Good - Bye 2008

This is a very short version of a DVD I made for my Mom and Dad for Christmas. I took pictures from Dec 25, 2007 until Dec 24, 2008 and put them on a DVD. The full version was over 53 minutes. This is my family and I love them all.

Mid- Life Crisis?

I used to think the talk about mid-life crisis was basically BS. It was someone's excuse to piss off on their responsibilities and relive their youth. Yeah, I really used to think that. I thought that at 16, at 18, at 21, at 25, at 30, and even at 35. So what has changed? I am 38 now.

In all honesty, when I was 16 I thought someone 40 was really old! Now I realize it isn't that they were really old it was the burdens of life suck the life out of you by the time you are 40. The mid life crisis thing is simply realizing that. It is that point in your life I think between 38 and 45 where you ask yourself " What the hell am I doing here?". Then you realize that almost half of your life is gone, you can't get it back. It doesn't matter if you buy the coolest trendy clothes and get the newest hot hair style, time goes forward. I can go to the mall, put my flintstone feet in stilleto heels again, tight jeans, a low cut blouse and spend more money than I should. But when I come home I will still have a mortgage, a car payment, 2 kids (one that is 15!) , a husband, and a driver's license that says I am 38.
The other part of this crisis I call the 'oh shit factor'. This when you realize you don't get to get in your car and drive away from life's problems, realities. You have to be the responsible person your parents worked so hard to make you become. As they say "This is where the rubber hits the road.". This is when you find out just how valuable life and time truly is. This is when you really begin to live and know how very precious every moment with someone is. You know this reality because this is when you recognize your own mortality.
If we are lucky we come through this crisis like others and end up better people on the other side. That is really all we can hope for.

Happy Birthday!!! 12/20/08

Happy Birthday to my Aunt Joan and to my niece Lucy !!! I love you both and hope you both have a wonderful day.

Happy Anniversary! 19 years

This song is from the movie "Chances Are" it is sung by Cher and Peter Cetera. It came out in 1989, the same year I got married. December 18, 1989 what a day. Do I love Sean now like I did then? No. I love him so much more. He is truly so much more than I ever could have hoped for. It takes a really secure and strong man to be with a woman like me. He is that and so much more. He stands by me when lesser men would have ran away as fast as they could. I love him. I trust him. I admire him.

He looks at me and he sees the person I can only dream of becoming. But he sees me that way now and I love him for it.

Keep it together

They say the #1 cause of divorce is finances, The Most Frequent Cause of Divorce - Associated Content . Money, or rather the lack of money is the cause. When there isn't enough money to pay the bills people get stressed. If you add a couple of kids to that situation then you have major problems. So far this over 1.9 million Americans have lost their jobs. I wonder how many of those people are married. I wonder how many will still be married to each other a year from now. I suppose some may still be married due to the fact that getting a divorce cost to much!

In 1988 a movie came out called 'Things Change' starring Don Ameche. The signature phrase in that movie was "things change". I try to tell myself that during rough patches. Things change, they will get better. To everyone that has lost their jobs and those that are the list to be soon unemployed - hold on, it will get better because things change.

I'm Calling All Angels

Of all the pages in the Bible, all the chapters, and all the verses this is this the one that means the absolute most to me.

Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)
The Sheep and the Goats

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

I love these guys!

I got to meet Jackie and Dunlap for my birthday. These are two great guys and a lot of fun. I love the line about granny going to Tunica with her church group. I must admit I was in Tunica (Las Vegas of the South)in Oct. I however didn't go with a church group, I went with family! That's me and my Aunt Shirley in the photo. We were watching my Uncle Johnny play in the World Series of Poker Tournament at the Goldstrike.

Clinic Helps with Medication

I found this article at the Tennessean, Clinic dispenses medicine, hope www.tennessean.com The Tennessean . The nonprofit Primary Care & Hope Clinic in Murfreesboro helps people that have no insurance or are underinsured get their medication.

"The people at the clinic have been busy. They've received more calls for help in recent months than at any time since 1992, said Lisa Terry, the agency's CEO and a family nurse practitioner who sees patients.
"We can only service people based on the money we get. A lot of our funding has decreased because a lot of money comes from private donations, and they've been down," Terry said.

