What's Your Resolution?

I avoid making New Year's resolutions. I rarely keep them. Last year I actually stuck with my resolution to not eat chocolate for a couple of months. But once I got pregnant I gave up (until I found out I had gestational diabetes...but that's another issue).

I like the idea from this article about not procrastinating when it comes to having fun or enjoyment in life. Don't postpone life.

This means a lot to me as we have had six officers killed in less than 3 months here in Washington State. I want to make as many memories with my husband and son as we can possibly have. Even the simple memories of just reading a book together.

My goal for the New Year is to study hard and pass my insurance license test so I can start a new career that will allow me to live life for my family and myself instead of for an office and corporation.

What is your goal?

Have a very Happy New Year!!!

Let's Not Get Paranoid

Some people give conservatives and libertarians a bad name. I don't want to be associated with the likes of "Survival Seed Bank" ... people trying to fan paranoia in order to make a buck (specifically $149 bucks!). These are probably the same people who made a big deal out of the year 2000 - also to make a buck.

I have no problem with people wanting to be prepared for a disaster or emergency. That is smart. But stocking "non-hybrid" seeds in order to plant an acre "Crisis garden" is insane. No way are these seeds going to be worth more than gold or silver anytime in the near or far future (and yes, that is what the commercial tries to say!). Genetically modified seeds aren't harmful or scary...they've actually saved millions of lives with their disease resistance and ability to survive in less than ideal conditions.

It bugs the hell out of me that this commercial is even on the radio station. It's nothing more than fear mongering and playing on the bad economy and unstable politics.

Sadly, my own hubby gets sucked into this paranoia sometimes...and I have to pull him back to reality. Listening to Beck can make anyone think the world is ending. I prefer Medved who has a much more positive outlook.

This country has gone through a LOT. We've survived a horrible bloody civil war. We've gone through two World Wars. We will survive Obama. We might be a little beaten up but we will survive. I do not think that elections will be suspended (remember how stupid people sounded when they claimed that Bush was going to be a dictator? It sounds just as stupid to claim Obama will do the same) or martial law is coming.

Don't get me wrong...I'm vehemently opposed to The One and all his socialist, power grabbing policies and actions. I just don't think I need to get into a bunker...not yet.

Where's All This Transparency He Promised?

I'm not one of those folks who thinks every single move the government makes should be made public. There ARE national security risks involved and I don't need to know every move the CIA makes.

But damn... The One seems to just talk out of his ass. He campaigns on open government and transparency and then signs an executive order in December, clearly trying to be all nonchalant and quiet about it.

If Bush had signed this same Executive Order the press would have screamed to high heaven within 24 hours. It's been almost two weeks and most people haven't even heard of Executive Order 12425. Have you?

I read about it yesterday from a link on Instapundit, and then heard a bit more about it from a caller into Beck's program this morning (not my favorite show, but there's a sub in this week who is pretty good).

Can you even IMAGINE if Bush had let non US police agencies have this kind of authority and power in our country??? The left would be screaming and wetting themselves over the "police state" we were turning into.

As explained by Noisy Room...emphasis is mine.

"This now says that Interpol is no longer subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Their premises or staff can no longer be searched either. Their files are not subject to legal subpoena or discovery. Our government could just hand documents and files over to Interpol and Americans would no longer have access to them. Interpol can legally keep files now on all citizens of the US with no right to redress.

In reality, we have just handed over our sovereignty. Interpol headquarters in the US is currently headquartered in the Department of Justice. A ‘separate’ Interpol agency has been created in the DOJ – let that sink in for a moment. Interpol has been granted diplomatic immunity now by Obama – they have exemption from being subject to search and seizure by law enforcement, US taxes and immunity from FOIA requests, etc. This action could also be used to divulge American military secrets and a whole host of horrific practices having to do with going after our military. It’s the road to internationalism on steroids."

But go read the rest of the post...it just gets scarier.

Is this REALLY what you want from your government?

Paradise?

Found via Artists & Crafters Supply Community blog. Flippin' genius! I think it's even more clear than the parable about the men of different income levels who split the check at a restaurant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class.

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".

All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that. (Please pass this on)

Too Good Not to Share

Mark Stein is so good with words. I could copy and paste his entire article, but go read it yourself...you won't be sorry.

Some of my favorites though...

"...The monsterous mountain of toxic pustules sprouting from greasy boils metastisizing from malign carbuncles ..."

That's how he described the "health care" "reform" bill that got shoved down our throats on Christmas Eve. A fitting and accurate portrayal if you ask me.

Oh but there's so much more...

"We were told we had to do it because of the however many millions of uninsured, yet this bill will leave some 25 million Americans uninsured...

...on the other other other other hand, if you're already enjoying government health care, well, you're 83 years old and, let's face it, it's hardly worth us giving you that surgery for the minimal contribution you make to society, so in the cause of extending government health care to millions of people who don't currently get it we're going to ration it for those currently entitled to it."

And don't be naive in thinking that it won't happen exactly like that, regardless of what the so called compassionate and caring Democrats say. They can call it anything they want, but rationing will be the reality and those deemed less important to society (of course, they won't put it that way) will be the first cut off.

"...even before it's up-and-running, Pelosi-Reid-Obamacare is an imprenetrable thicket of contradictory boondoggles, shameless payoffs, and arbitrary shakedowns."

And what pisses me off the most...

"...because it inserts the power of the state between you and your doctor, and in effect assumes jurisdiction over your body."

Whatever happened to "keep your laws off my body"?????

Merry Christmas

To you and yours...a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Well, Merry F'in Christmas

That appears to be the message from Congress. We can all go F ourselves and our freedom to choose. I thought they promoted freedom of choice? And doing it sneakily in the wee hours in the Senate and on Christmas Eve in the house...bunch of filthy cowards. The Dems can try to blame this one on the GOP but they are on their own...looks like every single one of the Republicans voted no. Which didn't do a bit of good, but at least they stood their ground...for once. Maybe if they'd kept up with their so called beliefs in the first place the Dems wouldn't have such a majority. But that's history and we have to look to the future.

If this monstrosity of a plan interferes in any way with me making a career change I'm going to be seriously and absolutely pissed off. I want to stay home with my son and I *think* I've found a way to make that work and still earn a living...a good living if I want to work hard and an okay living if I want to just do it part time. But it involves the health insurance industry ... nice, right? It's not health insurance exactly, but it's along those lines and works with health insurance. It's a fantastic product that I've had for eight years and I'm sure most of you would recognize (though I'm not going to mention it specifically yet...I still have to go through my testing and training...and I'm still working at my old job).

Oh, and if my MIL loses ANY of her coverage with Medicare (or Medicaid...not sure which she is on) I am going to lose my shit. She has been so strong and fought so wonderfully against this monster of Leukemia...and her coverage has truly been a blessing for all of us. I hate government being involved in things, but she is one who actually needs the coverage. I guess if she gets hit again with any illness the government will say she's SOL...seeing as how she's almost 70. She's lived a good life. *insert outrage here*

Hubby has been asking if we can sue the government if we are "required" to purchase health insurance. I said no because we can't afford it...but can we afford not to. If someone is going to sue them we're sure going to support them though.

Teaching

My two little cousins have been staying with me for a few days. Yesterday we went to do some fun Christmas errands and I kept my radio station tuned to Rush and Medved. The oldest is 14 going on 30 and she asked what they were talking about so I tried to not be too super political and explain the travesty of a health care bill.

My favorite portion of the explanation was telling her that they were going to tax tanning salons to help pay for this crap. The look of horror on her face was classic. She goes to those places and her response was ... "Isn't that going to make it more expensive for me?"

BINGO! She got it. Taxes are just taxes on some anonymous business that doesn't affect anyone else. Those taxes get passed on to the consumer. And she understands that it isn't just tanning beds.

She wants to be a nurse and someday an anesthesiologist in plastic surgery. I told her that was pretty smart because she'd make a lot more money with elective health care (as long as the government doesn't add it to the list of entitlements) than general practice where her salary will be limited to what the government declares is "fair".

