Hyperbole often leads to people actually missing the point.
There was this big hubaloo a couple weeks ago regarding whether or not an Administration trip to India was costing the taxpayers $200 million per day.
The local newspaper included a reprint of Thomas Friedman's op-ed piece (with a new title), "Never Let Facts Get in Way of Bashing Obama."
This column does an excellent job of praising Anderson Cooper for finding the truth (a.k.a. doing his job). The column also does an excellent job of pointing out how shameful it was for House Representative Michele Bachmann to have used the information prior to actually checking the facts (and the subsequent use of the misinformation by conservative radio hosts). "All you can hope is that more people will do what Cooper did - so when the next crazy lie races around the world, people's first instinct will be to doubt it, not repeat it."
I agree, people need to check their facts - that's why truthorfiction.com was created!
Unfortunately, the morale of the story - wasted spending - was completely overlooked by the fact that some moron jacked up the figures.
Anderson Cooper was able to find a ballpark figure on how much the President's trip to India DID cost the taxpayers. Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary, was quoted as saying, "[This trip] is comparable to when President Clinton and when President Bush traveled abroad. This trip does not cost $200 million a day."
Cooper then pointed out that "Clinton's 1998 trip to Africa - with 1300 people and of roughly similar duration, cost, according to the Government Accountability Office and adjusted for inflation, 'about $5.2 million a day."
If the initial reporting regarding the trip to India would have said that the trip was costing the American taxpayer $5.2 million a day, we could have had outrage at the fact that the President was wasting our tax dollars on something extremely superfluous. Unfortunately, the story became about the exaggeration and about malicious journalism aimed at "bashing Obama."
From what I could tell, he spent two nights in India. At $5.2 million per day, that totals at least $10.4 million.
For whatever it's worth, I am outraged that millions of dollars were spent to send the President to India to talk about economic growth (a.k.a. outsourcing). This could have been done over the telephone.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Please Be Smarter Than the Proganda Thrown at You!
Hope for Our Economy is often the message I see in my local newspaper.
I'm all for keeping a positive attitude, but I think these articles are blowing smoke up our collective asses.
The Yahoo article states that "[Unemployment benefit claims] remain near their lowest level in two years." And because of this, and some other convoluted measure of unemployment benefit claims, there is once again "encouragement for the economy."
Really?!
I'm sick and tired of hearing how unemployment benefit claim numbers are improving, and thus signalling an improvement in our economy. To anyone who has half a brain, these numbers don't mean diddly squat.
Why? Because these numbers don't count a plethora of people.
Who? People who are underemployed.
Anyone who took a pay cut (i.e. salaried workers with furlough days).
Anyone who works less hours than they used to (including loss of overtime).
People who are staying at a job they HATE because there are no better options (Military retention at historic highs).
People who are employed less than their skill level (i.e. working as a cashier at the grocery store rather than an accounts payable clerk).
And finally, people whose benefits have run out. (Please notice the first quote above - "lowest level in TWO YEARS." No one gets benefits past two years, so of course there are less benefits been paid.)
It is annoying that the media and the politicians and the economists think the general population is too stupid to know when they are feeding us a bunch of bullshit.
I wish they would just be honest - America's economy is NEVER going to be what it was, and that's OKAY. But that's really a whole different issue :)
I'm all for keeping a positive attitude, but I think these articles are blowing smoke up our collective asses.
The Yahoo article states that "[Unemployment benefit claims] remain near their lowest level in two years." And because of this, and some other convoluted measure of unemployment benefit claims, there is once again "encouragement for the economy."
Really?!
I'm sick and tired of hearing how unemployment benefit claim numbers are improving, and thus signalling an improvement in our economy. To anyone who has half a brain, these numbers don't mean diddly squat.
Why? Because these numbers don't count a plethora of people.
Who? People who are underemployed.
Anyone who took a pay cut (i.e. salaried workers with furlough days).
Anyone who works less hours than they used to (including loss of overtime).
People who are staying at a job they HATE because there are no better options (Military retention at historic highs).
People who are employed less than their skill level (i.e. working as a cashier at the grocery store rather than an accounts payable clerk).
