About those Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cakes...

They overflowed all over the bottom of the oven. The overflow ignighted. And I saw flames in the oven. I may have freaked out a little, the house was full of smoke, the smoke detectors were going off, and there were FLAMES in my oven. So I called 911. Four fire trucks, two police cars and an ambulance later--everyone and everything but the cakes were fine. It was an exciting start to the holiday. We took a Tippins Pumpkin Pie to my sister's today and we don't have to take anything to Jamie's parents' tomorrow.

No holiday is complete around here w/o a little drama.

Baking marathon

I made two pumpkin gooey butter cakes this afternoon during nap. The recipe is in last year's Thanksgiving post. Pumpkin pie was once a favorite in our house, but its been replaced! Disclaimer--it's a Paula Deen recipe, so I used an entire package of butter (that would be four sticks) to make two cakes. I'm not sure that using 1/3 less fat cream cheese really mattered, but hey, I tried. I had lots of help from Chase since he's home from school. We went to the grocery store this afternoon after an emergency trip to the dentist. The good news is that I don't have a cavity or sinus infection. Apparently I have sensitive teeth and need to switch to Sensodyne toothpaste. Uh, okay. I don't ever want to go to the grocery the day before TG again--it was insanity. And the next time Dad offers to babysit when I have a dentist trip, I'm totally taking him up on it.

Cass and I had sushi for lunch (california rolls for her, spicy rolls for me) and Chase had a hot dog lunchable. Gross, I know. Sherm has spent the majority of today outside or crated and I don't care. I'm over this whole perfectionist thing. Well trying to be...

I'm going to go hang w/my sous chef. Happy Thanksgiving!

This made me laugh...

I was talking to Amy this evening and she said, "You sound good." And I said, "I'm feeling much better than last week, I swear PMS is making me crazy." She asked if I was taking any meds, the type of which my mother politely referred to as "nerve pills." I haven't been medicated like that in nearly three years--I quit the Lexapro right around the time I started the hard core fertility drugs. You know, Chase had been in preschool for a few years by then, so I figured the whole postpartnum depression thing was over. Conveniently, I could then blame my mood swings and bitchiness on the fertility drugs and resulting pregnancy...

So Amy said (as only Amy can), "Uh--maybe you need some meds so you can jack them up when you've got PMS." Last week that would have made me cry. But this week, I'm laughing. Four hours later, I still laugh when I hear her voice in my head saying it. (Not those kinds of voices, thankyouverymuch.) Which means I probably do need some sort of pharmaceutical when I'm PMSing. If I hadn't skipped my yearly exam last month (yeah, yeah, I know but after all the fertility stuff and pregnancy, my vajayjay is taking a break from drs)...I'd ask my ob. I'll see her in a few months at her granddaughter's bday party and if I'm still nuts, I'll inquire then...;)

Talked to the trainer...

We're going to try an electronic collar (otherwise known as a shock collar) during training next week. Jamie's dad actually has an appropriately sized collar for his pointers, so we're going to borrow his. Hopefully, this gets us through puppy adolesence. The trainer thinks that his high pain tolerance is rendering the pinch collar less than effective. She's been wanting to do an e-collar for a while, but I put her off b/c of the cost and my fear that it isn't humane. I've done a bit of research and it really isn't any different than a standard correction, which I've been doing for the last four months. My neighbor (a fellow Golden owner) used one on her previous Golden and said it worked beautifully.

He must know I'm at the end of my rope--he's lying peacefully in his bed while the kids play in a rubbermaid tub right next to him. THIS is what I want! Gotta rescue Cassie...from Chase this time, not the dog!

It's interesting to me how friends/family are reacting to the Sherman thing. For the record, no decision regarding his future has been made. I'm praying about it. Today he pulled Chase off the swingset and tried to incite play (which for a pup like Sherm involves mouthing). He scared the crap out of Chase, who was abjectly hysterical. In a perfect world, Chase and Sherman would not ever be alone together. Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world...I'm just glad I heard Chase's screaming. He's fine and I think Jamie finally gets why I'm such a freaking basket case most of the time.

