fyi

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Gov. Mitt Romney will make an appearance in Colorado Springs on Saturday, Nov. 1, on behalf of the Republican Party to attend a victory reception.

He will be at Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center, 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd. at 4:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. No ticket is necessary, but an RSVP is requested.

Contact Jack Dubois at jdubois@mccain08q.com to RSVP or call (303) 952-4670.

please share this with everyone - not my words

My daughter's name came up in the political circles today. It was odd.
I was chatting with a group of people about the work we need to do this weekend.
Someone asked for my name and I passed it along. Then a city council person says...my daughter's name?
My daughter had written a letter in August about increasing recycling and the benefits of eating organically to the mayor and it was read aloud the night before at the monthly meeting. Odd.. that she remembered and odd that I talked to her and etc...

I joined the freecycle list serve near me. It is wonderful. After the election I am going to start putting some of our stuff to give away. It is a great way for people to recycle things they are not using and give to someone that is looking


I have less than fivedays left to volunteer. I have drill this weekend so I will not be available for the big push, but I feel like I have called every volunteer this week. I have met some amazing people and will have funny stories to tell later. I think the theme for people is disbelief and scared fo the future. I just shake my head with every new allegation and story. This morning homeless people in Ohio can use a park bench as a house address.

I made a big pot of veggie chili. I have not cooked a real dinner since I started volunteering for the campaign. We will be back to normal after next Wednesday.

I am curiuos to how many people will dress like Palin and Obabma for Halloween.

a laugh

for serious times.... The Washcloth
I need that this morning.

someone you should know, CPT Leslie Smith

BIOGRAPHY OF LESLIE SMITH:
Of Northern Virginia Capt. Leslie Smith is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Department of Defense in Virginia after having been medically retired as a Captain in the Army with 12 years. Capt. Smith took part in Operation Joint Forge, an eight-month peacekeeping deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina where she became ill two weeks before completing the deployment and was sent back to the United States. From there, Leslie was admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and doctors diagnosed her with a rare blood disorder. Complications from this disorder led to the amputation of Leslie’s left leg just below the knee and major tissue loss over both legs. Now Leslie is actively involved with fellow wounded military service members by personally visiting and encouraging them and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego.

amazing article

Last Minute - but very honorable!

The GOP Victory Bus
Rolling into Colorado Springs
Monday, October 27
11:30am
Pikes Peak VFW Post 4051
430 East Pikes Peak Ave

Guests Include:

Charlie Plumb
Pioneer of “Top Gun” - POW - Commander of Aircraft Carrier Corral Sea

Ed Mechenbier
Air Force Graduate and Major General, Silver Star winner for gallantry while POW

Marsha “Marty” Evans
Former President and CEO of Red Cross, ED of Girl Scouts of AM, Superintendent Naval Post

Graduate School, Rear Admiral

Al Zapanta
President & CEO of US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Harvard Business School

Leslie Smith
Army Captain, Active with Wounded Military Service Members

Gene Cernan
Astronaut, Three-Time Space Traveler, was the Last Man to Walk on the Moon. . .

Joshua Morrison is a singer songwriter and an Iraq War veteran. In this outtake, he talks about how his time in Iraq has affected his music.

I am not sure if I should name this win some lose some or…. Support your local library.
My daughter lost a cd and a hardcover book from the library on my account which has caused me not to be able to use the library for almost a month. Not that big of a deal because I have been busy any way.
What cracks me up is that are charging us $19.00 for the best of Depeche Mode,, I am pretty certain I could have picked up at Borders for less.
Not my account is out of the dreaded locked status and I can pick up some light hearted reading. The details of the economy and election have me under pressure.
Yesterday though I received an email that I had won a book of my selection from Everywomansvoice.
So, the library got some money from and in return I will receive a book!

First take away of the weekend

Please talk to everyone you know about the importance of this election.
If you work hard and are proud of the work you have accomplished please fight for your rights.
I serve my country and work my butt off for a major US company.
I choose to provide the healthcare options for my family and at which level I wish to provide. If you do not have health care and you are working, go to your employer and hold them accountable, you have options other than vote for socialized medicine.
I give my time and my fruits to my community and would prefer to keep it that way. I do not mind helping people and giving others a hand or leg up if they need it. BUT I would prefer to do this at a local level not cycle it up to Washington DC and then hope it makes down to the my community later.