And finally, people whose benefits have run out. (Please notice the first quote above - "lowest level in TWO YEARS." No one gets benefits past two years, so of course there are less benefits been paid.)
It is annoying that the media and the politicians and the economists think the general population is too stupid to know when they are feeding us a bunch of bullshit.
I wish they would just be honest - America's economy is NEVER going to be what it was, and that's OKAY. But that's really a whole different issue :)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thanksgiving Dinner is ON!
When I thought about Thanksgiving earlier this month, I was concerned that I might wake up Thanksgiving morning and just not have the energy to cook a turkey and all the fixings. Plus, knowing that my unemp benefits are coming to an end, I was a little worried about the idea of feeding many people for Thanksgiving. Then, my husband said his co-workers were asking if I was going to cook. Well that just put a little spring in my kick ;) Last year, I so greatly enjoyed providing a meal for some sailors and friends that weren't going to see their families (or just wanted to hang out with us!). I'm really thankful that it impacted some peoples' lives :)
And then today, I opened the Sunday paper to see some AMAZING sales at Ralph's and at Fresh 'N' Easy.
I know this was never meant to be a blog about bargain shopping, but seriously, I am awesome at grocery shopping! I have previously posted evidence of this:
Superwoman
Bargain Shopping
With $68.23, I bought:
39 lbs of turkey
20 lbs of ham
5 lbs rump roast
2 cans evaporated milk
6 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
5 cans chicken broth
2 cans beef broth
3 cans vegetable broth
4 cans Hormel chili
4 boxes stove top
4 lbs butter
4 cans cranberries
1 box hot cocoa
3 cans soup
I think we've got Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and maybe even Easter covered :)
Seriously, Southern California is FULL of transplants! If you don't have family to visit on Thanksgiving, you are more than welcome at the Broussard house :)
Friday, November 12, 2010
The One Thing That's Too Personal to Write About
Over my lifetime, I have written some very personal things on paper because that is how I have processed the emotions.
Over the past few years, I have published a LOT of those things on the Internet because I enjoy writing and sharing my writing.
Over the last couple months, however, the one thing I have not posted much about is my pregnancy.
I have been writing in a journal (when my carpal tunnel allows), but that journal is for my child to read someday.
The best that I can explain it, is that this pregnancy is MINE (and Chris's, of course). But I just don't want every little piece of information broadcast to the world. I do not put a lot of information on Facebook. I do not post my journal writings. I do not talk to anyone but Chris about my fears and joys and intimate moments with the baby.
I'm such an open book about every aspect of my life - my past, my marriage, being a stepparent, my extended family, my work history, whatever. If you have a question, I will answer it - sometimes even before you actually ask it.
But I guess, one of the quirky things that has happened during this pregnancy is that I am not interested in sharing these special moments with anyone but the father of my baby.
It might be superstition, "If I don't show the universe how excited I am, it won't take it away." There might be a little part of me that just cannot handle being inundated with advice and belly pats and opinions.
But my guess is that I just finally found something very personal and extremely sacred and my love and reverence and happiness is mine alone to enjoy.
Over the past few years, I have published a LOT of those things on the Internet because I enjoy writing and sharing my writing.
Over the last couple months, however, the one thing I have not posted much about is my pregnancy.
I have been writing in a journal (when my carpal tunnel allows), but that journal is for my child to read someday.
The best that I can explain it, is that this pregnancy is MINE (and Chris's, of course). But I just don't want every little piece of information broadcast to the world. I do not put a lot of information on Facebook. I do not post my journal writings. I do not talk to anyone but Chris about my fears and joys and intimate moments with the baby.
I'm such an open book about every aspect of my life - my past, my marriage, being a stepparent, my extended family, my work history, whatever. If you have a question, I will answer it - sometimes even before you actually ask it.
But I guess, one of the quirky things that has happened during this pregnancy is that I am not interested in sharing these special moments with anyone but the father of my baby.
It might be superstition, "If I don't show the universe how excited I am, it won't take it away." There might be a little part of me that just cannot handle being inundated with advice and belly pats and opinions.