I have a good friend who has done dog rescue for years. I really thought she'd knock me upside the head for this situation. She didn't. She GOT that I'm in over my head and that I want what is best for all involved and am not sure 60lbs of puppy in this household is what is best for all involved. I'm also not sure it's not--we have a lot invested in Sherman (time, money, energy, and love)--no one wants a happy ending (the perfect family dog) for this story more than I do. I just don't know if I have the patience to make that dream a reality.

This week is going to be interesting b/c of the holiday...and next week (when Sherm is boarded b/c of Dad's surgery) is also going to be very telling. I'm just going to wait and see what happens. See how this week goes and see how next week (w/o him) goes.

Ultimately, he deserves to be in the best home for him. He could have it a lot worse than our house...but I also think he could have it a lot BETTER than our house too. We'll see...

Meltdown

It's been a rough week, and not just because of the Dow. Jamie's been putting in very long hours, it's been a CRAZY busy week and things are only going to get busier. Today was my mom's birthday and even though it should be easier after two years, it still sucks.

Cassie's Godmother Lara called this afternoon to thank me for her birthday present and I melted. She didn't even get to thank me for the present (she called back later to check on me and actually thank me for the sweater) b/c I melted.

About Sherman: I love dogs, I've had a dog in some capacity for the last 27 years and he is going to be a great dog some day. I honestly can't imagine my life without a dog. We were home from our honeymoon for exactly 7 days before I got dog. I remember rolling over, looking at Jamie and saying, "If you're going to work this much, I gotta get a dog." I picked out Baxter at the Humane Society that night. That "three month old Lab" puppy was actually a nine month old pit bull mix. He was a good dog for me for six great years and for Amy for another three and I will forever be grateful to her for taking him when the vet said he needed a new home. Then came Woody--the one we were going to find a "nice home for" found ours and was such a great dog for our family. He was six when he came to live with us, and spent his final eight years with us. I miss him every day.

There have been others: Bella, the impulse beagle rescue who had toileting issues and went back to the pound in a clomid-tantrum after one too many "presents" on the playroom floor; Spike, the object-possessive rescue who went back to rescue b/c I refused to have an object-possessive dog in my house w/my small children. Relinquishing those dogs was incredibly difficult, but ultimately, my life was better for it. And is the whole reason for pets to make life better?

I don't know what we're going to do yet. Chase knows what is going on--he knows Mom is having a hard time and that something may have to give. We've discussed it. He's not thrilled, but he'll be okay.

Basically, I'm an idiot. I accept this and admit it. I hadn't had a puppy in years. I was seventeen when we got Max. Max was a shih tzu. The difference between a shih tzu puppy (who lives with two other dogs and no little kids) and a golden retriever puppy fairly defies description. Even Baxter--who was nine months old when I got him--I was working full time...I didn't have babies, he was my baby! He probably would have been just as nuts as Sherman if I'd had little kids, but I didn't. And I was working, so I wasn't dealing with him 18 hours a day. Nor was I juggling his needs with the needs of two other little ones. I honestly had no idea at all what I was getting into when we got Sherman. Not. A. Clue. It was stupid. It was naive. And now I'm dealing w/the results of my stupidity and naivete.

Jamie is supportive either way. He would like to try to help out a little more. We're going to do one more week of training when Dad has his knee replaced. It is board and train, so we'll see what a week w/o him is like. Quite honestly it will be my first dogless week in 11 1/2 years. We'll see how it goes...

I want what is best for everyone. I want Sherman in the best possible home for him--where he is exercised, trained, loved, and happy. And I want our home to be a happy home. I don't know if those two things are compatible right now, but I'm working on it.

Bad Mommy

So here's the deal--I'm kind of overwhelmed with the puppy and the toddler. I get now why most rescue groups refuse to adopt out puppies to families w/little ones. I GET IT! I take back everything I said about the crappy rescue groups who wouldn't adopt to us. They know more than my pediatrician and my vet--both of whom thought I'd be fine w/the kids and an exuberant 60lb puppy. SIGH.

If Sherman isn't pulling the bow out of Cassie's hair to eat it, he's attacking Hokey Pokey Elmo, despite the copious amounts of bitter apple sprayed on said Elmo. That means bitter apple is all over my hands and everything I eat tastes like bitter apple, which, while it no longer seems to bother Sherman, bothers the hell out of me. I'm constantly trying to keep Cassie from eating Sherman's bones and Sherman from eating her toys. It's constant.