The nonprofit serves people without medical insurance or those who are underinsured, Terry said. It helps them enroll in prescription discount programs offered by pharmaceutical companies and provides primary care and referrals to other providers. "

If you need their help or if you can donate to them here is there is their website :

Primary Care & Hope Clinic phone # 615-893-9390

Feel Good Friday 12/12/08

It's feel good Friday and we have snow.

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

It is the first snow. We've been praying for it to start feeling like Christmas. Looks like some prayers have been answered. In my family we call it "a win". You take hit after hit of bad news. There is only so much people can take before they need some glimmer of hope. It doesn't matter how big or small, sometimes we just need a win. So, yes seeing my two healthy kids outside playing in the snow, yeah that is a huge win. Ok, so I have a cold, my throat is killing me, my eyes hurt, my head hurts, my sinus are about to exploded but watching those girls I felt no pain. Their joy can take away my pain. We are still here, we are together, we are strong, we are a family. Merry Christmas.

Scrooged

This is my favorite Christmas movie!! I love Bill Murray. If you haven't seen it you need to.

One of my favorites

This is one of favorite Christmas songs.

Does it feel like Christmas to you?

Well, does it feel like Christmas to you? I still do not have my tree up yet. I don't have one bit of Christmas decoration out, unless you count the Santa Claus on the shelf that I didn't pack from last year. Maybe it is because my kids are getting older? I don't know. Could it be because money is especially tight right now? That probably is a big part of it. But we have had harder times and we have always made it through. I told my husband tonight, I have my family what more could I possibly want. And I do not say that because it sounds like what people are supposed to say. For those that know me, you know I don't tell people what they want to hear. I simply tell them as I see it. How do you smile, sing, and shop when you know this will be the last Christmas of someone you love? What gift do you give this person? The one thing they want more than anything in the world and I can't give it. Time.
I tell myself "put your big girl panties on and suck it up" and I get through another day. I don't want to shop, I do not want to sing, and I sure as hell do not feel like smiling. But I do. Or at least I do the best I can. I suppose that means I am the grown up. The older I get , the less I want to be the grown up.

Stealing Sucks!

Ok, let me explain. Yesterday I had to cancel my debit card. Why? Oh, because a thief thought what they wanted was more important than what I needed that money for. Was it a great deal of money? Well, that depends on who you ask. For me, I will be ok. And both my bank and the company where the card was used have both assured me the money would be returned to my account. You see, it wasn't like this person used the card to purchase food, enfamil, or diapers. No, they used it for a subscription to a web site. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. Now, you want to know what really really pissed me off about them doing this? I had to call St. Jude and tell them that the monthly donation they get from my card would not be there. That the card has been cancelled and will not work. Yeah, someone's thieving subscription to a web site was more important to them than money going to children dying of cancer. Karma can be a true blessing or it can be a bitch in heat. In this case I do hope karma is the latter and bites this person in the ass because it was more than stealing from me, it was keeping money from St. Jude's.

Photo is from St. Jude's Children Hospital of 11-year-old Alaina Coleman

They were RIGHT

THEY WERE RIGHT! It is that simple. People were screaming about our soldiers fighting for our rights BUT heaven forbid someone actually use the freedom speech. I suppose to those people you have the freedom of speech as long you only say what THEY want you to. Doesn't sound much like freedom to me. Perhaps if some of those with simple minds that flipped their lids over the Dixie Chicks had listened to what they were saying we would NOT be in the hell hole of this economic recession/depression that we are now in. For those that hate (isn't that a nice Christian feeling) the Dixie Chicks, know this, you hate 3 women while there are MANY MANY MANY people in this nation and around the world that BLAME you for the circumstances this nation is now in for you having backed Bush. Have fun owning that. I see the things as they are with Republicans that scream about bleeding heart liberals and our programs. The republicans that now ,because of Bush's policies, have to go file for food stamps, welfare, unemployment, bankruptcy protection, etc. So, thank Bush that you have to file for these programs and thank those bleeding heart liberals that you hate so much that those programs are there to feed your family.

Taking care of our own? Yeah right!