Conduct real research on the candidates do not just cling to snippets and slogans.

Sarah Palin is legit. I saw her this morning and I was impressed. I will post pics later. I took three 17 year old girls with me. I hope their biggest take away is that they can do whatever they desire and the ceiling does not exist.

Colin Powell – Well, if the Obama camp wins, I know he will be in the executive cabinet based on his endorsement on Sunday.

Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

2 quarts carrot Juice

1 pound red lentils

3-4 large sweet onions, chopped

Combine all ingredients. Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer, with closed lid until lentils are cooked and onions are mushy. This generally takes around an hour. This soup tastes best if left for a few hours or over night. Serves 4.

easy..... add garlic....

payless

I will have to admit I tend to avoid places like Payless to buy shoes. I just do. Growing up that is where we had to make purchases based on economic circumstances. As I grew older I always felt like the stores smelled like a large shipping container straight off the boat from China. After reading this article I might have to give them a second look.

Payless will unveil a LOW-COST line of eco-friendly footwear, made from organic fibers like cotton, linen, and hemp and feature eco-smart packaging.

Hope in a bowl. Straight-talk in a box. It’s a SAD day for American nutrition. For $39 a piece, you can have your POLITICS for breakfast. Yuck, processed cereal.

I am sure it is loaded with fiber with as much crap everyone has been talking.

I have been putting as many hours as possible at the Victory HQ.
It is addicting, I am enjoying it.
I will post pictures from the Sarah Palin rally on Monday. The dynamics of politics is very interesting.
More material for the pending memoir.

All of the sudden my music mood has switched.
I have been listening to a very random AM channel the last week or so.
Why? I have not heard one political add and they play oldies.
I am finding it soothing.
Imagine me a bit stressed about the election, work and the economy. Then sitting in my car listening to Harper Valley PTA.
Love that song and it made me laugh and smile and think of my mom. The movie came out in the late 70's. A time of huge change in our lives.




lyrics

I want to tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife
Who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High
Well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play
She said, "Mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley P.T.A."

The note said, "Mrs. Johnson, you're wearing your dresses way too high
It's reported you've been drinking and a-runnin' 'round with men and going wild
And we don't believe you ought to be bringing up your little girl this way"
It was signed by the secretary, Harper Valley P.T.A.

Well, it happened that the P.T.A. was gonna meet that very afternoon
They were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room
And as she walked up to the blackboard, I still recall the words she had to say
She said, "I'd like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley P.T.A."

Well, there's Bobby Taylor sittin' there and seven times he's asked me for a date
Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice whenever he's away
And Mr. Baker, can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?
And shouldn't widow Jones be told to keep her window shades all pulled completely down?

Well, Mr. Harper couldn't be here 'cause he stayed too long at Kelly's Bar again
And if you smell Shirley Thompson's breath, you'll find she's had a little nip of gin
Then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a mother I'm not fit
Well, this is just a little Peyton Place and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites

No I wouldn't put you on because it really did, it happened just this way
The day my Mama socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A.
The day my Mama socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A.

Someone you should know about

Eduardo Verastegui (Actor and Producer)

I had the chance to meet him last night.

What a great role model and passionate ma.

I wish more people in Hollywood would follow suit.



Has anyone seen the movie Bella?

International Day of Rural Women 15 October 2008

Photo from UN website
The International Day of Rural Women will direct attention to both the contribution that women make in rural areas, and the many challenges that they face. Women play a critical role in the rural economies of both developed and developing countries. In most parts of the developing world they participate in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families, and engage in off-farm activities to diversify the family income. In addition, they carry out vital functions in caring for children, older persons and the sick.

Women make an important contribution to food production. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 428 million women work in the agricultural sector around the world, compared to 608 million men. In many parts of the world, agriculture is the first sector of employment for women, for instance in Sub-Saharan Africa and in South Asia, where respectively 68 per cent and 61 per cent of working women are employed in agriculture.



Photo from UN Website

For additional info

I had to reread this three times

part of an email about benefits today...

