Thoughts to Ponder

Happy Friday Beloved Reader! I have a few thoughts for you to ponder this Friday morning, and it might just take you the whole weekend to read, and get back to me cause it's a long lil rant here. I do hope you enjoy my ponderings though, and please, please get back to me with your own ponderings or if you don't ponder at least leave a mark to let me know you were here.  I like to hear what your thinking too ya know ;)
This whole blog started because I read the quote below;
"To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;  to give one's self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived... This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The above quote really got to me a few mornings ago. It was from the desk calendar full of quotes, that I have on our bathroom sink. Upon reading it, I thought two things; 
a. this quote for sure needs to be blogged about, so I have had this blog post waiting in the wings. and 2. who the heck is Ralph Waldo Emerson, because whoever he was/is this quote sums up and completely embodies the word success for me?
So I did some digging before I came to have this conversation with you beloved reader, and I found out some things about Ralph. But, before I go any further I just have to say that the name Ralph always makes me think of a very unpleasant bodily function. I do so apologize if your name is Ralph, but there you have it.  
Moving on before we all get a lil queasy ...
The first thing I found out about Ralph is that he was born in Boston, MA. which explains why he's so awesome. Most of my favorite people were born, and raised there and well, I can honestly say, that state has given this world some amazing people. I always say that I feel I was born on the wrong side of the states;) Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful scene here from North Boston? Remember, to appreciate beauty equates success.  Or so Ralph says ;)

  He also went to H A W VARD(say that with a Bostonian accent) clue number two as to why this man was brilliant. I wonder if he was a baseball fan?  Well, he did say to play and laugh with enthusiasm equals success so I'm pretty sure he would have appreciated the best baseball fans on the planet earth. They ARE certainly the most enthusiastic, I mean come on what other ball club do ya know that bust out singing Neil Diamond songs during the 7th inning stretch?   The most beautiful thing in Boston to me is...

Fenway Park.  Enough said.
Actually, I take that back, the most beautiful thing in Boston to me is my family. All of whom I love dearly, and wish on a regular basis that they didn't live so damn far away. Sheesh... see how easy it is for me to sidetrack when we get talking baseball. But, let's get back to Ralphing shall we? I mean to learning about Ralph.

So then I read that his first wife died after only two years of marriage, which really bummed me out for him. I mean I wasn't totally bummed cause he's dead too now... but ya know I was like... Oh that's so sad. I then went on to read that he was a minister, but was quoted as saying:    "I have sometimes thought that, in order to be a good minister, it was necessary to leave the ministry."

Well, that really stuck out to me, because not only have my husband and I been in formal ministry but we have left it. And I'm not sure we are better ministers now that we aren't paid to do so, but I do know we have come think of ministry totally differently.I've come to believe we are all ministers, or at least we should be. I'm not sure I agree with this above statement, but I wonder what it was that he noticed about the church and ministry of his religious organization that would make him say that?
Maybe it was something like what happened here; You Brought Me a Beer and Took My Picture this is an article about a new bill that was recently passed where it allows business owners and individuals to refuse service to anyone on the grounds of religious freedom. Very interesting article and sadly, how it came to pass is so very disturbing to me.
Whatever your stance on this issue may be, can we all agree these are the type of stories that give religion a bad name.  I'm pretty sure that as Christ followers we are called, commissioned even to love and accept ALL people, not just the ones that are easy and comfortable for us to love.
This issue is one of those social conditions we could redeem, or make a little bit better than the way we've found it.  It's about LOVE people.

We are all called to leave the world a little bit better than the way we found it, that's what I call ministry to the human race.
As I continued to read about Ralph's life story, I was really inspired by the way he came to view it.  Honestly, his life story is a beautiful one. He became an adamant spokes person to abolish slavery, and came to have an understanding of God and all things spiritual that I think is beautiful.
We all will have a life story, what will yours read like?
At the end of my little history lesson about this man named Ralph, who by the way later decided to go by his middle name Waldo (see even he didn't really care for his name) I realized once again why I love words so very much.
I would have never known of this Ralph Waldo Emerson if it weren't for the words he had spoken about what true success is. And that made me wonder, what is your take on what true success is? Whose words influence you the most? What words will you speak that will forever change the world ?
The words I hope and pray I live by come from a man who also happened to be God, some 2000 years ago... they go something like this;
 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” Jesus WORDS From the gospel of John  chapter 13:34-35  Message  translation
I want to be recognized as one who LOVES because Christ first loved me.  I want to leave a legacy of LOVE even when it isn't easy to do so. And I want to speak out using words only when necessary. I want my actions of LOVE to be louder than my words.  That is the life I hope to live and that to me would be success. 