That's a nice wish now isn't it. Or how about the Republican mantra of how they "support the troops"? Want to see how they support the troops? Yes? Then just look at the Tennessean ( Tennessee sees record number of people on food stamps www.tennessean.com The Tennessean ) . Here is snip from that article: Tony Clifford never thought he would have to ask anybody for help like this. But the Bellevue resident, a disabled Iraq war veteran who now works as a carpenter, is feeling the effects of the housing meltdown.
He and his 3-year-old son downsized into a smaller home, and canceled cable TV, phone and Internet service. Now he is trying to enroll in the food stamp program here so that his son will have nutritious meals.
"I always had too much pride to ask for help. I always felt I could pay my bills, but not now, not on a single income," Clifford said. "I'm not asking for a handout. I'm just trying to stand back up. It's kind of one of the ultimate kicks to the groin to ask for help. It's deplorable that people who haven't needed to ask for help now need it, and I think it's going to be a continuing trend." Wow! I can honestly say I did underestimate George W. Bush. In fact, I didn't think anyone could do as much damage to this nation as this man has done. I guess he was also extra special because he managed to do it all in 8 yrs time. Amazing! As of Oct. in Tn we have 443,115 households on food stamps that is an increase from January's 404,541 households. The monthly value of these food stamps is $8,388,607.00 . So, before anyone can start whining and crying about the money we are spending to feed AMERICANS and OUR VETERANS and our SOLDIERS let's just look at some numbers really fast. $8,388,607.00 is for 1 month of food. Here is another number for you $238,425 that's how much we spend PER MINUTE in Iraq. $238,425 PER MINUTE!!! In case you are wondering , that means we could feed these families here in Tennessee in the USA for 1 YEAR for what we spend in IRAQ in SEVEN HOURS!! Pretty disgusting if you ask me.

'Right of Conscience'

I was reading an article this morning from the Los Angeles Times (Broader medical refusal rule may go far beyond abortion - Los Angeles Times ). Here is a snip it- By David G. Savage December 2, 2008
"Reporting from Washington -- The outgoing Bush administration is planning to announce a broad new "right of conscience" rule permitting medical facilities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care workers to refuse to participate in any procedure they find morally objectionable, including abortion and possibly even artificial insemination and birth control." Oh my God! Are you kidding me? Where will this slippery slope end? A procedure they find morally objectionable , huh. Could that mean someone that is a racist would not have to save the life a non Aryan person? Morally objectionable? AIDS treatment? Treatment of any STD could be deemed morally objectionable to some. How about treating someone that is a heroine junkie? Morally objectionable. Oh, how about not having to working on drunk drivers anymore? Or what about the Muslim doctor that does not want to do Emergency surgery on local bigot Christian Minister and that doctor is the only one in the area qualified to do it? BUT it can now be deemed morally objectionable to this doctor. These holier than thou people always start this garbage, but THEN when they need the medical it is different. The laws they want to inflict on everyone else do not apply to them. For pro-life Bob Barr it was OK for his wife to have a safe and legal abortion, BUT NO ONE else should have that same choice. For people that have been able to have children do to the research of scientist that was a blessing for them but it should stop there. That is what they said when they stood with President Bush fighting against stem cell research. How quickly they forget when test tube babies were a new thing people asked if those children would even have a soul. For Tom DeLay , when it was time to end his fathers life it was a " private matter" and it was OK to pull the plug. However, for the rest of us DeLay thought it should be a public matter and that the Federal Government should decide, not family (Terri Schiavo, for those that have forgotten). So, excuse me if I have NO respect for those that are pushing this rule. I do wonder what they would think if President Bush was rushed to the hospital and doctor refused to help him because it was morally objectionable to save the life of someone that has overseen the death of so many Americans. I must wonder what they would think of their wonderful rule then. Not that I expect anyone from the "religious right" or Bush Administration to think that far out. I mean they have not so far, so why start now!

'Tis the Season to Give

If you can, please give to those less fortunate. Here are some really good charities to help out. Please donate your time, money, food, toys, etc. It will all be appreciated by so many this year.
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation , The Salvation Army: Home , Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee Feeding Hope

Some days are better than others

This isn't one of those, again. Today my brother, John, and his family will return to Texas. His leaving isn't something I think I will ever get used to. If I were 16 I would tell you "It sucks!". Ok, maybe that isn't true. When I was 16 I may have offered to help him pack. However, I am 38 now and I will tell you it hurts. Not like a paper cut, not slamming your finger in a door, not even like hitting your toe on the edge of couch. No, this pain will grab your heart and squeeze it until water pours from your eyes, and you gasp for air. This is hurt. This is love.