She's a smart cookie. Too bad she's already in huge debt and going to be taxed beyond her comprehension.

WHY??????

It's hard for me to get outraged over the health "care" fiasco going on in DC when there are more assholes ambushing and trying to kill our officers here in Washington State. I'm sure there will be more copy cat events.

Hubby has been off all month and I thank God for that.

My aunt called me last night at 10:30 to tell us this had happened near her home. Her best friend's husband is a Deputy. Thankfully he was not working, but of course he knew those involved in this ambush. Thankfully the jerk off who ambushed these officers is now dead. I hop he is burning in hell.

I really don't get it. Our officers are here to protect and serve. No, they aren't always perfect - hubby has had complaints that he's rude and he's worked on that and gotten better. But I don't care how rude he is if it brings him home safe to us.

Police officers are PEOPLE. They have fears and dreams just like everyone else. How have people fallen so low as to forget this and want to purposely take their lives.

My heart breaks.

RWW

I just learned a new phrase. Racist While White or RWW.

heh.

Via Instapundit, I've discovered a great new blog - Baldilocks. She asked a wonderful and thought provoking question to her Caucasian...er...white readers.

I know that I'm not a racist...

"Racism: The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or
ability and that particular race is superior to others."

Nope...that does not describe me.

There are some small minded, bigoted people out there who use the slander of calling someone a racist as their way of arguing.

Besides, I thought once "The One" was elected all racism would be gone from the world. Heh. I'm sure that comment makes me a racist somehow.

It Seemed Like a Good Idea

Several years ago (so far back I can't remember exactly when...but I was in my early 20s) I participated on a panel for our local electric utility company. The goal was to figure out how to explain and advertise a new billing program. (Plus I got some free lightbulbs!)

In my mind, it seemed like a great idea. You paid different rates based on WHEN you used power. So if I needed to run the dish washer it would be cheaper for me to do so after 5 p.m. and even cheaper after 8 p.m. during off peak hours.

Not only could it decrease your cost of electricity it would take strain off of the 'grid' during peak hours if people shifted their use.

Unfortunately, there were too many bleeding hearts on the panel who thought it wasn't "fair" to everyone. The highest cost would be the same for everyone and then if you adjusted your usage it would go down from there. But these whiners came up with all kinds of possible exceptions that could potentially be treated unfairly by this change in billing - People with special needs who had to use electricity all day, poor people, the elderly. Bla bla bla. None of their bills would actually go up, but since they might not be able to benefit from the lower rates it wasn't fair. It was incredibly frustrating and ultimately their complaints won out and the program got scrapped.

So everyone pays more so that it can be "fair" to everyone (gee, what does that sound like?). Those who may have been "harmed" (using that word loosely here) don't get the choice of lower rates, and neither does anyone else.

It looks like another company is at least trying to move forward with a similar idea by installing Smart Meters to monitor usage. I'm not so sure I love this idea entirely, especially the control they'd have from some main center to turn power on and off, but it's not a bad idea to let people know exactly how much power they are using.

If a utility decides to shut off a customer for nonpayment, it can do so by remote control; if the customer pays enough money to allow resumption of service, the utility can also do that from a central office without sending out a representative.

I'm torn on the whole shutting people's power off power...but in general if you don't pay you shouldn't get a service and power is no exception. And I like the fact that these smart meters can tell the company instantly that someone's power has gone out (which ours has twice in the past three weeks).

The long-term impact of the smart meters is uncertain. Some studies show that people use less electricity when they can see the numbers ticking higher on the meter.

Aside from the concern over 'big brother' type monitoring, I really like the idea behind smart meters. Being able to monitor my power usage and adjusting it to pay less is a very appealing idea. Knowledge is power after all. :)

It's For Your Own Good

Don't you peons know? The government is here to help you, take care of you, and see to it that your basic needs are met.

Of course, they're the ones who will define basic needs and if that doesn't include a life saving operation or preventative care ... well, after all, they know best.

All you women who think that getting a mammogram is important...well, you just don't understand. But don't worry. A government worker will explain it to you and then deny your coverage. Or if your doctor wants you to get a CT scan, "they" will deny it because it could increase your risk of cancer.

After all, there is a government task force that will decide what we need and don't need. Who are we to question them?

The goal won't be to save lives. It will be to (supposedly) save money...even though that won't really happen either because of all the fraud and waste that will occur at an even higher level than it currently does.

I'm truly scared that if this insane and horrifying piece of health "care" legislation passes that this country will go down a path that it can never recover from...and it will be a seriously scary and deadly place.

Sure, everyone will be "covered"...but nothing is ever truly free. And while you're "covered" for something you may just die waiting for treatment in the new government controlled system. Because we know how efficient the government is.

He's Apparently Grading on a Curve

Did you hear that The One gave himself and his presidency a B+ during an interview with the other O?

Wow...and he said it'd be an A- if health care reform was passed.

"...he gives himself a "good, solid B-plus" for his first 11 months in the Oval Office...."

WOW.

That's some pretty easy grading if you ask me. He hasn't accomplished one damn thing except empty "promises" and threats of complete economic takeover by the government. Oh, okay, well maybe if you consider the takeover of GM and other sectors of our economy as accomplishments then he's achieved something. Just not something good.

I'd give him a D...a D+ if I were feeling generous. (And apparently I'm not the only one...there's a poll on the article site and most folks are giving him an F.)

This guy has such an ego! It's incredible. It would be funny if he weren't in such a high position of power...the most "powerful" man in the world. It's frightening!

Seperate but Equal Gift Guides

Unbelievable. And quite disturbing.

So, it's okay to have seperate but equal things if those things are liberal, right? Apparently the NYT thinks so as they have created a "special" gift guide for those people of color (I thought referring to folks "of color" was offensive).

Just wow.

So, where is the gift guide for people who lack skin pigmentation? And what would be on it?

I think they left some things off of their official Person's of Color gift guide though. I mean...if you're going to focus on "colored" folk then includes more than just the libs, right?

Bobby Jindal counts as successful and his skin is sure darker than mine. But as a conservative he isn't really "of color" according to the NYT.

He's not necessarily a conservative, but he is hilarious and while his skin color is of "color" he is apparently treated as though he isn't a "real" black man. I heard him interviewed...I think on Michael Medved's show, but it could have been somewhere else.

And of course they couldn't include a conservative black man who made it all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States, long before "the One" became President. Because after all, conservative views aren't really "black".

The whole thing makes me sick. Why would any of my black or "Latina" friends be less interested in what I'm interested in? We aren't defined by our skin color but by our character and our shared interests. I don't shop for my coworker who is from Colombia any differently than I do for the one from Canada.

It's just one more example of the left's true hypocrasy when it comes to race.

*And yes, each of those Amazon links is an affiliate link...'cause I want to stay home with my son and have to earn money somewhere. :)

Once I Decide

When I make up my mind to do something I generally like to do it right away. Unfortunately, not all decisions can be implemented immediately no matter how much I wish they could be. This is one of those times.

Vague right? I know...I still need to hash out some things. I'm very impatient though. =)

Nine Days Ago

Only nine short days ago, a monster ruthlessly snuffed out the lives of four human beings. Humans with families, friends, and lives beyond their jobs.

Today those officers will be honored at the largest law enforcement funeral held in our state. Hubby is attending with one of his coworkers. I think it starts at 1 p.m. but they are aiming to get there at 11 a.m. to join the officer procession.

On my way to work at 7 a.m. I counted at least 34 cars with their lights going and a fire truck on their way to join the procession. Then the local mall had a memorial message up on their reader board thing and I almost lost it.

I pray that all the officers attending today are safe and that no other monster tries to use this as an opportunity for their own evil doings. That's my biggest fear today...that some other psycho will take more lives. They are estimating at least 20,000 in attendance.

From my office building I can see the Tacoma Dome where the funeral is being held. It's also going to be televised and there are satellite locations for people to gather and watch on big screen TVs.