Health Care and CHANGE

I have been trying to think about a topic to blog about for a very long time. Most of my blogs have been more of updates than topical, which is fine but I do love the topic blogs so much. The blogs that really get everybody's attention and get conversations going.
So the other night I was having a conversation with my hubby about the recent health care topic that is on the forefront with our country right now. We have somewhat of opposing views being that he voted for a different person than the one that is now in office and who is also the man I voted for. Needless to say the conversation about this topic is one that always is interesting around here.

I don't know how many people know this but my vote this presidential election went to the person who had the greatest proposal FOR health care changes. I have my reasons for why which is not really what I want to get into here. What I want to talk about is this; recently we have a somewhat distant relative(ex-brother-in-law to Moses and our niece Kaylanne's dad) who was in a terrible motorcycle accident. He was out of state, out of work, and obviously therefore having no insurance. He was taken to a county hospital and is still being cared for there. He has had to have several operations and has been in the hospital for several weeks.
Is he being cared for with government money or are The good tax paying people of California footing this bill ( even though he lives in Mississippi) ? OR are both government and the people responsible here?

He has had nothing but quality care since the moment he arrived. There was no one at any point and time that even looked at him funny because he didn't have insurance or a job. So my question is this, what exactly will change?

Do people honestly believe that Doctors and Nurses will suddenly turn into these villains who only care for the people who have the biggest pocket books? Do you people not know that the Doctors and Nurses who would do that are already doing that and will continue to do that? BUT- there are those Doctors and Nurses out there who didn't take that vocation for the money and they will continue down that road of service whether there is money in it or not because that is their lives calling.

This is my big question- Do you think that the current health care situation is a good one in this country and should therefore be left alone? IF so why or why not??

I do hope people can converse about this openly and honestly and know that none of our conversations will do a damn thing and are strictly for some playful adult bantering only !! (unless of course you are a politician or related to one that has lots o money)

GO ahead and gloat all you nay sayers!!

I will only say this about Obama's announcement of Hillary as Secretary of State. SH** SH** SHIT!! 

That and you were right , and I was wrong , and now I am singing a new song!!

Okay maybe I have more to say about it than that but I really don't have time. When school is over and my brain is functioning in blog leisure mode I will write more but for now, 

SHIT!

Please don't tell my children how much their mother just cussed.

You won't be disappointed

Well, I have to say that I am extremely happy about our new President. I am disappointed that more friends and family are not as excited about this as I am. I understand that the media put out alot of information about Obama that would cause people to be afraid or alarmed but I thought my friends and family were smart enough to know that you can't believe everything you read and hear.

I have read Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope" and am planning on reading his other publishing's but for everyone who has only been listening to the media or the 700 club version of life as we know it I would encourage to take a second look at the man who will soon be your president too.

I would have to say that I wasn't an Obama fan until I went to see him in person way back when he was still running against Hillary. At that event I saw in this man the President I always read about in history books been never actually experienced in my life time. He has a way with words that not only inspires but makes you want to stand up and shout. I believe he will prove to be the right man for the job ahead of him. What a job it is.

Time will tell if he brings hope or more of the same but I would have to say I am already more hopeful about America's future than I was yesterday. You have to give this man credit for getting the most voters out there than we have seen in a long time. 

And to all you Nay-sayers who have nothing but gloom and doom to project now that he won I say, give him two seconds to prove you wrong. You will not be disappointed.

Election Party at my house tonight at 6p

YOU ARE INVITED!!

Some of my thoughts

Here are some of my thoughts for this Thursday afternoon-

-My love/hate relationship with my dogs is one that I have been pondering lately. They are the cutest dogs I have ever owned they are also the most destructive annoying dogs. I am not sure why I have allowed as much as I have with their shenanigans!! I am not sure why I agreed and even sought out this scenario in my life again. They do bring me some small piece of joy or I am sure I wouldn't keep them. However, this morning when they had eaten a whole pack of new bubble gum I was considering doing alot of things to these 4 legged creatures and these things were not nice.

-My thoughts on all writers being egocentric - I had this thought the other day. All writers have to have a certain sense of ego in order to think that their ideas are first of all good enough to be published in a book and second of all great enough ideas that people should pay money to read them. This thought had me a bit perplexed once again about my aspirations of becoming a published author and even why I have a blog. 

