We have elected to stay at home, as we do most years.
It is much safer to stay home...not to mention less expensive! The last time we went out on New Year's Eve was on the eve of 2001. It was an expensive celebration for my husband. We went down to Tempe for the Fiesta Bowl Block Party & we left right after the battle of the bands (marching bands that is). Before we left my husband got down on one knee & asked me to marry him with the little purple stone ring & chose from Wal-Mart. I was thrilled & called my best friend immediately after I said "YES!". It was getting crowded & the crowd was getting rough, so we went home to our little apartment. We got home about 11:30 pm so I could turn my dog Scooter out before midnight. We didn't live in the best area & we didn't know if we would hear gunfire or not at midnight.
I walked back into our little apartment, looked at the time (11:55) & saw my new fiance down on one knee! He said " You mean so much to me & I wanted to do this right." Then he opened the little box as he asked me to marry him for the second time in less than 2 hours. I cried tears of joy & of course I surprised. See, I wasn't expecting to get a diamond & I would have been happy with the first ring. I was unable to find a diamond I liked that didn't look like the diamond I had from my first marriage without going over my fiances budget. It wasn't his budget that was the problem, it was finding a diamond that wasn't a marque cut like the first one I had.
The ring he presented me with was a set of three round diamonds, the largest one in the center with a smaller one on each side. It was white gold (like I wanted) with a small veritcal band of yellow gold on each side of the diamonds. It was perfect! I loved it from the moment I saw it. I was touched that he even gave me a diamond & doubly touched that he picked it out with no help from me. He gave me the opportunity to pick a different diamond out when we went to have it sized, but I declined. I told him I loved it because he picked it out. I do still to this day.
About three months after we got engaged, we got married. No we weren't pregnant. We became parents to be 3 months or so after we tied the knot.
Nearly 6 years later we have a mortage, a car payment & I stay at home with our children. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I am very happy not going out for New Years every year. See why I said staying home is cheaper?
So, what are YOU doing on New Year's Eve?
Happy New Year Year, Best wishes & stay safe in 2007!
December 31, 2006
Touching AND funny
I received this via e-mail recently. I THINK it was from my friend Burke...honestly I can't remember at the moment though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post Office
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job it was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.
One day, a letter came addressed in shaky handwriting to God, with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.
The letter read:
"Dear God,
I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension.
Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension check.
Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope.
Can you please help me?
Sincerely,
Edna
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which
they put into an envelope and sent to the woman. The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.
Christmas came and went.
A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened.
It read ;
"Dear God,
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.
By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it must have been those bastards at the Post Office.
Sincerely yours,
Edna"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See? It's both touching AND funny!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post Office
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job it was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.
One day, a letter came addressed in shaky handwriting to God, with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.
The letter read:
"Dear God,
I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension.
Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension check.
Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope.
Can you please help me?
Sincerely,
Edna
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which
they put into an envelope and sent to the woman. The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.
Christmas came and went.
A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened.
It read ;
"Dear God,
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.
By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it must have been those bastards at the Post Office.
Sincerely yours,
Edna"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See? It's both touching AND funny!
December 28, 2006
Let's see here, December was a busy month for me.
It started by putting up our Christmas tree. This year we had to place it on & secure it to an end table because the youngest would try to climb up it! The oldest never was a climber but the youngest is. I fully expect to find her one morning running around her bedroom playing with her toys because she has discovered that she can climb out of her crib. To be clear, she has YET to discover that, but is still too young for a toddler bed.
Next my parents had the girls for a sleepover while my Husband & I went to the company Christmas Party at the Dog track. He had never been & I had been once nearly 10 years ago. We didn't lose money, but we didn't win either. We just broke even. That is okay we because we had dinner on the company & had fun. We enjoyed our evening without the kids. It is a rare thing that we get time alone, so we cherish it. The kids have fun & Grandpa & Grandpa's house too & I don't have to worry about them being safe.
Next, we finished shopping for presents for my Husband & I. We didn't go overboard on gifts for each other & the kids this year. It was a nice change too. There was less to wrap, less to put away & less wrapping paper to toss in the trash. The garbage can wasn't overflowing with big boxes & we didn't get tired of waiting for the kids to finish opening their gifts.
The 20th I had a gift exchange with my best friend of 15 years & our children. The kids play very well together & we get to have a little girl talk. We both stay at home with our kids so our adult contact is very limited.
I baked cut out sugar cookies on three occasions. I made some to give to my best friend, some to keep & most to give away. The last batch my husband & I had an assembly line of 6 cookie sheets going in & out of the fridge & oven. For this my husband gave me an early gift of a nice rolling pin. It saved a lot of time & hassle. For about 4 hours straight we would be rolling, cutting & baking cookies. Most of the time we would both be at work while the kids were in the play room or in their bedrooms down for a nap. I would keep baking while he fed the kids lunch, put them down for a nap & he was baking while I ate my lunch. Literally it was non-stop for 4+ hours. Then he gave them a bath & got them ready for bed while I made eleven differant colors of powedered sugar icing for the cookies. The littlest went to bed while my oldest, my husband & I stood around the kitchen island "painting" & decorating cookies. I also made Peppermint Bark to give to the mail carrier, my parents & the girls Godparents.
When I wasn't baking I finishing up Christmas presents. My daughter made vases out of a bottle, pieces of masking tape & paint for my mom & her Godmother. She also made 6 large drink coasters out of popsicle sticks & paint for her Grandpa as well as painted a rock for her Uncle with his name on it. I added a wire ribbon with a handmade bow to the two vases & felt to the back of each coaster. I also had to spray sealant on the gifts. While I was outside spaying my husband was inside feeding the kids dinner. We were up until 2 am preparing for Christmas Eve. That is when we went to see the Godparents & Grandparents.
On Christmas Eve we were up wrapping presents, arranging the gifts from Santa & had to remember to put the cookies & milk out for Santa. I took a photo so the oldest would know we did that. I wrote the girls a letter from "Santa" with special stationary, envelope & sticker I picked up at Dollar Tree last year. The oldest was thrilled to get a letter from the him & the reindeer. It will be a treasured addition to the scrapbook.
Somewhere in December I addressed & mailed nearly 40 Christmas cards to family & friends.
We also had to locate a purple bunny of all things for Santa to leave the oldest one. I asked her if she would take a purple bear if Santa could not find a purple bunny. Her response was "No Mom, because his elves will make a purple bunny!" All I can say is that "Santa" was thankfull for E-bay this year. LOL! Try finding a purple bunny anywhere in stores in the month of December. It is nearly impossible.
I am glad December is nearly over. On Sunday the Chrsitmas tree will be comming down & I get the rest of the livingroom back...until Thaksgiving Day of 2007.
Stay safe on New Years, best wishes for 2007 & remember to pray for our troops in the Middle East.
The Race Has Begun
Edwards Shoots for White House Again
By NEDRA PICKLER (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressDecember 28, 2006 11:51 AM EST
NEW ORLEANS - Former vice presidential nominee John Edwards said Thursday that he is a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, promising "a grass roots, ground-up campaign where we ask people to take action."
Clad in blue jeans, an open-necked shirt and with his sleeves rolled up, Edwards chose the backyard of a victim of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans' devastated 9th Ward for his unorthodox announcement.
"We want people in this campaign to actually take action now, not later, not after the next election," the former North Carolina senator said, sounding as much like a recruiter as a presidential campaigner.
"Instead of staying home and complaining, we're asking Americans to help," Edwards said. "Most of the good that has been done in New Orleans has been done by faith-based groups, charitable groups and volunteers."
Edwards - who is calling for cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq - chose the site to highlight his signature concern of the economic disparity that divides America.
"I'm here to announce I'm a candidate for president of the United States," Edwards told NBC's "Today Show" earlier Thursday, one of three back-to-back interviews by the candidate on morning news shows. "I've reached my own conclusion this is the best way to serve my country."
Edwards, 53, said the difference between his message to voters in 2004 and his 2008 presidential bid is that, "I've learned since the last campaign that it's great to identify a problem ... but the way you change things is by taking action."
And Iraq is one of the biggest issues facing the country.
"It would be a huge mistake to put a surge of troops into Iraq," Edwards said on ABC's "Good Morning America. "It sends exactly the wrong signal. We can maximize our chances for success by making clear we are going to leave Iraq and not stay there forever."
And the next president must restore America's leadership in the world, he said.
"It's absolutely crucial that America re-establish its moral authority and leadership role in the world," Edward said on CBS "Early Show."
Edwards' campaign got a little ahead of itself Wednesday and announced his intentions online a day early. His Web site briefly featured the logo "John Edwards '08" and its slogan, "Tomorrow begins today" - literally, in this case - before aides quickly removed them.
In his message to supporters, Edwards listed five priorities to change America. Among them: "Guaranteeing health care for every single American," "Strengthening our middle class and ending the shame of poverty," "Leading the fight against global warming," and "Getting America and the world to break our addiction to oil."
Edwards has been working to build his campaign ever since he and John Kerry lost a close race to the Bush-Cheney ticket in 2004.
The campaign could pit Edwards against his former partner on the Democratic ticket. Kerry has not said yet whether he will run, nor have other big names like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but Edwards did not wait to find out who will be his competition.
He has positioned himself as a serious contender. He's been strengthening his ties to labor and other Democratic activists behind the scenes, rebuilding a top-notch campaign staff and honing his skills. The efforts have made him the leading candidate in early polls of Iowa Democrats who will get the first say in the nomination fight.
Edwards' advisers scheduled a six-state announcement tour between Christmas and New Year's Day with the hopes that news would be slow and he could dominate media coverage. Over three days, Edwards also planned to travel to Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and his home state of North Carolina.
Edwards was kicking off his campaign at one of the few homes in the neighborhood that appears close to being habitable. It belongs to Orelia Tyler, 54, who has been living in a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in her yard while her home was rebuilt.
Edwards' challenge over the next year will be to show that he can keep up with front-runners Clinton and Obama, should they get in the race, in terms of fundraising and support. Unlike officeholders who may run, Edwards does not have a federal campaign account and will have to start raising money from scratch.
He also has hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from his 2004 campaign.
The son of a textile mill worker, Edwards has been on a fast track most of his life despite his up-by-the-bootstraps roots.
A standout law student who became a stunningly successful trial lawyer and millionaire, Edwards vaulted from nowhere politically into the U.S. Senate and then onto the 2004 Democratic presidential ticket - all in less than six years.
In 1998, in his first bid for public office, Edwards defeated incumbent Sen. Lauch Faircloth, R-N.C., a leading advocate for impeachment of President Clinton.
Edwards began building support for his first presidential bid shortly after arriving in the Senate. He quickly made a name for himself in Congress, using his legal background to help Democratic colleagues navigate the impeachment hearings.
Edwards launched a bid for the Democratic nomination in 2003 and quickly caught the eye of Democratic strategists. Although he won only the South Carolina primary, his skills on the trail, his cheerful demeanor, and his message of "two Americas" - one composed of the wealthy and privileged, and the other of the hardworking common man - excited voters, especially independents and moderate-leaning Democrats.
Edwards' handsome, youthful appearance also gave him a measure of star quality, one of the reasons Kerry selected Edwards as his running mate.
---
On the Net:
http://www.oneamericacommittee.com
By NEDRA PICKLER (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressDecember 28, 2006 11:51 AM EST
NEW ORLEANS - Former vice presidential nominee John Edwards said Thursday that he is a candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, promising "a grass roots, ground-up campaign where we ask people to take action."
Clad in blue jeans, an open-necked shirt and with his sleeves rolled up, Edwards chose the backyard of a victim of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans' devastated 9th Ward for his unorthodox announcement.
"We want people in this campaign to actually take action now, not later, not after the next election," the former North Carolina senator said, sounding as much like a recruiter as a presidential campaigner.
"Instead of staying home and complaining, we're asking Americans to help," Edwards said. "Most of the good that has been done in New Orleans has been done by faith-based groups, charitable groups and volunteers."
Edwards - who is calling for cuts in poverty, global warming and troops in Iraq - chose the site to highlight his signature concern of the economic disparity that divides America.
"I'm here to announce I'm a candidate for president of the United States," Edwards told NBC's "Today Show" earlier Thursday, one of three back-to-back interviews by the candidate on morning news shows. "I've reached my own conclusion this is the best way to serve my country."
Edwards, 53, said the difference between his message to voters in 2004 and his 2008 presidential bid is that, "I've learned since the last campaign that it's great to identify a problem ... but the way you change things is by taking action."