But my guess is that I just finally found something very personal and extremely sacred and my love and reverence and happiness is mine alone to enjoy.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day
PostSecret chose to honor the Veterans this week by posting a four-minute video of postcards from soldiers and their families.
-----Email-----
I am disappointed that you would allow such a biased video to be presented on such an importantly honest website: one of the few in our world these days. (I even arranged a PostSecret Event at my undergrad institution). There is not a single reference to the horrible death and emotional ravages of war and that's just misinformation.
-----Facebook Comment-----
My husband has done two 12 month tours in Iraq. He made it home safely both times. I thought I was "hardened" to all the heartfelt military stuff, but I started crying at the second postcard. Thank you for reminding me how much joy, pride, patriotism, loneliness, heartbreak, empowerment, frustration, sadness, camaraderie, and LOVE there is in being a military spouse.
The first comment, apparently emailed to PostSecret, is so heartbreaking I cannot even find the words to describe my disgust. Though I am biased, I still don't think it is that difficult to separate support of the men and woman of the military from one's personal opinion regarding war.
The Facebook Comment brings me so many tears of joy, I cannot even find the words to describe my pride in being a MilSpouse.
Our First Separation
Thankful Pride
The Man I Support
-----Email-----
I am disappointed that you would allow such a biased video to be presented on such an importantly honest website: one of the few in our world these days. (I even arranged a PostSecret Event at my undergrad institution). There is not a single reference to the horrible death and emotional ravages of war and that's just misinformation.
-----Facebook Comment-----
My husband has done two 12 month tours in Iraq. He made it home safely both times. I thought I was "hardened" to all the heartfelt military stuff, but I started crying at the second postcard. Thank you for reminding me how much joy, pride, patriotism, loneliness, heartbreak, empowerment, frustration, sadness, camaraderie, and LOVE there is in being a military spouse.
The first comment, apparently emailed to PostSecret, is so heartbreaking I cannot even find the words to describe my disgust. Though I am biased, I still don't think it is that difficult to separate support of the men and woman of the military from one's personal opinion regarding war.
The Facebook Comment brings me so many tears of joy, I cannot even find the words to describe my pride in being a MilSpouse.
Our First Separation
Thankful Pride
The Man I Support
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Best Laid Plans
"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." The famous line, translated to current English from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse," is expertly explained on Dictonary.com as meaning:
"No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it."
As I learned this summer, God always has better plans. (That Freewill Reunion led to the bun in my oven!)
However, often times it sucks when our best laid plans falter. Rarely is it due to anything we did wrong or planned poorly. Sometimes, our plans just fail. Unfair as it may be, sometimes that is just the way it is. There is no rational justification - there is only 20/20 hindsight that maps the choices that led us to this disappointing moment. Unfortunately, hindsight is a tricky bastard that can lead us awry! We need to be careful that hindsight does not lead us to regret perfectly awesome decisions that just somehow did not work out in the end.
It sucks to watch a loved one's best laid plans falter. Especially when you can see that it was not due to poor decisions or faulty planning. It is just one of those unfair shitty life moments. It sucks to be helpless to fix it. It sucks to be only able to say, "Wow. That sucks." Especially when it is someone you really love who truly had perfect plans and some outside force just swoops in and goes Katrina all over their lives. Especially when it is someone you really love who is a really good planner who had really great plans that just spontaneously combusted and the remains have the potential to cause irreversible physical, emotional and spiritual damage on peoples' lives.
How do you lovingly encourage someone through that without sounding like you are down-playing it or worse yet, overreacting? How do you help someone without sounding like you are being condescending or even worse, pitying them? How do you shrug it off and lament with them, all the while encouraging them to find a better solution than the present - knowing full-well that the PERFECT plan is no longer an option? How do you guide a heartbroken individual to a place where they not only accept the hand they have so rudely been dealt but actually convince them to embrace it with doe-eyed optimism, mindful excitement and even curiousity?
"No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it."
As I learned this summer, God always has better plans. (That Freewill Reunion led to the bun in my oven!)
