New Things - Week 12

My new thing for this week comes back to food, do you see a pattern here? We had our monthly bookclub at one of my favorite restaurants. Whenever possible I order the lobster tacos because they are phenomenal, only they are so special, they are elusive most times. With them not having the lobster tacos on the specials menu (again,) I was forced to choose something else but didn't want my same ole, same ole, so I let the Server talk me into the crab enchiladas, they were also very tasty. Not as tasty as the Lobster, but very tasty indeed. If you are ever in the mood for some Crab Enchiladas and you find yourself at Cocina Superior, try them out, your taste buds will thank you - unless of course you passed on the lobster for the crab.

For more New Things or if you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Thursday!

Down with the Sickness!

We are starting our 3rd week of sickness in this house. Only now it's me having been diagnosed with Pink Eye that is keeping us down. I have my doubts as to this being what is truly ailing me. When you go to a Doc in the Box and they say, "we'll say it's pink eye because we don't have the equipment to test further" you would have doubts too.

So starting the Sunday night of Spring break, the Munchkin got a fever virus that lasted 6 days. 2 trips to the Dr, a cancelled trip to Kentucky and she was finally able to pass it along to her sisters who promptly started running a fever 2 days after hers ended. When theirs was finished, I woke up the next morning with this incurable eye disease. That was last Friday. A trip to the Doctor on Saturday, prescription eye drops and today, I'm finally starting to see the swelling and redness go away.

It's spring time! We're supposed to be outside, enjoying the fresh air, having playdates with our friends and picnics at the park. Someone please tell me we will get there..... Soon.

Stalemate

There are a few things that I wanted to say in my last post regarding Healhtcare Reform, but I was already running long so I left it out. After reading the comments, I thought I would respond and bring in some of what I was going to say anyway since it's kind of relevant to the comments. I also figured I would try to run off the last 5 readers I have left.

First of all, let me say thank you for keeping the comments respectful, even for those of you with differing opinions. For the bitches that got my back on and off line - I adore you and love you.

Let's start here. For those of you that believe 100% without a doubt that this reform is not good for your family, I'm sorry. You know your situation better than I do and there is no way that I can possibly say that you are wrong in regard to your family. I wouldn't dare. As for you telling me that it is also bad for my family, you can't speak for me either.

What's good or bad for one is not always good/bad for the other. You do not have our medical records, you do not bring home our paycheck, you do not know our situation. For anyone to say that my husbands check will be less now because of this reform has absolutely no idea what they are talking about, and no right to even weigh in. The impact on us and his small business will not be a negative one.

I will question anyone who thinks that something is 100% right or wrong, one way or the other, on either side of the issue.

We can all find information to support our sides, so I say this without much back up, only what I have heard on my Commie News Network, and I'm sure the Faux News has it differently, but it is my understanding that the Republicans refused multiple invites to sit down and discuss this bill, there was an attempt for Bi-Partisanship and it was refused. Were people paid off? I'm sure, but I'm going to stick my neck out here and say, it's probably not the first time this has ever happened. But I could be reaching.

I would never expect anyone to take offense at being called a Republican. If that's what you are, own it, live it, be it, whatever blows your skirt up. I do however take offense at being called a Socialist because that's not what I am. My mother was born in Berlin, my Grandmother grew up as a little girl under Hitlers reign, I've heard stories about Socialism and believe me when I say, this ain't it.

Shame on everyone who wants to throw that word around so carelessly. In my opinion it only serves to incite panic where there should be none. But when you get your news from sources such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh I can understand the Chicken Little mentality.

I've said this before and I will say it again now. I do not agree 100% with our current administration, and I'm not sure that I would vote for Obama again, but I will support him like I did Bush. I gave up Dixie Chicks and Pearl Jam all in the name of support for that President. Will I ever bitch and moan if "My Guy or Gal" doesn't get elected, you betcha! But not with such explicit vitriol as you all seem to have for President Obama.

I undoubtedly would love to see more concentration on the economy and our troops. Those are important to me as they are all Americans. Do I think this is the perfect time for this reform bill? Not really. But it doesn't change the fact that we need reform. And this is it.

Only time will tell if this plan will bite us in the ass, and I might be wrong for supporting it. While you may be able to see into the future, my magic 8 ball is telling me "Cannot Predict Now."

What it comes down to is this. A difference of opinions with a gap that will never be bridged. This time, I just happen to come down on the winning side. This will change eventually, and when it does I only hope that I can handle myself more appropriately and more respectfully than the majority of those that oppose this administration. I will do it with the open mindedness that I consider to be a very good thing, the kind of good thing that I hope to instill in my children so that they grow up to be understanding and sympathetic for those that may or may not be or think like them.