And Iraq is one of the biggest issues facing the country.
"It would be a huge mistake to put a surge of troops into Iraq," Edwards said on ABC's "Good Morning America. "It sends exactly the wrong signal. We can maximize our chances for success by making clear we are going to leave Iraq and not stay there forever."
And the next president must restore America's leadership in the world, he said.
"It's absolutely crucial that America re-establish its moral authority and leadership role in the world," Edward said on CBS "Early Show."
Edwards' campaign got a little ahead of itself Wednesday and announced his intentions online a day early. His Web site briefly featured the logo "John Edwards '08" and its slogan, "Tomorrow begins today" - literally, in this case - before aides quickly removed them.
In his message to supporters, Edwards listed five priorities to change America. Among them: "Guaranteeing health care for every single American," "Strengthening our middle class and ending the shame of poverty," "Leading the fight against global warming," and "Getting America and the world to break our addiction to oil."
Edwards has been working to build his campaign ever since he and John Kerry lost a close race to the Bush-Cheney ticket in 2004.
The campaign could pit Edwards against his former partner on the Democratic ticket. Kerry has not said yet whether he will run, nor have other big names like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but Edwards did not wait to find out who will be his competition.
He has positioned himself as a serious contender. He's been strengthening his ties to labor and other Democratic activists behind the scenes, rebuilding a top-notch campaign staff and honing his skills. The efforts have made him the leading candidate in early polls of Iowa Democrats who will get the first say in the nomination fight.
Edwards' advisers scheduled a six-state announcement tour between Christmas and New Year's Day with the hopes that news would be slow and he could dominate media coverage. Over three days, Edwards also planned to travel to Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and his home state of North Carolina.
Edwards was kicking off his campaign at one of the few homes in the neighborhood that appears close to being habitable. It belongs to Orelia Tyler, 54, who has been living in a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in her yard while her home was rebuilt.
Edwards' challenge over the next year will be to show that he can keep up with front-runners Clinton and Obama, should they get in the race, in terms of fundraising and support. Unlike officeholders who may run, Edwards does not have a federal campaign account and will have to start raising money from scratch.
He also has hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt from his 2004 campaign.
The son of a textile mill worker, Edwards has been on a fast track most of his life despite his up-by-the-bootstraps roots.
A standout law student who became a stunningly successful trial lawyer and millionaire, Edwards vaulted from nowhere politically into the U.S. Senate and then onto the 2004 Democratic presidential ticket - all in less than six years.
In 1998, in his first bid for public office, Edwards defeated incumbent Sen. Lauch Faircloth, R-N.C., a leading advocate for impeachment of President Clinton.
Edwards began building support for his first presidential bid shortly after arriving in the Senate. He quickly made a name for himself in Congress, using his legal background to help Democratic colleagues navigate the impeachment hearings.
Edwards launched a bid for the Democratic nomination in 2003 and quickly caught the eye of Democratic strategists. Although he won only the South Carolina primary, his skills on the trail, his cheerful demeanor, and his message of "two Americas" - one composed of the wealthy and privileged, and the other of the hardworking common man - excited voters, especially independents and moderate-leaning Democrats.
Edwards' handsome, youthful appearance also gave him a measure of star quality, one of the reasons Kerry selected Edwards as his running mate.
---
On the Net:
http://www.oneamericacommittee.com
December 01, 2006
“I’ve come too far to take orders from a cookie”
of a french fry, or a soda or anything else that falls under the food & beverage catagories.
I am currently in the midst of a 40 day long Fast Food Fast! I figure if I can live without Fast Food for 40 days then I can live without it for good.
I am currently in the midst of a 40 day long Fast Food Fast! I figure if I can live without Fast Food for 40 days then I can live without it for good.
October 22, 2006
It's been awhile!
Since the end of September I have been busy.
I have been decluttering my home...somewhat anyway.
I have been planning for our up comming trip to Illinois to visit family.
I have had 2 meetings with the contracted fire service for the area in which I live. We have to subscribe to a contracted non-profit fire department because we live in a rural area. It is something that most "City Folk" don't have to concern themselves with. It also covers emergency response for medical emergencies, snake removal, bee removal & when we are away, they will come out a few times each week & drive around our property to make sure there has been no damages due to weather or vandals. Then they temporarily fix the damage & notify us by telephone!
I have a few things left to do before Halloween as well. I have to assemble the pieces of my costume. I need to find the kids trick or treat bags. Clean up the kids carseats & few other things.
My birthday was this month. On my birthday I slept late, spent three hours giving myself a pedicure & soaking my feet. I wore nice clothes (nice for me at least) & did my hair & make-up. I am a stay at home mom so I don't do any of that very often. My husband took our kids & I out for dinner & I got my very first tattoo. It is still healing, but it is healing surprisingly fast.
My father had an emergency appendectomy. My husband got a tatto as well & I spoke to one of my brothers for the first time in probably 6 months or so. I also spoke to my sister as well, but I can only reach her on an average of every 6 weeks or so.
Recently I have also started to make & mail out paper cranes to perfect strangers. When I mail them I send instructions on how to make their own paper cranes. It is said that when you make 1000 paper cranes & write your wish on the wings, it will come true. I haven't been writing wishes on most of my cranes but I include the instructions hoping I will receive a crane in return. It seems many Postcrossers know the legend of the crane. Postcrossing is how I am getting most of my addresses, but I did get one from 43 Things & 1 from Basic Human.
I have been decluttering my home...somewhat anyway.
I have been planning for our up comming trip to Illinois to visit family.
I have had 2 meetings with the contracted fire service for the area in which I live. We have to subscribe to a contracted non-profit fire department because we live in a rural area. It is something that most "City Folk" don't have to concern themselves with. It also covers emergency response for medical emergencies, snake removal, bee removal & when we are away, they will come out a few times each week & drive around our property to make sure there has been no damages due to weather or vandals. Then they temporarily fix the damage & notify us by telephone!
I have a few things left to do before Halloween as well. I have to assemble the pieces of my costume. I need to find the kids trick or treat bags. Clean up the kids carseats & few other things.
My birthday was this month. On my birthday I slept late, spent three hours giving myself a pedicure & soaking my feet. I wore nice clothes (nice for me at least) & did my hair & make-up. I am a stay at home mom so I don't do any of that very often. My husband took our kids & I out for dinner & I got my very first tattoo. It is still healing, but it is healing surprisingly fast.
My father had an emergency appendectomy. My husband got a tatto as well & I spoke to one of my brothers for the first time in probably 6 months or so. I also spoke to my sister as well, but I can only reach her on an average of every 6 weeks or so.
Recently I have also started to make & mail out paper cranes to perfect strangers. When I mail them I send instructions on how to make their own paper cranes. It is said that when you make 1000 paper cranes & write your wish on the wings, it will come true. I haven't been writing wishes on most of my cranes but I include the instructions hoping I will receive a crane in return. It seems many Postcrossers know the legend of the crane. Postcrossing is how I am getting most of my addresses, but I did get one from 43 Things & 1 from Basic Human.
September 30, 2006
4:30 AM & I have insomnia!
It's is 4:30 AM & I have a MAJOR case of insomnia! I have been up & awake since 8 am YESTERDAY! For some reason, I just can NOT get my mind to shut off. UGH! I dread days like this. The crazy that I have been yawning since 8pm last night. It makes no sense to me what so ever when this happens. Luckily, it doesn't happen often.
This month was the 2nd anniversary of this blog. It went by & I didn't even realize it. I have been kind of busy though. We went to San Diego for nearly 5 days in the beginning of September. When we returned we planned & paid for our approaching trip to the midwest. We have deceided to fly afterall. The little one doesn't travel in the car very well. We are HOPING the plane ride will go better. I was glad to hear of the easing of the restrictions of liquids on the plane. We will see how long the easing of those restrictions stay in effect though. Needless to say, the relatives we will be visiting are excited to meet their youngest grandchild for the first time. Only one isn't aware of our visit due to problems with her memory. My Aunt will let her know of our visit a few days before we are due to show up there.
Recently my husband had a rare Friday off work. We went to the DMV to get my license changed to my married name. It only took us 5 1/2 years to accomplish that. My SS had been changed for a few years now but with a break in pregnancy, eye glasses that work, a rare day off so my husband could watch the kids AND that approaching trip...we FINALLY got it done. Since I wouldn't be able to board the plane without ID in my LEGAL name...NOT getting it done was no longer an option. FINALLY I AM RID OF MY EX-HUSBANDS LAST NAME! THANK GOODNESS! IT feels REALLY good too. Wouldn't you know that literally minutes after I got my ID, I went to a local hair cutting place & COMPLETELY changed my hairstyle. LOL! It is still long, but now I have bangs & long layers on the sides around my face. It is nice to no longer be suffering from "HF"...High Forehead. I feel like I look nearly 10 years younger. It was a mini-makeover you might say. Now I need to do something about my clothes....
If the family wasn't peacefully sleeping in their beds right now, I would be doing housework instead of being online. Since I have a tendency to get a bit loud while doing housework at times, here I am.
Oh, our San Diego trip....we had fun for the most part. We arrived Friday afternoon & went to Scripp's Aquarium before we checked into our hotel. Bob & Liz got to touch a Sea Urchin. We saw the typical aquarium animals. We also got to see VERY pregnant Sea Horses & 2 types of Sea Dragons. After that we checked into our hotel & ate dinner. The off to Old Town we went. We toured the Whaley House, a real haunted house, walked around Old Town & went back to the hotel.
The next day we got up early & spent MOST of the day at Coronado Beach. About 4pm the girls got a quick nap in while we drove down to Imperial Beach. There we walked to the end of the pier, saw a kid hook a sting ray on his line, watched the surfers & body boarders & hit a couple of gift shops. Then we returned to our hotel.
Sunday we spent the day at Balboa Park. While there we toured all of the houses of nations, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Museum of Man & the botanical building. While at the garden we got to listen to the Spreckles Organ. We didn't even come CLOSE to seeing all there is to see at Balboa Park.It was very enjoyable though.
Monday we spent at Legoland California. The best part was Miniland. Past that...I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Spend your time & money at Sea World or Disneyland & you'll have a better time.
I am going to TRY & grab a nap before the kids & spouse wake up for the day.
This month was the 2nd anniversary of this blog. It went by & I didn't even realize it. I have been kind of busy though. We went to San Diego for nearly 5 days in the beginning of September. When we returned we planned & paid for our approaching trip to the midwest. We have deceided to fly afterall. The little one doesn't travel in the car very well. We are HOPING the plane ride will go better. I was glad to hear of the easing of the restrictions of liquids on the plane. We will see how long the easing of those restrictions stay in effect though. Needless to say, the relatives we will be visiting are excited to meet their youngest grandchild for the first time. Only one isn't aware of our visit due to problems with her memory. My Aunt will let her know of our visit a few days before we are due to show up there.
Recently my husband had a rare Friday off work. We went to the DMV to get my license changed to my married name. It only took us 5 1/2 years to accomplish that. My SS had been changed for a few years now but with a break in pregnancy, eye glasses that work, a rare day off so my husband could watch the kids AND that approaching trip...we FINALLY got it done. Since I wouldn't be able to board the plane without ID in my LEGAL name...NOT getting it done was no longer an option. FINALLY I AM RID OF MY EX-HUSBANDS LAST NAME! THANK GOODNESS! IT feels REALLY good too. Wouldn't you know that literally minutes after I got my ID, I went to a local hair cutting place & COMPLETELY changed my hairstyle. LOL! It is still long, but now I have bangs & long layers on the sides around my face. It is nice to no longer be suffering from "HF"...High Forehead. I feel like I look nearly 10 years younger. It was a mini-makeover you might say. Now I need to do something about my clothes....
If the family wasn't peacefully sleeping in their beds right now, I would be doing housework instead of being online. Since I have a tendency to get a bit loud while doing housework at times, here I am.
Oh, our San Diego trip....we had fun for the most part. We arrived Friday afternoon & went to Scripp's Aquarium before we checked into our hotel. Bob & Liz got to touch a Sea Urchin. We saw the typical aquarium animals. We also got to see VERY pregnant Sea Horses & 2 types of Sea Dragons. After that we checked into our hotel & ate dinner. The off to Old Town we went. We toured the Whaley House, a real haunted house, walked around Old Town & went back to the hotel.
The next day we got up early & spent MOST of the day at Coronado Beach. About 4pm the girls got a quick nap in while we drove down to Imperial Beach. There we walked to the end of the pier, saw a kid hook a sting ray on his line, watched the surfers & body boarders & hit a couple of gift shops. Then we returned to our hotel.
