Some of you may have gathered I am preparing for a move to Chicago…Yes, I know, God (d*mn) Chicago!! Hahaha. I will be in the land of Obama, gulp. Already having spent several weekends there looking at exorbitant housing prices and needing to live near a metra station, this is going to tax me, literally!! I will probably be paying 200k more for the size house and location to fit our needs. Mind, I was willing to sacrifice and go smaller, but the Master was not. (I say Master in jest).

I grew up in a place where privacy was at a premium and it was just how things were. Yep, our kiddies are spoiled, but, I guess I am, too. I have always teased Master about him building me a little shack in the backyard that’s all for me, me, me because no matter where I am, I have zero, zip, nada privacy. I have to hide things like scissors, clippers, make-up, jewelry. Even my shoes and clothes are not safe. Nor is a little squirreled away treat. Somehow, all five family members seem to encroach! Such is the life in a family of six.

Today as I sit here holding an open house, waiting for a nosy neighbor or two to pop in…and I mean nosy in a good way, I feel overwhelmed. The neighbors who want to move up in the land of house, will come in and I play realtor. I am selling it myself, so I just introduce myself, “Nee, ProMarketing Investments, Welcome.”

And, then I have to try hard not to tell them all the things I will miss about my home. The awesome country kitchen, with a wood burning fireplace in the kitchen that smells like the oak we burned when spring rolls around…my screened in patio that becomes a ceramic- heated space with Christmas tree during the holidays for a nighttime glass of wine…my birds tweeting around the filled squirrel zapping feeder. Whenever one gets zapped off, I laugh and hope the neighbors aren’t into PETA!) Or the US flag flapping outside the kitchen window as I fill my coffee cup and makes me swell with pride inside…that certain peace that I feel every morning in this, MY kitchen, when everyone has left to start the day. How it felt when the kitchen was finally redone and I left to go run some errands, got a mile down the road and turned around just to go back and sit in it with another cup of joe and enjoy the sunlight streaming in.

Ouch.

Rather I have to say, unattached…“The features of this house include a first floor master, hearts of pine flooring, a huge laundry room, walk-in pantry, 4 bedrooms upstairs, 2 full baths, plus an office, a bonus room, 3 (count ‘em 3) skylights and walk-in attic space. There is potential for a second floor master with a separate bath and a large closet, too. The architectural shingled roof, hardi-plank siding and gutters were brand new in 2004, as was the kitchen and the appliances. The whole interior has been repainted and there are 3 zones of heating/cooling. The HVAC units were upgraded and replaced in ‘00, ‘02. Don’t forget to take a peak at the huge linen closet, too. If you have any questions, feel free. Oh, and the carpeting upstairs is brand spanking new. (wah!!)

When I retreat so they can do their wandering, I am thinking, “Please let this be the person who will want to buy my house and love it as much as we do.” Until the Master calls and says, “I think I found us a rental until the house sells.” Half of me is excited that one stress just might be done with. The other half of me that stayed objective, up beat and very practical, starts to blubber uncontrollably when I say, “Well, I’m not so sure when the movers can make it happen. I have two estimates tomorrow.” As I sit here and type, I am pretty sad…for myself and the kids about actually leaving. I thought I might be done with wussing and having to “suck it up” as the phrase goes. Instead, I look around and in the annals of my mind, I remember standing right over “there” when the baby strung together this question in his husky little voice, “Da-ddy? Mommy coming?( as in, too?) Or how with swollen feet (from the birth of the baby), in this big kitchen on Millenium Eve, I called my Gram for Aunt Emma’s Ginger cookie recipe, determined to bake something. The master and the ‘others” were out gathering supplies for the evening of festivities…Ouch. The memories will always be in my heart, I know. And, after all, Home is where the heart is.

I am standing at attention, fingers curled and presiding over a field covered in sacrifice. I am alone in my thoughts, though surrounded by many. I looked at each name, hoping that one would be etched to memory. My uncle didn’t get to be buried there. He was lost at sea on the USS Dorchester in 1943. But it isn’t just those names I wanted to commit. It was the magnitude of the gift many of the fallen willingly gave to us.

I was encompassed by many whose lives had been cut short for the Land of the free, home of the brave. Duty, Honor, Country. Nothing is more sacred than the lives laid down in the name of freedom. Where would we be without those sacrifices and the ones to surely come? How is something so obvious constantly overlooked? America would not be what it is without any of them.

Why are there folks who want to put a price on what we have? Why do they take it for granted that someone else understands the privilege of serving this Country to preserve those freedoms?

This place should make everyone grateful for all that we hold dear. It should move a person to tears to know that some loved this Country so much they were willing to die without a second thought. It should make you shiver with gratitude.