If you'd like to offer a donation, no matter how big or small, to the families of these four fallen heroes, please visit the Lakewood Police Independent Guild website where there is a donation link. Nine children lost a parent nine days ago. I know what that feels like, even though my father was not taken violently. These families will never be the same.

Patience is the Key Word

I was quite surprised at how busy Target was on Sunday afternoon. It was busier than Black Friday when we were there. I found some great deals, including two big gifts I bought on behalf of my MIL and SIL for other family members.

My order was huge...and then I had more than $50 in coupons. :) Yes, I am totally OCD on coupons. Anyhoo...I'm in line and I noticed someone behind me with fewer items so I let them go first. No biggy. I knew I was going to take awhile.

So I get up for my turn and the cashier is super nice and she is ringing up my order...and I notice the lady behind me was a little ... shall we say impatient?

It was taking a awhile, I admit, but it's the Christmas season and every line was full and busy. I was nearly done, and the cashier was just finishing with ringing up my coupons so I could pay, and the lady got herself in a tizzy, took her items off the thingy (my mind is blanking on what you call the thing that moves the merchandise to the checker...sheesh) back into her cart and took off to another line. It was pretty funny to me and the lady behind her. She had waited all that time and it was only going to be another couple minutes at the most. Worked out great for the lady behind her who hardly had to wait at all.

Patience people! No one should go out this time of year and expect to get through checkout lines quickly. Or find a good parking space.

Ouchie

Poor little boy got his two month shots yesterday. :( Boy did his face get all red when he screamed bloody murder. I've never seen him so red before. It was almost cute. lol

The appointment was interesting. Our doctor was very specific in explaining all the vaccinations he was going to receive. I remember getting my vaccines as a young girl (and teen) and there was no discussion. She seemed to think we were going to argue with her about having Marshal vaccinated.

I've thought about it, but I think it's more important for him to be protected against horrible things like Polio and Whooping Cough than risk those diseases on the astronomical chance of a bad reaction. I've never had any bad reactions to vaccines and neither has hubby. And so far he seems okay, other than a little fussier than normal.

It's people who don't vaccinate their children who are helping all these horrible diseases make a come back. Jenny McCarthy needs to shut her trap about things she doesn't understand. She's an actress, not a doctor or scientist.

Then again, I'm not all that fond of all vaccines - like the flu vaccine. I did NOT want to get it, but I did because we have an infant. Plus, kids are more vulnerable this season. It didn't hurt me a bit (so far).

I wouldn't want to force people to get vaccines...I just wish the standard vaccines weren't bashed by stupid celebrities. If it weren't for vaccines we would still have Polio!

Now I Remember

Driving home last night I remembered why I hated commuting. People are insane when they drive!!! Tailgating and speeding, swerving between lanes with no blinkers...I actually honked at one jerk who nearly rear ended me as he swerved around me into another lane. He came *that* close.

Not to mention traffic, which was worse last night than the night before. I just want to get home as quickly as possible to see my baby and I'm going 20 mph on the freeway.

I am getting more into the swing of things at work and actually got quite a bit accomplished so far. And I even got an idea yesterday for a new job that would be super flexible and allow me to stay home if I do end up not working here once the company moves. I won't mention it yet but I would be really excited to work for this particular company. :)

Yes They Deserve to Die and I Hope They Burn in Hell!

I'm not sure what movie that's from but I'm pretty sure it was Samuel L Jackson who said it. And right now it applies to the ass who murdered four of our brave law enforcement community.

God Bless the Seattle officer who took him out this morning.

And those who were helping this bastard evade capture need to rot in a jail cell for many years to come.

Sad Day for Me

I'm back at work. :( I had to leave my precious little boy at home with his daddy and drive 25+ miles to my job. It's been over two months since I gave birth and I was at home two weeks before that. I have been back to my office once when I did a craft show there earlier in November and it seemed really weird then. It's going to be really tough to get back into the swing of things.

Thankfully, hubby is off the whole month of December and will be Mr Mom. :) We'll see how he likes not being able to do whatever he wants without worrying about the boy and the dogs. You can't even go to the bathroom without considering how to manage the baby and make sure he is safe.

Hubby and I started talking about whether we could make due on one salary. I really have this overwhelming desire to stay home and be a mom as my career (and do my jewelry as well). It wouldn't be for at least 6-9 more months but I'm glad he didn't shoot down the idea and he seems to be considering it. If I do I'm sure I'll have lots of things to think about and post about.

Wish me luck on my first day back.

My Husband is a PERSON!

Some asshole shot and murdered four police officers today...just 30 minutes from our house. A person of interest has been announced and he had a record of assaulting a police officer and raping a child. Why the hell is he even out of jail?!?!

I hope that they find this ass and shoot him in the head. I don't want him to have a trial, costing the tax payers millions of dollars in appeals and defense. Nor do I want him just sitting on death row for decades, as our state rarely executes anyone.

I'm sick. Just sick to my stomach. My husband works as an officer. He has a family - a newborn son! That some jerk off would hate police so much that they would randomly take the life of someone with family, friends, hopes, and dreams makes me beyond angry...rage. I would pull the trigger or flip the switch on him myself! I can only imagine how the families of these four officers feel right now...and I never want to experience it myself.

For all those who like to hate on cops, just remember that they are people too. They are not perfect. They are HUMAN beings with lives and families. They make mistakes. But they risk their lives every single shift to do their jobs trying to make our lives safer.

Incidents like these don't just affect those families...but indirectly it affects all of us. Officers will be ever more vigilent, and more defensive, in the way they practice law enforcement. So if an officer pulls you over, he/she may approach your car slower, with hand on gun, and may not be as friendly. And I wouldn't blame them one bit.

If my hubby seems rude or harsh when contacting someone, I don't care. As long as he comes home alive and safe after every shift. I need him and our son needs him.

Do Whatever You Want

I know I watch too much TV. As soon as Marshal is aware of the TV I think I'm going to have to start turning it off more. For now though, the day (and night) is full of TV viewing for me.

So I've been seeing this one commercial that drives me absolutely bonkers. It's a Gap "holiday" commercial and it's got a really catchy beat. But the lyrics are insulting...at least to me.

Why do we celebrate during this particular two month period? There's a national holiday and everything. And it sure isn't for Solstice or the non holiday that is Kwanza.

Their commercial at least includes the word Christmas, but the spirit is definitely not there. They throw a shout out to Kwanza, Solstice, Hannukah (that one doesn't bother me ... although that also isn't why most of us celebrate this season), and to a new one that I've never heard of...

"Happy do-whatever-you-wannika" ... really? REALLY?

We want to celebrate a do whatever you want holiday? We want to celebrate dumb kids like this???



'Tis the season after all.

I like Gap clothing (the style at least) but their commercial REALLY turns me off. I'm not getting ready to celebrate Solstice or Kwanza or "do whatever you wannika". I'm getting excited and ready to celebrate Christmas. CHRISTMAS is the reason stores have sales and federal employees' get the day off (as do most of us).

This is our first Christmas with our new baby boy...I can't wait. :)

(Yes, I've already taken him to get Christmas photos. *grin* Target does a GREAT job!)

Nothing to See Here - Move Along

I as shocked when I heard about the shooting in Texas yesterday. And I immediately thought it was a terrorist event...before I even heard the A**holes name and the witness reports of him shouting Allah Akbar.

Stories are coming out that people raised concerns about this guy and his jihadist beliefs. But political correctness and diversity training won out and got 13 people killed by this nut.

The libs are already rallying around the diversity meme. It was just a freakish tragedy and had nothing to do with Islamic beliefs. Nope. Nothing to see here...move along. All praise diversity. No one's beliefs are any better than another. Everyone is equal and should be taken seriously (I was taught this in middle school and it never made sense to me...how can a cannibal's beliefs be just as equal as mine? ... at least that was my thought.)

Murderous ideology? Well, that's their belief and it needs to be respected.