Sunday we spent the day at Balboa Park. While there we toured all of the houses of nations, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Museum of Man & the botanical building. While at the garden we got to listen to the Spreckles Organ. We didn't even come CLOSE to seeing all there is to see at Balboa Park.It was very enjoyable though.
Monday we spent at Legoland California. The best part was Miniland. Past that...I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Spend your time & money at Sea World or Disneyland & you'll have a better time.
I am going to TRY & grab a nap before the kids & spouse wake up for the day.
September 21, 2006
Not so gloomy anymore
After I got done crying while writing my last post, I got the kids up, we all ate breakfast & I watched some TV while the girls played in the livingroom.
Next the youngest took a nap & I got to work on my kitchen. For 2 hours straight (I know because I timed it) I tossed, cleaned, sorted, put away & repeated the process over & over. At the moment, I have stacks of sorted magazines on the kitchen counter top awaiting my return. The counter tops are all dust free because I cleaned them. I can now see most of the top of the kitchen table & most of the three kitchen counter tops as well. Three bags of trash went out the door & the bookshelves (yes my kitchen has built-in book shelves) are neat & somewhat organized. Laundry is sorted & ready to be washed. My laundry room isn't large enough for sorting clothes in & is adjacent to my kitchen. THAT is why I have dirty clothes in my kitchen.At least NOW they are sorted & in laundry baskets.
Last night I loaded the dishwasher & shined my kitchen sinks as well as cleaning the counter top on which those magazines currently sit. The at least ONE of each magazine will be left out for my husband to see. HE subscribes to all these magazines, most of which get thumbed through & not looked at again. I plan to write a list of WHICH magazines we subscribe to & as they come due for renewal, we will decide TOGETHER which ones will not be renewed.
Last night, since it was garbage pick-up day today, I broke down as many boxes as I could & put them in the trash. For some reason, my husband & I can never seem to get on the same wave length at the same time when it comes to boxes, magazines & papers.Then they pile up & become monsters. I have HAD it & I HAVE to break that cycle. I want to take a sense of pride in my home, be able to keep it presentable & able for us to display our treasures instead of clutter.
Now, I need to bring this entry to a close & go back to those magazines again. I have to have enough space to make dinner. As for dinner, I FOUND my CROCK-POT today! It's too late to use it to prepare dinner tonight, but not for tomorrow night!
Next the youngest took a nap & I got to work on my kitchen. For 2 hours straight (I know because I timed it) I tossed, cleaned, sorted, put away & repeated the process over & over. At the moment, I have stacks of sorted magazines on the kitchen counter top awaiting my return. The counter tops are all dust free because I cleaned them. I can now see most of the top of the kitchen table & most of the three kitchen counter tops as well. Three bags of trash went out the door & the bookshelves (yes my kitchen has built-in book shelves) are neat & somewhat organized. Laundry is sorted & ready to be washed. My laundry room isn't large enough for sorting clothes in & is adjacent to my kitchen. THAT is why I have dirty clothes in my kitchen.At least NOW they are sorted & in laundry baskets.
Last night I loaded the dishwasher & shined my kitchen sinks as well as cleaning the counter top on which those magazines currently sit. The at least ONE of each magazine will be left out for my husband to see. HE subscribes to all these magazines, most of which get thumbed through & not looked at again. I plan to write a list of WHICH magazines we subscribe to & as they come due for renewal, we will decide TOGETHER which ones will not be renewed.
Last night, since it was garbage pick-up day today, I broke down as many boxes as I could & put them in the trash. For some reason, my husband & I can never seem to get on the same wave length at the same time when it comes to boxes, magazines & papers.Then they pile up & become monsters. I have HAD it & I HAVE to break that cycle. I want to take a sense of pride in my home, be able to keep it presentable & able for us to display our treasures instead of clutter.
Now, I need to bring this entry to a close & go back to those magazines again. I have to have enough space to make dinner. As for dinner, I FOUND my CROCK-POT today! It's too late to use it to prepare dinner tonight, but not for tomorrow night!
Darn season finale of grey's Anatomy!
I watched the rerun of the season finale of Grey's Anatomy last night. I had only seen parts of it the first time it was played. I KNEW that the dog "Doc" was put to sleeep but I didn't know why.
The scene where his three humans were in the vets office surrounding him with Doc awaiting his fate was too much for me. I broke down in tears crying like an idiot. My Scooter's last moments came flooding back. I could see him, feel him even smell him with those memories. It was almost as if it has happened all over again. I've been missing him anyaway & he's been on my mind. The first anniversary of his passing is just around the corner. I don't dwell on it, but my daughter will see a picture pop up on the computer and say "Mommy, I miss Scooter. I know you miss him too". She doesn't cry for him, she just simply states how she feels & then she's done with it. She does say that when her & her sister are older that then maybe we can get another dog. This morning I woke up with silent tears streaming down my face, thoughts of my dear, sweet Scoot on my mind. I KNOW he is in a better place without pain. I KNOW it was time but I can't help but keep from thinking " Maybe I put him to sleep too soon" I KNOW it was time, just as I KNEW it was time when I had to put our dog "O.J." down in 1994. I also remember second guessing myself for about 3 years afterward, but I don't remember crying like this almost a year after her passing. I guess my heart is still broken, I just didn't realize it.
Man's Lost Gnome Attends Steelers Game
From Associated PressSeptember 20, 2006 10:01 PM EDT
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Allen Snyder's garden gnome is apparently out of jail and now traveling the country. The 14-inch tall red-and-white statue disappeared from Snyder's Morgantown yard in the spring, and Snyder has since received three letters claiming to have been written by "Gnomey."
The latest letter, which Snyder received this week, included photos of the gnome in the company of Steelers fans attending Pittsburgh's football home opener.
"You never took me to any games," the note said. The letter ended: "Have to go now. Boarding a plane. Now, finally, broadening my travels."
An earlier letter included a request for bail money and included what appeared to be booking photos of Gnomey and another of the gnome in the back seat of a police car.
Snyder has no idea who's pulling this prank but said his short list of suspects includes several gag-loving friends.
The plight of his gnome has gotten a lot of attention. Snyder says people are always asking if he's heard from Gnomey.
"I never thought it would go this far," he said.
The story has even caught the attention of officials at Travelocity, which uses a roaming gnome in the online travel agency's advertising.
"While we know that your dear friend, Gnomey, can never be replaced, we're sending the enclosed Roaming Gnome to keep you company in his absence," wrote Michelle Peluso, president and chief executive officer of Travelocity, based in Southlake, Texas. "Hopefully your friend will find his way out of trouble and back to your front yard soon, although we can't help but admire his sense of adventure and love of travel."
Information from: The Dominion Post, http://www.dominionpost.com
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The scene where his three humans were in the vets office surrounding him with Doc awaiting his fate was too much for me. I broke down in tears crying like an idiot. My Scooter's last moments came flooding back. I could see him, feel him even smell him with those memories. It was almost as if it has happened all over again. I've been missing him anyaway & he's been on my mind. The first anniversary of his passing is just around the corner. I don't dwell on it, but my daughter will see a picture pop up on the computer and say "Mommy, I miss Scooter. I know you miss him too". She doesn't cry for him, she just simply states how she feels & then she's done with it. She does say that when her & her sister are older that then maybe we can get another dog. This morning I woke up with silent tears streaming down my face, thoughts of my dear, sweet Scoot on my mind. I KNOW he is in a better place without pain. I KNOW it was time but I can't help but keep from thinking " Maybe I put him to sleep too soon" I KNOW it was time, just as I KNEW it was time when I had to put our dog "O.J." down in 1994. I also remember second guessing myself for about 3 years afterward, but I don't remember crying like this almost a year after her passing. I guess my heart is still broken, I just didn't realize it.
This article about "Gnomey the garden gnome" did help bring a smile to my face. Sometimes the heavens just seem to know how to bring a little light into an emotinally gloomy day.
Man's Lost Gnome Attends Steelers Game
From Associated PressSeptember 20, 2006 10:01 PM EDT
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Allen Snyder's garden gnome is apparently out of jail and now traveling the country. The 14-inch tall red-and-white statue disappeared from Snyder's Morgantown yard in the spring, and Snyder has since received three letters claiming to have been written by "Gnomey."
The latest letter, which Snyder received this week, included photos of the gnome in the company of Steelers fans attending Pittsburgh's football home opener.
"You never took me to any games," the note said. The letter ended: "Have to go now. Boarding a plane. Now, finally, broadening my travels."
An earlier letter included a request for bail money and included what appeared to be booking photos of Gnomey and another of the gnome in the back seat of a police car.
Snyder has no idea who's pulling this prank but said his short list of suspects includes several gag-loving friends.
The plight of his gnome has gotten a lot of attention. Snyder says people are always asking if he's heard from Gnomey.
"I never thought it would go this far," he said.
The story has even caught the attention of officials at Travelocity, which uses a roaming gnome in the online travel agency's advertising.
"While we know that your dear friend, Gnomey, can never be replaced, we're sending the enclosed Roaming Gnome to keep you company in his absence," wrote Michelle Peluso, president and chief executive officer of Travelocity, based in Southlake, Texas. "Hopefully your friend will find his way out of trouble and back to your front yard soon, although we can't help but admire his sense of adventure and love of travel."
Information from: The Dominion Post, http://www.dominionpost.com
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September 14, 2006
Duane 'Dog' Chapman Arrested in Hawaii
By MARK NIESSE (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressSeptember 14, 2006 8:37 PM EDT
HONOLULU - TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars on his show were arrested Thursday in Hawaii on charges of illegal detention and conspiracy in the bounty hunters' capture three years ago of a cosmetics company heir.
Chapman, son Leland Chapman and associate Timothy Chapman were taken into custody and did not resist arrest, said Mark Hanohano, U.S. Marshal for the district of Hawaii. "It went down without incident," Hanohano said.
Mona K. Wood, a publicist for the star of the popular cable series "Dog The Bounty Hunter," said Chapman would be vindicated. "He arrests the bad guys - and he is definitely not one of them," she said.
The charges stem from Chapman's capture of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.
Chapman's capture of Luster, who had fled the country after being convicted of raping three women, catapulted the 53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series on A&E.
The three are being held in Honolulu. Bail has not been set. They will face an extradition hearing to Mexico under terms of treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, Credic said.
Chapman's son Leland, 29, and Timothy Chapman, 41, no relation, assist Chapman in exploits chronicled for the TV show around the Hawaiian Islands. The show focuses on Chapman's family as much as the bounty hunting, which generally involves tracking down bail jumpers, often creating emotional scenes with repentant captives.
Charges have been pending against the three since local police in Mexico arrested them shortly after they roped in Luster. They posted bail but never returned to Puerto Vallarta for their court hearing on July 15, 2003, Credic said.
Mexican authorities demanded that the Chapmans transfer Luster to Mexican police. Their refusal to do so led to their initial arrest.
A U.S. warrant for their arrest was signed by a federal judge in Honolulu on Wednesday.
By MARK NIESSE (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressSeptember 14, 2006 8:37 PM EDT
HONOLULU - TV reality star Duane "Dog" Chapman and two co-stars on his show were arrested Thursday in Hawaii on charges of illegal detention and conspiracy in the bounty hunters' capture three years ago of a cosmetics company heir.
Chapman, son Leland Chapman and associate Timothy Chapman were taken into custody and did not resist arrest, said Mark Hanohano, U.S. Marshal for the district of Hawaii. "It went down without incident," Hanohano said.
Mona K. Wood, a publicist for the star of the popular cable series "Dog The Bounty Hunter," said Chapman would be vindicated. "He arrests the bad guys - and he is definitely not one of them," she said.
The charges stem from Chapman's capture of Max Factor heir Andrew Luster on June 18, 2003, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, said Marshals spokeswoman Nikki Credic in Washington.
Chapman's capture of Luster, who had fled the country after being convicted of raping three women, catapulted the 53-year-old bounty hunter to fame and led to the reality series on A&E.
The three are being held in Honolulu. Bail has not been set. They will face an extradition hearing to Mexico under terms of treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, Credic said.
Chapman's son Leland, 29, and Timothy Chapman, 41, no relation, assist Chapman in exploits chronicled for the TV show around the Hawaiian Islands. The show focuses on Chapman's family as much as the bounty hunting, which generally involves tracking down bail jumpers, often creating emotional scenes with repentant captives.
Charges have been pending against the three since local police in Mexico arrested them shortly after they roped in Luster. They posted bail but never returned to Puerto Vallarta for their court hearing on July 15, 2003, Credic said.