-Friends and some disappointments that I have finally come to realize in that area of life are this; some of my friends that have left stronger imprints than others still influence me today even though I haven't seen or heard from them in a while. One friend I have used to love to write with a plain old Bic pen , still to this day I like to write with a Bic pen because of her and when school supply shopping time comes around that is one item that is always on my list. Other friends I wonder was it just that we went to the same church that even barely classified us as friends. I am excited that Louie is blogging about this topic because it's something that I have been thinking alot about lately. Also, I am quickly learning in my 30's that every person who wants to be my friend maybe I don't want to be theirs and how to navigate through that one has been interesting. There are circles of friendships. The inner circle for me consists of my family first which right there makes it a big circle, then a middle circle of friends that are like family to me and that I share everything with, and finally an outer surface circle or what I would like to say is the acquaintance circle of friends.

-Music, why have I been given so many songs and what should I do with them. Why are we given certain gifts without the time to really pursue them. Will I ever move these songs out from the notebook and on to a recording. Dunno. I am however looking forward to going back to my Uncle's recording studio and getting some songs that my Grandmother wrote recorded. 

-The current political thoughts, honestly isn't this over already? But in reality I told Mo the other night that I think either of these guys are crazy for signing up for this job. You could not pay me enough money... no way would I ever take this job. Not on your life!! Also to the shock and awe of those of you who think I am an Obama groupie I will have you know that I do believe both of these gentlemen would do a fine enough job and I don't really care at this point. By that I mean, I won't be moving to Canada if Mc Cain does win. But he won't!! Last debate sure was interesting.

-Motivation, where it comes from , why it's lacking for me right now, and What can I do about that?

-Deja Vu's - This is my topic of research currently in my Psych class, lots of thoughts there. What are they really? Why do some have more than others and some none at all?

-School , I am so over it. Really, what's the point that I am going through all these hoops and for what? To get paid a measly teacher's salary. Sorry but I am just thinking it might not be worth it anymore. Although if Obama gets in, he has mention ECE several times in all his speeches and has some good plans for those of us pursuing that degree, hint hint Jessica :)

Those are them folks, hope you enjoyed the journey inside my brain for this week.

www.ontheissues.org

This is a great website to check out anything and everything on politicians. I have found it to be a really helpful resource when there is so much out there flying around that is so off base. As far as the he said, she said game is concerned this site might help you decide for yourself.

Just thought I would say this is a site that even my professors are okay with so you know it's got to be good then.  :)

One Month and I am still standing by my man Obama

First about the debates last night if Sarah Palin winks one more time at me to try and get my vote I think Moses might actually start getting jealous.

That's pretty much all I have to say about that.  

The debate was interesting to say the least.  Biden just had the ultimate trump card on his hands which is that he has just been in this politicians game a bit longer. 

Okay enough about the VP's who really don't do a whole bunch anyways and so why all the fuss? Well because again when you know you can't win on your own pull in a woman !! Still think this was McCain's attempt to play chess and Sarah Palin is his pawn.

Ask me how I really feel?

Okay here's how I really feel-

Things I really like about Obama;

-First of all I just like him. I believe in him. I believe that he really is going to try to do these things that he is saying he will put his hand to. 

-I like that he himself makes fun of his name and has a good sense of humor about it all. I like that he is very aware of the times in which we live and knows that even in this day and age there will be those who will simply not vote for him because of his name. He is risking his life to be our next President, very much a risk for him and still is not afraid.

- I like the fact that after he graduated from Harvard Law and had jobs lined up and ready to be given to him on Wall Street that would have paid much more money, he turned this down to serve in a way that he knew would help the greater good. This is selfless. If he was after the big bucks and a career the choices he made right out of law school should prove to you that he was not concerned about his own pocket book as much as he was for that of his fellow man.

-He will not raise my taxes or anyone who is not making 250,000 or less a year.

-He will eliminate taxes for most Seniors that I know and probably that you know. These are people that we should be looking out for in this next election. By voting for a president that will put money back in the pockets of those that have gone before us is just one way I think I can help them in the last years. This is having  respect for my elders.

-He will give me a tax break of up to 1,ooo dollars right away when elected. I could use a break.

-He will start a fast track plan to resource energy here in America so that we are no longer so dependent on foreign oil. This will drastically change my life and yours because paying at the pump will go down quite bit.