So here's my dirty little secret. Yesterday Sherman was at school. And I didn't miss him. At all. I played with Cassie, I didn't worry about Sherman spending too much time w/his crate or how I was going to get a walk in or anything. I just played with my daughter and enjoyed my day. In fact--I kept thinking about how great life would be if every day was like yesterday! I feel really very guilty about this. We've spent a small fortune on that dog: training, shots, food, toys, treats, beds, etc. But honestly? I'd give him away tomorrow if I didn't think Jamie would KILL ME b/c of the money spent. It's not that I don't like the dog. I do. I love him. He's a great puppy. He's patient w/the kids (when he isn't trying to play w/them), he's incredibly social, he's relatively well behaved (for a seven month old pup), he clearly adores me. And at night after the kids are in bed, when it's just me and him and he's lying peacefully by my feet--I remember why we got him. The problem is that I feel like my life revolves around my puppy when my life should revolve around my human kids.

I miss Woody. And I don't know how to fix this. I want to fix it but I don't know how to fix it. Mikki asked me if I'd talked to Jamie about it. The Dow is down almost 50% for the year. It's like the last 11 years didn't happen in terms of investing. Since he makes our living selling "the time value of money," I'm not sure he gets (or sympathises AT ALL) how a puppy and toddler and Chase could turn my life upside down. His answer is to throw the dog outside or crate him b/c he's a dog.

I just feel like I'm trying so hard to do so many things and failing at all of them. It's not a good feeling...I just want Sherman to calm down, KWIM? But it's not fair to him to expect a seven month old puppy to behave like a 10 year old dog. I shouldn't get mad at a puppy for being a puppy, so then I get mad at myself for being the arrogant ass who adopted the puppy and naively thought she could handle him, plus the kids. Most days, I don't feel like I can--someone is always getting shortchanged and that's not fair to anyone.

I suck.

High School

I blatantly stole this from my sister...

Fill this out about your SENIOR year of high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!!


Did you marry someone from your high school?

Nope. Not even close.

Did you carpool?

If you consider being the designated chauffeur carpooling, yes.

What kind of car did you have back then?

I had an '84 Nissan Pulsar. It looked like a doorstop/wedge thing. It was white, with a sunroof. We shared it. I don't ever recall my sister getting me to stick my head out the sunroof so she could squirt me w/the wiper fluid. She wishes. I do remember us BOTH locking our keys in the car at Burger King and my mom having to drive them over to us though...

I almost forgot... the BEST part... our license plate said "4-2DOLS" How precious. Then, when we got our OWN cars... Christi got a little black Mazda sports car, I got a hand-me-down red Chevy Beretta, our license plates said "4-ADOLL" and "4-ADOL2". Man, we were adorable. Yeah--that was from my sister's blog. Told you I copied it. But, there is a crucial edit--I got the black Mazda sports car my junior year of college. I got a red Toyota Celica the day of my senior prom. My sister had already gotten the hand me down Beretta and the Pulsar couldn't make it to Fulton, it would overheat if I drove over 70 on the highway...which was a bit of a problem w/me heading to college in the fall.

What kind of car do you have now?

2008 Toyota Sienna--it's a momobile and I love it.

Its Friday night (in high school)...where are you?

Crusing AMC Movie theater loop on Zumbehl Road, Taco Bell parking lot off Highway 94, or with hundreds of other kids at the house of whatever classmate's parents were dumb enough to go out of town.

Now it's Friday night...where are you?

At home after dinner out (I don't cook on Fridays), putting the kids to bed. Tomorrow night I have a date to see Bolt with my son. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that wasn't animated in the theatre...


What kind of job did you have in high school?

Well, I lasted half a summer making sweet treats at Fritz's Frozen Custard. I once made a banana split w/o the banana. Seriously. Then I moved on to "cosmetics consultant" at Phar Mor. That was the perfect job for my teenaged self, especially since I could cash my check there and hand a ten to my friend Steve so he could buy my weekend alcohol ($10 STILL buys a lot of Boones Farm--gag).

What do you do now?

Mom/wife/volunteer

Were you a party animal?

Um, no

Were you considered a flirt?

Of course

Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?

No. I'm not musical.

Can you sing the fight song?