Mexican authorities demanded that the Chapmans transfer Luster to Mexican police. Their refusal to do so led to their initial arrest.
A U.S. warrant for their arrest was signed by a federal judge in Honolulu on Wednesday.
September 06, 2006
Almost caught up & ready to go!
I think it was my Aunt that e-mailed this to me. All I know is that I cracked up when I read it.
It reminds me of a skit on the Man Show a few years back for a ficticious product called "Crack Spackel" That cracked me up as well.
Almost caught up refers to my Postcrossing activities.
This past week I mailed out BOTH of the photography books I contributed to & today I mailed out the creative notebook I contributed to. I still have to finish my "In the kitchen" handmade postcards & my matching photo/postcard round robin activites. Those won't be finished before we leave though.
Today I recieved a postcard from South Korea. That is very exciting for me. It is a first from that country. Hopefully my card from Jamacia will arrive soon as well.
In the mail I received the vacation planning kit I requested for our upcomming trip. There are even some coupons included for a couple of the sites we are planning to see! It will be so nice to escape this heat for a few days. Hopefully blogger will let me post photos of our trip when we get back!
The little one is getting teeth again & the oldest one got her ears pierced on Monday. She has been asking for the past few months & we have been able to discourage it. On Monday, she asked again & I told her it was going to hurt. She still wanted them pierced though. After she got the first one done, she didn't want the second one done anymore. Too bad, I wasn't going to pay $40 for ONE ear to be pierced! She screamed & cried but she got it done. After that we went for ice cream. After ice cream she asked to return to the store to tell the lady that pierced her ears sorry. I didn't suggest it, she just did it! She said "Lady, I'm sorry I screamed. Thank you for my earrings." For the record, the studs are now made with 14K gold instead of the stainless surgical steel ones they used when mine were pierced back about 1982.
!!NEWSFLASH!LIFELONG NAILBITER BREAKS THE HABIT!!
Also, it has taken nearly 37 years but I FINALLY have grown out my fingernails! I have been a habitual nail biter for as long as I can remember. I FINALLy have stopped snacking on my fingers & not only do I have natural nails, but they are 1/4 inch out past my fingertips! I even let the manicurist paint them...RED! My hubby LOVES it but I am still getting used to them. I have finally stopped accidentally scratching myself, my kids & my hubby with them. Only ONE broke off & that was a month ago so it is nearly as long as it's fellow nine nail siblings. I must admit that it feels good not to feel ashamed of my nasty, ragged looking fingers any longer.
In closing, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I must go as I have many things that require my attention before bed tonight.
August 21, 2006
I placed in a contest!
I entered a postcard contest & I tied for second place! I never win or even place in anything so this is huge for me.
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The cause of my husbands headaches are still currently unknown. After an MRI, an MRA & & $1000 in medical bills for those two tests...all we get are "I think the cause of your headaces are probably due to tension" Tension?!?! Thanks alot Doc! If it turns about to be something else that wasn't discovered & my hubby becomes mamed or worse...I am suing that specialist. On the other hand, I am glad it's not something serious like Cancer or an Annurisim. A $1000 bill when we were expecting a $200 bill is a tough thing to swallow. Thank God we have medical insurance.
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We are also taking TWO trips in the months ahead. We are going to San Diego to Legoland, the Whaley house, Scripps Aquarium & to Mission Beach. Bob didn't get to go anywhere on vacation...except once to Italy growing up. He is making up for vacations he missed as a kid with our children.
Later this year we are headed to Illinois to see family members. We drive straight through to Chicago & work our way down the state to see my family. The last time we saw family members in Illinois was November of 2003 so we are overdue for a visit. We were going to fly but by the time we bought tickets, dealt with ever changing air line restrictions (not good with a pre-schooler & a 1 year old) then we had to rent a car as well. We could rent a mini-van & pay for gas & still come out money ahead. That is what we are doing. My Grandmother Gaskins knows we are comming for a visit, but the T's do not yet. Of course my MIL knows as well.
Due to these two trips I must pass on trip to go with my girlfriends (no spouses or children allowed) to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. There is no way my hubby could get the time off work to watch the girls in addition to the time off for the other 2 above mentioned trips. It stinks but it's a necessary choice & my family has to come first. It's not as if I won't enjoy our two planned trips. Since there is talk of doing a "girls only" trip every year, maybe I can go next year.
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We are also taking TWO trips in the months ahead. We are going to San Diego to Legoland, the Whaley house, Scripps Aquarium & to Mission Beach. Bob didn't get to go anywhere on vacation...except once to Italy growing up. He is making up for vacations he missed as a kid with our children.
Later this year we are headed to Illinois to see family members. We drive straight through to Chicago & work our way down the state to see my family. The last time we saw family members in Illinois was November of 2003 so we are overdue for a visit. We were going to fly but by the time we bought tickets, dealt with ever changing air line restrictions (not good with a pre-schooler & a 1 year old) then we had to rent a car as well. We could rent a mini-van & pay for gas & still come out money ahead. That is what we are doing. My Grandmother Gaskins knows we are comming for a visit, but the T's do not yet. Of course my MIL knows as well.
Due to these two trips I must pass on trip to go with my girlfriends (no spouses or children allowed) to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. There is no way my hubby could get the time off work to watch the girls in addition to the time off for the other 2 above mentioned trips. It stinks but it's a necessary choice & my family has to come first. It's not as if I won't enjoy our two planned trips. Since there is talk of doing a "girls only" trip every year, maybe I can go next year.
August 04, 2006
Hopefully, they caught the right guy(s)
Police Arrest 2 in Ariz. Shootings Case
By CHRIS KAHN (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressAugust 04, 2006 10:26 AM EDT
MESA, Ariz. - Authorities arrested two men Friday in connection with a series of fatal shootings that have terrorized Phoenix area residents for more than a year, a police spokesman said.
The men were apprehended at a gated apartment complex and were being held at Phoenix police headquarters, police Sgt. Andy Hill said.
The men were considered suspects in the "Serial Shooter" case - one of two serial killers whom authorities say have been operating in the Phoenix area.
Authorities have said that the so-called "Serial Shooter" is believed to be responsible for killing six people and wounding 17 others, mostly pedestrians and bicyclists, since May 2005.
The most recent was Sunday in Mesa when a 22-year-old woman was fatally shot as she was walking from her parents' home to her boyfriend's house, authorities said.
Fear and paranoia have gripped Phoenix neighborhoods in recent months as police linked more and more seemingly random shootings to one assailant. Investigators believe the Serial Shooter targeted people in both the western and eastern edges of Phoenix's sprawling suburbs.
Police had said they had no idea who the Serial Shooter was, what he looked like and whether he was working alone.
"I hope they got him," said Caroll Roberts, whose 19-year-old son was shot in the torso last month and survived after four hours of surgery. "I want to shoot him in the stomach to see how he'd like it, like he did my son."
Officials from several police agencies searched the apartment complex Friday morning as part of the investigation. Some used flashlights to peer through the windows of a car, which was later hauled away by a tow truck.
Television footage showed police officers carrying what appeared to be several rifles or shotguns away from the apartment. Complex resident Loraine Salyers said she lives near where police came in Friday. "I came out and there were like a hundred cops," Salyers said. I was so scared. My heart's pounding."
Phoenix police have had about 200 officers working to try to solve the Serial Shooter cases and to find a second serial killer dubbed the "Baseline Killer."
The "Baseline Killer" is believed responsible for killing seven women and one man since last September, and sexually assaulting 11 women and girls in the past year.
Authorities have said that the so-called "Serial Shooter" is believed to be responsible for three dozen shootings of people, and dogs and horses. The shootings have generally happened late at night, with no witnesses.
Robin Blasnek, 22, was gunned down at about 11:15 p.m. Sunday. Neighbors heard a shot and ran to help the young woman, but she soon lost consciousness and died at a hospital.
The shooting was linked to earlier cases because of similarities and forensic evidence, authorities said.
Blasnek's father told the East Valley Tribune that his daughter grew up as a special needs child, and lived part time with her parents in Mesa and at a group home in Tempe.
"She was just a great kid. Very, very naive, and pure as far as not understanding the dangers of the world," Steve Blasnek said. "I guess my only regret is that I didn't give her a big hug."
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On the Net:
Phoenix Police Department: Police Arrest 2 in Ariz. Shootings Case
By CHRIS KAHN (Associated Press Writer)
By CHRIS KAHN (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressAugust 04, 2006 10:26 AM EDT
MESA, Ariz. - Authorities arrested two men Friday in connection with a series of fatal shootings that have terrorized Phoenix area residents for more than a year, a police spokesman said.
The men were apprehended at a gated apartment complex and were being held at Phoenix police headquarters, police Sgt. Andy Hill said.
The men were considered suspects in the "Serial Shooter" case - one of two serial killers whom authorities say have been operating in the Phoenix area.
Authorities have said that the so-called "Serial Shooter" is believed to be responsible for killing six people and wounding 17 others, mostly pedestrians and bicyclists, since May 2005.
The most recent was Sunday in Mesa when a 22-year-old woman was fatally shot as she was walking from her parents' home to her boyfriend's house, authorities said.
Fear and paranoia have gripped Phoenix neighborhoods in recent months as police linked more and more seemingly random shootings to one assailant. Investigators believe the Serial Shooter targeted people in both the western and eastern edges of Phoenix's sprawling suburbs.
Police had said they had no idea who the Serial Shooter was, what he looked like and whether he was working alone.
"I hope they got him," said Caroll Roberts, whose 19-year-old son was shot in the torso last month and survived after four hours of surgery. "I want to shoot him in the stomach to see how he'd like it, like he did my son."
Officials from several police agencies searched the apartment complex Friday morning as part of the investigation. Some used flashlights to peer through the windows of a car, which was later hauled away by a tow truck.
Television footage showed police officers carrying what appeared to be several rifles or shotguns away from the apartment. Complex resident Loraine Salyers said she lives near where police came in Friday. "I came out and there were like a hundred cops," Salyers said. I was so scared. My heart's pounding."
Phoenix police have had about 200 officers working to try to solve the Serial Shooter cases and to find a second serial killer dubbed the "Baseline Killer."
The "Baseline Killer" is believed responsible for killing seven women and one man since last September, and sexually assaulting 11 women and girls in the past year.
Authorities have said that the so-called "Serial Shooter" is believed to be responsible for three dozen shootings of people, and dogs and horses. The shootings have generally happened late at night, with no witnesses.
Robin Blasnek, 22, was gunned down at about 11:15 p.m. Sunday. Neighbors heard a shot and ran to help the young woman, but she soon lost consciousness and died at a hospital.
The shooting was linked to earlier cases because of similarities and forensic evidence, authorities said.
Blasnek's father told the East Valley Tribune that his daughter grew up as a special needs child, and lived part time with her parents in Mesa and at a group home in Tempe.
"She was just a great kid. Very, very naive, and pure as far as not understanding the dangers of the world," Steve Blasnek said. "I guess my only regret is that I didn't give her a big hug."
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On the Net:
Phoenix Police Department: Police Arrest 2 in Ariz. Shootings Case
By CHRIS KAHN (Associated Press Writer)
August 01, 2006
Mom Tracks Down Toilet-Tissue Pranksters
July 31, 2006 9:30 PM EDT
NORCO, Calif. - Teenagers who toilet-papered and damaged a home now face felony vandalism charges because of a mother's extraordinary sleuthing.
Katja Base, mother of six, was unwilling to let the teens get away with it, saying she tracked them down to teach her kids about accountability.
Base awoke one February morning to find her front lawn strewn in white two-ply toilet paper. She and husband Ken also found damaged landscaping and light fixtures as well as ruined finishes on two cars.
Dog food and flour also covered the lawn.
Realizing the sheriff's department has better things to do than track down teen pranksters, Katja Base decided to do some detective work.
"There needs to be accountability," she said. "Mainly, I pursued this as a lesson for my daughters. I don't want them to ever come to me and ask why I didn't do anything about this."
Base persuaded supermarket managers to tally daily toilet-paper buys for the week and a Stater Bros. manager said there was a run on bathroom tissue two days before her home was vandalized.
At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, someone bought 144 rolls of toilet paper, cheese, dog food, flour and plastic forks, the same items found on her lawn and house. It was a cash transaction, making it difficult to trace the purchaser, but the store had video surveillance.
The video showed four teenagers making the purchase, one of them wearing a Norco High School letterman's jacket with a name stitched across the back. The store's parking lot surveillance camera showed the truck they were using.