Change to domestic partner eligibility. XXXXX benefit programs will no longer offer coverage for opposite-sex domestic partners or their children. If you’re affected by this change, you’ll have options to continue health benefits for your domestic partner and your domestic partner’s children for up to 36 months by paying the full cost of coverage under rules similar to COBRA. There is no change to benefits eligibility for same-sex domestic partners.

good news

All of the Looney Toons are now registered to vote in Toledo, OH.

just a thought

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

dropping him a note

Dear Mr. Obama,
I understand that you are now in a jam. Your so-called friend in your neighborhood held your very first political fundraiser for you at his house. To me that sounds like a personal relationship. Just like the relationship you had with your pastor for twenty years that you have now abandoned. I am worried about your character. Will you show these character attributes in the White House? If you lean on honesty and integrity it will go far with people like me. You were the lawyer for Acorn for years and part of the training platform. You cannot separate yourself from the past. Please acknowledge them and let us know how you will separate your self from these behaviors in the White House.
Thanks
Concerned Soldier and Citizen

So, I promised I would not blog about it until they left.
Tonight is the Homecoming Dance of her Senior Year.
Her friend for the evening is the General's son. I promised I would not let the cat out of the bag early.
A few of the girls got ready at our house.
My little girl is all grown up.

October 16, 2008 World Food Day

Who is Hungry and Why?
The world now produces much more food than is required to provide everyone with an adequate diet, yet 923 million people - almost one person in seven - do not have enough to eat. Most of these people live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Deprived of sufficient calories and nutrients, the body compensates by reducing physical activity. In children, growth slows or virtually stops. A hungry mother gives birth to an underweight baby, who then faces a future plagued by stunted growth and frequent illness. The cycle of hunger and poverty continues.

Education is one of the surest ways out of poverty, yet the poor have little money for school fees, books and uniforms. Hungry children who do attend school have a harder time concentrating and assimilating knowledge.

Women and girls -- the majority of the poor -- have fewer opportunities for education and training than men and in many cultures eat less than men despite frequently having heavier workloads. Women's responsibilities often limit the amount of time available to cultivate and prepare diverse foods, resulting in poorer diets for the whole family.

Chronic hunger limits the body's ability to convert energy into work, weakening people physically and leaving them feeling hopeless and unmotivated. Not surprisingly, the undernourished have difficulty both finding work and being productive.

I read this verse at her funeral
Psalm 30
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

I inserted myself into the funeral. Typical catholic funerals only one person does the talking.
But my mom had found this print out and wanted it read at the funeral. I cannot find it. I am not sure what happened to it.
I urge you if your mom is still alive cherish her through the days. I would give a day off my life to have an hour with her.

And then it brings me to the real ugliness of it all. Cancer.
Use this tool calculate the rate of growth or reduction of cancer your county. link
The county I grew up in is flat - cancer rates are not increasing or decreasing with the national average.
The county I currently live is in falling against cancer trends in the nation.

Major Conclusions from the Cancer Trends Progress Report 2007
The nation is making progress toward major cancer-related Healthy People 2010 targets.
* Death rates for the four most common cancers (prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal), as well as for all cancers combined, continue to decline.
* The rate of cancer incidence has declined since the early 1990s.
* Adult cigarette smoking prevalence has been slowly declining since 1991, with some evidence of a steeper decline for females than males. However, overall prevalence has not declined since 2004.
* The long-term trend in smoking rates among adolescents since the late 1990s appears to be heading downward, but this trend must be accelerated, especially since the most recent data point in 2005 suggests a possible flattening of this declining trend.
* Substantial decreases in secondhand smoke exposure have been realized since the beginning of the 1990s across a variety of measures (biological measures as well as work place policies, home rules and, most recently, through state as well as local smoke-free indoor air legislation).

The nation is losing ground in other important areas that demand attention.

