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. =)