Not Happy Holidays for many in Tennessee

I was reading a friend's web site this morning, Sharoncobb , and I had to write something about this as well. After 8 yrs of Bush we have people standing in food lines. His parents must be so proud of what all he has managed to destroy. Do I sound angry? Good, because I am!
For anyone with teenage children please watch this video:

www.tennessean.com Nashville SPECIAL0348 The Tennessean

Perhaps they will see how good their lives are even if they do not get the iPod, laptop, cell phone, etc that they have been wanting. Maybe, just maybe they will be willing to forego some gifts to help those that simply want food. And after seeing people trample each other to get black friday deals, I think some grown ups should watch this video as well.

Special Thank You

To Mom and Dad,

Thank you both so much for surrounding me with family, for teaching me the value of people is far greater than the value of stuff, and for always being there for me. I love you.

Idava

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. What I am thankful for? Family and time. Because one is not really much good to me without the other. This is the painful lesson that most of us do not learn until we find out either someone we love or ourself is running out of time. Let me say this, I love my family. I love all of my family. I love the ones that piss me off and make me crazy and I especially love the ones that I get to piss off and make crazy. I have been so very blessed in my life. I come from a close knit Italian family. That basically means I have aunts, uncles, cousins and I know them all. If I need anything and it is within their reach they will find away, as I would do the same for them. I was 34 when my brother who was 39 wasn't home for Christmas the first time. Was Christmas the same that year or since? No, and all he did was move a way. I can still call him. And right now, he is here. He loaded up his family and drove all night to be here with us. I know how hard that drive is for his family but I am so grateful for this time with them. So, today we will all be at my Mom's. Mom, Dad, my sister Brenda and her family (including a grandbaby), my brother John and his family, me and my family , and anyone else that shows up!
But our hearts and our minds will really be with my Aunt Bobbie who isn't healthy enough to come up here this year. She has been battling renal pelvic kidney cancer. On Saturday she had to be taken to the hospital. It seems the chemotherapy really has not been working, so they are going to stop. So, why this video? It is one of her favorite songs. It used to make me crazy as a kid. I would go to her home and she would have this playing. As kids, we would whine about it. So, she would put her big 70's headphone's on, then we just got to hear her sing it. Now I call it her theme song. So, more than a house, a car, a job, a tv, or anything else , I am Thankful for Family and time.

Quote for 11/27/08

While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die. Leonardo da Vinci

Looking Back Looking forward

I remember when this song came out back in 1983. Twenty-five years later and the song still applies. Don't know about everyone else, but I sure could use a little good news day.

Saturday 11/22/08

Yes, I know that yesterday was feel good Friday but, a friend in Texas sent this to me and I thought I should share. I hope you like it.

Quote for 11/21/08

What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Feel Good Friday 11/21/08

It's feel good Friday! Now this is music!!! Ok, this is a happier song than last week. If this doesn't make you smile, then you have too much botox!!

Feel Good Friday 11/14/08

Quote for 11/14/07

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted. ~Paul Pearshall

Feel Good Friday 11/07/08

WOO HOO!! It is Feel Good Friday!! I love this song. When I hear it I think of my Grandfather coming here as a child from Norway and my Great Grandfather that came here from Italy leaving all of his family behind.

Check out the other Feel Good Friday bloggers Sharoncobb , LeftWingCracker , and GingerSnaps .

Quote for 11/07/08

My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth. - Abraham Lincoln

Tears, Hopes, Faith, and Burdens

If you have seen the news the past two days then you have seen tears flowing. When it was announced that Sen. Obama would be the 44th President of the USA people all over the world shed tears. Tears of joy for the historic moment is what many would say. Tears because people now have hope is what I saw. Hope that their son or daughter will return home safe and soon from Iraq. Hope that this president will bring jobs back to our nation. Hope that their children will be able to get a great education. Hope that maybe they will not lose their homes. Hope that he will restore the American Dream. These Americans took their hopes for a brighter day and placed their faith in Barack Obama. They have faith in him, perhaps not that he can do all of these things, but that he will at least try. Surely, Sen. Obama is quite proud to be the one that so many people believed in. But being the one everyone believes in means knowing you carry their burdens. Every hope of ours becomes his burden. 64,337,005 hopes, dreams, & burdens. I do not envy Sen. Obama for the tasks that are before him. I will however, do what I can as an American to lessen that burden by pulling together with others in my community to make this country what we could only dream it would ever become.