I call BS. Radical jihadists should be shot in the head.

And no, I'm not saying all Muslims... I'm saying those radical Islamists who are no better than the Nazis in their hatred and blood lust. And it sounds like this gunman held sympathetic views toward suicide bombers and wanting a caliphate.

How could the military even allow this guy to remain in uniform?

Political correctness kills.

Just Stay Home

I went out into the world all by myself yesterday - for the first time in over a month. I drove my own car and was surprised that it started right up with no issues since it'd been sitting in our driveway for that long.

My goals weren't big...get a copy of a key made for my mom and go to Walmart for a few groceries. It was exhausting.

But the biggest issue that I came across was my cashier at Walmart. As I got closer to my turn I noticed that her nose was red and she sounded a little bit stuffy. It was too late to move lanes but by my turn I could tell that she was indeed sick. She was coughing and definitely was stuffed up.

It really bothered me. She had hand sanitizer at her station but I didn't see her use it once (and if you've ever waited in line at Walmart you know how long it can take ... she should have used it at least once in that time).

On my way out I stopped by another cashier's station and asked to use her hand sanitizer and she confirmed that my cashier was indeed very sick.

So why the HELL was she at work? The other cashier said that if they call in sick they get in trouble.

Well, excuse me, but if someone is sick they should stay home and get better instead of infecting others. Especially when they work directly with the public. Who knows how many people she came in contact with. Not to mention people like me who have newborns at home. I don't exactly want to bring home any illness to him...I'm having a hard enough time with his fussiness.

I got online right when I got home and got on Walmart's website to send a note ... in this day and age with all the hoopla about Swine Flu you'd think that they'd want to be extra careful...especially since their public image isn't always that reat.

Don't get me wrong...I love my Walmart. I generally go at least once a week. I just want them to be responsible with their associates and protect their customers from disease. Is that really too much to ask???

Here Piggy Piggy

Have you gotten your Swine Flue shot yet? Stupid H1N1. The whole hype just pisses me off.

However...

I was brow beaten into submission by my mother, who is an RN, and the rest of her medical colleagues. Not only did I get the regular flu shot for the first time in over a decade, but I also got the H1N1 vaccine (not the shot, the spray up the nose).

Why?

Because of the kid. See...kids ruin your lives. :)

Plus they say that H1N1 is more dangerous to younger people than older...which I find really odd. They aren't even giving the vaccine to people over 65 at my mom's clinic. Hubby is a first responder and we have an infant...those are the only two reasons we did it and even qualified to receive it.

The shortage of vaccines is incredible too. My mom called me to tell me that they had FIVE vaccines left in her office and to get in as soon as we could. Less than two hours later they had three left. We got two of them. It's incredible that there is such a shortage.

So I did it for my son. I swear his head grew two sizes over night. He'll be four weeks old tomorrow!

Are you getting the regular flu vaccine or the H1N1? I still think that it's being overblown by the media and government. I told the nurses at the clinic that if I got Geon Burray (or however you spell it) I was going to be super pissed.

Praying for a Routine

It's been four days and it SEEMS like Marshal is finding a sort of routine. Or at least I'm praying for one. It *seems* like he is falling asleep around 9 and sleeping until midnight or so. And then he's up for an hour or more and then sleeps until around 5 a.m. I hope he sticks with it. Maybe he'll take after his mom and dad and love to sleep. :) His daddy can sleep for 14 hours straight without any problem. And I really do need 9 hours to be fully awake.

My mom says I'm just dreaming and that when I was a baby I didn't sleep through the night until I was 9 months old. That thought scares me.

I'm completely addicted to Facebook games right now. So between laundry, feeding, changing, etc. I'm on Facebook playing Mafia Wars, Farmville, and now Cafe World. I have issues.

But I'm encouraged that I'm even able to focus on things like that now. And I managed to blog on all three of my blogs today. First time in over a month that I've managed that.

I'm still ignoring the real world though. Anything important going on?

Sleep is Important

Wow...it's amazing what a good night's sleep will do.

Hubby i working night shifts so I've had solo night duty with the boy. Then I had the day shift as well while hubby slept. Now that he has a couple of nights off I am able to sleep. I slept for almost 10 hours straight. Holy cow...

I had the energy to venture out into the world by myself with the little squirt...for the very first time. And we both survived.

Life is insane. I've completely unplugged from what is going on in the world. I did hear about The One's Nobel Peace prize. It sounded about right...after all if Jimmy Carter can get one the standards are obviously pretty low.

I spend my days changing diapers, feeding, and worrying about the boy. He doesn't seem to sleep very long if he's not in our arms so it's tough to get much done. I seem to have time to do a load of laundry and make formula and my day is over.

I wish that I didn't have to make formula but my breasts let me down in the breast feeding department. It never occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to breast feed my baby and the realization that I couldn't was truly heart breaking. I felt like a total and complete failure. Taking the breastfeeding class they talk so down on formula that you think it's a poison...so when I had no choice I was of course devastated.

But it is formula or he starves to death...and he's doing good - gaining lots of weight and finally seems to be getting his bowels under control. He's even started sleeping more at night - at least the last three nights.

I'll try not to make this into an all mommy blog all the time...although I don't have much else in my life other than baby right now. =)

It's Official

Chillin' with his papa.

I'm a mommy. Dear God it is a scary thought.

On Friday I had my last scheduled Dr's appointment and she decided that I needed to be induced right then because my fluid looked too low in the ultrasound. It was only two days earlier than scheduled but it threw us for a loop because we had other plans and last minute things were were going to do.

We headed home and got the dogs to doggy daycare for boarding and stopped by McDonalds for my last meal. :) I figured I wouldn't be allowed to eat anything once we got there and I was right - I got some jello and graham crackers around midnight / Saturday morning and that was it until Saturday after the delivery.

We checked into the hospital at 5:50 on Friday. I was barely diallated but they put me on the drip for inducing and hooked me up to the fetal heart monitor. It was a very uncomfortable night - every hour I had to get up and go to the bathroom. Not uncommon these last few weeks but a lot harder to do all hooked up to IV's and machines. I couldn't do it without the nurse's help. So humiliating.

The doctor came in Saturday morning and checked my progress (barely over 3 cm...just the process of checking me made me cry!). She said that I could have an epi when I was over 4 cm which finally arrived early that afternoon.

The guy came in and gave me the epi and while I was on the bed.....WHOOSH...all of a sudden I'm freaking out because I was leaking. ROFL The nurse probably thought I was a lunatic, but it totally freaked me out. I couldn't control it at all and it kept going. And I kept saying - the bed is all wet. hahahaha

I'm glad it broke though because that way the doctor didn't have to do it for me. I hate the look of the tool they use.

So by around 1 p.m. or so I was in labor and progressed super fast from there. When I was at 9 cm the nurse had me start pushing a bit. They don't tell you how frickin' hard it is.
I thought my head was going to explode.

Marshal Lawrence Casto was born 9/26 at 5:50 p.m. He was 7 pounds 3 ounces and 19.75 inches long. Thank GOD he wasn't the 10 pound baby we were expecting. I don't think I would have survived.

In NICU getting an IV.

There were some complications, because with this pregnancy nothing could go smoothly, even at the end. But he's healthy and home now. The gory details can be found below. :)




*** Warning - what follows can be considered TMI... read at your own risk. ***



My placenta didn't come out all the way - a piece with the tumor stayed in and the doctor had to retrieve it...and by retrieve it I mean reach up and RIP the damn thing out of me. Epidural be damned, it hurt like hell. Hubby took a photo but I won't share that...it's disgusting!



I lost a lot of blood. A few hours after delivery they tried having me sit on the side of the bed to move rooms and I nearly fainted. My blood pressure was super low when they checked and I wasn't ever able to get out of the bed that night - I couldn't even sit up!



