't get out of my head!)

Day 10 H1N1

2009-11-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

Okay second day on the antibiotics. Starting to feel better. Back to work tomorrow. It's a good thing I decided to check the gas in the car cause it's been sitting so long it had a flat! Crazy.

My tummmy really hurts. I woulda thought I would have lost so much weight during the last ten days but I haven't only like six pounds. Damn it. I was hoping there would be a little silver lining. Well maybe the teacher I share a room with will hook up with the sub who took my place, who everyone says is cute. Kids emailed that he was chill. She's young she needs some fun! That would be good if something positive came out of all this mess.

Well I am going to walk around my block now and try to get my muscles back in order a bit. Maybe my daughter will ride her bike next to me...

Day Nine

2009-11-01T16:48:00.002-05:00

Had chest X-rays today, fluid in lungs and have developed a secondary bacterial infection. I'm not quite sure what that is but it is contagious. Started on antibiotics today, can't go to work tomorrow the Dr. said, but then I'll be fine. He also gave me some superpowered cough syrup, so I can sleep.

This H1N1 just keeps giving ~

Day whatever... feeling better... aha ha ha ha

2009-10-31T15:21:00.004-04:00

Sick early am. went back to bed till noon. Then went to Rite Aid for cough drops and candy. Drove the car! On my way back to the real world. It's 2 now and I am tired. I got some chicken soup cookin from the chicken I got yesterday. That will taste good.

Okay how to know you have a great kid! She is not going trick or treating except on our block for a few minutes, she instead has elected to stay home with mom and hand out the candy, so I an stay inside and rest. She is such a good girl! I am so lucky God gave her to me!

Have you watched Saturday PBS TV it's making me hungry one cooking show after another. Well the sea urchin I could live without, everything else looked delicious. I on the other hand am too tired to go get celery for my chicken soup, I don't have dill either, but we'll live without it...

Happy Spooky Halloween to you all: Don't forget to eat an apple after midnight and make a wish!

H1N1 update

2009-10-31T01:35:00.004-04:00

Wow I am weak.

Yesterday, day six. Decided I would do the laundry because it's been two week and my kid was running out of clothes she likes. She has 20 pairs of jeans but doesn't like them because they are not comfortable. I remember begging to wear jeans. Anyway, it took me all day to do it, but I finally got it all in the car... Baddum Bum.

Then I thought I feel a little better I want a salad. So I finished my daughter's salad that she had for dinner. Yummy well until three o'clock in the morning when what salad decided to exact revenge on me for eating it or something else I did. Fell back asleep around 5, sick and tired, daughter missed school bus. But since she had no pants I didn't even fight to make her go to school. Again that salad was hating me, so no way I could drive. Now that is some bad parenting.

Today, day seven. Well as I said really bad stomach all day. Better after about ten but then I was hungry. I did venture out into the world, dropped off the laundry in the interest of not having a naked child, and went to the supermarket by the house. Told her you go to the left grab a bag of potatoes, I'll go straight up the middle and grab the chicken. Meet back in the shortest line on ten, boom, quickest trip to the supermarket ever. Laundry on couch, but at least it is clean. My lovely friend and neighbor took my girl with hers to Halloween Howl and I passed right out for two and a half hours, didn't even hear the phone. It was too much today but someone has to do it. I can't wait until I buy a house and get my own washer and dryer. Roasted chicken went down fine, tested great - now I wait...

Tomorrow I am going to walk around the block, I think my muscles are atrophied from all of this nonactivity. H1N1 IS ALMOST GONE - DO DA DO DA. I'M SO EXHAUSTED I CAN'T EVEN FINISH THIS SONG. OH DA DO DA BLLLLLAAAAAA

2009-10-27T13:29:00.001-04:00

So Moses is up on Mount Sinai and he says to God, "God, do I have a pounding headache!"

And God says, "Here, take these two tablets."

For my friend Syd,

2009-10-27T13:22:00.002-04:00

Day five stopped coughing long enougn to try to laugh. Found this on internet and thought of you: http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Jokes/Christian-Jokes/Long-Distance-Calls.aspx

video joke, ha ha ha

H1N1 Day five

2009-10-27T07:38:00.002-04:00

Well day four was the worst one yet. Instead of getting better with this H1N1 you get worse. The puking and other tummy trouble started yesterday. Had to crawl up stairs, no strength to walk. Now I'm weak and actually a little hungry, but I'm surely not eating anything...

I have hope for day five! Yay day five, here we go. Throat still excruciating, haven't puked in a while, hoorah! 7:40 a.m. good night!

H1N1 Day 4

2009-10-26T14:17:00.002-04:00

Think it's getting worse now. If only my throat didn't hurt so much the rest would be manageable I think.

H1N1 and Highlights

2009-10-25T19:29:00.003-04:00

Okay they have nothing to do with each other except I wouldn't have had time to read this if I wasn't sick.

Highlights has done it again. They have interviewed 850 some kids and tallied their responses on certin issues. Check out http://media.highlights.com/pdf-newsroom/StateoftheKid.pdf For the state of the kid. Interesting reading.

I also read on my paper from the hospital that you can get H1N1 from laughter, you know the little evil molecules of moisture that escape when you laugh, so I'd lie to think that I got this from laughter. It makes me feel better and I do really laugh my bum off every day. Kid are funny and teachers are even funnier (sometimes when they don't even mean to me).

Okay off to sleep again, stick a fork in me, I'd done.

H1N1

2009-10-25T09:39:00.002-04:00

Aaaaaahhhh razor blades slowly cutting the back of my throat. What the f... It was quite a job but I did it - changed my sheets! waaaa the crowd goes wild. Normally not such a bad job, today a Herculian effort. I did hang my comforter outside on a bush for ten minutes to de-germ. I wish I had a washer and dryer. But we only do what we can. I changed my sheets, it is 9:42 am. Good night.

2009-10-25T08:58:00.001-04:00

Owwwww my throat. I am done. My ginger ale just exploded a bit in my bed and I am too tired to change my sheets. Going to roll over and go to sleep.

H1N1 - yeah of course just my luck

2009-10-24T12:54:00.001-04:00

Well I got it. Of course I did, Murphy’s law and all of that. If you haven’t had it I’ll tell you about it.

It started at 10:30 at night I was standing in the kitchen making lunches and the pain in the top of my back was so bad I could barely stand so I went in to living room and laid on the floor until I felt better, then I did some stretches for my back. Finished lunches and off to bed. In the morning, I felt woozy, woozy and wooshy and my throat was on fire. (certainly those are technical terms.) But drove to work thinking I’m just getting a cold. When I got to school I was sweating, five minutes later I was frozen, then I coughed and my throat was torn up and I coughed up phelm. As I did though my chest completely constricted and so did my breathing tubes. I could barely talk. But the time first block started I could only speak softly or it hurt like someone was rubbing broken glass on the back of my throat.