Base then borrowed a Norco High yearbook and used online databases to get the name, phone numbers and addresses of the teens on the store tape.
"Her work was instrumental in helping us to identify the suspects," said Lt. Ross Cooper of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
The information was eventually sent to the district attorney's office and prosecutors confirmed that about six youths were now facing vandalism charges. However, they would not release details of the case or names of the defendants because they are juveniles.
The maximum penalty for the adult would be three years in prison; the juveniles could face probation and restitution, district attorney's office spokeswoman Ingrid Wyatt said.
---
Information from: The Press-Enterprise, http://www.pe.com
July 31, 2006 9:30 PM EDT
NORCO, Calif. - Teenagers who toilet-papered and damaged a home now face felony vandalism charges because of a mother's extraordinary sleuthing.
Katja Base, mother of six, was unwilling to let the teens get away with it, saying she tracked them down to teach her kids about accountability.
Base awoke one February morning to find her front lawn strewn in white two-ply toilet paper. She and husband Ken also found damaged landscaping and light fixtures as well as ruined finishes on two cars.
Dog food and flour also covered the lawn.
Realizing the sheriff's department has better things to do than track down teen pranksters, Katja Base decided to do some detective work.
"There needs to be accountability," she said. "Mainly, I pursued this as a lesson for my daughters. I don't want them to ever come to me and ask why I didn't do anything about this."
Base persuaded supermarket managers to tally daily toilet-paper buys for the week and a Stater Bros. manager said there was a run on bathroom tissue two days before her home was vandalized.
At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, someone bought 144 rolls of toilet paper, cheese, dog food, flour and plastic forks, the same items found on her lawn and house. It was a cash transaction, making it difficult to trace the purchaser, but the store had video surveillance.
The video showed four teenagers making the purchase, one of them wearing a Norco High School letterman's jacket with a name stitched across the back. The store's parking lot surveillance camera showed the truck they were using.
Base then borrowed a Norco High yearbook and used online databases to get the name, phone numbers and addresses of the teens on the store tape.
"Her work was instrumental in helping us to identify the suspects," said Lt. Ross Cooper of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
The information was eventually sent to the district attorney's office and prosecutors confirmed that about six youths were now facing vandalism charges. However, they would not release details of the case or names of the defendants because they are juveniles.
The maximum penalty for the adult would be three years in prison; the juveniles could face probation and restitution, district attorney's office spokeswoman Ingrid Wyatt said.
---
Information from: The Press-Enterprise, http://www.pe.com
July 30, 2006
Artist Builds Vegas Sign With Cards, Dice
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Artist Bryan Berg sits on a ladder in front of his sculpture of the famous Las Vegas sign made from playing cards and poker chips at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, Thursday, July 27, 2006. LAURA RAUCH
By FRANCISCA ORTEGA (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressJuly 30, 2006 3:23 AM EDT
LAS VEGAS - Take 500 decks of playing cards, 1,800 poker chips, 800 dice and more than a few tubes of Super Glue. Add an artist who likes to stack things and mix in some Vegas glitz. "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas," or at least welcome to a life-size replica of the famous sign made out cards, dice and poker chips.
Bryan Berg, perhaps best known for building a 25-foot castle out of playing cards, broke his no adhesive rule to build the sign for the World Series of Poker.
Berg called the sign, which is attached to a scaffolding of wood and weighs 400 pounds, a "logistical nightmare." It took about 450 hours to complete.
"It's like brain surgery," he said. "I didn't even know if it was possible."
Unlike the original at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, the replica does not have a flat front. Pockets of its face are left bare so the structure's interior design is revealed. The honeycomb pattern of the cards and their laminated covering catch the light, making it appear the sign is lighted up and shimmering in the desert heat.
It hangs above the stage in the Rio hotel-casino's convention center, where more than 8,500 entrants are competing in the main event of the World Series of Poker tournament.
A graduate of Harvard's Graduate School of Design, 32-year-old Berg began stacking cards when he was 8. At 17, he won a Guinness World Record for the world's tallest house of cards with a 14-foot-6-inch-tall tower. In 2004, he broke his own record with a 25-foot-tall recreation of Cinderella's castle.
What started as a hobby has turned into a career for Berg. He now makes sculptures out of cards full-time.
This is the first time Berg has used glue in one of his sculptures.
When Loctite Super Glue commissioned him for the project, he said he agreed only if the final design "flew, floated or hanged," - something so people could see glue was used.
"I don't (usually) use tape, or glue anything together, and I've never even considered it. I've always been a purist," he said. "I think it's important that I'm up front about it."
July 29, 2006
You know you are an Arizonan if ...
1. You are willing to park three blocks away because you found shade.
2. You can open and drive your car without touching the car door or the steering wheel.
3. You've experienced condensation on your ass from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
4. You would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face.
5. You can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.
6. "Dress code" is meaningless at high schools and universities (picture lingerie ads).
7. You can drive for four hours in one direction and never leave town.
8. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
9. The four seasons are: TOLERABLE, HOT, REALLY HOT, AND ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!
10. You know that the heat you feel when you walk outside is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
11. You think someone driving wearing oven mits is brilliant.
12. Salsa is a part of your daily diet.
13. You can listen to a weather report of 117 and not flinch.
14. You notice your car overheating before you drive it.
15. You can pronounce San Xavier, Saguaro, Tempe, and Cholla
16. You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.
17. You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink.
18. You can be in the snow, then drive for an hour...and it will be over 100 degrees.
19. You can make sun tea instantly
20. You run your a/c in the middle of winter so you can use your fireplace.
21. The best parking is determined by shade.....not distance.
22. You realize that "Valley Fever" isn't a disco dance
23. You actually burn your hand opening the car door
24. Sunscreen is sold year round, kept right at the checkout counter.
25. You put on fresh sunscreen just to go check the mail box
26. Some fools will market mini-misters for joggers and some other fools will actually buy them. Worse.....some fools actually try to jog.
27. You know hot air balloons can't rise because the air temperature is hotter than the air inside the balloon.
28. No one would dream of putting vinyl inside a car
29. You see more irrigation water on the street than there is in the Salt River, and, on that note, you have to go to a fake beach for some fake waves.
30. You can fry an egg on the hood of a car IN THE MORNING!
31. You think a red light is merely a suggestion.
32. Most of the restaurants in town have start with "El" or "Los" or end in "bertos."
33. Your house is made of stucco and has a tile roof.
34. You think 60 tons of crushed red rock makes a beautiful yard.
35. People who have black cars or black upholstery in their car are automatically assumed to be from out-of-state or nuts.
36. You know better than to get into a car with leather seats if you're wearing shorts.
37. You can't find anyone at a park until 7:00 PM
38. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Arizona.
1. You are willing to park three blocks away because you found shade.
2. You can open and drive your car without touching the car door or the steering wheel.
3. You've experienced condensation on your ass from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
4. You would give anything to be able to splash cold water on your face.
5. You can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.
6. "Dress code" is meaningless at high schools and universities (picture lingerie ads).
7. You can drive for four hours in one direction and never leave town.
8. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
9. The four seasons are: TOLERABLE, HOT, REALLY HOT, AND ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!
10. You know that the heat you feel when you walk outside is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
11. You think someone driving wearing oven mits is brilliant.
12. Salsa is a part of your daily diet.
13. You can listen to a weather report of 117 and not flinch.
14. You notice your car overheating before you drive it.
15. You can pronounce San Xavier, Saguaro, Tempe, and Cholla
16. You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.
17. You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink.
18. You can be in the snow, then drive for an hour...and it will be over 100 degrees.
19. You can make sun tea instantly
20. You run your a/c in the middle of winter so you can use your fireplace.
21. The best parking is determined by shade.....not distance.
22. You realize that "Valley Fever" isn't a disco dance
23. You actually burn your hand opening the car door
24. Sunscreen is sold year round, kept right at the checkout counter.
25. You put on fresh sunscreen just to go check the mail box
26. Some fools will market mini-misters for joggers and some other fools will actually buy them. Worse.....some fools actually try to jog.
27. You know hot air balloons can't rise because the air temperature is hotter than the air inside the balloon.
28. No one would dream of putting vinyl inside a car
29. You see more irrigation water on the street than there is in the Salt River, and, on that note, you have to go to a fake beach for some fake waves.
30. You can fry an egg on the hood of a car IN THE MORNING!
31. You think a red light is merely a suggestion.
32. Most of the restaurants in town have start with "El" or "Los" or end in "bertos."
33. Your house is made of stucco and has a tile roof.
34. You think 60 tons of crushed red rock makes a beautiful yard.
35. People who have black cars or black upholstery in their car are automatically assumed to be from out-of-state or nuts.
36. You know better than to get into a car with leather seats if you're wearing shorts.
37. You can't find anyone at a park until 7:00 PM
38. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Arizona.
July 17, 2006
Committing to change
Committing to change
Facing long standing issues
Dealing with the pain
Pain born of actions
From my less than innocent
Teenage romances
Pain born of constant
manipulation by a
Master with a face
Pain born of secrets
Of my own in order to
Protect my family
Pain born of searching
Unknowingly for true love
Without condition
Pain which led to an
Unhealthy relationship
With eating and food
A relationship
That left me feeling happy
As well as betrayed
Now habitual
Food has become a friend
As well as a foe
I have committed
To let food be nourishment
Not a friend or foe
I have chosen
To eat to live and no longer
Will I live to eat
Facing long standing issues
Dealing with the pain
Pain born of actions
From my less than innocent
Teenage romances
Pain born of constant
manipulation by a
Master with a face
Pain born of secrets
Of my own in order to
Protect my family
Pain born of searching
Unknowingly for true love
Without condition
Pain which led to an
Unhealthy relationship
With eating and food
A relationship
That left me feeling happy
As well as betrayed
Now habitual
Food has become a friend
As well as a foe
I have committed
To let food be nourishment
Not a friend or foe
I have chosen
To eat to live and no longer
Will I live to eat
July 13, 2006
 |
1. In about 3 hours we head to town to visit the Dr. 2. He will give us the results of my husbands MRI 3. Hopefull we will find the reason he has had SO MANY horrific headaches. 4. I am scared to know but even more scared not to know. 5. On the way home we pick up my new eye glasses. 6. I found a black spider with two yellow fuzzies on his back outside this week. 7. I opened the back door & found a BIG lizard sunning himself about 3 feet away. 8. I nearly crapped my pants when I saw him. 9. I have lost 3 pounds this week. 10. I am down ONE 8 ounce can of soda each day. 11. I have been journaling everything I put in my mouth. 12. I have consumed 8 to 13 glasses of water each day this week. 13. I have exercised on Sun, Mon & Tues this week. That is up from NO exercise at all! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!
July 06, 2006
Thursday Thirteen Edition #48 Week 2
irteen Things
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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 |
1. We got the flat tire on the car patched. 2. The Monsoon offcially began on Sunday. 3. We took the girls to a free Fourth of July Fireworks show. 4. The show was REALLY crappy! It was the worst I've EVER seen! 5. It rained REALLY hard about 30 minutes after we got home. 6. The four of us went to the Doctor on Monday. 7. The girls got 4 shots each. 8. The Dr. told my husbnad to get an MRI. 9. He thinks my husband might have an annurisim. 10. I am scared about it. 11. I was on the phone with the Dr. office, the insurance company & the Diagnostic center for a total of 3 hours today. 12. I took the kids to the librbary today. 13. The oldest made a paper plate frog for the craft at the library. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
July 01, 2006
Pictures from our visit to Texas
*Hey Crissy! Do you recognize the outfit Char is wearing?*We drove to Texas to see my Husbands Grandmother. He had not seen her in a VERY long time & she had NEVER seen either of our children...or me for that matter.
The Baby's 1st Birthday Cake photos
I KNEW she was going to do this, so she was only wearing her diaper. She was just starting to come down with the flu so we had no party. Within a few hours her sister & I had the flu also, we just didn't know it was the flu at that time.