Oh yes--The black and the gold will see victory tonight. We'll stand and defend and put up a great fight (Go Knights Go). We will defeat the team we call our guests, so all schools will know that Howell North is the best. K-N-I-G-H-T-S. I really am a big dork, aren't I? Mikki--how did you not know there was a fight song? Did you really not remember that?

Who was/were your favorite teacher(s) for High school?

Ms. Baker, Mr. Ricker, Dr. Wescott & Mr. Hogan.

Where did you sit during lunch?

At a table in the commons, usually with Zorro--we always had 4th hour together.

What was your school's full name?

As opposed to its nickname? What a stupid question! Francis Howell North Senior High School

When did you graduate?

I didn't. Just kidding. 1993

What was your school mascot?

Norm the Knight

If you could go back and do it again, would you?

Maybe--I'd like to see what kind of grades I could get if I actually applied myself. But only if I knew then what I know now...

What do you remember most about graduation?

Other than my sister's wardrobe tantrum? I remember doing karoke w/Nina (Mountain Music) at the after party w/Nina.

Who did you take to the senior prom?

I didn't take anyone--I was escorted by Mike Schrader. He was a very nice guy.

Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?

Nope.

Are you planning on going to your 50 year reunion?

Going? Hell, I plan the reunions. And if you're reading this and you know me, that doesn't surprise you at all...

Do you still see people from school?
Nina is Cassie's godmother, but otherwise, does Facebooking count?

I'm watching The Factor.

Dear Barney Frank:
The UAW has essentially bankrupted The Big 3. Rather than allowing the government to bailout our automakers and continue to produce inferior products at inflated prices, please let capitalism do its job and allow the free market to function without government intervention. My Toyota was assembled in Indiana. It is a great car! But the UAW wasn't dictating $35/hr wages for the line workers assembling it. Let the damn car companies actually try to be competitive and compete in a global economy without the constraints the unions dictate. The end.


PS--How is an idiot like Barney Frank in Congress while I'm watching The Factor on my couch with garlic bagel chips and hummus? Seriously! Barney Frank = Stupid.

Dinner last night was great, but my chicken was larger than called for, so it wasn't finished in time for me. Jamie loved it when he got home though.

Roasted Chicken and Veggies
1 roasting chicken
1 lb red potatoes (cut into 1" chunks)
2 med onions (cut into 1" chunks)
1 pt cherry tomatoes

Preheat oven to 450. Coat chicken w/Lawry's Seasoning Salt. Roast covered for 30 minutes. Drizzle EVOO over veggies and sprinkle w/salt and pepper. Add to chicken. Roast covered for 30 minutes. Roast uncovered for another 30 minutes.

I'm thinking the 30 minute head start should get the chicken done w/the veggies for you. I tossed the whole chicken in my 4qt crock pot, headed to Chase's school art fair and put the kids to bed. After 1 hr on low and two on high, it was falling apart. Jamie ate the legs w/veggies for dinner and I shredded the rest for dinner tonight.

Mexican Lime Chicken Soup
2 T vegetable oil
1 large red pepper, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 t minced garlic
2 cans mexican style diced tomatoes
2 limes
3 C cooked cubed/chopped chicken
4 14 oz cans chicken stock
1/4 c cilantro
1 seeded & chopped jalepeno pepper

Saute pepper, onion & garlic in oil over med-high heat in large dutch oven. After 3 minutes, add tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, squeeze juice from limes into soup and add lime shells to soup, bring to a boil, then lower heat. Simmer 10 minutes. Add cooked chicken, jalepeno & cilantro. Cook additional 5 minutes or until heated through. Serve w/shredded mexi-blend cheese, sour cream & tortilla chips.

I cooked it earlier while Cass was watching Sesame Street, then put it on low, so it will be ready for dinner. We've got a busy night--Cub Scouts at 6:30pm and I'm hoping for a fill before then if Jamie gets home in time. He's currently picking up his elk and antelope and mule deer meat...IDK why he didn't just have sausage made of it all. We'd have Christmas gifts for everyone on our list instead of looking for freezer space for chunks of elk/antelope/mule deer! ;P

Thank God Jamie caved and we sprung for the king-sized bed. Last night, both kids wound up in bed with us. And Jamie still wound up in Chase's bed--those kids are bed hogs! Cassie almost pushed her brother out of bed, I had to rescue him this morning! But I slept rather well, considering...