I knew I was done, the school luckily found me a sub for the rest of the day and I went home. Called Dr said I think I have bronchitis, it is difficult to breathe throat is killing me and told them that a student of mine had H1N1 she went home from school Tuesday I think. Nurse told me I did not have H1N1 because I would be more exhausted and my body aches wouldn’t just be in my back they’d be everywhere. She said they don’t want people with the flu in the office anyway. I had no temperature at that time and explained that I had taken a lot of Advil and had a temp earlier. I went out and got cough syrup, a humidifier, and Vicks like she told me.

Three hours later I was really feeling really, really like crap, so I call back and said what if I have strep, cause I had a kid with that too. She said I needed to take my temperature before my next Advil and see what that was and let someone know if it was 101. I told her it was 99 on the Advil. She told me I could come in the next day or go to the walk-in care just to make myself feel better, it seems I needed to. Well one hour later my temperature was 102.4. I guess the bitchy nurse was wrong (I wish she wasn’t) but everyone tells you to call you Dr. with your flulike symptoms. Don’t bother cause they don’t want you there. The walk in care was wonderful in contrast. Very nice, clear explained everything. I am on Tylenol, Advil, and Percoset. I am staying in my room and not coming out without a mask. My daughter was already exposed to me, the day before was my birthday (Happy Birthday H1N1). But I hope she doesn’t get it, talking and breathing are so difficult it must be so scary for a child. Poor kids with this. Dr. said you will feel like you are going to die for four days, and then you won’t. Okay, I can live with that.

Nighty night.
I do want to add I handwashed and sanitized like a crazy person, still got it...

Sorry It's Been Soooo Long, Busy Busy

2009-10-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

Well I have to buy a laptop. Have you tried to buy a laptop, holy moly. There are so many kinds of laptops out there, with so many features. All of the features however are named something else depending on the company or even the model within the company’s name. Like I know we need to purchase a dual core whatever it is, but there are five different names some don’t even say duo they say 2x. Pretty good huh. Is it better to buy from the company or to buy from the store. At say Dell’s website you have to pay extra for every feature, perhaps at the store they are bundled. No one’s laptops comes with Office. I found that out. I went to Walmart to price check and then found out I do not know how to tell if there is a wireless card or not inside.

No I can’t afford a laptop! It will be the first thing ever I put on my credit card and hope it doesn’t cost a fortune in interest or start a credit snowball effect, because the only money I owe is a whole lotta money for student loans. I am hoping I will be able to get something under $500. That is a huge hope because it will have no programs in it!

Why am I now in the market for a laptop you may ask? Well you may remember I received a laptop from my friend and literature professor at college as a gift. I should never have accepted that gift. I knew it was wrong and I just think I took it because I wanted one so badly and couldn’t not afford one. I use this thing everyday, at home and at school. It is like my right arm. Well, I received a letter last week that my esteemed professor wants $1,000 for the laptop he bought me three years ago! I can’t send him $1,000 or the $100 a month he thinks is fair. It may be wrong of me but I am just going to box it up and send it back to him.

He thinks we are not friends anymore and as we are not friends, I should pay him back. We are not, not friends but I don’t have time for a social life between regular school, Hebrew school, getting my Master’s, and writing my book that I need to graduate, I don’t have time for a social life unless it is with a little eight year old who I love more than air! If I had it I would sent it right away. I don’t. Even though I am working now and not in school I have more expenses and don’t get help anymore. He thinks I have money but I really don’t.. We are more comfortable than we were before but I don’t think that my daughter should suffer which is where the cutbacks would have to come from birthday gifts for other kids, clothes, special foods she likes, the new piano lessons she just started which are only $10 a week. I can’t make her suffer because a grown man with a Ph.D. is out of work for years now. He was a brilliant literature professor and I wish he would find a university position again, so more students can benefit from his knowledge as I have. I wish him well but can’t pay him so I am packing up my baby and sending it back after all this time, electrical tape on the cord and all. I hope he can sell it for some of the money he needs...

How you know you look like crap...

2009-09-20T22:56:00.003-04:00

On my way out to Rosh Hashana services my daughter looks at me and says, "If anyone asks you why you look so bad just tell 'em your sick, okay mom?"

I do have a little cold but I didn't know I looked that bad!

Happy New Year! It is the year 5770. (Silly you thought it was 2009)

School!

2009-08-27T18:32:00.002-04:00

I forgot how much I loved teaching over the summer. Now I'm back! It's great except that I can't sleep. I have gained 4 pounds this week and I think it's because of not sleeping enough. I try to sleep but then I just get up at 4 a.m. for no reason whatsoever. Hopefully I will get on some kind of schedule.

My new students this year are wonderful. So far... ha ha.

Off for a bike ride with my daughter on the tandem!

Serious Movie Recommendation:

Something the Lord Made is a wonderful movie. A must see, especially if you like history, medicine., and the victories African American people made in our prejudiced past.

Praying for her family, my daughter left flowers and a teddy at the pool fence...

2009-08-19T17:50:00.003-04:00

Family deals with loss of 'doll of a girl'
Toddler dies swimming in city pool

By KAREN LANGLEY
Monitor staff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 19, 2009 - 3:58 pm

Three-year-old Amariah Rivera, seen here in this Easter 2009 photo, was pulled from the Keach Park pool in Concord on Monday and later died.

Faced with another hot day, Michele Rivera brought her four children Monday to the Keach Park pool in Concord, where she swam years before.

The Chichester resident was holding her 3-month-old son in the shade just before 2 p.m. and watching her other children swim when her 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter headed for the shallow end. As she watched her children weave among the two dozen young swimmers, she realized 3-year-old Amariah was not with them.

A frantic search ensued, ending moments later when Rivera saw a woman pull Amariah from the water.

"That's when she ran over to find her daughter on the ground," said Freddy Rivera, the uncle of Amariah's father and spokesman for the family.

Lifeguards performed CPR on the little girl, who was taken to Concord Hospital. Doctors worked for more than an hour before declaring her dead, said Freddy Rivera, who had gathered there with family from New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The police are still investigating Amariah's death, and an assistant city manager said the city will review all pool policies and procedures. Three lifeguards were working at the pool Monday, two watching the pool while a third checked identification at the gate. Nonresidents can swim at Concord pools for a fee.

City swimming pools had been scheduled to close Friday, but excess funds prompted officials to extend days for the Keach, Rolfe and Rollins pools through yesterday. After the death, officials decided to end the season Monday.

Amariah's father, Pablo Rivera, thanked the community for its support and asked for privacy in an e-mail message to the Monitor yesterday. He specifically thanked the two women who pulled his daughter from the pool.

"Without you pulling her out of the water, she would've not even had a chance to fight," he wrote. "Although she didn't survive and is now looking down on us, I still thank you greatly for at least giving her that opportunity."