Things you should reconsider -

- If you think or heard that he is a Muslim and believe this- HE IS NOT

- If you think his plan for medical reform will dump our health care industry on it's head- IT WILL NOT

- If you think he is 'the' most liberal democratic president elect we have had, HE IS NOT

- If you are afraid of him because he is so different- HE IS NOT 

-If you think he is unpatriotic because he didn't raise his hand to salute the flag- HE IS NOT

Things you should know for sure about him-

He could have chosen to many things in his young 40 something life.  For the next 8 years he could have been building his career in law and making much more money than what he would be making in the White House. He could be safe and sound untouched by the prejudice that still runs wild in this country. He could be in Chicago not allowing the world at large to criticise and scrutinize his nationality or his faith but instead he has chosen this moment now to serve. 

He will serve as true voice in Washington that has not been sold out or been bought out by lobbyist expecting favors in return. He is the real deal.

The economy and my thoughts

I find our present financial economy so interesting right now. Listening to the powers that be about this market and where it is at, how it got there, and how to get out of it is so interesting. It isn't as though we all just ended up here blindly and without warning. I find it interesting that the brokers and real estate agents who were making so much money off the economy a few years back are now blaming the president for all of this. So interesting to me is that not one person has stood up and taken responsibility for their own actions in all of this. It really does remind me of a kindergarten class room where when asked who made the mess everybody starts pointing the finger. Are there no grown adults in Washington and abroad who will say, WE took advantage of a people who were already broken and down hearted and now we are paying the price for it? I wouldn't be at all surprised if there isn't more anarchy where houses and credit cards are concerned. Why shouldn't the people who were given mortgages that have now dropped over 100,000 dollars in the last year just walk out on them and never own another home again. I wouldn't trust anyone again either if this were my situation. Why shouldn't those whose lives have been turned upside down by all of this mess not finally say, You know maybe I don't need the government to come up with a bailout plan for my life, why don't I just take matters into my own hands. 

I think there is only more to come where all this is concerned. The powers that be in this country have finally broke us as far their philosophy of bigger better is concerned, and now is anyone thinking about what they want to buy their kids for Christmas? Let's see , I can't wait to go into dept to feed this materialistic monster once again. I highly doubt it!!

I for one am excited that it's broken, our economy was never one that I fully bought into to anyways. I am not saying that I didn't buy into to it from time to time but if I really bought into it well, then I suppose it would be evident by the car I drive and the house I live in.

How about this for a try, contentment.

Palin's Pregnant daughter

I just the find the media so interesting. When talking about Palin's daughter who is young and pregnant they refer to this as though she has some kind of disease, "It is an unfortunate situation that any of us could find ourselves in" "She is handling this situation so graciously for how big of a disappointment it must be".  Just think when that baby is older someday and going over video footage of when Grandma (almost) became Vice President they will wonder, "I thought they said they wanted me?"  Seriously, people put your money where your mouth is and stop talking about this baby like it's a plague or something. 

I feel really bad for Palin's 5 children all of which are now the topic for debate. What a crazy world we live in.

Can I just say though that her names for her children, SO COOL!! hee hee hee.

McCain and the card up his sleeve

What to do when you can't win the ticket on your own, pull in a Woman!! Not just any woman a mom of 5 children , one of which is enlisted in the Service and the other who has Down's Syndrome. That just about covers it right there. You have got the minority platform covered right there with this woman. What a wild card this decision is for McCain. I am still in shock over this. I knew he would have to do something tricky so as not to lose by a landslide but this does beat all. I need to pull my jaw up off the floor. 

Sarah Palin seems like a very nice lady and I am sure she has done a great job in Alaska but this just seems like desperate times that called for desperate measures. Seriously, if McCain being as old as he is were to have health issues she would be our President, not sure how I feel about that. 

Anyways, if this doesn't prove what a game politics has turned into I don't know what would.

What an interesting road we have ahead of us in this race for the White House. Can't wait to see how things shake down. 

My Dad and Politics

In conversations with my dad yesterday we did something we haven't done in a long time. We talked politics. Normally my dad has always been a no muss,  no fuss I am voting republican and that's it, kinda guy. He did say that he has to keep the issues simple for himself and the biggest issue that he faces with Obama is that he is pro-choice. 

