I Will Not Sue

Today is a hilarious day. I come in to work and find out that a pipe burst in the floor above us and our entire network for our floor is destroyed. I can't help but laugh.

So I've squatted in someone else's cube on a different floor (above the water damage line) and it's really strange and totally throwing me off my schedule. The "Business Continuity" emergency backup plans did not kick in as they should have and our entire department is pretty much scattered, but happily most folks are doing pretty well in dealing. I am not.
I hate anything that throws my routine off. I may just take the afternoon off to study since I have the second attempt at my exam tonight.

Anyway...on my way to work this morning the radio host was talking about people suing Toyota because the resale value of their car has taken such a hit.

Are these people insane?!?!?!

A car is not an "investment" and there has never been any guarantee of "return" for reselling. No one said you were guaranteed to get a certain price. Sure the assumption is that Toyotas have a higher resale value, but that is not a definite.

I didn't buy my car so I could 'resell' it someday with an expectation of higher values. Why would I SUE just because the value might be perceived as lower???

People have issues. And greed is just one of them.

I am not going to sue...unless my car goes out of control. Then I might get worked up. But for now I will enjoy my Toyota Rav4...cracked windshield and all.

Where Are the Real Men?

I can guarantee you, regardless of what any stupid contract said, if my husband saw a beat down about to take place he would intervene to help the victim. (If the video doesn't load it is also at the link.)

"Two security guards stand over the victim while she's being pummeled and do not intervene. At one point in the video, one guard is seen raising his arm toward the assailant, who ignores him.

The guards, who work under contract with Metro, are restricted from intervening in assaults."

He wouldn't walk away as one pussy ass "guard" did. He wouldn't nicely ask the attacker to 'please stop' as it appears another guard is doing. He would MAKE the juvenile stop thrashing the girl. It's not like the guards should be afraid of a little girl when they are clearly much larger and MEN!

Well, obviously not real men.

Sure, they are bound by some piece of paper to not intervene or provide actual security. But human decency should have prevailed here. Sure they could have lost their job for HELPING A BEATEN GIRL ... but is any job that requires you to stand by and let people get brutally kicked in the head really the kind of job you want to keep?

I'd be PROUD if my husband got fired for stepping in to prevent such an action and I'd shout from the roof tops the despicable company who decided to fire him for being a decent human being. Because my husband is a REAL man.

Not only are these security guards lacking some testicular fortitude, but the policy that requires them to sit on their hands just proves once more that government is not to be relied upon to protect us. Or provide us with health care. They can't even provide basic protection in a bus transit tunnel!

Apparently I'm Poisoning My Baby

Warning: Strong language is included in this post...I'm not a fan of the "f" word but I feel it's warranted.

I'm super sensitive about criticism heaped on moms for feeding their children formula. Frankly, without formula my baby would have just about starved to death.

This comes up because I got a survey from some company that I'd never heard of so I did a quick online search and their name came up in a mothering forum. The thread was instructing other moms to NOT fill out the survey because it was from an EVIL formula company trying to figure out how to market to breast feeding moms.


First of all, if I had decided beforehand to formula feed that is no one's business but mine. As it was I was desperate to breast feed and the guilt I felt for not being able to (in combination with post pardum) had me suicidal.

One person called formula POISON!

"I have gotten that survey a couple of times. I answered it honestly, and then I wrote, "formula is poison" in the margins of all of the pages just to get my point across that I would not use any of the crap."

Oh For Fuck's Sake.

This just pisses me off so much. I felt SO incredibly guilty for not giving my baby the "best" nutrition that I could. Nature just didn't want to allow me that pleasure (and I'm not going to go into all the crap we went through...we tried everything!). And for some breast feeding Nazi to judge me over something that I had absolutely no control of is disgusting and malicious. And to say that formula is "crap" and "poison" is cruel.

I KNOW that breast feeding would be the best for my baby (and God knows I tried) but he seems to be growing just fine and is extremely healthy (for goodness sake he's already wearing 6-9 month clothing and he's not even 4 months old!). The pain and sorrow I went through in his first three weeks were hell ... even my lactation nurse finally said that I should move on and enjoy my baby. Just thinking about that time brings tears to my eyes. And you know what? The moment I stopped trying to force my boobs to "work" I started sleeping better and truly enjoying my new little one...and went back to my "normal" self.

Does this look like a little boy who is malnourished or being fed poison?!?

Fascinating - and Cowardly

For postings that are older than a couple of weeks, any comments made on those posts have to be moderated. Mostly so that I know someone left a comment so I can respond but also to avoid spam messages. Those crafty spammers like to go back to old posts and leave crap messages with lots of links.

But today's comment needing approval is a doozy...I won't call him (or her) a spammer. After all there are no links - even to their profile, which was clearly created just to leave negative and obscene comments.

In response to my post "Yes, They Deserve to Die..." I got the following comment yesterday (edited here, but in full glory in the post):

"look(CastoCreation)-What the hell is that anyway? you stupid f***ing narc b***h, you can burn in hell too with every cop in the world thats right i just called out ever f***ing cop in the world my life wish would be for every cop to burn in hellfire in front of their precious little families you got that you f****t b***h"

Wow...someone has some unresolved anger. I wish I could visit their blog...well, perhaps not as I don't think they have the best writing or grammar skills.