Pablo and Michele Rivera declined through Freddy Rivera to speak to a reporter, but Michele Rivera described her experience to be relayed to the Monitor. Freddy Rivera, formerly a district manager in the Monitor circulation department, is now a contractor for the newspaper.

He described the Riveras as a loving family that remains close to grandparents and other out-of-town relatives. Those family members quickly congregated at the hospital Monday to be with Amariah, he said.

"She was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful girl that was very close to her family," Freddy Rivera said. "Loved by all, just a doll of a girl."

He said his nephew was a proud father who had called three months earlier when Maximo was born.

"He said, 'I caught up to you. I have four now,' " Freddy Rivera said. "I was so happy. Now I feel so sad."

At the pool Monday, Michele Rivera's search for Amariah took her around the shallow end and toward the playground before her daughter was found floating facedown. As a father of four, Freddy Rivera said, it frightens him to know how quickly a child can leave the sight of even the most attentive parent.

"She tried her best to make a nice day out of it for her kids," Rivera said. "It was a hot day."

Rivera said the family is planning a funeral to be held in Lowell, Mass., either tomorrow or Friday.

Firefighters stood by yesterday afternoon as water drained from the Keach Park pool. A teddy bear and two stuffed rabbits rested by the fence; flowers were woven among the chain links. A few children played on the nearby playground.

Jim Howard, deputy city manager for finance, declined to comment on how much liability exposure the city would have from the incident.

"Obviously, that happened on our premises, so that question is a legitimate question," he said. "But we really don't know enough about this at this point in time."

The city carries general liability insurance through the New Hampshire Municipal Association Property-Liability Trust, Howard said.

The pool was well below its capacity of 100 people when the incident occurred about 2 p.m., he said. And it had more lifeguard coverage than usual, because the regular closing of the city's other four pools allowed a third guard to work at the pool that day. All city lifeguards are Red Cross-certified, he said. The lifeguards on the scene Monday received counseling yesterday, he said.

Summer's Over

2009-08-19T15:56:00.000-04:00

Back to work :(

Can't sleep...

2009-08-17T23:48:00.001-04:00

A 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead today after witnesses found her floating in a public swimming pool.

The girl was floating face-down in 2 feet of water at the Keach Park pool in Concord, according to a woman who said she pulled the girl out of the water. Lifeguards performed CPR but were unable to resuscitate her, the woman said.

"I keep crying. I keep thinking about it,"the woman, Sylinda Wetherbee, said last night. "I can't imagine losing a child."

Police said the girl was from Chichester. Officials declined to release her name.

Wetherbee, 44, who lives in Warren, said there were three lifeguards on duty and about 30 people in the pool when she saw the girl floating near the shallow end. The girl's arms were out, "but her feet went straight down,"Wetherbee said.

"It didn't look right, so I just jumped up,"Wetherbee said. "I don't know why. I just jumped up and ran toward her."

Another woman reached into the water and grabbed the girl, Wetherbee said, "but she did not have the strength to actually pull her out, so I did."

The girl was unresponsive. Wetherbee said she called for the lifeguards to come over and help.

An ambulance arrived within minutes, she said. Police said they were called to the scene at 1:56 p.m. Concord Fire Department paramedics transported the girl to Concord Hospital.

In a statement, the Concord Police Department said it was investigating "the circumstances surrounding this incident."Investigators yesterday were waiting for the state Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause of death.

Concord had planned on closing all of its pools for the season last Friday, but officials recently decided to keep the pools open for a few extra days due to the "wet, cool start of the pool season,"according to the city's Web site. An announcement on the site said the Keach Park pool and two others would remain open until today.

Poor girl, her family, and the lifeguards. They did what they were trained to do... so sad...

2009-08-17T18:34:00.002-04:00

Girl, 3, Dies After Being Pulled From Concord Pool
Lifeguards Perform CPR After Girl Spotted Floating Facedown

A 3-year-old girl drowned in a Concord swimming pool on Monday, despite efforts from bystanders and lifeguards.

Police said the Chichester girl was pulled from a swimming pool in Keach Park on Loudon Road. Witness Sylinda Wetherbee said she saw the girl floating in the water, facedown.

"I looked over and I saw this little girl facedown, and myself and another woman ran at the same time, and she got down there before me and she reached down and grabbed the little girl," Wetherbee said. "I reached in and grabbed the little girl from her, flipped her over, thinking it might have just happened and the water would come out, and it didn't."

Wetherbee said the pool was packed at the time, and three lifeguards were on duty to oversee a crowd trying to beat the intense heat. Two lifeguards performed CPR on the girl while a third called 911.

Police officers responding to the pool also treated the girl, who was transferred to Concord Hospital by Concord Fire Department paramedics. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

An investigation is under way, and anyone with information was asked to call police at 603-225-8600.Tell Us More: E-mail WMUR your tips and story ideas.
Copyright 2009 by WMUR.

An American Crime

2009-08-11T00:31:00.001-04:00

Did anyone see the movie “An American Crime?” It was as stomach turning as the book “A Boy Called It.” The very sad fact of the story is that it is based on a true story that happened in the 1960s and all of the court testimony was the actual court testimony. At one point, I had to turn of the volume and fast forward a bit because I couldn’t take it. I think I tightened my abs watching this because it was so stomach turning, my literal stomach as all tightened up. I’m not recommending as a have to see movie, but if you like to watch stuff based on true stories and can handle watching abuse, then see it. It wasn’t entertainment but it was like driving by a car crash, you don’t want to see anything horrid but you can’t stop looking.

Going up to hug my little girl now...

Lock Your Doors

2009-08-06T00:30:00.003-04:00

On Monday night there was a Dateline NBC about murders. The title of the show is A Stranger in the House. If you didn't see it, one of those murdered women was Monica my sister-in-laws best friend. She was a sweetheart beautiful girl, you can see pictures of her on the video. You will also see my sister-in-law talking, the one with the dark hair in the middle, in the second part of the videos. It is like six videos. Chilling and gruesome murders.

But the point of watching it is that the kind of horrific things that we see on television actually happens to real people. If there is a lesson in this horrible tragedy that my sister-in-law and brother would like people to take away from this is to LOCK YOUR DOORS! Seriously, especially up here in the great white north people do not lock their doors.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/

Check out her story, she was so lovely. And please LOCK UP! Always Don't leave the door open for anyone. Wake up when they get there. Okay? Ok. Good night.

Rain, Rain, Are You Freakin’ Kiddin’ Me???

2009-08-02T23:50:00.005-04:00

It is bad up here, well when we can’t get to our fishing spot, or our fishing spot is no longer there – then it is bad! We took some pictures today of where the river should NOT be... enjoy.

Our Path!!!

I'm hungry...

2009-08-01T16:22:00.001-04:00

I really miss meat. But I'm supporting my kid. We are going to make our own pizza tonight. Yum.