Not only that, I wasn't able to pee and they had to put the damn cath back in, which took 30 minutes!!! The epi had worn off by that point and I was thoroughly pissed. They finally got us into our recovery room and Marshal's blood sugar started to drop. By midnight it was too low to allow him to stay in the room with me and he had to go to the NICU. :(



Thankfully I was so wiped out I barely cared. Daddy went with him and stayed the night. Marshal had to go on an IV because his sugar level was dangerously low. Even after feeding.



Then they told me that he had to have formula, which I never wanted to do. But because of his low sugars we had no choice. He needed nutrients and I couldn't give it to him yet (and still can't though we're still trying). No bottles though...we're using a syringe with a tube and finger feeding. A pain, but I really want him to be able to breast feed when I have milk and getting used to a bottle now can make that a lot harder.



He finally was taken off the IV drip and allowed back in our room on Sunday evening...after a LOT of poking and prodding. His poor little heals have needle marks all over them from all the blood tests.



We came home Monday and I can't believe it's only been a day since we arrived home. I'm absolutely exhausted and overwhelmed. Hubby is amazing though. I knew he'd be a good papa but he's surprised me still.

I'm severely anemic and very weak still - the doctor said I would need at least 6 weeks just to recover the blood I lost! And I keep forgetting to eat or drink. Which doesn't help the milk situation.

We also had a slight situation with Trooper Bear and Timber...I was ready to send them both to their Aunt's house for good but hubby talked me down. The dogs aren't allowed in the bedroom right now and they slept in the living room by themselves for the first time ever. Sad, but I would never sleep if the dogs were in there with us and the baby.


I feel like crying at everything...especially looking at the photos from the hospital. But I think it's a little late to change my mind now. =)

Counting Down the Days

It's getting closer and closer to the big day. My doctors have set a date to induce me if I haven't already given birth...September 27. They apparently don't let women with gestational diabetes go past 39 weeks. But of course if I have no progression and the baby seems fine they'll wait a couple more days.

All I know is that I'm exhausted and it doesn't take much of anything to wear me out. Just folding the laundry wore me today. Then again we did run errands all morning. So I was already tired.

Monday is my last day "at" work and then I'll be working from home until the day arrives. It's amazing how tired I get just getting read for work...showering, dressing, driving...it completely wipes me out and by the time I get to the office I'm barely functioning.

I'll have to force myself to take showers though. :) Getting up and heading straight to the computer is an easy routine to fall into. Although I'm sure hubby will tell me if I start to stink too badly.

When the little guy arrives I'll be sure to share photos...though probably not right away as I'm sure you can understand. He's moving tons and hubby got to feel him moving like crazy this afternoon. It's like having a little alien in my belly and the two of them were cracking me up...baby moves and hubby makes a face of amazement. Totally adorable.

I probably won't blog a ton the next couple of weeks as I have bunches of work to get caught up on before I go on leave. Not to mention stuff to finish around the house. The crib is put together but we don't have a mattress yet. Hubby put the bassinet / playpen thingy together last week and it's in the bedroom ready to go. We've got some diapers in various sizes, plenty of wipes, and lots of clothing. Everything else will probably just have to wait.

If I haven't already mentioned it...I'm completely terrified and freaked out. :) I keep reminding myself that people do it ALL the time and have been doing it for thousands of years. But that doesn't always make me feel better.

Wish me luck!

Bullies Don't Scare Me

Washington State is super liberal (at least on the Western side of the state) and I'm used to it, having lived here my entire life. I was raised to believe that liberals were supposed to be the tolerant ones ... the ones who wanted open communication, discussions, and everyone's views to be heard - and every vote to be counted.

But that clearly is only the case if they agree with your cause and I've seen it first hand in my own family as my own views turned more and more to the right in the last decade.

There is a referendum process in Washington State and anyone can petition to have a law voted on if they go through the proper steps and get the right amount of signatures (not really sure the exact specifics on how referendums vs initiatives work here).

One of those referendums is R-71...they're calling it the "Protect Marriage in Washington" referendum. The opponents were fighting it even getting on the ballot - through the courts of course - trying to say that there were illigitimate signatures.

Yes, I SIGNED the petition at Walmart one day (kind of a funny store on its own...but that's not the point here)!!! I hope my signature was validated. Since the court said that yes, the referendum qualifies, the liberal bullies who hate anyone who disagree with them are now trying a new tactic - threatening to post all the names of anyone who signed in support of the ref.

A political group called WhoSigned.Org has said it will publish online the names of people who signed petitions to get the referendum on the ballot. The petition-listing effort is not supported by the official campaign that had tried to keep R-71 off the ballot.

A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order to bar the release of signatures on R-71 petitions, and a hearing on that case will be held in Tacoma on Thursday.

I say ... a big ol' F&CK YOU! (And I hate the F word...but it fits here.) That just makes my support for the referendum stronger. I will not be bullied with scare tactics. I don't care who knows that I signed it...go ahead and release my name. I don't believe gay "marriage" is something that should be accepted in society.

I don't care if people want to have domestic partnerships...doesn't bother me. But don't try to call two women in a relationship a marriage. It is NOT. Words matter. Definitions matter. Marriage is one man and one woman. I don't consider polygamists marriages legitimate either. ONE man and ONE woman.

I harbor no ill feelings toward Gay/Lesbian friends and family (and coworkers)...in fact one of my hubby's coworkers is the most awesome lady - as is her partner - who came to my baby shower (she was his boss at one point but she's been promoted and moved out of the area, which we are sad about). But I don't support them getting "married." And it has very very little to do with my religious beliefs.

Our Senator is a complete moron...

State Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who has spearheaded domestic partnership efforts in the state, called it a "tragic day for the state, where we will put the rights of a group of our citizens up for a vote."

Yes, what a tragedy that the CITIZENS of the state are allowed to VOTE on an issue. Heaven forbid we live in any sort of democracy (I know...we're a republic...whatever) where the government does what the PEOPLE want. She's such a moron.

And if it doesn't pass...okay. I won't bitch and moan or sue anyone (unless there was clear and obvious fraud...which, in this state, isn't beyond the realm of possibilities). I'll be disappointed. But life will go on.

As for the attempted strong arm tactics of the left - screw them. I hope it backfires and makes people see them for the bullies and truly intolerant asshats that they are.

I Disagree with the Company, but not the Decision

Facebook is an amazing thing...I really do learn things there. :) Aside from how to build a fun farm and being totally addicted to the games.

So anyway...someone posted an article about a woman who was fired from her job at Totes/Isotoner for taking breaks to pump breast milk.

Allen admitted she took unauthorized breaks, and that's a firing offense. If she can't prove that someone said, "Ha! Now's our chance to get rid of her for being a woman!" then apparently, she can't prove discrimination.

This is a subject that is becoming more and more relevant to me as my delivery time approaches because I will need to pump at work.

The woman, LaNisa Allen, was fired for taking unauthorized breaks. I completely get the so called "logic" of the company for firing her but still think they are totally in the wrong and the bad publicity isn't worth their action.

I do agree with the court for upholding the company's actions, though perhaps not their reasoning. A private company should be allowed to fire people for pretty much any reason and I think most of the restrictions put on companies by the government suck.

Allen gave birth over five months prior to her termination from [Isotoner]. Pregnant [women] who give birth and choose not to breastfeed or pump their breasts do not continue to lactate for five months. Thus, Allen's condition of lactating was not a condition relating to pregnancy but rather a condition related to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding discrimination does not constitute gender discrimination.

Uh...right. She was just pumping for the sheer pleasure of it...got it.

So, it's a slippery slope. I don't think women deserve special treatment just for being women and giving birth. Men certainly don't get the same treatment when their wives give birth. I get the reasoning, but it's still discrimination in the strictest reading of the law.

If she took unauthorized breaks then she broke her employment contract and they can fire her. I don't get why she had to take unauthorized breaks. In our state it is required to receive two 15 minute breaks and at least 30 minutes for lunch in an 8 hour shift. Not sure why that's not enough time (just took a breast feeding class last night and they said with a double pump you can be done in 10 minutes).