However, often times it sucks when our best laid plans falter. Rarely is it due to anything we did wrong or planned poorly. Sometimes, our plans just fail. Unfair as it may be, sometimes that is just the way it is. There is no rational justification - there is only 20/20 hindsight that maps the choices that led us to this disappointing moment. Unfortunately, hindsight is a tricky bastard that can lead us awry! We need to be careful that hindsight does not lead us to regret perfectly awesome decisions that just somehow did not work out in the end.
It sucks to watch a loved one's best laid plans falter. Especially when you can see that it was not due to poor decisions or faulty planning. It is just one of those unfair shitty life moments. It sucks to be helpless to fix it. It sucks to be only able to say, "Wow. That sucks." Especially when it is someone you really love who truly had perfect plans and some outside force just swoops in and goes Katrina all over their lives. Especially when it is someone you really love who is a really good planner who had really great plans that just spontaneously combusted and the remains have the potential to cause irreversible physical, emotional and spiritual damage on peoples' lives.
How do you lovingly encourage someone through that without sounding like you are down-playing it or worse yet, overreacting? How do you help someone without sounding like you are being condescending or even worse, pitying them? How do you shrug it off and lament with them, all the while encouraging them to find a better solution than the present - knowing full-well that the PERFECT plan is no longer an option? How do you guide a heartbroken individual to a place where they not only accept the hand they have so rudely been dealt but actually convince them to embrace it with doe-eyed optimism, mindful excitement and even curiousity?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
There are no Coincidences
A couple years ago, I heard a gentleman on the radio talking about his book, "Have a New Kid by Friday."
I finally thought to get the book from the library early this fall when Brytin and I were struggling.
The book, however, must be pretty popular, because it wasn't available for me to check out until around mid-October.
I realized today that the book was due back to the library yesterday, but I hadn't even cracked the cover (too busy reading mommy-to-be books)!
I tried to renew my check out, but of course, could not because someone ELSE has already requested the book!
So I started reading, thinking I could just skim it and return it this afternoon and the fine would be 25 cents, no harm no foul.
As it turns out, the book is pretty awesome and I don't want to skim it. But of course, I am too cheap to buy it. BUT, my library has fine free Fridays, so I figure that I keep the book until Friday (so I don't have to actually pay for reading it) and read the book in the meantime. Sneaky and unfair to the person waiting for the book, I know, but I promise I'll learn something!
Ironically, 20 minutes ago, I received a phone call from a friend who was having some issues with her offspring. And even though I am only on chapter Tuesday, I was able to give her this helpful advice:
(from pages 26-27) "Today's parents often don't act like parents. They are so concerned about being their child's friend, about not wounding their child's psyche, about making sure their child is happy and successful, that they fail in their most important role: to be a parent. They snowplow their child's road in life, smoothing all the bumps so the child never has to be uncomfortable or go out of his way. And why should he? He's used to having things done for him."
I suggested she let a snowball hit the boy in the face ;) I think I've spent too much time reading "Moms Who Drink and Swear!"
Anyway, all that just say, God sure has a funny way of bringing everything together for the good of those who love Him!
Be sure to read my review of the book :)
I finally thought to get the book from the library early this fall when Brytin and I were struggling.
The book, however, must be pretty popular, because it wasn't available for me to check out until around mid-October.
I realized today that the book was due back to the library yesterday, but I hadn't even cracked the cover (too busy reading mommy-to-be books)!
I tried to renew my check out, but of course, could not because someone ELSE has already requested the book!
So I started reading, thinking I could just skim it and return it this afternoon and the fine would be 25 cents, no harm no foul.
As it turns out, the book is pretty awesome and I don't want to skim it. But of course, I am too cheap to buy it. BUT, my library has fine free Fridays, so I figure that I keep the book until Friday (so I don't have to actually pay for reading it) and read the book in the meantime. Sneaky and unfair to the person waiting for the book, I know, but I promise I'll learn something!
Ironically, 20 minutes ago, I received a phone call from a friend who was having some issues with her offspring. And even though I am only on chapter Tuesday, I was able to give her this helpful advice:
(from pages 26-27) "Today's parents often don't act like parents. They are so concerned about being their child's friend, about not wounding their child's psyche, about making sure their child is happy and successful, that they fail in their most important role: to be a parent. They snowplow their child's road in life, smoothing all the bumps so the child never has to be uncomfortable or go out of his way. And why should he? He's used to having things done for him."