The New Vegetarians

2009-07-30T00:57:00.002-04:00

Today my eight year old turned vegetarian. She hasn't been eating well lately, so I offer her anything and she turns it down. My anything is a lot of meat though. Today she said she doesn't want to eat anything that had to die to feed her. She was disappointed to find out that pepperoni came from a pig but willing to give that up. She also informed me that being a vegetarian was better for the environment. I know that it is true but I wonder how she did. I'll ask her tomorrow.

I didn't want to encourage or discourage, because unfortunately I have a freezer full of meat! Of course. But if she is going to be a vegetarian I can't eat meat in front of her, that would be quite unsupportive. I was a vegetarian for three years in high school, well until I had Big Mac attack. That Big Mac made me sooo sick, but I figured I couldn't be a hypocrite. Now I am a major carnivore! I just don't think about where the food came from just how it tastes.

I drove her to the farm stand and she picked out green beans, tomatoes, and a potato. She ate the beans and the tomatoes raw in a vege taco and then had mashed potatoes. Later I took her to the supermarket to get nuts and seeds. We'll see what she eats with that. She bought sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and trail mix. As long as she gets her protein it'll be ok.

Later she talked about being a vegetarian again and said that she didn't want animals to die to feed her because everytime an animal dies a little piece of her dies inside like her cells or veins. I told her veins don't die they just clog up, but cells do die. Beyond that if a little piece of her dies inside now I can NO way eat meat in front of her. I am hoping that I lose some weight not eating meat...

Hooray for the Sea Otters!

2009-07-28T21:53:00.003-04:00

The Sea Otter Research and Recovery Act passed in the House this afternoon! Yay! It supports research and recovery for the little otters. Of course now it has to pass the House. If you want to check it out www.seaotters.org. The sea otter is the largest species of the weasel family and the smallest marine mammal. I've never seen one because I've never been to the Pacific, but aren't they cute!

Weird Weather

2009-07-26T22:37:00.004-04:00

If you have been in New England this summer you have no doubt about serious climate changes. This has been the weirdest weather ever. Today there was a huge thunderstorm with torrential rain and the sun was out. I still don't even have my air conditioners in the windows and July is almost over. Today it was humid after the storm however, I might have turned it on for a bit if it was in. But we really don't need it. I wonder if it is going to be 100 degrees in September. Who even knows what is going to happen. If the summers are getting cooler that's truly started and the winters are getting warmer it should be a mild winter.

I don't have anything deep to say, I just wish I had an electric car. Don't you feel guilty everytime you drive? I do. And everytime I fill up. Even though it's not $4 a gallon anymore we still use too much gas. I think people stopped caring so much when the price went back down...

Whatever happened to the "Give a Hoot Don't Pollute" owl. The Forest Service should bring him back!

National Health Care gets my vote!

2009-07-23T00:13:00.002-04:00

Jimmy Kimmel cracks me up! Did everyone watch our President Obama on health care tonight? He was good, to the point. I believe in national health care myself, while I was on welfare going to college I had Medicaid and it was wonderful. They covered whatever I needed no questions. I didn't have dental care but beggers can't be choosers. Anyway back to Jimmy he says the President gave a brief address tonight. Then they edited the President, "Good evening everyone. I have great health insurance. Good night." And he left the podium. It was a riot. Or maybe I'm just tired...

Sharing is Caring...

2009-07-22T00:05:00.003-04:00

Playing Monopoly tonight I learned that my highly competetive daughter is very giving. When she picked a community chest card and received $20 as an income tax return she insisted on splitting it with me. That it so nice. I hope when she is older and files her own taxes she'll split her return with me, ha ha. After all I pretty much split mine with her...

I love Monopoly - where else is my kid going to learn to give change for a $500 bill!

Captain Hogwash...

2009-07-10T22:39:00.002-04:00

We Miss You. Captain Hogwash we sincerely miss your wonderful blog. I kept hoping it was just a mistake and you'd be back. No such luck!

Here's hoping that you and yours are all well, safe, and extremely happy. I hope that you have found something so incredible over there in NZ that you don't have time to blog anymore!

Best wishes.

Even at 40 I learn new things!

2009-07-08T11:23:00.002-04:00

Today's life lesson - when your cactus is falling - LET IT FALL!!!
Do not catch it!!

Where are those tweezers?

In case you didn't get the President's 4th of July email...

2009-07-05T01:02:00.003-04:00

Email from our President -

This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.

Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.

Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.

Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.

As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.

So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.

With very best wishes,

President Barack Obama

July 4th, 2009

P.S. -- Our nation's birthday is also an ideal time to consider serving in your local community. You can find many great ideas for service opportunities near you at http://www.serve.gov.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-05T00:20:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone had a great fourth of July. Happy Birthday America. My fourth was quite shitty, literally - I stepped in dog crap at my girlfriends wonderful party so I took off my flip flop and I was good. Then I stepped in another landmine and guess what, um no shoe on - squish. And it got on my pants cuff, gross. So I had to borrow pants and flops. Man. The rest of the party and fireworks was fine.

When I got home however there was a huge dead bluejay on my welcome mat. Welcome my ass. I screamed like a girl, for lack of a better expression, three times. I had almost stepped on that, that goodness I didn't. Damn cat, what the hell that pisses me off. The natural cycle is not excuse either because she didn't eat it. I guess it was a present but I could have lived without it. I hope all of this wasn't a bad omen, and the blue jay on the mat hasn't but a pox on my house!

I did get to see my ex-fiance and that went well, and someone I loved and haven't seen in ten years. And I was so proud and happy. So I am blessed for that and shit on every other way.

I hope everyone's fourth wasn't as crappy as mine! My jeans are soaking in the sink, off to the laundrymat tomorrow... Good night.

Wow it's been a whole month, sorry... Cookie Alert!

2009-07-02T02:00:00.003-04:00

If you've seen me in person you may be able to tell by my stylish physical form, hee hee, that YES I am on Nestle tollhouse's email list. Of course! In case you aren't I wanted every one to know that they are recalling their refrigerated cookie dough because of e-coli. This stuff is so great for moms. Everyone thinks you baked all day but you didn't. Here is a copy of what they emailed to me:

We want to keep you informed of the latest information regarding the situation with NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Cookie Dough. Nestlé continues to work closely and in full cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its ongoing investigation. Unfortunately, on Monday, June 29, Nestlé was informed by the FDA that it confirmed evidence of E. coli 0157:H7 in a sample of our refrigerated cookie dough (for more details please see our press release on www.VeryBestBaking.com). We are very concerned about those who have become ill from E. coli, and deeply regret that this has occurred.

Nestlé was first made aware of the FDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) investigation late Wednesday, June 17. Less than 24 hours later, we made the decision to voluntarily withdraw all of our retail NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Cookie Dough from the marketplace because the safety of our customers has always been and will continue to be our number one priority. We announced the voluntary recall on Friday morning, June 19.