June 30, 2006
Butterfly Exhibit at the Botanical Garden
Butterfly Exhibit at the Garden
A path at the Garden
Cactus Flower bloom at the Garden
Sunflower along the Roadside
June 08, 2006
 |
2. My middle name has been passed down in my family for 200 plus years 3. I am currently recovering from the Flu. 4. I have liked & belived in Angels since I was a VERY small child. 5. I have seen ghosts on more than one occasion. 6. I am a Stay At Home Mom. 7. I am an avid Postcrosser. 8. This is my first edition of Thriteen Things. 9. I am BEYOND proud of my "Baby" Sister. 10. I have been a slave to the laundry this week with 3 of us having the Flu. 11. I have seen the hand of God & am no longer worried about what others think when they hear it. 12. I have an unshakeable faith in the Lord. 13. I am in the process of changing my eating habits & reintroducing exercise into my life. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
June 06, 2006
Yard of a Thousand Lakes
Yes, you read it correctly. It seems that I may have as many as 1000 mini-lakes in my yard. Okay, so it's a bit of an exaggeration but there is at least one that is about 1100 square feet. I only know this because it is about 1/2 the size of my house! Not to mention there are at least 20 OTHER smaller but still sizeable mini-lakes on our acre of land. We got a rare early June rain/wind/dust storm that blew through about 2 hours ago. First came the sudden dramatic drop in temperature, next howling winds & TONS of dust. It got to the point that it was literally ZERO visibility! Next came rain that was being blown by the wind with such force, it sounded like hail hitting the windows. I was seeing cloud to ground lightening & it was close enough I could feel the electricity in the air. I placed both the girls in the doorway between the bathroom & master bedroom, away from all windows & electrical outlets, unplugged the phones & electronic devices & had candles & matches close at hand. The dust was so thick that at 5pm...it was black as pitch outside. That is of course when we lost power. Char was fussy the whole time while Liz was pretty good, but asking if daddy was inside when she saw the dust. Once we lost power all bets on calm little ones were lost. I kept them both in the playpen & sat next to it, talking to them & telling them a story. The power was only out about 10 minutes, but with my voice fading fast due to my coughing...it was 10 minutes too long. I was much relieved when I saw my hubby pull up outside in front of the house, knowing he was safe. He works outside & on top of roofs every day so when I see lightening & dust storms, I have a very real concern for his safety. Now we are housebound for the next few days (not that I was going anywhere anyway being sick) & the work truck is parked on the street until the ground solidifies again.
I called my mom & told her to get her a$$ straight home as the storm was headed her way & fast. She called a little later telling me my Grandmother is in the hospital due to MAJOR swelling in her legs from being immobile. Until they get this mess with her back figured out, this could be an ongoing problem. They admitted her to reduce the swelling & to make sure no blood clots have formed. Say a prayer for her. She could use all of them she can get.
BTW, I am still feeling like I got run over by a truck but Phlegm Dam broke wide open last night about bedtime & has been flowing strong ever since. I'm not kidding, I've filled TWO bathroom trash cans with Kleenex since 7 am this morning! Yes, my head & sinuses are pounding but it's a good thing. It IS a GOOD thing...right?
I called my mom & told her to get her a$$ straight home as the storm was headed her way & fast. She called a little later telling me my Grandmother is in the hospital due to MAJOR swelling in her legs from being immobile. Until they get this mess with her back figured out, this could be an ongoing problem. They admitted her to reduce the swelling & to make sure no blood clots have formed. Say a prayer for her. She could use all of them she can get.
BTW, I am still feeling like I got run over by a truck but Phlegm Dam broke wide open last night about bedtime & has been flowing strong ever since. I'm not kidding, I've filled TWO bathroom trash cans with Kleenex since 7 am this morning! Yes, my head & sinuses are pounding but it's a good thing. It IS a GOOD thing...right?
June 05, 2006
Update from the House of Flu
This won't be long either. We are still coughing & hacking up our lungs. Liz & I are at least. Bob seems to be "okay" still. That's a good thing since he is the one with the paycheck. Charlotte I'm happy to report is doing MUCH, MUCH better.
Last night Char slept in her room while Liz & I shared the bed. Bob slept on the couch so he wasn't sleeping in sheets & pillows tainted with our Flu germs. The plan is for me to wash all our our bedding, including pillows & such so he can sleep in our bed tonight. I will be on the couch, propped up so I can breath. I think Liz may end up in her Daddys chair for the same reason.
I did manage to something other than just nap for the first time since Thursday I think. I took some Nyquill & Liz some Triaminic so we both ended up getting some decent sleep. I heard Bob come in & give Liz Triaminic. He said that the way the two of us were hacking it was keeping him from sleeping....in the other room! I would have given Liz meds but I was so dizzy from coughing & sheer exhaustion I couldn't get out of bed. Since I had no voice, I couldn't call out to Bob either. I am not very dizzy this morning.
I talked to my sister this weekend, as well as my Grandparents & Grandma. Nobody even told my sister that Grandma had back surgery! That really pissed me off. HELLO! It's back surgery! Actually NECK surgery! It's stuff like that my family DOESN'T say that gets to me. I'm used to the gossip & bad mouthing. When something IMPORTANT comes up that family members NEED to know about? It's amazing how fast the gossips mouths shut! It becomes family business only if it is about them they want sympathy! GRRR!
Oay, I need to head back to bed. I am getting dizzy again & don't want to crawl across the house to get there.
June 02, 2006
This won't be long
I just wanted to do a quick update.
We left for Garland, Texas (around Dallas) on Friday night. We drove straight through & it took us about 16 hours. We had a room at the Gaylord Texan & it was beautiful. Sunday we spent the day with his Grandma, 2 Uncles, an Aunt-in-Law & his neice & nephew. Monday we headed back home & returned Tuesday morning. In all, we had a good time.
Yesterday both the kids & I began to get sick. The three of us were running fevers all day. The smallest was vomiting up formula & pedialite, but feeling better by bedtime. The oldest was feeling okay at bedtime but woke me up by vomiting all over her bedroom at 1am. That is why I am awake right now. Then there is me. I have been running a low grade fever, sweating like a pig or freezing, spewing vomit & feces like crazy & am lightheaded. I can't forget that I have developed a sharp pain in my left ear...usually the sign of an ear infection for me. Gee? Wanna come over so you can get sick too? Let's just hope my hubby doesn't catch any of it.
I know it will all pass. I know this could have happened at any point over the holiday weekend (thank goodness it didn't) Unfortunately, it doesn't make me feel any better right now.
With that, I am off to bed.
We left for Garland, Texas (around Dallas) on Friday night. We drove straight through & it took us about 16 hours. We had a room at the Gaylord Texan & it was beautiful. Sunday we spent the day with his Grandma, 2 Uncles, an Aunt-in-Law & his neice & nephew. Monday we headed back home & returned Tuesday morning. In all, we had a good time.
Yesterday both the kids & I began to get sick. The three of us were running fevers all day. The smallest was vomiting up formula & pedialite, but feeling better by bedtime. The oldest was feeling okay at bedtime but woke me up by vomiting all over her bedroom at 1am. That is why I am awake right now. Then there is me. I have been running a low grade fever, sweating like a pig or freezing, spewing vomit & feces like crazy & am lightheaded. I can't forget that I have developed a sharp pain in my left ear...usually the sign of an ear infection for me. Gee? Wanna come over so you can get sick too? Let's just hope my hubby doesn't catch any of it.
I know it will all pass. I know this could have happened at any point over the holiday weekend (thank goodness it didn't) Unfortunately, it doesn't make me feel any better right now.
With that, I am off to bed.
May 31, 2006
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May 26, 2006
!Step AWAY from the blog! :-)
I will be away from my blogs for the long weekend.
Please take a minute to stop & remember those soliders that have died for, fought for or are currently serving our country.
I will post again later in the week.
Have fun & stay safe!
Please take a minute to stop & remember those soliders that have died for, fought for or are currently serving our country.
I will post again later in the week.
Have fun & stay safe!
Creeping Deserts
Deserts May Be Creeping Closer to Cities
By ANDREW BRIDGES (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressMay 26, 2006 8:06 AM EDT
WASHINGTON - Deserts in the American Southwest and around the globe are creeping toward heavily populated areas as the jet streams shift, researchers reported Thursday.
The result: Areas already stressed by drought may get even drier.
Satellite measurements made from 1979 to 2005 show that the atmosphere in the subtropical regions both north and south of the equator is heating up. As the atmosphere warms, it bulges out at the altitudes where the northern and southern jet streams slip past like swift and massive rivers of air. That bulging has pushed both jet streams about 70 miles closer to the Earth's poles.
Since the jet streams mark the edge of the tropics, in essence framing the hot zone that hugs the equator, their outward movement has allowed the tropics to grow wider by about 140 miles. That means the relatively drier subtropics move as well, pushing closer to places like Salt Lake City, where Thomas Reichler, co-author of the new study, teaches meteorology.
"One of the immediate consequences one can think of is those deserts and dry areas are moving poleward," said Reichler, of the University of Utah. Details appear in Friday in the journal Science.
The movement has allowed the subtropics to edge toward populated areas, including the American Southwest, southern Australia and the Mediterranean basin. In those places, the lack of precipitation already is a worry.
Additional creep could move Africa's Sahara Desert farther north, worsening drought conditions that are already a serious problem on that continent and bringing drier weather to the countries that ring the Mediterranean Sea.
"The Mediterranean is one region that models consistently show drying in the future. That could be very much related to this pattern that we are seeing in the atmosphere," said Isaac Held, a senior research scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He was not connected with the research.
A shift in where subtropical dry zones lie could make climate change locally noticeable for more people, said Karen Rosenlof, a NOAA research meteorologist also unconnected to the study.
"It is a plausible thing that could be happening, and the people who are going to see its effects earliest are the ones who live closer to the tropics, like southern Australia," said Rosenlof. Her own work suggests the tropics have actually compressed since 2000, after growing wider over the previous 20 years.
Reichler suspects global warming is the root cause of the shift, but said he can't be certain. Other possibilities include variability and destruction of the ozone layer. However, he and his colleagues have noted similar behavior in climate models that suggest global warming plays a role.
Moving the jet streams farther from the equator could disrupt storm patterns, as well as intensify individual storms on the poleward side of the jet streams, said lead author Qiang Fu, a University of Washington atmospheric scientist.
In Europe, for example, that shift could mean less snow falling on the Alps in winter. That would be bad news for skiers, as well as for farmers and others who rely on rivers fed by snowmelt.
"This definitely favors or enhances the frequency of droughts," Fu said of such a shift.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
By ANDREW BRIDGES (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressMay 26, 2006 8:06 AM EDT
WASHINGTON - Deserts in the American Southwest and around the globe are creeping toward heavily populated areas as the jet streams shift, researchers reported Thursday.
The result: Areas already stressed by drought may get even drier.
Satellite measurements made from 1979 to 2005 show that the atmosphere in the subtropical regions both north and south of the equator is heating up. As the atmosphere warms, it bulges out at the altitudes where the northern and southern jet streams slip past like swift and massive rivers of air. That bulging has pushed both jet streams about 70 miles closer to the Earth's poles.
Since the jet streams mark the edge of the tropics, in essence framing the hot zone that hugs the equator, their outward movement has allowed the tropics to grow wider by about 140 miles. That means the relatively drier subtropics move as well, pushing closer to places like Salt Lake City, where Thomas Reichler, co-author of the new study, teaches meteorology.
"One of the immediate consequences one can think of is those deserts and dry areas are moving poleward," said Reichler, of the University of Utah. Details appear in Friday in the journal Science.
The movement has allowed the subtropics to edge toward populated areas, including the American Southwest, southern Australia and the Mediterranean basin. In those places, the lack of precipitation already is a worry.
Additional creep could move Africa's Sahara Desert farther north, worsening drought conditions that are already a serious problem on that continent and bringing drier weather to the countries that ring the Mediterranean Sea.
"The Mediterranean is one region that models consistently show drying in the future. That could be very much related to this pattern that we are seeing in the atmosphere," said Isaac Held, a senior research scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He was not connected with the research.
A shift in where subtropical dry zones lie could make climate change locally noticeable for more people, said Karen Rosenlof, a NOAA research meteorologist also unconnected to the study.
"It is a plausible thing that could be happening, and the people who are going to see its effects earliest are the ones who live closer to the tropics, like southern Australia," said Rosenlof. Her own work suggests the tropics have actually compressed since 2000, after growing wider over the previous 20 years.
Reichler suspects global warming is the root cause of the shift, but said he can't be certain. Other possibilities include variability and destruction of the ozone layer. However, he and his colleagues have noted similar behavior in climate models that suggest global warming plays a role.
Moving the jet streams farther from the equator could disrupt storm patterns, as well as intensify individual storms on the poleward side of the jet streams, said lead author Qiang Fu, a University of Washington atmospheric scientist.
In Europe, for example, that shift could mean less snow falling on the Alps in winter. That would be bad news for skiers, as well as for farmers and others who rely on rivers fed by snowmelt.