And yes, I did approve the message because people need to see the evil that is out there in our world. And I truly do believe in free speech, regardless of the content of that speech. Unlike so many liberals who believe in "free speech for me, but not for thee" I don't mind disagreement (even one so insulting and cruel).

P.S....how can someone be a "Fa**ot B***h?" Aren't the two incompatible?

You've GOT to be Kidding

The 9th Circuit Court is a joke... and once again they've let fly with a doozie of a funny decision. Well, it would be funny if it weren't so frightening.

Felons should be allowed to vote ... IN PRISON ... because to deny them a vote is to discriminate against minorities. W.T.F.

"A federal appeals court has ruled that imprisoned felons should be allowed to vote in Washington to ensure that racial minorities are protected under the Voting Rights Act.

....

The two appellate judges ruled that disparities in the state's justice system "cannot be explained in race-neutral ways." "

Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! The state law says not one single thing about race. People who's ACTIONS land them in jail and prison have lost their right to participate in society, until their punishment and debt is paid. I have no problem allowing ex-felons to have their voting rights restored. But to allow felons currently in prison to vote...is insane.

But this is the state that elected Christine Gregoire, after three recounts after they "found" enough votes to beat Dino Rossi (who won the first and second count). So it shouldn't surprise me that the Democrats would be excited about this. This state is losing its ever loving mind.

The politicians give lip service to supporting law enforcement and getting tough on crime, but in reality we let dangerous people out of jail and back into society so they can murder police officers...and now we want to give them a vote while they're still serving their time.

It's sickening and I can only pray it gets overturned by the Supreme Court. But who knows, since it's now leaning left. *sigh* A felon apparently has more rights than a victim or law abiding citizen now.

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.

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.

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.

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!)

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???

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.

Only Once

I wish more women stood up for themselves in abusive situations.

Hands Off My Hotdogs!

Does anyone else sense a conflict of interest in this?

A vegan group wants to put warning labels on hot dogs. Not a scientific or medical group. A vegan group.

"Warning: Consuming hot dogs and other processed meats increases the risk of cancer."

Back the hell off you do gooder vegans! I don't bug you about your diet so lay off of mine.

I LOVE hotdogs. Seriously. One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is go to the local farmer's market, pick up my organic apples, and then get a hot dog for lunch. I know...organic apples and hot dogs. I'm full of contradictions.

And I love how this group hides under the so called non profit name "The Cancer Project". So innocuous. So innocent. No agenda here.

"The Cancer Project is a branch of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that lobbies against animal research and pitches the adoption of meat-free diets."

And these losers are suing hot dog makers. Arg! They're just going to drive up the cost of my Ball Parks!

Everything causes cancer (or so we're told) and I'm sure that if I ate nothing but hot dogs, every meal, every day I would get some sort of illness. Not to mention a serious vitamin deficiency.

Lots of foods are bad for you if eaten in excess. This is just one more nanny group who wants to try to dictate how the rest of us live and eat. I say BACK OFF!

Morons.

Moron

Mark Sanford is an idiot. He threw away an incredible career, and potentially presidential future, for some Argentinean tail.

Loser.

A wife and four sons. A trip to see his girlfriend on FATHER'S DAY!

Pathetic.

I don't care what party you are...cheating on your spouse is just about the lamest thing ever. Especially with kids in the picture. Doing so when you are a public figure is just stupid - you will NOT get away with it.

Edwards. Clinton. JFK.

You won't get away with it. Nor should you.

I think Sanford should resign. He does more harm to his party and to the cause of conservatism and the small government movement by staying in power.

Not to mention taking away from truly horrific happenings in Iran. We need to focus on what is truly important.

Back Off Lady

I wonder what someone would do (if I had a conceal carry permit and carried) if I pulled a gun on them when they approached me with their arms extended toward my belly.

Just a day dream I assure you. But boy did I want to do exactly that on Saturday.

What gives strangers (or friends for that matter) the idea that is socially acceptable to touch a woman's belly when she is pregnant?

Some stranger walked up to me on Saturday at the garage sale we were having, stuck her hand out toward my belly and started cooing "when are you due?"

I of course started scooting my butt backwards so fast my mom started laughing. She knows how much I hate to be touched, even by family members. In fact, she thought I'd never get pregnant with my aversion to touch. *grin*

Her hand never touched me, but it came within inches. I think my horrified expression and rapid backward movement may have tipped her off. She wasn't some little old lady either...she was maybe in her 50s. She should know better.

It really does tick me off though. I shouldn't have to be on guard all the time. I can't wear a shirt every single day with the words "Do Not Touch" across the belly. I don't let my family members (aside from hubby) touch my belly so why in the hell would I allow a stranger? I'm not even comfortable when the doctor touches me!

Yes, I have issues. That's another subject all together.