As we have stated before, you can rest assured that no other NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® products are impacted, including already baked NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® cookies purchased outside the home, all varieties of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® morsels, chocolate baking bars, or cocoa, and Dreyer's and Edy's ice cream products with NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® cookie dough ingredients.

We are asking that if you have any unused NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough at home that you return it to your local grocer for a refund. I would also like to ask you for your support by helping us spread the word to your friends and family and remind them that raw cookie dough should not be eaten.

Please visit VeryBestBaking.com for regular updates or contact Nestlé Consumer Services with questions at 1-800-559-5025. I will continue to send you updates as we learn more.

*Did you see that they don't want you eating raw cookie dough. I say well then don't make it, because it is delicious! Although now that I have matured, a little tiny bit, I do not take a spoon to the whole raw roll and eat it anymore! Ha ha, those were the days.

I have taken my stand for the cookie, don't abandon the toll house, just make your own!

Why do they even ask us?

2009-05-31T10:41:00.001-04:00

My daughter is on PBS kids, “Mom, what is another name for a puma a mountain lion or a lynx?”

“I don’t know honey, it could be either one, they are all similar. I think it is the lynx...”

“...Okay I got it right. It’s a mountain lion Mom.”

“Well, didn’t you get it wrong because you put in lynx like I just told you?"

“No Mom, if I listened to you I would have been wrong, I put in mountain lion.”

-Why does she ask when she is clearly so much smarter! Ha Ha

12 POUNDS DOWN!!!!

2009-05-28T16:46:00.002-04:00

Did I already tell you? Yay. I want to take out a full page ad in the paper, but alas I am too frugal to waste my dough.

Diet tip: At almost 200 calories for one serving (1/2 cup) of Ben & Jerry’s low fat frozen yogurt, you could get the same serving of Breyer’s ice cream for 70 less calories.

I say eat two Tablespoons of the real stuff. My new love, the teeny tiny Haagen Daz ice-cream cups, they are 16 grams of fat. I eat half. It is only a few bite, but those few bites are heavenly.

My new goal to lose 12 more pounds without giving up ice-cream. Hee Hee

Turbo Jam is Jammin'

2009-05-17T19:22:00.001-04:00

I have started exercising again, and I am hopeing for better results this time than the jogging last summer and fall, and better results than The Gazelle this winter. Which I sold! I have finally found an exercise program that I like. I purchased the Turbo Jam DVD's and they are incredible. I HAVE FINALLY FOUND AN EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT I LOVE, CAN TOLERATE, WELL CAN GET MYSELF TO DO EVERYDAY! And that is a miracle. I just got her new DVD Punch, Kick, Jam and that is even better than the first set. You wear weighted gloves in that one.

When I was in high school I was thrown out of a Jazzercise class for not trying and insulting the teacher. The sad thing was that I really, really was trying. I don't know, they were going right I was going left, they were up, I was down. So it is not my age, I am not too coordinated from birth. The nice thing with this video is I can keep up. It took a couple days to get each of the routines, but I was sweating my butt off (literally) trying!

I recommend this exercise program to people who don't like to exercise like me. For someone who can't lose weight, or hasn't been about to since I had my thyroid removed a year and a half ago, I have lost 12 pounds. Yes twelve! I have also lost five inches from my waist since 4/8/09. Yeah 5 isn't that insane. I'm not walking around in half shirts yet, and I have a long way to go but feel like I have pushed over the retaining wall or something, and if I eat too much one day I add an extra workout. I take one day a week off, and feel great! Whoo Hoo, I even have more energy.

Now I am going to working on sleeping 7 or 8 hours a day, which is hard but may help my weight loss too.

Go out and get your Turbo Jam with Chalene Johnson and have fun and tone up!

Fishing Update

2009-05-11T20:29:00.002-04:00

Well - I have shattered my fly rod. I don't know how. I was trying to imitate Robert Redford in A River Runs Through It, in a fast river on a very windy day. The pole separates into section and right above where the bottom section slides in the pole cracked and split. It is weird because it didn't split in half like you would think but it got lots of splits up and down. I wonder if I didn't have it in tight enough... Usually Shakespeare makes good products.

I think this year we may have to stick to regular rods and reels and try fly fishing at a later time. The kids flypole set was $79.99 at Walmart, and if I need a new pole too, it's going to be too much. Next year after we buy a house, we will definitely try fly fishing. I still want to get big rubber boots so we can stand in the river though. I'll go in barefoot or in little sneakers and my girl will wear her water shoes, the bottom is too icky for her without htem. But that is in like July, when the water finally warms up from all of the snow meltoff from the northern mountains.

Happy Fishing!

Happy Mother's Day Mothers!

2009-05-10T22:20:00.002-04:00

My mother's day was fantastic, my mother was even visiting for the weekend! We all went to brunch. It was fun. I love being a mom, I think Mother's Day is my new favorite holiday. Well, besides my birthday of course, which I think should be a national holiday and last a week! The older your kids get the better it is. My daughter hid a card under my pillow, made me a cool black, grey, and white graphic picture. Yes, laminated, thank you to Mrs. W. She made me an awesome T-shirt at Michael's arts and crafts. They had something each night last week for kids to make things for their moms. She also made me a coupon book, one night without dishes, hugs, and a breakfast in bed. I'm using my breakfast in bed next Saturday, for sure!

I hope all of the moms of the world had a wonderful day full of love too!

Vacation Update

2009-04-27T17:41:00.000-04:00

No Fish!

Tid Bits from Our Vacation

2009-04-23T18:57:00.000-04:00

Did you know that President Obama is handed a purple folder everyday and the contents of that folder is ten letters from the American public. That is so cool!

I had all my wisdom teeth pulled two days ago. I am quite swollen in the jowls, or actually, I now have jowls. It feels so weird, like there are teeth missing! Ha Ha. But it actually feels like big holes, I didn’t think I’d miss them that much. It was so brutal getting them out too, the dentist did it right in the office with Novocain, which did save me money. Sometimes I don’t think things through I guess, but I didn’t know that he would actually physically pull out my teeth. I thought there was a machine or something; after all, we are a high tech society. Nevertheless, no, he just pushed and pulled and wiggled, it took about 15 minutes for each tooth. Even the doctor was exhausted it seemed by the end.
Hmmm, I hope I remain an intelligent woman without my wisdom teeth...

Tomorrow we are going fishing! First time this year! I am not such a crazy fisherwoman that I enjoy ice fishing or fishing in cold weather. It should be 65 tomorrow, and that is me. We were going to learn to fly fish this season, but we might need to put htat on the back burner. I have a fly pole but my baby doesn’t. She would need a little one, six feet at the most. The beginner fly-fishing kit for kids at the Wal-Mart is $79.99. That is a lot of money because we don’t know if she’ll be able to do it or like it. Plus, we’d need rubber boots at least, if not waders. It is somewhat disappointing. We were going to tie our own flies; we got a kit at a yard sale. I think I’ll wait and see if a pole for her comes up at a yard sale this year. Oh, and I went to the Fly Fishing Outfitters store in town, and the cheapest pole was $350. For that price it better not only catch the fish, but clean and cook ‘em too!