I felt those things and I shed tears for people I would never know. I understand the words, ”Their Valor is our heritage.” For my Uncle David, and my other Greats, I must carry on and spread the word. Freedom isn’t free and no cost can be attached.

Where in the World is Grandpa A???

Oh to be a Travel Enthusiast….

Many folks like traveling and seeing the world. There are those that will never leave their home states, those who will never leave the US and those who will go just about anywhere.

At any rate, “Dad” as I call him, seems to gravitate toward the third world countries as meccas for history and lack of western influence. Mom, on the other hand, doesn’t mind the hotels that don’t utilize mosquito nets to sleep.

Dad and my husband went to Vietnam in 1993, wherein the little side trip to Cambodia, Phnom Phen were nixed by the State Dept for the political unrest.

A few weeks ago, he came back from Egypt with Mom and grandchild number 4. I hear it was a great trip.

Alas, Dad is relentless in his travel pursuits. Sometimes, I swear he has a secret death wish. So, bearing in mind that Dad loves the risk, the history and the backwardness of it all, guess where he is??? Well, I’m not gonna tell!!

Dad is a great journaler of his travels and sends emails of his advnetures when he can. He has sent several to Mom, the Rottens and Things. A little excerpt:

As a joke, my M sent an email to Mom…it probably made her freak a tad, but then, I am sure she belly laughed knowing her husband as she does.

One’s ability to deduce the location should be fairly easy after reading this. I LMAO and told M that this was one of the reasons I fell in love with him and it’s the truth.

Uh-oh, people!! Hold on to your Kentucky Derby hats. The kooks from PETA are out in force and they want you to know that Gabriel Sanchez whipped that poor horse Eight Belles unmercifully, and caused it’s death. Why don’t they protest like this for human life at abortion clinics, Huh? I aks you? And, that is not a typo-aks. Why are they not giving the same attention to baby killers? Oh, what? You mean members of PETA think that’s okay? Of COURSE they do, of course. As long as they set the standards that they don’t have to live up to, it’s all O-kay. Silly me, I thought that human life was what we all valued more!! How could I be so shallow as to not protest when Eight Belle’s fell that it was the mean old trainer and rider who caused this? I am sad about what happened to the horse, no doubt. It was unbelievable. But for PETA to demand an investigation and the return of the prize money because SOMEBODY had to be at fault it just freaking insane. Sigh. The things that make you go, “hmmmm!”

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90F41J00&show_article=1

Coffee Talk (aka Nee RANTS!!)

I don’ t want to drive everybody crazy…but this stuff has to get out of my head. These are things I have heard or read and I gotta give my two cents here.

No, I don’t believe cold-blooded murderer should be allowed to enter into service. But, that old policy that was in place when I served- the one that let offenders choose jail or the military isn’t such a bad thing. It does turn a lot of people around. I am a firm believer that if a person doesn’t have it in them to goal set or make smart choices then the military is a good place to gain those skills. Does it turn everyone around? No. But I do believe in second chances. And if someone wants to wine about drug offenses? Rest-assured that those troops will be pisss tested more than your average employee anywhere. In four years I was tested 12 times and I was a model citizen upon enlisting. Go to the link here:

Next…groan. “Oh my goodness!”,in my best Judy Garland voice from the Wizard. So the Marine Marketing moguls have made some ads to attract women recruits. What is wrong with that? Drudge had it in his headlines and frankly, I think the Military branches should all make the same effort as the Marines are doing. Why? Because women can serve in many capacities and many want to, that’s why! Even the Daughters of Iraq and the Sisters of Fallujah when given something to believe in and stand up for are doing their part. It’s all good as long as you know it’s worth defending!

Women in the Marines link:

Iraqi Women doing their part:

Okay, I am sick to death of the campaign bs and people who continue to close their eyes or bury their heads in the sand about Obama. This guy is as left as you can get without calling him Marx. Every day I hear the same radio ad by Obama and how we need unity so we can have Universal Health care and naïve (sorry, perhaps I should just call them dumb, uneducated sheeplike ) college students who say in the ad, “Obama is going to help those of us with big college loans…” And, every single time, I end up talking back to the ad…It took me ten years to apy back my loan at freaking 8%!!! It’s called working and sacrificing for what you want in life. This is not the “Vote for Obama so you think you’ll get a free ride 101” here people! It means more intrusion or your life, blood sweat and tears. WTF is wrong with people who believe this guy has a plan for change????