I suggested she let a snowball hit the boy in the face ;) I think I've spent too much time reading "Moms Who Drink and Swear!"
Anyway, all that just say, God sure has a funny way of bringing everything together for the good of those who love Him!
Be sure to read my review of the book :)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Articles on HubPages
I have been writing in a journal ever since I was a in third grade. I have always enjoyed writing. In high school, that writing bug blossomed from horrible attempts at fiction, to commentary - non-fiction pieces that (hopefully) provide some insight about something you care about.
Back in the MySpace days, I wrote my first ever "blog." Chris and I were breaking up after six weeks of falling in love...
Over the next three years, I wrote occassionally. (Like five days later when Chris and I got back together!) Nothing consistent, and nothing ground-breaking. But at the same time, I wrote blogs that caused people to feel what I felt, learn what I learned and see what I saw. A lot of those Myspace blogs are difficult for me to read, because they are very emotion-filled about MY life. I can still see myself sitting at the computer crying about whatever, and writing my little heart out.
But, I saved them. I moved them to Blogger, because I figured I wouldn't be visiting MySpace much. Thus, in August 2009, the blog "Exercises in Writing" was born. I had always intended to write more, to write better, but sometimes life gets in the way. (See Our Two-Wheeled Adventure and Elementary Escapades for evidence!)
The same month, I stumbled upon HubPages.com. This website intends to be a source of information (like Wiki), but a writer's community, and at the same time a portal for blogs. Make no mistake, I have no ideas of grandeur about my writing "career." I write for me, I write for you, and if a stranger happens upon it - and learns something, sweet.
I more than likely will never write the book I always wanted to. I more than likely will never be a journalist. I more than likely will never be a world-renowned blogger. I'm okay with that :) I'm a wife, a stay-at-home-parent, a biker, a Christian, a daughter, a really great bargain hunter and a friend. Isn't that enough?!
So, all that to tell you that there are some articles I wrote on HubPages, that I think are pretty gosh darn awesome. Unfortunately, they did not get read much. I'll post them here for you to read at your leisure ;)
I hope you have an awesome day.
My favorite Hub articles:
America: Land of the Free?
Barack Obama: Nobel Laureate 2009
Gavin Newsom and Keith Bardwell: Heroes or Villains?
And finally, the article I wrote yesterday:
Voting Dress Code First Step in Restoring Respect
Back in the MySpace days, I wrote my first ever "blog." Chris and I were breaking up after six weeks of falling in love...
Over the next three years, I wrote occassionally. (Like five days later when Chris and I got back together!) Nothing consistent, and nothing ground-breaking. But at the same time, I wrote blogs that caused people to feel what I felt, learn what I learned and see what I saw. A lot of those Myspace blogs are difficult for me to read, because they are very emotion-filled about MY life. I can still see myself sitting at the computer crying about whatever, and writing my little heart out.
But, I saved them. I moved them to Blogger, because I figured I wouldn't be visiting MySpace much. Thus, in August 2009, the blog "Exercises in Writing" was born. I had always intended to write more, to write better, but sometimes life gets in the way. (See Our Two-Wheeled Adventure and Elementary Escapades for evidence!)
The same month, I stumbled upon HubPages.com. This website intends to be a source of information (like Wiki), but a writer's community, and at the same time a portal for blogs. Make no mistake, I have no ideas of grandeur about my writing "career." I write for me, I write for you, and if a stranger happens upon it - and learns something, sweet.
I more than likely will never write the book I always wanted to. I more than likely will never be a journalist. I more than likely will never be a world-renowned blogger. I'm okay with that :) I'm a wife, a stay-at-home-parent, a biker, a Christian, a daughter, a really great bargain hunter and a friend. Isn't that enough?!
So, all that to tell you that there are some articles I wrote on HubPages, that I think are pretty gosh darn awesome. Unfortunately, they did not get read much. I'll post them here for you to read at your leisure ;)
I hope you have an awesome day.
My favorite Hub articles:
America: Land of the Free?
Barack Obama: Nobel Laureate 2009
Gavin Newsom and Keith Bardwell: Heroes or Villains?