The good news – we are officially looking for a house. We’ve been to the bank, we just can’t afford that much on my salary. We saw one for $90,000 I was so excited. I told my girl not to get that way, and then I did. Silly me. It was a house in disguise; yeah you guessed it, a trailer in a house suit. The addition on the back was sloping right down; the wood on the windows was rotted. It was a house that would have needed a great deal of money to be livable. I’m a bit handy, but not that handy. I was sadly disappointed. $90,000 houses for sale are few and far between here.

Can you believe the Florida Franck’s Pharmacy killed those 21 polo ponies? Unbelievable.

The mom who dropped her kids off on the road and was arrested, seems to me to be blown out of proportion. When you say you are going to do something, you are supposed to do it. She dropped off her fighting 10 and 12-year-old girls in White Plains, New York. My dad dropped me off once on the highway, and then picked me right up but if you are going to threaten it, you’re supposed to do it. The mom spent the night in jail for it, is that the parenting police? It didn’t seem like a shady neighborhood, but I was raised when at ten we could go wherever and be fine. This is a different world I guess. See, it just goes to show rich lawyers don’t know any better than anyone else does – a mad mom is a mad mom.

Other than that we have just been cleaning and cleaning. I will still have to pack up so much stuff it’s not funny. But I cleaned the garage, had a yard sale and got things a bit organized and toned down. Fishing tomorrow, no cleaning, nothing that’s not fun! I need a vacation day on this vacation week.

Be peaceful.

Faux Robbery

2009-04-14T22:19:00.000-04:00

I was fake robbed today. No, I’m serious. I’m calling it my faux robbery. I was teaching my second block when a call came through from my neighbor that she woke up at 9:30ish and her front door was wide open. Thinking it strange of course, she came out and saw my door was wide open too. Things in the house were a bit messy, but the neighbor’s cat had been in there frolicking with mine. Why not, my locked door was open! I raced home and couldn’t find anything missing, but I only had a few minutes before I had to turn around and go back. My computer, laptop, camera, were okay. My television is a 400 pound old monster of the first flat screen kind, so no one could even steal that. After I returned to work, my boss asked if I checked my jewelry. Duh, after worrying all day, I came home and couldn’t find two gorgeous rings my fellow teacher had given me for my fortieth. I had the opal I bought myself on thank goodness. Anyway, it turns out that the property owner found one of the vacant apartment’s front doors wide open too. We did call the police and they don’t know. Maybe kids skipping school? Who knows?

I know I shouldn’t complain because as far as I know nothing has been stolen. Also one of the living room curtain rods was pulled down, actually the screw for the rod was pulled right out of the sheetrock. I have to wonder if someone thought that was the back door. Not being robbed has been so stressful! I know it is crazy but if they had stolen something at least I would know why whomever was in my house. What kind of craziness is going on? I wonder if they stole something to eat. I wouldn’t really know I don’t think. Even if they sat down and ate a bowl of cereal, I wouldn’t know. I’d probably wash the bowl and think it was my girls. My ship isn’t run that tightly.
Well that was my day. I hope everyone else had a stress free day!

My Confession...

2009-04-10T15:50:00.000-04:00

I have a confession to make. I think I’m a helicopter mom. That is what teachers call moms who hover above their kids, are always calling and emailing, are involved in absolutely everything to the point of annoyance. Well I’m one of them.

The last two nights we have had Passover Seders. The night before I had a doctor’s appointment (where she did her math work), Monday afternoon a dental cleaning, etc., so it’s been a busy, busy week. We forgot to do homework. She has to bring it in on Fridays, and we couldn’t even find the folder it’s supposed to go in and I had to get to work. The punishment for not doing your homework is that you can’t go out for recess. She was so devastated, she said, “I’ll never breathe fresh air again!” Very dramatic, but very effective on the mother, hee hee. I felt so bad leaving a crying upset kid and goint off to work.

On my way to work I tried to call the teacher to say that it is all mom’s fault and she is upset that we don’t know where her homework is. The teacher wasn’t in yet, and the principal answered the phone. I asked for the teacher and he said my NAME! Ahhh, he knows my voice. I think I call too much; I’m one of those moms that the teacher’s complain about! Oh no! Hello, I am a helicopter mom, and apparently, I’m good at it.

Thank you soldiers.

2009-03-31T22:11:00.003-04:00

I just watched a heartwrenching movie, Grace is Gone with John Cusack. A dad has to tell his daughters that their mother was killed in Iraq. It makes you think of how many people all over the world have to have these conversations with children, that their parent isn't coming home because of insane terrorists who have no care for who they hurt.

Thank you to all of the soldiers everywhere! Thank you for keeping us safe and putting yourselves at risk everyday.

Thank you!

2009-03-26T21:00:00.003-04:00

I just want to tell the world what a wonderful bunch of friends and neighbors I have. Thank you everyone.

My daughter had the horrid stomach bug that's going around and was sent home last week from school and she's been home ever since. Well home as in at all the friends and neighbors, thank you all for letting my little one come over before seven and lay on your couches and beds and watch TV, rest, read for the day. Thank you for sitting at my apartment so I could run to the store. Thank you for the rides for her. Thanks to my first block for their kindness and funniness when she had to come to school with me. The good news is although her tummy hurt still this morning, when she felt better she went to school for the afternoon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will get on that bus in the morning, poor little thing.

One lesson I've learned since I became a single mom, learned again after my surgery, and was just reminded of this week, sometimes you have to ask for and accept help. Thank you everyone for the help!

Photos of the Baby Shower Crafts!

2009-03-24T22:09:00.008-04:00

Finally located my memory card from the camera, duh. It is so tiny, I should never take that out. But it is so convenient that you can pop it right into the laptop and not use the cord.

Okay the highly anticipated baby shower crafts I made for my godson's girls baby shower:

Flower Pot Painted and Ribbons Glued on, flowers are clothes rolled up, dowels painted green, construction paper leaves. Flowers were a bathing suit, two onesie type outfits-one long sleeve and one short sleeve, the big pink ones are actually a sweatsuit, socks, and little washclothes.

Teddy Bear Made of Towels, 2 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels, 4 Washcloths

Diaper Cake

Our killer cute cupcakes, the duckys on top we made with chocolate molds.

All of these ideas are my interpretation of ideas from Woman's Day, and different websites. Let me not take all of the credit. All of my gifts doubled as decorations, great baby shower idea! Double the fun.