I give...

up my crown as the Queen of the Land of Passive Aggressiva, that is. There are other ladies far more deserving of that title than me. Poof! It is theirs for the taking. This so-called nosy neighbor will stick to doing what she does best: taking care of her precious family.

The weather outside is a bit warmer today, mid-50s. It is the difference between a coat and a cardi and I'll take it! Cass and I took Shermy on his mid-morning walk and he got to play w/his GF Lucy and her neighbor Sadie (choco lab) for half an hour. In addition to his 1/2 hour walk. I'm shooting for another short walk when Chase gets home from school, as he's grounded from the tv (for watching it instead of getting ready for school this morning), so a bike ride will do him good. Perhaps we'll see if his pal Peter can come over for a bit after dinner. I'm trying a new roast chicken recipe w/roasted veggies for dinner and looking forward to the chicken & lime soup I'm making tomorrow night w/the leftovers. I'll post recipes tomorrow if they're worthy. I had Picky McPickypants look at a few cookbooks yesterday and pick out pictures of food he thought he'd like. He'll always eat roast chicken. And so long as there are chips, he should eat the soup tomorrow. Dad is coming over Friday for meatloaf. YAY! I love meatloaf, but Jamie hates it, so I only make it on weekends during hunting season. I'm sure that will be an easy mac night for Chase, though.

I'm off to find links to toys the kids want for Christmas to make the Aunts lives easier this Christmas season...

Happy Fall

First things first, Cassie climbed into Sherman's cage last night. I think she thought it was time for his time out to be over (yes, Sherman gets time outs too). Or maybe she just missed her BFF. IDK, but it made a darn cute pic!

The other two are the family pics in which Cassie was less than cooperative. They are pics of a pic, so the quality is a bit craptastic, but it's better than nothing...

Enjoy. The resident right wing loon is taking a day off from politics.

Peggy the Moocher beats Joe the Plumber

Fox News fans will recognized this clip of Peggy Joseph (nicknamed Peggy the Moocher by Michelle Malkin): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ikOxi9yYk

Most of the nation will also recognize Joe Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber), who asked Obama about his tax plan and received the now famous "Spread the Wealth" answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUvwKVvp3-o

Joe the Plumber represents the American Dream. He's a plumber, buying a small business, hoping to join the ranks of the upper middle class in America while providing jobs to other plumbers (less willing to take on the inherent risks of entrepreneurship) and a valuable service to consumers. Despite all the dirt dug up on Joe during the campaign, the fact remains that he is trying to live out the American Dream. He didn't ask President-elect Obama for a thing, except to keep his taxes low enough that his business can thrive. That thriving business is good for Joe's community, good for the state of Ohio, and good for America. The ability to employ others (giving a hand up) and provide a crucial service to consumers while building wealth is what makes America the Land of Opportunity. The government will get its share: Joe will pay taxes, his business will pay taxes and his employees will pay taxes. However, lower taxes will allow Joe's business to grow and thrive and that is good for everyone!

Contrast Joe the Plumber with Peggy the Moocher. Peggy is overjoyed that because she helped President-elect Obama with his campaign (by what, attending a rally?), he's going to help her! Free gas! Free mortgage! Peggy has her hand out waiting for whatever entitlement the government will throw her way. She doesn't care about creating wealth, providing services, or helping other people. Peggy has her hand out shrieking, "ME! ME! ME"

Many Conservatives teased former Presidential candidate John Edwards mercilessly for his claim of "two Americas." I submit to you that there are, indeed, two Americas today. Unlike John Edwards, I do not believe those two Americas are divided by income, I believe our two Americas are divided by those who do (Joe the Plumber) and those who don't (Peggy the Moocher). The one who does doesn't expect the government to support him. Joe the Plumber wants to support himself. He wants to give others the opportunity to support themselves, too. Peggy the Moocher just wants to know what the government is going to give her. She doesn't seem to care where the government is going to get the capital for her free gas or free mortgage, she's just got her hand out and she wants her free stuff now! It's all about Peggy to Peggy.

It is my sincere hope that as a nation, we continue to strive for the American Dream, as symbolized by Joe the Plumber this election year. I fear that dream is disintegrating into an American Nightmare with Peggy the Moocher leading the charge.