* The incidence rates of cancer of the liver, pancreas, kidney, esophagus, and thyroid have continued to rise, as have the rates of new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma, and childhood cancers. The incidence rates of cancer of the brain and bladder and melanoma of the skin in women, and testicular cancer in men, are rising.
* Lung cancer death rates in women continue to rise, but not as rapidly as before. Death rates for cancer of the esophagus and thyroid in men, as well as of the liver, are increasing.
* While progress has been made in all segments of the population, subgroups including children living in smokers' homes and subgroups of nonsmoking workers (for example, blue collar occupations and hospitality industry) have higher rates of exposure to secondhand smoke.
* More people are overweight and obese, and leisure time physical activity is increasing only slightly, if at all.
* Alcohol consumption has been rising slightly since the mid 1990s. Fruit and vegetable intake is not increasing and remains relatively stable. Red meat and fat consumption are stable as well.
* Cancer treatment spending continues to rise along with total health care spending.
* Unexplained cancer-related health disparities remain among population subgroups. For example, Blacks and people with low socioeconomic status have the highest rates of both new cancers and cancer deaths.
* Mammography rates dropped slightly between 2003–2005, especially for women 50–64. This will be monitored when data for 2008 are released to see whether this is a trend or just an aberration. Screening for colorectal cancer remains low, despite its proven effectiveness, though use is increasing.

The small things

The browned edges of Angel Food cake
The way she brushed her hair and put on a clean button up shirt.
The smell of Taboo.
Guiding Light
The way she kept her nails but nervously tugged at them.
Her desk and all of the oddities my daughter used to play with. Paper clips, stamps, paper, crayons.
Her small handwriting script.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
Endless pots of coffee and her mug.

I just cannot believe it has been ten years that these things transferred from real to memory.

Voter Fraud.
Mischievous Connections.
Acorn.
If you put an incorrect name on a voter registration card it is FRAUD.

These things need to be removed from Democracy. When I say removed, I mean addressed and penalized. A report announced that the entire Dallas Cowboys football team is now registered to vote in Las Vegas. A college freshman said he was registered 18 times. What some people fail to understand this is SERIOUS. It is not the top eight on MTV. It is not who looks best at the Emmys. Get a grip America. Be repsonsible.

The last two mornings have been good for the sign holding.
I did have an Obama screamer which is amusing. I know he felt better after he drove away. Last night I worked the phone banks, It has been fun to see the diversity of people volunteering on the campaign trail.

The weather has turned crisp here in the morning.

Tomorrow is going to be a crappy day... more to follow. I cannot believe it has been ten years and I can still cry about it at the drop of a hat.

strange in these lands....

Kenya Detains U.S. Author Critical of Obama
link
Jerome R. Corsi, the conservative author of "The Obama Nation," followed an immigration department officer holding his passport after being detained on Tuesday because he was trying to work in Kenya without a valid work permit.


I am not sure if I can take 4 years of this.. He really has creepy relations with radicals even terrorists. I am sure all of this can be easily explained, but I am not interested.

Dear Ass Hat that stole our yard sign and ripped off my daughter's bumber sticker. Game on.
Now, I would never touch your signs - this is a free country and I actually serve so you can have any sign in your yard that you want, BUT my viligance will continue.

My new sign will go up tonight. My inner Army side wants to connect to a trip flare and scare the crap out the thief, but I shall hold back.

more to come..
Daughter is going to home coming with someone very interesting.
We ordered a vintage dress from American Apparel.
I will update later.

more to come..
Daughter is going to home coming with someone very interesting.
We ordered a vintage dress from American Apparel.
I will update later.

Drill weekend done for the month. I am amidst a frustrating situation. I am looking for a new guard home. I have a few leads.
My dogs have been sleeping erratically waking up in the middle of the night. I hope they get things worked out and sleep at night not all day long.
My bosses are in town for the most of the week, I have the obligatory meetings and dinner. I am going to miss one night calling this week at the Victory HQ.


Good article about eating local.
I cannot agree with this headline more...No reason to eat imported apples
Eat local
apples/.....

The campaign is going to get ugly. Seems like each camp will begin to reveal the ugliness of each other.
It is politics and that is the game. Remember this is main reason Colin Power would never run for president.
Your entire life is under the microscope for scrutiny. And the petri dish is full for both of them. Everything from Acorn to Voting records. Might as well get the dirt out now.

I am hating this is an out spend campaign. Seriously, whoever spends the most money in the next 30 days will probably win.