Regardless of the court's decision...I think that Isotoner made a mistake. If they wanted to fire her for being a sucky employee they should have waited until she was done pumping and come up with another reason. If they really did fire her just for taking breaks to pump then they are lame and who would want to work for them anyway? I wouldn't.

And nor am I likely to make any purchases from them in the near future. I don't think the courts need to intervene - I think the markets will do a fine job of punishing the company for their decision. You know how uppity those breast feeding women can get. :) I smell a boycott.

While I think more women should breast feed, and that company's should support that, I still don't think Isotoner was *legally* wrong in what they did...morally and strategically wrong, yes.

I'll definitely want to share my experience from the breast feeding class last night but I'll save it for another post.

Doctors Aren't Always Right

So, Thursday evening we had a terrible time finding out that my mother in law had at most 6 months to live and at worst one.

This was based on her long conversation with her doctor and her high white blood cell count. Her doctor has been in practice for more than 30 years and she clearly takes what he says very seriously. He had her talking about hospice based solely on her white blood cell counts.

But he was WRONG!

The tests came back on Friday and she IS in REMISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm relieved and pissed all at the same time. Here this doctor tells her that she's basically going to kick the bucket and so she's ready to leave us on Thursday.

Oh ... sorry ... Nope. Sorry about the emotional distress based on my guess.

So of course we're relieved and thrilled. She still has a journey to recover - she'll be going in every day this week for treatment - but she is apparently officially in remission from her Leukemia.

I'm still frustrated at her total acceptance of dying - and not wanting to fight. Nothing is ever final! I don't care what the doctors say. They said that my little cousin would be a paraplegic for the rest of his life and he stood up on his wedding day two weeks ago to say his vows!

Doctors can be wrong!!!

More Bad News

Because there isn't enough stress in my life right now.

Yesterday I had another Non Stress Test (NST) and hubby came with me. It was nice because he got to see what I go through with these things. Of course the boy wasn't moving very much ... he tends to have on days and off days and yesterday was an off day. This morning appears to be an on day. :)

But the stressful part of the appointment came when they started looking at my blood sugars. This gestational diabetes thing is really difficult and my body is not cooperating. Even when I eat something that should NOT raise my blood sugar, my score is too high. Of course I haven't been eating *that* well so some of the scores were because of my own choices.

So the doc and nurse said if I can't get my scores down in the next 4 days I'll have to be sent up to UW Medical even more often so they can start monitoring me there. :( Which would totally suck. I hate driving to Seattle, and the parking is expensive.

After the appointment we went over to the hospital to visit my mother in law. She is in for a 6 day round of chemo. And she had bad news for us. Her white counts were way too high and the doctor thinks that her cancer is back...after an all too brief remission. They'll find out for sure today.

What sucks is that she is not going to do everything she can to beat it. She's hoping for 6 months, at the most. And that just drives me insane! If you can fight something you should fight it. I feel like she's just giving up...something I said and she denies.

I know how hard the last full month round of treatment was for her. She had a minor stroke and had bleeding in the brain that only stopped through a miracle (they can't operate) - there were several times when they thought they were going to lose her. But we didn't! She made it.

She is refusing to have any sort of bone marrow transplant because the doctor says the odds are 20-30% she'd die during treatment. Which to me translates to a 70-80% chance of making it through!

I don't understand giving up. Yes, she's 69 years old. So what?!? That doesn't automatically mean she should refuse treatment and leave this planet early. She's going to be a grandma for Pete's sake. And she's saying all she wants is the opportunity to hold him.

*sigh*

So right now, her plan is to get blood transfusions, which should give her around 6 months. It would be nice to have her at least through Christmas.

It was not a good evening and I couldn't hold back the tears...although crying isn't exactly something new for me lately.

I know it's her life. And her right to decide what treatment she accepts. I know that logically. I don't accept it though.

SSP Fundraiser Results

I'm so excited to announce that I raised $69.95 during the Etsy sale fund raiser for Saving Shelter Pets. YAY!!! I'm going to round up. *grin*

So $70 is on its way to SSP to help rescue animals from high kill shelters. I love this organization and hope you'll check out what they do and support their efforts.

Cross posting at my other two blogs.

I'm Not Sad...Is That Mean?

Teddy K died. I don't feel a thing. Does that make me a bad person? I felt more emotion when MJ died, but just barely. It's not like I knew these people...and I loathed TK. It's going to be nauseating having to see people go on and on about what a wonderful public servant he was and what a difference he made to America.

Barf. He was a horrible, lifetime politician who helped change things for his own gain and socialist views. No one should be in the same position for 47 years...term limits anyone?

Not to mention his murder of a young woman. How many other politicians could get away with that and still manage a "successful" political career?

So forgive me if I don't celebrate the life of a crooked politician (is that a redundant statement?) nor mourn his passing.

I do dread the coming media love fest for the "lion of the senate" ... and the Dems inevitable use of his brain tumor to push their disastrous health care "reform".

Capitalism Works!

As exhausted as I was this weekend, I was on a mission.

Orville Redenbacher used to make the yummiest White Cheddar popcorn but they stopped a year or two ago and I've been without ever since. But my coworker discovered a super yummy topping that you can shake onto your popcorn and it's white cheddar. Fabulous!

My goal this weekend was to FIND this piece of heavenly taste. I knew that Top Foods carried it, but I generally shop first at Walmart. Walmart carries two flavors, but not White Cheddar.

So off to Top Foods I go, hobbling and waddling in my own way (and being a busy body in the process) through this much more expensive store.

Price of the seasoning/topping at Walmart was $1.xx ... price at Top Foods ... $3.xx!!!!! SAME exact product (different flavor)!

But you know what? That is capitalism. I didn't find what I wanted in one store so I went to another store where they do have it. More expensive, yes. But that's their right as a private company and they obviously have clientele who are willing to pay for it.

If the government ran our grocery stores, I'd have ONE choice and ONE choice only and it would probably be for low fat, low salt, organic microwave popcorn with no seasoning or butter. And it would cost $10 for a 3 pack.

I'm glad I bought my 6 pack of popcorn at Walmart though. Same EXACT product...$3 vs $6 at Top Foods. Craziness I tell ya.

But God Bless America!

Oh...and one other observation from my errands. Walmart was PACKED on a Sunday afternoon. I waited a good 25 minutes in line (torture!). Top Foods was dead and there was no wait in line. I'm not saying one store is better than another (I like them both but shop at Wally World more often) but it was an interesting dichotomy.

How Can This Happen in America?

Woke up this morning to the news talking about a 17 year old girl, formerly Muslim, who converted to Christianity and is now afraid for her life. She ran away from home to Florida from Ohio and today some court system is going to decide whether she will be forced to return.

Couple of thoughts...

Is she being irrationally afraid due to pressure from the people who helped convert her? Is she being irrationally afraid because she's 17 years old and drama rules at that age?

I don't think so - we've seen cases of in the Western world of women being murdered by their families...so called "honor killings" for much less a "crime" than converting from Islam ... so it isn't like there is no precedent for her fear.

We've even seen a father kill his young daughters, who hadn't even converted!, and he is still on the run.

She is still a minor. Though I know we've seen cases of kids taken away (or allowed to divorce their parents) from their parents for less frightening reasons. It's not like she's 5. She's 17 and almost considered an adult.

It's not an easy situation and I don't envy the people who have to make this decision. To make it even more complicated, she isn't technically a citizen of the U.S. but of Sri Lanka, where she'd surely be killed if forced to return.

Her words send chills down my spine:

"If I had stayed in Ohio, I wouldn't be alive," she said. "In 150 generations in family, no one has known Jesus. I am the first — imagine the honor in killing me.

"There is great honor in that, because if they love Allah more than me, they have to do it. It's in the Koran," said in the interview, which has been posted on YouTube."

Sadly, she's right. There is "honor" in killing her in the sick twisted perversion that is Islam and Sharia law.

Let's hope and pray that she remains safe whatever the outcome of today's court decision.