And finally, the article I wrote yesterday:
Voting Dress Code First Step in Restoring Respect
Saturday, October 23, 2010
MRS. BONINO
I am not a creative writer. I cannot write fiction if my life depended on it. But when I come across beautiful works, I definitely appreciate them!
I hope you enjoy!
MRS. BONINO
Learn a little more about the author, Mairdre on Hubpages.
Read all her published works.
Have a writer you love? Or a style of writing you adore? Tell me about it...
I hope you enjoy!
MRS. BONINO
Learn a little more about the author, Mairdre on Hubpages.
Read all her published works.
Have a writer you love? Or a style of writing you adore? Tell me about it...
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Random Ramblings
It isn't very often I take to my blog to ramble, but my cat and my back refuse to let me sleep, and I obviously don't feel like cleaning, so here I sit at the computer.
I'm really tired of not seeing the sunrise. Every morning for like two or three weeks has been cloudy. It's annoying. Thankfully, I live in East County, so the sun does make an appearance every day. If it didn't, I would probably have started a riot by now.
My friend Tina started a blog. You should check it out. She writes Letters to God on a pretty regular basis. She has definitely impacted me with her blog! Encouragement is the best motivation for writing - please leave her a comment if she impacts you :)
October is apparently Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I have been racking my brain for 15 days to try to figure out how to say something in a non-offensive way. And then, I was on PostSecret yesterday and found the answer...
I am not a breast cancer survivor, so please forgive me if I sound insensitive, but isn't everyone in America already aware of breast cancer?
Over the weekend, I saw the NFL covered in pink. Last night, I was at grocery store and the employees were wearing pink. Almost every shelf had at least one product that was making a donation to breast cancer research...All I could think was, why aren't the guys lobbying so furious for prostate cancer research? Why do the women who have breast cancer get all the glory? There are a billion different kinds of cancers, why is breast cancer so "trendy" and everyone else hangs out in the shadows? Why isn't October "Cancer Survivors" month or something like that?
And another thing, I am not normally a consipiracy theorist, but seriously...shouldn't there already be a cure for cancer?!! Billions (maybe even trillions) of dollars have been funneled into the "industry" and the best they have come up with in 50 or so years is to lob off our breasts?! Gimme a break. Somebody, somewhere is making money off this whole thing, and it isn't the survivors (or the deceased)!
Chris joined a motorcycle club :) I am super duper proud of him, and excited for him, and really glad to have met all the people from the Royal Aces of San Diego!
My pregnancy is going really well. Except for when I try to sleep, I am never sick or even uncomfortable. Chris, I think, is having a really great time too. Except he's a little bitter that I refuse to find out the sex of the baby! Hey, listen, I have to give birth, I get to call SOME shots! I do not want to know beforehand, and so, he can't know either. No one knows except God and my Muffin. (Even though we're like 95% sure it's a boy.)
The first couple months were a little rough...I quit smoking, I almost quit caffeine, and I had to quit my depression medicine. Needless to say, I was an emotional wreck! Thankfully, my husband was willing to work with me and we survived! Now, honestly, I can't stop laughing. My therapist (whom I still see every week) says that it is entirely possible that I won't need that medicine anymore. (It won't even be an option until I'm done nursing, so it could be like a year from now that we'll have to make that choice.)
Did I tell you my BFF had her baby? Yea, Gavin. September 14th. He's adorable! She sends me pictures all the time. I sure wish I could hold him! It's been a lot of fun talking to her the past four weeks about life with a baby. I've learned a lot from her (like always).
Alright, that's enough rambling. I'm going to try to sleep a little. Have a blessed day!!
I'm really tired of not seeing the sunrise. Every morning for like two or three weeks has been cloudy. It's annoying. Thankfully, I live in East County, so the sun does make an appearance every day. If it didn't, I would probably have started a riot by now.
My friend Tina started a blog. You should check it out. She writes Letters to God on a pretty regular basis. She has definitely impacted me with her blog! Encouragement is the best motivation for writing - please leave her a comment if she impacts you :)
October is apparently Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I have been racking my brain for 15 days to try to figure out how to say something in a non-offensive way. And then, I was on PostSecret yesterday and found the answer...