On the lighter side...

I got these in an email and thought I'd pass them on. I'm begging my sister do #6 to her weatherguy this winter, but I don't see it happening...if it does though, I'll post a You Tube link...

Funny Moms Stories #1:
I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?" I turned around and walked back out and never went back. My husband didn't say a word... he knew better.

Funny Moms Stories #2:
I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of the good-looking gentlemen who works at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said, "I think I like playing with men's balls."

Funny Moms Stories #3:
My sister and I were at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of candy and nuts.
As we were looking at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied, "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically. The boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my sister has never let me forget.

Funny Moms Stories #4:
While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving "right now" she would be punished.
To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with my daughter in tow. The last thing I heard as the door closed behind me, were screams of laughter.

Funny Moms Stories #5:
Have you ever asked your child a question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch in between errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so of course I checked my seven-month-old daughter, and she was clean. Then I realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while.
I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No".
I kept thinking "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any clean clothes with me."
Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse.
So, I asked one more time, "Danny, did you have an accident?" This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over, spread his cheeks and yelled "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!"
While 30 people nearly choked to death on their tacos laughing, he calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An older couple made me feel better, thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!

Funny Moms Stories #6
This one had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow, but don't get any? We had a female news anchor who,the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked:
"So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?"
Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, they were laughing so hard!

Pick a side, any side...

It's not a secret that I enjoy spirited debates on a few different internet message boards. Mostly I tend to debate politics as I learned a long time ago that debating parenting styles is pointless. No one likes to make a better liar out of you than your children!

My writing style has always been a bit inflammatory--that was part of the reason people actually read The Green Owl (my college newspaper) during my tenure as Editor in Chief--you never knew what I was going to say! It was an election year and I was probably the first Republican editor in the paper's history. One of the biggest compliments I recieved at the time was, "When I read your editorials, I can hear you. You write exactly how you speak." As a journalism student, I counted the fact that I could communicate my views that clearly as a tremendous success.

My writing style tends towards the snark and lacks tact. I freely acknowledge this. I am far more of an Ann Coulter or Rush Limbaugh than I am a Thomas Sowell. I am an outspoken, opinionated Conservative. And while I respect your right to disagree with me, if you do disagree with me, you're wrong and I won't hesitate to tell you why. I have no patience at all for the politically correct movement and I refuse to mince words for fear of hurting feelings. In other words, I call it like I see it.

It is this no-holds-barred approach to life (and writing, and debating, and politics) that caused a firestorm on one of the boards I frequent. A few posts ago I brought up the race issue in this election. For the record, I do not believe that Barack Obama was elected POTUS solely because he is black. I have never said that. But to pretend that his race had NOTHING to do with his election to that office is at best denial and at worst sheer lunacy. Howard Stern (yes, THAT Howard Stern) proves my point with this clip (warning--there is an "F-bomb" not 10 seconds into the footage, but it is worth watching nonetheless). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5p3OB6roAg

Naturally, daring to mention the race issue to a bunch of left wing libs caused a huge pile on. I was accused of racism, called a bigot, told I couldn't possibly know that anyone voted for Obama solely based on his skin color (although the clip above shoots that theory down like Palin and a moose). When they couldn't go after the political, the attacks got personal. One group had their panties in such a bunch that they took the flogging to another message board. You know, because nothing says democracy and spirited political debate like making fun of someone behind her back in a place where she can't defend herself. Perhaps it is all going to my head, but I'm starting to think that Ann Coulter may need to watch out...if I can piss off a few desperate housewives to that extent with a few posts on an internet message board, imagine what my book sales could be! Oh, the possibilities...

Sick Day

So Chase got a sick day today. He woke up complaining of a sore throat and felt a little warm, so I kept him home and took him to the ped for a strep test. It's not strep and he'll be back at school tomorrow.

