horse's mouth

Senator McCain has been accused of many things during this 2008 presidential campaign. When accusations are out there spinning out of control, it can be nearly impossible to find the truth. Thanks to technology, we can actually see and hear the candidates statements, as some would say direct from the horse's mouth.

McCain on his economy knowledge



McCain when asked about what he said about his economic skills



McCain's voting record on Veterans benefits

weigh in

I am down a total of 6.8 pounds. I have to restart the four day jump start, but I have continued exercising, eating much smaller portions, and eliminating the junk. I am very determined to be back in shape by fall. No excuses!

can u find?

1. AK47
2. American flag on fire
3. Traditional muslin attire
4. Osama Bin Laden
5. Afro
6. Turban
7. Disrespect
8. Bigotry
9. Lies
10. Shock Journalism

Bush's Cell Block

I passionately support stem cell research. I believe that all the possible positive potential far out weighs, in every way, any ethics debate. Stem cells hold the promise of treatments and cures for more than 70 major diseases and conditions including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injuries, and diabetes.

The only controversial stem cells are those taken from human embryos. The difference is that most non-embryonic cells have partially differentiated. Meaning they have started down a clear developmental path to becoming a blood cell or a muscle cell, whereas, the embryonic stem cell is capable of generating all cells in the body.

The Senate, after many vigorous debates, was able to pass the consensus stem cell research bill with bipartisan support. That in of itself is a rare occasion. In return, President Bush vetoed the stem cell research bill, saying that scientific advances now allow researchers to pursue the potentially lifesaving work without destroying human embryos. This bill would have expanded federal funding and allowed research on fresh stem cell lines drawn from surplus embryos destined to be destroyed by fertility clinics. Embryos slated to be tossed into the trash.

What are the candidates’ positions on this scientific research issue? John McCain opposes stem cell research and other types of scientific study that involve the use of human embryos. In sharp contrast, Barack Obama believes America should explore the potential of stem cells, including embryonic, to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life threatening diseases.

This research is important for the United States on a health level, scientific level, and knowledge level. Also, it is important that our country continues to develop advancements in medical technology in order to remain competitive in the global market.

Many people, including myself, are anxiously looking forward to the day when this bill will be signed into law, by our new President, Barack Obama.

Stem Cell info

Senator Barack Obama short video clip

sore loser

This thought has crossed my mind, and it seems there is a personality trait among some, that when they lose, they actually begin to dislike those who won. I have seen this before, but generally it is between people who actually “know” each other, and have long standing differences.

I do not quite understand it, but I have never been fond of that behavior. Maybe that’s why when I see it, red flags go up and screaming alarms sound, and a big bright sign lights up saying: “this person has issues." Internal warning to self: Watch out possible snippy, bitchy, aggression, may occur.

The sad (funny) thing is: that the winners are happy no matter what the loser says, but the loser losses even more by being sore, thus labeled “Sore loser.”

oh yeah.. tomorrow is monday

Week one : lost 4 lbs. I have a long way to go, realistically I would like to lose 20 more pounds. Ideally, I would raise that number to 30, but I doubt that will happen. I am excited and pleased with my progress.

reflecting

Lately, I have been asking myself about race. Funny, the whole idea of “a conversation about race”, back when Barack Obama brought it up, didn’t ring any bells for me. I was so into Hillary, the first woman to become president that, I paid little to no attention to what Barack Obama was saying.

Now I am looking around at my life, and I realized I don’t have any black friends. I have known friends of friends, but no one that I would consider “my friend.” I even mentioned this to one of my girlfriends and she laughed, she thought I was being funny. I was being serious.

I raised my children without knowledge of the term “black.” When they were young, we were living in California and they went to a very diverse pre-school. All different shades of brown, tan, ivory, they were just whoever they were, no color label. No problem. No issue. We were sheltered.

It wasn’t until we live in Texas, that we realized there was still a lot of racism out there. We actually heard the “n” word at a party; it was so foreign to us, so ugly. My husband and I talked about what we heard that very same night. We were very shocked and really just totally stunned. We decided if we didn’t speak out against racism when we heard it, then we were just as guilty as the person spewing hatred.

Since then I have, and still do, speak out. At this point however, I would like to know more about racism on a deeper more personal level. I hope to better understand someday. And by understand, I mean, like, when you talk to a friend and over time you just tell it the way it is. You don’t try to prove anything, or try to be perfect, or politically correct, just the real deal. You talk it over together, and eventually you both understand each other. That is what I am missing in my conversations. I am guessing I am not alone.

it's sassy water not kool-aid

Monday, I am staring the Flat Belly Diet...and this water recipe is part of it. I am considering putting up my before photo, but I don't want to gross everyone out! Here's a clip about this diet that was aired on Good Morning America.