"This definitely favors or enhances the frequency of droughts," Fu said of such a shift.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
May 12, 2006
Is this a true solution?
Congress May Expand Border Fences
By JACQUES BILLEAUD (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressMay 11, 2006 11:24 PM EDT
DOUGLAS, Ariz. - Much of this dusty city along the border is separated from Mexico by a fence consisting of 12-foot vertical metal bars, spaced inches apart to prevent illegal immigrants from squeezing through.
Surveillance cameras are mounted on towers nearby, and Border Patrol agents posted hundreds of feet away in the desert scrub and flowering ocotillo watch for anyone who might try to scale, cut through, slip under or sneak around the fence.
Though these fences are criticized for shifting would-be border-crossers to more dangerous and remote spots, they do make it harder for illegal immigrants to reach urban areas where they can slip into a car and head for the nation's interior to find work.
Now, as Washington seeks to overhaul America's broken immigration policies, Congress is considering putting many more such barriers along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, which already has 83 miles of fences.
A bill that cleared the House in December would put fences at immigrant- and drug-smuggling corridors in all four southern border states. At an estimated cost of $2.5 billion, the fences would cover 850 miles of border - roughly one-fifth the length of the Great Wall of China - though it would not be one continuous wall.
The gaps would be policed the way many remote areas of the border are already guarded now: with motion sensors, cameras, unmanned drone aircraft and Border Patrol agents.
Among other things, House legislation calls for a mostly continuous 392-mile fence from Calexico, Calif., to Douglas. The second-largest piece would be a largely uninterrupted 305-mile segment in the Texas brush country from Laredo to Brownsville, a corridor used by cocaine smugglers.
Immigrant rights groups say fences waste taxpayer money because would-be border-crossers who are desperate to earn a better living in America will always find a way around or through barriers, as evidenced by the lower sections of the fence in Douglas, where rods have had to be welded into place to patch up breaches.
Even some proponents say erecting fences, without using other border enforcement efforts, will not stop illegal immigrants.
"All by itself, it's not a magic solution," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors limiting immigration.
But the Border Patrol says fences slow down immigrants so authorities can have enough time to respond to those who try to come across. That, in turn, frees up other agents to focus on remote areas, where they already use aircraft and ground sensors.
"Fencing by itself is not effective, but not having a fence is not effective either," added Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Advocates for beefing up border security said a 14-mile fence near San Diego, once the country's most prolific smuggling center, shows that barriers work. The fence there is made of corrugated metal sheets previously used as landing surfaces for military aircraft. Behind it is a second fence, made of tightly woven mesh.
Within that area, the barrier is credited with dramatically reducing the flow of illegal immigrants.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican who is the leading voice in Congress for more fences, said the costs of building fences are much lower than the government expenses associated with illegal immigration, including huge sums spent on incarcerating immigrants convicted of crimes in the United States.
Opponents say there are some costly consequences as well. Immigrant rights advocates say fences prompt migrants to cross in remote areas where they face dangerous obstacles, such as rivers where some drown, deserts where some succumb to the heat, and mountains where some are injured or die.
Also, a large-scale fence could force immigrants to remain in the country longer, while in the past they came to earn money and then returned home, said Angela Kelley, deputy director of the pro-immigrant National Immigration Forum.
"If it's riskier and harder, people don't leave," said Kelley, who believes a guest worker program will reduce illegal crossings.
In Douglas, Louis Hahn, a retiree who tends horses on his ranch, said the fence reduces traffic through the city. But he said it is simplistic to think that a huge physical barrier will trump the economic forces that prompt fathers to leave their families and risk their lives for a chance at a better life.
"You have got to put yourself in the position of the man crossing the border and what he's willing to take," Hahn said.
---
On the Net:
Customs and Border Protection: http://www.cbp.gov
Sen. Jon Kyl: http://kyl.senate.gov
Rep. Duncan Hunter: http://www.house.gov/hunter
National Immigration Forum: http://www.immigrationforum.org
Federation for American Immigration Reform: http://www.fairus.org
By JACQUES BILLEAUD (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressMay 11, 2006 11:24 PM EDT
DOUGLAS, Ariz. - Much of this dusty city along the border is separated from Mexico by a fence consisting of 12-foot vertical metal bars, spaced inches apart to prevent illegal immigrants from squeezing through.
Surveillance cameras are mounted on towers nearby, and Border Patrol agents posted hundreds of feet away in the desert scrub and flowering ocotillo watch for anyone who might try to scale, cut through, slip under or sneak around the fence.
Though these fences are criticized for shifting would-be border-crossers to more dangerous and remote spots, they do make it harder for illegal immigrants to reach urban areas where they can slip into a car and head for the nation's interior to find work.
Now, as Washington seeks to overhaul America's broken immigration policies, Congress is considering putting many more such barriers along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border, which already has 83 miles of fences.
A bill that cleared the House in December would put fences at immigrant- and drug-smuggling corridors in all four southern border states. At an estimated cost of $2.5 billion, the fences would cover 850 miles of border - roughly one-fifth the length of the Great Wall of China - though it would not be one continuous wall.
The gaps would be policed the way many remote areas of the border are already guarded now: with motion sensors, cameras, unmanned drone aircraft and Border Patrol agents.
Among other things, House legislation calls for a mostly continuous 392-mile fence from Calexico, Calif., to Douglas. The second-largest piece would be a largely uninterrupted 305-mile segment in the Texas brush country from Laredo to Brownsville, a corridor used by cocaine smugglers.
Immigrant rights groups say fences waste taxpayer money because would-be border-crossers who are desperate to earn a better living in America will always find a way around or through barriers, as evidenced by the lower sections of the fence in Douglas, where rods have had to be welded into place to patch up breaches.
Even some proponents say erecting fences, without using other border enforcement efforts, will not stop illegal immigrants.
"All by itself, it's not a magic solution," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which favors limiting immigration.
But the Border Patrol says fences slow down immigrants so authorities can have enough time to respond to those who try to come across. That, in turn, frees up other agents to focus on remote areas, where they already use aircraft and ground sensors.
"Fencing by itself is not effective, but not having a fence is not effective either," added Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Advocates for beefing up border security said a 14-mile fence near San Diego, once the country's most prolific smuggling center, shows that barriers work. The fence there is made of corrugated metal sheets previously used as landing surfaces for military aircraft. Behind it is a second fence, made of tightly woven mesh.
Within that area, the barrier is credited with dramatically reducing the flow of illegal immigrants.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican who is the leading voice in Congress for more fences, said the costs of building fences are much lower than the government expenses associated with illegal immigration, including huge sums spent on incarcerating immigrants convicted of crimes in the United States.
Opponents say there are some costly consequences as well. Immigrant rights advocates say fences prompt migrants to cross in remote areas where they face dangerous obstacles, such as rivers where some drown, deserts where some succumb to the heat, and mountains where some are injured or die.
Also, a large-scale fence could force immigrants to remain in the country longer, while in the past they came to earn money and then returned home, said Angela Kelley, deputy director of the pro-immigrant National Immigration Forum.
"If it's riskier and harder, people don't leave," said Kelley, who believes a guest worker program will reduce illegal crossings.
In Douglas, Louis Hahn, a retiree who tends horses on his ranch, said the fence reduces traffic through the city. But he said it is simplistic to think that a huge physical barrier will trump the economic forces that prompt fathers to leave their families and risk their lives for a chance at a better life.
"You have got to put yourself in the position of the man crossing the border and what he's willing to take," Hahn said.
---
On the Net:
Customs and Border Protection: http://www.cbp.gov
Sen. Jon Kyl: http://kyl.senate.gov
Rep. Duncan Hunter: http://www.house.gov/hunter
National Immigration Forum: http://www.immigrationforum.org
Federation for American Immigration Reform: http://www.fairus.org
May 11, 2006
WTC Staircase
WTC Staircase Leads Endangered Sites List
By DEVLIN BARRETT (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressMay 11, 2006 8:27 AM EDT
WASHINGTON - Anyplace else, the scarred concrete steps would be an eyesore. At ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001, they were a last chance for escape. Now they stand as the last surviving above-ground piece of the World Trade Center.
The "Survivors Staircase" was named one of the nation's most endangered historic places Wednesday, along with whole swaths of New Orleans and Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
By singling out the staircase and sections of the South, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking to preserve areas hit by the two biggest American disasters of recent memory. Katrina, noted Trust president Richard Moe, "damaged more historic homes than any event in the history of the country."
The Trust is a private nonprofit group founded in 1949.
In New York, the rumbling of construction around ground zero has weakened the staircase, and it is not included in plans for a new tower.
To Sept. 11 survivor Patty Clark, the Trade Center staircase is "symbolic of all of us who were witnesses to that day. It's still strong, somewhat damaged, but that's kind of like we all are."
Clark and other employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey used the staircase to escape Tower 1 after the terror attacks in New York.
She had already walked down 65 flights of stairs when she got to the World Trade Center plaza. Debris from Tower 2, which had just collapsed, filled the plaza, leaving the open-air staircase as the only way out. She and other employees followed the stairs down to ground level at Vesey Street and raced north, escaping just minutes before their own tower collapsed.
"For people who got out of the building, it was by steps, so steps are very important to the people who lived," she said.
Supporters say they could live with seeing the staircase moved in order to preserve it, as long as it isn't placed far from its original site.
Moe said most people don't know the staircase remains, since it is closed to the public. "It's an enormously important artifact," he said.
In the South, historic Mississippi towns and New Orleans neighborhoods face wholesale demolition after the 2005 hurricane.
Moe said development pressures may lead towns and property owners to relax building codes and replace historic homes rather than repair them.
"They need the assurance that the rush to rebuild won't destroy the historic character that the wind and the water didn't sweep away," he said.
Also cited on the Trust's new list of endangered historic places are the retirement home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Pascagoula's La-Point-Krebs House.
"Katrina represents the greatest cultural disaster in the history of the country, in addition to being a great human disaster," said Moe.
Also named by the group were whole sections of New Orleans, including the lower Ninth Ward, Mid-City, Holy Cross and South Lakeview.
"We're not talking about the expensive homes, we're talking about the low and moderate income homes, the shotgun cottages, the Creole homes. This is the heart and soul of New Orleans," Moe said.
Also named to the most endangered list were:
- The Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building in Washington.
- Blair Mountain Battlefield in Logan County, W.Va.
- Doo Wop Motels in Wildwood, N.J.
- Fort Snelling Upper Post in Hennepin County, Minn.
- Kenilworth, Ill.
- Kootenai Lodge in Bigfork, Mont.
- Mission San Miguel Arcangel in San Miguel, Calif.
- Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood in Cincinnati.
Kenilworth, a northern suburb of Chicago, was chosen as an example of the intense development pressure to tear down early 20th century homes and replace them with what the group decries as hulking mansions.
"It's a phenomenon we're seeing everywhere I go, and it's probably the most pervasive threat to historic communities," said Moe.
---
On the Net:
National Trust for Historic Preservation: http://www.nationaltrust.org
By DEVLIN BARRETT (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressMay 11, 2006 8:27 AM EDT
WASHINGTON - Anyplace else, the scarred concrete steps would be an eyesore. At ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001, they were a last chance for escape. Now they stand as the last surviving above-ground piece of the World Trade Center.
The "Survivors Staircase" was named one of the nation's most endangered historic places Wednesday, along with whole swaths of New Orleans and Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
By singling out the staircase and sections of the South, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking to preserve areas hit by the two biggest American disasters of recent memory. Katrina, noted Trust president Richard Moe, "damaged more historic homes than any event in the history of the country."
The Trust is a private nonprofit group founded in 1949.
In New York, the rumbling of construction around ground zero has weakened the staircase, and it is not included in plans for a new tower.
To Sept. 11 survivor Patty Clark, the Trade Center staircase is "symbolic of all of us who were witnesses to that day. It's still strong, somewhat damaged, but that's kind of like we all are."
Clark and other employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey used the staircase to escape Tower 1 after the terror attacks in New York.
She had already walked down 65 flights of stairs when she got to the World Trade Center plaza. Debris from Tower 2, which had just collapsed, filled the plaza, leaving the open-air staircase as the only way out. She and other employees followed the stairs down to ground level at Vesey Street and raced north, escaping just minutes before their own tower collapsed.
"For people who got out of the building, it was by steps, so steps are very important to the people who lived," she said.
Supporters say they could live with seeing the staircase moved in order to preserve it, as long as it isn't placed far from its original site.
Moe said most people don't know the staircase remains, since it is closed to the public. "It's an enormously important artifact," he said.