I can’t seem to find the ad…hang on…

Sigh…and in looking for the Obama ad, I found this sorry post on the Mother Jones blog…and I wanted (o)Vomit! This person is obviously a supporter of Obama and he called the debates “mis-moderated”? WTF does that really mean? Well, I would say that the candidates didn’t know the answers to the questions or they sidestepped. The next gem was this baby…William Ayers was never arrested for his bombing activities and since nobody died this makes Obamas associations with the “distinguished professor and education expert” okay as well!! Um, so what else can we let go by in terms of relativity and not TRUTH, you f-ing numbskulls at Mother Jones!!! Oh, yes, I remember now…if it’s okay to be associated with Ayers because he’s changed, and has openly asserted he wishes he could have bombed more, then it’s all good. Kinda like the Rev. Wright doesn’t really hate white people and Obama really put wax in his big dumbo floppies for 20 years!!! If you don’t want to raise your BP, avoid the link….you’ve been warned.

You’d think I’d be finished, huh? Not. Jimmuh Carter has really gotten more brash with his old senile self. Mr. ‘I thought I’d save the world’ but who still refuses to admit the part he played in our current situation. Of course, anybody with a thinking brain (translate Conservative with principles) is naturally offended by Carter’s visit for hugs and kisses with Hamas. Well, something I really liked is that Charlotte NC Rep. Sue Myrick is pushing for revoking Carter’s passport. Take away a person’s greatest privilege- To travel to a foreign land and be able to come back to the best Nation on the planet. Especially since he was apparently warned about going on this little jaunt by the State Dept. Here’s the link:

Have you seen this story anywhere in the MSM??? I didn’t think so….6.5 tons is a lotta cache…no pun intended. Remember boys and girls, nothing good is happening in Iraq!! Nothing! Praise the 2/24!!

Okay…this was absolutely a classic!! Thanks to American Thinker columnist Thomas Lifson for being there…Where, you ask? Ha! Double Ha!!

Well, it seems the Marines of Berkeley had a little demonstration of their own to “battle” the code pinky stinkies. Nope, I didn’t capitalize that, but you see the word Marine is capitalized. The pinkies were apparently busy saving the earth and celebrating green. Does anyone need a barf bag, or bucket?

They left behind some posters. (In my best of whiny), “Sorry we missed you boys, we are out saving the planet, War is not green”

I ask you, would anyone with a mind show up at the park where they were to be green? Let’s see the pinkos believe in saving the planet, global warming and that donating money to terrorists is a good thing. Is anyone “feeling” good about the pinkos saving the planet? Mmm, nope, not me. Is anyone but a leftist celebrating money given to terrorists? Why, oh why didn’t they feed some of the homeless children whose parents must surely be out on the street after buying houses they couldn’t afford? Oh, sorry, I guess THAT happened after they gave the money to the dark side. Okay, then why didn’t they invest that money somewhere to make more to insure all those poor people who have no health care? Oh, woe is me!! I cannot believe that such things are happening. Our own “pink patriots” denying their own citizens healthcare, food and shelter! What in God’s name (did I say His name out loud?)is happening to this Country? (swooning).

I’ll tell you what’s happening. The Marines don’t have to take it! Thanks to (gasp!) Freedom of speech which they hold near and dear not to just themselves, but for the rest of our Country. Contrary to the popular leftist belief that terrorism was a prop for the Bush administration, we and our Military understand that it is a threat and they are in the fight of our lives and theirs. But I digress.

The important thing here, is that some Marines decided to stand tall together….Semper Fi, to all.

Here’s the link to the American Thinker

Okay. My daughter is a sophomore and taking civics. The teacher, also a softball coach, gave this quiz. I need some help (and signs, Jam Apple, signs!) I want to know what the heck this person is teaching my kid. I understand that as young ‘uns they have lots of sympathy. But this kid is all about what is right and fair and gets it. That’s why in discussing it with my daughter, I was miffed. I could not find an exact quiz match, but maybe that is because teach there changed it to suit. Why would I think that? MMM, government skools. So, I found this one in the link below.

I have to believe this is the same one. But, some words have been changed to be politically correct, in my opinion. Which of course, you know really frosts me!! So here goes with the online quiz. Underneath in red, the actual kid quiz words. In red parentheses, I say “okay” if the statement is not changed, or add what the statement was on the kid quiz. The answers you could pick were: agree, maybe, disagree.

Personal Issues

Economic Issues

My assumptions could be off on the last two.. But the scary thing is the wording and use of political correctness made my daughter’s answers label her as a “statist!!” And, naturally, that made me cringe. So…I took the quiz online, and was labeled a conservative.

I also took the kid answers and plugged them in and the label tells me my daughter is a centrist. What I am curious to understand is what defined the word “conservative” in class. My daughter said she answered based on that definition. That could also be a little white lie because she didn’t want to admit that her views were different from mine…I am very vehement in my convictions and not intimidating at all. J

Sigh, It frustrates the daylights out of me. Everyday, I get closer and closer home schooling all of my kids, except that I suck in math. Many of you may have seen this quiz…I tend to ignore that kind of stuff. So, if you haven’t, and even though we know we’re conservatives, just do it!