Bucket o'duckies we gave out as party favors. We tied pink ribbons around the cute little duckies necks.

Let's all do this!!!

2009-03-19T15:27:00.002-04:00

Earth Hour 2009
On March 28, at 8:30 pm local time, one billion people will go dark for Earth Hour. World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.

Already hundreds of icons and landmarks around the world have signed up to turn their lights off for Earth Hour 2009 including - the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sydney Opera House, Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens and The London Eye, among many others.

*my only question is when in local time, or it would be lights off in one time zone at a time I guess...

For my NZ friends, you rock!
March 10, 2009: At precisely 8.30pm on March 28 the diesel generators will be switched off on the Chatham Islands, a small archipelago off the east coast of New Zealand, heralding the start of the greatest community event the world has ever witnessed - Earth Hour 2009.

As the first country to flick the switch for the global event, WWF New Zealand's Earth Hour organiser, Dairne Poole sees her country as playing a vital role in Earth Hour’s journey to reach one billion people in over 1,000 cities, across 25 time zones.

"New Zealand will be the first country in the world to turn its lights off for Earth Hour 2009 with 43 councils and local bodies taking part. Even though we are a small nation, we are setting an important example for others to witness and hopefully follow," says Ms Poole.

The global wave of participation will gather momentum through Asia Pacific with major cities such as Sydney, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Mumbai and Delhi dimming the lights as millions flick the switch to express their concern for the planet.

This is so great I am putting a link to the Earth Hour website over in Links I Love.

What is wrong with people?

2009-03-10T18:20:00.000-04:00

Some days I just can’t watch the news, did you hear about his mother who made her daughter stand on a piece of tape in one spot in the living room in just underwear and socks from 3 pm when she returned home from school until 3 am. She would spray her with water and keep a fan on her to keep her awake. When she wasn’t doing this she had her locked in her room with the heat duct taped over so she had no heat, with no clothes or blankets or anything. This kid it said was 10 and she got bruises just from standing still, imagine that. Plus, who know how long she’s been going this. What the f is wrong with people? Now why can’t the judge punish the mother as she punished her child? That bitch was smiling in court and waving at people, she has no idea what kind of torture she put her child through, and someone ought to do it to her. Jail is too kind.

Best cup of coffee I ever had

2009-03-03T22:23:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I had the best cup of coffee I have ever had. My girl won a $10 gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts at the baby shower on Sunday (I will post pictures of my crafts for it tomorrow). She wanted to use it for a donut and decided quite on her own to buy me a cup of coffee too. She said she wanted to treat because I always treat! It was a delicious cup of coffe purchased especially for me by my seven year old. Yum. Life really is good!

I’d like to thank The Academy...

2009-02-24T01:44:00.009-05:00

...for an evening of great entertainment. I did not know Hugh Jackman can sing, but he did a great job, very entertaining. Hugh was looking good too, sorry Matthew McConoughey my love. I'm telling you when I win a bunch of money I think I'll take a trip over to Australia and look for a date. All of these Australians are amazing!
I can’t say there were many incredible dresses this year; I wonder if we were toning down because of the economy? Of all the dresses of the night, Halle Berry had the number one dress of the night. Penelope Cruz had the second best dress of the night; it was a sixty-year-old antique dress. I think it would have been an incredible wedding dress actually. Now Reese Witherspoon (love her) was her dress on backwards? Just kidding the dress was gorgeous, except for those black sash strap things, what were they all about? Love to the Queen but what the hell did she have on, it was too much, too much fabric, too much royal blue, too many ruffles, just way too much. Alicia Keyes, who I love to listen to, looked amazing too, as did Angelina Jolie. Her earings were incredible, were they real emeralds? Gorgeous.

All fashion aside, okay almost, what in the hell happened to Mickey Rourke? He was so hot back in the day. I had to Google it and he had plastic surgery. Well, I just hope he sued. For real. And then that white tux with the black cowboy boots and the shades, really, as if enough attention wasn’t going to be on him for his nomination. Because if that look was supposed to be cool, well excuse the rest of us we are just not striving to be that cool.

Before and After

Okay most memorable moments, I had two. The first was when the screenplay writer of Milk was giving his acceptance speech and spoke to the gay children who have been told they were not as good (I can’t remember his exact words) but that they were important. It was important what he said, teenagers who know they are gay have such a hard time if someone doesn’t let them know they are okay and needed just the way they are. That was my favorite moment. The second memorable moment for me was when the singer/songwriter from Slumdog Millionaire was giving one of his acceptance speeches and he said that all of his life he had a choice between hate and love and he chose love and here he was. “Nuff said, right! Love on!

Oh I can’t talk about memorable moments without mentioning Heath Ledger’s family, that was so heartbreaking. I loved Heath Ledger, especially in Brokeback Mountain, what an incredible actor he was. His family was so poised and demonstrated to us all grace in loss and celebration.

Did you see the man balance the Oscar on his chin? What was that all about? That was a little ridiculous, I think, but completely normal compared to Ben Stiller’s performance. Ben, seriously, what the hell were you doing, just present the darned award because you were not funny. Not funny! Natalie Portman though looked gorgeous. I love her so much, did you see her in the Wal-Mart baby movie; she was so good in that. That is my secret cheesiest favorite movie of all time! Anyway, I felt bad she had to present an award with Ben Stiller, but she gets kudos for the funniest joke of the night. She told him he looked like he worked in a Hasidic Meth lab. Ha Ha Ha. I’m still laughing when I think of it! Great awards this year! I like everyone else, loved that the old winners presented the new people with their nominations, which was well done. My kid and I enjoyed watching although she fell asleep early, it was a great TV night.

My Email from the our kick ass Pres. Thought you'd like to read!!

2009-02-18T18:06:00.001-05:00

Rachel --

Today, I signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.

This is a historic step -- the first of many as we work together to climb out of this crisis -- and I want to thank you for your resolve and your support.

You organized thousands of house meetings. You shared your ideas and personal stories. And you informed your friends and neighbors about the need for immediate action. You continue to be a powerful voice for change throughout the country.

The recovery plan will create or save 3.5 million jobs, provide tax cuts for working and middle-class families, and invest in health care and clean energy.

It's a bold plan to address a huge problem, and it will require my vigilance and yours to make sure it's done right.

I've assigned a team of managers to oversee the implementation of the recovery act. We are committed to making sure no dollar is wasted. But accountability begins with you.

That's why my administration has created Recovery.gov, a new website where citizens can track every dollar spent and every job created. We'll invite you and your neighbors to weigh in with comments and questions.

Our progress will also be measured by the tens of thousands of personal stories submitted by people who are struggling to make ends meet. If you haven't already, you can read stories from families all across the country:

http://my.barackobama.com/yourstories

Your stories are the heart of this recovery plan, and that's what I'll focus on every day as President.