I continue to be impressed by my fellow conservatives and the spirit of unity that they're displaying. Would that the left displayed such dignity following the elections in 2000 and 2004...last night Karl Rove expressed his support for President-elect Obama on three Fox News shows (O'Reilly, Hannity and Colmes, and Greta). This afternoon, Glenn Beck also announced his support for our new President-elect. I'm truly proud of my party for reaching across the aisle and doing what is best for our country, despite Obama's appointment of no less than a far-left, partisan attack dog (I can't call Rahm Emanuel a pit bull, that's an insult to both Baxter and Ruthie) as his Chief of Staff. Say what you will about Karl Rove, but to my knowledge, he never mailed a dead fish to someone who pissed him off. Rahm Emanuel did. And that is Barack Obama's new Chief of Staff. Yeah--I'm not really feeling much HOPE about the CHANGE that is coming...

I recieved the following quote in an email today:

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

Goldberg also uses this quote in Liberal Fascism. I fear this is where our country is headed. While debating online today, someone commented that because the US is the only remaining Superpower, naturally Germany, France, and Canada have a vested interest (and opinion) in our national leadership. It was the perfect opportunity to point out that indeed those nations are NOT Superpowers, but they are examples of governments/societies with the exact sort of socialist model liberals want to see in America. And they're NOT Superpowers. Imagine that. The last socialist Superpower was the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Those of us who lived through it (and students of history) know that the USSR collapsed because Ronald Reagan outspent them (and basically pushed them into bankruptcy) on defense. You can't support your entire population while also defending yourself against external threats. Something has to give. The Soviet Union collapsed under the financial strain.

The Dow is down over 800 points since yesterday. While some of this can be contributed to horrible retail sales in October and lower than expected corporate earnings reports, some of the sell off can also be attributed to fear that Obama will raise the capital gains tax. In the best of circumstances, raising taxes does not stimulate the economy. Raising taxes in the midst of a financial crisis could spell disaster for us all.

I'm hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst...

As usual, Conservatives do it with class...

And while I hate to lose, at least we're gracious losers. While I'm sure Barack Obama will get all the credit for "healing the nation" after the "horrible" Bush Presidency, I have to say how proud I am of my fellow Conservatives. Unless you live in Oklahoma, Republicans lost last night and we lost big.

We could take a page from the behavior of liberals/Democrats in 2000 and 2004 and continue the divide that plagued this country for almost a decade. Instead, I see Republicans stating that they will support President-elect Obama and RESPECTFULLY disagree with him. Watching O'Reilly with Chase this evening, I pointed out Malia and Sasha Obama on stage with their parents last night and told him that Sasha is about his age. We talked about how it is possible to respectfully disagree with policy without personally insulting the person. We also talked about how Chase should ask himself how he would feel if someone said something about HIS father before he said it about Barack Obama.

I find it incredibly ironic that the biggest Bush bomb throwers are the ones screaming the loudest now for unity and coming together. Unlike their behavior over the last eight years, we conservatives will put our Country First and support our President because it is the right thing to do.

My fellow Americans...

Really? Did you really just elect the most liberal Senator in Congress to the highest office in the land? A man whose spent his entire Senate career campaigning for President and has absolutely no zero executive experience? This is the man who will protect our nation from terrorists? SERIOUSLY?

I had a little election results wake tonight. There were eight adults (seven of whom voted for McCain, btw) and 11 children (all of whom favored McCain). While picking up the pizzas ($5 Little Greasers, b/c by God if my taxes are going up, I'm going to start saving now), I bemoaned the current state of the election to the man waiting on me. He was middle aged and I'm quite sure he was the manager. I said I thought it was the first time voters who put Obama over the top (you know, the youngsters who don't pay real taxes) and he agreed. He said one of his employees came in and proudly announced her vote for Obama. He replied, "Good. You'll be the first I lay off when his economic policies cause the economy to go to hell in a handbasket." No kidding. We both laughed and he comped me a pepperoni pizza.

I knew this would happen, but I really didn't expect to feel so sad and so disappointed in my fellow Americans. I haven't felt this crappy about politics since 41 lost in '92. I'm just sad. And scared. Because I don't trust his "civilian" army, I don't trust the fairness doctrine, and I don't trust him leading our armed forces (neither do they, btw, which is why they voted overwhemingly in favor of McCain). Not to mention his socialist economic policies.

My dad said that those who voted for him will get what they want. Unfortunately, so will those of us who didn't...

http://www.drudgereport.com/ Check out the two top links on the page--they have video of the guy w/the billy club...
Obviously they're not stumping for McCain...anyone want to discuss?