Quote for 11/06/08

“No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.”
Charles Dickens

President Barack Obama

Today we have President Elect Obama. I know this a historic moment. The African American community is beyond proud. I share this joy with them as many others do. What I want to stress right now though is this simple truth, Barack Obama was not elected by African Americans alone. While he carried the AA vote handidly, AAs only make up 13% of our population. Barack Obama is not going to be an African American President that only represents our African American population. He was not put into the White House by only AAs. He is our President whether we are black, white, yellow, red, brown, or even purple with pink polka dots!!! I think perhaps Colin Powell says it best.

Quote for 11/05/08

Every generation needs a new revolution. Thomas Jefferson

Quote for 11/04/08

I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am. -John Newton

Quiet Heroes

Only in the eyes of our grand parents can all of us, any of us, be President.

The Final Stretch

When you have made all the phone calls, knocked on all the doors, and sent out all of the flyers then you must find quiet. Tomorrow is election day and what is done is done. On Wednesday, we will go back to focusing on the people and things in our immediate lives. But for now, I find the Serenity Prayer and the Lord's Prayer running through my mind over and over. THE SERENITY PRAYER God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.Amen. Reinhold Niebuhr THE LORD'S PRAYER
Latin version
Pater noster, qui es in caelis:
sanctificetur Nomen Tuum;
adveniat Regnum Tuum;
fiat voluntas Tua,
sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a Malo.

1662
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.]

Quote for 11/03/08

I find myself, in my own nation, seeking the compassion of these words. So, from the Statue of Liberty...The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Emma Lazarus, 1883

Feel Good Friday 10/31/08

It's feel good Friday. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

Quote for 10/31/08

I don't use drugs, my dreams are frightening enough. M. C. Escher

Saturday is Poem Day 10/25/08

Time is too slow for those who wait
by Henry Van Dyke

Time is too slow for those who wait,
too swift for those who fear,
too long for those who grieve,
too short for those who rejoice,
but for those who love, time is eternity.

Quote for 10/25/08

The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity. - Ulysses Simpson Grant

Quote for 10/24/08

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. Josh Billings

Feel Good Friday 10/24/ 08

In the Living Years



All I Need is a Miracle

It is FEEL GOOD FRIDAY!!! Ok, I decided to splurge. Today we are getting a 2fer from Mike and the Mechanics. Check out the other Feel Good Fridays bloggers Sharoncobb , GingerSnaps , Newscoma , Sista Smiff , and LeftWingCracker .

Quote for 10/23/08

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. Henri Nouwen

Palin, Bachmann, and Hayes

When those on the left speak of the divisiveness of the right I do believe this is what we are talking about. From Governor Palin we have this: "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation." Well excuse me, but exactly where are the anti- America areas of this great nation?? Looks to me like what she is really saying is simply this , places that vote Republican are pro-America. So, I just want to know what is pro-America about a Republican or Anti-America about a Democrat? Next up we have Rep. Bachmann who said, “What I would say is that the news media should do a penetrating expose and take a look. I wish they would. I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or Anti-America? I think the American people would love to see an expose like that.” Regarding Obama she said, “Absolutely, I’m very concerned that he may have anti-American views.” I don't know how others will see those comments but they remind me of McCarthyism. For those that have forgotten what McCarthysim is you can click here McCarthyism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . And for just a quick overview : During this time many thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies. The primary targets of such suspicions were government employees, those in the entertainment industry, educators and union activists. Suspicions were often given credence despite inconclusive or questionable evidence, and the level of threat posed by a person's real or supposed leftist associations or beliefs was often greatly exaggerated. Many people suffered loss of employment, destruction of their careers, and even imprisonment. Most of these punishments came about through trial verdicts later overturned,[1] laws that would be declared unconstitutional,[2] dismissals for reasons later declared illegal[3] or actionable,[4] or extra-legal procedures that would come into general disrepute. Lastly we have Congressman Hayes from NC. Congressman Hayes during a rally said "Liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God." Take from that statement what you will. What I see is a man saying that liberals HATE people that work , thus liberals must not work. Liberals HATE those that accomplish and therefor they themselves must not accomplish. Finally, that Liberals HATE those that believe in God so saying that Liberals must not believe in God. AND THEN they wonder WHY anyone would EVER say they are divisive!!!!!