I am not a breast cancer survivor, so please forgive me if I sound insensitive, but isn't everyone in America already aware of breast cancer?Over the weekend, I saw the NFL covered in pink. Last night, I was at grocery store and the employees were wearing pink. Almost every shelf had at least one product that was making a donation to breast cancer research...All I could think was, why aren't the guys lobbying so furious for prostate cancer research? Why do the women who have breast cancer get all the glory? There are a billion different kinds of cancers, why is breast cancer so "trendy" and everyone else hangs out in the shadows? Why isn't October "Cancer Survivors" month or something like that?
And another thing, I am not normally a consipiracy theorist, but seriously...shouldn't there already be a cure for cancer?!! Billions (maybe even trillions) of dollars have been funneled into the "industry" and the best they have come up with in 50 or so years is to lob off our breasts?! Gimme a break. Somebody, somewhere is making money off this whole thing, and it isn't the survivors (or the deceased)!
Chris joined a motorcycle club :) I am super duper proud of him, and excited for him, and really glad to have met all the people from the Royal Aces of San Diego!
My pregnancy is going really well. Except for when I try to sleep, I am never sick or even uncomfortable. Chris, I think, is having a really great time too. Except he's a little bitter that I refuse to find out the sex of the baby! Hey, listen, I have to give birth, I get to call SOME shots! I do not want to know beforehand, and so, he can't know either. No one knows except God and my Muffin. (Even though we're like 95% sure it's a boy.)
The first couple months were a little rough...I quit smoking, I almost quit caffeine, and I had to quit my depression medicine. Needless to say, I was an emotional wreck! Thankfully, my husband was willing to work with me and we survived! Now, honestly, I can't stop laughing. My therapist (whom I still see every week) says that it is entirely possible that I won't need that medicine anymore. (It won't even be an option until I'm done nursing, so it could be like a year from now that we'll have to make that choice.)
Did I tell you my BFF had her baby? Yea, Gavin. September 14th. He's adorable! She sends me pictures all the time. I sure wish I could hold him! It's been a lot of fun talking to her the past four weeks about life with a baby. I've learned a lot from her (like always).
Alright, that's enough rambling. I'm going to try to sleep a little. Have a blessed day!!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bargain Shopping
So as many of you know, my husband and I do not have boat loads of discretionary income to spend. We pay our bills and we're pretty close to tapped.
Unfortunately, I have a HORRIBLE habit of spending whatever money we have left. I need to stop this, I know. I justify it, because I am always spending the money on food...but we are never in a place where we NEED food. Plus, I always get really really really good deals on food, only justifying my spending more...It's a horrible habit that I need to stop, but before I stop, can I just tell you how much I bought the other day for $53.29?
Sour Cream
Cottage Cheese
3 Yogurt
Tortilla Chips
Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix
Frozen Raw Shrimp
Cinnamon Applesauce
Blueberry Fruit Juice
Can of Peas
Can of Carrots
Syrup
Bread
Pomegranate Sherbet
Red Tea
Printer (from Wal-Mart)
Haircut magazine (Hey, a pregnant lady is required to change her hairstyle)
10 lbs potatoes
Cake donuts (pregnant, remember)
2.5 lbs Chicken Legs
5 lbs Pork Chops
3 lbs oranges (that I didn't actually get)
4 avocados
1.5 lbs onions
1.5 lbs zucchini
1 bag carrots
2 lbs tomatoes
1.5 lbs apples
3 cucumbers
1 lb nectarines
3 bunches green onions
6.5 lbs cantaloupes
4 lbs oranges (that I did get)
2 gallons of milk
1 box Kix
1 box Honey Kix
1 box Corn Bran Crunch
1 jar super chunk peanut butter
Seriously, am I good or what?! People should pay me to shop for them!
Unfortunately, I have a HORRIBLE habit of spending whatever money we have left. I need to stop this, I know. I justify it, because I am always spending the money on food...but we are never in a place where we NEED food. Plus, I always get really really really good deals on food, only justifying my spending more...It's a horrible habit that I need to stop, but before I stop, can I just tell you how much I bought the other day for $53.29?