Drink 1 full recipe of Sassy Water each day.
The ingredients in Sassy water aren’t just for flavor: the ginger helps calm and soothe your GI tract. Even more important, the simple act of making this Sassy Water every day will serve as a reminder during the Jumpstart that life is a little bit different and things are going to change.

Sassy Water
2 liters water (about 8 ½ cups)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
12 small spearmint leaves.

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and let flavors blend overnight. Drink the entire pitcher by the end of each day.

No to McCain

“Hillary Clinton, she’s my girl,” that is what my friends have heard me say with pride and affection many times. On the contrary, they also heard me say with passion and disgust, “No way in hell! No-bama-no-way! Not going to happen!” But alas, to my own surprise, it has become crystal clear to me that Barack Obama is the best choice for President over John McCain.

My first choice, Hillary Clinton lost; she didn’t win, and is not running against John McCain for the POTUS. I understand the lingering disappointment, frustrations, and anger over the 2008 Democratic primary. I share those feelings; however, I am enough of a realist to see that voting McCain, just to protest the primary process, the MSM, Barack Obama or the DNC, is akin to drinking poison.

If McCain were to win the general election the Republican Party would remain in power. That in of itself should provide enough reason not to vote for John McCain.

There is not one single segment of the United States that isn’t currently in dire straights: Economy, Iraq, Education, Transportation, Housing, Veterans Affairs, Civil Liberties, Research and Development, Immigration, Healthcare, Homeland Security, Internet Security, Foreign Policy, Trade, etc., you name it! Casting your vote for continued Republican leadership in Washington would be harmful to the USA and the entire world.

Additionally, John McCain strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops from Iraq. John McCain opposes stem cell research and other types of scientific study that involve the use of human embryos. John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned. John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman.

One last thought as I close this post…..Imagine, just imagine, what it would be like to have people in power that actually cared about our country? Imagine what it would feel like to have a sense that everything is going to get better, that things will change. A Barack Obama win will place seasoned politicians and intelligent leaders, many of whom we admire, into positions that introduce, shape, and drive policy and solutions. In the end, new leadership, various personnel changes, political appointments, and a restored sense of national pride, will be what delivers the much needed and desired “change.”

Vote Barack Obama, 2008

unwritten partial

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

manana is monday

I have to fess up because, well that's just the way I am....I have not gotten anywhere with "War and Peace. " I do not know what I was thinking... but, as you may be able to tell, I love to garden. At any given time, I will gladly pick playing in the dirt outside opposed to , sitting still long enough inside to read.

I have been walking every single day to and from work, and I bike now and then. I am getting much stronger, but not loosing the extra weight. So manana ( Monday yet again), I will be adding the point system for food to my exercise program. Anyone who is familiar with Weight Watchers will know what I am talking about.

There you have it a nutshell. Oops forget to mention we have to move the entire office, we start the wiring manana, and today we will attempt to rid our garage of "stuff." Things are quiet around here for a change, and I like it.

living differently

* example of American waste not my home

I just have become so over-whelmed with the whole idea of too much of everything. Everything cost too much, everything takes too much time and everything goes too fast. So it's time for a fundamental shift in my perspective....which I will admit shouldn't be that difficult since I have virtually everything I could ever want. Nonetheless, it doesn't mean that this will come easy, or that I will succeed, I just want to try. Several articles have started me on this path, along with my Daughter, who told me about "freegans" last year. Freegans are people who purchase almost nothing at all, they dumpster dive and reclaim discarded items. That would be the extreme end of the spectrum for me, if I was younger maybe but I still think it would be too severe.

Another idea is the buy nothing new concept. The Compact, as written about in USA today, is a group of people who take the pledge to not buy anything new. It started out with just a few people and has spread throughout the entire world. I tried a variation on this theme. I said I wouldn't buy anything new, unless I was out of town. It worked for about four months, I didn't take the pledge seriously, but it was fun while it lasted. I have since completely refuse to buy wrapping paper. I wrap gifts using the shopping bags I have acquired and I sometimes use the handles as a decorative bow.

Perfecting the Art of Frugal Living, this is about artists over the age of 62 living in NYC on a very small budget, sometimes under 30,000. per year. I am an artist, so this was of great interest to me. I do not currently make a living from my art, however, I have sold several paintings, and would like to spend a bit more time at it. The article ends on a high note, with a comment that sounded very familiar to me,"The first thing I do when I go out of my building," she says, "I look at the sky, white clouds and a blue sky, my heart goes pitter-pat." In the last month, I told a friend of mine, that I can be happy just looking at the sky.