With your continued support, we'll emerge a stronger and more prosperous nation.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Wow

2009-02-15T01:10:00.002-05:00

Do you know what I just realized?
Yes, I am kinda slow sometimes...

But - The President of the United States spoke at my college graduation!!!

Um, Yes I do rock that much!

So do all of you. Happy VD Day!

Do something unexpected and kind for someone else this week, hey you never know...

Tear Jerker

2009-02-12T22:23:00.002-05:00

I recommend to girls Nights in Rodanthe. It was such a tear jerker. It made me think about love, maybe someday, someway I'll meet someone again, no matter how long it lasts. Maybe, scary...

War of the Water Purifiers

2009-02-06T22:26:00.003-05:00

Well, the war of the water purifiers is over and we have a clear winner! The Britta faucet mount water filter is on the faucet and the Pur water filter is in the dump.

Since the first day we put the Pur water filter on the sink it would pour water out the little tiny oval shaped window on the front. The Pur website stated that you should seal it with silicone. Funny they knew that and kept selling them unsealed. Why didn’t they seal the little window with silicone at the factory? The refills for the Pur are 19 dollars each and the refills for the Britta are 27 dollars for two. It’s not much, but it’s less. They both cost the same amount to begin with about 20 dollars. I was ready to throw out the Pur piece of junk and saw the Britta at Home Depot with a mail in rebate for $10. I will be mailing that out tomorrow. The only downfall of the Britta is that it drips a bit after you turn it off on the filtered setting, but it’s better than squirting out all over me.

Yay Britta, Nay Pur. And that is the news from the war of the water filters!

Good news

2009-02-05T21:45:00.002-05:00

Oh excellent news, the website I have listed as very funny in the Links I Love section,

In the Motherhood

is going to be a television show starting in March. The website clips are hysterical, so I have to assume the show is going to be a riotous hit. Excellent.

The Chocolate Cake Story

2009-02-03T19:15:00.005-05:00

We went to the Outback and they no longer have my favorite dessert, so the waitress told me to write an email because everyone was saying they were disappointed and maybe they'd bring the dessert back. So I did, feeling silly and writerly I wrote the following email:
"We went on down to our favorite restaurant, The Outback, as hungry as bears. We had the most delicious dinner imaginable and then were ready to satisfy our sweet tooth for dessert. I don't think you can imagine our dismay to find out our favorite item had been removed from the menu. NO CHOCOLATE TOWER! It was as if the whole experience was suddenly sour and the dinners we had didn't even taste good anymore. The chocolate tower is one of the best reasons for even going to The Outback, you save calories for days to go eat that. It is the best treat ever! Or at least it was. The Outback doesn't even sound exciting anymore knowing you can't top of your meal with the king of special chocolate treats. In the spirit of trying to be good Outback customers, after we whined and cried to the server (who shared our dismay), we order the new Peanut Nutter Butter Pie thing and the carrot cake. Well the carrot cake is good, it's no chocolate tower and is probably not worth the calories like the tower was, but the Nutter Butter Pie thing - yuck! Was the person who decided to replace the tower with that strangely textured unpallatable pie mad as us as customers? On a diet? Fighting with his or her spouse? Or perhaps got an expensive unwarranted speeding ticket on the way to work that day? Please don't punish us for your bad day. I beseech you to bring back the Chocolate Tower. Outback = Chocolate Tower - they just go together! Thank you for listening."

Well I got a response from my Outback restaurant. They are not putting it back on the menu, bummer. But, they shipped a CASE of this cake from North Carolina or someplace and it is in the freezer for me. They are so crazy! I can't tell them I just went on a diet. We actually went last weekend and had a piece. It is so insane and funny! I am now VIP at the Ouback, for cake anyway :) And seriously that pie really isn't good. I kind of feel like an ass now though... Hee Hee Hee

Cool Colors

2009-01-28T10:19:00.002-05:00

I was at the periodontists getting my teeth cleaned yesterday and the lovely technician is talking to my daughter. She asks about her favorite class which she tells her is art and they are making homemade journals. My little girl tells her she is using warm colors on hers, oranges, yellows, pinks and reds. The technician (I call her this because she is more than a hygienist) goes on to ask my daughter then, “Well, what are the cool colors?” My daughter responds, “Hmmm, the coolest colors I think are the pink and the white and then I can blend them together and that makes a pretty cool color too.” I had to wait to laugh until she removed the instruments from my mouth. The technician was laughing too, well she asked. We didn’t explain what she was really asking, because hey, pink and white are very cool colors, whatever… it’s cool.

Midterm Anxiety

2009-01-21T22:06:00.003-05:00

My Freshman are freaking out a bit this week before their first official high school exams. The proof is two kids called me 'Mom' and one kid called me 'Ms. Paragraph!' It was so funny.

I'm so excited!

2009-01-19T19:14:00.002-05:00

Well, tomorrow will begin a huge change in our country. I am so proud to be an American right now, I'm practically gushing. I am lucky enough to work at a school where we had the option of taking our kids down to see the inauguration on the big screen in the auditorium. I can't wait to hear Obama's acceptance speech. I just know we will remember something from it for decades, as we have so many American Presidents inaugural speeches. For example, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

It is so difficult to explain my excitement though and tried with my child today. I think now that Obama will be our President it means anyone who recognizes the value of hard work, perseverance, and who knows that helping others is the best way to help ourselves, can make it to the top in this country. He or she can be a leader no matter what the individual's particular dream may be. I think it shows us that as a country, or even as a human race, we have finally accepted that our diversity is what makes us strong. We accept that we do not all look alike and should not all look alike, that we should have varied experiences in our lifetimes, not cookie cutter existences, and most importantly that we don't have to have the last name of Kennedy, Bush, or even have a family in politics to lead our wonderful country. Obama’s inauguration means to me that my daughter can be a future President of the United States or anything she wants to be, that being raised by a single mom with not a lot of money is no longer an impediment. If a single mother can raise a President any single mother with the desire to help with schoolwork, read with her child, and give her child challenges, hopes, dreams, self-esteem, love, love and more love, will raise a child who can do anything they wish to work hard for. It means any of my high school students, if they work hard and make good decisions, can be whatever they dream.

Of course, all of this could have happened before and could have happened if McCain was President, but money, history, and family power did not win this time. Brains, heart, and perseverance won this time, and we call afford those things no matter who we are. Especially us single mothers with the apartment and car the dream of the house and the better future for our child, we can now start dreaming bigger and better for our children, not that we didn’t before but because now we have proof that the values we strive to convey to our kids work. And not just single mothers, but all mothers. I didn’t vote for Obama because he was raise by a single mother, I voted for Obama because he made me think the status quo could change and dreams can come true.

G-d bless our new President and his family. And G-D BLESS AMERICA!

2009-01-12T22:25:00.002-05:00

Redundant!

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T00:01:00.002-05:00

Wishing all of you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and healthy 2009.