I Heart Walmart

I want a bumper sticker that says "I SHOP AT WALMART" ... just to counter the stupid assinine stickers like the one my neighbor has that says "I don't shop at Walmart." I know I've written before about how stupid I think they are...they think they're so much better than those of us who do shop there?

Just this last weekend I had an excellent trip to my local Wally World. I've discovered the joys of price matching. Instead of making four different stops to different stores to get the best deals and the biggest bang for my coupon dollars, I can take the ads with me to WM and they will match the prices right there and I can still use my coupons. Saving me time and money (and gas!).

I got bologna (yes, I know...gross...but I'm pregnant and have been craving it) for a crazy cheap price. It's normally around $5 for a 16 oz package. WM sells it for $3.80 something. The sale from Safeway was buy one get one free. And I had a coupon for $1 off of two.

So for $2.80 (something) I got two 16 ounce containers of beef bologna. Name brand. I'll be eating bologna for weeks...already I've had a sandwich for lunch every day. YUMMY!

That is a huge savings! Nearly $7 cheaper than if I bought two 16 ounce containers at another store.

I also got a 12 ounce package of string cheese for $1.99. Safeway had it on sale for $2.99 and I had a coupon for $1 off. WM's regular price is over $4, and other stores are over $5.

Not to mention the Tucks travel pack boxes that are less than $3, and I had coupons for $3 off. So I actually EARNED money off the rest of my order (I calculated that I got an additional $2 off my bill by using these coupons that were worth more than the asking price). That doesn't happen a lot but it's great when it does.

So maybe one of these high and mighty "I don't shop at Walmart" people can explain to me why I should go spend more money at another grocery store for the exact same items. I've saved hundreds of dollars just this year by shopping at Walmart, using their price match policy, and using coupons.

That is money that I can save. Or use to pay off debts. Or spend on something else like maternity clothes. (Which, I will say WM sucks in their maternity section...everything looks like nursing scrubs.)

Instapundit also linked to this great article about how Walmart actually helps people maintain their weight! Who knew?

What I do know is those people who stand outside WM with picket signs and try to make people feel bad because it's a non-union shop can kiss my ass. I often feel like flipping them the bird, but I usually just shake my head. They don't know what they're missing.

Get a Life

I walked up to the farmer's market today during lunch - it's opening day and I wanted a hotdog. :)

As I walked along the booths a girl, maybe in her early 20s, approached me and asked if I had a moment to help Ban Rush Limbaugh?!?!

BWA HA HA HA HA HA

I laughed and said that "I love Rush Limbaugh." Which is mostly true. I haven't been listening to much talk radio lately...just not interested because it's too easy for me to get depressed with all the crap news.

What I wish I would have said..."So you want to ban free speech?" Somehow I think that may have made her head explode.

There were several other useful idiots throughout the market trying to get people to sign petitions for this and that, including "health care reform." Morons.

What's the Problem?

Why is swine flu such a big deal? It's less deadly than regular flu, which according to my mom kills over 10,000 people a year (I think she said 30,000 but that could just be my imagination...anyway she knows of what she speaks as she is in the medical field as an RN for 30+ years).

I hate the media...I'm sure I've mentioned it before. They are taking this disease and causing an utter and total panic. Do they close schools when a kid gets the regular flu? Of course not! They'd have to close schools every year all the time.

Am I concerned for my own safety? Not really...perhaps slightly more than I would if I weren't pregnant but only because I don't want to lose my baby due to a stupid flu. If that's possible. I don't know.

But rather than freak out and wear a mask, which wouldn't help anyway, I WASH my flippin' hands and use that gross alcoholic sanitizer stuff.

I hope ya'll are not freaking out about this disease, which is just one of many that float out there to "get" us. If the media keeps crying wolf the public is going to be a lot less inclined to listen when a real and serious pandemic hits.

I'm a Christian and I Believe in Evolution

Yup. You read right. I am a Christian...though admittedly not a very "good" one (Is there such a thing?) as I haven't been to church in about three years or so. We plan to start back up but it sure is hard to get motivated some Sundays.

I believe in God and I believe Jesus died for my sins.

I also believe that this universe is way more complicated than any scientist can explain. Just look at the Global Warming "debate" (can it be a debate if one side says it's settled?). Science just can't fully explain everything.

When I was in high school I went to a four square Pentecostal church. No idea how I ended up there but I was there for more than four years and even helped teach Sunday school. I was turned off of the youth group at one point because the pastor said that evolution was not possible.

*insert blank stare here*

Because in the very next sentence he said God could do anything (which I believe).

So let me get this straight? God is all powerful and can do anything but not create a world in which evolution exists? Gotcha. See ya later.

His "proof" that evolution couldn't exist? Break apart a watch and spread the pieces all over the world. In no way could those pieces ever "reform" to become a watch again.

Uh...except God can do anything right? So why couldn't he reform the watch?

Illogical.

I don't necessarily believe that humans evolved from Apes. But I do know that humans HAVE evolved ... there is plenty of proof of that just in the last few hundred years (we're taller, living longer, etc).

And people who believe that humans hunted dinosaurs and that the earth is only a few thousand years old need to get mental help. They give Christians a very bad name.