Here's a twist on the idea of re-using for those who are the of the 5th avenue sort, When Conscience and Closet Collide. It struck me funny , but actually I believe this is very telling and that we may just be on the cusp of a fundamental change in our America. I am a child of Parents who lived in through the depression, they wanted us to have everything they couldn't have. We were raised as consumers. The material girl, the material generation. I am not so sure that the compulsive consumerisms that fuels our economy will continue. I see a difference in my own children who are frugal, they save, they ask for very little and sometimes buy used clothing or used video games. They even quiz me on the price of items I buy. It is as if they are saying to me, in disapproval, " that's not worth that much, you paid what?"

So that's my take for the day. I'll be letting someone else take over my part in the consumer arena. Note: I was raised as a garbage picker, or a treasure hunter, however you like to say it. To this day I still keep my eyes open on trash day, and when I find something - I feel good! It must be in my genes.

Great George Carlin Video about "stuff"

Peace~

day one of work

Cleared out all the debris, removed garden clothe, moved clay(soil), trimmed a tree that doesn't show in the picture. The area against my neighbors white garage is shade all day. I'd like something there with height. Evergreens with Hydrangea in front? I may have to put some sort of trellis up to break up the view. With all the work I did it barely shows. I will be stiff tomorrow. Plus I rode my bike for a short three mile ride, when I got back home, my legs felt like they were made of rubber. (On the right is a mock-up I did with the computer.)

the garden project 2008

This is the before shot, first looking north, next looking south. It's a odd place and difficult to get to as you can see the narrow entrance in the left photo. It's going to take a lot of manual labor. Lucky for me I work for free.

my buhhda with offering : )

Here's my happy Buhhda after a rose petal shower. I don't know why, but it makes me happy just looking at him all covered in rose petals. I guess I am one of those who is just easily amused.

I have a huge nasty garden project coming up, behind our garage. It's uneven, odd shaped, difficult to get to, and full of clay. I think I will show progress on this blog, for any interested, stay tuned. Next post with be the before shot....it's a mess.

namaste~

fat butt walking

Well, I haven't gotten very far with anything, except moving. I suffered a 3-week set back due to a sprained foot, but I have been walking to and from work for the past week and a half. One way is two miles up hill, that's in the morning, and then it's two miles downhill coming home. I can't believe it, but now I look forward to walking in the morning. Like right now, I have this feeling of anticipation, like an excited, "wow, I get to walk tomorrow morning." That thought makes me happy! I used to dread exercise. But I think the idea that I am going somewhere that I have to go, and not just in a circle, has worked wonders for my attitude. Even when I drive places I do to like to back track. I also feel good because I am not using gasoline. We moved the office three years ago from downtown to the suburbs because of the wasted time commuting and increasing crime.
Anyway, I am eating better, drinking more water, drinking "naked juices" those are really good, and feeling much better over-all. I should be losing some of my winter blubber as I continue. Right now, I am just happy being excited to continue....

diving in

It's May, it is a still, chilly and cloudy gray day. I am anxiously waiting for my Amazon order to arrive, "War and Peace." I have heard about this book my whole life and I have decided it's time. It is time to read it, tackle it, get through it, and hopefully love it. Some pals on a blog have recommended, a note pad and pen to help in keeping all the various people straight, I'll do that.(thank you) The book is 3.8 pounds and 1296 pages. I can't wait to just hold it! I love the feel of a good book.

Here are some reviews on this translation:
“A major new translation . . . [which] brings us the palpability [of Tolstoy’s characters] as perhaps never before. . . . Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky’s new translation gives us new access to the spirit and order of the book.” —James Wood, The New Yorker

“Shimmering....[it] offers an opportunity to see this great classic afresh, to approach it not as a monument but rather as a deeply touching story about our contradictory human hearts.” —Michael Dirda, Washington Post

keeping my free speech quiet

On very good advice, I am taking a break from expressing my thoughts on this blog. Hopefully, I will be back soon. Keep me in your good thoughts.

holy crap the po po

Thursday May 8th. I was visited by two plain clothe detectives who said that they were following the orders of Mr.[Doe] the City Law Director stating that he is considering filing criminal harassment charges against me, in reference to my neighbor with the huge addition. The officers repeatedly stated that the issues I presented to city officials were unfounded, but when asked what "unfounded" meant they replied, "any complaint that is found not to be valid is unfounded." They kept asking me if I was going to continue with unfounded complaints. They used the word "criminal" often and were threatening and intimidating to both myself and my 18 year old daughter. Many of my neighbors have agreed with my complaints, additionally, I have always maintain a respectful and professional tone. When I pressed for more information they changed the subject and said they didn't know anything about this or that, that they were just here to relay a message. "We just follow orders." I believe I am within my rights to contact my elected representatives. I said to the two goons," Well, I am not a lawyer I didn't interpret the code as they did, and that is why I bought it up to the building department attention."

I am appalled and confused as to what they were trying to do. I am going to speak with my attorney next week, and decide what, if anything, I can do.

pick up from pratt 08

2 of 3

bull

hawk up