Quote for 10/22/08

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use. Galileo Galilei

Safe Sex Not Allowed

A pharmacy in Va. is not going to sell contraceptives of any kind. They are going on their faith. So, no condoms, sponge, birth control pill, morning after pill, or anything else! Now this issue can be looked at from a couple of different sides. From the practical realistic side , do I have a lot of questions and things to say!!! YOU BETCHA!! First I so have to wonder do they sell Viagra?? If so, do they ask the man who he intends to have sex with? What if he isn't married, will they still fill the prescription? What if he is married but is going to use some of the pills with his girlfriend? Do they carry and dispense medication that cures/calms/deals with symptoms from STDs ? You know, sexual transmitted diseases. The things that CONDOMS help prevent people from catching! So, by not selling condoms but selling Viagra (if they do) they are promoting the spread of STDs ! And FYI, like condoms, the birth control pill can also be used for things other than to prevent pregnancy. I have known of people to use the pill to simply regulate their cycles and another person because of acne. From the "faith" side I suppose I would say this "If God wants a baby to be conceived and born , it will be. Do you doubt his power to do so?". Seems to me like this "Faith" group has little faith in God.

Quote for 10/21/08

Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.
Sam Ewing

Quote for 10/20/08

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. John Barrymore

Happy Birthday Charlie!!

Today my nephew is 18. I am so proud of him. He has really grown into a fine a young man of good character. My sister and her husband have done well in raising him. What gifts will he recieve today? Well, I know of one for sure because he has been getting mailings for weeks now! Selective Service Gift Card from the US Government. Unlike other gifts this one must be returned. Signed , Sealed , Delivered and you are theirs!! And if you "forget" to return this gift within 30 days, you get more gifts. A possible second/third gift would be up to 5 yrs in prison and a $250,000 fine. If that isn't enough you get the refusal for financial aid, federal loans, or grants. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Quote for 10/19/08

A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. Hugh Sidey

Cheerleading Competition

Yes, that right folks...I am a CHEER MOM!!!

Poem for 10/18/08

Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms
by Thomas Moore

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul may be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear!
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
...But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns to her god when he sets
The same look which she turned when he rose!

Quote for 10/18/08

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
Mother Teresa

Feel Good Friday 10/17/2008

This is for my Mom.

Obama McCain at Their Best

WOW! What a difference 24hrs can make.

Wednesday night Obama and McCain were sitting at table boring Americans across this nation. It was their last debate and there were no fireworks, no explosions, no major memorable moments. It was "safe". Neither side really grabbing hold of the risky stuff. Obama was calm, laid back, nothing got his blood pressure up. McCain well, he had issues sitting still but other than that nothing spectacular. In other words, they could have made someone that just drank a 6 pack of mt dew fall asleep.

Thursday night rolls around and Obama and McCain are the stars of the show. Granted it was prepared speeches but they delivered well. These are the men the American people want to see. They weren't tired, bored, overly serious, or angry. They were funny, kind, gracious, and humble. I was proud of them both.
The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner was started in 1945. For more information click Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .

Quote for 10/17/08

One forgives to the degree that one loves. Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Quote of the Day

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it. W. C. Fields

IT IS HUMP DAY!

It's Wednesday AKA Humpday! So, find something or someone to be thankful for. If you get the chance smile at someone and be kind. It may be the only happiness in their day. The only thing they will have to be thankful for, the kindness of a stranger , a smile, or a warm hello.

Quote of the Day

The years teach much which the days never knew. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rutherford County TN Early Voting Sites

Early Voting: October 15-30 Monday- Friday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM to 12 Noon

Locations in Murfreesboro:

Murfreesboro Sports Com
2310 Memorial Blvd.