Now, I have finally said my peace on the matter, and I'm tired. So very tired of arguing this topic with people who fail to realize that it's not all or nothing. I can't argue with anyone who truly sees open mindedness as a bad thing. The head banging wall scenario has left me with a headache.

Comment or not, the next post you read from me will probably be about how 4 year olds inadequately wipe their asses, I'm getting back to the basics. You know, the things that really truly matter in life.

My New Thing - Week 11

I decided to crochet. I'm sure that some where way back when, I have attempted this before. In fact I had all of the supplies I needed, no doubt from one of my many "craft ventures" that never panned out. I was perusing etsy the other night and saw something I thought was cute and decided to try my hand at making one. I rummaged through my many bins of abandoned craft projects and found the yarn and needles, unopened. So, I picked them up, looked up About.com and yeah, it's not going so well. But I will persevere. I can make a chain. It's not pretty, but it's a chain. I have a long way to go before being able to replicate what I saw, but maybe down the road, my New Thing will be a picture of my new creation.

For more New Things or if you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Thursday!

Healthcare. Reformed.

I just couldn't take it anymore and decided to post my opinion on healthcare on my FB status last night.. I figured why not? Everyone else (that happens to be a close minded conservative) was doing it, why not me? I'm personally tired of being called a Socialist and I thought if they can call me a Socialist and sleep at night, I can refer to them as close minded. Problem here is that most of these people are my family. Family who I of course love and people who's opinion I value, I just don't happen to agree with when it comes to politics. Here's the rub, they have no value whatsoever in my opinion to believe they way I choose. I don't agree, so I am wrong. Period.

So here are my thoughts and maybe I have posted this before but I'm too lazy to go back and search for it right now. Pardon me while I go all glass half empty.. but I have to think like the conservatives here for a minute.

Am I happy with more Government intervention in my life? No, not really but I can sometimes see that they have to step in and moderate. Without their intervention on Healthcare - Insurance companies would continue to raise rates and price many many more people and businesses out of the access to health care....(This could be you there glass house.)

If your company had to choose between offering you health care or firing you, you are up a creek without a healthcare paddle. Healthcare shold not be tied to employment.

Healthcare needs to be affordable to everyone.... EVERY.ONE... Crack Whore included.

Am I willing to pay more to insure that the service is there one day in case I do need it? Yes. (stop rolling your eyes and see if you can control the spinning of your head here people)

I'm willing to pay into this service just like I'm happy that when the Socialist Fire Dept shows up to stop my house from burning to the ground, they aren't going to send me a bill later for their services. Same goes for when someone tries to break into my house. I'm glad I'm not forced to have to decide whether or not to make a call to that Socialist 911 number or let them rob me because I don't have money for the call. Hear what I'm saying here? It's free. And I kind of think it's a good thing.

According to Websters - Definition of Socialism: (I'm incredibly tired of this term combined with Communism being thrown around everywhere, so just in case you haven't looked it up, I thought I would get us all on the same page)

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

Now, here is my final little scenario, brought to you by the glass half empty people that want to tell me I'm effing things up for my children's future. I can play this game too, only it has to do with protecting and providing for my children now.

*Picture It, United States, 2010*

Husband receives excellent Healthcare coverage through his employer, only the cost for that Healthcare continues to rise until Employer can no longer afford to offer this to their employees. Their policy is cancelled (Husband could also be fired for being a slackass, both paths will have the same result) We are left uninsured. We seek out policy's until we find one that we can "afford." It's bottom of the barrel, shitty ass coverage but hey, it's insurance against anything major that may happen until we can find jobs that will hopefully cover us... all 5 of us. Oh, did I not mention that this family of 5 just got coverage for 4, because one of our children has been dealt the bad kidney card that has resulted in surgeries and hospital stays - deeming her a pre-existing condition... Are you picking up what I'm putting down here? The child... the CHILD that probably needs coverage the most can't get it because she has a pre-existing condition.

I don't think I need to finish this scenario for you to understand how quickly we could personally become destitute.. This is one of the many reasons I believe in reform. Maybe you can't think that way because your children wouldn't be seen as having a pre-existing condition. I hope you never have to find out. But what I do know is that I feel better knowing something is there should I need it in the future.

I have not read the entire 2000 pages of this plan, I dare say none of you that want to argue me have, but I have read the summaries and I think it's more good than it is bad... It's my opinion, MY opinion. I'm entitled to it, just as you are yours.

32 Million people uninsured will now have access to Healthcare. I think that's a good thing, I just do.

For all of you negative Nancy's that are chomping at the bit to slam me in the comments, if you plan to use the words communism, socialist, or any variation of those words, please don't bother, I'm tired of your one trick pony. We don't agree, we won't agree, I only came here from FB because I had more room to type.