I came across something and I am trying to figure out how to be nice about someone else’s beliefs and what they are doing to support such ideals. Have you ever heard of the word “freegan”?

Nope, it isn’t slang for the word frigging, freaking, or fukking, uh-uh. It is a word that describes a person who forages through trash for free, vegan type foods that are tossed away daily by grocery stores and bakeries, mainly.

Hence, Free and -gans because they only forage for vegetables, fruits, breads and expired boxed goods. Not all freegans are vegans, however.

Surprised, shocked, and grossed out? Me, too. I mean, I have never heard of this before. Even more mind-blowing is that the people doing it are well-educated, successful people who decided that there is too much consumerism and waste happening in the world today and they have committed themselves to a life of minimalism, to include eating free and wasted goods by going on “Trash” field trips. Many are not employed and see money as bad!!

What constitutes a ‘field’ trip? Apparently, take along some plastic grocery sacks, maybe some disposable gloves and get the pep talk that consists of telling fellow freegans that they should wash any fruits and veggies when they get home, inspect any packaging for holes, and no eating while collecting food.!! Yikes! I’m sorry, but the thought of standing n the dark of night, with flashlight in hand to pick through the waste of a store makes me cringe.

For freegans, the imperative toward owning inanimate objects and purchasing ancillary services only feeds the beast of capitalist economics. They believe that housing is a right not a privilege, so instead of paying rents or mortgages, freegans tend to squat in abandoned buildings or live with groups of friends. I don’t like this at all. Ask a South African how they feel when squatters take over their private property and the government does absolutely nothing. Freegans also believe those who embrace capitalism are, in fact destroying the environment, the animals, and even humans. So, basically, the world. And the way they connect the dots to get to the point of being minimalist or by rejecting capitalism can be astounding. What do I mean?

Because of the pollution emitted from cars and other kinds of transportation freegans prefer to skate, hitchhike, walk or cycle. Nothing wrong with using self-moded means to get around, right? But I think they forgot that gas is used to transport the vegetables, or that a cow’s farting methane contributes to the “ruin” of the environment!! (Damn cows! Hold on a second…oops! I just contributed, too. Excu-use me!)

Or how about that cows are ‘hurt’ because we milk or slaughter them? Never mind good old vitamin D or the fact protein is an essential nutrient for strong bones and brain growth in children. (Do you think freegans have children in this awful world of over consumption and capitalism?) And, me, well, I truly love a nice freezing cold glass of milk a good petite filet and I work hard for the money (so hard for the money, do-do-do-do) to be able to enjoy that! I’m sorry, but why would cows be on the earth if not for that?

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 96 billion pounds of food are thrown away each year, making up 12 percent of the trash produced in the United States. Because of federal and state regulations for restaurants and grocery stores, expiration dates often come before the food actually spoils. This is perplexing to me- the regulatory issues. If food is going to be thrown away why can it not be donated to a homeless shelter or sold at a discount instead of tossing it? Why? Well, lawsuits, of course! (Tort reform, tort reform, personal responsibility, no entitlements!)

Freeganism is a spot-on practical illustration of Ayn Rand's term "stolen concept". Freegans are denying that which allows them to be! These people are living off the “spoils” (literally!!) of a free market system. This is indeed hypocritical. Should the free market system collapse, so would their ability to re-use the values of that system. Amazing, isn’t it?

The movement has been around since the 90’s, apparently. In researchin this article, I found several references that dated to 1997.

But, you see, we cannot go back to be cavemen who were hunters and gatherers. We cannot go back in time and become any less technologically advanced…Could we consume less and use the things we own more efficiently? Absolutely. I ask myself how is it that a person wakes up one day and has such a revelation about the consumerism and waste? What does giving up a 6 figure income and foraging through garbage actually do to help those who have less? (as somewhere in a liberal mind, it is about humanity and saving the planet) Why not take all that money and really do something to help those less fortunate or to change the policy to use the waste efficiently? Why not put it to tangible use instead of becoming a bit of a recluse against societal progress, government and the free market? Because, it makes them feel good. More power to them if that is truly what makes them tick. Not me. I will not apologize for wanting, even needing to consume. This is human nature and if it weren’t meant to be this way, we as a planet would have imploded long ago. I can be more frugal in many ways, but I will never embrace freegan ideals. I can’t. I’m a capitalist, after all!

Check out this link…you may need a barf bucket!

 PS TH links are sucking and I couldn't spell check...