In the South, historic Mississippi towns and New Orleans neighborhoods face wholesale demolition after the 2005 hurricane.
Moe said development pressures may lead towns and property owners to relax building codes and replace historic homes rather than repair them.
"They need the assurance that the rush to rebuild won't destroy the historic character that the wind and the water didn't sweep away," he said.
Also cited on the Trust's new list of endangered historic places are the retirement home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Pascagoula's La-Point-Krebs House.
"Katrina represents the greatest cultural disaster in the history of the country, in addition to being a great human disaster," said Moe.
Also named by the group were whole sections of New Orleans, including the lower Ninth Ward, Mid-City, Holy Cross and South Lakeview.
"We're not talking about the expensive homes, we're talking about the low and moderate income homes, the shotgun cottages, the Creole homes. This is the heart and soul of New Orleans," Moe said.
Also named to the most endangered list were:
- The Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building in Washington.
- Blair Mountain Battlefield in Logan County, W.Va.
- Doo Wop Motels in Wildwood, N.J.
- Fort Snelling Upper Post in Hennepin County, Minn.
- Kenilworth, Ill.
- Kootenai Lodge in Bigfork, Mont.
- Mission San Miguel Arcangel in San Miguel, Calif.
- Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood in Cincinnati.
Kenilworth, a northern suburb of Chicago, was chosen as an example of the intense development pressure to tear down early 20th century homes and replace them with what the group decries as hulking mansions.
"It's a phenomenon we're seeing everywhere I go, and it's probably the most pervasive threat to historic communities," said Moe.
---
On the Net:
National Trust for Historic Preservation: http://www.nationaltrust.org
May 09, 2006
My Beloved Friend
My Beloved Friend
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At eight weeks of age
more than just a ball of fluff
our bond was instant
***
I fell in love with
sparkeling brown puppy eyes
and a sweet smile
***
Wet from a flea dip
I opened my heart to him
and adopted him
***
My beloved friend
saw me through good times and bad
Sensitive like me
***
Silly, playful, fun
teasing his feline brother
bonding within days
***
Protective, loyal
spirited, smart, handsome, kind
a family member
***
Great with the children
being patient while little
hands tugged on his tail
***
Somehow he just knew
the little ones were learning
not to pull on him
***
It happened one day
The day I was long dreading
Time to let him go
***
I called my sister
She confirmed that it was time
Time to say Good-Bye
***
I cried my eyes out
We took pictures with the kids
then went to the vet
***
They called out his name
I had Liz tell him Good-bye
turning for the door
***
I began to cry
He had been in pain all night
soon to be pain free
***
Petting and kissing
I placed him on the table
Sadness filled the room
***
I think that he knew
He passed hearing my voice
looking at my face
***
I told him to go
join OJ, Trudy, Slider
Penny and Rascal
***
The wound is still fresh
My heart is still aching for
My Beloved Friend
***
In Memory of Scooter
June 1994 ~ November 2005
***
The best pet I've ever had.
May 07, 2006
I needed to vent on my previous post. Sometimes I think I live too close to the border. I just wish SOMEONE would come up with a humane, responsible solution to our immigration problems.
Onto other things....
I found a quote I like....
Onto other things....
I found a quote I like....
Do, or do not. There is no try.- Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back
I took the girls to the Zoo this week. We became members because my oldest is ALWAYS asking me to take her to the zoo. As a member, now I can take her more than once per year. Her first choice was to go see the snakes. It's a good thing her Grandma's (any of them) weren't there because they all can't stand snakes. If her Great-Great Grandmother Miller were alive, snakes wouldn't have bothered her one bit. She used to go into her garden & chop the heads off Bull snakes (?) with her garden hoe. She was a true old fashioned Grandma. She was a vanishing breed when I was young. I was very fortunate to have memories of such a kind & gentle woman.
ANYWAY, we saw the snakes, fish & prairie dogs then it was off to the Giraffes. In the same exhibit with Giraffes they have Gazelle, Emu, Crowned Cranes & some others. I can't remember what right now though. After that were the Elephants, Monkey Island & the orangutan. Finally came the water Playground, the gift shop & home. Lunch was in there somewhere too. We saw a small part of the zoo & were inside the zoo for 4 hours. It didn't matter to me, especially being members. She had fun. That was the main thing.
Today we went to Tombstone, Arizona. I hadn't been since I took my friend Shannon since forever ago. Now the main street has been covered in gravel instead of pavement. Much more authentic. We saw a wild west show, had some lunch & saw Boothill Graveyard. Of course we looked in many shops, buying MAINLY postcards for my Postcrossing activities but we had fun doing it. Elizabeth did get to pet a trick horse & posed for pictures with it & it's owner "Dallas Kate". I can't remember the horses name ( I think it was Shiloh) has been voted the top trick horse in the nation for the past 10 years. All of the animals in her shows have been rescued from shelters, horse sales & agencies place abused &/or neglected animals. Her animals will be in an upcoming episode of Animal Stars on Animal Planet. In the show we attended she used two horses, 3 Boston Terriers & a Donkey. It was a lighthearted & entertaining show. Both of the girls seemed to have a ball watching it.
That is about all for now. I am tired & sleepy cause it was a LONG day for me. I am headed to bed.
Goodnight all!
April 28, 2006
National Anthems should be sang in the language in which they were written!
Excuse me, but WHEN will this $*!# end!!!!!!
First Immigration laws, next marches in several cities, followed by planned nationwide Boycotts! Now you want OUR National Anthem too?!?! Excuse me but WTF!!!! If you don't like the way things are here then go back to your own country! We aren't immigrating to Mexico & then trying to CHANGE your country! UGH!
I am NOT prejudice & I have no problem with people who come here legally & at least TRY to speak English. Even very broken English makes me happy. People from other countries manage to come here through proper channels (& illegally as well I am sure) I don't see OTHER countries immigrants trying to CHANGE the USA. Maybe because I live where I do I am more over-sensitive to these issues. I am getting sick of this crap. I vote. My family pays taxes. My husband works his A$$ off to provide for us. DO WE get any breaks from OUR government. HE!! NO! Did we get FREE medical care when my husband was out of work & I was due with our baby any day? HE!! NO! Did we have to pay through the nose for COBRA insurance & have no idea how were going to pay for it? HE!! YES! We should not have to learn a different language to function in our own country in the future. That is what we will soon be faced with if things don't change. We are in AMERICA people! We speak ENGLISH in AMERICA people! If you don't like it then get the HELL out!
Ahhhhh! I feel a little bit better now. I hope I didn't offend anyone. Don't get in a debate with me because you won't change my mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spanish 'Star-Spangled Banner' Draws Ire
By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressApril 28, 2006 7:04 AM EDT
MIAMI - British music producer Adam Kidron says that when he came up with the idea of a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem, he saw it as an ode to the millions of immigrants seeking a better life.
But in the week since Kidron announced the song - which features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon - it has been the target of a fierce backlash.
Some Internet bloggers and others are infuriated by the thought of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung in a language other than English.
"Would the French accept people singing the La Marseillaise in English as a sign of French patriotism? Of course not," said Mark Krikorian, head of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that supports tighter immigration controls.
The initial version of "Nuestro Himno," or "Our Anthem," comes out Friday and uses lyrics based closely on the English-language original, said Kidron, who heads the record label Urban Box Office.
Pro-immigration protests are planned around the country for Monday, and the record label is urging Hispanic radio stations nationwide to play the cut at 7 p.m. EDT Friday in a sign of solidarity.
A remix to be released in June will contain several lines in English that condemn U.S. immigration laws. Among them: "These kids have no parents, cause all of these mean laws ... let's not start a war with all these hard workers, they can't help where they were born."
Bryanna Bevens of Hanford, Calif., who writes for the immigration-focused Web magazine Vdare.com, said the remix particularly upset her.
"It's very whiny. If you want to say all those things, by all means, put them on your poster board, but don't put them on the national anthem," she said.
Kidron, a U.S. resident for 16 years, maintains the changes are fitting. After all, he notes, American immigrants borrowed the melody of the "Star Spangled Banner" from an English drinking song.
"There's no attempt to usurp anything. The intent is to communicate," Kidron said. "I wanted to show my thanks to these people who buy my records and listen to the music we release and do the jobs I don't want to do."
Kidron said the song also will be featured on the album "Somos Americanos," which will sell for $10, with $1 going to the National Capital Immigration Coalition, a Washington group.
James Gardner, an associate director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, said Americans have long enjoyed different interpretations of the Star Spangled Banner, including country or gospel arrangements.
"There are a number of renditions that people aren't happy with, but that's part of it - that it means enough for people to try to sing," he said.
Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Perez, said this country was built by immigrants, and "the meaning of the American dream is in that record: struggle, freedom, opportunity, everything they are trying to shut down on us."
---
Associated Press writer Suzette Laboy in Miami contributed to this report.
---
On the Net:
Song history by National Museum of American History:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/ssb/6_thestory/6b_osay/fs6b.html
First Immigration laws, next marches in several cities, followed by planned nationwide Boycotts! Now you want OUR National Anthem too?!?! Excuse me but WTF!!!! If you don't like the way things are here then go back to your own country! We aren't immigrating to Mexico & then trying to CHANGE your country! UGH!
I am NOT prejudice & I have no problem with people who come here legally & at least TRY to speak English. Even very broken English makes me happy. People from other countries manage to come here through proper channels (& illegally as well I am sure) I don't see OTHER countries immigrants trying to CHANGE the USA. Maybe because I live where I do I am more over-sensitive to these issues. I am getting sick of this crap. I vote. My family pays taxes. My husband works his A$$ off to provide for us. DO WE get any breaks from OUR government. HE!! NO! Did we get FREE medical care when my husband was out of work & I was due with our baby any day? HE!! NO! Did we have to pay through the nose for COBRA insurance & have no idea how were going to pay for it? HE!! YES! We should not have to learn a different language to function in our own country in the future. That is what we will soon be faced with if things don't change. We are in AMERICA people! We speak ENGLISH in AMERICA people! If you don't like it then get the HELL out!
Ahhhhh! I feel a little bit better now. I hope I didn't offend anyone. Don't get in a debate with me because you won't change my mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the article.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spanish 'Star-Spangled Banner' Draws Ire
By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated PressApril 28, 2006 7:04 AM EDT
MIAMI - British music producer Adam Kidron says that when he came up with the idea of a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem, he saw it as an ode to the millions of immigrants seeking a better life.
But in the week since Kidron announced the song - which features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon - it has been the target of a fierce backlash.
Some Internet bloggers and others are infuriated by the thought of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung in a language other than English.
"Would the French accept people singing the La Marseillaise in English as a sign of French patriotism? Of course not," said Mark Krikorian, head of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that supports tighter immigration controls.
The initial version of "Nuestro Himno," or "Our Anthem," comes out Friday and uses lyrics based closely on the English-language original, said Kidron, who heads the record label Urban Box Office.
Pro-immigration protests are planned around the country for Monday, and the record label is urging Hispanic radio stations nationwide to play the cut at 7 p.m. EDT Friday in a sign of solidarity.
A remix to be released in June will contain several lines in English that condemn U.S. immigration laws. Among them: "These kids have no parents, cause all of these mean laws ... let's not start a war with all these hard workers, they can't help where they were born."
Bryanna Bevens of Hanford, Calif., who writes for the immigration-focused Web magazine Vdare.com, said the remix particularly upset her.
"It's very whiny. If you want to say all those things, by all means, put them on your poster board, but don't put them on the national anthem," she said.
Kidron, a U.S. resident for 16 years, maintains the changes are fitting. After all, he notes, American immigrants borrowed the melody of the "Star Spangled Banner" from an English drinking song.
"There's no attempt to usurp anything. The intent is to communicate," Kidron said. "I wanted to show my thanks to these people who buy my records and listen to the music we release and do the jobs I don't want to do."
Kidron said the song also will be featured on the album "Somos Americanos," which will sell for $10, with $1 going to the National Capital Immigration Coalition, a Washington group.
James Gardner, an associate director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, said Americans have long enjoyed different interpretations of the Star Spangled Banner, including country or gospel arrangements.
"There are a number of renditions that people aren't happy with, but that's part of it - that it means enough for people to try to sing," he said.
Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Perez, said this country was built by immigrants, and "the meaning of the American dream is in that record: struggle, freedom, opportunity, everything they are trying to shut down on us."
---
Associated Press writer Suzette Laboy in Miami contributed to this report.
---
On the Net:
Song history by National Museum of American History:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/ssb/6_thestory/6b_osay/fs6b.html
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