I'm so incredibly over the lack of support for this administration. He is the Effing President of the United States of America, (can I say that?) show some respect. You don't have to like his ways, but he's our President, and will be until the end of this term and maybe more. I didn't like Bush at the end of his term, but I respected him. And don't get me started on how he got us into this mess everyone wants to blame Obama for. Maybe if Obama wasn't having to fight such bitter hatred on all fronts he could actually get something done. It's called Bi-partisanship... and this Country needs it, bad.

I'm truly disgusted with all of the hatred I continue to read and hear. I'm not sure if you naysayers hate him because he's not a Republican or because he's a Muslim, wasn't born in this Country, has the mark of the beast, is the anti christ or because he's black. It's hard to tell with all of the racist jokes I here and absurd emails I get.

I'm done. Done defending my personal views to people who are too close minded to see that their opinion isn't always what's best for everyone. It may work for them (you) but that does not make it right for everyone.

~Fini

Toby

For many of you that hang around with us on a regular basis, you might be familiar with our son, "Toby." He's the older brother, he's 5, he wears glasses, he causes mischief and he's completely imaginary.

This resulted from a conversation I had with the Munchkin when she told me she would like for me to have another kid, but told me not to have a baby, she wanted an older brother. After lightly explaining how those things work, she created "Toby."

He goes with us everywhere, she tells everyone at the check out counters in every store that she has a big brother named Toby. What happens next is predictable, it happens the same way, every time. Every. Time.

Cashier: How old is Toby?
Munchkin: He's 5

Cashier: Oh, well how old are you?
Munchkin: I'm 4

Cashier: * looks at twins* How old are your sisters?
Munchkin: 2 in March

Cashier: *looks at them, looks at me, looks at them, looks back and me with a look that is a cross between pity and this "lady is nucking futs for having 4 kids ages 5 and under" *

At this point I politely and quietly explain that "Toby" doesn't really exist and no I'm not actually crazy... The 4 year old is.

I did find out yesterday the inspiration for "Toby" and I have to say I was a little disappointed. He's a dorky little kid with evil tendencies.. He also spells his name with an "E." I've taken a little creative liberty there, I figure if I have to feed him, I will spell his name the way I want...

My New Thing - Week 10

This week again was something I wasn’t really planning or wanting to do, but I did. In the midst of planning our Elmo birthday party our cupcake lady extraordinaire came down with that pesky stomach flu that has been going around and was unable to do our cupcakes. So, me losing track of time didn’t get around to ordering from anywhere else and I decided to make them myself. So what right? Cupcakes. Hmmph! Well, I’m not a cook.. I’m not a baker, not a cupcake maker… I’ve made cupcakes before, and I’ve thrown birthday parties before, but I’ve never made cupcakes for a birthday party. So I pulled myself up by the egg beaters and bought a couple of boxes of mix, I bought every single Elmo candy topper I could find and viola’ I made cupcakes for a birthday party. It’s been 3 days and there have been no reports of food poisoning.

I also made these handy little Elmo lollipops - never done these before either...




For more New Things or if you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Thursday!

Cliche.

It's been 2 years. Time flies... They grow up so fast... Where does the time go... and all that jazz. I know, I know, but damnit, my twins are 2!

We went from this:To This:


In just 2 incredibly short years!! Happy Birthday to my sweet little miracle babies!!

My New Thing - Week 9

A little late this week, but I can't even begin to explain how busy things are right now...

This week I was forced into my "New Thing" and I was/am not pleased. When I learned that Target was no longer carrying my brand of hairspray, I was forced to venture into trying something new. I don't like trying new things when something is working for me and I love them. So I guess you could say that this new hairspray and I got off on the wrong split end. Its spray is so forceful I feel like I'm aiming a missile at my head any time I try to use it, I'm seriously afraid it's going to put my eye out. It also sprays all over my mirrors and counters tops and covers everything, which equals more cleaning. This week, I'm not happy with my New Thing and hope that on my next trip to Publix, they are still carrying my brand because this one is just craptastic...... but, I do like the smell.

For more New Things or if you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Thursday!

My New Thing - Week 8

Time for this weeks New Thing..

Seems like I can always come up with something that has to do with food. This week we had lunch and one of our favorite places, Maki Fresh. I decided to branch out a little and order something that I kept seeing that looked so good…. The Tokyo Bowl. YUM-O! I love and typically order the Crunch Crunch, and was a afraid that I was going to miss it by ordering something out of my norm, only I turned out to be the envy of the table. Did I say YUM-O? It’s a bowl full of rice (I chose brown) topped with chicken, steak, corn, cilantro, tomatoes and carrots. Mmmm Mmmm Good. Try it, you’ll like

For more New Things or if you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Thursday!