Am I the only one appalled by the glaring double standard in race relations? If 95% of white Americans voted for John McCain b/c of the color of his skin, that would be blatantly racist. Even if it was one of many reasons they voted for him. Yet an estimated 95% of black Americans are voting for Barack Obama largely b/c he's black. And that's not racist? How is that not racist?

It probably goes w/o saying that I think the voter intimidation in Philly is a bunch of crap--but why hasn't Obama himself denounced it? He's staying silent about it, just like he stayed silent in the pews of Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years...

MLK wanted a world where no one was judged on the color of his/her skin--I don't think he would have wanted a black man elected to our nation's highest office like this...

Thoughts?

It is Election Eve

And while I'd prefer a month of fighting over hanging chads to President Obama, I've more or less resigned myself to the fact that the majority of the electorate has swallowed the "change" kool aid and will tomorrow elect a President whose values are far more in line with Western Europe's socialist entitlements than your typical Red State land of opportunity values. Taxes will go up, government will get bigger, businesses will suffer (due to increased taxation) and pass their sufferings on to consumers, further tanking the economy, which will result in even higher taxes and more government programs until we the people come to our senses and realize that more government is not the answer.

Jamie and I are looking at the bright side of this Obamanation--if his tax plans go through, the only place to really tax-shelter retirement funds will be in life insurance policies. So that's good for Jamie's business, which is good for us, so long as we keep our household income under 250K, or wait--didn't Biden say 150K, oh, hold on, last I heard it was 120K, and then 60K...yeah, I'm pretty sure that "middle class tax cut" isn't going to cut it for us...but hey, the life insurance biz should be booming, provided those Western European policies don't result in Western European unemployment rates...

I'm watching Barack Obama speak...

and somehow, even managing to choke down lunch (although it really wants to come back up).

I'm going to ask a varient of the famous question Ronald Reagan asked Americans in 1980. Are you better off now than you were eight years ago? Or even four years ago? Despite the recent stock market volitility, we are. We have more equity in our home, our diversified investments are hanging in there, and we're doing okay. The economy is a cycle and in order to have up times, there are inevitable downtimes. I've blogged ad nauseum about how the "life should be fair" policies of Democrats caused this particular downturn by forcing lenders to give to unqualified borrowers. Is giving them control of the Legislative and Executive branches of government really the solution? They caused this problem, do you really trust them to solve it?

I believe in capitalism. I believe that the economy will recover if government gets out of its way. Moreover, I don't understand how taking away capital (through higher taxation) from those who create wealth, who create jobs, who create opportunities for others and giving it to others (who don't create wealth, jobs or opportunities for others) is going to stimulate the economy. Take the capital gains tax...Jamie and I often talk of building our dream home on acreage not far from here. But paying a 28% capital gains tax on the sale of this house might be motivation enough to stay put. We love the neighborhood, the house meets our needs and considering everything we've done (and plan to do) to it, that 28% is going to hurt! Building a new house, selling this one--that is exactly the sort of stimulation the economy needs that would be suffocated by increased taxes. Obama isn't telling the truth--first it was higher taxes if you make more than $250K, then $150K, then (courtesy of Biden)$120K. Now, videotape of Obama surfaces and he's saying $80K. The fact of the matter is--no one knows at what income level Obama will raise taxes, but he's going to raise them. He's admitted as much! Herbert Hoover raised taxes--his tax increase has been noted as the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back on a struggling economy and kicked off the Great Depression. Do we really need another Great Depression? Even an economist stumping for Obama on Fox News last week admitted that raising taxes in the current economy would be disasterous.

Last night Janine Turner was on O'Reilly talking about why she's voting for McCain and her response was similar to what I've been saying for months: as a mother, her greatest priority is the safety of her children. Terrorism is still a very real threat, and a leader who takes a stand and won't bow down to our enemies is what this country needs. So much lip service has been paid to change. We haven't had a major terrorist attack since I was pregnant with Chase. Given Bush's record on National Security, we don't need change. We need to stay the course, remain hawkish on defense, and fight our enemies on their turf, not ours.

National polls show the race tightening, but I'm not sure the electorate will come to its senses by Tuesday. If not, I wish it were only the Obama supporters who will reap what they've sown. Unfortunately, it will probably hurt those of us smart enough not to vote for him in the first place the most.