Election Commission Annex
426 East Vine Street

Agriculture Center (Inside Old Fort Park)
1026 Golf Lane

Locations in Smyrna

Tennessee Rehabilitation Center
460 9th Avenue

Locations in La Vergne

La Vergne Civic Auditorium
283 Old Nashville Highway

If you have problems voting please call:
Election Commission # 615-898-7743
Rutherford Co. Democratic Party # 615-904-7232

Live Within Your Means

Living within your means is usually a good thing. However, when I hear a member of Congress say "Americans should live within their means," it tends to upset me. In fact the first thing that comes to my mind is "YOU FIRST!!!". Congress sets up a budget with over $700 billion deficit. Now, don't go siting numbers that say it is ONLY (HA!) $162 billion because that number does NOT include the war funding. And besides that, it is STILL not within their means!!!
The other part of this is the basic standard of living that people had Jan 18, 2001 compared to now. This is the part that really makes me angry. We have good people that get up and go to work for their families everyday. They do what is expected of them. They do what is right. They are honorable. They aren't out buying yachts or porches or going on $400,000 spa trips! However in the last 8 years the cost of everything has increased more than their wages at a staggering rate. What once cost them $100 per week in groceries is now costing roughly $150. Yet they didn't not receive a $200 per month raise. On top of that add the increase in fuel since it has doubled in price as well. These are hits to American families that THEY did not cause. And then people say to them, live within your means. It would not be so bad if wages had increased as well but they haven't. Well, unless you are a member of Congress (over the last 10 yrs they decided they NEEDED $30,000 per yr raise). What is really sad is that their "raise" is even more than a lot of Americans even make in one year.
There is a thing called the MiseryIndex. It combines the unemployment rate with the inflation rate thus giving the MiseryIndex. In Jan. of 1993 when Bill Clinton took office the MiseryIndex was at 10.56% . When President Clinton left office Jan. of 2001 it was at 7.93 % ( 4.2% unemployment and 3.73% inflation). Right now after 2 terms of President George W. Bush the MiseryIndex is at 11.47% (6.10 % unemployment and 5.37% inflation). At this rate of inflation with wages either stagnating or going down living within your means , the same means you were doing just fine with in 2000 will mean living in a box!

Quote for the Day

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Henry David Thoreau

Oh JOHN!

From CNN we have this... Sen. John McCain on Monday told voters that they should elect him because "what America needs in this hour is a fighter." "I will fight to take America in a new direction from my first day in office until my last. I'm not afraid of the fight, I'm ready for it," McCain said at a rally in Virginia BeachVirginia. OK. So now McCain thinks we need a fighter. How about a moment of TRUTH? We needed someone intelligent in 2000 but instead McCain backed George W Bush. We needed a fighter in 2004 and instead McCain again backed George W Bush. The truth of the matter is in 2008 we need someone intelligent that is also a fighter. The reality is John McCain is not that man. Simply put, if George W Bush was able to run for office again John McCain would be endorsing him AGAIN! Way to fight for us John. We now have lost over 750,000 jobs this year alone, our debt is over $10 trillion, we have the largest spending deficits ever, 2-3 millions homes are expected to be foreclosed on in the next 12 months, and now you say you will fight for us. No, John, you have been fighting for Corporations, for the Republican Party, and for George W Bush. You have not been fighting for us, but against us.

Quote for the Day

When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear. Mark Twain

McCain, GM, China, and India

John McCain posted this press release on his website, JohnMcCain.com - McCain-Palin 2008 , yesterday.

For Immediate Release October 11, 2008
Contact: Press Office
Statement by John McCain on General Motors Plant Closings
ARLINGTON, VA -- McCain-Palin 2008 today released the following statement by John McCain on reports of pending General Motors plant closings: "I'm disappointed to hear of the upcoming General Motors plant closings. Hardworking people are paying the price because our country's leaders have put Washington corruption and Wall Street greed before Main Street's interests for too long. Change is coming. I know families across America are hurting and as president, I will lead members of both parties in a fight to keep and create good jobs in communities across the country. Now is not a time for words and platitudes. Now is a time for action. That is why I supported auto industry loan guarantees and will continue to work to create opportunities for American auto companies to build the car of the 21st century and put Americans back to work."