EDITED TO ADD: Atlas Shrugged is all over this and points out that Fox is not doing nearly a good enough job in reporting all the facts of this case. Like the fact that she converted nearly 4 years ago!

Someone Moved My Cheese

And I mean that literally.

My cheese and my lunch meat were not in their proper place when I went to make my sandwich for lunch.

I have issues and I realize this. OCD is just one of them (there are many others). I put my food for work in the same exact spot EVERY single day. And if someone is in my spot, I move them. It's a compulsion. I can't control it (okay, I realize that I could...but I don't...whatever...don't judge me - I'm pregnant damnit!).

So someone, who must not know how crazy I am, has started putting their food in "my" spot for the last two days. And for the last two days I've moved it down one shelf to a new spot.

You have to imagine...I come in to work and open the fridge and stare ... there's already stuff in the place where I am preparing to place my food. It's like ... oh I don't even know how to describe it. But it totally throws me off. (Yes, crazy...I've already admitted that.)

I obviously pissed this person off today. At lunch I go to the fridge to make my super yummy sandwich and my cheese and lunch meat are GONE!

Please understand...food is so far the only thing I've completely come unhinged about since I've been pregnant. All fits and insane behavior have revolved around food - and hubby learned VERY quickly not to try to take my food. (I almost threw a knife at him when he tried to take a piece of my pizza.)

I very nearly had a full out sobbing breakdown in the kitchen. I held it together just long enough to look in other places ... and there was my food. HIDDEN in the very back of a completely different shelf behind other people's food. Clearly deliberately done to display other person's annoyance at me.

Which I get. I totally get. And don't blame them for at all.

But it still prompted me to curse. And then to laugh. I am completely insane. The pregnancy just exacerbates it.

Now I am on a mission to find out WHO moved my cheese (and lunch meat) so I can explain my craziness. Everyone who knows me totally gets it. Another coworker once put her stuff in "my" spot in front of me and I moved it in front of her and she laughed. She gets me. I wish everyone got me.

Starting to Freak Out

I've got less than 7 weeks before I'm due to give birth. And I have to admit - I'm totally freaked out.

I had my first "Non Stress Test" yesterday - I have to have two each week because my pregnancy is high risk. Apparently around this time (34 ish weeks) the baby can sometimes spontaneous die and they don't really know why.

WTH!?

So twice a week I have to schlep to the doctor's office and get strapped in to these monitors that track the baby's heart rate for 30 minutes.

I still have no idea which doctor will actually do my delivery...I talked to the OB doc yesterday and explained my utter anxiety about having one of them do it. I'm sure she didn't appreciate it, but I don't care. I'm not comfortable with NOT knowing which of the 4 OB docs will do my delivery, especially since I've only met two of them...each one time. My family practice doctor was with me the first seven months and I'd rather stay with her.

The OB doc did say that she would talk to her supervisor to see what they could do. So I can only pray that they will value my sanity above their procedures.

I can feel my emotions boiling just under the surface. I've been so mellow this whole pregnancy - much to my surprise and delight - but I can tell that the hormones are really starting their steep incline. The birthing class instructor told us that at 7 months the hormones really ratchet almost straight up compared to the first 7 months. I felt like crying over nothing yesterday. Two days before that I was high as a kite (not literally...just emotionally).

I'm sure that most of it is the pregnancy hormones, but I worry that some of it is the Bipolar. I've been very non-suicidal the whole time but those thoughts still flit through my brain every now and again...and totally freak me out at times.

Above all, I'm tired of being pregnant. I'm ready to meet my boy and hold him. I'm not ready for sleepless nights but at least I'll be able to get out of bed without this watermelon in my belly. Any movement is a huge challenge for me right now.

Nobody tells you these things before you get pregnant.

Fundraising for Saving Shelter Pets

I have a few favorite charities, and most revolve around animals or kids. What can I say? They're the most innocent among us all.

And while I love my pure bred babies, my adopted babies hold a special place in my heart. Especially my Timber Wolf (who is a total daddy's boy but I still adore him).


Saving Shelter Pets is one of those organizations that I somehow stumbled upon (probably through EntreCard and reading other pet blogs...EC is worth it for that alone) and have loved ever since. They do SUCH great work and you really do get to see their results.


Starting Sunday August 16 (yesterday) and running through August 26, participating Etsy shops are donating 20% of their sales to SSP. And I'm one of the shops! I was super excited to get my first fund-raising sale today and am so happy to be able to participate.

So if you're planning ahead for birthdays or Christmas, please consider purchasing from one of the shops participating in this great fundraiser. I know I have my eye on several items. :)

Pimping

It's Friday. I'm tired and busy at work. The news is pissing me off.

So I'm just going to pimp some stuff.

=)

If you need to send out newsletters for any reason (business or personal) I totally and 100% recommend Mail Chimp. I've been using them for over a year now and have always been happy with their service.

Their pricing is excellent because they allow you to pay per e-mail address. I used to use Constant Contact and they were way more expensive...you had to pay a monthly fee even if you didn't send out a message at all...and then if you went above a certain number of e-mail addresses in your list you got charged more.

So I really love Mail Chimp.

I think if you sign up through my affiliate link you get a bonus to start you out, and I'll get a special credit too! :)

Plus, their monkey mascot is totally cute. :)

The next thing I'm pimping is Swag Bucks. I learned about this one from Jana at Speak Dog Speak. And I'm really glad that I signed up.

So far I've earned 80 "Swag Bucks" ... doing nothing more than searching as I normally would. You use their search engine, which pulls from major search engines like Google, and you can earn Swag Bucks. You don't earn them every time but you do earn them consistently.

Those Bucks can then be used to buy actual stuff like gift cards to places like Amazon.com. I'm saving up. :) I don't know how much, but I do get some swag bucks if you sign up through my referral link.

Anyway, it's super easy to use and I think it's worth it if you're just going to be searching anyway - might as well earn a little something at the same time.

Okay...pimping over for now. =)

Now I've Seen Everything

The "Burkini"(video link)...wow. Just wow.

Billed as "liberating" by the newscaster. I'm not sure I agree with that.

I'm as modest as the next gal (trust me...I do NOT change into my swimsuit in front of others at the gym...I go into the bathroom to change) but this seems nuts. It's really just a wet suit but with that added religious craziness of a head cover.

I think a lot of young girls and women wear swimsuits that are way too revealing (not to mention unflattering) but I wouldn't go so far as to expect girls to cover up to this extent. I realize it's partly a religious thing, but I think it's nuts.

Doing Nothing is Actually Something

Why all the panic? "We MUST do something NOW." Why must we?

What will happen if the health care bill fails? Will the world end? Will our economy get turned inside out overnight? Will millions of people just instantly fall ill and die?

No. Of course not.

Doing nothing is, in reality, making a decision and doing something. That something is maintaining the system as it is for the time being while, hopefully, more sustainable options are discussed.

Doing something NOW generally turns out badly in the end.

The Health Insurance of this country isn't perfect, but it's a damn site better than any other country and it's above and beyond anything the government will do.

So Now What?

Well, the one blog I got paid (slightly) to write is now defunct. I can't even log in. I'm so pissed because I really enjoyed writing it and even not getting paid I would continue to write it. But the company, 451 Press, sent out an e-mail (with no subject line) saying that they are no longer going to operate.

Okay...great. So how the hell do I get to my blog?!? They've been having technical issues for weeks now and most bloggers in their network haven't been able to log in. I would love to take over the blog I was writing (homezookeeper if you weren't aware) but it looks like the only way I'll be able to save my data is to start a new Blogger blog and copy/paste the old posts. Which is SO lame.

Even the 451 Press website is off line.

Not a good way to go out...leaving everyone hanging. The forum is gone too so I can't even connect with other bloggers to find out what they're doing.

SO frustrated!

I'm not mad that the company is shutting down. If it isn't financial feasible to operate than yes, shut down. But do it responsibly and take care of those who were, in essence, working for you. Don't just dump and run.