I told him that I didn't think so, he obviously is pro-life he has two daughters himself. He laughed, but underneath I know it got him thinking. I told him I thought that it is such a shame that people would totally overlook a genuine good man in politics for that one issue. I understand how passionate the issue of abortions and pro-life vs choice is. Trust me, when I was a teenager I was one of the sign holders down town in Carson City who was spit on for my beliefs. Also, I am one who since the time I was a little girl I didn't have pictures of the teen idols hanging in my bedroom, Oh no it was pictures of cute little babies that was my choice for decor in those days. And anyone who knows me , knows I am a lover of babies, children, life in general and all things that promote that. 

Here is where my dilemma lies, just because on paper a person would say they are pro-choice is it that cut and dry? I don't believe that it is. I understand that for those that pick that box it is not just that easy. Just as for those of  us who pick the box that says life if when standing before us was a person in flesh in blood,  the woman who has been violated and is now found pregnant, and no one else can do that job of carrying that life for 9 months but her, would feel a tinge of at least, this is not as cut and dry as I thought. Neither box is an easy one to pick and for the record I still very much pick the box that says life but I do so with a great sensitivity toward those who don't, not an arrogance or self rightouesness. 

I would like to ask each and everyone of us that do pick that box when faced with the young lady in our lives who got pregnant before we thought they should have, how did we handle this situation?  Honestly, what was our first reactions? How supportive  were we of this young lady whose whole life has now been turned upside down? Recently, my heart was broken for a young lady at youth camp who has an almost one year old daughther now and  who was told she couldn't help out with the youth because "her walk with Jesus was not strong enough". Here is the girl who did the right thing and is now paying the price for it in the camp that checks the box "life". GO figure!!!  I told her I was sorry and that just because she didn't have the title leader she most certainly can and will lead by her actions and that God knows her heart.

Here is the question for me, because I  go vote for  someone who is not pro life on paper, does that then advocate or say I am in agreement with this persons box that says choice? I am pretty sure that the world of politics and the issues that we face are bigger and more complicated than that. 

This fall will be the first time I am voting democrat and it is because in years past I just kept it simple, stuck with that one issue and voted morally the way that I saw fit.  This year will be different. 

Unless a meteorite comes down and takes Obama out or he asks Hillary to be his Vice President I will be voting for him. I have been doing a lot of reading up about him and I believe what he has to offer our country at this time in history is of great value. I am still listening and watching for anything that would cause me to cast my ballot otherwise, right up until the day I will be praying about it but right now that is where I am at.

I understand completely if I get absolutely no comments on this blog because I realize it is a hot topic , these are just some of my thoughts take em or leave em.

A Joke from a very funny friend

This little blurb got forwarded to me from one of the all time funny guys in my life Vinnie Oakes so to him I say , thank you Vinnie.

I thought I would share because not only is it funny in it's own right but the fact that I am posting it being that I am an Obama supporter and I usually don't care for all things Texan should make it even funnier for ya'll!!

A Little Feller In East Texas

Barack Obama, is for banning all guns in America. He is considered by those who have dealt with him as a bit more that just a little self -righteous.

At a recent rural elementary school assembly in East Texas, he asked the audience for total quiet. Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands once every few seconds, holding the audience in total silence.

Then he said into the microphone, 'Children, every time I clap my hands together, a child in America dies in gun violence.'

Then little Bubba Earl, with a proud East Texas drawl, pierced the quiet and said: "Well dumb ass, stop clapping!!

It's Not Surprising to Me

It's not surprising to me that Caroline Kennedy has come out and is not only supporting Obama but also is comparing him to her father. When I went to hear Barak speak a few weeks ago I sat next to a man who made the same comparison to Robert Kennedy but he also said Obama had the hopeful feel that the Kennedy brothers were so endeared for. My mom has always been a HUGE Kennedy fan because of coming from Massachusetts and all, but also because she said he really cared about issues that hit home for the average American. This quote from Caroline in the New York Paper is really something I totally agree with.
"There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.
Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books."
I am looking into getting his books and learning more about him. I have enjoyed following this campagin so early and I know it's a long road ahead til November but, I am thinking he might actually get the Clintons out of the race and I am sorry but that is a good thing because, I don't want the US history books to show, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton- it's time for a change from that routine.