This is what I noticed, while McCain is disappointed he is not shocked. This was expected. You see when Bush was saying he had to give large tax cuts to corporations so that they could create jobs, he never stated WHERE they would create those jobs. HE never stated you will get these tax cuts IF you create X number of jobs in the United States of America. Oh no, that was never done. And in all honesty that's the way McCain also wanted. Both Bush and McCain's economic advisors have stated that outsourcing is great!!! Sure it is, until it is YOUR job being outsourced.
Back to GM, poor GM right? They are so broke they are having to close American plants. That's horrible because they are an American company right? A company that puts the United States first??? Let's think about that, while GM has been laying off American workers and closing American plants, GM has been pouring MONEY into China and India opening new plants. So much for caring about the USA and American workers. Tell me again why I should buy GM??
From the Associated Press 09/02/2008:

General Motors Corp. opened a second plant in India on Tuesday, boosting its production capacity from 85,000 to 225,000 vehicles a year.

GM invested US$300 million in the new plant in Talegaon near Pune, a fast-growing manufacturing hub about two hours outside Mumbai, the nation's financial capital. The factory will start by producing the Spark — a mini-car introduced in 2007 that is GM's most popular local model — for the domestic market.

Last week, GM pledged to invest another US$200 million in a power train facility adjacent to the Talegaon plant, which will eventually produce 300,000 diesel and gas engines a year for both domestic and export markets.

GM's investment in India, which now tops US$1 billion, pales in comparison with that in China, where the company produces more than 1 million vehicles a year. GM has poured US$5 billion into its China operations and plans to invest US$1 billion a year going forward, company officials said.


You can read the entire article here GM opens second India plant - International Herald Tribune .

It is Sunday

Try a find a quiet moment and reflect on the past week. Pray, Meditate, just seek an inner calm. For just a few moments silence the outside world.

Quote of the Day

"Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself. "
Tom Wilson

Saturday is Poem day

First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Quote for the Day

"Tyrants have always some slight shade of virtue; they support the laws before destroying them. " Voltaire

I am trying something new, posting a video for "feel good Fridays". It is something other Tennessee bloggers do and I thought I would give it a try. This being my first one , I had to give respect to The KING!! Check out Sharoncobb I am sure you'll love her choice!

Is there anyone in Washington D.C. that gives a damn?

Well, is there? Right now we have millions of retirees that have just lost everything they worked for. The got up, the went to work, they saved and it has done them no good at all. Our government has just told the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers "To hell with you, we are going to save corporations!". And not just any corporations but those that have caused this financial crisis for everyone else. How do they justify bailing out a company that in turns goes to a spa for $400,000?? OH this I have to hear. That's what our tax dollars are paying for a $400,000 spa trip for AIG. It sickens me. Oh but our Congress will BAILOUT these corporations, these robber barons. But Joe American kiss your 401k , your savings, and those retirement years you had planned so hard for good bye. You see, your government does not value you. If it did not only would it have NOT bailed out these greedy unscrupulous banks, it would have made them compensate everyone for the damages they have caused!

OH BOY!!

Ok it has been a loooooooooong time since I last posted. WOW!What a primary! Talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly! I saw so many things that actually made me ashamed of the democratic party. You see, I have always thought the DNC was better than the republicans. However I have found we have people just as warped in our midst. Everything from hearing Obama might have terrorist ties , Hillary not only has ties she is Satan, John Edwards only cared about his career not his dying wife, Hillary is the stalker from "Fatal Attraction", Dennis Kucinch is UFO crazy, Biden is a sell out, Richardson is Judas, a website "edwards08.com" that when you went to it sent you straight to the Obama for President site, Obama is muslim and has a terrorist/Arabic name (that one made me crazy! WHO gets to choose their name?), democrats being told they are not part of the New Democratic Coalition, and too many more things to count. These are things that we should NOT be proud of no matter what side you were on. Now, the thing is to getting everyone to see that people in their campaigns did things that were not good for the party. NO Campaign has clean hands in this mess. The sooner people acknowledge that the better we will be. Right now both Clinton and Obama supporters feel they have been wrong. Some of it actual some of it not. The really sad part is when you get people that are trying to let this primary go. These are people trying to move forward and focus on the fight to win in November and then they are called nuts, crazies, sheep, etc. for supporting Clinton. I am sorry but that is not the best way to get people to vote for your candidate. It simply sounds like this "I hate you. You are stupid. You backed a loser and you are one too. You still like your candidate so you must be crazy. Oh, one more thing, PLEASE come over and hang out with me and vote for MY candidate because we are such kind, caring, good people as long as you do as we say!" And then they wonder "WHY are people not wanting to vote for our guy????"