*sigh*

Even Pregnant, I'd Get Beat Up

I love Dogette over at Two Nervous Dogs. She links to this spectacularly AWESOME shirt that I don't have the balls to wear. Even pregnant, in my town I seriously think I'd get beat up.

Plus, the idea of wearing "the one's" face on me, even mockingly, makes me a little queasy.

How Did We Survive?

I myself never had a lemonade stand as a young girl. Nor did my brother. Perhaps we just weren't very entrepreneurial back then.

But I can guarantee you that if we had wanted to open one we sure as hell wouldn't have gone down to city hall to apply for a permit. And if my boy wants to open a drink stand to try to earn some extra cash I am not going to make him get a permit either. I'm all for kids working to earn their own money.

Government, of course, can't abide by the idea of someone selling something without getting their "fair" share. So an 8 year old girl gets her business shut down by city regulators.



I do not blame the "enforcer" himself...I blame the system that thinks it is somehow acceptable to force every single person who sells a drop of flavored water to register themselves with the city. As if this little girl's business is not legitimate until she's "approved" by the powers that be.

I suppose it's never too early to learn about bureaucracy and the overreach of government. And that if you make a big stink you might get something for free (a radio station gave her tickets to Disneyland, which is what she was selling the lemonade for). Don't bother working...just make enough noise. Squeaky wheel and all that.

Go Home and Change, You're Too Well Dressed

Apparently Miss Barbara Boxer isn't used to seeing "normal" people standing up for themselves and their rights. She's used to the smelly hippies and their warped kids who keep having flashbacks to the 60s ... protesting everything under the sun.

But when the "normal" (aka normally silent majority) get fed up they start to act out in a manner that Barb just doesn't approve of. And apparently we're too well dressed.

I went to a Tea Party protest on the 4th of July and had a blast. I went alone in all my pregnant discomfort and boy did I feel scared among all those rowdy rebels.

These guys were really vicious ... don't they look like scary right wing mob dogs?

Phew...I barely escaped with my life after photographing these folks. I suppose Nancy thinks this is too well dressed as well.

And anyone with puppies and babies can't be up to any good. Look out! They're storming the front doors!!!

The police were there and I chatted with them...they were pretty bored. Their job consisted of directly pregnant women to the bathroom (hey, it was a hot day and I'd been drinking a lot of water) and standing in the shade.

When are these elitist politicians going to realize that the NORMAL people are sick and tired of their bullying, excess spending, and passing laws without even understanding the consequences. Trying to ram these things down our throats and telling us it's for our own good ... that just pisses me off.

I just love how the media is going along with the Democratic spin that these "protesters" (aka citizens) attending town hall meetings and venting their frustration are just brain washed, "tea bagging", right wing extremists.

"...we've seen increasing numbers of militant right-wing activists attending public meetings across the country targeting members of Congress and President Obama...The people who show up are far right wing idealogues recruited by paid organizers...

...We can expect to see anti-abortion groups, pro-gun groups, insurance company employees (mandated by employers to come out) militia groups, and anti-immigration groups..."

Un-freaking-believable...we're right-wing activists...being paid. (Where's my check? It must be lost in the mail.) Militant activists even. How do they explain the registered democrats coming to these meetings to complain?

Nancy even suggested that there have been Swastikas brandished. Heard that little snippet from her on the radio this morning. Classy.

I guess it's okay to protest as long as it's for a left wing cause. It's okay to block streets, break into foreclosed homes, harass business people...as long as it's being done by Acorn or other lefty groups.

But when it's just regular everyday Americans...moms, dads, aunts, uncles...well then that's just not right. We're getting uppity and forgetting our place.

I'm sick of it all.

If This is What Government Care is Like, Count Me Out

I have seen the future...and it sucks.

I love Group Health, normally. But lately I've been having issues.

Not with my regular doctor or her office. They rock and are the epitome of awesomeness, helpfulness, and accommodation.

The issues start with Women's Health. It's like they aren't even on the same planet as the family practice office. Same clinic. Two completely different processes and results.

Once I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I had to be referred to Women's Health to one of the OB doctors. I guess that is the rule. How long ago was this??? I think it was some time in June. I have YET to actually meet with my "assigned" doctor. My first scheduled appointment with him was for 11 a.m. on a day a few weeks ago where they had "fit" me in ... it got canceled and rescheduled for 4:30 p.m. that same day. I saw him once...because he came in my room by accident. He was looking for a different patient.

I ended up seeing a different doctor for about 5 minutes. I haven't seen another OB doctor since, but thankfully have still been seeing my family practice doctor and the OB nurse, who really does rock on her own.

Unfortunately, I'm still supposed to see one of the women's health doctors...so my next couple of Dr appointments are with one of them. Getting them both scheduled required acts of God.

Since I have gestational diabetes I'm supposed to have these things called "non Stress tests" starting at 34 weeks ... twice a freaking week! My boss will be thrilled of course. Each one takes an hour. Women with gestational diabetes have an increased chance of losing the baby spontaneously at this point in the pregnancy...so the tests are kind of important.

Since there is a clinic near my work I decided to ask if I could make some of them there instead of the clinic near my home (at least an hour away from work). Thankfully it's not an issue and the work clinic was super easy to work with to schedule these tests.

Then I try to schedule the tests for my home clinic. Dear God you'd think I was asking for a gold plated monitor with champagne and caviar served to me by half naked (male) Greek gods. They have ONE test a day. ONE. And only if there is a doctor available because apparently R.N.s are morons and couldn't do it instead.

The poor person I was talking to on the phone to get these scheduled felt my rath...which was a mixture of absolute tearful frustration and sputtering rage.

After everything else that I've been going through in this pregnancy, this clinic makes things so much more difficult and complicated. You're not supposed to stress out the lady with the difficult pregnancy (or any pregnant lady for that matter)!

Working with them makes me feel like I'm working with the government. Limited appointments. And there are too many patients to fit into those limited appointments. Overscheduled doctors and doctors unavailable in August (they're all apparently on vacation except the on call doctor). I may or may not actually see the doctor, even though I'm supposed to, because he/she (don't even know who I'll actually see!!!) is on call and could be called away.

There is a reason why I do not want one of the OB doctors to delivery my child...for one thing no one can tell me WHO would delivery me. I would just get the luck of the draw. And all my experiences so far with them make me think I'd be lucky to even get a doctor before the kid pops out!

I want my family practice doctor!!!!!!!

And heaven forbid the government takes over healthcare. I'll be in a constant state of sputtering tearful rage.

How Does This Thing Work?

I got a new phone yesterday and I'm completely lost. I've finally figured out how to get online...sort of. Not quite figured out how to really navigate properly.

I wanted to test it out and write a blog post...I figured out how to type in the title, but when I click into the box portion it won't let me type. Maybe I needed to select the "edit HTML" section.

The phone I went with is the LG EnV Touch. It's pretty nifty but the whole touch thing is still pretty beyond me. And when hubby called me on it yesterday I couldn't figure out how to answer right away. Sheesh. I feel like my grandpa!

Any suggestions for navigating in these uncharted waters?

Cute is Not the Word

People keep telling me how cute I look.

I used to do that when I saw pregnant ladies...if I thought they were cute. But now I would never say that! It's really kind of annoying.

I don't feel cute. I feel fat. And miserable. I'm in pain. I'm exhausted. I just want this kid out of me.

Then again, how often is the fat chick called cute? Only when there's a baby in the belly. =)

Would You Trust These People?

How anyone can possibly think that the government would do a good job at managing the health care system is beyond me. They can't even manage a fairly straight forward program like Cash for Clunkers...a program which I think is stupid, although it seems to be getting quite a few folks out there buying new cars.

I don't exactly like the idea of my tax dollars propping up car purchases for others, but whatever. That's not the point.

The point is that the program is running out of money!!! And that they changed the requirements after people had already started turning in their cars.

So...the government runs a program that changes the rules midway through and runs out of money leaving people high and dry.

Health care reform anyone? It's not like health care is a more complicated thing.