Sour Cream
Cottage Cheese
3 Yogurt
Tortilla Chips
Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix
Frozen Raw Shrimp
Cinnamon Applesauce
Blueberry Fruit Juice
Can of Peas
Can of Carrots
Syrup
Bread
Pomegranate Sherbet
Red Tea
Printer (from Wal-Mart)
Haircut magazine (Hey, a pregnant lady is required to change her hairstyle)
10 lbs potatoes
Cake donuts (pregnant, remember)
2.5 lbs Chicken Legs
5 lbs Pork Chops
3 lbs oranges (that I didn't actually get)
4 avocados
1.5 lbs onions
1.5 lbs zucchini
1 bag carrots
2 lbs tomatoes
1.5 lbs apples
3 cucumbers
1 lb nectarines
3 bunches green onions
6.5 lbs cantaloupes
4 lbs oranges (that I did get)
2 gallons of milk
1 box Kix
1 box Honey Kix
1 box Corn Bran Crunch
1 jar super chunk peanut butter
Seriously, am I good or what?! People should pay me to shop for them!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Why the Peaceful Majority is Irrelevant
Why the Peaceful Majority is Irrelevant
by Paul E. Marek
History lessons are often incredibly simple.
I used to know a man whose family were German aristocracy prior to World War II. They owned a number of large industries and estates. I asked him how many German people were true Nazis, and the answer he gave has stuck with me and guided my attitude toward fanaticism ever since.
“Very few people were true Nazis,” he said, “but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.”
We are told again and again by experts and talking heads that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unquantified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behea
The fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history.
d, murder, or execute honor killings. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard, quantifiable fact is that the “peaceful majority” is the “silent majority,” and it is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a war-mongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across Southeast Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians - most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet. And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery? Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were “peace loving”?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt; yet, for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by the fanatics. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don’t speak up, because, like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Bosnians, Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians and many others, have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us, watching it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts: the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
by Paul E. Marek
History lessons are often incredibly simple.
I used to know a man whose family were German aristocracy prior to World War II. They owned a number of large industries and estates. I asked him how many German people were true Nazis, and the answer he gave has stuck with me and guided my attitude toward fanaticism ever since.
“Very few people were true Nazis,” he said, “but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.”
We are told again and again by experts and talking heads that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unquantified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behea
The fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history.
d, murder, or execute honor killings. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard, quantifiable fact is that the “peaceful majority” is the “silent majority,” and it is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a war-mongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across Southeast Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians - most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet. And who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery? Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were “peace loving”?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt; yet, for all our powers of reason, we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by the fanatics. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don’t speak up, because, like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Bosnians, Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians and many others, have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us, watching it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts: the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Gavin Scott
A baby was born on Sept 14th. Not my baby, but a baby I couldn't possibly love any more than if he were my own.
My best friend had her baby :)
It kills me that I haven't held him yet, but I know God is infinitely wiser than I, so there must be some great plan in the works...
Gavin Scott. What an AWESOME name. With a name like that he is bound to be the most popular, most adorable, most hilarious, most intelligent AND most athletic boy in all of Rockford.
As I've written before, Amy is priceless to me. Just as our mothers were close, Amy has been my rock for the last decade. I can only pray that somehow, our children don't feel the 2200 mile distance and become lifelong friends. (Or maybe I have a girl and the Glors and Galsters finally unite?!)
Congratulations, Amy and Brandon!!
If interested, you can read some of her experience on Little Lou Laughs.
My best friend had her baby :)
It kills me that I haven't held him yet, but I know God is infinitely wiser than I, so there must be some great plan in the works...
Gavin Scott. What an AWESOME name. With a name like that he is bound to be the most popular, most adorable, most hilarious, most intelligent AND most athletic boy in all of Rockford.
As I've written before, Amy is priceless to me. Just as our mothers were close, Amy has been my rock for the last decade. I can only pray that somehow, our children don't feel the 2200 mile distance and become lifelong friends. (Or maybe I have a girl and the Glors and Galsters finally unite?!)
Congratulations, Amy and Brandon!!
If interested, you can read some of her experience on Little Lou Laughs.
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