Today is the last day to register to vote.

I am off to shower to hold my sign.
I will have to wear mittens this morning.
It is a chily October morning.

covet of thy shoe

I liked this company before - But NOW... they are in the top ten. Seriously, I love them.

eye opening

Just Say No!!! House!! http://truthreportnow.wordpress.com/
Using panic to pass pork
Here are some of the special-interest provisions that are now part of the Wall Street bailout legislation. The bill started at 3 pages, grew to 106 pages, and is now 451 pages.

Film and Television Productions (Sec. 502)*
Wooden Arrows designed for use by children (Sec. 503)
6 page package of earmarks for litigants in the 1989 Exxon Valdez incident, Alaska (Sec. 504)
Virgin Island and Puerto Rican Rum (Section 308)
American Samoa (Sec. 309)
Mine Rescue Teams (Sec. 310)
Mine Safety Equipment (Sec. 311)
Domestic Production Activities in Puerto Rico (Sec. 312)
Indian Tribes (Sec. 314, 315)
Railroads (Sec. 316)
Auto Racing Tracks (317)
District of Columbia (Sec. 322)
Wool Research (Sec. 325)

wow

Wow
What an interesting debate. I even managed to get choked up at the end. (read: hormonal mess)
I was glued to my seat and actually found both Biden and Palin likable. At least I can listed to Biden and nod my head, Obama I cannot bare to listen to for more than afew seconds. Please do not let him be my new boss, please.
I like that they both agreed on tolerance and Israel.
I thought Biden's points on Pakistan were spot on but his comments about the inability of Johan McCain to lead men in war was crazy.
Palin was solid on the energy and taking care of the middleclass and the war in Iraq.

I think were are naive if think that either team can drastically change medical or move the needle substantially on alternative energy production when it is government funded, regulated and led.
It will take years to get it passed and years to see implementation. This does not mean we should not act, just that we should have more common sense and try to get things working faster at a local level.

Synopsis
College Applications are being mailed and scholarship requirements are being written. This task is exhausting her, but her personality does not afford her to approach it any differently.
We are proud of her on many levels. Two weeks ago she decided to enroll in an sculpture class at Fine Arts Center. Hesitantly I forked over the cash, but she loves and it if you divide it out it is the same cost as therapy appoints for eight weeks. She is the youngest and noted most of them were old, at least 35. (What?)
I have to say I love volunteering in the evening the campaign office was in full swing last night and they had about 35 volunteers. It was fun. For a change, I feel excited about something real. You know I love a project and I love to be in the "do" of the project. Many times at work I am involved in projects but operationally they are just projects and the outcome is indifferent meeting the requirement of participating, this is different.
I have drill this weekend so I will take a two-day hiatus from campaign headquarters. I called to find out if we needed anything prepped. We are doing nothing this weekend. I am seriously thinking of leaving my current unit. I have a few leads.

Today I was out there from 7:17- 7:47.
I was running behind and needed Starbucks. I switched to the opposite side of the intersection today to just mix it up. One gentleman that drives a large semi truck always gives me the thumbs down but I just smile and wave.
Today, though I totally cracked me up. A school bus was stopped at the light and some young middle school girls with pink hoodies began to flip me off. I started laughing and then I started waving. They thought they were so cool. Too funny.

7:02 - 7:32

I have a larger sign now. I am getting a few more waves and honks each day...
I volunteered at the campaign HQ for 3 hours, we are making progress but need more volunteers.
You can make a difference seriously. They are having a debate watching party Thursday night. I am interested to see Biden and Palin together.
Kinda like Mut and Jeff or Samson and Goliath.

my response from the Pelosi office

Reply from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi‏
From:
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (pelosi@mail.house.gov)
You may not know this sender.
Sent:
Wed 10/01/08 4:40 AM
To:
txxxxxxxxxxcom
Thank you for contacting my office. Congressional courtesy prevents me from replying to emails if I cannot determine that you are a constituent of mine. If you are not a resident of California's 8th Congressional District and are contacting me in regard to my role as Speaker, please email me at AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov. If you are a resident of the 8th District of California, please contact my office in Washington, DC at (202) 225-4965 to be added to our database.