The Caucus

On Saturday, the girls and I walked over to Dillworth Jr. High to be a part of the very over-hyped presidential Caucus. I was greeted at the door with an Obama person who of course wanted to sticker us all up with advertisements and we then proceeded in doors. I had to register at this event because I was changing my party affiliation from Republican to Democrat so that took a minute and then we waited in our precinct line for about 20 minutes, until exactly 11am when they began to let us in the gym and they passed out the ballots that we held in our hands and waited some more(this time at least sitting down with coffee and cookies near by). It was at this point that I realized that this was not going to be a quick event. I had no idea what to expect and I certainly didn't realize that there would be a part when you could try to convince others to vote for you candidate. That was pretty cool I thought. The group was pretty much divided right down the middle between Clinton and Obama with a few for Edwards and a few for some other Presidential hopefuls that I had never heard of. So, when it was time to vote we marked the box and then before I could turn to check on those small groups there were people swarming around them like flies. This part was so interesting. Apparently, in order for your vote to count for your candidate you had to have at least 11 people to be a viable group so these stragglers were left to the masses to be coaxed over. The whole process was very interesting to me and I think I would go again but next time I would make sure that I brought more snacks and maybe minus the kiddos. The girls did great but I felt bad making them sit through this event, especially because people wanted to keep making them be their little walking advertisements.

My First Attendance to a Political Event

My friend Christene and I got there early and stood outside in the FREEZING cold weather for almost an hour. We were having a good time and joking that after this long of a wait his speech better be life altering. In line to listen to Obama were alot of people that reminded me of what I might see at a Volkswagen event. These were my kind of people. He brought out a pretty big crowd and we heard several volunteers say that they weren't expecting this many people. Could it be a sign of things to come ? I was kinda bummed to report David that there were no protesters. NOT a One!! As I stood there I began to wonder why any of us get excited about these political events at all. It is hard not to be a skeptic when it comes to all things political but then I guess if we all bowed out because of the negativity surrounding politics we would be in a world of hurt today? So we go, we listen, we vote, we hope for this person to be different than the last or we wish the last person could stay forever.
When we finally got in there were no seats in the bleachers left and so Christene and I had to see in the isle, on the steps, where people were trying to get in and out of their seats the whole time!!! This provided for very close quarters to a gentleman sitting at the end of a row and very close to my left. I know my sister Jen is going to say once again that I most like my mother in this way but I am going to have to say that one of the highlights of the whole event for me was talking, mostly listening to this man tell me about pretty much his whole life story. He is a Native American man about my parents age and the whole conversation started by him telling me that he was a political volunteer for Bobby Kennedy's campaign and was there the night he was shot. That night he threw in the towel on politics never to be involved again until NOW. What an amazing story and what a conversation. We talked about minorities, Jesus, politics, media, and I saw him begin to have a flicker of hope again as Obama was speaking.
The most impressive thing to me was that Obama did NOT make a bunch of promises that he couldn't keep. He did NOT bash on other politicians or even different political parties. He did NOT talk about things as though once he was in office the world's problems would be solved, he would bring about world peace and everything would be rosy. He did however, say that if we as the American people wanted something to change then we have the most power to do that. He put the responsibility of the future in our laps and said that he knew that it is within us and through us that true change will really come IF we want it WE have to do it. I liked that. I liked that he said he knew that there is something to the urgency of NOW. I think he quoted Martin Luther King Jr. on that one. I have to say I went as an incognito, registered republican, and a bit of a skeptic. I left feeling encouraged and like I had been to a church service. My hands were stinging and tingling from clapping so much in agreement to what he was saying. I am going to do some more research of course but from what I heard yesterday I am at least hopeful for a much needed change.

Barack Obama

I am going to go listen to him speak on Monday. I have NEVER seen any political person speak before. Should be interesting. I am going with a friend and at least that I know will be fun. I will let you know what I think when I come back.

A letter of Appeal

I am putting my letter of appeal in the mail today to Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance company. Upon completion of this letter I felt a deep sense of sadness and anger for even having to take the time to do this.
As some of you know our precious Chloe had an appendicitis back in July. It took many months for the final bills to come rolling in and when they did the amount was staggering and our insurance company had failed us miserably because apparently the hospital we went to in a state of panic and shock at 1am in the morning was an out of network hospital. Sorry, it was the light at the end of the tunnel to get my 7 year old daughter some relief, sorry I thought any and all hospitals in a health related emergency is the right hospital. Errghhhh!! So as you can see the anger comes in right there. But the deep sense of sadness that I feel is that I know I am not the only one who has had to deal with similar type situations and some people dealing with these issues are still also dealing with those painful health situations.
Something has got to change in this country regarding our health insurances and medical industries that are raking in the big bucks on account of our misfortunes. Something has got to change and thank God next fall things will. Oh wait, I mean things will be promised , talked about , and then forgotten.
I guess that's where the sadness comes in.